Pistol advice, home defense for her

[h20hunter]

I have both the Ruger and the S&W airweight....she has shot them both and they are in the running. Thanks for the input.

[hillbilli]

if she likes the idea of a revolver- and its not a little lightweight snub-then get a .357, not a .38. the .357 can always use either ammo(.357/.38 special), and even if she never shoots magnums in it, thats a good thing (and it will probably cost the same). if she's comfortable with an auto- I'd recommend a 9mm. ammo cost is a big reason,  not to mention magazine capacity and recoil. doesnt really matter whether its a smith M&P, XD, Glock 19, ruger SR9, ruger p95, sig 2022.. get a good brand that she feels comfortable with. If its primarily a house/car gun, not a belt gun, then a full size hi-cap 9mm makes sense. encourage her to use a holster if she carries it in her purse..

[CP]

I think that you’re really compromising on firepower with a 5 shot snub nose revolver.  They have a long, hard trigger pull, short sight radius and a lot of recoil. 

For similar size and weight she could have a Glock 26, 11 rounds instead of 5, longer sight radius, easier to shoot.  For home defense put in a 15 round magazine with the finger extender, easier to handle one or two handed, 3 times the firepower of the little revolvers.

[h20hunter]

CP....You and I are on the same page....I agree.

[Carl]

Hi H20,

Here’s my    from recent family experience.

Last week, my 84 year old Mother just bought a Ruger LCR!      She also has the laser grip, but that might put you over your budget.  She is very petite and liked the feel of this revolver the best.  She will carry, so wanted something small.

Last weekend, without talking to dear-old-dad     my 23 year old daughter bought a S&W AirLight, also with a laser grip.

Both revolvers are 5 shots are almost identical in size.  Being reliable and small, they are very practical for females to carry.

Mom and daughter are happy!

Good luck,
Carl

[KFhunter]

I like the airweights with the button hammer myself, doesn't snag on stuff like a typical hammer.

autos are more prone to misfire,  and you can't jam it into someones rib cage if they are on top of you and shoot as it'll disengage the slide.

IN high stress with a fat guy on top of ya I'll take a revolver please thank you very much

[h20hunter]

KF....good input....have you been in a high stress situation with a fat guy....never mind.....PLEASE don't answer.

Great point about the slide not being engaged....had not thought of that.

[KFhunter]

KF....good input....have you been in a high stress situation with a fat guy....never mind.....PLEASE don't answer.

Great point about the slide not being engaged....had not thought of that.

Ya

I was over at lake stevens and this dude said I had a pretty mouth....you wouldn't know anything about that would you?

[h20hunter]

Uh....nope....must have been another incredibly handsome bearded athletic dude....

[Fishstiq]

I think that you’re really compromising on firepower with a 5 shot snub nose revolver.  They have a long, hard trigger pull, short sight radius and a lot of recoil. 

For similar size and weight she could have a Glock 26, 11 rounds instead of 5, longer sight radius, easier to shoot.  For home defense put in a 15 round magazine with the finger extender, easier to handle one or two handed, 3 times the firepower of the little revolvers.

Devil's advocate...

I don't necessarily disagree, but I really enjoy these discussions.

Short sight radius is negated by crimson trace grips.  Long, hard trigger pull in a poop-hits-the-fan situation = irrelevant, with that much adrenalin your average shooter will never notice.  Recoil can be mitigated with a couple simple choices, like buying a firearm with a ported barrel or reducing caliber, say from .357 mag down to a .38+P.  5 shot limitation...  the average defensive shooting is over in less than 4 seconds, 1.5 rounds are fired, the subjects are 9 feet apart, and it all happens in the dark.  I'm not saying more ammo isn't necessary, but odds are you'll never get to the 3rd round in the gun. 

Positives - revolvers don't double-feed or stovepipe, don't require the maintenance of a semi auto, don't have a slide to rack, are simple and easy "point and shoot" weapons, are easy to see if they are loaded when the user is under stress, and are less expensive in general.



I think one of the main things to consider in recommending firearms here is the user.  From what H2O said, this is mainly a home defense firearm for a woman who is somewhat inexperienced around firearms.  That tells you a lot about what firearms will work and what firearms won't.  I hope she never has occasion to need it, but if she does, I think the best chance for a positive outcome is with a weapon that is simple, easy, dependable and effective.  One that the user can be confident in and comfortable with. 


My .02 .... again.

[h20hunter]

Well said Joe.....If she leans towards revolvers I think one one be hard pressed to do better than a SP101 in .357 with CT grips shooting +P .38 rounds.

[Shed Stud]

My wife shoots a charter arms "cougar" 38 sp. 5 shot revolver. Small, safe, simple, reliable. Point and shoot. Oh, and its pink camo. She loves it. I bought it for under 400

[jaymark6655]

Never get a ported barrel on a carry gun.  In a CQ (fat guy situation) the ports could be angled toward you when you get a chance to fire and those ports will rip a good size hole in you.

[Bean Counter]

PSA: If you pick up some sort of laser grip such as Crimson Trace, don't rely on it 100%. Make the wifey train on at least several boxes without it. Batteries, the laser itself, or some other problem could cause it to fail. Got to know the iron sights to at least some extent.

[weathergirl]

I'm just sitting here reading all this, knowing someday it will all mean more to me than it does now (as lokidog mentioned, we are shopping soon, and I am soon to learn a lot).  I find it so interesting that the standard seems to be that as soon as the wife/girlfriend gives the word that she is ready for a gun, the husband/boyfriend begins what I assume is happy research and discussions  (like this thread here). 

And like many women, I'm happy to have the husband do the research and present me with what he thinks is best (at least narrow down some choices).  But wouldn't it be great if there was an educational class designed for women on "how to buy a gun" with options to try them?  And then some practice sessions?  (Or is there something like that?)  And almost more importantly, I want to know what cool purse/jacket/holster/etc. I'm going to carry the thing in, which could be part of the class too.   

Anyway, just an observation and a thought.