Posted on 08/30/2015 2:01:04 PM PDT by PinkChampagneonIce
There is no better place to come for expert advice on firearms than FR!
I am thinking of buying my first firearm. I want it for concealed carry, for self-defense, so I want it small. I have done some research and the Smith & Wesson Centennial Airweight Model 642 looks good to me.
Am seeking any and all advice/comments. I have small hands, and not a lot of upper body strength.
Thanks!
Yes I’m not a purse carrying kind of girl either. But a lot of women do. I don’t encourage it. Better in your pocket or on your hip.
The 642 has been around for a long time, chief advantage is that it is small, hammer is concealed and makes it relatively snag proof from your clothing, and adequately powerful for self defense. (This is expert advice from my husband who is a firearms expert by profession)
and.....which brands are they???
I have the Alley Cat version, a Tom Cat with luminecent front sight. It’s all you say, good for pocket carry, but I can’t hit anything more than 10 ft away.
I’m considering another classic gun porn thread. So far I’ve done the revolver one, and one on my 16 gauge Ithaca grade 5 double.
FR is one of the last places I'd look for firearms advice, but since you asked I think that lightweight 642 is going to be a painful little monster that you won't end up carrying because you won't like practicing with it.
My opinion? Glock 19, or Glock 43 if your hands are too small for the 19.
Same here. I could hit a paper plate from about that distance w/o the laser, so I consider it a `bad breath’ BUG.
And my eyes are’t getting any better.
My first carry gun, though, was a Jennings .22: a pot metal blowback jam-o-matic. It had a little guy with a fencing sword on the frame. Nice wood grips ...
So the Beretta was a big step up!
I remembered the name of the Tomcat silver version—Inox, I think. Nice looking piece, but no laser grip available when I was looking.
>> criminals will most often either drop or run away even if it’s just a .22 from a pistol <<
And probably all the more so if you’re using hollow-point 22 ammo!
I may try the laser grip, sounds like a good idea! Thanks.
Your choice is a good one, but I’d recommend a slightly different model, namely the Model 638.
The advantage of the Model 638 over the Model 642 is that the 638 has a shrouded hammer, which means it’s thumb-cockable, which means you can shoot it single-action, which personally I think is a much more accurate way to shoot, especially in highly stressful situations.
Since the hammer is shrouded, like the Model 642, the hammer of the Model 638 won’t snag in a pocket, pocketbook, fannypack, etc.
As additional advice, I think a revolver is preferred over an automatic for personal self-defense for most people, because most people don’t train a lot, and automatics are way more complicated than revolvers, which is NOT a good thing in a stress-situation for someone with minimal firearms training.
That said, you should practice, anyway. And practice until you’re shooting your firearm is almost second nature.
I did like the shotgun thread.
You have any double rifles or drillings? {:0)
A suggestion: if there is a range in your area open to the public, go there and let it be known that you’re interested in a handgun. Many shooters will be happy to allow you to pop off a few rounds from their gun. In this way, you can get a better idea of just what’s right for you. A gun is, for most of us, a substantial investment and I would like to see you get a gun that you’re completely comfortable with and you will look forward to using in practice.
>>> and.....which brands are they??? <<<
No clue, but what doesn’t work in hers works in my Taurus PT738
It is an all metal gun, the Glock is not.
I put the extended magazines on for and extra round and a rest for my little finger, and installed the Bersa rubber grips.
I was somewhat concerned about the power of a .380 (my youngest son calls it a 9mm short!!) but I got some really nasty hollow point reloads from Georgia Arms.
I have zero complaints.
>>> I was somewhat concerned about the power of a .380 (my youngest son calls it a 9mm short!!) <<<
Yep! 9mm Kurz — German for ‘short’.
Ruger LCS9mm. I carry it everywhere using a. IWB (Inside The Waistband) holster.
Best advice yet. !!!
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