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?
My sincere apologies!
Somehow missed the j/k!
Smith & Wesson Ladysmith revolver. Perfection.
FR is increasingly being populated by the humor and satire impaired.......
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.
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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.
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!
Designed particularly for those who might be recoil sensitive.
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 !
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.
Ping
Bersa Thunder .380
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.
You are leading out of the gate with this excellent first reply.
Ruger LCR with laser. Put the dot on him honey and pull the trigger.
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”.
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.
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.
Insightful...
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.
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.
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