House of Eratosthenes

I haven’t watched all 17 minutes yet, and don’t have the time. Just wanted to bookmark it. Yeah, I’m an “Obama-Age Gun Buyer.” We’re looking seriously at some 9mm. Neighborhood’s okay, but the comments about police response definitely apply…at least, if traffic is any indication, and I think it is. People drive however they want, not a cop to be found anywhere. So we’ll be getting some protection while we still can.

Hat tip: Odecko.

I’m with this guy that the gun in your pocket beats the one in the closet at home. I carry a Taurus hammerless 357.

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=268&category=Revolver

But it’s pretty unpleasant to shoot. I wouldn’t mock a 9mm. Look into a S&W M&P compact or a Taurus Millennium Pro just for starters.

My dad’s axiom on gadgets for years has been “If it doesn’t fit in a pocket you won’t carry it” and I find it holds very true. I own 3 CCW pistols, a CZ 2075 in 40 S&W, a Taurus Millennium Pro in 45 ACP, and the Pocket Taurus and in 365 days the pocket gun comes with me 355 of them, and the others split the difference.

Your woman can get away carrying almost anything, in this way the purse is a blessing. Stuff a Desert Eagle in there if she wants.
- Tom The Impaler | 01/13/2009 @ 13:41
I am in complete agreement with this. The .22 mag you will carry is infinitely superior to the .45 you won’t. Mostly because it’s too heavy or you can’t conceal it or keep it concealed easily.

I carry a .22 mag revolver when I’m wearing light clothing, and my little Kel-Tec 9mm when I can wear a coat.

What was it a friend of mine once said (and I repeat it all the time)?

“It’s better than a sharp stick.”
- philmon | 01/13/2009 @ 18:49
That didn’t come off right. I should clarify.

When I said “Mostly because it’s too heavy or you can’t conceal it or keep it concealed easily”, I meant that’s typically the reason a CC permit holder doesn’t carry, I would suspect. This is why I bought smaller guns for C&C.

If I wore baggier clothes, I could probably carry the Kel-Tec all the time.
- philmon | 01/13/2009 @ 19:25
I’m trying to figure out if this applies to us. I’m going into an office building each and every single day, and for the most part, that’s…well…until I get home, that’s where I am. A concealed weapon might help in the event of a carjacking, but the likelihood plummets far below the point of diminishing returns (knock on wood). My most likely implementation is within a safe, locked during the day, at home, by the bedside.

After shopping around, my sense is that the conventional wisdom about smaller calibers having a monopoly on true comfortable concealment, is rapidly being overtaken by the technology. We were looking at the LCP somewhat seriously, but I eventually chose to eliminate the .380 due to lack of power. There’s also a recall on that product that is safety related, and I think I’d rather not go through the grief.
- mkfreeberg | 01/13/2009 @ 19:41
If you have no plans to use it as a C&C weapon and you just want it for home protection… you can’t beat a Taurus 4410 “The Judge”. (not saying anything else isn’t just as good, but you can’t beat it as a pistol). Don’t know if it’s legal in California, but it shoots .45 Colt and .410 shotgun shells (2.5″). At home defense ranges, those can be deadly without you have to worry about it going through a couple of walls and hitting a neighbor (talking about shotgun shells). I load mine with two or three shotgun shells first, and the rest are .45 hollow points.

That’s my “beside the bed” gun.

Question for you, though Morgan….

What if you’re watching TV and clear on the other side of the house?

Just think about it. You don’t have to answer.
- philmon | 01/13/2009 @ 19:59
The big question about legality in the Golden State (for now) is the ten-round capacity.

I’ve been a little frustrated getting a single, straight answer to:

1. Does that eliminate 10+1 in the pipe? (Apparently not)
2. If a pistol comes with a 10-shot mag and a 12-shot mag, can I keep it with a 10-shot mag? (Apparently so)

It bites.
- mkfreeberg | 01/13/2009 @ 21:03
I’m pretty sure the answer to #1 would indeed be “no”. They are addressing the magazine with most of these laws.

