| Author | Message | ||
     Nevrenuf |
with the way things are in the world nowadays, i have really started thinking about getting a hand gun and not just for myself but something that my wife could learn how to use and practice with. i live in a decent area but we have also been broken into once here but not for a while. on the other hand the neighbor was broken into about a half year ago. i never really worried so much about it in the past cause the son had lived here until a few weeks ago when he finally moved out after being with us for over 25 years. some people say that all you need is a revolver but i like the idea of a clip. i tried to get some input from the 1911 thread. if i go back out of town to work, i want her to feel comfortable being home alone. | ||
| Court |
All my kids have Sig Sauers. This is my daughter in law who had never shot. One thing about the 9mm Sig is that it is less intimidating to fire (at least in my mind, there are others here who are far better versed than I) to fire. She'd never shot, has no interest, but wants to know "how if I need to". So she goes to the range once a month and trains. Can't hurt. I live in NYC where weapons are illegal so we go with the old baseball bat.   | ||
| Svh |
I too have thought about that but what if you come home early from out of town for a surprise visit? Could end badly. Locally an elderly man shot his wife in the middle of the night because he thought she was a burglar. Thought she was next to him in bed and went to find out what the noise was in the kitchen. She turned the corner and well you can figure out the rest. We now have an aluminum bat in the bedroom. Doesn't have the range but it will still hurt. The wife is also supposed to start self defense classes because she is a wuss really. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I've always been of the belief that a shot gun makes the best home defense weapon. The .45 out of a 1911 is going to go through walls like nothing whereas a shotgun likely won't. The sound of a pump shotgun loading the chamber should be enough to get most intruders out of the house, and the spread means you don't have to be as good with it. Of course, this is only my opinion. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Walther .32, and she has instruction to empty the magazine! BTW my wife has been instructed on close in tactics(filling the abdomen with spent gases and lead)for deadly intentions. Something you have to discuss and make understood, that a handgun is not a tool for diplomacy, it is the end of diplomacy. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
Automatics are uber cool. However In a real world emergency I would recommend a revolver. Why? They don't jam. If a round fails to go off, just squeeze again and another will come into battery. You get six tries on most revolvers. Most women have problems working the slide of an auto. Now try doing it in an emergency. It can really cause problems, especially if one is already at a near panic. Which most people will be at if they have to pull a gun. You will not need 16 rounds in your house. Lastly whatever you get practice over and over. I have a dog. Heidi and she does a good job, then If their stupid enough they get to meet Mr. 00 Buck, My weapon of choice in the house. | ||
| Cowboy |
My wife carries a lady smith | ||
| Court |
I've long been a fan of the good ol S&W Model 686 and accompanied by the Remington 870 with 00 buck. But in NYC, since we can't have guns, I've also added a new dimension. Most bad folks, at least lately around here, depend on an element of surprise. Imagine for a moment having 5 of those Freon horns inside the house and 4 outside that you could activate remotely. If you were a bad guy . . . . it was 3am in the morning. . . and you were creeping around in the neighborhood with he highest concentration of mobsters in the United States and all of a sudden half dozen strobes (hey they were left over from the fire protection at 4 Times Square and the horns started going off . . . you stay or leave? | ||
| Mikej |
A firearm is just one possible component of a self defense home protection plan. That includes verification of a threat or target. That ends my lecture.  Just like clothing and shoes, let her pick what will work for her and find out what she will be comfortable with. Find a local range with rentals and take some for a test ride on the range. That ends my recommendations. :-) | ||
| Doughnut |
I got dual .40s for when the zombies attack! 15 + 1 each! | ||
| Road_thing |
I'm with poppinfresh on this one. I love my 1911's, but when they roll around in the console of my truck for months at a time, there's no telling what kind of crud they'll pick up. My mobile personal defense system is a S&W Centennial hammerless in .38 Special. Not real powerful or real accurate, but it'll go bang 5 times even if you roll it in mud and sand. rt | ||
| Teeps |
Something like this http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?p roducts_id=31488 with 3" shells can be wielded by just about anyone with opposable thumbs. Won't blow out your ear drums when used indoors either. There used to be a 5 shot semi-auto .410 in a bullpup stock that would be even better. But I haven't been able to find one for years. | ||
| Fung |
We have a dog ... | ||
| Joebuell |
"just the sound of the shotgun".....    Home security requires a plan specific to the property, local laws, the folks doing the "protecting", and their training. Start with a home defense course (like the NRA guns for home defense class) is the best option. Then work on making your house less attractive to break ins. Finally, do not take any advice from a gun shop commando regarding birdshot, aiming a shotgun, penetration or gun choice. Check out theboxotruth.com for any actual knowledge regarding choice of loads and the like. main thing is to have a plan. The most dangerous thing to do is to load up a gun and toss it in the nightstand. I believe in bright flashlights, big german shepherds, and ar15's for the win ! (Message edited by joebuell on November 09, 2009) | ||
| Zac4mac |
