I need the basics

[denham]

I have no gun. I want to get a gun. Have fired a handgun once in my life, dad thought I should know how just in case.

Can somebody just give me the name of a basic handgun that is simple and effective for a female? Preferably something I could buy at the local sporting goods store. This whole topic is intimidating but I just don't think I should wait on this any longer. Personal protection only, don't intend to carry it anywhere other than on my property.

[docsoos]

Greetings, Denham. I will attempt to assist you on your quest.

I have trained many people here at home (Kentucky) to carry concealed firearms over the past 12 years, and a lot of women that do not want to be "regular" or sport shooters, and just want a simple weapon for self-defense, are steered by many with greater knowledge than I towards revolvers instead of semi-automatic pistols, due to their absolutely simple mechanism, and inherent reliability under adverse conditions.

I agree with them. Revolvers are the easiest weapon to learn quickly, and as long as one can load and close the cylinder, and pull the trigger, and the weapon is functioning properly, they WILL go off. Not always true with auto's. Depending on the caliber and make and model, some auto's may jam at the WORST possible time, and they require a LOT of practice to learn how to clear them.

I would humbly suggest starting out with a Smith & Wesson, Colt, or Ruger revolver, in the largest caliber that you can tolerate the recoil of firing. I have taught more than a few women that have never held a handgun, much less shot one, to accurately and confidently shoot a .357 Magnum or .38 Special revolver.

New ones mentioned above can be quite pricey, depending on the model, but there is good news. Most gun shops or pawn shops have a LOT of old Police Trade-In revolvers, that are excellent quality, for less than half the price of a new one.

For example, here in Kentucky, one can still find quite a few S&W Model 65 .357 Magnum revolvers, 4 inch barrel, and stainless steel, in really good condition, for about $250-$350 Dollars, depending on the store and the condition of the weapon. Even though it shoots the much more powerful .357 Magnum round, you can practice with, or actually use, the aforementioned .38 Special ammunition, that "kicks" a LOT less than hot .357 loads.

If an auto is your choice, I would suggest a Glock. They are lightweight, medium sized, absolutely reliable, and are mid-range priced, as auto pistols go. I personally have six Glocks in different calibers, with THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of rounds through them, and I can not recall EVER having one of them jam. Ever. No exaggeration.

Maybe a 9 mm Glock would be good for you, also.

Whatever your choice, be careful, and get some of the local gun people to assist you in your quest for knowledge. Good Luck. ;D

DocSoos

[tufhelp]

Gather all that info and all the suggestions and before you settle on anything see if you cant arrange to try it out. Friends with same type, shooting range that rents weapons out, take a class with someone who supplies weapons to try out. My wife was sure she wanted a Glock 9mm, we got it and she hated it, was afraid of it and wouldn’t use it... The only saving grace is that while we are stuck in the city, it is handy to have a high capacity side arm for protection from the spray and pray hoodlums and gang members... We picked up a S&W chiefs special (lightweight frame, five shot revolver, 38 special) and it literally goes everywhere wit her and she is a dead shot with it. Sure wish I'd have insisted she try out the Glock before laying the money down...

[docsoos]

Sorry to hear about the wife's Glock, Tuf. Glad the Chief's Special worked out for her! I guess this just reinforces what I said about semi-auto versus revolver training for those who are not familiar with firearms, particularly the "recoil impulse" of semi-autos; again, it depends on the individual.

I personally carry (in my back pocket or inside-the-waistband) a S&W Model 638 Airweight .38 Special, +P, mostly as a backup, or occasionally as a primary weapon. A LOT of people have a hard time getting used to aiming with the VERY short sight radius these "snub .38's" have, but others take to them immediately. They are excellent in the fact that they weigh next to NOTHING (mine weighs 15 ounces empty!), and they can be carried VERY comfortably, almost unnoticed. I slip mine in my back pocket even when I'm mowing the yard. I purchased mine used about 5 years ago from my gunshop buddy for $250.00. It has been a CONSTANT companion all this time.

Here's a picture of the Smith & Wesson Model 638 that I carry on a daily basis:

http://bellsouthpwp2.net/z/e/zeus40/638-2.jpg

The speedloader on the left is loaded with 129-grain Federal Hydra-Shok defense rounds, which is the load always carried in the revolver. The speedloader on the right is for when I go fishing, and swap the Hydra-Shoks for the Speer .38 Special "shotshells", to shred any water moccasins that cross my path. These shotshells effectively turn the little .38 into a hand-held "shotgun", that is HIGHLY effective against soft targets less than 20 feet or so away. The versatility of this handgun is astounding, and quite a handy item around the "homestead". The weapon rests on a $10.00 Uncle Mike's Inside-The-Waistband holster.

Denham, you may notice that this particular S&W revolver has a "Humpback" shape to it; this is an integral "shroud" that protects the hammer from snagging on your clothing when you "draw" the weapon. You can still pull the hammer back, and fire "single action" mode, but the hammer is protected by this shroud; main reason I chose this particular model.

Here are a few links for your information on the S&W Model 638 that I've discussed here, and the "unshrouded" version, the S&W Model 637:

http://www.gilbertsguns.com/Handguns/Smith+Wesson/Smith+Wesson+638+Bodyguard+38+Spl+Revolver

http://www.gilbertsguns.com/Handguns/Smith+Wesson/Smith+Wesson+637+Airweight+38+Spl+With+Holster

And finally, a link to the current "state of the art" revolver for personal defense, albeit a bit "pricey":

http://www.gilbertsguns.com/Handguns/Smith+Wesson/Smith+Wesson+327+Night+Guard+357+8+Shot+Revolver

Hope all this helps! ;D

DocSoos

[cinok]

Docsoos,
I posted a thread in the other firearms issues board about an instructor do you know anyone in AR/ok area

[docsoos]

Docsoos,
I posted a thread in the other firearms issues board about an instructor do you know anyone in AR/ok area

No, I don't. I became an instructor here years ago, but all of the other instructors I know are "local boys".

