*Vanity* Handgun Recommendation

me ^ | 6-17-09 | pinkpanther111

[pinkpanther111]

My husband recently purchased a Semi-automatic rifle for home protection. He and I discussed whether we should get a second one for me. I said I would be more comfortable with a handgun. I shoot more consistently with a handgun. So the obvious next question he asked is which one would you like?

I am not sure which one would be the best for me. I know I want semi-automatic beyond that I am not sure which features I should look for.

So I thought I would ask here; if you were to purchase a handgun for your wife, what type would you get? or Which features do you think is important for me to consider?

[WKeller]

Hi Pink,

Actually, your best weapon for home defense would be a 20 ga. for a youth. Loaded with alternating buckshot and slugs. Much easier to aim when you are in a “fight or flight” mode. And, honestly, much cheaper as well.

As for an automatic, the Glock 17 in 9mm is very hard to beat. But, this requires a great deal of range time in all kinds of light conditions or a professional training course.

Here is a link to Glock: http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm

I would also suggest you and your husband practice clearing your home (weapons unloaded obviously) frequently so you get used to each others moves.

And, if you husband purchased an assault weapon, have him review his fields of fire to prevent killing a child or a neighbor - again shoot guns with buckshot reduce this risk.

[hiredhand]

Revolver's are virtually trouble free and IF somebody manages to actually jam one, they've got far greater problems at hand!

Too many people think that everybody needs a double-stack plastic pistol. But a very, VERY small percentage of them have experienced the sheer terror of experiencing a malfunction in the face of a lethal force encounter. Worse than this, they don't practice for when things go WRONG.

Ya just can't go wrong with a revolver!

[cva66snipe]

A .357 magnum revolver with a 6 inch barrel, preferably in stainless steel. I know you said you prefer a semi-auto, but a revolver will be much less expensive, simpler to operate, easier to train on, and in .357 you can fire two different calibers of ammunition. (.38 special and .357 magnum)

I have a Security Six that fires both .357 & .38 Special rounds. At home I load it with 38's in case my wife needs it. {out of concern for breaking her wrist}. Main issue issue is the trigger is too stiff. If you pull the hammer back manually and fire it's dead on. But the trigger action is too stiff and tends to pull off target no matter how slow and controlled I squeeze the trigger. Any ideas?

[appleseed]

Ya just can't go wrong with a revolver!

I agree. And you can get them in 8 shot .357 and 9 shot .22.

[Lurker]

Well depending on how much you've actually fired it I'd recommend one of two things.

If it hasn't been fired much, and I mean like less than 1,000 times or so, I'd dry fire it a several hundred times. That's got two benefits IMO. One, you can work on your trigger control. Two it breaks those springs in.

If the pistol has had more than a thousand rounds through it I'd take it to a gunsmith and ask him or her to do a trigger job on it.

Mrs. L has a Taurus revolver that was so stiff when we bought it it was very difficult to be accurate firing double action. But dry firing it a couple thousand times worked the springs in very nicely.

I hope you find this useful.

Best,

L

[swmobuffalo]

2 and 3’s are best for target practice and hunting small game.

true but enough holes made by a 2 or a 3 will slow down an intruder quick enough.

I don’t have the hand strength for a .45, so a .38 is my choice.

[cva66snipe]

That sounds reasonable. I don’t believe it’s been fired much. Thanks

[Squantos]

SW Ladysmith 38/357. Perfect first handgun for any new shooter. My Girl Friday carrties the original version of this. The Smith Wesson model 13 which was FBI issue for a long time with its round butt grip and 3 inch barrel.

The Mod 65 Ladysmith is a stainless copy of that good durable handgun.

My suggestion.

[Squantos]

LMAO ......true indeed !!!

[pinkpanther111]

Thanks to everyone and their recommendations; especially those that focused on first gun to own and those specifically suited to women.

Lots of good tips here I am collecting. WOW great job everyone!

[calex59]

I don’t know what CCW instructors you know but the ones I know don’t own glocks. They have nothing against them but sure as he** don’t sneer at any of the other reliable handguns out there.

[cva66snipe]

One word of advice with a revolver. Consider size and weight if you plan to carry it on you. The revolver I mentioned my wife using is a service revolver too heavy for carrying on your person without a holster and difficult to conceal or difficult for a man to conceal. It’s used for her home defense or we carry it in the vehicle. For all around carrying saftey though a revolver is best. No guess work as to the guns status.

[CodeToad]

GMTA:

[hiredhand]

I agree. And you can get them in 8 shot .357 and 9 shot .22.

