Newbie needs advice on handgun choice

[Mia97]

Mia97,
Welcome to THR.
If you have a local range try talking with them about gun safety lessons as well as shooting lessons. Many ranges also rent firearms and once you feel confident after some training you could try a few different handguns to see what you might like.

One thing about guns and people. No one gun fits everyone or meets everyone’s needs. People have different tastes, different hand or body configurations. What feels good in my hands may not in yours.

If you get the opportunity to shoot a variety of guns it will help build confidence and you will see what works for you in a gun. Try different sizes of guns as well as different calibers / cartridges. Perhaps start with .22 Ling Rifle in a revolver then maybe .38 Special in a revolver and 9mm in a semi auto. I recommend these as they are very popular and they are less expensive than other cartridges.

I hope you find what you need.

Pat Riot,,thanks for this good advice.

 

[Mia97]

Welcome to the High Road!
I agree with those who recommend a revolver.
I'll further say you are better off with a double action revolver than single action, and should try a .38 Special at the range, if you can rent one.

OddJob, I didn't know about the double action one. Thanks.

 

[FL-NC]

Without being able to work with you personally, I can only make a couple of recommendations that MAY work for you. First, if you haven't already done so, give a second look at autos- specifically the S&W E-Z shield models. They are tailor-made for beginners and/or those with hand strenth issues. Second, take a look at a 22 MAGNUM revolver. They are as easy to operate as any revolver, but with minimal recoil compared to something like a 38 special. This will make it more controllable, but still not "optimum" in terms of power. But in your case, a compromise in power to achieve the ability to easily control and score hits with your chosen handgun is lots better than not being able to hit anything at all, and paying a larger penalty in blast and recoil.

 

[Mia97]

Yes, welcome to THR! I'll also join those that said you should look into a .38 Spl. revolver. I think the .38 Spl. offiers a lot of flexibility, because you can go from light-recoil loads up to the more powerful +P loads without having it affect the function of the pistol.

Also, bear in mind that a revolver chambered for .357 Magnum can also safely fire .38 Spl rounds. So I'm saying that if you find a .357 Mag that you like, don't rule it out, just because it doesn't say .38 Spl. on the side. A lot of .357s are also heavier than their .38 counterparts, and that also helps some with recoil.

I'll add that I've often heard it said that "the .22 you have beats the .45 you left at home." If you find that your needs are best met with a .22, then get that.

I will also suggest that you might be better served by starting your journey with training, rather than ending it that way. A good instructor will be able to talk to you about various kinds of firearms, and will likely have several that you could handle and try.

And finally, some suggested reading, from trainer Kathy Jackson: https://www.corneredcat.com/

Spats McGee: Well, you have me thinkin

There is also something else that is not the usually recommended firearm for self defense but it is a very effective means as the firearm has a magazine that holds 30 rounds a Kel-Tec CMR 30 pistol with the sliding stock or the Kel-Tec sub 2000. But if arthritis is a real issue a 38 caliber may be too hard on your hands you could also consider a 9mm revolver or a 22 magnum revolver. During times that physical abilities handicap all of us we need to break away from the traditional thinking and a new paradigm should take place by thinking outside the box, like a nice 9mm carbine rifle or a rifle in small calibers.

There is also something else that is not the usually recommended firearm for self defense but it is a very effective means as the firearm has a magazine that holds 30 rounds a Kel-Tec CMR 30 pistol with the sliding stock or the Kel-Tec sub 2000. But if arthritis is a real issue a 38 caliber may be too hard on your hands you could also consider a 9mm revolver or a 22 magnum revolver. During times that physical abilities handicap all of us we need to break away from the traditional thinking and a new paradigm should take place by thinking outside the box, like a nice 9mm carbine rifle or a rifle in small calibers.

ms6852, Yes, the arthritis in hands and fingers is a concern. And worse now due to all the cleaning for covid 19. Hoping that will go away and things will improve. So thanks for informing me about all of the above.

