Self defense for mom

[The Soup Nazi]

Right now my dad is pushing my mom to learn to use a handgun, she even left the door open for getting her own pistol. The question is, what kind. She seems to have a preference towards the size of those really small revolvers. I'm not as familiar with revolvers as I am autoloaders and which of the more well known types are on the safe list.

I'm also not so confident as to whether she can load a moonclip or loose rounds under pressure in an effective manner as she or anybody could with an autoloader. And to that, I would point towards the 1911.

What do you all think? She has never gone on a range trip, I would suspect she doesn't know a thing about guns aside from what she sees on movies/television.

[blkA4alb]

I would say no to the 1911 for her first gun and for self defense. The 1911 is SA only so would have to be left cocked with the safety on (one more thing to remember to turn off while under stress.) Rather I would suggest a DA/SA semiauto. The first thing you need to do though is take her to range and familiarize her with firearms. Considering she hasn't even been to the range yet.

[Ubergeek]

My $0.02

If I were to pick out a pistol for my mother, I'd probably opt for a double action revolver.

- .38 special with ability to handle +P ammo
- 4" barrel since concealment isn't a concern

From what I know of home defense shootings - if 6 rounds aren't enough to take care of your problem, then you're dealing with an issue that requires something much bigger than a handgun. For someone who might not take to shooting as a recreation, teaching them the basics of operating an auto and expecting them to remember it under a pressure situation might be too much. With a double action revolver - if you store it loaded, it's just a matter of squeezing the trigger to get it to go *bang*.

[M. Sage]

I'd go with a revolver, personally. Not a .357 (or at least, not loaded with .357.) .38 is perfect, not too much recoil, a revolver is simple as hell to operate.

Forget moon clips, speed loaders are dead simple to use, you just open the gun up, push and twist a bit to line everything up and when it does, you're loaded.

Besides, if it's for self-defense, she shouldn't need more than 6 rounds, and it should be loaded anyway (though reloads are always a great plan).

[grammaton76]

I'd also point her towards a handgun which can accept Crimson Trace grips. They're instinctive, and invaluable in low light situations. I imagine high stress situations would be tough to aim under, too...

[The Soup Nazi]

Yeah, I know the advantages of a revolver, just wondering if I could get a heads up on what model I should be looking to so I have a little background info when we actually go to a dealer and pick out a model.

[bu-bye]

I'd also pick a wheel gun. Most SD gun fights only last a few seconds and there is almost never a need to reload. 6-7 shots should be more then enough for the little lady at home. I have always felt 38spl was to soft of a round but 357 might be to much. You might want to look into a 45ACP revo. Recoil is not bad and there are some great SD rounds in 45acp.

[blkA4alb]

I'd also point her towards a handgun which can accept Crimson Trace grips. They're instinctive, and invaluable in low light situations. I imagine high stress situations would be tough to aim under, too...

I've never been fond of laser sights. All they do is show the hand shake and make you second guess your shot. At least with a handgun, rifles may be different.

[Ubergeek]

Yeah, I know the advantages of a revolver, just wondering if I could get a heads up on what model I should be looking to so I have a little background info when we actually go to a dealer and pick out a model.

You might have issues with the politics surrounding Smith and Wesson and Sturm Ruger, but the only other alternatives are foreign made (Taurus).

IIRC, the Ruger's don't have quite as nice a fit and finish as the S&Ws, and the trigger pull isn't as smooth either - but their actions are supposedly stronger (no side plate).

I'd start by asking the dealer to show you the 4" .38 revolvers and have your mom pick each one up to see which feels the most 'natural'. It might be moot, but I'd avoid the ported models for a defensive gun (less recoil, but the redirected flash will intefere with sighting under low light conditions).

[The Soup Nazi]

I pretty much forgive S&W because of the change of management, but Ruger can still kiss my bum for various reasons. Thats pretty much the plan, maybe take her out to the range this week, after lunch, head to the gun store and let her pick up a few guns, pan out from there.

[grammaton76]

I've never been fond of laser sights. All they do is show the hand shake and make you second guess your shot. At least with a handgun, rifles may be different.

Oh? In my experience, they allow you much more confidence in follow-up shots, allow you to easily fire from unconventional positions, and remove the need for a sight picture. With the CT grips on my Sig, one of my favorite positions is the gun around waist level, without my arms outstretched. It's harder to grab a gun that's not being held out invitingly, for one thing. I can rattle off a 10rd mag, accurately, in easily half the time it takes me to rattle it off when not using the laser. I can also rest the gun on a vertical or horizontal surface for stabilization, and drastically reduce the shake. There's less stress on the arm muscles in this position (thus less shake), than in a traditional position attempting to fire from behind cover via iron sights.

In my book, for SD purposes the laser's where it's at. I'm not a fan of externally mounted lasers or the Lasermax lasers (only guaranteed for 2" accuracy at 10' or some stupidity like that), but the only real drawback to the CT system is that it doesn't like to fit into most holsters. Another advantage is that if the laser in the grip fails for whatever reason, your gun has received no modifications that would impede its function.

[blkA4alb]

Oh? In my experience, they allow you much more confidence in follow-up shots, allow you to easily fire from unconventional positions, and remove the need for a sight picture. With the CT grips on my Sig, one of my favorite positions is the gun around waist level, without my arms outstretched. It's harder to grab a gun that's not being held out invitingly, for one thing. I can rattle off a 10rd mag, accurately, in easily half the time it takes me to rattle it off when not using the laser. I can also rest the gun on a vertical or horizontal surface for stabilization, and drastically reduce the shake. There's less stress on the arm muscles in this position (thus less shake), than in a traditional position attempting to fire from behind cover via iron sights.

In my book, for SD purposes the laser's where it's at. I'm not a fan of externally mounted lasers or the Lasermax lasers (only guaranteed for 2" accuracy at 10' or some stupidity like that), but the only real drawback to the CT system is that it doesn't like to fit into most holsters. Another advantage is that if the laser in the grip fails for whatever reason, your gun has received no modifications that would impede its function.

Good points, maybe its time I fire some laser equipped handguns again .

[grammaton76]

Good points, maybe its time I fire some laser equipped handguns again .

I will say that, prior to CT, I had a lot of the same misgivings about lasers on handguns. But the CT system managed to eliminate or minimize the issues, to the point where the only thing left is that I liked the texture of the 229's hard polymer grips better than the CT grip. On the other hand, the CT grip adds a LOT more functionality.

I know Iron Sights, at Oceanside, has a CT equipped 1911 for rent. I think they've added a second CT-equipped handgun too.

[blkA4alb]

I will say that, prior to CT, I had a lot of the same misgivings about lasers on handguns. But the CT system managed to eliminate or minimize the issues, to the point where the only thing left is that I liked the texture of the 229's hard polymer grips better than the CT grip. On the other hand, the CT grip adds a LOT more functionality.

I know Iron Sights, at Oceanside, has a CT equipped 1911 for rent. I think they've added a second CT-equipped handgun too.

I just looked at the CT wesbite and 350 bucks! They're pricey .

[grammaton76]

I just looked at the CT wesbite and 350 bucks! They're pricey .

Depends on which CT you're looking at, for which gun. I paid $225 for the one on my Sig 229...