handgun advice for my sister

[collateral]

So my sister's boyfriend's ex is stalking her and has been for several months, she's informed her local LE agency and filed several reports. Last night this girl showed up at my sisters work with a few of her friends, they wouldn't leave and kept trying to find out when my sister's shift ended.

My sister isn't what I would call anti-gun, but she's not exactly pro-gun either. I have been hounding her to buy a pistol and learn how to use it. What would happen if this girl were to come up on her with a knife? A bat? or anything else.

Well my sister is about 5'2" and about 120 pounds, I imagine she's very recoil shy because she even flinches when I charge one of my guns.

If she decides to buy a pistol, what should I advise her to get? I'm not well versed in defensive handguns and calibers, most of my experiance is with rifles.

 

[rcmodel]

If she flinches when you load your gun, I would get her a Giant Economy-Size can of OC pepper spray!

She sure doesn't need a handgun until she is adult enough to get over the fear of them, go to class & learn how to shoot, and gain the mindset to use a gun if she had too.

With her present mindset concerning guns, it would be more dangerous for her to have one, then to not have one.

rcmodel

 

[CountGlockula]

As a brother, do not force it on her. Make sure you're main concern is her safety...which sounds like it.

She needs to take the time to train for handgun self defense.

If she still doesn't go for a gun, then pepper spray, cell phone and prayers are in order.

Keep on being a great brother to her.

 

[machinisttx]

Take her to the range with a couple of .22 handguns and a couple bricks of ammo. Shouldn't take her long to find out that guns are fun, and you can work from there.

 

[cpaspr]

And not just punching paper.

For quick learning of the fun to be had, have some reactive targets. Tin cans, milk jugs full of water, baloons tied to a string. All, of course, with safe backstops.

She can learn to punch paper in the 10-ring afterwards, but the above will help her learn that guns can be fun first.

 

[Orange_Magnum]

Because the threat is real she needs to carry the gun on her. A Ruger SP101 .357 mag 2" with .38 Special +p is hard to beat. The 3" version is better because of higher bullet velocity, but could be more difficult to conceal. Dress around the gun. Wear a long vest with an outside belt holster underneath. A 9mm semi automatic would be good too. Take her to a gun store and have her fondle guns.

 

[Strongbad]

Get her used to firing a gun first. As the others have said. She needs to be proficient and confident. Also, if she's going to carry on her person, she needs to go take a CCL/CHL class. Law enforcement frowns on it otherwise.

After she can shoot the gun, I'd get her a revolver. I prefer autos to revolvers, but that's because I know how to use automatics. However, for people that don't shoot for fun, and strictly need a good self defense carry, the revolver is the only way to go. I'd possibly even go hammerless, depending on how she plans to carry it.

The SP101 that O.M. mentioned would be a good one. The new 327 Federal (made by Ruger in the SP101) is supposed to be a real stomper with less recoil than the 38, and is available in spurred and hammerless varieties. Otherwise I'd go with a 38 or 357.

 

[svtruth]

direct her

to Cornered cat.
great stuff.
Good luck.

 

[Brian Williams]

www.corneredcat.com

 

[hboy35]

2nd rcmodel

I am a gun nut (excuse me--gun enthusiast) and firmly believe they are great--but that they are not for everyone.

If the mere sight or sound of loading a weapon gives her cause to recoil, then she needs some pepper spray or possibly even a stun gun. At worst, if either of these are wrestled away from her during a scuffle (which, lets face it, could happen to anyone), it won't likely kill her--a gun could. If she is at all hesitant to use a gun, dont get her one.

It already sounds like she has an awareness of her surroundings, a key trait that may keep her out of a bad situation to start with.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Stalking/crime/prtective measures...

I would go to your local DA's office and/or LE agency and ask to speak to a victim's advocate or maybe a sex crimes/violent crimes detective or investigator. They can advise you on the legal process to get a PFA(protection from abuse) or whatever your city/state calls a restraining order.
For protection, I'd get her a very bright, 80+ luminens, white light/flashlight, www.galls.com www.surefire.com maybe some powerful OC spray, 10-15% and a taser, www.taser.com.
A large dog maybe a good idea too if she can afford it and has the room/time, . These measures are not the same as a firearm. From what you posted, I doubt a handgun would be the best choice for her right now. If she really wants or needs a small handgun, I'd take her to a gun rental range and let her shoot a few pistols or revolvers.
For a concealed/protection handgun, I would look into the small S&W J frame 638 .38spl or maybe a 642. Crimsontrace lasergrips would help her aim and may deter a violent attack too, www.crimsontrace.com . The Taurus Protector model .38spl or CIA Ti model in .38spl would be solid choices also www.taurusUSA.com .
For .38spl ammo, get either the Buffalo Bore 158gr lead SWC-HP, the Corbon DPX 110gr JHP or the Glaser Silver Safety Slug.

 

[NG VI]

She sounds like she needs some work before she will be comfortable around them. After you cross that bridge, many 9mm pistols have nicely sized grips that even a small person's hands can wrap around easily. CZ PCR for one, when I got mine I couldn't believe how brilliantly form-fitting the grip is. and they have pretty low recoil for a service caliber handgun, especially when using some nice soft 147 grain JHP like the HST.

 

[Goblin]

Take her to the range and rent a .38 snubby and get her used to shooting it. Then look for a used one for her.