Woman and home defense

LightHouse Lady · December 7, 2008, 04:45 PM

Hi,
I bought a Smith and Wesson 38 sp. 442 airweight a few years ago. I realize that I need to practice and get used to the gun so I went out today and fired it. Well, it is hard to squeeze the trigger and after 5 shots, my hand was numb. The recoil was too much. I have arthritis so I suppose that is part of the problem.

My friend's husband died and she sold it to me for $150.00. It was in pristine condition, like new. He had bought it for her and she didn't like it. I don't know much about guns, but I do know a good deal

Now, I have a Ruger 22 rifle and love it. I can even hit the target with no problem.

I want a handgun for self defense. Am I looking for a semi automatic? Do these shoot "easier"? I will go to the gun range at some point and try some out but I would very much like your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
LL

isanchez2008 · December 7, 2008, 05:03 PM

My brother-inlaw purchased a Taurus 850 2 1/8" barrel in .38special for my 26 year old sister to use and she had a similar experience. She is 5' and probably weighs in at 110lbs. She found the trigger pull to hard for her and the recoil was enough to completly turn her off of that particular type of firearm. When she has shot my Springfield XD40S&W-4" she was much happier. The recoil was comfortable and even though the grip was large she could shoot perfectly acceptable groups for personal defense. In my very limited experience I have noticed that the ladies I see shoot tend to enjoy shooting semiautomatic pistols more. Hope this helps

pogo2 · December 7, 2008, 05:05 PM

The S&W 442 is a 15 ounce, aluminum frame .38 that is designed for concealed carry. It works very well in a pocket or purse, because of the enclosed hammer design. I have the model 642, which is the stainless version of the gun. But the gun is very hard to shoot well and has a heavy trigger. Clearly "shootability" was compromised for "concealability" or "carryability".

For home defense you don't really need a small handgun, because concealability is not an issue. Something in medium to large size will be better, as long as it fits your hand and you like the trigger pull and safety features. Large handguns are much easier to shoot well, and often have a much nicer trigger pull.

If you want to stick with a revolver, you might look for something in all steel with a 4 inch barrel from Smith & Wesson, perhaps in .357 magnum caliber. This will allow the use of .38 special ammo if you desire, but will be a heavy enough gun to be easy to shoot. I'd go with a model 19 (blue), 66 (stainless) or 686 (stainless). You can get different stocks to fit different hand sizes. Such a gun will cost about $400 to $500 in slightly used condition.

If you want to go with a semiauto, you could try a 9mm gun, also from Smith & Wesson, like the model 3913. It has a grip of slim size and takes an 8 round single stack magazine. The trigger pull is easy in double or single action, and it has a thumb safety you can use. This will run about $600.

JollyRoger · December 7, 2008, 05:06 PM

What type of ammo did you use? If you were using .38 ammo loaded for self-defense, they are considerably hotter than mid-range wadcutters, or the light reloads sold at ranges. If you were using the hotter rounds, you should probably try again with the light stuff and see if you can handle it.

If it is still too tough, you might trade that 442 in for a larger frame revolver. This will reduce the felt recoil from the .38 Special.

The problem with getting an auto is that they require a higher level of strength to cycle the action, if you are talking about .380 caliber or higher. Additionally, autos can be caused to malfunction by holding them loosely or riding back with the recoil. If you are already having problems with hand strength and recoil, this might be a problem. The alternative is to go with a very light-shooting auto like a large frame .22 LR pistol.

dairycreek · December 7, 2008, 05:14 PM

The S&W 3913 is also called the "Lady Smith" which Smith and Wesson has specifically designed for women. Pogo2 has given you an excellent recommendation for your apparent need.

LightHouse Lady · December 7, 2008, 05:42 PM

Y'all are awesome. You have given me information to research and some different guns to try.

I see many of you talking about a Ruger p95. Is that something to try also?

I am understanding that the heavier revolver is a bit better for what I can handle or to try the semi auto in maybe a 9mm.

I will keep reading here so that I can learn.

Edited for sloppy spelling...
LL

johnwilliamson062 · December 7, 2008, 07:06 PM

Get a shotgun

I always have to chime that in one the home defense pistol threads.
Pistols are for ease of transport and concealability.
Unless you have so many shoes in your closet, in which case you need another closet, you can not fit a shotgun a pistol is not your best choice. Also you can smack an intruder with it.

