home protection handgun
 

son just call me for advice on getting a handgun for home protection. he is looking for something his wife could handle also. son has handled my revolvers before. 44 and 41 mags. his wife has never handled a handgun before. I suggested a revolver in 22 or 38 spl. also take her to a range and let her shoot both and see what she is comfortable with. semi's are probably not the best for a beginner. what do you some of you think of this advise? as most of you know ive been on this site for a long while and grew up around guns. I put my faith in the shotgun. my son is not familiar with semis as well as me. I sold guns in a sporting goods store and was more familiar with revolvers. he has kids and wants something he can keep away from the kids sight. I recommended a 357 with a 4 inch barrel and loaded with 38"s. much more simplier to use for him and the wife.

IMHO a 22 is not a caliber that would be used for defensive purposes. If all you're talking about is for home protection for her to use, I'd be looking along the lines of a cheap short-barreled shotgun with some heavy turkey loads stuffed in it. If you go handgun wise, a 9mm or .380 is light enough for a gal to use and has enough poke to get an intruder's attention. I'm not into handguns much and just have several that were passed down from my Dad when he died. When I'm out on the road I have a real nice little 85F Beretta in .380 near the bed that I can get at during the night just in case someone causes trouble.

A .38 special should do the trick with hollow point loads but as was suggested a shotgun would be better for a novice inside a house and a .20 gauge would be plenty. One thing I would advise, have a light installed on the gun so the wife can see what she is shooting at or what not to shoot at and you do not have a tragedy with a family member walking around at night and getting shot. I keep a flashlight next to the handgun safe next to my bed, it is one that I can access my gun in the time it takes to put my hand on it. I have been trained to shoot with a flashlight in my hand but for a novice it is cumbersome and would be easier to have a gun mounted light. Above all, take her to the range until she is comfortable with the gun and can shoot it well and then continue going to the range. Practice in the dark as well. A gun in the hands of someone who is unsure of themselves is a danger to them. In addition. Talk to her about having to shoot a person in self defense, make sure she is sure she can do it. Not everyone can and it that is the case the bad guy is just liable to wind up with the gun.

One thing I would ask is how much hand strength does your wife have. Does she have the strength to cock a revolver or pull the DA trigger? Don't laugh. Some women don't. I know my wife can't. Oldtimr gave some good advice. My suggestion if the weapon was going to be solely for home defense would be a short barreled .410 pump.
But if it is something she may decide to carry on her person for protection than I suggest a .38 spl. Something like a Lady Smith or similar for a revolver or a Ruger LCP or Taurus TPC in .380.

Just an opinion, but bigger is better IMO. I for one really don't want to shoot anybody and if the sight of a firearm makes them reverse direction and take off running, great. Low light or dark, a sub compact isn't going to intimidate anybody.

IMO lady sized or sub compact firearms aren't the best choice, if you have a choice.

Best choice IMO would be a stainless or nickle, full sized revolver, maybe a .357 loaded with 38 spl 110 grain hollow points. In low light, a four inch barrel is going to have an impressive ball of flame come out the end of the barrel. Why not use every edge you can.

Or a slug gun loaded with most anything, at 20 feet it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference with a shotgun.

I'm not saying don't shoot, if you raise it to sight level your next movement is to pull the trigger.

I was a firearms instructor for lady's home defense at our local club. Some tricks you might try or observations you may use. Most of the ladys are going to flinch. Recoil seems to upset them more than the flash or a boom does.

And for what it is worth, teaching them to aim for the crotch seems to produce better results than center of mass. You can think this anyway you want, but it seems to more fact than fantasy. I taught mostly shotgun and had much better results after noticing the crotch shots would change the whole mood of the training season and got much better results overall. I think it is a subliminal wish in the back of most ladys minds anyway, use it.

Really, what a crock of nonsense. I assure you a gun pointed in anyone's direction will get their attention right quick no matter if it is a .38 special a .22 or a shotgun. How is a .357 loaded with 110 grain HPs any better than a .38 special loaded with the same? Ball of flame impressive? If there is a ball of flame the impressive part should be a bullet to the chest, you don't shoot at an intruder to scare them with a fireball. I have never heard of a bad guy asking what caliber or gauge a gun that was pointed at them is. I would rather see a person with a .380 they can handle than a larger bore that they cannot handle. Even a .22 bore looks like a cannon when it is pointed at you! The OP is asking for some help to get a gun for his wife who has no experience with a firearm, bigger is better is not helpful advice, in fact the whole post is not helpful. I was a police firearms instructor for 25 years and have taught hundreds of men and women how to shoot both handgun and shotgun and I taught kids to shoot and still do. I don't know where you come up with some of the stuff you post but it is not from the real world. Mr. Slim please do not put any credence in the above, everyone else has given you reasonable advise. I knew I should not have read it but it is almost like watching a train wreck, you just can't look away.

