Best House Gun for Gun-Shy School Marm

Pistol caliber lever-action carbine

It's hard to disagree with many of the options offered here. I personally like the SP101 as a carry gun (short barrel DAO model), and good quality used S&W's can be picked up very reasonably today.

But if the purpose is primarily a house/range practice gun and is not for CCW, then I recommend a pistol caliber lever action carbine. The Marlin and Winchesters can often be picked up very reasonably, are highly reliable, the cartridge performance from even a 357 is most impressive in 16" carbine barrel, and they are very easy to learn to shoot accurately and rapidly. Marlin makes some dandy trapper length carbines, as well as the Win 94 Trapper. And if you don't believe the ladies can handle them, you should see them at Cowboy Action Shoots -- most good ones can shoot faster and more accurately than many men using semi-autos in other disciplines!

A few other plusses -- they are more acceptable to the anti-handgun crowd or handgun-hassle political jurisdictions, you can just keep the magazine loaded and rack as necessary to offer that extra psycological sound-bite to an intruder, and in the unfortunate case they need to be used offer a much better visual defense to the jury ("...why it was just Dr. Quinn or the town schoolmarm defending the homestead, that's all! Where's the sheriff when you need them?")

My SO keeps an 1894 Marlin 45 Colt nearby. Anything within 50 yards that needs 5 shots in <3 sec is in trouble. Just imagine the ballistics of a 45 Colt Winchester Silvertip at room distance at carbine velocities. Now imagine 10 of 'em.

Edit: Oh, and I forgot to add -- they are just so much plain fun to shoot, so easy to master accuracy quickly, and so easy on the shooter, that lots of essential practice is almost guaranteed!!
 
Gun shyness can be defeated, utterly, with only a little patience and some really neat stuff to shoot. ( That trapper in .45 LC would work in the neat dept.)

My oldest daughter came by the house yesterday complaining that she had a bruise on her shoulder (from shooting clay birds with a 12 gauge) and has to wear a strapless bridesmaid dress at a friend's wedding today.
 
Lots of good advice here.

Like most people, I'd suggest a good .38 or .357 revolver in the J-K-L frame size, whatever is most comfortable for her. S&W, Ruger, a used Colt and even a Taurus should fit the bill here. These are simple, easy for the novice to understand, easy to maintain and most importantly, effective.

If she's not mechanically minded, I'd avoid semiautos. But some people can show an amazing preference for autos and quickly understand their operation.

Also, be cautious if she shows a preference for lightweight or "air-weight" guns. The recoil on these can make a seasoned shooter flinch and seriously deter a novice. Let her try one at a range and she'll probably prefer steel.

Some suggestions
1. Give her gun safety instruction and make sure she has something written down to review at her lesiure.

2. Teach her the fundamentals of shooting. A .22LR revolver is ideal and if you have to buy one yourself... well, its an investment in her safety isn't it? (You can always gift it to her later). A 4" .38 and wadcutters work almost as well.

3. Take her shopping for a gun that fits her hand. Let her decide what "balances" best for her.

4. Rent a few examples of what she likes at a local range, if possible. Let her shoot them to see what she's comfortable with. DO buy some wadcutter or target ammo for her to avoid loud booms.

5. Go shopping again, this time buy something she likes, even if it's the shiny one with the pearl-like grips. Don't go throw up in the wastebasket. This will be her gun.

6. Buy her the first 2 boxes of SD ammo and let her fire a few so she knows what to expect. Finish that session with wadcutters or target loads.

7. Take her shooting at least 3 more times in the next few months to build her confidence.

If she leans towards a semi-auto pistol, humor her and then let her try one at a local range. She may decide against it. If not, her choices are now larger. If her preference is for a "purse gun" sized .25acp or .32acp then you can start arguing with her. A .380 is about minimum caliber she should consider.

Lastly, review with her what to do if someone is trying to get in or already in her residence. Remind her not to go prowling about in the dark. Remind her of her responsibility for each round. And certainly show her how to reload quickly (speedloaders are not easy to master when you're scared!).

That about covers it, I think.
Just remember, a hit with a .22 beats a miss with a .44!
 
