What do you think of this lineup/wishlist? Suggest improvements.

[bruss01]

Pretty good assortment there.

I would replace this item:

4) .32 ACP Kel Tec P32
- Suzie will shoot it, very compact, holds 8+1 rounds, light weight, but has weak take down power. (I'd add a laser dot to make it easier for suz to aim)

With a nice .38 revolver, maybe a LadySmith or something similar. If she has hand-strength issues, loading and unloading a revolver will be a lot easier on her hands and fingers than a semiauto. Load it with .38 wadcutters and you've got a firearm every bit as formidable as any 9mm. Capacity isn't the endall/beall and as an added bonus the ammo is usable in your .357 as well.

Because it's easier to load and unload and less complicated to use, you'll get less resistance to getting her to go to the range with you. That additional practice will serve her better than some fancy laser sight.

Other than that, looks like you've got a pretty good list going.

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

thanks Bruss! However, how is the "perceived recoil" of some of the .38 loads to a .32? Could I quite possibly find a .38 load with less gun gunpoweder so that it is easier for my sweetie to shoot?

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

Also, I've heard of local law enforcement using .40 cal Glocks (yuck- but heck, I might give it a chance) Do they use 10mm also or what?

 

[bruss01]

TBN-

I have yet to run across ANYONE including a 98lb deaf weakling gal who couldn't handle recoil from .38 special. This gal litterally could not rack the slide on a 9mm or even a .380, and did not have the strength to work the DA trigger pull on my .357 GP100, but she could cock the hammer using both thumbs and fire it off single action style. Honestly the trigger is about 14 lbs and can be fixed with lighter springs. I've never fired .32 so I can't comment specifically... I'm guessing .38 will have more recoil BUT in a decent weight (not super-light, that will make recoil WORSE) revolver it should be totally do-able. Remember, you have to take it in order to give it... I have my doubts about .32 as a manstopping round, but .38 has a history of useful deterrence. Go with flat point wadcutters because these deliver the best terminal performance in this cartridge. Tell her every time she pulls that trigger she's swinging a hammer at the head of the guy who's trying to rape and murder her... odds are, she won't ask for a lighter hammer.

Go to a rental range and try some medium sized .38 revolvers with her. If she thinks it would take up too much room in her dinky little purse, tell her that's an excuse to start carrying a bigger purse. A 2" or 3" barrel is probably just about right for purse carry. Mass absorbs recoil, you don't want a super-light revolver if recoil is a concern. Try a few until you find the right balance of mass vs. recoil. Good luck.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Also, I've heard of local law enforcement using .40 cal Glocks (yuck- but heck, I might give it a chance) Do they use 10mm also or what?

The 10mm was actually designed for LEO use after the infamous Miami FBI shootout. At the same time the .40S&W round was being designed. The problem with the 10mm was that many cops (usually females and small men) couldn’t handle the recoil. For this reason, LEO agencies chose the .40S&W over it.

As for what you said earlier about not wanting to buy ammo in bulk online. You can buy individual boxes of FMJ and JHP on line and JHP in gun stores. I was just saying that if you wanted something you would be using at the range every week with cheap boxes of FMJ ammo, then online was the best bet. For convince, most regular shooters buy their online ammo in large bulk orders to cut down costs. If you want a powerful SHTF gun that can also used for hunting medium sized game rather than a weekly range target gun, the 10mm (due to its power and the fact that it is an accurate flat shooting round) and a few boxes of ammo make a great choice.

Also, in revolvers (the S&W 610), you can fire .40S&W out of a 10mm (like firing .38spl out of a .357mag). This makes for a nice package. The .40S&W, thanks to the guns weight, has very little recoil making it a great affordable range target gun. Then, when in the woods you just toss in some hot 10mm and, if need be a scope, and you have a great deer gun.