HD rifle for a mid 40s woman.

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Zach S

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I'm leaving the nest soon, and dont really want to leave Mama defenseless. Her boyfriend is an OTR driver so he wont be here every night.

I dont really want to leave her a pistol because for one, I like all of mine, and two, longarms are easier to shoot accurately with less training. A shotgun is out of the question (even with the low-recoil rounds that I admit to using) because of problems with her back and shoulder. I've settled on suggesting a carbine in a pistol caliber so niose wouldnt be as much of an issue.

I've settled on suggesting a Hi-Point Carbine (or picking up the tab, if need be) with a red dot up top. It's cheap, reliable, and accurate enough. The few I've handled seemed like cheap piles, but the owners spoke highly of them, and I've seen the same here on THR. Kel-Tecs also came to mind, but I have no experiance with them, and cant remember what the owners have said about them here (I'll do a search later).

Basicly, I'm just wondering what y'all think, and if you have any other suggestions. At the moment, Mama is pretty dependant on me, and with me trying to move out I dont have the cash to spare, and since her BF is moving here from out of state, I dont know if he'll have a lot either. So if you have any other suggestions, try to keep them cheap.
 
well, If she won't do a shotgun (not even a .410 pump???), I would suggest a revolver. Used S&W K-frames or Ruger six-series can be had between $200 and $300 all day long. A double-action .38/.357 is truly idiot-proof and plenty effective.

What about a Remington 1100 in 20 gauge with the new R-3 recoil pad? Should't smack much harder than a 9mm carbine and would be way more effective.

OTOH, if she is not planning on training regularly, I would steer clear of any autoloader or other weapon with more complex manual of arms.

Either a DA revolver or a pump shotty.
 
I'd suggest a 16-18" barreled levergun in .357magnum. Recoil ain't an issue in my experience even with hunting/defensive loads although the stock may have to be customized to her length of pull. (BTW, I've had trouble with my back and shoulder too.) Top it with a ghost ring rear and maybe a Williams Firesight front and nobody has to worry about the batteries going dead.

All this is assuming, as with any weapon, that she'll actually learn how to use and care for it. Like Ms. Jackson said to the effect of on Cornered Cat, a weapon is a dangerous neusance to someone who doesn't learn it. And choosing a weapon for any of the women in your life... it's like choosing one for a man and you better let them decide which one fits the best.
 
revolver would be what i suggest as well, easy to work, and has alot less moving parts and things to worry about compared to an assault rifle. no safty to worry about, just point and shoot! I got my mom a taurus .38 and she has had it for years.
 
I'd discount a manually operated gun (pumps and levers). Manipulating the action properly can be problematic under stress, without regular practice. An auto is point and shoot. If the manual of arms for daily handling, maintenance, etc... is more complicated, she can take her time learning and performing those tasks. Malfunction clearance training doesn't look like it's in the picture, but acceptably reliable autos can still be affordable (eg. Hi-Point).

IIRC (and I may be thinking of the Kel-Tec), the Hi-Point, being blowback, has a pretty stiff bolt spring. If Mom has arm related health problems, pulling the charging handle might be a problem, so you may need to take that into consideration.
 
Sup Ken? Havent seen you in a while.

Although I've fired a few hi-points, I cant recall how stiff the bolt spring is. I know they're nowhere near as stiff as my thompsons.
 
Look at a 30 caliber M1 carbine, low recoil and fast pointing. Good defensive load is the Remington 110 grain soft point.

Joe
 
Monday nights, Zach. Show yerself, we need some new shooters to beat up on. :p

The carbine is a good suggestion, but out of his budget, I'm guessing.
 
I like the ideas of a revolver or levergun. Revolvers are about as simple as it gets for the operator. Leverguns are simple to operate, but a small amount of practice is suggested to make sure working the lever is easy. Loading might be more difficult with a levergun as well.

My mother has a Dan Wesson .357 mag revolver. I have tried to get her to look at other guns, but she just doesn't like shooting.
 
If WNC is like Central NC I think you could find a used Marlin Camp Carbine in 9mm very easily. 15 rounds of a good 9mm JHP is a good start. The price should be compare well with your others ideas. The manual of arms is simple and there is no recoil.
 
Ruger PC9 or PC40.

Inexpensive.
Reliable.
Traditional feeling rifle.
9 or 40 should be more then potent enough.
Large capacity magazines are cheap and available.
Relatively light but heavy enough to make recoil a non-issue.
Short and quick handling.
Cheap to practice with.
Semi-Auto (No levers, bolts, pumps etc. to fowl up under stress.)
Easy to maintain and will put up with some neglect.
Slap a butt pouch on with two additional magazines and you are good to go.

My two cents.

Chris
 
all these are great ideas, as you can see most prever something other than the hipoint! tells you something.
I would also say that mossberg makes a wonderful 410 pump with a vertical foregrip , for about 150 to 170 dollars, easy , light, easy to pump, easy to handle, no recoil! i really like the idea of the m1 as well, though it is more money.
 
Get a Ruger PC-9, mount a Weigand Ruger to Weaver mount on it and give her a red dot. That should suite her needs very well. Recoil is minimal, and they are very reliable guns. I have never shot a .40, but that would probably work as well.

I would say avoid the Hi-Point. While many function very well, there are many jam-o-matics out there as well. The magazines are second rate, and remember that your limited to 10 (maybe 15 if the aftermarkets are available).
 
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