Girlfriend suddenly wants CWP....for coyotes?

[mbpautz762]

I've been trying to get my fiance interested in shooting for years, but she never really liked guns because she thought they were way too loud and didn't like recoil at all. she did enjoy shooting a .22 pistol though. Today she came in and said out of nowhere "I wanna get a CWP!"

Obviously shocked, I asked why. apparently she was at the farm where she keeps her horses and saw a coyote running around out there. scared her *&#$%-less! Also, we've heard a couple reports about a rabid coyote on the loose in our area - an area that typically has no coyotes. Anyway, now she's worried about the horses and wants a CWP. I'm obviously not going to pass up on the chance to get her interested in guns, so here's my question.

She's a small girl, about 5'4 and despite the fact that shes a farm-girl who has no problem shoveling horse poop, she's kind of dainty. What's the smallest pistol caliber that could take a coyote? I would love to get her a 10mm, but that will never happen, so I'm thinking a .40 or a 9mm if it's enough to take one. I have no knowledge about coyotes, so please help! thanks!

 

[9mmepiphany]

they're like a med sized dog

i've seen them put done with a .22 mag and a .357mag. i think a 9mm would be a bette choice than a .40...a even better choice would be the 357 Sig

 

[commygun]

Is it really coyotes she wants to be armed against? I've seen that some people state they want to be armed against a possible animal threat when they really want to be armed against any threat but don't feel comfortable saying so for reasons of political correctness..
You can't throw a rock in a Thurston County gunshop without hitting a nice lesbian couple buying their first handgun (say, a high-cap 9mm) "for snakes".
Right.

 

[dogspit]

Sweet S&W

Smith and Wesson sw40ve

Sweet to shoot with the power to boot!

 

[azhunter122]

Haha that's funny, hows about a revolver in .38 special or .357 mag?

 

[bensdad]

You can't throw a rock in a Thurston County gunshop without hitting a nice lesbian couple

Stop throwing rocks in gunshops. It's dangerous.

OP - Let her pick. Any centerfire will dispatch a yote. The trick will be hitting one with a handgun. Just take her to the gunshop. Stay in the background... the gun is not for you. Be there to make sure she's not getting a load of B.S. from a behind-the-counter-commando, but let her ask the questions and make the choice.

 

[Oro]

For an application like this, I favor a revolver. Mechanically simpler than an auto and with a smaller manual-of-arms. Nice for the new shooter, or infrequent user. A short-barreled ruger or S&W in 2.5 to 3" and .357 will let you choose any load you want from mild to wild, give good accuracy and durability. The shorter barrel will not compromise lethality or accuracy to any appreciable degree, and it is a lot easier to carry when mucking/hacking about than a larger barrel or framed gun.

I got my GF a 2.5" S&W 66 for when we are out with our horses and such. She really likes it. There are several S&W models that fit this bill, fixed and adjustable sight - the 13, 19, 65, and 66. In the Ruger line, the 101 works. As a last point, if she's in the position of shooting around horses or carrying when she's riding, that's a whole 'nuther issue. We "gun broke" our horses a few years ago and it's not hard to do and a nice safety factor to have to know the horse won't spook and go rodeo on you.

 

[burningsquirrels]

let her pick....

revolver, maybe one that has both a 22lr and 22 mag cylinder would fit what she's interested in...

but i echo a couple others, a general-purpose 9mm may be the best way to go. i would also think that just the loud bang! would get their attention and maybe to run.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You can't throw a rock in a Thurston County gunshop without hitting a nice lesbian couple buying their first handgun (say, a high-cap 9mm) "for snakes".

lol...they're refering to the "Y" chromosone snakes

 

[CZF]

Have her try to rack the slide before she buys a auto.
Otherwise, a Ruger Sp-101 with +P or even magnums would
be ideal.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

if the OP's fiance does not like the noise or recoil, a 357 mag is the WRONG way to go. she likes less recoil. i would have her try several different calibers ranging from 22LR all the way up to 9mm. whether it is a revolver or auto is up to her tastes/likes.

 

[Oro]

if the OP's fiance does not like the noise or recoil, a 357 mag is the WRONG way to go.

Huh?

A .357 revolver is capable of reliably shooting rounds substantially lighter than a 9mm, and also substantially more powerful. Everything from .38 specials that go "pop" up to 200gr. hunting rounds in .357 from Double Tap/Buffalo Bore that will stomp almost anything on two or four legs in North America. It is one of the most versatile chamberings in a handgun around - one that starts light and a user can "grow" into with commercial ammo and without the requirement to reload for it.

