Newbie with questions and ideas

[Guest awrstn]

This is great to see an actual group in TN. I'm a newbie of course and live in Morrison area. Just completed the Hand Gun Carry Permit class last Saturday (10/25). Up until then, I hadn't shot a gun for nearly 25 years (God, am I that old?).

I own 4 long guns (2 antiques in great shape) but no pistols. I'm in the market for a pistol and am up for suggestions.

Reason I'm getting back into it is because our local sheriff took 20 minutes to get to our house in an emergency. Nothing against the boys, I understand they are underfunded and short handed, but that's too long for me. We get a lot of wackos on meth in our area so I figured I'll need something to protect the property and myself while I wait for the sheriff to show up.

I also have enough property (16 acres and closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away) to set up my own shooting range. Ideas would be great when I get time to build it.

So, here are my thoughts on pistols. I saw Academy Sports is selling a S & W 9mm Sigma for $299 with $50 rebate or 2 mags. I think you can get it in 40 S&W too. Decent? Other suggestions? I used the exact gun in the class on Saturday and it felt very comfortable in my hands.

I've also thought about a carry gun like a wheel 38 type. Small and light. Thoughts?

Okay, enough questions right? Oops, there's another one.

I'm all ears!

Thanks guys and gals.

[Guest eyebedam]

Welcome to TGO. I really dont care for the Sigma for 299.00 but it is a nice gun for the money. A .38 wheel would be my choice of the 2 you mentioned. Something along the lines of a Smith 642 or 442.

[Guest nj.piney]

welcome

[Fallguy]

Welcome

[andersmg]

Welcome!

If the Sigma felt good in your hand and you shot well with it you might want to go ahead and get yourself one. To me if a gun feels good in my hand that is a very big part of me liking it and being proficient with it.

You can always buy another one later if you think you need it! We all need at least a couple of carry weapons!

[Guest tnmale46]

welcome

[Guest Major Pain]

Hello, welcome to TGO. Hard to go wrong with a wheel gun. I carry a Colt DS as main carry and sometimes swap up with a 642 Smith.--MP

[DWARREN123]

Howdy and Welcome to TGO

You have to go with what you like and can shoot well. Try as many as possible before making a choice.

[Guest Arko]

Agreed.

I'm a noob here, but not new to guns.

If the Sigma feels ok with you, and it's reliable, what else matters? Same for a wheel gun.

Especially around the property, if ultra concealment isn't an issue, buy on price, comfort/controlability and mechanical reliability.

One thought on a .38 though...consider one that will handle +p ammo, or a .357. You can practice with light .38, and then load up hotter for carry duty with more punch.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Welcome to TGO. I really dont care for the Sigma for 299.00 but it is a nice gun for the money. A .38 wheel would be my choice of the 2 you mentioned. Something along the lines of a Smith 642 or 442.

+1

Welcome to TGO.

Like, eyebedam, I'm not too fond of the Sigma line (I'd prefer to step up to the M&P line, if I wanted a semi with the S&W name). Again, you can't go wrong with a 642/442 in .38 cal. It's powerful in a tiny, but controllable, package. Which is awesome for concealed carry, nightstand duty, or a BUG (backup gun). It's pretty much what detectives carried for years, and a lot of us carry concealed or as BUGs today.

If you truly want something for home defense, something anyone in the family can use, and something inexpensive... stick with a shotgun. They still remain the best weapon for home duty. But I understand your desire if you're wanting to carry something as well as be able to use it at home.

Just my $0.02.

Again, welcome to TGO.

[tnroadrunner]

Welcome and enjoy. I also agree try as many as possible. I have two XD9's one is a 4 inch and the other is 5 inch. I also have a Taurus 3 inch and a Taurus 357 Mag. wheel gun which you can also shoot 38's through, this is a 4 inch. My main carry gun is the XD 4 inch holds 15 rounds and use the Taurus 3 inch as my backup gun.

[Guest awrstn]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and bought the S&W Sigma 40 cal. Hey, like some of you said, it felt good and one hell of a price. Plus I can either choose between $50 back or 2 mags. Leaning towards the mags which will give me 4.

Thanks again.

Don

[Oh Shoot]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and bought the S&W Sigma 40 cal.

Good deal...just get comfy with it and it'll protect well.

Welcome to the site!

- OS

[PackinMama]

Welcome to TGO!