Bought a .40 Taurus semi-auto pistol

[Tail_Gunner]

For some time now I have been contemplating getting back into shooting as a recreational pastime. I haven't done any shooting since the military, the last handgun I shot being a .38 cal military revolver. The one thing I remember about the .38 was how poorly it fit my hand, I'm a rather big dude. The grip was so short, it would barely go 3 fingers wide in my hand. I have a couple of friends and co-workeers as well as my son who shoot. And now that the kids are all grown up and moved out, it seemed the time was right.

I stumbled across a used Taurus PT-101AFS at the local Gander Mtn. I went up there last week intending just to try out a few for size of grip & feel. I mentioned that I saw a Baretta .40 cal semi-auto pistol in stainless while shopping on-line. The guy said check out this used .40 cal Taurus we just took in. The price was right, $300 while comparable new ones seemed around $600 to $700. The guy said they had taken it in so recently, that they had to hold it for a few days. So they put my name on it and I went up to the sheriff's department to get a purchase permit. I was surprised to find the entire application process took only about 20 minutes.

Today I picked it up along with a case, the mandatory trigger lock and some ammo. It is a sweet looking firearm being all stainless. I'm eager to go shoot it for the first time, but I'm gonna wait until the weather warms up some.

 

[DaveBen]

.40 is a good caliber for some shooting and also for "protection". I have a 9mm and it is a little light. Have fun shooting your new gun.

Dave

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

.40 is a good caliber for some shooting and also for "protection". I have a 9mm and it is a little light. Have fun shooting your new gun.

Dave

Being in the UP he may need it for "protection". Bears and wolves are common. Down south (lower peninsula) you need a home protection gun for thieves or burglars.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Being in the UP he may need it for "protection". Bears and wolves are common. Down south (lower peninsula) you need a home protection gun for thieves or burglars.

You are right about the bears & wolves. I did have a wolf in my driveway about 2 years ago late one Saturday night. The worst thing I've ever heard a bear to do around here was rip the siding off a hose like he was clawing the bark on a tree to mark his territory.

In the last couple of years, a new area was opened up to home building back behind us in the woods. Most of the homes are on very large lots and are not visable to the neighbors thru the woods. But around last holiday season, several break-ins were reported with the theft of different items in the home.

I don't think that will happen in my neighborhood because we can keep an eye out for our neighbors pretty well. But if those low-lifes do try something in my home, they'll be in for a very rude surprise. Thanks to the passing of "Castle Domain" laws in Michigan last summer, one is no longer prosecutable for defending his/her family or home.

Another concern is the branch prison about a mile away as the crow flies. It is over crowed and the guards are understaffed. The governor is cutting prison funding something horrible also. One of my next door neighbors is a retired guard, the neighbor on the other side is still working there. They both say the conditions are bad and getting worse. There is talk of releasing statewide, several thousand "non-vilolent" in-mates. To me, "non-violent" in-mates includes those convicted of "theft" & "burglery".

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

Yeah she was talking about closing Jackson prison. I heard the same stuff about letting out prisoners today on the news. I don't know what is going to happen here. Comerica bank is leaving for Dallas. I am switching banks now. They left me so I left them.

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

Tailgunner

Have you heard of Fence Lake in da UP? My uncle is involved with the development of houses there.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Tailgunner

Have you heard of Fence Lake in da UP? My uncle is involved with the development of houses there.

I very faintly remember some place out west, past Michigamme just off of hwy 41/28. Not sure if that is the name of it though. I don't get around as much as I used to since I quit the industrial hearing testing biz in favor of getting employee discounts on all my camper parts.

 

[JLDickmon]

well, back to the original thread...

I would use the .40 as a defensive round; however, I would be hesitant to use it on a bear. Handgunning for bear demands adherance to one Cardinal Rule, that being "poke TWO holes in the sumbiotch"

The .40 lacks in this department. In the rights hands, with the right ammunition, it's possible... but not a likelyhood...

But here's two things it's got going for it..
1. It's not a Nine..
2. It's not a Nine..

(not that I'd like to be SHOT with a nine, mind you, but it's still a bit underpowered for serious defensive work)

but anyway, congrats on the purchase.. sounds like you got a good deal on it...

 

[police stroker]

I just bought two new .40 's a Glock 22 two tone for work use and a Sig Sauer P229 two tone stainless for off duty carry. All I can say is the forty rocks over my 9mm that I used to carry..... far better shooting gun and is superior to the nine. I'll post pics later

 

[kenbowman]

I love my 9MM.. I have a FEG HiPower clone.. keep hydrashocks in it. Wonderful gun. My wife carries a .40 Taurus... the only thing ***ier than your wife working on your truck (she's a trained diesel mechanic) is your wife working on your truck while strapped!

I'm one LUCKY GUY!