Hand Gun for Wife

[cp1969]

Revolver is, IMHO, the only way to go.

Simpler, more user-friendly machine that packs more power for a given size.

BTW, loudness is a non-issue. When you practice, you'll use hearing protection. When you use it for real, you'll never hear it.

edit: Also, don't worry about teaching her to shoot 3" groups at 50 yards. Teach her to put one in the boiler room of a man size target at 10 feet in 1/2 second with either hand.

 

[RoyJackson]

"Comfort is the key. If she is not comfortable, she will not shoot well. If she dosn't shoot well, she will have no confidence in her ability to use it when needed. Confidence is the key to overcoming a threatening situation.
"

Yep! And that might be the problem with using a shotgun. Even the low recoil 00 Buck gives you a nice kick.
I've read that using birdshot within the home is a decent self defense load. I have nothing to link to for backing that statement up though.
My shottie is a Mossberg 500 with 5 in the tube, chamber empty and safety off. I keep it stashed pretty close, but the night stand gun is a Glock 17 (.38 is in the drawer too).

 

[hudr]

I have a 1/4 mile driveway and our house is not visible from the road. I have several guns in the house. Recently a deputy sheriff was killed just across our fence line. Wife calls me at 1:45AM (I work nights) and by the time I am home there are LEOs everywhere.
Short story, the DPS asked my wife if she had a gun.(of course, was her reply). She passed up my Sig 225 in favor of my .357 SS Colt revolver. She has fired both, but the wheel gun gave more "comfort factor" according to her. By the time I got home (10 minutes max from the call) she was knocking about in the kitchen making coffe and biscuits for the LEOs and toting the .357 the whole time.
BTW, the perp killed himself before he was found in some heavy woods straight N of us.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

You guys are making some good points on the revolver. That was my first choice but the people I talk to all say 'get the semi so she could empty the clip". "With the revolver she has 5-6 shots and with the semi she has 8-12".

You have hepled me decide on the revolver mainly because she can just point and pull the trigger.

I have a lot of guns consisting of several shot guns, pump, double, auto and the same for rifles. Three double acton pistols and one single action, but all small cal. Thats why I want something just for her. I know how to shoot and am a fairly good marksman with pistol and long guns. I have never got her interested in shooting but now that we will be moving she has become interested.

I plan to start her off with the .22/.32 and get her use to the recoil and sound then move her up to the .38 or whatever cal we get. We will also shoot a minimum of 3 times a month and I will start her out with several times a week in the beginning. I have the perfect place to put up a range for both pistol and rifle. And I love to shoot! Hopefully I can convince her to try the shotgun, but she is having neck surgery in the next month so the recoil from the shot gun is out until the first of the year.

This gun will be hers and I will train her how to load, shoot, and clean this gun. And I fully intend for her to be with me when to pick the gun out and if I can find a gun house in my area that has a range to try different guns I will take her there.

I agree with all that the .25/.32 may not stop anyone breaking in but was concerned about the larger cal and how she would react to it. You have convinced me to go with the larger cal handgun and a revolver.

Thanks for the replys and keep the suggestions coming.

David

 

[cp1969]

You guys are making some good points on the revolver. That was my first choice but the people I talk to all say 'get the semi so she could empty the clip". "With the revolver she has 5-6 shots and with the semi she has 8-12".

"emptying the clip" should never be a goal--hitting something should be.

Not to talk your other information sources down, but........you're getting much better advice here.

 

[shvl73]

shvl73,
is the M43 a small grip?

Yes it is.
Roy says they went under, I'll bet he's right. Too bad, nice little gun. All steel, minimizes felt recoil. I have a 9mm, a .40 and a .45. They also made a 9mm UltraStar w/ polymer frame, I didn't like it.
There are a whole lot of nice handguns out there. Hard to argue w/ the revolver suggestions, simple and reliable.
I don't think highly of the smaller calibers as a defensive weapon. Smallest I'd go is .380, basically a 9mm short, less power, sometimes lighter weight bullet, but same diameter.

 

[RonMar]

Quantity does have a quality all it's own, but quite frankly, if she can't do it with 6, she probably won't have time to do it with 10+.

 

[tallyho8]

Now when you get home from work late one night, don't go tiptoeing into the bedroom to avoid waking her.

 

[dmccarty]

I think you had the right handgun but you sold it. It was the 357. A double action wheel gun is the way to go for most inexperienced shooters. Its just simple. If it is loaded, pull the trigger, it goes bang.

A 357 is the perfect weapon if you don't know how the person will handle recoil. You can put in soft shooting 38s, very likely go with some 38+s and if they can handle the recoil drop in some 357s. Lots of options in one package. And cheaper.

The autoloaders can be harder to handle especially for women with small hands. My wife took quite a while to operate the slide and I have seen it in others as well.

Most POlice shootings are under 7 yards with 2-3 rounds. The need for high capacity does not happen often, the need is overblown and speedloaders/magazines work.

What is longest "path" you have in your house? That would be the farthest she would have to shoot while you are away.

Having said to get a wheel gun. I don't like them. No, real reason, I just LIKE autoloaders. But for some reason I want that big frame SW 45ish handcannon they came out with. I have not earthly reason for that danged thing but for some reason I want that handcannon. But not the .50 SW.

The only thing bad I can really say about wheelguns is that if they jam. They jam. And bad. I have only seen in twice and that was with the same cheap ammo in the same 357. Somehow the bullet lodged between the barrel and cylinder. This was very bad. In a firefight it would get one killed. On the range it was bad because all of the energy in the bullet was transferred to the cylinder as heat. And it was hot. And there where five more rounds in the cylinder. I backed off the range...

So does this mean don't get a wheel gun? No. Just don't buy cheap a...ed ammo.

Go get a 357 she can hold comfortably and go from there. That is most important for the auto loader or the wheel gun. She has to be able to hold the handgun comfortably.

Later,
Dan

 

[LoneCowboy]

You also need to consider legal aspects (see Massad Ayoob, I think I spelled that right). If you really have to shoot (heaven forbid it never happens), "emptying a clip" at someone is going to much harder to defend legally than "I shot him 3 times til he stopped coming at me".
Something to consider. Also a revolver isn't "legally scary" to a jury full of GFW. a .38spl has minimal recoil, it's a heavier gun than the .32/25 and soaks it up nicely. You might start with a .22LR to get good at the mechanics then go right to a .38spl. I'd also suggest you send her to a class and not have you instruct her. For the good of the marriage. BTDT, I learned a TON from the class and it was much less stressful for both of us.

On the shotgun note above.
One, there are now recoil taking adjustable stocks, they work REALLY well. They cost about a $100. Knox Cop Stock I believe.
Two, shooting 1.125oz of lead to the same velocity, no matter it's shape or size of the shot has the same recoil. Buckshot shoots the same as birdshot. Birdshot is unequivically NOT a manstopper. If you are going to use a shotgun as a home defense weapon (and I do), load it with buckshot (00 or 0) to the maximum and practice with it with birdshot (clays).

Hitting a target is much simpler with a long gun (rifle or shotgun) than a handgun. A handgun is difficult to shoot well, as I'm sure all shooters will attest. A 18" barrel pump shotgun held into your shoulder is about the same length as a handgun held out with your arms to steady and aim it. The really slow thing about a shotgun is reloading, but in a home defense situation, that shouldn't be an issue. (maybe in a home invasion). A handgun is good for concealment and to fight your way to your rifle/shotgun. I'd still suggest working the shotgun angle. (also, clay targets are a blast (pun intended)).

Remington 870's or Mossberg 500's are under $400 new and cheaper than that used. (and you can't wear either one out)