Item Gone: Looking for something Dependable, small, reasonable

[wozeyjales]

Item Description: My daughter is new to guns and I want to get her something for protection. Would like something that doesn’t have a lot of recoil and easy for her to handle. What ya got?

While she is trying out pistols at the range, please have her shoot the Sig P238
(380) and P938 (9mm) Both small, the P238 is EZ to rack and slide racks with
safety ON for safest load and unload chamber. Alloy frame slightly heavier than
polymer which helps handle recoil but is still light enough to carry if she wants to.
Right now in NE Ga F/S there is a Beretta Tomcat in .32 for $475. About same size
as P238, alloy frame not poly, has tip up barrel for easy chamber load or unload.
Also search your local gun shops or pawn shops for Beretta Bobcat which has tip-up
barrel design in 22LR or 25acp. The 25acp is more reliable than 22lr and Mec-gar
offers a hi-cap magazine for the 25 that holds 9 vs oem 8. Makes a 9+1 mouser.
Advantage of smaller calibers is lack of recoil, easier to reacquire target for follow up.
Those that scoff at smaller caliber usually want kill power. Noone likes to be shot at,
most perps will clear out when the loud bangs start and fire shoots out the muzzle.
Disengage, call 911. Good luck, hope she finds one she likes.

 

[Gingerbeard Man]

You love your daughter I assume. If so, don't get her a gun in a small caliber that will require her to hit very specific (small areas) to reliably stop a fight. Yes 22 can kill (and do). But mostly its from blood loss internally that happens 10+ mins after one is shot. What could someone do to your loved one in 10 mins while they bleed out... alot of bad bad things.
22, 25, 32, and really 380s struggle to make enough penetration reliably to reach all the important stuff. Now.. yes a 22 to temple will shut the lights out. But center mass shots with the smaller calibers will not end the fight timely enough to keep a determined attacker from harming her.
I echo what someone said above... if possible take her to a range and let her try out different guns and calibers. What can she handle for her hand size and recoil tolerance.
I'd suggest she look at a a reliable gun in a caliber that has enough KE to reach the vitals (normally 38 spl, 9mm, and up). Also, dont buy her the cheapest hipoint you can. Yes , any gun is better than no gun. However, if you get to chose why would you chose a gun that works 9 out of 10 times. This is her life you are betting on... 90% to me aint reliable enough for my loves ones.
So if you want specifics I'd suggest trying these:
Ruger SP101 3 inch in 327 Federal Mag. You can still find this ammo at local gun stores (not Academy) and its gonna run you $25 per box vs the current $60 for 9mm (ODT price). 327 Fed has 357 mag range of KE (blows away 38, 9, 380 and 45 in KE). Easy to use manual of arms (no safetys, slide locks, or failure to feed issues). You can load 32 Longs for low recoil practice. 32 HR Mag can also be shot in it and while not as powerful as the 327, it could be a good compromise and still be in the 38 spl power factor.
Smith and Wesson sheild 9mm. The EZ is certainly easier to manipulate, However, you have to manipulate a standard safety, a grip safety, as well as the trigger safety. The non EZ can be had with no grip or manual safety (just the trigger one). These guns are small, so recoil could be an issue. The grip is narrow enough that folks with small hands can reach everything without breaking their grip.
Glock 17/19/43 which ever fits her the best. No manual safeties to worry about. Reliable. Good caliber. Millions of them made. After market upgrades are plentiful and inexpensive.

But I mean a good shot to the torso with a 22lr will have them stop long enough to get a few shots off at their light switch taking them from 10 minutes to 0. Low recoil = easier to stay on target.

That being said I have a .45 ACP Derringer you can buy for her. One shot should do the trick, follow up shot would just be for ****s and giggles I guess.

 

[rugerguy]

My wife loves her S&W 380EZ & Browning 1911-380, she's 5'4" @ a whopping 105lbs. The longer grip on these compared to other "compact" 380's makes it's much easier to handle over the shorter grip alternatives.

She also likes her M&P 9C with the Crimson Trace grip. Given most women won't put as much time or thought into shooting, a laser on the gun will help in a time of need if something were ever to happen. Just need to let her know it's something that she shouldn't expect to always work when needed & to get used to shooting to understand the controls if there's a failure to clear. But the laser grip does help if under stress and shooting on the fly. Always a chance the pistol is never brought up to a shooting position and shot from the hip while being attacked.

Most women would carry in a purse and drawing from that takes more time compared to a guy who's practiced drawing from his waist.

I prefer my wife to carry a revolver in her purse. She can shoot through the purse and have no worries of a slide hanging up inside the purse for a follow up shot! Walk with hand in purse at the ready .... my thoughts!

 

[Realtor]

The S&W shield EZ in .380 would be a good choice but recoil is still significant for a beginner on that gun.
Manageable with a little training and the right grip technique and stance,
but still significant for a girl.

How about a medium sized semi auto in .32 acp caliber?
Not a pocket pistol (I say again, not a tiny little gun made for a pocket, but a pistol large enough to be intended for holster carry).
Such a gun would also be good as a nightstand gun for home defense.

8 or 9 rounds of .32 projectiles coming at a bad guy at nearly 1000 ft./s is nothing to sneeze at.


View attachment 3021782

Wife and mother in law have the smith ez 380, way to go

 

[svsboris]

I say a revolver like a Smith 642. Less to go wrong with a revolver. Revolvers are fool proof! Just my two cents!

I agree. Revolvers are point and shoot, no safety no slide to rack

 

[GeauxLSU]

Weight and recoil are diametrically opposed. If it's just for HD who cares how much it weighs as long as she can operate it.
These threads always start the "revolver vs semi" debate for newbies.
I will always vote revolver.

 

[StuP]

The question was about a non carry piece. Small, light, guns aren't always pleasant to practice with. Go full size, whatever it might be.

 

[Gaffer1968]

Yeah, a S&W air weight, .38 spl, hammerless would be a good start. Some come with lasers, easy to operate, dependable. Around 400-500 new.

 

[Deleted member 79987]

Item Name: Looking for something Dependable, small, reasonable

Location: Rockmart

Zip Code: 30153

Item is for: Sale/Trade NOT SPECIFIED


Willing to Ship: No

Bill of Sale Required?: No

Item Description: Looking for something for my daughter. She’s new to guns and I want to get her something for protection to be used just inside her home when her and her roommate are alone. Would like to have something that doesn’t have a lot of recoil and easy for her to handle. What ya got?

When you go to a range to try out some stuff, be sure to have her try out a Glock 42 (chambered in .380 ACP).

 

[Tikker]

Given that almost %100 of home invasions where the home owner has fired a gun, even if it doesn't hit the intruder, the intruders take off as fast as possible. So even if a person were to discharge any firearm in the direction of the people it should be sufficient to keep the girls safe. Always shoot to kill nevertheless.

My wife wanted a semi-auto so we went with that, but if the lady has no preference I'd just take her to a gun shop and let her pick out what she liked the most. It might surprise you what she picks out.

Since it'd be a home protection firearm, I'd suggest buying a magnetic gun holder. Can be installed on the wall behind curtains or behind the clothes in the closet. Hidden enough to keep out of reach of unknowing visitors but quickly accessible in case of an emergency.