Best defensive weapon for a clumsy, mechanically uninclined?

O

Oleg Volk

Staff Alumnus
Today I watched a (relatively) new shooter using a S&W17 (4" .22) and a S&W66 (4" .357 with .38spl loaded). Operating and loading revolver was hard for her. For one, the 66 weight too much and even the 17 was pushing it. Recoil was not a problem with the SW66. Accuracy was not great but passable. Now, the mere operation of the revolver was a problem: doing things like de-cocking it without firing a shot was hard because of lack of understanding of how the gun works. Although a DAO concealed hammer revolver would solve that problem, the trigger pull may be too heavy.

I am trying to figure out what weapons might be usable even by a complete klutz. For eventual carry a .32H&R Magnum alloy revolver ought to be fine at about 13oz loaded. But for home, something else could be better. The basic requirement is that the weapon is light, has little recoil or noise and can be operated by someone with little mechanical proficiency.

Candidates are:

Carbine (M1, Marlin Camp 45)

Shotgun (.410 double-barrel or autoloader)

.22 or 22 magnum box magazine rifle

The idea would be to teach storing these with safety off, chamber empty (except for SxS shotgun) and use pointing from the shoulder for sighting. Expected maximum range is 30ft and half that is more likely.

Any suggestions on teaching clumsy people and the best weapon choice?

PS: May also be a good idea to stick to a single .32 hammerless an dhope that six rounds would be enough.
 
Look into the LadySmith(even though S&W sold out) in .357 or .38 spcl. REMEMBER these weapons are specifically designed for women to shoot comfortably and with confidence.
 
Oleg

How about a lever action carbine? .357 or .44 caliber? Lots of firepower. Store with the mag full and the chamber empty. Just work the lever and you are ready to go. The short ones are only about 6 pounds loaded and recoil is not much with specials.

To unload the piece, just keep working the lever. My wife and son do very well with one.

Rick

------------------
I prefer armed combat to unarmed combat. It's easier on the knuckles.

[This message has been edited by Speedy (edited May 01, 2000).]
 
Just my thoughts:
I would have had her keep shooting the S&W 17 in 22 LR until she got the hang of it. It sounds like she neededsmore familiarization with the revolver. I'd let her shoot single action with it at the closest posible range, so that she hit things. Targets that jump around are more fun. I'd make sure she has some fun with it and did not get discouraged. Its much better to be shooting the 22 for a while than not shooting anything at all.
So I guess I think attitude is more important than getting a different gun. If a person likes shooting, he or she can figure out what gun to get by themselves. Even if they chose one that is not really too appropriate for their real situation, its no big disaster, and they will eventually figure this out for themselves as well.

[This message has been edited by Herodotus (edited May 01, 2000).]
 
I think what you want is the Star Trek hand-held Phaser. Alas. :)

Personally, I think what she needs is more training. She sounds like an utter newbie who just needs to get more comfortable working with firearms. But that's just me.
 
The most fumble proof weapon on earth...
The Remington 870. You can get one in 20 Gauge and that should solve most every problem around.
If you cant solve it with that - it will most likely solve you.
 
First off, I believe the primary defense gun should be the same fo both home and the field for such a person. Having two firearms to practice intensively with will just complicate things. I suggest lots of practice both shooting and cleaning the handgun. The cleaning sessions are also used to explain the functioning of the firearm. Make the shooting sessions fun...LOTS of different reactive targets at various close range distances (at least at first): bottles, cans, dingers, balloons etc.
For self defense, a revolver is hard to beat for several reasons. If you can find one, an old stainless .38 Charter Police bulldog is a neat little piece for the price. A current manufacturer makes a pistol especially for the ladies but I refuse to recommend their products (If you buy one of these, please buy a used one). Rossi makes a small frame .38 that is a much better gun than most give it credit for.
Whatever you end up with, practice and frequent safe handling of the pistol will usually overcome most problems.
For what it's worth, I am certified by NRA as an instructor in "pistol" and "personal protection".
Good luck and happy shooting.
 
>sarchasm< on
a half brick in a sock?
>sarchasm< off
some hand strength training seems indicated,plus practice.

rms/pa
 
I am not a certified firearms instructor but spent 20+ years in the Army where many times I was required to supervise the operation of a rifle range for familiarization, annual qualification, etc. If you were in the military think back and remember how many classes you had on disassembly, assembly, loading magazine into the weapon, aiming, handling and functioning of the rifle before you actually fired a round at the range. I think in our haste to get a novice involved in shooting we tend to forget teaching these basics before we stick a loaded firearm in their hands and let them go at it. Personally, I will not take anyone to the range for the first time until I have had the time to explain (perhaps in boring detail) the operation, function, etc. of a firearm. I observed too many stupid actions with firearms in the military by experienced as well as novice shooters because they did not fully understand the function of their assigned weapon. Do all gun owners a favor and teach this to someone before you let them fire a weapon. If they don't want or think they need the proper instruction, tell them to find someone else. These are the people who accidentally shoot themselves and others, giving the antis something to beat us over the head with.
 
