BUYING A PISTOL

FOR SELF-DEFENSE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

ARMSCOR.COM
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 INTRODUCTION

7 SMART CHOICES

3-4 USAGE

8 ACCESSORIZE

5 PRICING

9 CONCLUSION

6 INFORMATION-GATHERING

1
 INTRODUCTION

Protecting yourself, your loved ones and your home are all important to you. But when it comes to self-defense
1911s and other handguns, not all firearms are built to meet these needs. Luckily, there are a variety of ways you
can find the ideal handgun for your own purposes that won’t break your bank or skimp on the benefits you need.

The following will guide you through the best ways to look out for potential negatives, make the right choices for
your needs, budget appropriately and stay on the right side of the law when purchasing a self-defense pistol.

If you’re ready to protect your home and the people and things inside of it, there’s no need to hesitate – begin the
process today.

“MAKING SURE YOUR HOME INSURANCE IS UP-TO-DATE WHEN THE TORNADO IS ACROSS THE STREET – BY THAT TIME
IT’S A LITTLE TOO LATE.” - S H AW N FA I R B A I R N , A R M S C O R G U N S M I T H

2
 USAGE
KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE
HOW OFTEN DO YOU PLAN ON USING IT?
Everyday wear and tear will play into your buying decision. How do
you plan on using your pistol and how often? If it’s an everyday carry
situation, you’ll want to stick to high-quality, resilient stock. If you plan to
use it less and infrequently hit the range, you might not need the highest
end of firearm. As long as you clean your pistol regularly, frequent or
infrequent use can be manageable regardless.
ARE YOU TRAINED UP AND CERTIFIED?
Make sure you’re aware of the rules surrounding owning a self-defense
pistol. Have you received the proper training and certifications? Have you
gotten a gun in your hands and tried your hand at target shooting at the
range? Do you know the fundamentals of shooting, gripping, cleaning,
etc.? And training isn’t just class-based – have you prepped your home
and yourself by testing yourself on your surroundings in the event of a
home intruder? Try out familiarizing yourself with your house in low light
so you’re well-prepared – it’s no different than setting up an emergency
plan for a tornado or fire.
3
 USAGE
KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE
DO YOU PLAN TO CARRY OR SECURE AT HOME?
There are countless factors that play into your buying decision when it
comes to carry method. If you’re carrying on your person, you’ll have to
decide what type of gun works best for inside-the-waistband versus open
carry, from holstering to draw techniques. And if you plan to concealed
carry, your region’s climate will be a factor. A full-sized gun is easier to
conceal in winter weather than when you’re sporting a summer t-shirt
and shorts.
HAVE YOU CHECKED LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
IN YOUR REGION?
Not all states have the same stipulations around carrying or owning for
self-defense. Whether it’s specific to types of pistols (semi-automatic,
and so forth) or type of carry (concealed vs. open), check your state of
residence’s laws. And if you often travel from state to state, make sure
you’re informed on what and how you’re allowed to carry in your most
visited regions. Infrequent use can be manageable regardless.
4
 PRICING
SETTING YOUR BUDGET

WHAT ARE YOUR DEAL-BREAKERS AND DEAL-MAKERS?

When it comes to budget, your purchase could be made or broken by that price tag. While a lot of
great models for beginners won’t run you very high in the MSRP department, you have to shell out for
the more high-end pieces. Make a list of what items are non-negotiable, whether it’s finish, length,
recoil or otherwise, and determine what it will cost to achieve those standards.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY?

Set a budget. And stick to it. After all, you’ll be paying for ongoing maintenance, storage, ammunition,
training, etc., so keep that in mind when you’re feeling the budget squeeze. The beauty of self-defense
pistols is that there’s something for everyone, cost-wise. You can find a fully functioning firearm
for a beginning shooter, such as some of the series Armscor-Rock Island Armory offers, for a highly
reasonable cost.

