Gun advice needed

Unless she plans to practice a lot....and I mean many rounds on a regular basis...I'd go with pepper spray. Pepper spray probably has more real value and is much less likely to result in serious legal considerations.

Pistols are a bit complicated when one's adrenaline is surging and fine motor skills have suddenly gone missing. If you must, a hammerless revolver, like the S&W Bodyguard in .38 special, would be the way I'd go. Easy to carry and shoot. Very reliable--won't misfeed or jam.

And forget cheap. If you really think you are going to carry to protect your life, you have to ask yourself how much your life is worth. Only $300.00? A S&W Bodyguard will run you $500...with a laser sight. And then plan to spend $50 or more in ammo per month in practice sessions. Don't forget to factor in range fees as well.

Carrying is a tough decision in my mind. I personally don't (no permit needed in Wyoming), I carry pepper spray and a cell phone. If your friend is going to make the decision to carry, she should invest in learning to use the weapon and getting educated on the legal consequences. That's my thoughts, but WTFDIK?

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Originally Posted by Nix

Unless she plans to practice a lot....and I mean many rounds on a regular basis...I'd go with pepper spray. Pepper spray probably has more real value and is much less likely to result in serious legal considerations.

Pistols are a bit complicated when one's adrenaline is surging and fine motor skills have suddenly gone missing. If you must, a hammerless revolver, like the S&W Bodyguard in .38 special, would be the way I'd go. Easy to carry and shoot. Very reliable--won't misfeed or jam.

And forget cheap. If you really think you are going to carry to protect your life, you have to ask yourself how much your life is worth. Only $300.00? A S&W Bodyguard will run you $500...with a laser sight. And then plan to spend $50 or more in ammo per month in practice sessions. Don't forget to factor in range fees as well.

Carrying is a tough decision in my mind. I personally don't (no permit needed in Wyoming), I carry pepper spray and a cell phone. If your friend is going to make the decision to carry, she should invest in learning to use the weapon and getting educated on the legal consequences. That's my thoughts, but WTFDIK?

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I agree wholeheartedly...

Let me just point out that she is not an inexperienced shooter. Spending time at the range is something she's more than happy to do, as well.

Right now, the pepper spray is going to be the stop-gap, but ultimately there will be a firearm in the equation.

S & W Bodyguards run in the high $300 range at the moment. A laser sight is not something I'd even consider as an add-on. It adds bulk with no real improvement in functionality (in my opinion, we'll just have to ask her, though)

There are some good, consistent thoughts in here.

No matter the object in hand, or merely the hand itself, the intent to do what is necessary must be present. Once the question of intent has been answered, then practice, practice and more practice until the body will act, consistent with one's intent, as required to answer the perceived threat. No more, no less. If she can't get to that point, don't arm her.

Pepper spray is quite good enough, but there also has to be a willingness to draw the perp in close enough to make sure that her action will end the threat, so she can calmly and purposefully dial 911 and wait for help. That also requires practice and intent. Dilute pepper spray from a distance is no better than warm spit when someone else's intent is stronger than yours.

The best thing to do is to study human behavior and awareness. Then she can read a situation, or the environment, from a long way off and not walk into something, unless she wants to.

I second nifty.....find her a good range and test fire some weapons. That's the best way to choose the caliber/manufacturer.

Joshua

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

In general there is a reason the 9mm is so popular.
Even 38 cal wad cutter target loads are a much better choice
than some of the other hotter more powerful loads that cause
flinching and other bad habits.

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Good point. I remember GW telling about some insanely powerful handgun he got to fire.
He fired off 2 or 3 shots, and realized he started flinching before pulling the trigger so he put it aside for an hour or so, and fired again. After 1 shot he put it down and didn't fire it again.

His reasoning was that by shooting, you train your body. If you start flinching, you train your body to flinch when you pull the trigger. If you do that enough, you might start flinching in normal circumstances. That seemed a reasonable explanation.

I thought it was funny though, that he started flinching, considering that his daily carry gun is something that is already very powerfull. I think he called it Mjolnir :)

To add to Bruno's point, about what his friend said, I shoot 50 rounds at the range when I go (handgun) to the range. After 50, I find my self developing off habits due to fatigue. If I keep on firing, I fear I may install those habits in to my shooting form. So 50 rounds from my handgun, then 10 or 15 from my 12g for fun. There will never be The answer to a concealed carry weapon, other than that carrier's. I myself roll with S&W 40. Glock 23 compact I got new for 500 US Dollars. Good Luck.

For the lady find a used Kahr P380. Depending on the day I carry that or a Kahr MK40 all of the time. Of course knowing how to use whatever it is proficiently is paramount.

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Originally Posted by joesixpack

Let me just point out that she is not an inexperienced shooter. Spending time at the range is something she's more than happy to do, as well.

Right now, the pepper spray is going to be the stop-gap, but ultimately there will be a firearm in the equation.

S & W Bodyguards run in the high $300 range at the moment. A laser sight is not something I'd even consider as an add-on. It adds bulk with no real improvement in functionality (in my opinion, we'll just have to ask her, though)

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Crimson trace (i think it is them) makes a laser that is part of the grip. I've used them at the range on a buddy's Taurus .38 revolver.
I don't see them being too useful in daylight but in low light/odd position they strike me as a nice option.

Check out Defensive Carry forum. A wealth of info there!

http://www.defensivecarry.com/