 

[Mia97]

My wife has wrist problems and can't take the recoil of a 38 special. There are various 32 caliber revolvers that have barely more recoil than a 22, but are much more effective.

On the rare occasions I am out of town, my wife has a 32 H&R magnum revolver. The recoil is moderate and doesn't bother her. She usually practices with 32 S&W long, which is even milder.

My daughter could shoot this revolver easily when she was eight.

Charter Arms 32 Magnum

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2018

Tallball, thanks a lot for this good info. And its even pink! lol

 

[Mia97]

Hello all.
I am hoping someone can give me advice as to what kind of gun would be best for me. I grew up in the country, and all the farmers had guns, so i have no fear or problem with using one. But I know nothing about guns; the types, how they work, so on. So this is a first step in this journey, which hopefully will end with gun range training, possibly a concealed carry license. For now I need to learn the basics. I am an older lady, small with very small hands. I cannot work what they call the 'action' on an automatic. Tried it at a gunstore, that's what they said. Was able to pull the trigger on a revolver. I need something that is right for my size hand, and I do have some arthritis. I live alone, and have felt vulnerable and fearful for a good many years. Now, with the current lawlessness in our country, I really feel I must have something more than pepper spray. Thank you for any input.

Boy did I pick the right forum for support! I am overwhelmed by all of the replies and information you all have given me. I am new to your forum mode and so hope I didn't leave anyone out, but I want to thank everyone for their input.

 

[Obturation]

Hello all.
I am hoping someone can give me advice as to what kind of gun would be best for me. I grew up in the country, and all the farmers had guns, so i have no fear or problem with using one. But I know nothing about guns; the types, how they work, so on. So this is a first step in this journey, which hopefully will end with gun range training, possibly a concealed carry license. For now I need to learn the basics. I am an older lady, small with very small hands. I cannot work what they call the 'action' on an automatic. Tried it at a gunstore, that's what they said. Was able to pull the trigger on a revolver. I need something that is right for my size hand, and I do have some arthritis. I live alone, and have felt vulnerable and fearful for a good many years. Now, with the current lawlessness in our country, I really feel I must have something more than pepper spray. Thank you for any input.

Welcome!
I didn't read any replies, only the original post, forgive me if I repeat info, I'll keep it short.
My recommendation would be a 3"-4" 357 magnum revolver. The grip can be as small as you like, your hand doesn't need to be large enough to wrap around the magazine of a semi auto. It's easier to tell if it's loaded visually, less controls or functions, no slide to retract (which can prove impossible with arthritis), you can fire very light loads that will be comfortable for you without concern over if the cartridge was too weak to cycle the action of a semi auto, much heavier loaded cartridges are readily available if you decide you'd like more power at at any time- no springs to change to accommodate this, simple straightforward operation with no bells or whistles to confuse things.
Good luck

 

[CapnMac]

In revolvers the .32s have a lot to recommend them--availability of both the arm and the ammo being germane at present.
Which well addresses something to have on one's person in the immediate.

If one's situation is rural, one may want to deal with threats at a further distance than a convenient handgun might provide. Twenty-five years ago, I would have recommended an M-1 carbine, as it is (still) light, handy, and easy to use. In these modern times, that now recommends a pistol-caliber carbine (known as a PCC). This becomes a separate, and detailed discussion.

And, there is very much to recommend a good, loyal dog, too. Especially as they can be "open carried" in a wide range of spaces, and can serve well at both close and immediate ranges, and at a distance, in warning.

Often, in these, our modern times, the one right tool is often more than just the one.

 

[Dan-O]

Smith and Wesson 686+ or a Ruger GP100 both in 3” would be what I’d want if I had a loved one with your parameters. I’d stoke it with .38 special. Pretty decent grip selections out there for both if the factory grips don’t tickle your fancy.

 

[Armored farmer]

Mia,
You came to the right place, we all love to talk guns.
Do you have a budget in mind?
How much practicing are you willing to do?
How often are you going to carry it concealed?

The more info you can give, the better.


