Please stop recommending tiny handguns for women !
- Thread starter Petrol & Powder
- Start date
Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Back in the early 80's my wife started shooting and carrying a 3" 44 special Charter Arms Bulldog. She still shoots it quite well without any difficulties. A few years ago I ran across a Ruger Security Six 4" in 357. Well Karyn tried it and liked it even with bear loads. For carry she still uses the Bulldog because of the size and weight. She's 73 now and rolls tin cans just fine.
I like the Walter P22 which would be ok for summer carry if it's tee shirt weather, but when layers start piling on then you got to step up to a center fire. I usually carry a SP 101 in 357, 3" in my back pocket.
I like the Walter P22 which would be ok for summer carry if it's tee shirt weather, but when layers start piling on then you got to step up to a center fire. I usually carry a SP 101 in 357, 3" in my back pocket.
Rockydoc
Well-Known Member
The size and caliber of a carry hand gun is totally immaterial if the owner doesn't actually carry it.
My wife's handgun is never carried. So it is a bedside gun. It still matters not what it is because she won't practice with it. It is not because the gun is suitable or unsuitable for a person her size. She is just not into it.
I was brought up with guns and hunting. When we were dating I was a member of a skeet / trap shooting club. I took her with me to shoot skeet. There were other women there shooting skeet. One of the women offered to let my then girlfriend shoot her Model 1100 and and the GF said she liked it. She would shoot every time we went skeet shooting, which was often.
So when we got married I gave her a shotgun for a wedding gift. She said she liked it but rarely ever shot it.
Years later some other couples had gone on deer hunting trips to a hunting camp a relative of one of them owned and had a lot of fun and talked about it. We got an invitation and the wife was excited about it. I bought her a deer rifle. She never shot it at a deer (said she never saw one to shoot).
She said she wanted a carry license, and she went to class, qualified and got the CCW. I got her the 2" 38 Spl J frame mentioned above.
She is not afraid of guns, she is competent with all of her guns. She is just not into it.
Sometimes caliber, action type, weight, recoil etc, etc. just don't matter.
My wife's handgun is never carried. So it is a bedside gun. It still matters not what it is because she won't practice with it. It is not because the gun is suitable or unsuitable for a person her size. She is just not into it.
I was brought up with guns and hunting. When we were dating I was a member of a skeet / trap shooting club. I took her with me to shoot skeet. There were other women there shooting skeet. One of the women offered to let my then girlfriend shoot her Model 1100 and and the GF said she liked it. She would shoot every time we went skeet shooting, which was often.
So when we got married I gave her a shotgun for a wedding gift. She said she liked it but rarely ever shot it.
Years later some other couples had gone on deer hunting trips to a hunting camp a relative of one of them owned and had a lot of fun and talked about it. We got an invitation and the wife was excited about it. I bought her a deer rifle. She never shot it at a deer (said she never saw one to shoot).
She said she wanted a carry license, and she went to class, qualified and got the CCW. I got her the 2" 38 Spl J frame mentioned above.
She is not afraid of guns, she is competent with all of her guns. She is just not into it.
Sometimes caliber, action type, weight, recoil etc, etc. just don't matter.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I totally understand the need for a concealed weapon to actually be carried, and therefore the need that it be small enough that it is likely to be carried.
However, what I am referring to is the tendency to RECOMMEND a tiny gun to a female.
Here's how this plays out: A female asks a male for a recommendation for a handgun. The male immediately steers the female towards some tiny handgun. I've seen it play out in gun shops, at gun shows, at gun classes and amongst friends & family.
If a 5'8" 140lb male asks about a handgun for self defense, the recommendations will usually be some type of revolver or pistol chambered in 38 Special or 9mm. There will be questions about method of carry, price range and maybe experience.
If a 5'8" 140lb female asks about a handgun for self defense, the recommendations will usually start with a pistol chambered in .22 LR or 25 ACP and be along the lines of a Colt Vest pocket or a Raven with pink grips.
However, what I am referring to is the tendency to RECOMMEND a tiny gun to a female.
Here's how this plays out: A female asks a male for a recommendation for a handgun. The male immediately steers the female towards some tiny handgun. I've seen it play out in gun shops, at gun shows, at gun classes and amongst friends & family.
If a 5'8" 140lb male asks about a handgun for self defense, the recommendations will usually be some type of revolver or pistol chambered in 38 Special or 9mm. There will be questions about method of carry, price range and maybe experience.
If a 5'8" 140lb female asks about a handgun for self defense, the recommendations will usually start with a pistol chambered in .22 LR or 25 ACP and be along the lines of a Colt Vest pocket or a Raven with pink grips.
If asking for a recommendation for a handgun and carry isn’t an issue I will ALWAYS suggest a 4” DA 357 revolver. A GP100 or 686 would be my choices.
Pretty much anyone can handle them easily. 38 special loads are light recoiling and. 357 load will do most of what needs doing.
Pretty much anyone can handle them easily. 38 special loads are light recoiling and. 357 load will do most of what needs doing.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Brad, I tend to follow the same path if it just has to be a handgun. If it is solely a home defense gun, I also suggest a pump action shotgun. If it will always live in the house - It doesn't need to be carried, it doesn't need to be concealed.
If the gun will not be carried but must be a handgun:
And the person is not real gun savvy but willing to learn - I recommend a 4" DA revolver in 38 Special.
If they are a little more gun savvy, I'll also suggest a Glock.
If the gun will be carried the recommendations get modified to fit the mode of carry. A snubnose DAO revolver in 38 or one of the small pistols in 9mm become the front runners.
If the gun will not be carried but must be a handgun:
And the person is not real gun savvy but willing to learn - I recommend a 4" DA revolver in 38 Special.
