Suggestions please....

IMTHDUKE · July 24, 2012, 10:25 AM

Looking for suggestion for a pistol or revolver for an ole maid retired school teacher who has a budget of $250. She just plans to use it as a house defense gun. And yes, she is scheduled to take a basic gun course on handling etc. I am thinking Makarov or small 38 but not sure I can locate one for that price. Thanks for any suggestions.

BarryLee · July 24, 2012, 10:29 AM

I would look for a used S&W .38 revolver most likely an old law enforcement gun. I know places like Bud’s and J&G Sales has them on the internet, but I suspect you could find them locally if you look.

1-DAB · July 24, 2012, 10:45 AM

help her out, toss in a few bucks and get a real gun that will be reliable. and then once a month, take her to the range, and tell her that she needs to help you get rid of some old ammo you have laying around.

**Aguila Blanca** · July 24, 2012, 10:46 AM

You should be able to get a new Armscor M200 revolver (.38 SPL) for $250. And if they still have them, J&G Sales had 9x18 CZ-82s for under $250, in very decent condition.

aarondhgraham · July 24, 2012, 10:54 AM

Click here please,,,

In my not-so humble opinion,,,
This is the perfect gun for a retired school teacher.

Aarond

.

willmc33 · July 24, 2012, 11:10 AM

Another high reccomendation for a Smith & Wesson Model 10.

Doyle · July 24, 2012, 11:21 AM

CZ-82s and PA-63s both in 9mm Mak are less than $250. Both are easy to care for, simple to use, and very reliable. The CZ-82 would have less felt recoil due to greater mass but the PA-63 may fit a small hand better.

Crow Hunter · July 24, 2012, 11:38 AM

A revolver that can be cocked is probably going to be the best option.

My mother is in a similar situation and my brother and I tried the auto route for her. She doesn't have the hand strength to cycle the slide and she had trouble with the safety.

So we finally got her a .38 revolver that she can keep loaded and thumb the hammer back as needed.

We have looked at getting her a semiauto with a tip-up style barrel (Beretta), but they are hard to find locally for her to try out and even more "complicated" than the semiauto that she used to have trouble with.

chris in va · July 24, 2012, 11:57 AM

Nothing in the original post indicated she can't rack a slide or pull a DA revolver trigger. I know a lot of retired teachers and let me tell you, they aren't weaklings.

Zhillsauditor · July 24, 2012, 12:09 PM

A S&W model 64 for $249 shipped:

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsupersto.../used-firearms

It will be very reliable, built to last, easy to shoot, and, with a little polish, a real beauty. It will also require less maintenance than an automatic.

Strafer Gott · July 24, 2012, 12:29 PM

The problem with revolvers and thumbing the hammer back is, who will help with de-cocking the piece. Get a quick phone call, then run out the door yelling over your shoulder I'm going to help un-cock the school marm. Just sayin'.

Crow Hunter · July 24, 2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Nothing in the original post indicated she can't rack a slide or pull a DA revolver trigger. I know a lot of retired teachers and let me tell you, they aren't weaklings.

I didn't say there was a problem. I merely made a suggestion based on my own personal experience, that I detailed.

It was not something that we had anticipated when we got her the gun/s originally. It was only later during the evaluation stage when we were practicing with her. She was having alot of problems and these were all locked breech guns, which have signficantly lighter recoil springs compared to blowback guns (several which have been recommended here)

Just because you can't operate a slide on a semi-auto doesn't mean you are a "weakling", my mother definitely isn't one.

What do the retired teachers that you know carry/use?

What are their mean ages?

Do they have any problems with arthritis?

Quote:

The problem with revolvers and thumbing the hammer back is, who will help with de-cocking the piece. Get a quick phone call, then run out the door yelling over your shoulder I'm going to help un-cock the school marm. Just sayin'.

Ummm...

There is no more force/energy involved in lowering the hammer than there is in cocking it.

A gun with a transfer bar will not fire if the trigger is released, even if control of the hammer is lost.

Apparently my experience is outside the norm.

TennJed · July 24, 2012, 04:18 PM

I would look at one of the 4" S&W 38sp Bud's has them for right $250. Local transfers should be around $25

Dwight55 · July 24, 2012, 04:27 PM

Why bother with thumb cocking??? This is not Camp Perry, . . . this is a bg within sniffing distance, . . . needing to be snuffed instead of sniffed.

I am not sure how it is done, . . . but I have seen DA revolvers that ol' arthritic Aunt Jenny could have poked holes in a bg with, . . . it's all in doin what needs to be done to the trigger mechanism.

Plus, . . . I have abosolutely NEVER shot a .38 short barreled revolver that wasn't louder than an ADHD 3 year old. When the bg hears that, . . . and hears hot lead coming at him, . . . maybe thumb cocking won't be necessary.

As an aside, . . . if she has arthritis problems, etc. a speed loader is an absolute present from an angel.

May God bless,
Dwight

Kreyzhorse · July 24, 2012, 06:45 PM

A used S&W or Ruger revolver, either in .38 or .357 would work perfectly.

