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Best Personal Defense Pistol for Woman
Self | August 24, 2020 | Self

Posted on 08/24/2020 7:32:46 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom

My sister just turned 67 and wants to purchase a pistol for self-defense.

I do not think she has ever fired a weapon before in her life. She is sufficiently concerned about the crap going on that she wants to be able to defend herself. She works in downtown Baltimore and commutes from her home in suburban Maryland between Baltimore, Wash DC, and Annapolis.

What do the FR firearms experts recommend for the pistol, ammunition, and training? How do you evaluate trainers and their training programs? What do you look for?


TOPICS: Hobbies; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; dsj03; firearms; pistol; selfdefense; woman
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My sincere apologies!
Somehow missed the j/k!


101 posted on 08/24/2020 10:24:39 PM PDT by mozarky2 (Ya never stand so tall as when ya stoop to stomp a statist...)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Smith & Wesson Ladysmith revolver. Perfection.


102 posted on 08/24/2020 10:25:05 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
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To: ProtectOurFreedom; mozarky2

FR is increasingly being populated by the humor and satire impaired.......


103 posted on 08/24/2020 11:07:36 PM PDT by doorgunner69 (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading - T Jefferson)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom; Disambiguator

Also, she lives and works in an area that is not gunowner friendly, so she needs to become intimate with the legal issues regarding owning and using firearms, especially when traveling by car and possibly crossing state lines.
—————
Absolutely true!! The metro DC area is a jurisdictional nightmare...and about the time you think that you’ll never get a flat tire or take a wrong exit, Murphy’s Law will make a visit.


104 posted on 08/24/2020 11:14:29 PM PDT by Skybird (TRUMP / PENCE 2020 — OVER THREE YEARS OF PROMISES KEPT, AND JUST STARTING!)
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To: moovova
I was going to recommend the 8-round Model 317 Kit Gun in .22 LR. I put a laser on mine. Very similar:


105 posted on 08/25/2020 1:38:34 AM PDT by Pollster1 ("Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed")
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
60-ish lady, no experience with firearms? You've done well to ask the right question.

The worst thing you could have done would be to take her shooting and put something in her hand that wouldn't be right for her. I've seen it happen at the range and it ruins people on shooting, they'll never go back once they've had that bad experience with someone's .357.

Many of the handguns made for concealed carry sacrifice shootability for small size. For example, I own both a Smith model 642 (hammerless .38 special) and a Ruger LCP in .380 auto. I wouldn't let a 67yo lady shoot either of them. She would find the recoil from the 642 brutal, and the LCP wouldn't be far behind because of its small size, as in small enough to be carried on a keychain, but still shooting the .380acp cartridge, which is not far behind the .38special in terms of power.

Take her to shoot with a certified trainer who, for example, would have access to similar weapons to those I just mentioned except in .22 caliber, just to get her started shooting, and also to others that are designed for less recoil for older people, especially ladies. Someone mentioned the Smith bodyguard, I believe it's called, which is made in both .380 and 9mm.

Handguns are all about compromise. Small size like the LCP and light weight like the Smith bodyguard series equals serious recoil for the uninitiated. Can't change the laws of physics.

Not to discourage you though; there is something available that's right for her. Have fun!

106 posted on 08/25/2020 2:19:25 AM PDT by OKSooner (Saint Nicholas is a real Christian Saint from the 3rd and 4th centuries. John Durham does not exist.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Sorry, NOT "Bodyguard". Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ.

Designed particularly for those who might be recoil sensitive.

107 posted on 08/25/2020 2:24:13 AM PDT by OKSooner (Saint Nicholas is a real Christian Saint from the 3rd and 4th centuries. John Durham does not exist.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

AMMO: Hornady Critical Defense

REVOLVER: Tauras Model 850 - 5 shot/hammerless S/S

SEMI-AUTO: GLOCK 42 .380 or KIMBER Micro .380

I would go with the Semi-Auto and purchase 2 additional magazines... then TRAIN like you FIGHT !


108 posted on 08/25/2020 3:16:38 AM PDT by Patriot_MP (Of the Troops, For the Troops - US of A Always. Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Given her age, i would look at the S&W M&P Shield EZ....in 9mm. Solid defense round, very easy to manipulate the slide and to load the magazine for older folks who may or may not have arthritis. I am buying one for myself, and another for my GF. The M&P series are very solid guns.


109 posted on 08/25/2020 3:33:14 AM PDT by RoadieFan
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To: Lurkinanloomin

Ping


110 posted on 08/25/2020 3:47:07 AM PDT by KevinB (Quite literally, whatever the Left touches it ruins.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Bersa Thunder .380


111 posted on 08/25/2020 4:01:29 AM PDT by Renegade
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My advise is to ignore the specific gun recommendations, as worthy as they are.

The firearm best for a person is the one they are comfortable with in the hand, are willing to carry, and have or develop the confidence to use if needed.

Ironically the “lady” guns, smaller and lighter, sometimes are really experts’ guns as they’re hard to manipulate and have lots of felt recoil.

IMO use the good suggestions above as a list for her to hold, ask about, even rent. The final choice is the individual’s since they have to live with it once all the helpers go home.


112 posted on 08/25/2020 4:14:55 AM PDT by No.6
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To: Blood of Tyrants

You are leading out of the gate with this excellent first reply.


113 posted on 08/25/2020 4:21:56 AM PDT by SandwicheGuy (“Feels Up and Heels Up 2020”)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Ruger LCR with laser. Put the dot on him honey and pull the trigger.


114 posted on 08/25/2020 4:24:43 AM PDT by anton
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My 70 year old wife carries a Taurus Slim 9mm - right size for her hand, and just big enough to dampen recoil...has a safety many of the compact .380s don’t so it can be safer to keep one in the tube and not have to worry about racking one in a “situation”.


115 posted on 08/25/2020 4:27:00 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: AlaskaErik; ProtectOurFreedom

What AE said in post 7. It is very bad to have a gun and not be able to use it when needed. It is even worse to have taken away still full and shot with it.

Find a gun store with a simulator and run through several scenarios and see how your friend feels them. Being a killer isn’t in the DNA of some people.


116 posted on 08/25/2020 4:28:33 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My wife was in a similar frame of mind years back. After looking at various small semi-autos and revolvers she decided upon the Taurus CIA 650 hammerless revolver in .357 Magnum. She loads it with .38 +P because she is concerned about control with .357. Advantages: Easy to use, no safety, decent sized/powered cartridge, lower chance of stoppage versus a semi-auto. Disadvantage: Only 5 shots, so I bought her some speed loaders.


117 posted on 08/25/2020 4:30:33 AM PDT by Hazwaste (Democrats are like slinkies. Only good for pushing down stairs.)
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To: No.6
The final choice is the individual’s since they have to live with it once all the helpers go home.

Insightful...

118 posted on 08/25/2020 4:30:50 AM PDT by GOPJ (The Democrat Convention Theme was suppose to be 'Chaos Under Trump' - riots backfired...)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Smith & Wesson 442 Airweight Double-Action Revolver

I second this gun or third or fourth it. Great weapon for a beginner and is high quality. She can always add to her collection as time goes by but this is a nice starter and will always be a keeper.


119 posted on 08/25/2020 4:38:21 AM PDT by greenishness
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To: yellowroses

Thank you for that, yellowroses.

My daughter is 56 and feels the need for a firearm. I’ll definitely let her know of your comments.


120 posted on 08/25/2020 4:47:55 AM PDT by octex
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