20ga Moss 500.

ghosst · December 7, 2008, 07:59 PM

The Luger is actually a Ruger, and the P95 is their polymer handgun.
I'd recommend you visit a range, and rent a couple of pistols you think fit you best.

LightHouse Lady · December 7, 2008, 07:59 PM

That's funny, John. In fact, I do have a Remington 11-48. I have to tell ya, I am not putting it to my shoulder though

. I can fire it from the hip so to speak. It has a thingie on the end of the barrel to help with the kick and I love the gun.... it was given to me, which is cool.

Thing is, with a shotgun, a man can take it away pretty easily. I feel much safer in house with a handgun.

LL

LightHouse Lady · December 7, 2008, 08:00 PM

Yes, Ruger... thank you. Slip of the typing finger.

LL

Webleymkv · December 7, 2008, 08:40 PM

Perhaps you should look into a larger S&W revolver. Your 442 is made on the J-Frame which is their smallest and it's design is a bit different from their larger revolvers. The larger revolvers have a leaf spring for the hammer as opposed to the J-Frame's coil spring and typically have lighter, smoother triggers. Also, a steel-framed revolver will have less recoil than an aluminum-framed one due to the added weight. A S&W K-Frame (the next size up from the J-Frame) would seem like a good solution to your problem. A Model 10 (blued carbon steel with fixed sights), 64 (stainless steel with fixed sights). or 67 (stainless steel with adjustable sights) are all currently manufactured in .38 Special and would be excellent options. Also, the used market abounds with excellent revolvers both in the models I mentioned and also the now discontinued 14 and 15 (both .38 Special) and 13, 19, 65, and 66 (all in .357 Magnum). My daily carry gun is a Model 66 with the short 2 1/2" barrel (they were also made with 3, 4, and 6" barrels).

scorpion_tyr · December 7, 2008, 08:46 PM

If you go with an automatic handgun, I'd suggest to get a lot more practice with it than the revolver. The automatics are a little more complicated, but not too much. You can find a "simple" one such as a Glock or similar. The main thing I suggest is if you go with an automatic to learn how to resolve missfires, failure to feed, failure to fire, failure to eject, etc. For simplicity I'd suggest staying with a revolver. Find one that has a much lighter trigger pull or one that's adjustable. If a relvolver still isn't an option I'd say a single action automatic, such as a 1911 or something. Keep the gun loaded, with one in the chamber and the safety on. When in need just click the safety off with your thumb easily and the trigger pull will be very easy. And just because it's a 1911 doesn't mean you have to get a .45. I've seen them in everything from .380 and up and you can find them in compact and subcompact as well. Above all the most important thing to get is practice. The more comfortable and confident you are with the gun the better. In my opinion you don't have to shoot 2,000 rounds every week as I've heard some suggest. Fire it until you can hit somewhere in "center mass" of a life size human shaped target at 1, 5, and 15 yards. You can go farther than that if your own home/self defence situation might require it. Good luck and I hope you find the perfect gun for you!

MeekAndMild · December 7, 2008, 09:05 PM

Welcome to TFL, Lighthouse lady!

Many people find a visit to their county sheriff's office to be helpful in finding local firearms safety and familiarization training. So that would probably be the first resource. For general information one needs to look for an NRA approved safety course. Here is a link to the NRA Women's Program page. Remember the NRA is the largest firearms safety training organization in the world: http://www.nrahq.org/women/ They even give out grant money!

If you like Ruger 22's did you know that Ruger makes both a .22 semiautomatic and a .22 revolver? Mrs. Meek and the kids all learned to shoot on a Ruger .22 Mark II semiautomatic. She never carries it, as it is too big for her purse; she carries a Kel Tec P-32. I wouldn't recommend the Kel Tec to a new shooter however as it requires a few hours of buffing and polishing before it is usable. In fact I wouldn't recommend any pistol for a new shooter. I believe they should talk with the person teaching their gun safety course and get recommendations based on a face to face assessment of their strength and manual dexterity.

**JohnKSa** · December 7, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

I see many of you talking about a Ruger p95. Is that something to try also?

