Firearm for new shooter for home defense - Page 3

labnoti · June 15, 2018, 07:20 PM

As you pointed out, there's a lot more to this than gun selection, but since you only asked about that.
The new S&W .380 "EZ" is easy to run. The one without a safety lever is better. Other than the questionable practice of running a revolver in single-action, I can't think of a handgun that is easier.

A long gun has a lot of advantages. If she can't handle the recoil of a 20 ga, consider a "pistol caliber carbine" which could include semi-autos and lever guns. A lever .357 can be short with light recoil. A semi-auto carbine in 9mm that takes common magazines like Glock or Beretta is another good idea.

Better train hard no matter what. How she stores it is important too. She'd really be better off if she'd carry something. If you're staring down an assailant in the living room, the LCP in your pocket is better than the AR in your sock drawer or the back of the closet in the other room. It's also true when you walk to your car, the mailbox, or anywhere else.

LineStretcher · June 15, 2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Dayacetah

A 22 rifle would be far better in a house than a shotgun. Ever fire a shotgun indoors?
That's why they provide subtitles with movies.

Yes I have and it's not worse than being dead.

rodfac · June 17, 2018, 08:47 AM

A shotgun that you can handle and your wife if that's possible is my recommendation...bird shot is good at close range, and you can use it for fun shooting clay birds as well as home defense.

This is a handgun forum so I assume you're interested in that type of weapon. I'd recommend good training if you go that route as well as a lot of practice to gain proficiency. A handgun's pluses are portability and the ability to carry concealed...but requires far more skill (read; training) to wield effectively in a dire emergency than a shotgun. So it you don't plan to carry away from home, the shotgun would be my choice, were I you.

HTH's Rod

KY_blkout · June 18, 2018, 01:12 AM

The only thing that turns me off with shotguns for home defense is shot capacity on most. I could be wrong in my concern or way of thinking but if I have multiple people breaking in I for sure dont want to be reloading or trying to while getting fired at.

FITASC · June 18, 2018, 05:59 AM

I would imagine after you splatter the first two coming through the door, the others won't stick around

peacefulgary · June 19, 2018, 05:28 PM

Get her a Glock 19.

Colorado Redneck · June 19, 2018, 09:22 PM

Bear Mace

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearspray.htm

Easy to use. Easy to carry around. Won't kill some drunk that got into the wrong house. Cheap. No hearing damage.

Buzzcook · June 19, 2018, 11:20 PM

I'm kinda shocked that no one has posted this link yet.
http://www.corneredcat.com/

This is a firearms site for women, but anyone can learn from it. This would be my forst stop when looking for a first gun for someone new to firearms.

My first question of the OP would be, is there a race? Does this person need a firearm now or else?

If not, gift her with an introductory class where she can become familiar with different types of firearms. Take her to a gun range that rents and let her try a variety of guns.

The best thing you can do is give this person access to information so she can make her own choice and support her to the best of your ability.

ATN082268 · June 20, 2018, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Redneck

Bear Mace

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearspray.htm

Easy to use. Easy to carry around. Won't kill some drunk that got into the wrong house. Cheap. No hearing damage.

How effective is bear mace against someone who is on alcohol and/or on drugs?

ATN082268 · June 20, 2018, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzcook

I'm kinda shocked that no one has posted this link yet.
http://www.corneredcat.com/

This is a firearms site for women, but anyone can learn from it. This would be my forst stop when looking for a first gun for someone new to firearms.

My first question of the OP would be, is there a race? Does this person need a firearm now or else?

If not, gift her with an introductory class where she can become familiar with different types of firearms. Take her to a gun range that rents and let her try a variety of guns.

The best thing you can do is give this person access to information so she can make her own choice and support her to the best of your ability.

There isn't a race in that there isn't a known life or death situation. I'll let my step daughter use some of my firearms to get an idea of what she wants. I don't have a ton of guns but they do cover a fairly wide range of platforms. She can use one of my firearms until she gets what she wants or if she is happy with one of mine, I'll probably give it to her as a gift.