Just got an email saying "will go shooting again, liked it". I will watch over cleaning of the revolver, try to explain tech details but for now I need to moticate range visits in any way possible as I do not have captive audience. She knows that 25m was a long range for a beginner with a handgun. We will try at 5m next time and use large shoot-n-see targets. I think that we will stick with one revolver and, if necessary, get an alloy kit gun (3") in .22lr
 
Do tons of dry firing and reloading drills with dummy ammo before taking this individual back to the range. You are rushing it.

There is not a gun solution to someone who
can't handle simple manipulations. None of the guns suggested are a magic fix.

The 38 SPL revolver is as easy as can be.
Master it DRY first.

Also, professional instructors can do wonders with novices. Find a good class for women in the area and then let it happen.

Unless you are a trained instructor, you aren't the best to teach the newbie.

Gun type is way premature in this case, that's why you need to back way up and go to basic training for her. With training, women
can handle stout guns as well as men.
 
I know that S&W is a no-no, but what about their 332 in .32H&R Magnum? It kicks more than a .22 but less than a .38 and with 6 rounds, it has about 10% more fire power than a five shot .38 special -- plus it's double action only.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
I know that adding more gun types isn't the solution...I was just rushing in the usual "now or never" mode to have one available in a year or so. FUD picked on the one I think would be most suitable: has anyone experience with SW332/331?
 
the jawbone of an ass is a weapon that requires little training.. just gumption.

beyond that i've never heard anyone say a revolver was "complicated" a good used s&w model 10 in 38 special is about as simple as it gets it a reasonalble defensive caliber. Try a different instructor, rather than a different weapon.

Dr.Rob
 
If weight is the primary concern you might look into the Taurs Ti seies of revolvers the y range from .32H&Rmag (or .32S&W Long) upto 44Special they have a pretty good rep see if any of the ranges near you have them for rent.
 
I've fired the Ti 32 mag and 38 SPL by
SW (331 and 342 IIRC).

Given the light weight of the frame the 32 mag is about the same as the 642 with a mild 38 SPL like the Federal PDA.

It isn't the most pleasant gun for a beginner with problems. It is not a problem for an experienced shooter.

While, I recommended training as the solution, the Airlite 22 LS with the full hammer gives you 8 shots with trivial recoil.
I have one as a kit gun for my pocket when I am out with a rifle or shotgun.

But again for serious self-defense - learn to shoot a little large caliber. I've seen older women blaze away with 9s and 45 ACP.

However, the 22 LR is not to be sneezed at.

For the recoil sensitive and fearful, the 32 in the Ti frame doesn't get you that much.

Now, you can get steel and alloy and steel 32s if you look at the used gun market for SW. Also Ruger might still make a 32 in the SP101 frame. That should be mild. Taurus makes one also IIRC.

Train, Train - that is the answer!!
 
Not so much recoil-shy as muzzle flip and blast shy. SW66 with 38spl was too heavy to hold for long. I think that 8-shot 3" kit gun would be better than nothing and remarkably light. I am leery of going with ported guns because of noise increase.
 
I am of the strong opinion that the actual firearm choice must be hers. Get your buddies together with suitable guns or borrow a few and let her try 'em out. Have her check the "feel" of each before firing a shot. Ideally, the pistol should feel like an extension of her hand and only she can make such a judgement. Until she finds the "magic gun", keep training with the .22. (I agree with Mr. Meyer that the firearm choice is probably premature here.)
Practice - Practice - Practice (and make it fun)
On Small Frame Women : With encouragement, proper training, and the correct attitude, The dainty little devils can learn to handle almost any handgun suitable for self defense.
My wife is 5' 1" with very small hands and she handles a straight mainspring govt. model extremely well. Her favorite revolver is a .44 Redhawk(very scary). A big plus here was that I re-load and was able to ease her into the heavy stuff ( it took over a year and a half before she was shooting full .44mag loads) Weak arms?... wrist weights worn around the house and squeezing a tennis ball.

Happy shooting
 
Oleg, with all the facts and data you've been amassing, we should expect a book compiling your research at some point, no?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top