My wife has health issues that affect her hand strength and recoil tolerance. She has no problems operating any of the controls on the Ruger P95 and says that the recoil is very easy for her to tolerate.

The P95 is a good, solid handgun that is very shootable and that can usually be found for a very good price.

The airweight revolvers are difficult to shoot well, I'm not a fan at all. I'd rather put a couple hundred rounds downrange through a .44 Mag revolver in a single session than a couple of cylinderfuls from a small .38special revolver.

Quote:

Am I looking for a semi automatic? Do these shoot "easier"?

All else being equal, a semi-automatic will have less felt recoil than a revolver. However, they are a bit more complicated to operate than a revolver, and the slide on some automatics can be difficult for some people to operate.

The best course of action is to shoot several types, brands and calibers to get a feel for what fits you best. If that isn't an option, see if you can find a gun shop that will let you handle several guns. That won't help you get a feel for recoil, but it will let you know if the trigger pull weight or the effort required to operate the slide is going to be an issue for you.

akr · December 7, 2008, 10:32 PM

Pogo2 is right in advising you to try a S&W (because of the nice trigger) 4" revolver, but I think you would like a .38 best. I believe it is all you need. See how it feels. You wouldn't want to fire a 357 in the house for a number of reasons. You would need to do a lot of practice with whatever gun you choose.

supergas452M · December 7, 2008, 10:50 PM

What you really need for home defense is a shotgun but if you want a pistol I suggest a .380 automatic like the Bersa Thunder loaded with JHP and practice. You will find the gun easy to handle and the recoil much easier to handle than any 357 revolver even shooting 38 sp. This is a gun that you can become comfortable with practicing even 20 rounds a week and build your confidence. Remember placement is the key. All these other suggestions to me are a load of crap for your personal situation.

jrothWA · December 7, 2008, 11:37 PM

at the box of ammo. Does state "+P"? is the bullet weight 158 jhp?

For a first timer, you may want to try the 148gr Wadcutter for learning, these are target loads, light and mild. Then try the 110-140 gr weights fro serious use.

LightHouse Lady · December 8, 2008, 01:18 AM

Such a great welcome. I appreciate all the advice and I will make a list of the guns you all mention and go to the gun store with it. We have one with a range where you can try a few out. That will be a big help.

Thanks again,
LL

Sport45 · December 8, 2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Thing is, with a shotgun, a man can take it away pretty easily.

Not if you're willing to pull the trigger. If you aren't willing to shoot no type of firearm will help.

I agree with the shotgun. That and a cell phone. Take cover and defend your space. Don't go out trying to clear the house if you think someone's out there.

All that said. What part of the country do you live in? Perhaps you could meet one of us at a range and try a few different guns. I'm willing to let you try any of mine to see if you like the way they handle.

Oh yeah, welcome to The Firing Line!

imthegrumpyone · December 8, 2008, 04:41 AM

Welcome Lighthouse Lady a .38 Spec Air Light is wonderful peace, wife has one with +P or P+ all ways get it mixed up. I would recommend try squeezing a small turf ball to build up a little strength. The wife is no weakling, but has trouble racking anything but her .380 auto. The only other thing to do is maybe a local gunsmith can rework trigger pull for you, I wouldn't get rid of it unless it's your last resort. Hope this is a little help for you on making your decision.

U.S.SFC_RET · December 8, 2008, 05:34 AM

First of all I do train women strictly for home defence. Most of the women I train never used any firearms at all.
If you use that pistol hold it to the center of your chest if the perpetrator is present in your house. Why? because he might think he can take it away.
Your personal space is your personal space and he will think twice about it.
In firing and if he is not too close push both arms to the point where both elbows lock and the arms are straight and fire. This is one is the most accurate ways of firing for anyone.
Try it on the range. Very effective.
If the Perpetrator is in your house you "make up your mind to protect Yourself and anyone else in that house. Put the fear of god into him. Never give him an edge by pointing the gun fully extended for he will step out of the line of fire and possibly disarm you.
This is why I advocate holding it to your chest and pointind it at the perp.

