Mom almost mugged, need help picking CCW pistol...

[beanz2]

I'm going to take a trip to Cabelas and Scheels with her to pick it out. I think I'm leaning towards the LCR in .22 LR because it could be a jumping off point to something better.

Cabela's is having an employee-pricing event through Monday if you can make it to their store.

[DArBad]

A Smith Model 60 or Ruger SP 101. Load it with .38 specials. Don't know about your mom, but most women are not into guns like us men. The simplicity of the revolver and the relatively weaker hand strength of women in racking the slide of semi-auto, makes the revolver an excellent choice.

[Bad Caselaw]

Revolvers don't malfunction. They don't have emergency Action Drills (tap/rack/bang). They don't have safeties. They don't need holsters. They just work.

RUGER LCR chambered in .38 SPL+P:

Also comes with a Crimson Trace Laser grip:

Loaded with 135 gr. Gold Dot-Short Barrel.


If it was going to extend beyond purely SD/CC, would recommend the RUGER LCRx 3" barrel in the same caliber/ammo.

Caselaw

[mnichols]

For purse carry, weight probably isnt as much of an issue, so id say a ruger sp101 with .38s. Metal gun will help with recoil as well.

[John Browning]

The G43 is much snappier than the G42. Slide is also harder to rack.

I didn't catch that mom was going to purse carry. I sometimes pocket carry the G42. In fact, it's the only gun i pocket carry (in cargo shorts). When I do, I have a kydex sleeve that fits over the trigger guard that has a large key-ring on it. I know I'm at a significant disadvantage having to use two hands to deploy the handgun, but when I pocket carry it is in cases of pocket carry vs. no carry, so I accept the limitation.

I don't think I'd be keen on a similar arrangement on a purse. They have those trigger guards tethered to lanyards that are supposed to pop the guard off on the draw. I wouldn't want to have to count on that. I think in your mom's case, the LCR might be the ticket. I've shot it in .38 special and the trigger is pretty light/smooth. It's still a snubby though.

My own 70 year-old "mom experience"...she had her Lady Smtih and Wesson for many, many years. Rarely shot it. Didn't shoot it very well. I didn't shoot it particularly well. She moved up to WA and got her CCW (very easy). Took her to the range down here and she shot the G42, an XDs in 9mm, a Shield in 9mm, a small S&W .38 I have, her own .38 special, and......a Glock 19. She has pretty small hands. She absolutely killed it with the G19. Most senior lady's purses aren't New Year's Eve party clutches. If she's purse-concealing a larger handgun might be easier to handle. Doesn't solve the safe way to store it dilemma, but it might open up some more options.

Perhaps Glock 19 might be the answer for every question in life. I have plenty of larger handguns she can try. I guess I should just treat her as any new shooter, let her get some time in on my .22s and work into trying a little of everything.

[BigPimping]

Glock 19. / thread.

[Pofoo]

For purse carry, weight probably isnt as much of an issue, so id say a ruger sp101 with .38s. Metal gun will help with recoil as well.

So true. My wife has settled on a Colt Detective Special. 6 shot, all steel with hammer. She shoots 38 special wadcutters to practice--the lowest powered factory loads I have found. Hammerless is great for undercover, but double action shooting is detrimental for practicing. Hard trigger pull and poor accuracy. Even the shrouded hammer, with cocking nub, is hard for people with weak hands to cock.
So, all steel, 2"-3" revolver.

[ChillyWilly]

The best part of shooting is the social aspect....hook her on that...spending time with her son. You have put in the time (hey mom, let's hang out and shoot) and I recommend blm land, NOT a range.

Get her some training...actual scenarios where awarness of surroundings, picking up on signals and avoidance are primary. Let me say that again, AWARENESS & AVOIDANCE. Age has her at a great disadvantage. You and her...she will not do it by herself.

And tell her how great she did escaping...you need to instill confidence not fear. Oh yeah...lay off dad, she will close ranks and your whole ccw plan will go down the tubes.

As for gun...go to local ranges and shops and have HER try them out...don't focus on caliber, handgun cartridges suck (22 vs 32 vs 38 vs 9 vs 40 = waste of time). Make her comfortable first, if she gets hooked, then get her the latest and greatest in the caliber of the week.

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[M1NM]

S&W 642 - Baby Glock with the little Kydex trigger cover if it's in her purse. Some hulk is going to just get mad if she hits him with a .22.

[PachecoFTW]

First off, sorry to hear that it boils my blood just thinking about it, they should be publicly hung at least.
Second, no offense but good luck getting a ccw in Contra Costa sheriff is a total liberal POS and almost never issues a ccw.
Second take your mom to several yes several gun ranges that let you rent like target masters in milpitas, guns fishing and other stuff, etc, etc.
See what she can actually shoot a 38 snub is better than no gun hell, of all i could carry is a derringer so be it rather have 5 shots than none.
Then both of you sighn up for ccw classes or self defense calasses ive seen em in dublin, antioch, and concord.
Good luck and God bless.

