What a cute little rifle!
Posted on 10/12/2006 12:05:09 PM PDT by domenad
I am positively ripping over here right now. About an hour ago, my wife calls me to tell me that someone behind her in traffic got out of the car, slammed his fist on her window and threatened her for not blowing through a "Yield" sign fast enough. This is the third time something of this nature has happened. Florida is growing at a meteoric rate, especially the Tampa area where I live. As with all growth, some is good and some is bad, and a surge in the number of physically aggressive, downright threatening people on the roads is one of them.
I've always supported the rights of any non-felon to own a weapon, even though for some reason I never chose to own one for myself. This is probably because I'm a large individual who is experienced in martial arts. My wife, on the other hand, is petite and has a bad back, making a physical confrontation unwise as well as unadvisable. In the back of my head, I always secretly figured on some level that my family and I were safe enough that we did not need firearms. Today has proven me wrong, and so I am turning to my fellow Freepers for advice - what weapon would be ideal for a woman in a car to own? What safety precautions, such as trigger locks would you recommend, in light of the fact that the weapon will be largely carried in a car? What laws are applicable? It would be simple enough for me to pick up a book (and believe me I intend to), but some things need to be filtered through human experience to get the most out of them.
"Hence the .45 ACP I lug along in the glove compartment."
I wouldn't ming having a M11911A1 like yours. Always been a big fan. Right now I keep a Glock 22(.40 cal). I like it too, though.
I just bought a matched pair of S&W 642s -- one for me (I'll carry it in a nifty "pocket holster") and one for my wife's purse.
Five shot, .38 special w/a 1.5" barrel and Laser sight. Nice shooters, though for some very strange reason, the lasers were zeroed at fifty feet! Both are now zeroed at 20'!
We still have to spend some time at the range with them, but so far, so good. We'll shoot wadcutters for now, and switch to people killers (125 gr. 38 Special +P Jacketed Hollow Point) when we get our concealed carry permits!
.38/.357 revolvers are nice, but are somewhat larger and heavier. I figure that 5 rounds of JHP .38 +P will do the job quite nicely!
Check it out, and bargain with your dealer -- I got mine for $500.00 each on a gun show special. List was $688.00.
I got a good deal on it. I had a Glock 19 I bought from a friend several years ago that I never shot, and about a year ago, traded it plus an additional $125.00 to get the .45.
Hit something with a .45, it goes down and stays down.
Bang.......
Splat...........
Clunk..................
FL Gun Laws: Packing.org
Stay safe, that area has seen a surge in violent crimes lately.
I will echo the try-before-you-buy sentiment - I tried a compact Glock and didn't like my pinkie hanging off the bottom of the grip, but the mid/full size Glocks were just fine. For me.
Really? Where did you read/see that? I'd like more information before I buy a house.
That's about the size I would like to have used on that jerk.
I know where one's for sale. :)
Central Florida shattered it's homicide record this year (over 50?). 3 cops have been killed in C. Florida. I realize this is a bit east of Tampa, but it's along the I-4 corridor.
You were playing the odds, and they caught up with you. It could have been much worse, so thank your lucky stars or appropriate diety, and be better prepared for the next time...which may be the *worse one* you just missed.
- what weapon would be ideal for a woman in a car to own?
The next time trouble comes to visit her may well not be in the car. She may be getting in or out of it, at work, atr home, or otherwise. The car itself is a much better weapon than most handguns, if she knows how to use it as such- and is willing to do so.
What safety precautions, such as trigger locks would you recommend, in light of the fact that the weapon will be largely carried in a car? What laws are applicable? It would be simple enough for me to pick up a book (and believe me I intend to), but some things need to be filtered through human experience to get the most out of them.
I don't generally think much of trigger locks on weapons carried for personal defence, since most such devices require that the weapon be unloaded first. An exception, and suitable for automotive carry, is a small safe, bolted to the car floor, in which the weapon can be securely deposited for those instances in which it cannot be carried, such as courtrooms and airports. I used such an arrangement in both personal and company cars while working as an armed courier delivering jewelry and pharmaceuticals and receiving cash. The vehicular safe used was large enough for either the short shotgun or submachinegun I carried to be so stored with relative security, along with other materials yet to be delivered. Unless you are in that or a similar line, you can probably get along as well with something about the size of a lunchbox.
FYI, I can put you in touch with a Tampa-area friend who may be able to better advise you as to local custom; FReepmail me for details. The requirements of Florida law can be seen here, and considerations as to caliber and weapon type are better considered with a little more knowledge about the potential user:
left or right handed?
glasses or corrective lenses? left or right dominent eye?
Any considerations of clothing or accessories [bag or purse] that may influence or limit weapon type
The physical limitation you described makes it sound as if firearms self-defence would be pretty well the only option for her- but carry of a less-lethal alternative [pepperspray or Mace®] IN ADDITION TO her firearm would be a good starting point, and might assure cops/prosecutor/jury that any lethal defensive measures on her part were a final step, and last option. It's mindset that you'll need to develop.
I hope some of the female FReepers who carry for protection have some thoughts to offer for her. But such advice is usually better delivered firsthand.
Check out the "Lady Smith" revolvers, by S&W of course, in 38 special.
What a cute little rifle!
Hey archy - looking good!
What safety precautions, such as trigger locks would you recommend, in light of the fact that the weapon will be largely carried in a car?
This may be redundent since I haven't read the other posts, but forget the trigger lock. Any gun that is unusable is a paperweight.
A handgun is a personal choice with many variables to consider. Foremost is that it goes bang when you pull the trigger.
And if she goes semi-auto, she needs to have one in the pipe.
There are many options for some nice purses for concealed carry that we fellows don't have.
She should try alot of guns before purchasing.
A revolver can usually be handled with one hand -- not all semi-autos can (you might have to rack the slide which takes both hands). Consider that if she is in her car with her purse sitting next to her on the seat.
For concealed carry, try this baby:
Smith And Wesson Model 649 Five-Round .357MAG / .38+P
Posts# 2, 3 & 27 pretty much sum it up. Don't worry about the debate -- it will go on forever. $:-) I carry various semiautos myself, but that means I also have to deal with more complexity, more maintainence, and more regular training.
One thing that must be taken into supreme consideration when making the decision of choosing a firearm for the purpose of self-defense: The person's mindset must be adapted to actually being able to pull the trigger on another human being. This is not something to take lightly, and if this isn't considered and decided beforehand in the affirmative, it's better to never even show a weapon.
For people who cannot find it in themselves to kill if and when the need arises (and there certainly are such people and that's OK), flight is better.
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