Thats why you should get a shotgun and a pistol. Grab the shotgun first and then holster the pistol, if you get in that situation draw the pistol and take care of the threat.

 

Glad to hear this as I am picking up a S&W M&P 15 AR today I was looking the Colt's and RRA (Nice guns btw) but way more $$$$ than I wanted to spend right now.

 

You are sadly mistaken if you think one shot will take someone down. This isn't the movies. Unless you get a direct shot to the head or heart, the intruder is not going down. If you think you can stay calm and able to do two the chest and one in the head when someone is breaking into your house then good for you.... I know personally Ill be scared sh*tless and my aim will more then likely be not as accurate as it is when I am at the range.

Ask police officers on reports they get where criminals will get shot 10-20 times and they live, or keep fighting until someone finally gets that head shot. That's one reason why it's very important to always carry 2 mags. Another reason is a mag can fail.

 

We did a drill when I was taking my CCW class where you hold your gun at low ready and a person has their hand on your shoulder and when you feel their hand come off your shoulder you raise your gun and fire two shots at the head of the target. By the time I brought my gun up and fired my two rounds the guy was twenty feet away from me and it just shows you how fast someone can cover ground before you can get a shot off and when I looked at the target I had one in the neck and one three inches left of center on the head on the second try. When its you and your families saftey on the line get a gun thats going to do the job and it normally requires hurling a big *** heavy chunk of lead at the target to get it done. When I go the range I practice NCH (Nuts,Chest,Head) from low ready as quick as I can.

 

its something everyone is thinging but no one has told the original poster asking the question, but its not the gun so much as the ability to use it. unless you have a background in it or were trained you better shoot a couple thousand rounds before you think about being confident that will defend you. it has to be instinct.

 

You have a very good point that no one has brought up.

 

Well I guess I fall into the category of beginner first time buyer.

 

get a 45 acp, buy some cheaper full metal jackets for practicing

Buy some hollow points for your home protection.

They probably won't go thru the person but will inflict MAJOR damage.

45 ACP -- Cause shooting twice is just silly --

True, you could graze them and they will still be coming after you but any direct hit from a 45 will make them go down if not kill them.

 

If I had the cash for a good 1911, I would probably get it over the GP100, but for the price of a good reliable revolver being so low I'm going to end up going with it.

 

Taurus Guns are fairly cheap but from what I hear they are good quality guns.

 

You dont need to go spend $1100 bucks on a 1911 to get a good .45ACP I picked up my Glock 30 for under 500 used with two mags and a holster and it was hardly ever fired from what I can see. Go check out your local pawn shops and gun dealers for used guns because you can probably find some nice used pistols for a good price.

 

I guess your shop had all the good used guns

I went out today and shopped around, and all the semi-auto's were overpriced pocket pistols and some ancient revolvers, like circa 1930's era revolvers.

I did manage to find 2 places with a GP100. One was a hole in the wall pawn shop who wanted $700 for it which included everything, and the second was a well known shop called Gables that carried a whole variety of GP100's (stainless steel, blued, 6/4 inch barrels), and the price on the one I want is $509 cash. SO I know where I'm going when ever I can scrape together enough cash.

 

I am totally confident in my ability to use my Colt M1991A1 .45 ACP.

It is always ready for action in case some villian gets past my three pitt bulls.

TM

 

Well I purchased a 9mm for home defense at a local gun show and I spent $200 on the biggest POS ever. Shortly after buying it I figured I might as well practice get the feel of the gun you know stay acquainted...just in case. Well the first time at the range 4th shot it jammed, before I emptied the clip the "loaded mag indicator" busted. The companys name is Jimenez Arms formerly Bryco Arms they were bought out after a lawsuit due to their horrible quality control and poor construction. When people I know get on topic of guns and stuff I try not to tell them I own a pistol from this company mostly that I'm too embarrased to admit I got dooped. All I can say is research

 

Sounds like the OP has his mind made up on a hand gun, but I have to agree with all the peeps that mentioned shotguns. Quick, easy, good stopping power, hip or shoulder fire and you dont have to be accurate. Best of all you can buy them cheap and mod them to what you want.
Also think about spending some of that money on making your house less of a target. Security doors, an alarm sign out front, a dog, motion sensor and timed lighting.