I think this is the worst pistol / revolver out there for Self-Defense. Let's put it in perspective, this revolver was obsolete before WWI hit. The Double Action pull on this approaches 25 pounds (at least on my models) and the SA barely breaks 12 (again, on my models). Throw in the lack of available self-defense ammo, lack of an option for speedy reloading, and the trigger and you will soon find that just about any other pistol / revolver is a better idea.
Thanks for the info. The reason I asked was because my sister is clamoring for a pistol (she is 21), and I have a tough decision to make: should I give her a pistol that she won't hurt herself with and likely will never be used, or should I get her a practical self defense pistol. I know this seems strange, but it's complicated because:
1. My parents do not want me to get her a pistol, but she is 21 and can make her own decisions.
2. She does not want to take a basic pistol course, and I am uncomfortable giving her a pistol if she isn't trained. She is willing to go out with me and let me teach her, but I don't know how to teach someone how to shoot. I think it should be left to professional instructors.
3. When I bought my first pistol (a Bersa .380) so we could shoot, I told her I would give it to her when she turned 21, but I fell in love with the pistol and use it as my primary CCW, so I don't want to give it up, but I also can't afford a new Bersa for her. I still have to honor the agreement that I had with her though.
4. I want to look out for my sister's safety, and I don't know if giving her a pistol that would be practical for self defense would be a good idea, because she tends to do dumb things. I don't want her to do something stupid like pull it out if one of her friend's boyfriend is hitting her friend and have her shoot someone with it, or get shot with it. I don't know if I trust her judgment with a pistol.
5. On the other hand, I don't want to leave her with a false sense of self confidence in her pistol if it is not a good CCW if she decides to carry or needs to use it.
6. I have no idea whether she will keep it in a drawer and never use it, or if she will treat it as a real self defense piece. I am hoping that she will keep it in a drawer and never use it, but I have a feeling that she will use it as a CCW.
So basically my problem is that I have to decide whether I am going to give her a pistol to placate her or if I am going to get her a real self defense piece. As I think on it, I think I have no option but to get her a real self defense gun and train her how to use it. Sorry, most of this is just me rambling about what is going through my own head. That is why I was asking about the Nagant as a self defense piece. If you want to comment on what I wrote, please do so, I could use a different opinion.
By the way, I should also mention that this whole thing with my sister has nothing to do with my interest in the Nagant. I am still interested in it as a collector's piece and will be buying one no matter what I do with my sister. This problem has just been vexing me, that's all. Do I sound completely nuts?
Thanks for the link. Somehow I was able to navigate my way through the ATF website and order the form.
Also, what is a "mall ninja"?