IMTHDUKE · July 24, 2012, 09:02 PM

Thanks guys....these are suggestions I can use.....going look for the used sw 38 or maybe a cz

Northrider · July 25, 2012, 09:33 PM

I agree with 1DAB. That way you both get some good karma going.

warningshot · July 25, 2012, 10:14 PM

Mak

Sport45 · July 25, 2012, 11:55 PM

Start by sending here here:

The Cornered Cat

Also, ask her to consider a 20 ga pump for home defense. Is the handgun your idea or hers?

Al Den · July 26, 2012, 03:26 AM

Of course a simple, reliable, effective .38 revolver is pretty ideal.

A Makarov? How in the world did u come up with that anchor? They developed a cult-following by guys when they were $89. Just like The Mosin Nagant is the finest rifle ever made to these cheapos. Nonsense! My Mak is the one gun I couldn't care less what happens to, right down to the rust spots it got leaving it in the trunk...

Zhillsauditor · July 26, 2012, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Start by sending here here:

The Cornered Cat

I went there and clicked on only one link: Semi-auto or Revolver? And it is quite mistaken about the complexity of revolvers.

Quote:

Ease of use: Revolvers are undeniably simpler mechanical objects than semi-automatics are. Their operation is easy to understand. They have fewer moving parts.

Revolvers are more complicated than automatics, and have more moving parts.

Mayor Al · July 26, 2012, 05:23 AM

A Taurus 85 38 Special, Lots of them on the used market for $200-250. I bought one NIB at an auction recently for $190.

Light, easy to shoot and requires no real skill (perfect for a retired teacher--like me !)

oldandslow · July 26, 2012, 06:12 AM

ITD, 7/26/12

I'm with the SW 38 special crowd. There are used model 64's at www.sportingarms.com for $200. I don't know the condition but the stuff I have ordered from them in the past is good.

best wishes- oldandslow

vba · July 26, 2012, 06:37 AM

I would concur with a .38 special revolver like the one on Bud's (model 10).

Seaman · July 26, 2012, 08:47 AM

Ahoy Duke,

Thing about the J or K frame is, so many folks shoot them poorly: slowly, inaccurately.

Recall Starkweather broke into a home where a lady tried to defend herself, she fired her rifle but missed, Starkweather rushed her, disarmed her, and murdered her.

Someone upstream mentioned the Mak and I can recommend the real deal Makarov PM, the newer ones have smooth Sig-like triggers, parts availability is good (should parts be needed), are revolver reliable, Sig accurate. Real good CQC handgun.

Saw a lady shooting one, she was putting her companions (shooting 1911s) to shame with her quick-fire 9-shot tight groups.

July 24, 2012, 10:25 AM	#1
IMTHDUKE Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 1,475	Suggestions please.... Looking for suggestion for a pistol or revolver for an ole maid retired school teacher who has a budget of $250. She just plans to use it as a house defense gun. And yes, she is scheduled to take a basic gun course on handling etc. I am thinking Makarov or small 38 but not sure I can locate one for that price. Thanks for any suggestions. __________________ http://www.treasureislandbedandbreakfast.com Ed Brown Alpha Carry\| Sig P238, P938, P232, 1911 C3 \| Colt Defender, Mustang Pocketlite, 1911 \| Rohrbaugh R9 \| Browning, Buckmark 22LR(suppressed) \| Kahr PM9 Black Rose \| S&W\|M&P C.O.R.E RMR Trijicon \| Dan Wesson ECO

July 24, 2012, 10:29 AM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	I would look for a used S&W .38 revolver most likely an old law enforcement gun. I know places like Bud’s and J&G Sales has them on the internet, but I suspect you could find them locally if you look. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

July 24, 2012, 10:54 AM	#5
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I second what BarryLee suggested,,, Click here please,,, In my not-so humble opinion,,, This is the perfect gun for a retired school teacher. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

July 24, 2012, 11:10 AM	#6
willmc33 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Location: Mobile,Al Posts: 473	Another high reccomendation for a Smith & Wesson Model 10. __________________ "Perfection is the enemy of good enough"

July 24, 2012, 11:38 AM	#8
Crow Hunter Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2012 Posts: 1,078	A revolver that can be cocked is probably going to be the best option. My mother is in a similar situation and my brother and I tried the auto route for her. She doesn't have the hand strength to cycle the slide and she had trouble with the safety. So we finally got her a .38 revolver that she can keep loaded and thumb the hammer back as needed. We have looked at getting her a semiauto with a tip-up style barrel (Beretta), but they are hard to find locally for her to try out and even more "complicated" than the semiauto that she used to have trouble with. __________________ I am no longer participating in gun forums. Good luck.

July 24, 2012, 10:45 AM	#3
1-DAB Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2010 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 474	help her out, toss in a few bucks and get a real gun that will be reliable. and then once a month, take her to the range, and tell her that she needs to help you get rid of some old ammo you have laying around.

July 24, 2012, 10:46 AM	#4
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	You should be able to get a new Armscor M200 revolver (.38 SPL) for $250. And if they still have them, J&G Sales had 9x18 CZ-82s for under $250, in very decent condition.