I've also got him on Ignore, but read his post after seeing what you said and all I can say is I'm LMAO!!!

X2!
The intent to "scare them away with the sight of a gun," will only get your gun taken away from you and used against you! If you/she does NOT intend to "shoot to kill," I'd advise against a gun at all!
If the intent is self defense, I'd advise on a 20ga. shotgun, .380 or .38 SPL.

A .357 magnum with 110 grn 38 spl ammo is plenty enough to do the job. Relatively low recoil, especially with a .357 revolver, no worse than a 9MM. And then you have the option of firing .357 ammo if you want. Stainless is unlikely to rust sitting on the shelf. And is more visible in low light.

Low light and somebody may not see a sub compact.

The chances of a miss are high in a high stress environment, a large ball of flame is better than nothing. I've shot my 2 1/2 inch barreled .357 at the range and had everybody stop shooting and stare.

Maybe some of my critics should try "thinking" before they speak.

I've given it some thought, have any of the critics?

The only real thinking they ever do is to try to figure out ways to denigrate somebody else. And talk a lot about what experts they are. I started out the post saying IMO, my guess is their opinion is the only one that counts.

I've shot at people and been shot. This is the real world.

A wheel gun is uncomplicated, fairly safe and IMO a person has less chance of forgetting a safety, working a pump slide release or bolt release when stressed.

And lastly, my critic is the same guy that said he would stand there and let ricochet bullets hit him, because they won't hurt you anyway (paraphrasing).

You run into some crack head or other hyped up individual and you want to give yourself every advantage.

The intent isn't necessarily to scare them away, but if it does you may be ahead of the game. A whole lot less paperwork.

And like Oodtirm said practice.

Just when I've read a lot of what in my opinion is pure baloney out comes another post with more, including the infamous "large ball of flame" theory, LOL! Sir, your opinion and "help" many times is far from good in others opinion and you get all ticked off when other members differ with you. Everyone on this thread is saying not to listen to you for good reason. The OP is asking about a home defense weapon for a wife that has never shot a gun before and you are suggesting a heavy duty .357 magnum because "bigger is better" and that was your own words. Please show us where the critic, whomever that is because we're all your critics on this thread, made any such statement about letting bullets ricochet off him because they won't hurt. That, Sir, is the absolute biggest crock of bull I've read in a while and I can't believe you would stoop that low as to even type such garbage saying that about any member here and especially a person that I think you're referring to who was in LE for his entire career! I'm sorry that a lot of people differ with "your opinions" on numerous occasions, but it's not our fault that many times we feel that you are totally off base with what you type on various subjects. My suggestion is to either get a thicker skin when people disagree with you or quit typing such controversial comments that differ so much with others that have a lot of experience in certain things and disagree with you.

Going back to the OP questions, I think I would suggest something along the following lines if I were you.

You said his wife has never handled a handgun before. Has she handled (shot) rifles or shotguns? If yes, he should take some of all 3 to the range and let her shoot them to help her decide if she is more comfortable with a rifle or shotgun as opposed to a handgun. Yes, a handgun is smaller and more maneuverable but if she's just not comfortable with it, she's not likely to use it.

If his wife has never shot any gun before, take a .22 pistol and rifle to the range and teach her how to shoot with both of those over more than 1 range session so she doesn't get tired and learns to enjoy the range time. After she gets used to shooting .22's, have her try something a little bigger and slowly work her way up. I like the idea of a .357 that can shoot .38 special rounds but each person can be different and what is right for one isn't always right for another.

If she and your son decide it is going to be a pistol, I would suggest buying her some self defense gun instruction time with somebody who teaches that for a living. That way she can learn more about how to shoot (not saying you or your son don't know how), how to use tactics and things to think about BEFORE you point that pistol at another person. In some places, you can get realistic training with simulators that pit you against a bad guy in a shoot or don't shoot scenario and really make you think about what you would do or not.

It's not a simple answer but in fairness, your question has a few variables that are unanswered (see above) and could change the answer some.

