Vanity- For a gun novice, what pistol for self-defense?

10/12/2006 | Anthony Locascio

[domenad]

I am positively ripping over here right now. About an hour ago, my wife calls me to tell me that someone behind her in traffic got out of the car, slammed his fist on her window and threatened her for not blowing through a "Yield" sign fast enough. This is the third time something of this nature has happened. Florida is growing at a meteoric rate, especially the Tampa area where I live. As with all growth, some is good and some is bad, and a surge in the number of physically aggressive, downright threatening people on the roads is one of them.

I've always supported the rights of any non-felon to own a weapon, even though for some reason I never chose to own one for myself. This is probably because I'm a large individual who is experienced in martial arts. My wife, on the other hand, is petite and has a bad back, making a physical confrontation unwise as well as unadvisable. In the back of my head, I always secretly figured on some level that my family and I were safe enough that we did not need firearms. Today has proven me wrong, and so I am turning to my fellow Freepers for advice - what weapon would be ideal for a woman in a car to own? What safety precautions, such as trigger locks would you recommend, in light of the fact that the weapon will be largely carried in a car? What laws are applicable? It would be simple enough for me to pick up a book (and believe me I intend to), but some things need to be filtered through human experience to get the most out of them.

[the lastbestlady]

I am a woman and I carry a Smith and Wesson "Airweight" .38 special with a shrouded hammer and an inch and a half barrel. If I had buy it again I would get the full weight model. (probably the "ladysmith") The Airweight is a real hand-stinger because of how light it is. This gun is definitely for up close and personal self-defense and it takes practice to be accurate with it because of the short barrel.

[Poser]

"Fire a .357 inside a car with the windows rolled up and get back to me. "

Um... I try never to shoot guns in cars. If I had to do such a thing for self defense, a little ringing in my ears for a half hour or so would be a rather minor inconvenience, well worth the bother.

[P8riot]

Nice looking Lahti

[B4Ranch]

"Number 1 pretty much rules out pistol rounds smaller or weaker than .357."

You are searching for the ultimate weapon. A one shot and the attacker collapses to the ground, everytime. You can use a .22, deliver a shot directly into the brain and yes, the attacker will collapse to the ground, everytime.

domenad stated, " About an hour ago, my wife calls me to tell me that someone behind her in traffic got out of the car, slammed his fist on her window and threatened her for not blowing through a "Yield" sign fast enough."

If he feels that the most substantial threat will occur while his wife is stopped at an intersection then that places his wife inside the car,, in Florida, where most of the time people drive with the air-conditioner on and the windows up.

The attackers chest is going to be, at a maximum, four feet from the barrel. I'm assuming the drivers window will be up, possibly cracked from a blow by the attacker. Therefore his wife will shoot through the cracked glass and keep firing until the attacker collapses. The barrel of the weapon will remain inside the vehicle. The noise level will be tremendous.

No, she is not going to put on her ear protection before firing the weapon. There is no reason why she should suffer permanent hearing loss while defending herself.

Therefore I cannot recommend one of the most noisy handguns ever made. A .38 with standard loads will be able to handle the job and it will be noisy enough.

I know his wife won't be aware of the noise while the attack is occurring, but she will be wondering why she cannot hear the radio or the car engine afterwards.

Without ear protection-have you ever fired a .22 inside a room? Try it sometime. Then use a 12 guage shotgun, then use a .357 and you will learn that the .357 is the only one that cause you physical pain to the head.

[B4Ranch]

"Um... I try never to shoot guns in cars. If I had to do such a thing for self defense,"

I am a person who strongly believes in reality training. Practicing your aim while standing at a bench, shooting at a target that is stationary, 50 feet away is not the conditions you will find yourself in when you need a weapon for self defense.

Take a self defense course that matches your needs as closely as possible and you will learn a whole new technique for defense.

[Poser]

"Without ear protection-have you ever fired a .22 inside a room?"

In fact, I have.

You are really reaching here. I suggest you arm yourself with a crossbow. It's pretty quiet.

[absolootezer0]

not trying to offend. i just said that there's not a NEED for it. i didn't say there wasn't a use for it. :)

[domenad]

That sounds like a good choice there, maybe the full-weight option. Again, I don't want her to fell comfortable heading to downtown tampa looking for weed, I just want her to have a little something if someone decides to road rage on her. That size sounds perfect.

[B4Ranch]

I had my hearing damaged in RVN during my 1st tour. It would be nice if we could use silencers here, without all the hassles from the BATF, IMO.

In countries such as Norway, silencers are available over the counter - no registration or anything. The use of a silencer is seen as an act of good neighbourliness.

[B4Ranch]

"This gun is definitely for up close and personal self-defense and it takes practice to be accurate with it because of the short barrel."

