What is the best weapon for my wife?

Me | 9/4/2005 | Me

[Shazbot29]

My wife, after years (since marriage) of not wanting guns in the house saw what happened in NO and realized that some people beome barbarians at the drop of a hat. We are in earthquake country and she now knows she needs to be armed (as should I).

She is very slight and tiny, so she needs maximum blasting power with minimum recoil. And I don't have a lot of money to spend.

The good news is that my wife understands the statement I taught her: Never point a weapon at anything you don't want to kill and always kill what you point our weapon at.

I assure you, she is almost Heinleinian -- say prayers for anyone who comes into her gunsight after I get one for her.

[Americanwolf]

excellent opinion on the p89 has been my trusted sidearm for 12 years now... Just recently got and Thompson Auto Ordnance 1911.. that is quickly become a favorite... but the p89 is a can't miss gun in my book.

[softwarecreator]

By coincidence, my wife and I also discussed this issue this morning.  I don't have guns in my house mostly because I practice martial arts and usually feel I can handle most one-on-one situations.  I have some pretty good weapons hidden in my home and feel sorry for anyone stupid enough to break in.

9-11 came pretty close to making me purchase a handgun, but I didn't feel as if the threat would be one in which my having a gun would make a difference.

Now this new disaster has convinced me that I was wrong.  My wife and I are currently looking in firearms and she will be taking practice at the local range, she's never fired a gun before.  Luckily, I was a top marksman in ROTC so I should be able to pick it up quickly again.

It's a new world and I want to be able to protect my family in whatever way the situation calls for.

[NonValueAdded]

Thanks for reposting that pic. I was at a gun show today and wished I had the presence of mind to turn that into an iron-on transfer. It would have been better than a Club Gitmo shirt!

[D Rider]

Also some small women have trouble with the trigger pull of a double action. Therefore a single action that can be in the cocked and locked position might be a good choice. Somebody mentioned a 20ga. pump shotgun, probably the best choice for home defense.

[Army Air Corps]

I agree. The .45 ACP is a fantastic cartridge; lots of mass and energy.

I prefer automatics because they are easier to reload in an emergency and they hold more cartridges.

I am about to get a CZ75B in 9mm (as a grad student, I am too cheap to buy a .45-cal.).

[TMSuchman]

I much recommend the 12 gauge pump! Take a hint from the military, they use the 12 gauge! Double Ought Buck shot works wonders, Just aim in the general direction and squeze the triger!

[Americanwolf]

even if it is the $70 special at wall mart.... :)

[Hurricane Bruiser]

If the weapon is just for home defense, then a 12 gauge shotgun is a good idea with buckshot. A more versatile weapon is good to have sometimes. I would suggest something along the line of a snub nose .38 with an internal hammer (avoids snags in pockets etc). If she wants to keep things simple then just stick with a revolver. If she is willing to train more, then a 9mm semi-auto might be a good fit.

Whatever weapon is chosen, It sounds like both of you could use attending an NRA shooting course. If that is not available, then take a good amount of time at a local range to get very well acquainted with your firearm.

[Meadow Muffin]

Since she is small, and I assume that she has small hands, a .38 revolver may be best, with a 5 inch barrel. Of course she will need to practice, practice, practice..... any smaller barrel and she will have problems hitting objects that are far away.. Another option may be a "suitcase" shotgun. She will need to practice but only to get comfortable with the recoil...it is a point and shoot weapon. It is legal and has a pistol grip, but holds multiple shells for the determined intruder.

[claudiustg]

A S&W 38 special revolver with a 4 inch barrel.

[Americanwolf]

or you can look at a walther p22.... very small very accurate, but really ment for close in use due to the .22lr round or using shotshell rounds for max effect.

[Michael Goldsberry]

A shotgun is, of course, the first choice for most.

But for a "very slight and tiny" woman, I don't know. I'm thinking a .38.

[Jaysun]

I recommend a semi-auto .38
The recoil is minimal, it has plenty of stopping power, and a semi-auto is easy to operate. Here's a Smith & Wesson 1911. I'd say it's a good one for your situation, but you might not want to spend that much. If not, something similar will do.

[satchmodog9]

Snubnose 357 revolver with internal hammer. Smith and Wesson sells a few. No slide to pull back, no jams, no hammer to get caught in the purse. In my opinion, best female handgun.

[Shazbot29]

shotgun sounds a little hefty.

A pistol is probably better for our situation.

Thanks tho.

[GSlob]

To hit something with an effect one needs a heavy bullet (147 grain Hydra-Shock in 9 mm could be a minimum). So, the firearm caliber would be 9mm, 40 S&W or 45. The need for heavy bullet means there will be noticeable recoil. Now, recoil is something which naturally becomes less as the firearm grows heavier. More, so-called compact pistols are not only smaller, but lighter and have shorter barrels, thus limiting the bullet speed and its effect on the target.
In my experience, full sized CZ handguns in 9mm and 40S&W have highly manageable recoil, but they are NOT small and are about 3 lbs fully loaded.

[Uri’el-2012]

S & W Model 642 with Crimson Trace Laser Grips - The classic hammerless, five-shot Airweight revolver chambered in .38 S&W Special +P now comes with factory installed Crimson Trace(R) Laser Grips. Combining the no snag, hammerless design of the 642 with the rapid target acquisition capability of Crimson Trace Laser Grips(R) offers low-light precision aiming capabilities in an easy carry personal protection package. $695.00 MSRP.

This is my gift to my new wife

[Hurricane Bruiser]

I like my COLT .45 Officer's Model and my wife (small too) can easily shoot it. I personally would only get a auto, but revolvers are very simple.

[Shazbot29]

A good husband.

I travel so I am not always there. Besides, if I am there I want her to also be armed (I am getting my own sidearm as well).

[trubluolyguy]

I got a gun for my wife....



Oh, you've heard that one?