(Colt has PC'd out on the 'evil' features and will only offer a version with pre-ban features to law enforcement)
Posted on 12/01/2004 8:55:41 AM PST by Recall
Can somebody recommend a gun for me. We recently got a notice of a incident where a man posing as a maintenance worker gained entrance into a woman's apartment in my neighborhood. I want something as my husband is out of town a lot and I just think I would feel safer if I had one.
I know several women who like the Ruger SP-101
Smith and Wessan make a .38 called a lady wessan, should do nicely.
Probably a good stub nose 38 caliber revolver would be good if you are not real familiar with guns. This gun would be easy to operate being a revolver and the 38 caliber would be ample stopping power.
Probably a good stub nose 38 caliber revolver would be good if you are not real familiar with guns. This gun would be easy to operate being a revolver and the 38 caliber would be ample stopping power.
Good choice.
First -go get an edumacation - your mind is your best weapon - take a basic shooting course- talk to your teachers about choosing the right gun.
Don't worry about the gun. Worry about the training and education. Learn how to use weapons. Your instructors will help you pick which firearm best matches you and your needs...but it is the training and practice that matter far, far more than which piece of equipment you choose.
(Colt has PC'd out on the 'evil' features and will only offer a version with pre-ban features to law enforcement)
Lightweight .357 Smith & Wesson snubnose, or clone. You're likely to have it in your pocket, or around, when you go to the door, etc. Prefer heavier, and longer barrel...more accurate, less kick...but when you need it, it is amazing how insignificant recoil gets!
There is great agreement on this, by those who would really know. I think it best to stay away from handy Automatics, since the power is low unless the gun is big, and they DO tend to jam, especially when full of lint and unlubricated....even when properly kept, and there are proceedures for clearing a jam, which you don't usually need in a good revolver.
Of course, there is NO better defensive firearm than the 12 ga. shotgun, with #1 BUCK. The only drawback is, will you have it where you are when you encounter an intruder already INSIDE somewhere?
S&W Airlite .38 has a small grip, internal hammer, lightweight.
Very little recoil. Itsy bitsy little bullets.
Plastic tipped varmit rounds are no more penetratating than 40 S&W but much more devasting.
Actually, I'd get 3 weapons. A large, accurate, pistol. A small innaccurate but concealable pistol (the 38 snubby (with an Uncle Mike's pocket holster))and a long gun such as a shotgun for the bedroom. But hey, the m4 is pretty sweet too.
Can I get that at Sears?
Do you know how to shoot? If not, you need training before getting a pistol. Call your local NRA for a referral. Have you ever thought of self-defense training and/or a dog until you can safely use a gun? If you've settled on a pistol as the answer, I would agree with the gentlemen on this thread. A S&W 38 is the answer. The problem I've experienced with women and guns (use to train them) is that they are uncomfortable keeping them loaded. Which gives them all the defense capability of a round rock. Which brings up another issue. Got kids? Are they trained with guns? Do you have a safe place to keep the gun?
Not a decision for the lighthearted.....
My own favorite is the S&W 642 hammerless revolver. It weighs just a little over a pound, loaded, with a simple 'pull the trigger' operation along with two quickloaders to re-load if needed. The .38 cal +p loads have more than enough stopping power to knock anyone down. And the small frame fits well in smaller hands.
But the best idea is to go to your local range, take a firearms class, rent guns they have there, and see what works best for you. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, don't buy a gun without trying out a similar model first!
Not to badmouth a fine carry gun, I have one, but that isn't what she needs. lightweight=more recoil.
She needs a home defense gun that is easy to shoot as a first gun. A medium weight .357 with a 4-6 inch barrel... long enough barrel that she can learn sighting and have some luck hitting the target, and a gun heavy enough to be able to shoot reliably and repetitively in practice would be better.
I don't think so, but then again, I haven't been in a Sears store in a while.
Are there any gun shops near your home?
Agreed. Snubbies are great for carry but very challenging to shoot. She should get both a large pistol for a bedside/practice gun and the snubby for a pocket gun.
I had no problem with recoil from the first round--the Airlite was my first gun purchase.
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