Fyi, mrs. farmer was most interested in a pistol she could discreetly carry in her purse, strictly for self defense. She is not going to target shoot except for practice. She does not have any issues with hand strength or pain. After shooting several of my handguns she liked my Ruger LCP well enough that she chose one for herself.

This is a very compact .380acp. The lcp is also available in .22 caliber.

As others have suggested, I like a revolver for you. The Ruger LCRx in .22magnum comes to mind.

Best wishes.

 

[tomrkba]

Step 1: Attend NRA Home Firearms Safety (covers all types of firearms so you know how to handle them).
Step 2: Attend NRA Basic Pistol
Step 3: Attend any two day defensive handgun course in your area so costs are minimized. Many places have gone to a one day format but you can do two days in a row or on different weekends.
Step 4: Buy a gun.
Step 5: Practice for awhile
Step 6: Take another 2 day defensive course
Step 7: Buy your next gun, which will likely be different than your first because your understanding has evolved.
Step 8: Loop back to Step 5. 20 years from now you'll have a safe full of guns

The revolver is highly likely not the correct gun for you. It may be but you won't really know until you have some proficiency. Semiautomatics have "won" because they are easier to shoot, manipulate and carry. Some will claim a semi-auto is "too complicated", but that's like saying a car with a manual transmission is too complicated. If you can operate the two pedals on a modern car, you can operate a semi-auto pistol. Such recommendations come from poor thinking and forgetting/ignoring/glossing-over all the issues with shooting and manipulating a revolver.

The training is by far the most important part of all of this. You can get yourself into serious physical and/or legal jeopardy out of ignorance. Most people never attend training of any sort unless it's mandated for ownership or a concealed carry permit. Many people do succeed in defending themselves. It's about stacking the odds in your favor. Would you rather go into a violent confrontation with no legal or physical training and not having fired more than a few rounds through your gun or going in with training and enough time behind the gun to know what you're doing?

The reason #4 is "Buy a gun" is because you likely do not know what will work for you in a handgun. Attending two 8-10 hour training days teaches you all about your handgun; doing the same with 16 one hour range sessions does not. What you'll learn about yourself and your gun at round 300 in a day is very different and not possible at minute 59 of your standard one hour range session.

Here is my best example:

I was all into Browning High Powers back in the day. They carry really, really well while having good capacity (13+1 or 15+1), a long slide and a narrow, comfortable feel. I decided to take mine to class at FPF Training's old "Concealed Carry for Self-Defense" class (not affiliated, but I recommend John's classes highly). The first four hours were a blood fest horror show. I am left handed, which means I was running the slide of that gun with my right hand. All four of my fingers had dozens of bleeding slices in them from the sharp slide serrations and razor sharp cut out for the safety on the left side. Every time I ran that slide resulted in a new cut. My beautiful stocks were all bloody. To make matters worse, the trigger was set at 13#, it had no night sights and the factory sights were annoying. The magazine well was not beveled out and resulted in fumbling reloads under pressure. The rest of the gun was sharp and was rough on the hands. The front and rear straps of the grip were smooth and I didn't install any grip tape at the time. That trigger limited my range to exactly 40 yards during a "Walk Back Drill" (This is where you start at 5 yards and have 3 shots to hit 3 steel targets. Everyone shoots, one at a time and anyone who misses 1 shot is "out". The next round is at 10 yards, and moves back 5 yards every time. Its purpose is to show that that fundamentals are identical regardless of distance and to demonstrate the shooter's current flaws in technique.). That nasty trigger pull that I couldn't manage properly knocked me out at 45 yards (which never happens, dangit). Correcting all these flaws requires $800+ in gunsmithing and at least $200 in refinishing. It's not economical.

Contrast this with the much loved/hated Glock 19 pistol. The gun's corresponding features do everything correctly: soft edges, fairly wide mag well, decent trigger that can be modified without a gunsmith, easy to replace sights, etc. It's a $500 gun that is good enough for most uses. It can be improved upon if the owner decides to, but mostly it just needs new sights out of the box. I finished the remaining 12 hours of that class with a Glock 19. It was many classes ago, but I remember the lesson: train with your gun to learn it. Prove it works and figure out its quirks. Some quirks you can live with, but others may remove the gun from defensive viability.