DocSoos

[jim]

I agree with the choice of .38 Special. It is accurate, of low recoil, has cheap practice ammo, and adequate service ammo available. While my favorite is a .45 ACP, I carry a .38 Spl. almost all the time.

Get some training, practice, and shoot accurately.

jim

[Stinger]

:) *Here's my wife's carry gun - It's a Ruger SP-101, 38 Special/357 Magnum. *(About $500.00) *

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9549/josnewrugerrc1.jpg *

If you buy a short barreled revolver you won't find it comfortable to shoot and you won't get in very much useful practice with it, either.

I've been teaching people to handle firearms for more than 40 years. When you start self-defense training you'll find the most use for a handgun with a barrel of 3 or 4 inches. *

Don't get a revolver without a hammer spur. If you do you'll limit yourself to making only close-in shots; and, you aren't going to be happy with the quantities of ammunition you're going to have to purchase in order to become proficient at double-action only shooting. *

The right set of habits means everything in safely handling firearms. This is, 'Why' I don't like to start people out with semiautomatic pistols - There's just more to know, and more to think about. *

If you get a 357 magnum, you'll also be able to shoot softer recoiling 38 special. You are going to need some professional training too. I'd suggest you start with a couple of good books: *

Personal Protection Outside The Home (http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001765) *

Personal Protection Inside The Home (http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001781) *

The Concealed Handgun Manual (http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001565) *

If you want to locate a certified firearms trainer in your area call NRA Woman's Programs (http://www.nrahq.org/women/index.asp) at 1.703.267.1398





PS: *I carry a Glock pistol 24/7 - All of the time. I build them; I repair them; I modify them. Glock pistols are made of polymer and steel; and, they are far far away from being trouble-free. When you carry a semiautomatic pistol you have to know loading and clearance drills; and, your personal safety habits need to be - not good, but - excellent! *

I'd be among the last to recommend that anyone new to firearms - and without carefully ingrained habits of safety and use - should start out with a Glock. In particular, there's no manually applied user safety; and, there's always the risk of leaving an, 'invisible round' chambered. *

None of these things are problems for someone like me; however, I've seen other people have serious safety and use issues with these items. As if all of this isn't enough, there is no way I would consider any polymer frame pistol to be, '100% reliable' without, at least, a 500 round break-in period and regular savvy maintenance. *

[denham]

This (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&produ ctId=14793&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y) is what I ended up with. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice all. ;D

[Gallowglass]

Nice....next, get a shotgun. At least a 20 gauge....

[flatwater]

All the advice has already been given and all good advice. There is one thing that I didn't see. and although it's to late now but how does your gun fit your hand ?
Flatwater

[wtcreaux]

The NRA recommends learning with a .22 cal - low recoil, low noise, CHEAP to shoot. Once proficient, visit a range that rents firearms. Handle them, get the feel, see what fits.

I would STRONGLY recommend finding an NRA Pistol intructor and take a class (1-day) before buying. You will learn the parts of the firearm (semi and revolver), ammunition, fundamentals of shooting, firing the firearm, cleaning and storing the firearm.

disclaimer - yes, I'm an NRA Pistol Intructor ;)

Cheers

[snake]

The NRA recommends learning with a .22 cal - low recoil, low noise, CHEAP to shoot. *Once proficient, visit a range that rents firearms. *Handle them, get the feel, see what fits.

I would STRONGLY * recommend finding an NRA Pistol intructor and take a class (1-day) before buying. *You will learn the parts of the firearm (semi and revolver), ammunition, fundamentals of shooting, firing the firearm, cleaning and storing the firearm.

disclaimer - yes, I'm an NRA Pistol Intructor *;)

Cheers

Excellent information. Definitely the way to go

[remington]

My basic line for anybody asking about a first firearm whether long gun or handgun. Get a 22 and shoot about 5,000 rounds through. By then that gun is almost an extension of you. A person who shoots a lot with 22's becomes a very good shot later with bigger calibers.

[martialcanine45cal]

Very solid advice. I'm not a a CCW/firearms instructor but have been to several classes and enjoy taking new people out to my range for plinking. Safety is the number one concern with fun shooting being the number one objective, and it always starts out with a .22LR semi-auto or revolver.

Most of the advice here was solid as well and I wish you the best of luck with your S&W. Take a course, practice, practice with an experienced instructor, take another course or the same one over again...and on, to whatever extent you can afford or enjoy.

If you find the gun uncomfortable in your hand or not enjoyable to shoot in practice (using target ammo), don't be afraid to try out other platforms or calibers and swap it out for a better selection.

I started out on 9mm semi-auto Glock types which I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with and settled on .45ACP 1911s.

My 60 y/o mom bought her first pistol last year and tried a wide variety of revolvers and semi-autos, eventually settling on a Glock .45ACP. It defies what even I would normally recommend to a smaller woman new to shooting, but she liked how it felt in her hands, was confident with it, and shoots it well. I will be working with her on malfunction drills when I move back to the area, but she is competent and confident with it, and that counts for more than anything else.

Good luck with the pistol and enjoy! Good on your dad for encouraging you! You may find yourself developing a hobby more than anything else!


My basic line for anybody asking about a first firearm whether long gun or handgun. *Get a 22 and shoot about 5,000 rounds through. *By then that gun is almost an extension of you. *A person who shoots a lot with 22's becomes a very good shot later with bigger calibers.