If the 9mm has too much kick, this model is also available in .22 caliber.
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.
Let them get away so they may have another successful chance to harm someone else?
That’s not being very neighborly.
I have a Taurus Judge and it will fire 410 shotgun shells. It does have a bit of recoil but with the 410 “handgun” ammo, she should be able to easily handle it. It is like having a shotgun in a revolver and it is. I love it and there is an availablity of ammo from squirrel shot to rifled slug and a special new PDX1 Defender ammo that is really bad. It will also fire 45 long colt ammunition with very minimal recoil.
Good information. What do you think of laser sights?
Get a “Judge” snake gun. It is a 6 shot revolver that shoots a 410 shell that is packed with 4 small disc and 10-12 BB’s especially designed to spread to 4 feet wide in about 8 feet. It will spread to a width of a hallway.
Perfect for homeowner protection. It can be worn legally exposed on yourself on your own property in Maryland.
Most of the problem with discharging it is the 8 pints of blood that has to be cleaned up!!!!
Remington 870, 12 gage, 18 1/2” barrel, is best for HD. But some consideration needs to be give as to what she can physically handle. My wife is 62 and she has no problem with shooting our shotgun or Rock River LAR-15 or any of my collection of guns.
We live in the country and there are no neighbors at risk, so I use 00 buck. Your friend might do better with a 20 gage ‘youth’ gun. Heck, I would even consider a double barrel, 12 or 20 GA. The 20 ga gun my have a shorter stock and make it easier for her to more through the rooms in the house, if that becomes necessary.
She should have a gun mounted weapon light, the can cost more than the gun, but there is a $30 light that many folks use that should work fine for HD. A short barrel is best for in the home and for about $20 she should buy a “limb Savor” butt pad.
Then, get her a few boxes of low load practice rounds - bird shot and take her shooting. She needs to learn the basics and she must do some practice.
Now, some folks like to say that all the shooter needs to do is shoot in the general direction of the bad guy, because they spray. That’s kinda true, but don’t count on that-— take your best aim and shoot, and shoot, and shoot again... until the threat has stopped. Keep in mind that there is no rule that says there can be only one bad guy, there may be multiple, so her aim is important.
There can be some psychological advantage if the bad guy hears you rack a pump shotgun, but that is not a guarantee with the evil dregs that are out there anymore.
I keep my shotgun right next to my bed. It is step up such that I wouldn’t even have to get out of bed to shoot the target.
Funny, for decades I home has been just fine, but I have recently come to the conclusion that I am not as young, fast and trained as I once was. This weekend we began to plan out way to make our place even more secure, especially when we are in it, sleeping. Considering what I am doing to the doors, bag guys will be forced to work and make a great deal of noise to get in.
Oh, One more thing. I like Remington 870, but I believe that a Mossberg 500 is also a fine gun for HD. I think they are a bit less expensive than the Remington 870.
I wish you and your friend the best.......
My wife is 62 and during our 40 years together, she has proven to me that there isn’t anything she can’t handle. My bride would be upset if she thought we were talking about how frail she might be because of her age.
If I could find one of those that was quality, dependable and safe, I would buy one. I am often with a cane... it would be quite handy.
bfl
+1 on the 20 guage.
I don’t concur with the idea of using a firearm to scare criminals away. Yes, it might work, and it has worked for me. But that said, many shootings indicated that the perp was well aware of the victim being armed.
Frankly, I think men who intend to attack a woman in her home have such a low opinion of women that they think she is incapable of “being tough”. They keep advancing on her with what I assume is the idea that they will disarm her, because she lacks the fortitude to fire.
Never plan to scare, that is a possibility, but not a plan.
I have a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. When the adrenaline is pumping, you don’t have time to aim.
Why do you suggest a small handgun for HD?
If you don’t have to carry it concealed, the bigger the better, no?
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