Even today, most manufacturers have learned from Glock and have added additional features for the same price point (better triggers like the CZ P10C, factory installed night sights on many of the new SIG P320's, etc). Even HK has adapted a bit with its P30 and P30SK Light LEM and VP9 series.

So, very, very long story short: get trained and you will get exposed to what you need for a gun to work for you. Use what they hand you. Do not be shy; verify they have other guns available. You can call them up and describe your situation. You may hate or love what they give you. If it doesn't work out, most trainers have a variety of guns available for you to use. You should find one that fits your needs, has the features you want, and the ergonomics that maximize both your shooting AND manipulations of the gun.

That's the secret: manipulations are the other half of the "guns as gear" game. Everyone here who has recommended a gun for you has made a bad recommendation. You should ignore that portion of their advice because it is completely worthless. It is worthless because they are not there to see you handle and shoot the gun. They are not training you and therefore cannot see your strengths and weaknesses as a handgun shooter. You may be a closet 44 Magnum shooter, but these guys are never going to be able to figure that out using TheHighRoad.org. Odds are, though, that a "Glock 19 Class" handgun in 9x19mm (such as the...Glock 19, Glock 48, HK VP9, SIG P320 Compact, CZ P10C, HK P30, S&W M&P 9 Compact, etc) will be just fine for you.

Keep in mind that there are very few instructors proficient in teaching defensive revolver techniques remaining (this is a very large "clue"). You'll need to search for them and you may find one near you. Otherwise, you'll have to go see Michael deBethancourt, Mas Ayoob, Grant Cunningham, Claude Werner, Gunsite, Rangemaster (Tom Givens), Thunder Ranch (Clint Smith) and maybe a few others. Thunder Ranch offers a revolver video that you should buy if you're going to stick with revolvers. I did the revolver thing for awhile, and after two classes, a year of additional practice, and two years of carry, I gave up except as an open carry hiking gun.

Good luck with training. It's the most important aspect of this entire mess of a martial art polluted with bad advice, gun mythology, and stupidly large egos.

 

[eyeshot]

You have your limitations when it comes to firearms. For home defense, I would stick with the pepper spray or bear spray, shore up your defenses (alarms to neighbors/locks/etc.) and get a mean, nasty dog that loves you. A human companion might be a good idea also if that's an option.

The shock and awe of firing a weapon, short of a .22, in an enclosed area is something to be experienced without ear protection. If not for that I would recommend a shotgun vs. a pistol that fits your stature. You could lay this across the back of a chair or top of a table be quite an effective deterrent to a bad guy. Take a lot of aiming out of the scenario under stress.

You can learn how to repair drywall should you ever need that skillset.

 

[David Hoback]

Miss Mia, I apologize... I didn’t mean for my post to sound like I was recommending any particular firearm you should purchase. I wasn’t. I was simply sharing with you a story from my past, instructing a an older woman with “similar” circumstances as your own. I was attempting to explain how she went to a range with a extremely knowledgeable staff which included firearms instructors who cared about their patrons. The resulting mass of posts is exactly what I was referring to... public forums being places that can cause more confusion to a brand new shooter. Of the couple dozen responses, maybe a couple are from past or present professionals. I will be quite honest, NEVER take any information presented other than with a grain of salt on a gun forum! No one here is in your position. That & once again, maybe only 1 or 2 of us have even instructed people in your position, one on one.

Of course several people are going to be offended by what I’m saying...(for some reason). But I’m not concerned with that. Because it’s not about them. I’m trying to give you the best information I can. Unlike some, I HAVE read every post! I think it’s disrespectful not to. Since reading all posts, I can see you’ve received a mix of Good & Bad advice.

Good advice: “You should seek ranges that rent firearms & choose what feels right to you...YOUR preference.” “It’s important to find some type of instruction.”