K_Mac · June 20, 2018, 08:42 AM

I think she needs to try many of the weapons listed in this thread in order to make her own informed decision.

I think a shotgun with #4 buckshot or bigger is a reasonable choice for hunkering down and waiting for help, but my wife hates the noise, weight, and recoil.

Bear spray for bears in the woods is likely OK, but using it in your house is not.

I would not rule out a 9 mm pistol or carbine. An AR carbine is also worth a look.

Let her choose what she is most comfortable with, after using them all. Good luck.

Colorado Redneck · June 20, 2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

How effective is bear mace against someone who is on alcohol and/or on drugs?

How effective is a gun against that kind of assailant? The OP is referencing a young lady with limited experience with firearms. Lots of gun owners might feel safe with that gun in the sock drawer, but when an intense situation unfolds how many will have the presence of mind to get the gun, call 911 and be capable of firing shots that will effectively stop an attack? I have no doubt that some people can use a gun effectively AND legally. But IMO many people are kidding themselves.

Just pointing out there are other options. We have both guns and mace.

ATN082268 · June 20, 2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Redneck

How effective is a gun against that kind of assailant? The OP is referencing a young lady with limited experience with firearms. Lots of gun owners might feel safe with that gun in the sock drawer, but when an intense situation unfolds how many will have the presence of mind to get the gun, call 911 and be capable of firing shots that will effectively stop an attack? I have no doubt that some people can use a gun effectively AND legally. But IMO many people are kidding themselves.

Just pointing out there are other options. We have both guns and mace.

I wasn't trying to slam your suggestion, just asking about some of its effectiveness since I've never owned/used Bear Spray. As far as the effectiveness of a gun against someone on drugs and/or alcohol, a lot of it would depend on where they were hit.

K_Mac · June 20, 2018, 11:04 AM

Using bear spray or any other pepper or chemical spray inside the house will quickly change your mind about its effectiveness for home defense. I carry a spray often, and have convinced a couple of aggressive dogs to go away by using it. Outdoors.

A woman spraying an attacker inside will almost immediately receive enough to give advantage to the assailant. Bear spray is readily available. Give it a try and report back to us.

Colorado Redneck · June 20, 2018, 11:46 AM

There is a chance the person using pepper spray inside might be affected. Cops use it often inside. As with any interaction with a bad guy, there is risk. Better than nothing, but imperfect. Shooting a gun inside is not risk free either.

I get that many posters here would prefer a gun and would recommend a gun for self defense/home defense. Personally a gun is my preferance as well. Each of us has to weight the risks and benefits of any self defense technique.

SIGSHR · June 20, 2018, 01:26 PM

A new shooter should start with a 22. I recommend a full size CZ with their Kadet unit.

Water-Man · June 20, 2018, 10:44 PM

I think your original train of thought was a good one.

Something like a used S&W Model 10 3" or 4" .38spl.

Kirosha · June 21, 2018, 10:56 AM

There is no any 1 gun to beat all home defense guns.

The reality is, 95% of home intruders aren't willing to stick around after the first shot fired. The other 5% are mentally unstable or on reality changing substances.

Any gun owner, no matter the excuse, should have adequate training in the gun they own. So if she can shoot and learns to handle a S&W 500 then That's the gun for her. So semi or revolver, doesn't matter. Most home defense scenarios dont require more than 5 shots, and most that shoot more are proven that it wasnt necessary to do so.

I would honestly recommend a .22lr like the SR22. If you want to upgrade that you can choose a .357 revolver and load .38 or go with a G19.

For a long gun, I would again recommend an AR platform .22lr like the S&W M&P 15-22. You can upgrade that to a 12 ga shotgun with reduced recoil 00 buckshot or a PCC in the AR platform.

I've shot thousands of rounds of CCI Mini Mags with no issue from both the SR22 and the M&P 15-22. Again, no home intruder in their right mind is going to stick around and risk getting shot. Every situation causes a person to assess the situation to decide if it is worth going for the gun, even at your hip.

PatientWolf · June 24, 2018, 09:45 AM

Quote:

A woman spraying an attacker inside will almost immediately receive enough to give advantage to the assailant. Bear spray is readily available. Give it a try and report back to us.

