New Handguns for New Hometown?

[Tallball]

I have lived in my current exurban home and neighborhood for 20 years. The violent crime rate is extremely low here. A resident hasn't been murdered since the early 2000's. I keep a 3" 38 near my bed anyway, and carry a 2" 38 when I'm out and about.

On Monday I'm starting my move to a nearby state. I'll be living in a small town and neighborhood that are just mildly sketchy. Violent crime is about half of the national average, but of course much higher than where I live now.

If you were moving into a similar situation, would you change your HD or CC habits? If so, what would your suggestions be? If not, why not?

My 120-pound doberman mix will be moving with me. He is two years old, healthy, alert, and a good barker.

Taurus82

• Tallball
• Mar 8, 2023

Smith And Wesson Model 642-2

• Tallball
• Jul 12, 2020
• 4

 

[Hartkopf]

Yes. Glock 17 ASAP! jk

Seriously no, if I was you I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

[Spats McGee]

FWIW, which ain’t much, I don’t see any reason to change your setup at all. It’s perfectly adequate and familiarity with your gear has value, too.

 

[.308 Norma]

If you were moving into a similar situation, would you change your HD or CC habits?

I kinda doubt it - unless the state I was moving to had weird laws forcing me to change my "HD or CC habits." And seeing as how my wife and I are long time retired and don't need to, I doubt we'd be moving to a state like that anyway.

If not, why not?

I wouldn't change much because I'm comfortable with my HD and CC habits now. As far as guns go, my in-town EDC is a Glock G19, and my primary HD gun (my nightstand gun) is a .45ACP 1911. And my wife has a loaded, "youth model" 20-gauge standing in the corner on her side of the bed. We also have good locks and sturdy doors, and we and the neighbors (which aren't too far away) watch each other's backs.
Unfortunately, we lost our noisy Cocker Spaniel, Ruger, last year. We need to get another noisy little dog, and we will one of these days. But Ruger was stone deaf for the last two years of his life, so he didn't provide much in the way of home protection anyway.

 

[starling]

Probably better off focusing on where all the bad parts of town are first and then figuring things out from there. As long as you are not out making enemies or drawing attention to yourself you should be fine. Most people just want to get through their day without conflict. People get paranoid about this type of stuff from online or media horror stories. Your Monster Dog is more of a deterrent then the Taurus so I wouldnt worry about the home much. Although a simple inexpensive pump shotgun is always nice to keep on hand (and ear protection!). Nice little J frame are always good for CCWs. Good luck with your move.

 

[AUhiker]

Personally I wouldn’t change if you’re good with shooting and carrying a revolver. If that’s what you practice with and carry every day I’d stick with it. Confidence comes with practice and god forbid if you ever had to use it you want confidence on your side.

Now if your looking for a reason to get a new firearm by all means you have my permission

 

[Milt1]

No change except for perhaps a home security system!

 

[Rubone]

Mildly sketchy. Based on what?

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Respectfully Tall, I know you thought about this so just going to say. Keep what you have and buy or reload more practice ammo and go that route shooting a little more.

 

[JTHunter]

I see nothing wrong with your set-up unless you can't OC in the new state (like IL-ANNOY).
That being said, if "State A" is better than "State B", I'm curious as to why you would move, if you even want to move.
I'm also curious as to the two states involved in this.

 

[WisBorn]

As a THR enabler I would be happy to help you decide on a new firearm

As far as need no I don't think that you need one, but if you would like to add a new handgun we can help. You mentioned two 38 revolvers. How about a 8 shot 357 N frame just for the extra capacity.

Enjoy your new home!

 

[Tallball]

@Hartkopf , your intro made my day!

I'm moving because I got divorced and it's the only area close to my mother where I can afford to pay cash for a house. Mom is elderly and I need to be in reasonable driving distance.

You can look up crime rates online.

I cruised the area one day and looked at houses another day. Both times were in the afternoon. No burglar bars. No people wandering aimlessly. Looked like everyone was at work. Small old houses, but decently maintained. Homeless people and been inside one of them.

If I've lived there a while and decide I'd prefer to, I can leave my Remington 870 loaded and within reach.

My home security system already took me for a walk this morning. Anyone can tell by the sound of his bark that he's enormous. I've he gets lonely, I'll have to find him a sister his own size to wrestle with.

Thank you for all of the thoughtful responses.

 

[WestKentucky]

Depends more on the house than the town. Your 38 is good for close quarters battle. If you have long halls or stairways I would consider a carbine. If there is concern of overpenetration I would buy a 9mm and frangible ammo. (9mm because frangible ammo is easier to find in a 9mm than any other chambering, and 15 rounds is better than 6)

 

[GEM]

You looked at the crime maps which are easily found on the Internet? I really don't understand the question - because you buy a gun to shoot at bad guys given appropriate threats and legal circumstances. Are bad guys in nice neighborhoods nicer and easier to shoot even though they meet the criteria for SD? Or do you expect a larger number of assailants such that you need more rounds?