I keep a .44Mag Model 94, a Winchester Defender 12Ga. and a 4' Broadsword by the bed. 1911 in my desk drawer. Long clip. 870 Goose gun behind the door. I need to get my gun-cabinet out of storage. They're scattered about the house. She knows how to use them too, keeps us in check.  Z | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i've heard other people talk about the 38 for being a good home defense tool. and i guess for her i do agree. could it be a good enough gun to go to a firing range and practice with. although it's basically a close up gun, can you still get any distance out of it for it to be worth taking to the range. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
If you are going to have a loved one carry a gun, then I suggest very intensive training on many fronts. Carrying a firearm demands good judgment, maturity, competence, and more. That's all I really have to add. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Pre-nupt? | ||
| Oldog |
However In a real world emergency I would recommend a revolver. Why? They don't jam. One of the most disturbing things I have ever seen on range, was during a match the look on a police officers face when his "wheel gun" jamed, his duty gun, yes revolvers jam too a well designed and tuned 1911 or auto only jams with bad ammo or its f#%@#%^@ dirty, or its broke. its said that a well designed auto can be dropped in a bucket of sand, removed and shaken out, it will fire and be able to empty its magazine. also learning to clear a jam quickly is relativly simple, most of the time its remove the FO and cycle the slide the most common jam my RATT match gun has is "stove pipe" due to rough reload cases time to clear under 2 seconds 9mm is good for smaller folks (women) light recoil, bearable report & flash in a confined space, they do not tend to penitrate excessivly unless "hot" ammo is used much better than a 357M or 38+P. and having 15 rounds of stay the @#$%@#5 down has to count for some thing. Good luck on the search, I too would avoid "gunstore" commandos and look for information from real experts, NRA and local law enforcment Assad Ayoob (spelling) was recomended reading when I carried. (Message edited by oldog on November 09, 2009) | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Depends on where im at and what door they come in! If im sleeping, they either get the Mossberg 500 Tact, or the XDM .40 with laser/light. If im in the basement, they get either the Raging Bull .454, or my old school S&W Model 59 9mm.. What they better hope i dont do is go to the closet and break out the AK47 or any number of rifles just sitting there... Oh, and if i'm in my Truck, i carry a compact S&W .40... No, i'm not paranoid, just using my right to do what every american can and should do... stand up for yourself and your family | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Oh...+1 on whoever mentioned a flashlight. get the brightest nastiest flashlight you can handle. The initiative (for fight or flight) you can gain by blinding someone temporarily can be a lifesaver. I just got one of these .25s to give any intruder a nasty welt or proper bruise.  Seriously I like .25s. People talk about how ineffective the round is, but I've never had any of them volunteer to be shot by one. | ||
| Rwven |
Mossberg Cruiser Cheap, reliable, easy to swing around in tight places http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/N EW/54125.jpg | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Oldog, I've had a wheel gun jam due to a bad primer cap on a round. Couldn't clear it either 'cause the cylinder got jammed shut. Check your primers as you load your speedloaders or wheelguns. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
Nevrenuf, You shouldn't have to shoot long distance. If you have distance then you have time. Flee if possible, baracade if not either way get help on the way. The gun is there for last resort. One should never get into a lasting firefight(excluding LE/Military). Your chances drop dramatically. In life valuables mean nothing if your dead. and you really want her to be far away from flying lead. | ||
| Petereid |
Around the house I use this.......  the Winchester Defender (plays hell on porcupines too) When I travel in my RV I use a Colt mk4 series 70 Gov (stainless) with a polished feed ramp. With quality ammo it never jams and is very easy to maintain. | ||
| Bads1 |
I've got two dogs that will do the job quite well. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
Ok olddog got me there. Revolvers do jam. However lets run the % and see which comes out on top. We're not talking about a user that plays with pistol every day. Simple is the key in an emergency. And 2 seconds is a lifetime or a deathtime in a gunfight. BTW 15 rounds don't mean shit if you can't hit the target. | ||
| Ourdee |
Mine likes the 9mm Firestar. My first line of defense is a 35 mw green laser, now I'll stop talking. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
The gun is there for last resort totally agree. but like i said, if i go back on the road, she will be here by herself and getting the proper training would be the best thing she could do for both of us. i think going to the range and renting is a good idea also. | ||
| Mikej |
Accuracy of a .38Special depends a lot on the person shooting it, just like with motorcycles where the rider often counts for more than the specific bike being rode (ridden?). In most homes you'll rarely have or need a clear shot over 30' as a generalized rule. Beyond that and claims of defense become questionable. Become proficient at 25' and you'll be ahead of most folks. Practice in scenarios similar to your potential needs. Dim room indoors? Ask the range manager to dim the lights on a slow night to see just how much muzzle flash your firearm produces with your chosen ammo. I still remember 20+ years ago shooting a 4" barreled Colt Lawman .357 magnum revolver using warm 125gr bullets right a dusk in the deep woods, put out a muzzle blast that would have impressed a flame thrower. Nothing serious, just target shooting at stumps, but educational none the less. Practice won't make you perfect but it sure will improve your chances. Hmmm, this used to be a motorcycle board. |