Te Anau · December 8, 2008, 09:14 AM

My wife has issues racking the slide on almost all of the semis I own.I want to (and so does my wife) keep an empty chamber,semi-auto in our bedroom for emergency defense and because of the racking problem the only gun I can currently use is my Cobra Patriot .45acp which isn't the ideal choice but is "wife-rackable" and therefore "it".

TacticalDefense1911 · December 8, 2008, 09:55 AM

It really depends on how recoil sensative you are but a full size, semi-auto 9mm would make a very good home defense handgun with a lighter recoil. There are lots of them out there as well. The S&W M&P would be a nice, reliable gun that has adjustable backstraps to fit a wide range of hand sizes.

hecate · December 8, 2008, 10:10 AM

Check out The Cornered Cat for great information for women about guns. Semiautos are less complicated to operate and dis/reassemble than a food processor, and racking the slide is more about understanding how to apply force most efficiently than about strength.

Women And Guns is a forum dedicated to our particular issues. We The Armed also has a women's area.

Choice of a defense weapon is a very personal thing. While recommendations are good, it's often best to rent and/or borrow everything you can and see what works best for you. I hear lots of people suggest revolvers and minor calibers to women. Maybe that's appropriate, and maybe it's not. Only you can determine that. I'm a 55 year old woman, 5'4" with small hands, and I carry an all-steel .45 semiautomatic.

Above all, though, proper training and regular practice is a must. NRA was mentioned, and they're a great place to start. NRA Basic Handgun starts you out with a .22 and gives a good grounding in gun handling and safety control. Beyond that, training focused on developing realistic skills is available even in states that refuse to recognize the right of self-defense.

Yankee Traveler · December 8, 2008, 11:42 AM

You may also warn off any bad guys before you need to reach for a fire arm.
An alarm system is a good idea AND leave up the signs that says This house protected by ..... Brand of security" Bad guy doesn't know if it's active or not.
Motion lights (I personnally hate them) are another good idea because they not only take away hideing spots, they also alert people (Neighbors or residents) to movement.
Or, my favorite, a dog. Always on, always ready. Not just for a security system, but for companionship as well.

The absolute best example of why to get a dog...
My wife and I were making a trip to VT on Christmas Eve about 15 years ago. half way between hell and nowhere, the altenator siezed and the truck died. The temp outside was hovering at about 18 below zero. Cell phone coverage in VT is still spotty, back then it was worse. All of our cold weather gear was in the back of the truck and was itself, 18 degrees below zero. While I went to go find cell phone service and of course wait for the wrecker, my wifes feet were freezing.

Until she stretched out on the seat and stuck her feet under our German Shepherd.
Kept my wife protected, secure, gave her company, and kept her warm too.
Well worth the price of vacuuming some dog hair in my book (and my wifes)..

December 7, 2008, 04:45 PM	#1
LightHouse Lady Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: California Posts: 25	Woman and home defense Hi, I bought a Smith and Wesson 38 sp. 442 airweight a few years ago. I realize that I need to practice and get used to the gun so I went out today and fired it. Well, it is hard to squeeze the trigger and after 5 shots, my hand was numb. The recoil was too much. I have arthritis so I suppose that is part of the problem. My friend's husband died and she sold it to me for $150.00. It was in pristine condition, like new. He had bought it for her and she didn't like it. I don't know much about guns, but I do know a good deal Now, I have a Ruger 22 rifle and love it. I can even hit the target with no problem. I want a handgun for self defense. Am I looking for a semi automatic? Do these shoot "easier"? I will go to the gun range at some point and try some out but I would very much like your thoughts on this. Thanks, LL

December 7, 2008, 05:05 PM	#3
pogo2 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 879	Suggestions The S&W 442 is a 15 ounce, aluminum frame .38 that is designed for concealed carry. It works very well in a pocket or purse, because of the enclosed hammer design. I have the model 642, which is the stainless version of the gun. But the gun is very hard to shoot well and has a heavy trigger. Clearly "shootability" was compromised for "concealability" or "carryability". For home defense you don't really need a small handgun, because concealability is not an issue. Something in medium to large size will be better, as long as it fits your hand and you like the trigger pull and safety features. Large handguns are much easier to shoot well, and often have a much nicer trigger pull. If you want to stick with a revolver, you might look for something in all steel with a 4 inch barrel from Smith & Wesson, perhaps in .357 magnum caliber. This will allow the use of .38 special ammo if you desire, but will be a heavy enough gun to be easy to shoot. I'd go with a model 19 (blue), 66 (stainless) or 686 (stainless). You can get different stocks to fit different hand sizes. Such a gun will cost about $400 to $500 in slightly used condition. If you want to go with a semiauto, you could try a 9mm gun, also from Smith & Wesson, like the model 3913. It has a grip of slim size and takes an 8 round single stack magazine. The trigger pull is easy in double or single action, and it has a thumb safety you can use. This will run about $600.