HOW MUCH DOES BRAND, CALIBER, FUNCTION, ETC.,

MATTER TO YOU?
The price and the functionality will vary greatly based on your preferences. If these things don’t
matter to you, the world is your oyster – try out a few different options. But if you’re a diehard 1911 fan
or an unflinching 10mm lover, know your needs. Go into your buying experience with at least a mental
list of your ideal pistol as you see it, from caliber to brand to style.
5
 INFORMATION-GATHERING
HAVE YOU SHOPPED
AROUND?
This one goes without saying, but before
you take the plunge, do some investigating.
Not all self-defense pistols will include the
same must-have and nice-to-have features
and not all dealers or retailers are going to
sell your favorite brands and models for the
same price. Make sure you’re getting the
perfect storm of specs to fit your needs by
doing yourself a favor and checking out a
few different sellers.
FACT-FINDING IN THE MARKET
DO YOU KNOW THE
DETAILS?
So you’re about to buy and make this
investment in your safety. But how well do
you know the gun you’re about to purchase?
Don’t skimp on the details out of sheer
excitement to get the pistol in your hands
– do your homework right and get to know
the gun both in hand and on paper. Make
yourself an expert before you put your
money on the table.
HAVE YOU TESTED THEM
OUT ON THE RANGE?
No gun is going to operate exactly as
you’d expect, more than likely, so hands-
on experience with your top prospects is
crucial. Hit your favorite range and ask to
try out a few styles before you even begin
shopping. What has the recoil, the accuracy
and the versatility that you’re after – when
you can pinpoint that for yourself through
primary information gathering, you’re golden
once you hit the store or retailer website.
6

MAKE A CLEAN BUY – CHECK
LEGALITIES.
Just like concealment rules, buying rules
will play a role in your self-defense pistol
purchase. If you’re opting for your local
gun shop, their ducks are more than likely
in a row on legalities. But if you’re headed
to a convention or a website to make your
purchase, make sure you understand the
rules at both the federal and state level
before you click “Buy.”
SMART CHOICES
AVOIDING THE SHOPPING PITFALLS
MAKE A NEW BUY – AVOID
USED GUNS.
Speaking of web purchases, if you’re opting
for a one-to-one purchase from a friend or
stranger, be wary. Buying used guns isn’t
particularly advisable, as they’ve undergone
some degree of wear and tear and may not
have been cleaned or kept up as the original
manufacturers intended. While it’s not
necessarily totally frowned upon to do so, at
least know what you’re getting into – there
are a lot of variables with a used gun, versus
a brand-new, out-of-the-box gun.
MAKE A MANAGEABLE BUY –
PICK USEFUL CALIBERS.
If you have broad access to supplies in your
community or within a stone’s throw, this
point might seem kind of moot. But if you’re
in a small or rural community, make sure
your access to ammo includes your caliber
of choice. While 45ACP and 9mm ammo
might be easier to come by regardless of
your access points, 10mm, for example,
might be more difficult to replenish for
some.
7
 ACCESSORIZE
THINKING OF EVERYTHING

HAVE YOU PICKED OUT A CARRY METHOD?

Your method of carry will have a huge impact on your need for accessorizing. If you plan to maintain
your self-defense pistol solely for home defense, your carry method won’t be as relevant, but if you plan
to carry, you’ll need a holster that fits your method appropriately (i.e., an IWB holster for an appendix
carry, etc.). And if you plan to carry additional rounds, you’ll need a pouch or other mechanism to do so.

HAVE YOU SECURED STORAGE IN YOUR HOME?

When it comes to storing your pistol in your home, you might belong to varying schools of thought.
While some feel more comfortable with having their pistols safely secured in a gun safe or locked
cabinet, others might feel safer with the pistol close by and accessible. Whatever the case, ensure you
have your storage plan figured out – from biometric locking to including them on your homeowner’s or
renter’s insurance – in case of intruder or theft.

HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED ATTACHMENTS?

Depending on the specific method, your self-defense pistol might also be better off with an attachment
or two via its tactical rail. Would you benefit from a laser sight, particularly from a training standpoint?
What about a mounted flashlight – do you anticipate utilizing your gun for after-hours, home-defense
purposes? Investigate your options with attachments – and if they’re important to you, make sure your
purchased pistol has a mountable rail.
8
 CONCLUSION

Whatever your reasons, a self-defense pistol can be a critical part of

your home-defense or concealed carry regimen. If you know the right
things to look out for and the pitfalls to avoid, you’ll be able to keep
your wallet happy as well.

Now go out and self-defend the right way — your way.

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