BAD advice: “You should look at X, Y or Z pistol!” “X is likely NOT the best choice for you! Y pistols are much better!” My Mother/ Sister/ Wife/ Auntie/Daughter /Female next door neighbor, shoots X, so I think you should take a look at it.”

 

[David Hoback]

You have your limitations when it comes to firearms. For home defense, I would stick with the pepper spray or bear spray, shore up your defenses (alarms to neighbors/locks/etc.) and get a mean, nasty dog that loves you. A human companion might be a good idea also if that's an option.

The shock and awe of firing a weapon, short of a .22, in an enclosed area is something to be experienced without ear protection. If not for that I would recommend a shotgun vs. a pistol that fits your stature. You could lay this across the back of a chair or top of a table be quite an effective deterrent to a bad guy. Take a lot of aiming out of the scenario under stress.

You can learn how to repair drywall should you ever need that skillset.

Huh?? So like I was saying about bad advice....

 

[eyeshot]

Huh?? So like I was saying about bad advice....

Did you bother to think about what I wrote or are you hung up on your good advice. She asked for opinions and that is mine.

 

[Kleanbore]

You have your limitations when it comes to firearms. For home defense, I would stick with the pepper spray or bear spray,

Keep in mind that while a less lethal sol such as capsicum spray is an excellent option for use when deadly force is not justified, it is far less effective than a firearm, and it is no substitute for one.

There are those against whom such spays are ineffective.

And in a home defense situation, deadly force is more likely tp be justified than in other situations.

I carry pepper spray in addition to a firearm.

There is an excellent Sticky thread in our Non-Firearm Weapons section. One can learn a lot from it.

 

[entropy]

How about we get OLNS in on this one, since she is in a similar situation, and has recently trod this path. (Very well, I might add.)

 

[Obturation]

Some will claim a semi-auto is "too complicated", but that's like saying a car with a manual transmission is too complicated. If you can operate the two pedals on a modern car, you can operate a semi-auto pistol. Such recommendations come from poor thinking and forgetting/ignoring/glossing-over all the issues with shooting and manipulating a revolver.

Not too complicated, just more complicated. A semi auto laying on the table 6 inches away there is no way to know- is it loaded? Is a round chambered? Is the safety on? Has the magazine been released and will drop free when picked up? Is OP capable of physically retracting the slide (with stated condition of arthritis )?

None of us know that.
Beyond that, if the OP does choose a 9mm and discovers it's recoil is too much , there is only so light you can go before the gun fails to function- that's a problem and a different gun will be required ASAP. Not the case with a revolver. If the OP decides on a 9mm pistol and desires more power, they're stuck with a 9mm (if only one defensive gun is to be purchased ). Beyond that the location of the OPs home is possibly a factor, restrictions could limit capacity or available guns (legal) removing any advantage (the only advantage) of a semi auto . clearing malfunctions under stress, testing various brands and types of ammo may not be ideal depending on the situation to discover what works in their specific gun.
I'm not an expert and don't claim to be but I can't figure any situation that the revolver isn't superior for a new shooter.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Thanks entropy.

I'll start by sharing my journey, then add what I hope will be helpful advice.

I am under 5'1", I have large palms although not long fingers, but not so much strength any more. I'm now in my 70's.

At age 67 I realized a firearm would be a good thing to own and know how to use. I grew up in a city and had never even shot a squirt gun. A class was offered that I felt comfortable going to, so I signed up. Although it was billed as a beginner introduction, only I and one other lady had never shot before. They first gave us "blue guns" to learn what a gun feels like and to drill into us the habit of not putting the finger in the trigger guard until ready to fire. Then it was time to shoot, a little voice was going "I'm not ready!" but I went up anyway since everyone else was. We proceeded to shoot a 22, a 38 revolver, then 9 mm, 40's and 45's. I did well with the 22, 38 and 45, the 9 and 40 were all over the place. I do not have any explanation for this. The main thing I got out of it was actually having fired.

