[MP-Fan]

I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

I'm new to the forum and new to pistols and feel like a fish out of water sometimes when asking for advice. I've always been around guns growing up, just not pistols, always rifles or shotguns. I love the outdoors and am particularly fond of sniper quality shooting with rifles. Due to costs I have mainly been using rimfire in LR and Mag over the past 10 years to have my fun. I feel totaly out of my league when it comes to pistols though. With a rifle I'm totally comfortable. Here's a picture of what I mean.

My wife and I were recently the victims of some petty crime and burglary and it has totally changed the way I view things. I have never before had the desire to arm myself for the protection of myself and my family. NOW I DO! We live in a very nice area and 4 days after our car was broken into ( My wife had left $5000 in jewlery to be cleaned including her wedding ring and a family heiloom in the car.

) and someone tried to enter the house in the evening, there was a armed home invasion two blocks from our house in the middle of the day. I'm a stay at home day with a two year old and that could have been me. Luck of the draw is the only thing that stood between myself and my neighbor. Needless to say I am motivated, but I want to do this right. I have spent the past few weeks researching everything I could find on personal protection, cartrige choice, ammo, tactical schools, ect. You name it I have researched it! That is how I decided on the S&W MP 40, and that is how I found this forum.

My question for experienced individuals out there may sound simple but everyone has to start somewhere. I mentioned earlier that I want to do this right. I do not want to develope bad habits early in the game and I would like to know if there are any standout video DVD's that can teach the basics of tatical shooting that you would recommend?? I am really interested in pursuing IDPA events as well and I want the foundation I build to be strong. I am extremely motivated to do this right and would appreciate any help I can get. I'm 40 years old and feel like a freshman in High School trying to play with the seniors!

 

[jtaliani]

Nice shooting! I don't know of any really good videos but I'd check out this free vid. in the mean time. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4...1363&q=ipsc

This as well as some good advice really helped my grip and my action shooting. Enjoy!

 

[ClosetCaseNerd]

MP-Fan, I'm gunna shoot you a PM in a min, wait one.

 

[leadfoot]

I have also done a ton of research into schools and training. Gunsite in Arizona comes highly recommended. Lethal Force Institute in Mass. Hey you're in OHIO so try this:

http://www.tdiohio.com/



For videos try www.gunvideo.com

 

[MP-Fan]

Thanks, Keep Em Coming!!



jtaliani: Here's a poor pic of the gun that shot that group (top) and the Custom Ruger 10/22 that I made for my older son's 12th birthday.(bottom)





Thanks for the Video

GO BUCKS!

 

[MP-Fan]

ClosetCaseNerd,

Thank's for the informative PM...over and above... I really appreciate the info! Extra mile candidate in my book!!

Eric

 

[ClosetCaseNerd]

lol thanks dude... when I get my CZ (...or do I want a savage?..hmm) I'll see ya over at rimfirecentral.com (I'm guessing you ARE a member)

 

[dragonlibra]

Videos - I really liked this series

By Bill Wilson & Ken Hackathorn. http://gunvideo.com/index.php?category_id=...gory_id%3D63%26



I'd suggest TDI. Have you gotten your Ohio Concealed Carry License? If not, you're going to have to get training for it any way.



IDPA is also a good way to get a chance to practice some skills using good defensive tactics with a gun. You're fortunate cause Ohio does have a lot of good clubs shooting IDPA matches.

 

[jtaliani]

MP-Fan,

Those are some slick pics. Those are without a doubt the coolest 22s I've ever seen. Nice work and thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Arizona Smithshooter]

The NRA has various training programs...



http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp

 

[rledwards]

I highly recommend the Matt Burkett videos. www.mattburkett.com

Matt very clearly shows how to shoot a pistol correctly.

--Lin

 

[MP-Fan]

For all the posters above: THANK YOU for the advice and support. I don't know why I have a problem looking for advice but I'm really glad I took the opportunity to do so. I showed my wife my post and shared with her the advice from all of you so far. She didn't know about the attempted house entry and it provided me with an opportunity to discuss some really serious issues with her. We were able to sit down and talk about the need for personal responsibility and protection for the first time as a couple and it went very well. She was very impressed with this site and your responses and expressed an interest in learning how to handle and shoot the M&P 40 as well.



For those of you yet to respond, please continue to do so, I would appreciate the advice and it would help my wife as well to see that we are dealing with a problem that others have dealt with and continue to deal with in a responsible manner. It's a weighty issue and it sucks that we have to deal with it...but I want to be prepared if I ever have to defend my family.

Thanks Again,

Eric

 

[carteach0]

Massad Ayob has a book out called 'in the gravest extreme' and it's worth the read. He has several others on personal protection and these should be considered as well.



He's a long term police officer and a champion pistol shooter.

 

[cet]

One more thing to consider ... Probably the BEST deterrent out there.



