something for mom?

[Never Monday]

I need help with this one guys

mom got broken into and her 100# Mastiff kicked so bad she had to put her down.
Mom want's to pack now. Can't say as I blame her. Were going shopping today. Shes 60 something and not real strong. I know what I can shoot and have control of.
I need some direction on caliber for her. .22 won't cut it living near crack town.
I lean to .380 because I have one she can have if it fits. I know she couldn't handle a 9 or bigger. It would jump out of her hands.
I'm having difficulty with this because of my limited experience with only .380, 9 and .45

[Keith Strong]

IMO .380/9 are pretty comparable with recoil. At least with the couple of .380's I have.

Medium frame with thin grips...S&W 3913 comes to mind. Are you sure 9 would be too much? Try the P6? I may have a good deal on one shortly

[The Black Sheep]

I would have a say a 9. Maybe look for something that is just a little heavier to soak up some more recoil?? I'm sure its just gonna be in her purse or on the nightstand, not carrying it around no??

[Never Monday]

I'll look at the smith. I think this is going to be instang gratification day for here.

nightstand and in the car. She won't CCW

[skulltoy]

The guy who taught our CCW class swears by and himself carries a .22 magnum.

This is his carry gun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/11745

[thedonn007]

Originally Posted by skulltoy

The guy who taught our CCW class swears by and himself carries a .22 magnum.

This is his carry gun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/11745

What is the CCW Guy's reason for carrying a .22 mag? Any idea what cartridge he uses?

[Fisheadgib]

If she has no experience with handguns, I would discourage an auto loader. A hammerless .38 would be a much safer choice. No safeties, or buttons, or switches to think about, it's almost impossible to jam, and when you pull the trigger, it's going to go bang. With a hammerless, you can't shoot single action and you remove some of the liability of a justifiable shooting or an AD.

[Fisheadgib]

I would also avoid any of the lightweight alloy guns as they kick quite a bit more and tend to make beginners recoil shy.

[Keith Strong]

Good point Fish. Although not hammerless, maybe a Taurus model 85 or something.

[Never Monday]

we ended up with a 4" Judge in .45LC/410. It fit her well and wasn't to heavy. I loaded it with 410 buck.

[Pt_Ranger_V8]

I was gonna suggest .327 magnum

[usmcdoc14]

Originally Posted by Never Monday

we ended up with a 4" Judge in .45LC/410. It fit her well and wasn't to heavy. I loaded it with 410 buck.

That will do

[Never Monday]

Originally Posted by usmcdoc14

That will do

I figured. her longest shot at the house is less than 15'. Only time it'll get "used" is when I take it to the range.

[Berne]

Originally Posted by skulltoy

The guy who taught our CCW class swears by and himself carries a .22 magnum.

This is his carry gun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/11745

while not a big stopper by any means.....

a buddy has one of those (or something very similar)...

22 mag, 6 or 7 shot.....very easy to shoot, and fits in any pocket so you can have it on/with you ALL the time w/o any hassle.

--B

[Drunk tank]

Originally Posted by Never Monday

I figured. her longest shot at the house is less than 15'. Only time it'll get "used" is when I take it to the range.

Well.... did she get a chance to fire that? seems like if her grip cant handle the recoil of a 9mm.... .45/410 may not be managable. Hope the reason for THAT selection was because it was truely the best fit for her and not something you can have fun with every now and then.

I ended up getting my grandma a SP101 in .357.... and shes 72. but we shot quiet a few pictols first. She didnt have big enough hands for a autoloader and she wasnt strong enough to rack the slide.... expecially with all her hand lotions. reluctantly I let her try my friend SP101 with a 2.25" barrel in .357. Well... of them all... she could manage that really well when just loaded with .38. She could also wrap her fingers around the grip and the rubber even kept a decent grip with lotion on her hands! That sealed the deal right there.... got her the exact same pistol. \

Unfortunately she hasnt shot it a single time in the two years shes owned it. So other than the 10 rounds i put through it to make sure it finctioned correctly.... its just sitting in its soft case, in the side bed dresser.....waiting.

[skulltoy]

Originally Posted by thedonn007

What is the CCW Guy's reason for carrying a .22 mag? Any idea what cartridge he uses?

This guy was special forces, he was also the head firearms instructor for Brinks armored cars as well.

He had several reasons. .22 mags penetrate deep, he had a ballistic test done and I can't remember the results exactly but the penetration was I think just in between that of a .40 and .45 could be wrong on that though.

Another big reason he had was size and ease of carry, his exact quote was a .22 in your pocket is a lot deadlier that a .45 in your dresser.

[Never Monday]

Originally Posted by skulltoy

Another big reason he had was size and ease of carry, his exact quote was a .22 in your pocket is a lot deadlier that a .45 in your dresser.

that's the verbatim sales pitch from NAA on their Mini's

Drunk Tank,
I have no desire to own this one it'll get sold when the time comes. The range had a 1.5 hr wait today. Were going Monday.

[Ben Segrest]

Originally Posted by skulltoy

This guy was special forces, he was also the head firearms instructor for Brinks armored cars as well.

He had several reasons. .22 mags penetrate deep, he had a ballistic test done and I can't remember the results exactly but the penetration was I think just in between that of a .40 and .45 could be wrong on that though.

Another big reason he had was size and ease of carry, his exact quote was a .22 in your pocket is a lot deadlier that a .45 in your dresser.

I think SF guys usually carry fishing tackle and dental floss, but I could be wrong.

As for the penetration, I'd like to know what bullets were used. FMJ, JHP, lead, etc. will make a big difference in the results. Also, hitting a bone will more than likely stop a light .22 before it'll stop a heavier bullet.

[ralf]

.38+P. LE's trust that round. The light frame revolvers are actually quite manageable. Simple, effective. New ruger LCR

[BarfBag]

have her try whatever you think she should use first. there was an older lady in my ccw class that couldnt pull the trigger on her smith DA revolver, she was just too weak. there are low recoil ammunitions available for most popular calibers, so that might assist in her comfort with a slightly larger caliber

[dubrocker]

you were worried about the gun getting away from her so now she has a judge w/ .410 buckshot?? WTF she's gonna hate that thing the first time she shoots it.

... you are going to take her somewhere she can shoot it, right? i'd have gone hammerless .38 like said earlier.

[Sturgell]

I imagine that will do the trick for her, from what I have seen the 410 shells minus slugs kick less than the 45 Colt.

Also have her go to lunch and the range with you every now and then bring some ammo for her to shoot so she isn't out anything plus she will get to spend time with you. Make it a friendly family type afternoon and she will likely want to go out and spend more time with her firearm. If you reload, load up some cheap lead ammo that is pretty docile and work your way up to full power 45 over time. Nothing says fun to shoot like some wad cutters and minimum loads, especially for people not as proficient with firearms. Hell I shoot all kinds of little critters with wad cutters and they work good.

[Isley]

Sorry to hear about that.

How about 2 100+lb dogs?

[Never Monday]

we'll have to wait a few days and go to the outdoor range. None of the indoor will allow the shot loads.

I think with the 4" barrel and heft of it she'll be fine. I shot a 410 years ago and wasn't impressed. I hear what ya'll are saying about the 38. Her ex gave her a 38 about 15yrs ago I'm told. She also said she wouldn't shoot it.
The idea was hers to get something this time. We'll see what happens at the range I guess. If she won't handle it. I'll have to sell it and find something else.

[Never Monday]

went and shot it today. She did ok. The first round of bird scared the crap out of her. After 15-20 she was ok with it.
Only thing I don't like is it'll have one hell of a flash at night.