Once you are in a gun fight - how does the neighborhood matter? So it boils down to your competence with the gun chosen. Also realizing that the revolvers are for limited numbers of opponents and not forgiving of misses even with a single opponent or failures to stop with one or two opponents.

Small guns for carry are basically because they are convenient due to size or NPE constraints but you accept their limitations. At home, there is no reason to limit yourself. I see no advantage to a revolver for home SD as compared to something like the higher capacity, quality semis. Even in a 10 round ban state, 10 is better than 6. Of course, you need to come up to speed on any gun you choose. Nor do I see any advantage to belt carrying a 6 round revolver IF you can carry a semi of quality. Yeah, folks do, nostalgia, wanting to argue on the Internet, Jerry shoots them so well, etc.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only thing I can think of to do is to be sure to have your .38 on you at all times.
If you are prone to think "It's just a quick run to the store, I don't need a gun." get away from that idea.

 

[Tallball]

I do have an N-frame 357, (but it's only a six-shooter) and also a 9mm carbine. It's a tiny house, a little more than 1,000 square feet. My dog will be all over any window or door before I can stand up, if something really bothers or excites him.

I always carry for all of my errands, just out of habit. Even when I'm walking the dog, though whatever I'm carrying is just his backup.

The revolver vs. semiauto thing is what it is. I mostly stick to revolvers because I have an extra decade or more of practice with them. I'll think about it again. There's probably a Glock or something in the safe that would work, if I decide to go that way.

My preference after I move in is that people will be pleasantly surprised that the large rough-looking redneck is always polite and uses a nice tone of voice. Minding my own business and leaving married women alone are high on my list of how not to get assaulted. YMMV.

 

[The Night Rider]

If you were moving into a similar situation, would you change your HD or CC habits? If so, what would your suggestions be? If not, why not?

I've said this so many times it's almost a cliche but it's true, if a given location is so shady that I feel the need to upgrade my Armament specifically to go there, I don't go there

Taurus82

• Tallball
• Mar 8, 2023

I would get myself a Glock and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol though.

 

[Tallball]

Okay. I ran out and got a couple of them. Hopefully I'm good now.

 

[CDW4ME]

For me, crime rate, statistics, location do not factor. Why?
What is easier for me to shoot quickly, accurately, repeatedly, a LCP 380 or snub 38 versus a Glock 19/17? The Glock.
Anywhere I'd rather defend myself with a LCP or snub instead of a Glock 19/17? Nope.
Then make the "effort" to carry the Glock 19/17.

 

[The Night Rider]

For me, crime rate, statistics, location do not factor.

I understand that this is your usual long-winded way of saying that we should carry the gun preferred in hand if we had to defend ourselves everywhere we go and be fair you're not wrong.

But crime rate, statistics and location do matter. I carry the largest gun I can comfortably conceal regardless where I'm going but there are certain places I don't go no matter what because I know they're bad news.

 

[hso]

If you were moving into a similar situation, would you change your HD or CC habits?

I'd reinforce the home and make the property unattractive to would be miscreants before changing home defense firearms.

 

[WisBorn]

I do have an N-frame 357, (but it's only a six-shooter)

Well now you have an excuse to buy a new 8 shot.
THR ENABLER, THR ENABLER, THR ENABLER

 

[Tallball]

"I'd reinforce the home..."

Yeah. New deadbolts the first day. New doors/hinges/frames if they don't seem sturdy enough. The windows have to be dog-proofed. New smoke detectors. Padlocks for both sheds. Start building a dog-proof fence and gate so that my vehicles can be parked in the side yard behind a gate. Make a dog door so that he can patrol the yard and vehicles as needed.

And get an 8-shot or more N-frame. Maybe I'll treat myself to one after I finish making the fences and so forth.

 

[CapnMac]

I'd reinforce the home and make the property unattractive to would be miscreants before changing home defense firearms.

This bears repeating.

@Tallball not really enough info in the first post.
A house jammed in 8 or 10 to the acre is different than a house on 1/2 or 1/2 acre. A town of 600 very different from 6000 or, especially, 60,000.
Each of those likely needs some differences in how the notion of home security is realized.

The financial wreckage of divorce (my condolences, as appropriate) will also limit things like getting thorny plants put in to reinforce one's property lines, or bettering fences, or extending your situational awareness though cameras and the like.

Also, there's an issue about connectivity, too. Cell service can be inportatn in out modern world, especially if the only internet service donkey-powered rural style. With the reverse being true too. Going from 10K baud to 100mbs is a world of difference.

Having to "get used to" a new place is a real thing as well--acclimatization takes time.

All that being said, the Glocks are pretty.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yeah. New deadbolts the first day. New doors/hinges/frames if they don't seem sturdy enough. The windows have to be dog-proofed. New smoke detectors. Padlocks for both sheds. Start building a dog-proof fence and gate so that my vehicles can be parked in the side yard behind a gate. Make a dog door so that he can patrol the yard and vehicles as needed.

All a good start. A couple of things to consider are:

1. Exterior motion activated lighting
2. Camera system (not wireless) to offer views of the outside and to record video