The wife's guns

Unfortunately, I've gotta leave the wife home for a few months at a time, here & there. She's not a shooter, but, I wanted to have peace of mind while I was gone. Awhile ago, I picked her up a Mossberg HS410. 18 & 1/2" bbl, vertical foregrip, compensator & thick recoil pad, not to mention shorter ("bantam length", as mossberg calls it) stock. It's loaded w/ 3" 00buck loads or Brenneke Rottweil slugs. From across the bedroom, it'll do the job, plus, the wife actually ENJOYS shooting it!!
Is it a state of the art door breacher or first rate combat shottie?? No.
Will it save my wife's ass if a boogeyman decides he'd like a look at the inside of my house? I think so.
And she'd reach for it before reaching for the Garand, the .30-30, the Mini 14, M4, any of my 12gauges, or the Glock, Kahr9, the .38, .357, or even the .22.
 
I really liked the comments above from Abby about getting the M1A1 dog. I immediately called over my Mark 1 Mod 0 dogs to the screen and told them that perhaps rather than snoring through the night, they could stand post like some of their canine colleagues. I fear, however, that my motivational pep talk may have fallen on deaf, yet floppy, ears. And my attempts to mount a Crimson Trace on them have also not met with success.
 
Ruger GP100

I think a 4" barrel revolver (rather than an snubby) is best for HD. Since it's not going to be carried, why sacrifice the accuracy, muzzle control, and ammo capacity by using an smaller snubby?

With good 38 special +p JHPs, the GP100 would have very little recoil to scare a new shooter. The Rugers (as opposed to smiths, colts etc.) are more affordable, but no less strong and reliable.
 
I'm really a believer in dogs as a line of home defense. I'm capable, training and equipment wise, of whacking the beejesus out of any evil-minded fiend creeping through my house.

What I'm NOT capable of, is procuring a firearm and defending myself if I wake up with someone's hands around my neck. However, with the G. Shepherd in the house, I have pretty adequate warning if someone so much as brushes against the fence at night.

Heck, even our little rat dog makes enough noise to wake me up when there are strange folk in the immediate yard area.

I believe in protecting myself with firearms if need be, but I don't for a second delude myself into thinking I have perfect 24-7 situational awareness.

My dog isn't a highly trained attack shepherd with a pedigree, but she's smart and a good alarm and I bet if necessary, she'd take a scumbag's leg off rather than let anything happen to she-who-provides-treats-and-squeaky-toys. :)
 
Agree with the Dog suggestion

Most BGs are going to take the easy route to any crime. If they hear a dog reguardless of size they will move on. They are not looking for confrontation, they are looking to steal your stuff.

My two dogs are small but will make a lot of noise if you come to my door or try to open the chain link fence. Dogs will alert you to a possible treat better than any security system and the benefits of pet ownership should not be discounted.

That being said I would suggest a 20 Guage shot gun. I bought one for my wife as a Christmas present. She loves to shoot it. Loaded with #4 buck you are holding the equlivant a weapon that has the stopping power of 2 44 Mags. Almost no kick. My 11 year old shot it with no problems. With a 20" barrell you are set.

Rellascout
 
The dog idea is excellent, but what do you do if your foo-foo dog doesn't scare him off? My suggestion is a 3" J frame or 3" SP101 after she shoots it and decides that she likes it. Unless she plans to carry it in a pocket, It will fill her needs quite well. :D
 
If She Were My Daughter

First I'd get her to move into the best (safest) area possible (if necessary). Get the best odds you can. And I'd (temporarily) loan her one of my weapons and help her learn to shoot it.

Then I'd think serious security on doors and windows. Steel doors, with steel frames can be affordable with just a little saving, long throw deadbolts, a couple heavy slidebolts (one high, one low) and those portable rods you wedge between the floor and the door knob. Drill and pin the windows with a slanted nail (removes fast from the inside if necessary).

Then she needs a big Boxer or similar furperson - not a vicious dog, but one that will quickly adore her, and will fight anything that attempts to mess with her. He can go out with her to the mailbox, to empty the trash, jogging, etc. Also serves as a very reliable alarm system.

Then I'd see if she is interested going to the range with me and becoming very comfortable with firearms and learning to shoot over several months, and letting her find what she likes/shoots well. She can be saving for the purchase while renting and trying various options.

If any of this is beyond her means, then I'd gladly help her with the cost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top