Originally Posted by
Bisley
Oldman,
You make a lot of generalized statements that you seem to want us to accept, on the basis that you are an expert. Do hostile lawyers let you get away with this when they cross-examine you?
I take minor issue with these:
None of them? Ever? Do cops hold their guns sideways, too? Sorry, but I am not going to assume that my assailant cannot shoot, or that he won't try to hit me with his first shot, just because his Hi-Point holds 15.
I'm betting that any officer who could hit a target 6 times with a S&W .38 revolver, can hit it at least six times with a Glock .40. People that take the time to learn to shoot, can shoot either, and anyone who does not practice with and properly care for the tool that may save their life, is an idiot, whether they carry a revolver or a semi-auto.
This statement is not even relevant to the average handgun shooter, because most shooters do not become so proficient that they can distinguish between a gun that groups 2"and one that will only do 4". It takes practice to hit a pie plate at 25 yards, much less a bulls eye, and very few people will do it.
This might be relevant, if you assume that the guy will never progress beyond the beginner stage, but this guy just asked for advice on semi-auto pistols, and you are basically telling him to forget it, and just go along with your recommendation, because you are an expert. Sure, if a person can afford multiple guns, a revolver makes a lot of sense, to start off with. But if he can only afford one, there is nothing to say he can't go ahead and buy what he wants, and just keep it tucked away somewhere until he is good enough with it.
Semi-autos are not rocket-science. Any semi-intelligent soul who decides he wants to defend himself with a handgun can read and study, dry-fire, disassemble/reassemble, and top it off with a couple hours of basic handgun instruction. He just needs to set his goal for the end he wants to achieve, and pursue it diligently and rationally, until he achieves it.
A person who buys a self-defense gun is making a major decision, and he/she has many more complicated issues to resolve than just what specific mechanics are involved in operating the weapon of choice.