Off to some shows today

Spending today visiting two local shows. The first is the Whatcom County Home & Garden Show Over 200 vendors for various garden equipment and supplies. Good local resource. The second is the Knife and Gun show held at a local Logging Fairgrounds. No website for this one but I went to it last year and lots of interesting people and great demonstrations. Jen and I have a shotgun for basic farm security and I'm looking at getting a 22 rifle for plinking and at some point down the road, a large-bore handgun for security. (thinking 1911 - 45ACP) UPDATE: Back Home after a longish (but fun) day. Didn't buy anything at the Evil Gun Show, was just there to see what was available and what prices people were asking. We have a local gunsmith that we bought the shotgun from and any future purchases will be through him. Reader (and blogger) Misanthropyst left a thoughtful comment:

Unless you are willing to put the time and ammo into practicing, I wouldn't recommend a pistol. The ability to respond correctly to a jam in a stressed situation requires repeated practice to get the muscle memory right. It's expensive and time consuming to maintain that level. Large bore revolvers are much more practicable. Misfire? Pull the trigger again. Keep pulling till the threat is gone. If it's still there, then surrender.

I am looking at proficiency although the thought of the revolver makes a lot of sense. Maybe having that as a stepping-stone to the pistol would be a better way to go. Looking east from our house, we have ten acres of woodland and the neighbor on that side is the Department of Natural Resources so unless timber crews are working there (and we can hear them), I'm not going to hit anything. Good spot for a range. One resource I have been using to learn about firearms is hosted by Kim DuToit (also a blogger). He was getting enough interesting dialog happening in his comments section that he had his wife set up some forum software and he now has Nation of Riflemen.