Blabla, then I went to my local gun shop/range for a one-on-one lesson. From what I had learned by then I had already decided I wanted a revolver -- I am not mechanical and was terrified of having a gun I would have to take apart to clean.* The Ruger SP-101 I could not even complete the trigger pull on. The GP-100 fit my hand well. I wanted to try a Smith 686 Plus (because it has 7 shots). I didn't much like the grip it came with, largely due to the finger grooves, but it was nice to shoot, the trigger is very smooth. At a subsequent range visit they actually let me take both the GP-100 and the 686 Plus at the same time and I tested them alternately to avoid hand fatigue playing a role in my decision. I had decided on a 4" barrel because I had read it is more accurate and has less recoil. The Smith was way more accurate for me, so that's the one I selected. After I got it I put on a different grip (Hogue grooveless) that is more comfortable for me because it is fatter and my fingers are not constrained by the predefined grooves. At the time I lived in California where nobody gets a carry permit so the size wasn't a factor, but it is pretty big.

* A point about revolvers vs semi-auto that I did not know at the time but have since learned is that many semi-autos are very fussy about how they are held and may fail to fire just because of that, one thing I keep reading about is "limp-wristing".

Fast-forward to two years ago, I moved to Arizona which is consistently ranked the most gun-friendly state in the country. Here a person can carry concealed even without a permit. (A permit has advantages though, notably reciprocity with all the other states that give permits, and I now have one.) So I thought a small revolver would be ideal. In Cali I could never find a range that rented them, so I had never shot one. A friend in another state had an extra Model 36 he wanted to sell and I bought it from him. My range visit with it was extremely disappointing. I could not shoot it anywhere near as accurately as my 686 and it was also painful, with every shot the back of the teeny-tiny grip jammed into the soft tissue between my thumb and forefinger. Being that it's a somewhat collectible year and style, I kept it, but it just sits in my safe.

Shortly thereafter Colt came out with a new version of the King Cobra, which I was very interested to try because I read that the trigger was only 9 pounds, compared to about 12 pounds for a Smith. It comes with a 3" barrel and I believe also shoots .357 magnum although I only use .38 special. This fits my hand like it was made for me, shoots accurately, and is enough smaller than my 686 that I can carry it concealed, so that's what I now carry.

Moving right along, I now recently acquired an AR, in order to have something for home defense more powerful and with larger ammo capacity. I had one lesson and one range visit prior to COVID, and liked shooting it. With a lot of help from all the wonderful folks here on THR I learned how to take it apart, clean and lube it, put it back together, mount, zero, and use a sight. My first time doing those things took me three sessions of about two or three hours each because I was so freaked out, but now I can do it. It's very nice to shoot, no recoil to speak of. I still need to learn how to use a sling.

.........................

The first piece of advice is try different guns and go with the one YOU shoot most accurately and most comfortably.

A couple of other things I've learned:

1. A revolver is good to learn to shoot on even if you decide you want a semi-auto. This is because the trigger is heavy and the pull is long, so you don't have a chance to get into bad shooting habits like flinching. A smooth trigger pull is very important. Practice dry-firing (using "snap caps" instead of real rounds) in your house. Put a dime on the end of the muzzle, when you "fire" the dime should not fall off.

2. Accuracy is the most important thing. Start at as close as 3 yards, when you can make a ragged hole, move back to 5 yards, and so forth. One thing that will help with accuracy is to maintain focus on the front sight even after you pull the trigger.

3. As soon as you are comfortable shooting with a two-handed grip, learn to shoot with only one hand. When you can do it with your strong-side hand, add your weak-side hand. If G-d forbid you are ever in a Situation, the bad guy may shoot you in one arm, but as long as you are alive you are still in the fight. Many people slightly cant the hand to shoot one-handed, I prefer standing sideways which I understand is really old-fashioned but that doesn't bother me. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that shooting one-handed is not difficult if you learned to shoot two-handed without developing any bad habits.