In the US, most gunfights are under 14 feet, which certainly is "up close and personal" enough for me.

[AdamSelene235]

Same book.

[Mad Dawgg]

"And then take lessons and practice practice practice."

Well said!

A handgun or rifle or shotgun is just a tool and like any tool you must work with it to become proficient.

You will know when you and your wife are ready to handle a weapon in a shoot/no shoot situation when you don't have to "think" about what to do, you just automatically do it.

"This" takes LOTS of practice. If you are not willing to put in that time and effort then do not carry a weapon. Because you may end up being worse off.

It is not as hard as it sounds it just takes time and patients.

. A good first lesson on a weapon is learning about loading, unloading and safety catch operation. To know how to check if a weapon is loaded and to know if the safety is on or off, etc. When one is comfortable with these steps and can do it all quickly and efficiently without having to think about each step, then move on to shooting procedures.

I have seen too many people want to get right to making bang bang noises and have no idea about "safeing the weapon" once they are done firing.

[MeliJara]

No offense--you're not a sales rep for the company are you?

Nope. I just know I could have alot of fun with one of those. Tell my ex to watch out if I get one! hehehehe

[Uri’el-2012]

what weapon would be ideal for a woman in a car to own?

What safety precautions, such as trigger locks would you recommend,

in light of the fact that the weapon will be largely carried in a car?

What laws are applicable?

It would be simple enough for me to pick up a book

(and believe me I intend to),

but some things need to be filtered through human experience to get the most out of them.

In answer to all of your questions, I would recommend training from an NRA Certified Instructor

in

NRA training for women
Refuse to be a victim
Basic pistol
Personal protection in the home
and a soon to be released
Personal protection outside the home

[RightWhale]

Don't shoot someone just because they yell and bang on the trunk of your car. Find out who they are and file assault charges.

[t_skoz]

I too carry a Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight with a pocket holster.

domenad:

The Smith & Wesson 642 is a 5-shot .38 Special revolver that is easily concealable on different parts of the body. As I said, I carry mine in a pocket holster in my right front pants pocket. This is my daily carry weapon that I take with me everywhere except for when I am sitting at my desk at work or am at a customers' site.

"Revolvers vs Semi-Autos" is a debate that I'm sure will rage here. I have no problems with semi-autos however here are some issues to consider:

Revolvers are small and really pack a punch. The .38 is in my opinion more concealable than most Glocks and while at 5 shots they have less capacity than a small Glock, I think the .38 Special +P will do more damage at close range than a 9mm. Some of the ballistics nerds here (I use that term lovingly, FRiends!) I'm sure will offer charts and other evidence either for or against my claim.

Revolvers will never jam. If you pull the trigger and nothing happens, simply pull the trigger again, and the clockwork will rotate the cylinder moving another round into the fire position.

Revolvers don't spit out shellcasings. God forbid someday you might be in a situation where you have to shoot and kill an individual. And God forbid you may be in a situation for whatever reason where you want / need to leave the scene. Revolvers do not spit shellcasings out, they stay in the cylinder.

The Smith & Wesson 642 doesn't have a safety, the safety is in the weight of the trigger pull, which is heavy. I can't find an exact weight right now. So in the event of an emergency, you draw the weapon, pull the trigger, and repeat as necessary.

I carry a Desantis Nemesis model pocket holster. The outside is a VERY grippy rubberized material that is designed to both FIT in your pocket without coming out but also STICK in your pocket without coming out. The inside is a very slick pack cloth material. The gun comes right out of the holster like greased lightning when you draw it, but stays tight when you want it concealed. I've tried 3 or 4 different holsters of various materials at various costs and this is the highest quality, at the best price ($20 + shipping). Additonally, this holster conceals VERY WELL and does not "print" like some other holsters do. Meaning it looks like a wallet or a cell phone in your pocket, not a .38 Special.

check out the holster here:

http://www.desantisholster.com/n38.html

For more info you can surf over to The High Road, a nice gun forum where there is a "642 Club" of S&W 642 owners. This is by far the best firearm I have encountered for daily conealed carry. I know 4 people who carry this gun with them daily and swear by it. I do too, I can't say enough good stuff about this weapon. Hopefully soon you and your wife can "join the club"!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Trigger pull should be around 12 pounds, but can be readily dropped by a third by a good smith, and when smoother than factory it will feel lighter as well.

[t_skoz]

I love gun threads :)

[Uri’el-2012]

This is my wife's gun:

[t_skoz]

Thanks for the update. My S&W trigger pull is heavy but smooth. When at the range or plinking in the woods I use the 2 stage trigger. In the event of an emergency I'm sure it will be point and pull.