December 7, 2008, 05:14 PM	#5
dairycreek Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: North Plains, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,867	The S&W 3913 is also called the "Lady Smith" which Smith and Wesson has specifically designed for women. Pogo2 has given you an excellent recommendation for your apparent need. __________________ ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR HEARING AND VISION GOOD SHOOTING

December 7, 2008, 05:42 PM	#6
LightHouse Lady Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: California Posts: 25	Y'all are awesome. You have given me information to research and some different guns to try. I see many of you talking about a Ruger p95. Is that something to try also? I am understanding that the heavier revolver is a bit better for what I can handle or to try the semi auto in maybe a 9mm. I will keep reading here so that I can learn. Edited for sloppy spelling... LL Last edited by LightHouse Lady; December 7, 2008 at 08:01 PM.

December 7, 2008, 08:46 PM	#12
scorpion_tyr Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,326	If you go with an automatic handgun, I'd suggest to get a lot more practice with it than the revolver. The automatics are a little more complicated, but not too much. You can find a "simple" one such as a Glock or similar. The main thing I suggest is if you go with an automatic to learn how to resolve missfires, failure to feed, failure to fire, failure to eject, etc. For simplicity I'd suggest staying with a revolver. Find one that has a much lighter trigger pull or one that's adjustable. If a relvolver still isn't an option I'd say a single action automatic, such as a 1911 or something. Keep the gun loaded, with one in the chamber and the safety on. When in need just click the safety off with your thumb easily and the trigger pull will be very easy. And just because it's a 1911 doesn't mean you have to get a .45. I've seen them in everything from .380 and up and you can find them in compact and subcompact as well. Above all the most important thing to get is practice. The more comfortable and confident you are with the gun the better. In my opinion you don't have to shoot 2,000 rounds every week as I've heard some suggest. Fire it until you can hit somewhere in "center mass" of a life size human shaped target at 1, 5, and 15 yards. You can go farther than that if your own home/self defence situation might require it. Good luck and I hope you find the perfect gun for you! __________________ “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight.” - Thomas Jefferson

December 7, 2008, 05:03 PM	#2
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	My brother-inlaw purchased a Taurus 850 2 1/8" barrel in .38special for my 26 year old sister to use and she had a similar experience. She is 5' and probably weighs in at 110lbs. She found the trigger pull to hard for her and the recoil was enough to completly turn her off of that particular type of firearm. When she has shot my Springfield XD40S&W-4" she was much happier. The recoil was comfortable and even though the grip was large she could shoot perfectly acceptable groups for personal defense. In my very limited experience I have noticed that the ladies I see shoot tend to enjoy shooting semiautomatic pistols more. Hope this helps

December 7, 2008, 05:06 PM	#4
JollyRoger Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2005 Posts: 172	What type of ammo did you use? If you were using .38 ammo loaded for self-defense, they are considerably hotter than mid-range wadcutters, or the light reloads sold at ranges. If you were using the hotter rounds, you should probably try again with the light stuff and see if you can handle it. If it is still too tough, you might trade that 442 in for a larger frame revolver. This will reduce the felt recoil from the .38 Special. The problem with getting an auto is that they require a higher level of strength to cycle the action, if you are talking about .380 caliber or higher. Additionally, autos can be caused to malfunction by holding them loosely or riding back with the recoil. If you are already having problems with hand strength and recoil, this might be a problem. The alternative is to go with a very light-shooting auto like a large frame .22 LR pistol.

December 7, 2008, 07:06 PM	#7
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	Get a shotgun I always have to chime that in one the home defense pistol threads. Pistols are for ease of transport and concealability. Unless you have so many shoes in your closet, in which case you need another closet, you can not fit a shotgun a pistol is not your best choice. Also you can smack an intruder with it. 20ga Moss 500.