If they are a little more gun savvy, I'll also suggest a Glock.
If the gun will be carried the recommendations get modified to fit the mode of carry. A snubnose DAO revolver in 38 or one of the small pistols in 9mm become the front runners.
Ian
Notorious member
Amen to that.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
I can only imagine the derision that would follow me FOR YEARS if I had tried palming off some tiny 22 LR or 25 ACP on Marie. Knowing her as I do now, I have no doubt I would have been dumped amid loud public embarrassment, primarily in Spanish not meant for Sunday Mass. Sabes que, cabron!
She ran her P-228 and my 686 x 4"--both with full-snort loadings--quite well on Thursday. She didn't care much for the Bisley Blackhawk in 357, it was "Too heavy too far forward" for her (7.5" barrel). She LOVED that 357 levergun, though. I think an ownership change is pending.
She ran her P-228 and my 686 x 4"--both with full-snort loadings--quite well on Thursday. She didn't care much for the Bisley Blackhawk in 357, it was "Too heavy too far forward" for her (7.5" barrel). She LOVED that 357 levergun, though. I think an ownership change is pending.
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Rockydoc
Well-Known Member
I would suggest you consider the circumstances in which a home defense gun would be used; pucker factor, etc. Unless the shooter has considerable experience with a pump action gun a significant number would freeze up after the first shot. I have done it myself, not in a home defense situation but in a covey flush using some else's pump gun (my personal shotguns are all semi-automatic or double barreled).
I would recommend a semi-auto shotgun. I prefer 20 ga. (shots are going to be close range, overkill not necessary).
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Rockydoc, I agree with you on the semi-auto in part. There's the cost factor and the learning curve of a pump vs. semi-auto and there are other factors at play that make me lean towards the pump action for home defense. And there's a very good chance that only one shot will be needed anyway !
S Mac- I also agree the sound of racking a pump action may have some psychological effect but I would never rely on that working. I think there are a lot of people that would NOT be afraid of that sound.
S Mac- I also agree the sound of racking a pump action may have some psychological effect but I would never rely on that working. I think there are a lot of people that would NOT be afraid of that sound.
Rally
NC Minnesota
A beginner should be offered several options, and they should decide what they will carry , if they do. I believe if that person is a loved one, show interest, then as the person that they chose to instruct them (you or me), we should do our best to teach them to be efficient in the operation of what they chose. I personally believe they should also be efficient with whatever is around, the house, car, or outbuildings, and where they are located. All assaults don't occur in the bedroom or dwelling.
RBHarter
West Central AR
This can easily migrate into the to cock and lock or not .
I believe that once a person has sufficient skills and any measure of recurring training ........ Its own bucket of snakes also . That the easiest best solution will always be anything that functions like a computer mouse , point and click . Particulars of the circumstances tend to dictate the tool of choice , a loaded , safe off shotgun is waiting for an accident , I read a dozen stories one year about dogs shooting owners in duck blinds .
If it'll stop or break up in 1-1/2" of sheet rock a medium jacket of denim and a leather vest are going to prevent life threatening leaks .
I'm told that within 30' , circa 2003 anyway , that a RN 22LR was an imminent threat to a typical 9/357 compatible bullet vest . The same Deputy told me the next most terrifying tool was a bow with a old Grizzly or Zwicky Eskimo type single plane broad head . No LE training although I was an armed guard for a brief stent .
With the above and the bulk of my life being more likely to have a range cow , lion , or bear in my living room than a 2 legged sort I stand by a DAO , DA , or a grip/trigger type safety like a XD or 1911 (as practical examples not necessarily preferred types) .
If you have to think about it in time of need you ;
Have too many variations .
Too complex a tool .
Not enough time in .
You don't have to Jerry Mikilick (sp) , odds are in your favor that the other guy is no Wyatt Earp either .
I believe that once a person has sufficient skills and any measure of recurring training ........ Its own bucket of snakes also . That the easiest best solution will always be anything that functions like a computer mouse , point and click . Particulars of the circumstances tend to dictate the tool of choice , a loaded , safe off shotgun is waiting for an accident , I read a dozen stories one year about dogs shooting owners in duck blinds .
If it'll stop or break up in 1-1/2" of sheet rock a medium jacket of denim and a leather vest are going to prevent life threatening leaks .
I'm told that within 30' , circa 2003 anyway , that a RN 22LR was an imminent threat to a typical 9/357 compatible bullet vest . The same Deputy told me the next most terrifying tool was a bow with a old Grizzly or Zwicky Eskimo type single plane broad head . No LE training although I was an armed guard for a brief stent .
With the above and the bulk of my life being more likely to have a range cow , lion , or bear in my living room than a 2 legged sort I stand by a DAO , DA , or a grip/trigger type safety like a XD or 1911 (as practical examples not necessarily preferred types) .
If you have to think about it in time of need you ;
Have too many variations .
Too complex a tool .
Not enough time in .
You don't have to Jerry Mikilick (sp) , odds are in your favor that the other guy is no Wyatt Earp either .
Joshua
Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
My wife is disabled and has pretty bad arthritis in her hands. Of all my guns in the house, I would feel most comfortable with her using my 6” Ruger Security Six with standard velocity 38 special ammo.
Light recoil, always goes bang.
Josh
Light recoil, always goes bang.
Josh
Ian
Notorious member
Not all semi-auto shotguns function well from the hip or leveled down and fired from port arms. The Super X-1 comes to mind. I keep one in the chamber, if things have escalated to where I have it pointed at someone then they already missed MANY opportunities to GTFO and racking a shell in isn't going to make my point any more clear.