[Frank1911]

I have been carrying for 30 years and have numerous handguns. I pretty much have every handgun that has been recommended above. Unless she is going to be training, and practicing malfunctions drills, breakdown for cleaning & oiling, I would stick to a revolver (As I have given one to my own 73 yr old mother). I have a half dozen 2" revolvers and BY FAR the best one is the Ruger LCR .38. For what it will be used for and who will be using it, it can't be beat. Add a trigger job if the pull is too difficult and you'll have a badger for a gun. I love mine just out of the box but, I'm not a senior citizen. Good luck and God Speed!

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[riceman]

I know these are bigger guns, but an experience with my petite daughter.
Started her off with G17 she shot it well but no way could she rack the slide.
Then went to LCR38 with houge grips, was to much recoil for her.
Next session let her try my G26. She loves it and can rack the slide with ease.
Did some malfunction tests without any problems and she shoots it very well.
So I will be giving it to her.

[John Browning]

First off, sorry to hear that it boils my blood just thinking about it, they should be publicly hung at least.
Second, no offense but good luck getting a ccw in Contra Costa sheriff is a total liberal POS and almost never issues a ccw.
Second take your mom to several yes several gun ranges that let you rent like target masters in milpitas, guns fishing and other stuff, etc, etc.
See what she can actually shoot a 38 snub is better than no gun hell, of all i could carry is a derringer so be it rather have 5 shots than none.
Then both of you sighn up for ccw classes or self defense calasses ive seen em in dublin, antioch, and concord.
Good luck and God bless.

Mom lives in the real United States (Reno), so getting a CCW won't be an issue. They'll even give Kalifornian's CCWs there. I've had a NV permit for almost 10 years now.

[jeremiah12]

I am surprised that by now no one has directed you to this thread:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=357584

No matter what, you mother has to choose the gun for herself. Get her a gun that does not work for her and she will not use it. Get her one she loves to shoot, she will carry it and use it often. Who knows, if she starts going to the range your dad just may start going with her.

For Glocks, one can purchase charging handles that make racking the slides easier. Here is a link to one for a G42: http://www.glockstore.com/Charging-Handle-for-Glock-42

They are available for other Glock models. These are the only ones I know about since I mostly own Glocks. I do not use them but have heard from others that do that it makes racking the slide much easier.

While searching for the slide rackers I came across this review of a Glock 19:

http://www.glockstore.com/Glock-19-9mm?gen-list=4

I'm a youthful 63 year old Nana And just got my Concealed License. Started out with a Revolver because it seems All Gun stores think that's what senior women need. Well I took it to the range twice and got Upset I just Couldn't hit the target. I had only shot 2 different times about 10 years earlier and it was with a Glock and I did Awesome with the Glock . So my husband knew I could shoot better so he said try my Glock 23 so my Very first shot with it I hit bullseye , then Another, then Another. So I took my 3 wk old Revolver to my gun store and traded it in on My Glock 19. I Love my GLOCK 19 and it Is my Concealed weapon. I'm a small and petite woman , I could go down to a 43 but Don't want to. I have to say from All I've Read and been told by Glock owners, I don't want to go with any other gun brand. I feel Safe with the Reliability of The Glock brand.

I had a similar experience. I grew up shooting rifles. Occasionally I would shot handguns but I really never like shooting them. My HD weapon was my Winchester 94 .30-30. It worked for me. I used it a couple of times and it did the job.

About 25 years ago, the wife and I moved into our first house we bought. One night the wife wakes me up with the hearing noises in the house. I grab my Winchester and search the house and found nothing.

She tells her dad and he thinks we need a different gun for HD. He buys me a snub nosed .38. I could not hit anywhere on the paper target. I joked that the safest place to be was where I was aiming at. The gun was too small for my hands and I hated the recoil. It sat in a lockbox in the closet for over 20 years untouched.

When I decided to get back into shooting, I bought a Glock 19. I did not try out any guns before hand. It was a few weeks after Sandy Hook. It looked simple.

Out of the box it was accurate for me. I was recovering from a stroke and could barely rack the slide. I was amazed how easy it was to clean. I have been hooked on Glocks since.

I am not saying go with a Glock. I am saying let your mom try out many guns first and find the gun she likes to shoot so she does not buy one that will end up as a paper weight.

You can always start with a .22 as a first gun to teach her the mechanics of shooting. After shooting that for awhile, then she will have a better idea of what she wants.

[doggie]

Nobody messes with mom. Get her trained and armed.