Dammit Gunby!
Posted on 01/06/2013 9:42:01 PM PST by ru4liberty
This question pertains to a diminutive woman in her mid-60s. She has a .38 handgun but has been told by a few people (shooting range owner, RTC instructor's cousin, co-worker, etc.) that the best thing to have is a shotgun. They pretty much said that sometimes the only thing a perp needs is to hear the cocking of the shotgun and he'll flee the scene.
I wanted to tap into the expertise of those FReepers who are knowledgeable of such things so I can pass along the info. Also, her funds are limited (fixed income), so any recommendations that would keep her from having to spend too much and where would be the best place to buy it would be helpful.
I would not dismiss a 22 but in the middle of slumber in the dark ye old shotgun rules.
Just identify your fear before pull the trigger.
Gumby 23?
For home defense, get a German Shepherd: great companionship and fear-inducing bark/look.
Ithaca Mag-10 “Roadblocker”
Seriously a nice pump 20 ga. should work fine. Get some light field/skeet loads if you are recoil sensitive. This is close range work anyway.
This is about indoors.
I name my guns. Glock .40
There have been many stories here on FR about women breaking off attacks and in some cases killing the attacker with small handguns. As others have said, she’s good with what she has, especially if she’s comfortable with it. The macho men are steering her the wrong way.
She could get the Beretta Xtrema2 12ga. semi-auto shotgun and has minimal recoil (can be fired with one hand). It can fire 12 rounds in less than two seconds. Check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2mFcsa7mw
I beg your pardon???
Puppy is just ‘sposed to wake me so I can grab the shotgun.
LOL
ELDERLY????
A 38 revolver is fine if that is what she is comfortable with. She can load one or two shot shells if she want to get his attention without killing him.
In the news today was just such a scenario where a lady shot a perp 6 times hitting him in the face and neck 5 times with a 38. I’m surprised the guy lived but so far he is. One really lucky bad guy.
I used to think that as well. Thinking further into it, I'd rather not give my position away and give that second or so away to an intruder. It should be ready to fire when you encounter the intruder.
That said, I agree that a shotgun, with an 18" barrel, and #4 buckshot is the best firearm for home defense. At this person's age, depending on her health and strength, maybe she could handle a 20 gauge more easily than a 12 gauge.
BTW. These kind of questions on FR always end up with tons of responses. IBOHR (In Before One Hundred Replies)
A good salesman at Academy recommended the Mossburg 20 gauge shotgun for me as it is light but effective and was $100+. I am 5’5” and 125 pounds. I held the shotgun and it was fine. I have a Remington 870 shotgun and it is too heavy for me.
There is nothing wrong with the .38 if she can shoot it well and is comforable with it.
But if the shooting range owner has seen her shoot and says “Get a shotgun,” that might be an indication she doesn’t shoot it well. If these other people have seen her shoot, and say the same thing, that’s an indication the .38 is not working well for her.
In that case, the 20-gauge pump with buckshot is probably the way to go. It doesn’t “spray” anything at across-the-living room distances and she does have to aim, but aiming a long gun is much easier than a handgun. She should practice with light target loads before trying buckshot.
What does she want to do?
(If she stays with the .38, make sure she uses modern defensive loads from a major manufacturer.)
No offense, but you may want to rethink that. What I have seen from shooting one, and from other info, is that at inside house ranges, the shotgun load might as well be solid.
There is no "spray". Even the old timers that tried to crate that with the Blunderbuss found the shot just plain refused to "spray". Oh well, there are always grenades for those encounters that you do not have time to aim. You still have to aim the damn thing, shotgun or handgun.
A flame thrower now, that is a different animal from my one experience firing one. Just be sure you are on the right side of the damn thing, and God help your house.........But "spray" you do have.
I read that. The 38 airweight is a fine weapon. One add I would give. That perp would be dead if she had a mosquito. JMHO. 22lr hollow points a given.
I know 60 year old women who trap shoot, hunt upland game and ducks with shotguns. A open choke shotgun is a perfect home defense weapon.
She already has the right gun, IMHO.
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