I was at Yellowstone last year and a youngster fired some bear spray in the Visitor Center at Old Faithful. They called rescue for multiple individuals and closed the Visitor Center for the remainder of the day.

I'm not sure bear spray indoors would be my first choice. On the other hand, nobody was severely injured.

Glenn E. Meyer · June 24, 2018, 10:28 AM

Before you recommend a shotgun, I might suggest that one find a local shotgun IDPA or USPSA style match and see how you handle it in a movement and stress situation. I don't like it as a suggestion for a newbie who doesn't practice. Will it work for some and has it, sure - but not optimal in my opinion.

A mild shooting handgun in 38 SPL or 9mm with some training and practice should work just fine.

Red Devil · June 24, 2018, 09:07 PM

RUGER LCRx 38+P 3"/Winchester 130 gr. PDX1 +P.

Red

Chainsaw. · June 25, 2018, 12:30 PM

If it were my daughter, of which I have none. I would give/recommend a "compact" auto loader of very reliable fashion like a glock or S&W m&p, with the biggest mag I could stuff in it with high quality ammo. 20 odd shots will get alot more work done than 6, especially if Im worried about "her" hitting something while scared to death.

Or better still a 9mm AR pistol, easy to use, shake awake red dot, flash light mounted on the gun, 33 rounds of "get the heck outta my house" hanging below.

Situation would dictate alot.

June 17, 2018, 08:47 AM	#53
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	A shotgun that you can handle and your wife if that's possible is my recommendation...bird shot is good at close range, and you can use it for fun shooting clay birds as well as home defense. This is a handgun forum so I assume you're interested in that type of weapon. I'd recommend good training if you go that route as well as a lot of practice to gain proficiency. A handgun's pluses are portability and the ability to carry concealed...but requires far more skill (read; training) to wield effectively in a dire emergency than a shotgun. So it you don't plan to carry away from home, the shotgun would be my choice, were I you. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

June 18, 2018, 01:12 AM	#54
KY_blkout Member Join Date: June 10, 2018 Posts: 67	The only thing that turns me off with shotguns for home defense is shot capacity on most. I could be wrong in my concern or way of thinking but if I have multiple people breaking in I for sure dont want to be reloading or trying to while getting fired at. Last edited by KY_blkout; June 18, 2018 at 01:20 AM.

June 18, 2018, 05:59 AM	#55
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	I would imagine after you splatter the first two coming through the door, the others won't stick around __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

June 20, 2018, 08:42 AM	#61
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	I think she needs to try many of the weapons listed in this thread in order to make her own informed decision. I think a shotgun with #4 buckshot or bigger is a reasonable choice for hunkering down and waiting for help, but my wife hates the noise, weight, and recoil. Bear spray for bears in the woods is likely OK, but using it in your house is not. I would not rule out a 9 mm pistol or carbine. An AR carbine is also worth a look. Let her choose what she is most comfortable with, after using them all. Good luck. __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

June 20, 2018, 11:04 AM	#64
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	Using bear spray or any other pepper or chemical spray inside the house will quickly change your mind about its effectiveness for home defense. I carry a spray often, and have convinced a couple of aggressive dogs to go away by using it. Outdoors. A woman spraying an attacker inside will almost immediately receive enough to give advantage to the assailant. Bear spray is readily available. Give it a try and report back to us. __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

June 15, 2018, 07:20 PM	#51
labnoti Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2018 Posts: 252	As you pointed out, there's a lot more to this than gun selection, but since you only asked about that. The new S&W .380 "EZ" is easy to run. The one without a safety lever is better. Other than the questionable practice of running a revolver in single-action, I can't think of a handgun that is easier. A long gun has a lot of advantages. If she can't handle the recoil of a 20 ga, consider a "pistol caliber carbine" which could include semi-autos and lever guns. A lever .357 can be short with light recoil. A semi-auto carbine in 9mm that takes common magazines like Glock or Beretta is another good idea. Better train hard no matter what. How she stores it is important too. She'd really be better off if she'd carry something. If you're staring down an assailant in the living room, the LCP in your pocket is better than the AR in your sock drawer or the back of the closet in the other room. It's also true when you walk to your car, the mailbox, or anywhere else.

