New twist on the gun for girlfriend/fiance/wife

[RmB]

I recommend a 20 gauge auto loading shotgun or an AR in .223

My two pennies.

 

[Sport45]

I have explained the safety thing to her multiple time. In fact, the gun would be stored in a cabinet in the nightstand with nothing else in it. Thus, even if the "keep your hand off the trigger it won't fire" safety somehow fails, the gun would still be inside a closed cabinet and would have the "open the cabinet door before the gun can fire" safety.

It doesn't matter what you get as it will still be in the cabinet long past any time it might have been helpful. She'd probably be the least likely person in the house to use it.

I second RC's suggestion of a big can of bear spray.

 

[armedwalleye]

New twist on the gun for girlfriend/fiance/wife

If you're gonna arm 'em all, better make sure they never meet.....

 

[Master Blaster]

I always recommend a 4" 686+ as the ideal home defense weapon for those who do not want to spend time at the range, and for those who do. Accurate reliable, choice of different power levels for ammo, something no semi auto can duplicate with 100% reliability. If the person is unable to pull the da trigger or cock the hammer, they will not be able to rack the slide on many semi autos. Take her to the range and rent one for her to shoot with.38 spl. There are lots of good reduced recoil .38 and +p as well as full magnum loads availible.

Btw both my children son and daughter, were able to shoot my 686 and my K22 Double action when they were 8 years old.

If she like the Kimber make sure she can rack the slide, this may take practice, and understands the operation of the firearm.

I have recommended the Glock G26 also to a couple of new female shooters who did not want a revolver (they see semi autos in the movies). It is simple and reliable, easy to shoot well, and not too hard to operate the slide.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

New twist on the gun for girlfriend/fiance/wife

If you're gonna arm 'em all, better make sure they never meet.....

Oh now that's funny!

 

[gazpacho]

If they are legal for carry in her location, get her a Taser. The brand name one, not the cheap knock offs. That or a couple of big cans of bear spray. If she knows she won't kill someone she uses it on, she is more likely to use it before it is too late.

Giving a gun to someone who doesn't want to train with it, is like giving a Ford Mustang to a person who doesn't want to learn how to drive. Yeah, they can use it in an emergency, but they'll be lucky if they don't hurt themselves or an innocent third party.

 

[holdencm9]

I agree with all the comments that if she doesn't train with it, it may be more of a risk to her than a benefit. That aside,

I'm sorry, but "my girlfriend wants a gun" should be "what she wants". I don't generally like cryptic answers, but the fact is that it is HER decision, not yours, and she should be the one who is choosing the important factors, not you.

I agree with this too, but a lot of people still don't realize that almost every gun today is "drop-safe" and they think that the presence of an external manual safety is the thing that makes the gun safe. They literally think that "it can just GO OFF" which is probably a result of movies and the media. (Anytime a person is shot accidentally, it makes news, and it always "just went off"

When I first had my wife shoot my 92FS in double action, and showed her the little piece that moves up as you pull the trigger, blocks the firing pin until the trigger is fully depressed, she even asked "why do you need a safety switch at all?!?"

So the point is, don't just take her to the store and "let her pick it out." Teach her a thing or two so she can at least make an educated decision. If you explain a drop-safety and she still insists on the manual safety, at least she has the full story.