December 7, 2008, 07:59 PM	#8
ghosst Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Greater Indianapolis Area Posts: 141	The Luger is actually a Ruger, and the P95 is their polymer handgun. I'd recommend you visit a range, and rent a couple of pistols you think fit you best.

December 7, 2008, 08:00 PM	#10
LightHouse Lady Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: California Posts: 25	Yes, Ruger... thank you. Slip of the typing finger. LL

December 7, 2008, 08:40 PM	#11
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	Perhaps you should look into a larger S&W revolver. Your 442 is made on the J-Frame which is their smallest and it's design is a bit different from their larger revolvers. The larger revolvers have a leaf spring for the hammer as opposed to the J-Frame's coil spring and typically have lighter, smoother triggers. Also, a steel-framed revolver will have less recoil than an aluminum-framed one due to the added weight. A S&W K-Frame (the next size up from the J-Frame) would seem like a good solution to your problem. A Model 10 (blued carbon steel with fixed sights), 64 (stainless steel with fixed sights). or 67 (stainless steel with adjustable sights) are all currently manufactured in .38 Special and would be excellent options. Also, the used market abounds with excellent revolvers both in the models I mentioned and also the now discontinued 14 and 15 (both .38 Special) and 13, 19, 65, and 66 (all in .357 Magnum). My daily carry gun is a Model 66 with the short 2 1/2" barrel (they were also made with 3, 4, and 6" barrels).

December 7, 2008, 09:05 PM	#13
MeekAndMild Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Posts: 4,988	Welcome to TFL, Lighthouse lady! Many people find a visit to their county sheriff's office to be helpful in finding local firearms safety and familiarization training. So that would probably be the first resource. For general information one needs to look for an NRA approved safety course. Here is a link to the NRA Women's Program page. Remember the NRA is the largest firearms safety training organization in the world: http://www.nrahq.org/women/ They even give out grant money! If you like Ruger 22's did you know that Ruger makes both a .22 semiautomatic and a .22 revolver? Mrs. Meek and the kids all learned to shoot on a Ruger .22 Mark II semiautomatic. She never carries it, as it is too big for her purse; she carries a Kel Tec P-32. I wouldn't recommend the Kel Tec to a new shooter however as it requires a few hours of buffing and polishing before it is usable. In fact I wouldn't recommend any pistol for a new shooter. I believe they should talk with the person teaching their gun safety course and get recommendations based on a face to face assessment of their strength and manual dexterity. __________________ In a few years when the dust finally clears and people start counting their change there is a pretty good chance that President Obama may become known as The Great Absquatulator. You heard it first here on TFL.

December 7, 2008, 10:32 PM	#15
akr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,379	Pogo2 is right in advising you to try a S&W (because of the nice trigger) 4" revolver, but I think you would like a .38 best. I believe it is all you need. See how it feels. You wouldn't want to fire a 357 in the house for a number of reasons. You would need to do a lot of practice with whatever gun you choose. __________________ Http://www.nationalgunforum.com NRA Lifetime Member

December 7, 2008, 10:50 PM	#16
supergas452M Junior member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 309	What you really need for home defense is a shotgun but if you want a pistol I suggest a .380 automatic like the Bersa Thunder loaded with JHP and practice. You will find the gun easy to handle and the recoil much easier to handle than any 357 revolver even shooting 38 sp. This is a gun that you can become comfortable with practicing even 20 rounds a week and build your confidence. Remember placement is the key. All these other suggestions to me are a load of crap for your personal situation.

December 7, 2008, 11:37 PM	#17
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Take a look... at the box of ammo. Does state "+P"? is the bullet weight 158 jhp? For a first timer, you may want to try the 148gr Wadcutter for learning, these are target loads, light and mild. Then try the 110-140 gr weights fro serious use.