June 19, 2018, 05:28 PM	#56
peacefulgary Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 714	Get her a Glock 19.

June 19, 2018, 09:22 PM	#57
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	Bear Mace https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearspray.htm Easy to use. Easy to carry around. Won't kill some drunk that got into the wrong house. Cheap. No hearing damage.

June 19, 2018, 11:20 PM	#58
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I'm kinda shocked that no one has posted this link yet. http://www.corneredcat.com/ This is a firearms site for women, but anyone can learn from it. This would be my forst stop when looking for a first gun for someone new to firearms. My first question of the OP would be, is there a race? Does this person need a firearm now or else? If not, gift her with an introductory class where she can become familiar with different types of firearms. Take her to a gun range that rents and let her try a variety of guns. The best thing you can do is give this person access to information so she can make her own choice and support her to the best of your ability.

June 20, 2018, 11:46 AM	#65
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	There is a chance the person using pepper spray inside might be affected. Cops use it often inside. As with any interaction with a bad guy, there is risk. Better than nothing, but imperfect. Shooting a gun inside is not risk free either. I get that many posters here would prefer a gun and would recommend a gun for self defense/home defense. Personally a gun is my preferance as well. Each of us has to weight the risks and benefits of any self defense technique.

June 20, 2018, 01:26 PM	#66
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	A new shooter should start with a 22. I recommend a full size CZ with their Kadet unit.

June 20, 2018, 10:44 PM	#67
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I think your original train of thought was a good one. Something like a used S&W Model 10 3" or 4" .38spl.

June 21, 2018, 10:56 AM	#68
Kirosha Member Join Date: June 20, 2018 Location: South Alabama Posts: 87	There is no any 1 gun to beat all home defense guns. The reality is, 95% of home intruders aren't willing to stick around after the first shot fired. The other 5% are mentally unstable or on reality changing substances. Any gun owner, no matter the excuse, should have adequate training in the gun they own. So if she can shoot and learns to handle a S&W 500 then That's the gun for her. So semi or revolver, doesn't matter. Most home defense scenarios dont require more than 5 shots, and most that shoot more are proven that it wasnt necessary to do so. I would honestly recommend a .22lr like the SR22. If you want to upgrade that you can choose a .357 revolver and load .38 or go with a G19. For a long gun, I would again recommend an AR platform .22lr like the S&W M&P 15-22. You can upgrade that to a 12 ga shotgun with reduced recoil 00 buckshot or a PCC in the AR platform. I've shot thousands of rounds of CCI Mini Mags with no issue from both the SR22 and the M&P 15-22. Again, no home intruder in their right mind is going to stick around and risk getting shot. Every situation causes a person to assess the situation to decide if it is worth going for the gun, even at your hip.

June 24, 2018, 10:28 AM	#70
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Before you recommend a shotgun, I might suggest that one find a local shotgun IDPA or USPSA style match and see how you handle it in a movement and stress situation. I don't like it as a suggestion for a newbie who doesn't practice. Will it work for some and has it, sure - but not optimal in my opinion. A mild shooting handgun in 38 SPL or 9mm with some training and practice should work just fine. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

June 24, 2018, 09:07 PM	#71
Red Devil Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2010 Posts: 274	RUGER LCRx 38+P 3"/Winchester 130 gr. PDX1 +P. Red

June 25, 2018, 12:30 PM	#72
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	If it were my daughter, of which I have none. I would give/recommend a "compact" auto loader of very reliable fashion like a glock or S&W m&p, with the biggest mag I could stuff in it with high quality ammo. 20 odd shots will get alot more work done than 6, especially if Im worried about "her" hitting something while scared to death. Or better still a 9mm AR pistol, easy to use, shake awake red dot, flash light mounted on the gun, 33 rounds of "get the heck outta my house" hanging below. Situation would dictate alot. __________________ Just shoot the damn thing.