July 24, 2012, 11:21 AM	#7
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	CZ-82s and PA-63s both in 9mm Mak are less than $250. Both are easy to care for, simple to use, and very reliable. The CZ-82 would have less felt recoil due to greater mass but the PA-63 may fit a small hand better.

July 24, 2012, 11:57 AM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Nothing in the original post indicated she can't rack a slide or pull a DA revolver trigger. I know a lot of retired teachers and let me tell you, they aren't weaklings.

July 24, 2012, 12:09 PM	#10
Zhillsauditor Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Posts: 635	A S&W model 64 for $249 shipped: http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsupersto.../used-firearms It will be very reliable, built to last, easy to shoot, and, with a little polish, a real beauty. It will also require less maintenance than an automatic.

July 24, 2012, 12:29 PM	#11
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	The problem with revolvers and thumbing the hammer back is, who will help with de-cocking the piece. Get a quick phone call, then run out the door yelling over your shoulder I'm going to help un-cock the school marm. Just sayin'.

July 24, 2012, 04:18 PM	#13
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	I would look at one of the 4" S&W 38sp Bud's has them for right $250. Local transfers should be around $25 __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

July 24, 2012, 04:27 PM	#14
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	Why bother with thumb cocking??? This is not Camp Perry, . . . this is a bg within sniffing distance, . . . needing to be snuffed instead of sniffed. I am not sure how it is done, . . . but I have seen DA revolvers that ol' arthritic Aunt Jenny could have poked holes in a bg with, . . . it's all in doin what needs to be done to the trigger mechanism. Plus, . . . I have abosolutely NEVER shot a .38 short barreled revolver that wasn't louder than an ADHD 3 year old. When the bg hears that, . . . and hears hot lead coming at him, . . . maybe thumb cocking won't be necessary. As an aside, . . . if she has arthritis problems, etc. a speed loader is an absolute present from an angel. May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

July 24, 2012, 06:45 PM	#15
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	A used S&W or Ruger revolver, either in .38 or .357 would work perfectly. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 24, 2012, 09:02 PM	#16
IMTHDUKE Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 1,475	Thanks guys....these are suggestions I can use.....going look for the used sw 38 or maybe a cz __________________ http://www.treasureislandbedandbreakfast.com Ed Brown Alpha Carry\| Sig P238, P938, P232, 1911 C3 \| Colt Defender, Mustang Pocketlite, 1911 \| Rohrbaugh R9 \| Browning, Buckmark 22LR(suppressed) \| Kahr PM9 Black Rose \| S&W\|M&P C.O.R.E RMR Trijicon \| Dan Wesson ECO

July 25, 2012, 09:33 PM	#17
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	I agree with 1DAB. That way you both get some good karma going.

July 25, 2012, 10:14 PM	#18
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	*Mak*

July 25, 2012, 11:55 PM	#19
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Start by sending here here: The Cornered Cat Also, ask her to consider a 20 ga pump for home defense. Is the handgun your idea or hers? __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 26, 2012, 03:26 AM	#20
Al Den Junior member Join Date: April 28, 2012 Posts: 150	Of course a simple, reliable, effective .38 revolver is pretty ideal. A Makarov? How in the world did u come up with that anchor? They developed a cult-following by guys when they were $89. Just like The Mosin Nagant is the finest rifle ever made to these cheapos. Nonsense! My Mak is the one gun I couldn't care less what happens to, right down to the rust spots it got leaving it in the trunk...

July 26, 2012, 05:23 AM	#22
Mayor Al Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Southern Indiana, Near Louisville. Posts: 211	A Taurus 85 38 Special, Lots of them on the used market for $200-250. I bought one NIB at an auction recently for $190. Light, easy to shoot and requires no real skill (perfect for a retired teacher--like me !)

July 26, 2012, 06:12 AM	#23
oldandslow Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2007 Posts: 641	ITD, 7/26/12 I'm with the SW 38 special crowd. There are used model 64's at www.sportingarms.com for $200. I don't know the condition but the stuff I have ordered from them in the past is good. best wishes- oldandslow

July 26, 2012, 06:37 AM	#24
vba Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 357	I would concur with a .38 special revolver like the one on Bud's (model 10).

July 26, 2012, 08:47 AM	#25
Seaman Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Posts: 654	Ahoy Duke, Thing about the J or K frame is, so many folks shoot them poorly: slowly, inaccurately. Recall Starkweather broke into a home where a lady tried to defend herself, she fired her rifle but missed, Starkweather rushed her, disarmed her, and murdered her. Someone upstream mentioned the Mak and I can recommend the real deal Makarov PM, the newer ones have smooth Sig-like triggers, parts availability is good (should parts be needed), are revolver reliable, Sig accurate. Real good CQC handgun. Saw a lady shooting one, she was putting her companions (shooting 1911s) to shame with her quick-fire 9-shot tight groups. __________________ For 20 years the sea was my home, always recall the sun going down, and my trusty friend, a 1911 pistol, strapped to my side.