December 8, 2008, 01:18 AM	#18
LightHouse Lady Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: California Posts: 25	Such a great welcome. I appreciate all the advice and I will make a list of the guns you all mention and go to the gun store with it. We have one with a range where you can try a few out. That will be a big help. Thanks again, LL

December 8, 2008, 04:41 AM	#20
imthegrumpyone Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2007 Location: spring tx Posts: 1,037	Welcome Lighthouse Lady a .38 Spec Air Light is wonderful peace, wife has one with +P or P+ all ways get it mixed up. I would recommend try squeezing a small turf ball to build up a little strength. The wife is no weakling, but has trouble racking anything but her .380 auto. The only other thing to do is maybe a local gunsmith can rework trigger pull for you, I wouldn't get rid of it unless it's your last resort. Hope this is a little help for you on making your decision. __________________ chambered and unlocked

December 8, 2008, 05:34 AM	#21
U.S.SFC_RET Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2005 Location: The Old line State Posts: 282	First of all I do train women strictly for home defence. Most of the women I train never used any firearms at all. If you use that pistol hold it to the center of your chest if the perpetrator is present in your house. Why? because he might think he can take it away. Your personal space is your personal space and he will think twice about it. In firing and if he is not too close push both arms to the point where both elbows lock and the arms are straight and fire. This is one is the most accurate ways of firing for anyone. Try it on the range. Very effective. If the Perpetrator is in your house you "make up your mind to protect Yourself and anyone else in that house. Put the fear of god into him. Never give him an edge by pointing the gun fully extended for he will step out of the line of fire and possibly disarm you. This is why I advocate holding it to your chest and pointind it at the perp. __________________ 1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 2. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. 3. Keep the finger off the trigger and firearm on safe until ready to shoot. 4. Know the target and what's beyond it.

December 8, 2008, 09:14 AM	#22
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	My wife has issues racking the slide on almost all of the semis I own.I want to (and so does my wife) keep an empty chamber,semi-auto in our bedroom for emergency defense and because of the racking problem the only gun I can currently use is my Cobra Patriot .45acp which isn't the ideal choice but is "wife-rackable" and therefore "it". __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

December 8, 2008, 09:55 AM	#23
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,277	Women and Home Defense It really depends on how recoil sensative you are but a full size, semi-auto 9mm would make a very good home defense handgun with a lighter recoil. There are lots of them out there as well. The S&W M&P would be a nice, reliable gun that has adjustable backstraps to fit a wide range of hand sizes.

December 8, 2008, 10:10 AM	#24
hecate Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 97	More Resources Check out The Cornered Cat for great information for women about guns. Semiautos are less complicated to operate and dis/reassemble than a food processor, and racking the slide is more about understanding how to apply force most efficiently than about strength. Women And Guns is a forum dedicated to our particular issues. We The Armed also has a women's area. Choice of a defense weapon is a very personal thing. While recommendations are good, it's often best to rent and/or borrow everything you can and see what works best for you. I hear lots of people suggest revolvers and minor calibers to women. Maybe that's appropriate, and maybe it's not. Only you can determine that. I'm a 55 year old woman, 5'4" with small hands, and I carry an all-steel .45 semiautomatic. Above all, though, proper training and regular practice is a must. NRA was mentioned, and they're a great place to start. NRA Basic Handgun starts you out with a .22 and gives a good grounding in gun handling and safety control. Beyond that, training focused on developing realistic skills is available even in states that refuse to recognize the right of self-defense.

December 8, 2008, 11:42 AM	#25
Yankee Traveler Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2008 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 265	You may also warn off any bad guys before you need to reach for a fire arm. An alarm system is a good idea AND leave up the signs that says This house protected by ..... Brand of security" Bad guy doesn't know if it's active or not. Motion lights (I personnally hate them) are another good idea because they not only take away hideing spots, they also alert people (Neighbors or residents) to movement. Or, my favorite, a dog. Always on, always ready. Not just for a security system, but for companionship as well. The absolute best example of why to get a dog... My wife and I were making a trip to VT on Christmas Eve about 15 years ago. half way between hell and nowhere, the altenator siezed and the truck died. The temp outside was hovering at about 18 below zero. Cell phone coverage in VT is still spotty, back then it was worse. All of our cold weather gear was in the back of the truck and was itself, 18 degrees below zero. While I went to go find cell phone service and of course wait for the wrecker, my wifes feet were freezing. Until she stretched out on the seat and stuck her feet under our German Shepherd. Kept my wife protected, secure, gave her company, and kept her warm too. Well worth the price of vacuuming some dog hair in my book (and my wifes)..