Get a good dog as a family pet. No, you don't have to get a Rottie, Doberman, or German Sheperd as a protection dog ... I have goldens, and while they're the sweetest dispositioned dogs in the world, they are fearlessly protective of their territory.



Nothing will turn-off a would-be burglar than a dog's barking, growling, etc.



A dog will also pick-up on something looking/sounding not-quite-right far sooner than you will. Granted, there are plenty of false alarms, but after awhile you'll get to notice the difference when a dog is 'saying', "There's somebody walking by and I'm telling him this is my turf" vs. "Hey, I don't know you, and you're someplace you shouldn't be!"



Most dogs will come by this behavior naturally, however, you can add the occassional growl or bark yourself when you hear something outside to encourage a puppy to voice their concerns. I took my cues from when my pups went from playing, chewing, etc. to a serious look and stare in a particular direction with a little 'wuf?' as if asking, "Should I say something about what I'm hearing?"



Your dog will become a member of your family and not only provide protection, but be a life-time friend to you and you family. I can't think of a better addition to your home, and your daughter will learn many lessons on caring for a pet.



Well, I didn't mean to go on about dogs, but they can be your first line of defense and intimidation to any univited guest. If someone is willing to enter a home with a barking, growling dog, you can be assured that they'll have no qualms about causing you and your family personal injury to get what they want.



"Smart" burglars (and yes, there are smart ones) will typically move on to the next target if they're casing a neighborhood and hear/see the tell-tale signs of a dog. A dented, chewed, mauled food bowl on the porch with a inscribed name of, "Duke, Chomper, Adolf, or best of all Fluffy" will send a message.



Granted, don't get a chiuaua or other small or toy breed ... though they will give you advanced warning, a burglar wont be intimidated. Stick with a medium-sized to big dog!

 

[Jester]

Just got a black lab thats 8 weeks old and she is really picking up on the things that your talking about.

 

[MP-Fan]

Man's Best Friend

My wife and I had a beautiful yellow lab when the baby was born. Sadly, he past away shortly after. I agree they are a very good first line deterrent and we will be getting another dog as soon as my son turns 3. They are tremendously loyal and will do all within their power to protect their "pack".

Jester: enjoy the little guy or gal! Probably looks a little like this right about now.

 

[darrenk75b]

I am very sorry for all that you lost. I've been through something similar, and the sense of violation is difficult to dismiss.



I commend your desire to better prepare yourself against potential future crimes. I think that you've chosen a good pistol.



However, while I have no doubt in your capabilities, there are a lot of things that happen to the human body in extreme situations. Fine motor control is gneerally lost. Practice, IDPA, etc all help fight our body's natural instincts when put in a fight-or-flight scenerio. One question that I have for you is this: Does your wife, and son even, intend to practice, train and do what is necessary to make herself proficient as well? It certainly seems as though she understands the need, and has a desire to participate to some extent in the learning of the weapon.



The reason I ask this is to get you thinking about what firearm may be best for your family as a whole. Personally, I would recommend your primary home defense weapon being a shotgun. A 20 gauge loaded with buckshot is an excellent choice for all members of the family, including your wife and son. The recoil isn't nearly as harsh as a 12 gauge, but is still highly effective. A pump shotgun can be had for less then $300. It is easy to train with, is more similar to the rifles you are used to, and is easier to use effectively when your body.



There was a story in the news recently about a home invasion that resulted in the parents struggling with the intruder. The son, about the same age as yours, was the only one capable in the situation of using deadly force, which he did.



The pistol will serve you well, and is an effective tool. I just wanted to give you another option to chew on...

 

[MP-Fan]

I have given some thought to the idea of using a shotgun and may end up with both options. My wife would probably be more comfortable at this point with a shotgun because she is used to shooting my rifles and is a pretty good shot. Possibly a shotgun on her side of the bed and the MP 40 on my side.

My older son is only here every other weekend, I pick him and my daughter up and they spend the weekend with my wife and I. I'm not sure I will be telling them about the whole situation just yet. They are familiar with my guns and know the saftey aspects and both enjoy plinking with me. I'd rather keep it light and fun for now.

Just got back in from installing a motion sensitive spotlight in the back yard. Another first line defense that I didn't have before. :wink:

 

[iskiuskiweski]

I highly recommend a shot gun as your primary home defense. Pistols are great for a last resort close encounter. The shot gun allows you a wider target area, increasing your chances of a hit.



Don't get me wrong I keep the M&P 40 close, and never leave the house without it. I would definitely want it as a back up, but I rather have the shotgun as my go-to for home defense.



A lot of the home defense scenarios I have seen recommend loading with buckshot, but keep at least the first round bird shot. It will usually not penetrate a wall or severely hurt possibly a loved one if they were hit with stray shot (just ask ol'cheney). It will most certainly slow them down.



Remember you are talking about a scenario in your own home. Think about all the consequences of each possibility and the state of mind you will have if someone actually enters your home.



Get training, practice, and be safe.