 

[Mr.510]

XD9 Compact?

I would suggest she try an XD 9mm compact. Any decent range should have one available to rent. If she's new to shooting and will be out with the horses by herself a high capacity sidearm may be a very good choice.... as it may take half a mag to hit or scare off what she's aiming at and loading a fresh mag is much easier than loading a revolver under stress. Also make sure she knows how these particular horses react to gunfire, we don't want her getting trampled! Make sure she can easily rack the slide, if her hands are wet or muddy it's going to be a whole lot more difficult. Of course, if there's one in the pipe (and there always should be!) she won't need to rack the slide, even if it runs dry, unless there's a malfunction. That's why I suggest the XD, they are about as reliable as anything, even after a mud bath. Keep a dab of grease on the mating face of the slide release and it will be much easier for a small thumb to chamber the first round of a fresh mag should she run it dry. If I could talk my wife into a CCW this is the direction I'd try to steer her. Of course I'd want her to think it was her idea....

 

[FullEffect1911]

Let her pick. Odds are higher of her practicing with it if she picks it out and she likes it. Practice usually equates into proficiency and familiarity. Both of which are pretty darn important.

With that said you I think you can suggest caliber, for the recoil sensitive and people who like fast follow ups, a 9mm or .38 special are hard to beat.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

My 115 lb spouse really likes her .38 spl. Not a lot to screw up with a revolver, and she won't have to attempt to manipulate a semiauto slide with sweaty and nervous hands. But as it has been mentioned many times, let her decide. After all, she is the boss.

 

[Thomas Garrett]

Hope your gunstore have a incorporated range. If not, find a range that has various rentals. Let her pick, try some out. Then go to the gunstore for "Her" purchase.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Unless it is rabid, there is very little danger to humans from four-legged coyotes. I fear the two-legged ones much more.

 

[mbpautz762]

the funny thing is, she has absolutely zero interest in protecting herself from humans! she never has - it's just her personality I guess. she tells me "that's why you're here!", and is the reason I carry a Glock 20 (for 2 and 4 legged predators). It's probably better this way though, because she's the kind of person who will pull out a gun, but would never actually shoot an intruder with it - I'd be more worried about her getting shot with her own gun. I'd love to get her a revolver so she doesn't have to worry as much about keeping up with it, but she doesn't like the way they look or feel.

I'll take her to a range we have closeby that will let her rent any gun she wants. it's good to know that even a 9mm will probably work though. I guess I didn't really understand how small coyotes actually were.

 

[AirForceShooter]

it's her pick. my 5"0" daughter has a 1911.

with women you never know.

AFS

 

[oneounceload]

If it is strictly for coyotes, a nice .22 will work......easy to shoot, easy to shoot a lot, and no major recoil. I can't imagine needing a cwp to carry a gun on your farm

 

[JImbothefiveth]

If it is strictly for coyotes, a nice .22 will work

I've never shot a coyote with a .22, but I hear from people that have shot them with a .22 magnum that it is very weak for that.

 

[Matrix187]

I've heard the same. The 22 mag will work if you pop them in the head, but it's not ideal for body shots. I would say a .38 spl, or 9mm minimum.

 

[benderx4]

Let her pick. I will say, however, from first hand experience with my wife and daughter, that if you end up with a snubby (38 special?), get the laser grips!!!! Otherwise, I doubt they'll be very accurate with it, they'll lose interest, and then they will stop shooting all together.

I would recommend a nice 9mm like a HK P30 - VERY soft shooting and not too big. Just right.

 

[MT GUNNY]

Here is somthing to think about,
Let Her Pick!!

.17 to .50 BMG will work on coyotes, Dont ask me how I know....

 

[JWF III]

As others have said, about anything from .22 rimfire up will take care of a coyote.

Now if the rumor of a rabid coyote in your area is true, that's the one I'd be worried about. Once there's one, more will come. For this I'd want something higher capacity, because even if you/she missed, a non-rabid would be scared off. Not so with a rabid animal. So I'd maybe go with something along the lines of a G19.

I'd rather have something between .22 magnum and .32 ACP (if it's truely coyotes she's worried about), but I have yet to see a high capacity SA in that caliber range.

Wyman