Yes! This is true! I've been wanting a decent .22 revolver, but my needs get in the way of my wants and I'll have to wait. :-)

[CodeToad]

The wife has all kinds of handguns to choose from but she really enjoys shooting revolvers. I even prefer them when just shooting for fun; slow fire, etc. I really love a good old fashioned 45 Colt wheel gun. The wife loves the smell of the powder burning. (Trailboss powder) We both carry 1911’s on a daily basis but revolvers are by far the best general purpose entry and experienced level firearm that is effective for all types of shooters.

[Squantos]

My personal advice is based on my Girl Fridays manner of dress and day to day activities. She almost never wears a belt so slacks or a skirt most of the time . She has a Barimi Grip on her lady smith that lets her wear it at her place of work without a belt.

http://www.baramihipgrip.com/hipgrip.html

As well try and stay away from a rubber checkered grip as that grip surface will cause your clothing to creep as you move and witness the presence of a handgun. If you carry your firearm in a purse or keep it at home all the time this is not an issue. An issue only with CHL /CCW carry in my experience.

Any number of carry styles are available for ladies such as purse.

http://www.shado.com/

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP3.asp?ProductID=1777&CatalogID=150

There are good and bad handguns just as there are good and bad suggestions on these threads. Important point is to go find a range or friends that will let you try before you buy. YOU have to like the firearm and be able to fire and function all of it’s bells and whistles without any trouble otherwise you endanger yourself and those around you.

My lady likes the revolver due it’s simplicity. Easy to load and a point and click accessory if ever there was one during stressful situations or on the range for fun target practice.

One consideration to consider that I have. Sharp edges on some firearms that have not been dehorned per se....all the sharp edges deburred etc is long term damage to clothing and materials around you like car seats, furniture at work or home etc .....SIG 239 has done a great job of addressing this as has Glock. I carry a Glock 31 and at times a Glock 19 or the SIG 239 in 40SW. Those are my day to day utility guns. The ones that get exposed to the reality of acidic sweat, dirt, dust and abrasive day to day exposure of carry for self defense. They hold up very well due their finish. The SIG 239 IMO or Glock 19 is something you may like in a semi auto if you choose not to go with a revolver.

But then according to your FR page yer a Texan young lady so buy one of each for social situations that may arise.....:o)

Bottom line DO NOT , I repeat DO NOT trust the gun counter commando that is trying to SELL you a gun . There are the 1% of salesmen that are true blue and have your best interests at heart yet......you have a better chance at winning the lotto than finding one IMO.

Look , do your research, consider your lifestyle. Your wants and worries etc and TRY BEFORE YOU BUY !!

Last note with list of handguns to go peek at when shopping.

SIG 239 in 40SW
Smith & Wesson 340 in 38/357, (ultralightweight scandium)
Glock 19
Smith & Wesson Ladysmith 38/357

Good Luck and good shooting !

[ChocChipCookie]

We have a Glock 9mm and two .40 Sig Sauers. I LOVE the Sigs. There’s just something about the way they feel in my hand.

[hiredhand]

The Mod 65 Ladysmith is a stainless copy of that good durable handgun.

I'm glad you mentioned... my friend Dianne down at our local shop says that they sell a LOT of them to women. If memory serves, there's also an option for the Crimson Trace laser grip. A buddy of mine from church bought one for his wife and she was showing me how it worked. At first I thought it could NOT be a good thing because I'm not sure she even knew how to use sights! But then I realized that she WAS targeting "stuff" around the room (revolver unloaded!) and the pistol was up close and she was comfortable with it! Also, he bought her some SnapCaps and she did PRACTICE pulling the trigger double action while sighting an object with the laser!

I am going to make sure that she knows how to use the open sights though. :-)

[absolootezer0]

Sig p220 in 38 super. .38 super is IMHO the best defensive calibre.. High velocity, enough weight. In a full size auto recoil is negligible. It’s the last gun I’d ever get rid of due to the fact that my wife adores it.

[PzLdr]

I would really suggest she reconsider buying a revolver. A lot simpler to operate. A lot less to go wrong. S&W actually makes a 7 or 8 shot .357 magnum/ .38 Special.

If a semi-auto pistol, go for the closest thing to a double action revolver. Something like an S&W M&P, aGlock or a Springfield XD. Go for a single stack magazine model [fits smaller hands better], and as few bells and whistles as possible [ although tritium night sights or fiber optic sights should be considered].

As for caliber, she’d probably do better with 9mm, .40 S&W or .357 SIG than with .45 ACP. I wouldn’t go down to .380.Not enough stopping power for a primary weapon.

Good luck!