The answer to #2 should be “Yes”. But you’d better not have the 12-round one on you if they ask, even if it’s outside the gun.

Not an issue with the Taurus 4410. It’s a revolver that holds 5. 5 Big Honkin’ rounds.
- philmon | 01/13/2009 @ 21:09
Congratulations on taking this step (or at least planning it out).

WRT carrying at work:

Many companies have policies forbidding weapons on company property. Check your company’s employee handbook. (If you feel comfortable asking your boss, AND you have a permit, you might get permission…I would advise that if you do so, get it in writing.)

If you’re working in a cubicle-farm or a server-room, the most likely violent crime to occur is a former co-worker with a grudge. It happens rarely, but is usually messy when it does happen.

WRT other situations:
At home, you’re most likely worried about “hot” burglaries. That is, Breaking&Entering when you are home, by a thief who doesn’t care whether you are home. Are you ready for such an event to happen?

In your home, you don’t need a permit to carry, either concealed or openly. However, you need to gun-safe any children who will be around regularly. (Check “Kids and Guns” section at this site. The site is aimed at women, but contains lots of good advice for all gun-owners.)

Outside of the home, check your local and State laws about CCW permits and their use.

There are lots of other things I could say…

WRT gun of choice: At minimum, find a range which will let you rent sample guns. Most gun-store-and-range combos do this, as it is good for business.

At minimum, you’ll want to know that you can hit your target with it.
- karrde | 01/13/2009 @ 21:24
But it looks like the 4410 (looks like they may have renamed it the 4510) is not legal in CA because it shoots shotgun shells as well as bullets, and only a 6.5″ barrel at the longest.

You’ve got lots of other options.
- philmon | 01/13/2009 @ 22:26
Well, your answers line up perfectly with that guy from Cabellas, so I’m going to assume you’re right. It’s important getting these answers right as you build your list, when you live in the nanny-state. Some of the pistols I’m most excited about are dancing on the edge, and I’d hate to get disappointed at the last minute.

I do not think the 4410 is going to make it to the final pick though. It sounds really neat, but I’m a big believer in customizing the tool for the job; this will double as a weekend-target-shooting device. Besides, I’ve been watching clips like this one. Yeah, just call me a big pussy. I’ll stick to 9mm.
- mkfreeberg | 01/13/2009 @ 22:45
I do not think the 4410 is going to make it to the final pick though.

Well, like I said … you’d have to move out of the People’s Republic of California to own one anyway.

Yeah, just call me a big pussy. I’ll stick to 9mm.

Nope. I won’t. 9mm is big enough to get the job done, and the ammo is relatively cheap to practice with as well as being pretty ubiquitous. It is an excellent choice for an all-around pistol. Get one with a couple or three 10-round magazines, and you’re golden in the Golden State.

If you’re going through a reputable dealer in CA, they won’t sell you one that’s illegal in CA. So don’t worry about that. The guys and gals at Cabellas know all about it I’m sure.
- philmon | 01/14/2009 @ 11:28
Oh, and anybody reading this, please consider joining the NRA if you’re not a member already.

This group works tirelessly to keep new idiotic laws from being passed, and to do their best to repeal idiotic laws that have already been passed. Plus, if you’re generally conservative — they tend to work to get conservative politicians elected since in general it is conservative politicians who respect the second amendment for what it is. It’s not expensive. $35 a year. And you get a magazine subscription with it. There’s a hunting one, one that focuses on firearms, and one that focuses more on the political arena. They keep YOU up to date on what’s going on and do their best to steer what’s going on in the right direction.

Numbers count!
- philmon | 01/14/2009 @ 11:50
Morgan,

Have you considered a blackpowder gun? I live in California too, btw, in illegal- and gang-infested Sonoma county, which is even loonier than Berkeley. My impression, at least, is that carry permits are unlikely.

The primary advantage to blackpowder (non-cartridge) guns is that they are as yet exempt from registration, and can be bought through the mail. As far as ballistics go, they worked fine for Bill Hickok, among others, and there are several practical and modern examples extant. Fun as hell to shoot, too.

Just a thought.
- rob | 01/14/2009 @ 11:59

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2009