4. Regarding not being able to rack the slide on a semi-auto, I think there is a way to do it that is not how men usually do it, I remember a lady who used to post here called Officer's Wife who described how her grandmother had taught her, I think it was similar to how I operate the charging handle on my AR -- I can't do it using my left hand with the gun mounted to my shoulder, but I can do it by bracing the butt against my midsection and using my right hand.

Now that I've used up way more than my share of pixels, I'll just close by saying you picked the best gun forum on the internet, everybody here is happy to help, so keep us posted on your progress and never hesitate to ask more questions.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I am in a rural area on the west coast. We do have a range and concealed carry classes. But no gun rentals.

Not a problem and you're halfway there.
I've never been to an indoor range (or one that rented guns) either, and I've been shooting for 'quite a few years'.

I recommend you stop by that local range if it has a member driven gun club running it.
After chatting with a few of the members (RO's or range officers are the best for this if the club has them) expressing your desire to just 'try out' a few different models,
you WILL be put in touch with some members willing to assist you in some manner. Gun clubs and many of their members are just that way.
You could also ask about posting a notice concisely stating your situation, asking for minimal range time to see and handle different models.

State your goals to those you meet and, of course, bow out of any situation in which you feel uncomfortable.

There will be no (the time spent and any ammo fired) cost involved to you, but I do recommend that you insist on paying your way.
Ammo and reloading components are in a shortage situation at this time.

In general, gun club members are the kind of neighbors you'd like to have.

You'll see.
JT

 

[danez71]

My mom is mid 70s, and 5'1" on a good day.

She hated her heavy .38 caliber with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. Too heavy and big, she said. Trigger pull was heavy too.

She's in a rural area in east TX and I'm in california.. again... now now.

After a lot of talking, she bought a Ruger LCR in 327 FM magum. This can also shoot 32 HR and 32 Long. Each is less powerful respectively. All 3 are listed in the manual as acceptable and she liked that the manual said it.

She bought in on my recommendation as she could not find one within a 100 miles to hold or shoot.

The gun store gave her a box of 327FM. Way too powerful for her. I tried to tell her but she's mom and not one to be told she can't do something.

I think she she is shooting the 32 HRs in it or maybe 32 longs.

I also sent her the longer grip. Even though her hands aren't wide, she likes the longer grip.

She loves the gun. Much better trigger...the Ruger LCR series are known for good triggers. She likes that its lighter and smaller and when shooting the 32s, it's less recoil than her old heavy 38 caliber gun.

She can barely anything with it... she mostly uses is to scare coyotes. She has handled and shot guns before very limited amount... and she won't go to any training class. But it's ok. It's a start and better than nothing. I've told her where to go in her house and shoot the bad guy coming through the door. At that distance she practically can't miss.


This is my indirect 1st hand experience thats most applicable to you.

Good luck. Ask as many questions as you want... ask them multiple times if you want. Try to at least hold as many as possible if you can't shoot them. Take what you read with a grain of salt but you being comfortable holding it is critical.


Welcome the THR. Lots of helpful people here. Good luck and good job!

 

[tomrkba]

Not too complicated, just more complicated. A semi auto laying on the table 6 inches away there is no way to know- is it loaded? Is a round chambered? Is the safety on? Has the magazine been released and will drop free when picked up? Is OP capable of physically retracting the slide (with stated condition of arthritis )?

None of us know that.
Beyond that, if the OP does choose a 9mm and discovers it's recoil is too much , there is only so light you can go before the gun fails to function- that's a problem and a different gun will be required ASAP. Not the case with a revolver. If the OP decides on a 9mm pistol and desires more power, they're stuck with a 9mm (if only one defensive gun is to be purchased ). Beyond that the location of the OPs home is possibly a factor, restrictions could limit capacity or available guns (legal) removing any advantage (the only advantage) of a semi auto . clearing malfunctions under stress, testing various brands and types of ammo may not be ideal depending on the situation to discover what works in their specific gun.

You are talking about basic safety practices. The safety practices are the same: clear the gun, inspect, and put it back on the table. One must do this for both platforms. One does not "know" anything about a gun's status; the person must check it every time. NRA Home Firearms Safety is where she will learn the basic operation of all known actions of firearms.

