Posted on 08/19/2004 1:20:25 PM PDT by Callahan
My wife of a whole month and a half is interested in getting a firearm for personal protection, as she works in an unsavory part of Philadelphia. She has limited experience with guns (her dad was a cop), but could use some advice--and many Freepers are much more knowledgable than her new husband. I joined the NRA on principle a few years ago, but shoot mostly my friend's stuff. She is barely five feet and has small hands. What's the best choice, considering cost? Also, any tips on getting a permit in the Tri-state area. Can you carry across state lines?
Taurus or S&W lightweight hammerless revolver in .38 Special.
A Ladysmith in .38. It is a DA revolver; the hammer is faired over so that it doesn't catch on anything when you pull it.
She will need to practice with it - DA triggers are not as much fun as SA triggers. The long pull can make it less accurate.
I agree with those who recommend a .38, hammerless. She could even go cheaper, say with a Taurus.
DO NOT GET HER AN AUTOMATIC, like a Glock or Walther or any 9MM.
Why? Automatics are fine guns for people who clean and baby them. Sitting in a purse, probably cleaned once a year, is not babied. Hence, an auto very may JAM when needed. (As an aside I carry an small frame auto -- a Sig .380 --- BUT I baby my gun.)
My wife carried a .38 hammerless Taurus for years. Belly gun -- all that is needed.
I'd suggest she change jobs first.
My .357 Magnum Ladysmith fits very nicely in my small hands, but has more recoil than some women prefer so I prefer .38 Special (or +P) for ammo. I tried my brother's Kimber 1911 (.45) and love that gun! Less recoil and the first gun I can point-n-shoot with quite accurately.
I 3rd that. My wife loves her SP-101. She keeps +P .38's in it. It's built like a tank and goes bang everytime.
My husband got me a Beretta .380 for our 7th anniversay. It fits perfectly in my small hands. I love it and not too much recoil. He has a S&W (I know, I know) 9mm, and that kicks too much for me. Good Luck
You can't buy pepper spray or mace in PA.
From what I read the hot caliber is .40 S&W hollow point...good knockdown and mushrooming, doesn't exit to become a danger to others. And chances are that in a life threatening situation she wouldn't get more than one or two rounds off anyway so the extra kick of the .40 wouldn't be a huge issue. Just teach her to make the first one count and not hesitate...save herself and argue about legitimacy later.
Try a BDA .380 and change the grips from the stock ones to ones that fit her hand better. Great weight, balance and size. Price is not too bad either...
OK, I own some stock and the price is down recently but the gun is featured on the inside cover of the annual report and looks like an excellent choice
A shotgun cannot be beat for home defense. The cocking noise alone is very effective.
Anyone that can shoot a pistol can shoot a 12 gauge --- just get a lighter load.
Plus, the stopping power is unimaginable. A single round of 00 Buck is essentialy the same as emptying an entire 6 round revolver.
Technical Specifications
Calibers: 9 x 19 mm Luger
Weight unloaded lbs. 14 oz. 400g
Loaded magazine 6oz. 159g
Length 5.6" 142mm
Height 4.3" 109mm
Width 1" 26mm
Barrel Length 3.1" 79mm
Sight radius 4.6" 116mm
Muzzle energy max 400 ftlbs 540J
Capacity 10+1 rounds
Trigger pull 9 lbs 40N
INTRODUCTION
The P-11 is a semi-automatic, locked breech pistol, chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.
The firing mechanism is double action only. The magazine has a 10 or 9 round capacity. The Kel- Tec P-11 is the smallest and lightest 9 mm ever made. Thanks to its locking dynamics and superior ergonometry, perceived recoil and practical accuracy are comparable to much larger guns. The P-11 is especially suited for plainclothes police officers or as a secondary weapon for military personnel. From the very beginning of the design and development, computers have been used exclusively. All machined components are also made on modern high speed computerized equipment. Equally advanced quality control equipment and test procedures ensure a firearm with uncompromising quality in materials and workmanship
http://www.kel-tec.com/prod01.htm
Especially if she takes the advice at Post #6.
My comment, and I think comments of others, as pertaining to opinions concerning firearms, are always predicated on the notion that the damned thing has to fit the shooter.
If it don't fit, you can't hit.
So I still standby by my original comment that the SP101 is a perfect self-defense weapon for a woman. Not the perfect weapon, but a perfect one.
Got one for my daughter as a 21st birthday present, sent her to combat handgunning school run by a bunch of Marines, and presto-changeo! A young woman who will not become a meaningless statistic.
I have a .380 and I like it very much. I'm pretty small and about broke my shoulder with a shotgun some years ago.
Take a defensive shooting course at your local range. It's very instructive and fun, too. You practice real life defense, not blowing away stationary targets. My knees were bruised from the dropping, rolling and shooting from behind barriers and other objects. Think cars in a parking garage.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.