Posted on 06/17/2009 1:50:31 PM PDT by 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?
I have a Glock 27 for CCW. That thing would be a beast for a lady, though.
1911
.22 LR revolver .... and LOTS of ammo for practice until she could shoot very accurately. BTW, it would not be a bad idea for you to get some extra practice in as well. In top form, I can hold a 3” circle at 10 yards with aimed fire and my .45. This is because I have put in the time and LOTS of practice. There are those that are WAY better than me so I don’t even think about shooting competition. I’m not saying that everyone NEEDS to get that good, but holding 6” at 5 yards would be a good start.
Then “work” your friends by asking them to let her test fire their hardware. Your wife will quickly gravitate to a grip / action / caliber that works for her. DO NOT ASSUME YOU KNOW BEST! DO NOT ASSUME YOUR FRIENDS KNOW BEST!
Think about how you would feel if someone came to you and said that you need to use this gun and it did not feel right in your hand. Same with her.
How about a .357 Mag?
Don't let anybody ... not even the clueless dorks infallible experts on this forum ... tell you which gun you should buy. They don't know.
Go to a commercial range. Many of them offer pistols for rent to use on their premises. Try several; some will feel better in your hands than others. Find one or more that you like, that you're comfortable with, and that you can shoot well.
Then ... ask the "infallible experts" for their experiences regarding manufacturing quality, longevity, etc of the ones you like. This information can be useful in selecting which of the pistols that you like would be the best to buy first.
“I shoot more consistently with a handgun.”
I’ll bet you shoot more consistently with a handgun at the range than in your house. ;^)
Home defense is a much different environment than the street. Especially if there are childern or house guests and its dark and people are screaming or crying and there are a lot of strange noises.
So my point is you should not be thinking in terms of overwhelming firepower, but a minimum of reliable, well placed rounds.
A female in my family gets a .38 revolver with a high performance load.
Well, that certainly proves that all Glocks are crap.
I can come up with anecdotes for any gun you can name, therefore ALL guns are crap.
Unless you intend to devote a lot of time money and effort to becoming an excellent marksman, stick to a revolver. The average person is much more accurate with revolvers than autos. They are also much less likely to malfunction if you are not a “hard holder”.
do they make any 1911’s that are double action only?
Never had much experience with revolvers (and everyone feel free to correct me) but, I’ve heard (for a woman) unless you have strong wrists, stick with Semis. Revolvers supposedly tend to twist when fired causing fatigue and constant target reacquisition.
I have smaller hands so you can use this advice:
If the gun fits your hand it is in the mix for purchase.
.38 is a good round and is effective but also try a .45 in the 1911A1 configuration. The handle fits my hand to a T. I shoot a variant of that pistol.
Small revolvers are not to be dismissed out of hand. Taurus has some great ones that are easily concealed. No jams and easy to clean. Many revolvers also will fit everyone’s hand.
Don’t get stuck on Glock or Kimber. It is mostly the round that matters and the hand grip.
The simplest and most foolproof is a short- barrel revolver in .38/.357. Taurus, Rossi and Smith and Wesson make excellent models.
If you decide to go with a semi-auto, 9mm is the caliber and Taurus is your manufacturer. The Millennium Pro is compact, easy to operate and available in several calibers up to .45 ACP.
And other people (men, women, and children) have an easier time with revolvers than pistols.
And this, my friends, is why the person for whom the pistol is being bought should go to the friggin' range and try a few, before buying.
If I had followed "conventional wisdom" of any sort, prior to buying my first pistol, I would almost certainly have bought one of the models I tried and did not like ... and might never have tried the model I did like, and buy, and shoot a lot. Because I like it.
Thank you so much for all the responses. A lot of good information to consider that I had not even thought of (I knew that would happen!).
I like the idea of the gun range with rentals so I can try different models out to find out what I like best. I appreciate all the comments about revolvers versus semi’s and the reasons why to choose one over the other. Lots of good food for thought.
I have not settled on anything yet but did not really know how to begin to assemble a list of which guns to consider, so your answers have been very helpful!
Everyone has been a great help with getting me to the next step.
Thanks!
“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?”
What type of handgun have you used in the past?
Oi wrong side of the scale imo, and a touch of overkill unless you live in the sticks.
Shotgun and pistol for HD, not a rifle.
Anyways....for pistol try them all before you buy. Unlike a rifle or shotgun the feel in your hand makes a huge difference in the pistol you want, and in the ability to shoot it.
Don't be afraid of the endless 9mm or 40/45 debates. The bad guy ain't gonna care which one hit him in the ocular cavity.
I have never had anyone sneer at my Star Model P.
Wouldn’t care if they did......
I did not say or imply that all Glocks are crap.
You said you can’t go wrong with one.
My anecdotal evidence is contrary to that.
For a new shooter? Revolver.
For concealed carry: A small revolver.
For home defense? An easy to use gun like a revolver.
For just plain fun at the range? A revolver.
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