The proper technique for operating a slide works for anyone but those with extreme arthritis or extreme physical limitations. The OP's description is that she is not in either category. Therefore, proper technique will prevail as learned from NRA Home Firearms Safety and NRA Basic Pistol.

I'm not an expert and don't claim to be but I can't figure any situation that the revolver isn't superior for a new shooter.

It is a common misperception. You believe that because you are not thinking about the revolver past opening the cylinder, putting the cartridges into the it using some method, and closing it--basic actions used in the first few range lessons. What you are not thinking about is how to draw and fire from compressed ready and at full extention and manipulating the gun in the workspace in order to reload or remediate a problem. Reloading a revolver is a much more complex task, with something like seven to nine steps for both hands depending upon how you count and break down the movements. Additionally, you have neglected to account for the recoil of the revolver and that it is not softened by the moving slide. Next, try doing controlled pairs, double taps, hearts-n-minds, and zippers with a revolver. Heck, just go do the Five Yard Round Up with a magnum and a timer. https://gunsmagazine.com/handguns/the-five-yard-roundup/. Even worse, shooting 22's doesn't translate well over to shooting a centerfire revolver; recoil management at speed is critical.

As I said, I played the revolver as a carry gun game in an effort to learn the platform. It was far more difficult to master than the semi auto if you want the same performance level. Once you get there, it's a nice thing, but it also fades fast.

 

[danez71]

You are talking about basic safety practices. The safety practices are the same: clear the gun, inspect, and put it back on the table. One must do this for both platforms. One does not "know" anything about a gun's status; the person must check it every time. NRA Home Firearms Safety is where she will learn the basic operation of all known actions of firearms.

The proper technique for operating a slide works for anyone but those with extreme arthritis or extreme physical limitations. The OP's description is that she is not in either category. Therefore, proper technique will prevail as learned from NRA Home Firearms Safety and NRA Basic Pistol.




It is a common misperception. You believe that because you are not thinking about the revolver past opening the cylinder, putting the cartridges into the it using some method, and closing it--basic actions used in the first few range lessons. What you are not thinking about is how to draw and fire from compressed ready and at full extention and manipulating the gun in the workspace in order to reload or remediate a problem. Reloading a revolver is a much more complex task, with something like seven to nine steps for both hands depending upon how you count and break down the movements. Additionally, you have neglected to account for the recoil of the revolver and that it is not softened by the moving slide. Next, try doing controlled pairs, double taps, hearts-n-minds, and zippers with a revolver. Heck, just go do the Five Yard Round Up with a magnum and a timer. https://gunsmagazine.com/handguns/the-five-yard-roundup/. Even worse, shooting 22's doesn't translate well over to shooting a centerfire revolver; recoil management at speed is critical.

As I said, I played the revolver as a carry gun game in an effort to learn the platform. It was far more difficult to master than the semi auto if you want the same performance level. Once you get there, it's a nice thing, but it also fades fast.

I do agree with quite a bit of what youre saying but it really doesn't matter.

You, me, or even Elvis himself could say that 1000 times to my mom and she'd still be looking at us like we're this guy --> .


If mom wants a revolver because thats what she wants with no particular reason... as long as she can pull the trigger and be safe with a revolver... mom is getting a revolver.

 

[triplebike]

No one has recommended the following, Byrna I don't own one, but was considering one for my son before he received his carry permit. It does look interesting. Maybe some fellow members that have more knowledge can chine in. I surly would not want to get hit with one.

https://byrna.com/

The Byrna HD (Home Defense) is an incredibly powerful and effective non-lethal self-defense weapon that can be taken virtually anywhere. Powered by compressed air (CO2), the Byrna HD shoots .68 caliber round kinetic and chemical irritant projectiles that can disable a threat from up to 60-feet away.

 

[SteadyD]

My wife loves the Ruger LCR in 327, loaded with 32 H&R Magnum. Low recoil, great trigger, light and small.