One last thing I would offer and it sounds kind of trite but it is so very true in real life. What you practice on the range develops both muscle and thinking memory. If you only train halfheartedly on the range, you're likely going to perform even less than halfheartedly due to stress, fear and adrenaline in a combat situation. Hopefully this helps some.

Great tips Cal!

Very good advice Cal. Developing muscle memory takes a lot of practice but is necessary to be proficient in a stressful situation.. One other thing, since this thread is about a gun for home protection some thought should be given to keeping a pair of ear plugs next to where the gun is kept and accessible. If you have never fired a gun in a house or in a vehicle it will shock you and ring your bell! I keep a pair next to my handgun safe next to my bed right by the flashlight. You can buy ear plugs pretty inexpensively that will allow you to hear voices but protect you from very loud noise. I really hate to go backwards but it was stated that a fireball emanating from your gun is a good thing. It for sure is not a good thing, I had to train at night and the fireball coming out of the barrel in the dark while shooting .357 magnum rounds really destroys your night vision. People really should go to the range at night and see what it is like to shoot at something in the dark with the gun they keep to protect the house and those in it so they aren't surprised if the ammo they use causes a big fireball. I have seen officers in training drop their handgun because they thought it blew up the first time they shot in the dark with duty loads. Like has already been stated, the more you practice and the more you learn, the better you will be prepared if the worst should happen.

OT, I assume (but don't know for certain) that you are referring to the above emboldened text in the partial quote. Like just about everything else, context is important and can provide more meaning.

I haven't posted about the above post but if I did, I would probably have more questions before I put forth an opinion just so I could posit something more precise. In general though, I would have these questions and thoughts (see below).

Is the stainless (pistol) being more visible in low light meant for the homeowner to see and find their pistol in a dark bedroom or similar low or next to no light situation? I suppose that could help but waking up, being groggy/sleepy, not seeing well enough to begin with in a low or no light situation is likely going to mean you would have to "know" where your pistol is and pretty much practice picking it up from your hiding or resting place. It would also possibly make it easier for a bad guy to see before you finish waking up. I'm not bashing S pistols (I like them) but don't know that it would be a tactical advantage in such a situation.

If the SS pistol is meant for the bad guy to see and then determine he/she needs to turn around and run, I don't know. Maybe it would help and maybe not. It's hard to say either way without more data.

Regarding a "large ball of flame," in that circumstance, one would guess an accompanying loud pistol shot sound would occur also. Is it the flame or the sound or both causing a burglar to turn tail and run. It was posed as being "better than nothing." For somebody who is ready to be afraid of a gun shot, it probably would be better than nothing. For somebody strung out on drugs and not thinking about it, maybe not.

One could theorize about endless possibilities but the fact remains that a homeowner who has a gun, knows how to use it well and is willing to use it is likely the single best deterrent to burglars successfully burglarizing or robbing a homeowner.

Yes Cal, I was referring to what you bolded in my last post. You are being kind in your assessment, which I understand. My response to the post in question was based on thinking when someone asks a serious question they are entitled to some serious recommendations, not superfluous bunk about fireballs being better than nothing because some people stopped to look at one coming from a gun once on a range and bigger is better because the bad guy can see it more easily. Fireballs aren't better than nothing unless your intent is to blind yourself which isn't doing much for self defense of you and your family. The last sentence in your post gets right to the heart of the matter as did your first answer to the OP. One last thing, I was going to post this anyway, is folks may want to consider using frangible ammo in their home defense handgun. Hollow point ammo going through dry wall will plug up, not expand and behave just like FMJ ammo and will go through many walls which could be dangerous to family members in the home.

I see no percentage throwing more gasoline on a fire.

Best post you've ever made on this site!!! Better to just retreat when the hole you dig gets too deep!

Ruger SP101 3" with an action job would be a great option for a woman's home defense revolver.

Here is a good article on the use of hollow points. One I've heard a while back.
http://modernselfprotection.com/2015...hollow-points/

I like the hamerless style revolver for a chick can carry in purse and won't hang up if needed in a hurry also I can carry it if need be

MYSELF I would strongly recommend a revolver for the simplicity.

And IN MY OPINION the best advice has been given in saying have her shoot some different calibers to see what she would be most comfortable with practicing because that is where she will fire the most rounds. Determine the caliber she is comfortable with and then she can feel different manufacturers offerings in the chosen caliber as well as what grips she likes.

I suspect it will come to a .38, and again I BELIEVE you should stay away from a snubnose. Maybe a 4" barrel?