Gun for Mom.

F

FoMoCowboy

Inactive
Okay, so......I havent lived with my mom since i was 16 (we're close but.......well, thats another story) anyways, her neighborhood is getting pretty rough, i've been thinking for a while now "gee, it'd be nice to get mom a gun since she's there all alone on that main street in a brand new house" so a couple weeks ago she was out on her patio talking on the phone having a smoke at probably 10pm, as a drunk walked by, and i believe the drunk thought that her talking on the phone was directed at him (especially since she's in a dark little corner and cant be seen well) so he slurred some rude remarks to her and she said something to the effect of "just go about your business" so he comes down on her lawn and squares off and threatens her as she calls the cops and he has a change of heart.

So im having a bit of a dilemna on deciding what to actually get her, she lives in close proximity to neighbors that we actually care for, so a .357 is out of the question.

Well, i'll just take my double barrel up there to her.....hell, she wont even have to load it to make a point.......eh, the local police have been out of hand for years now and her walking in and out with a 12 gauge probably isnt going to save any headaches.....so thats out.

The neat little derringers or .22 NAA revolvers would be great for her to stick in her duster pocket or even her little cigarette pouch and her purse at work....a 2'' .22lr barrel and i dont have much faith in her only having 2 shots with a big bore derringer (which by the way....does anyone own one of these chambered in 410 bore or .45? i'm kind of interested in one for myself and would be interested to hear if you've shot it more than once haha.)

My grandpa's gun that he takes with him whenever he leaves town is a little S&W .32 HR, i believe its an N-frame, but im not sure, small little grip and my mom seems to like it, but it brought me to ANOTHER conclusion.......i'd like her to have a crimson trace laser, mostly for the accuracy reasons, but also...with not wanting her to have a neccessarily SUPER POWERFUL caliber....who backtalks someone whos got a laser on their forehead?
also something like a glock doesnt work or something with a rail.....although *I* would feel that a rail mount laser is well suited for myself.....i really like the "grip and its on" feature that Crimson Trace offers.

Anybody got any suggestions? although i think that i could teach her to run a semi-auto, i'd like to stick with a revolver, but at this point i'm open to anything.
 
for clarity ...

why is a shotgun out? if you're threatened there's no problem with defending your home.
it's not like she's going to be walking the perimeter of her yard with it.


that said, is she big and tough? or tiny and frail ?
 
First, talk to your Mother about guns. She may not want one and "1" incident with a drunk (scared off by a telephone), may not warrent a gun.

Let your mother decide on the necessity of a gun. If she wants one , take her to a range to try several styles out.

Then get her what she feels comfortable with. :)
 
What I hear is "I", "I", "I" in your post.

First, talk to your mother about a gun. She may not want one. If she does, she may have an idea of what she wants, regardless of your wishes.

If she wants a gun, take her to a range where you can rent a few, or at least have her handle them. Given certain parameters, like shootability, let HER pick what SHE wants. This is not your gun, it's hers.

Most women can handle a .38 spcl. with no problems. A .45 LC/.410 Derringer kicks like a drunken mule, isn't accurate over about 6 feet, and and only gives her two shots.

Nothing wrong with a shotgun, if she can handle it. Staring down the muzzles of a double barrel 12 ga. coach gun will discourage most BGs.

A .357 mag. is an excellent SD weapon, but, like the Derringer, kicks HARD. The .357 mag. won't over-penetrate much worse than a .45 LC or .38 spcl.
Use JHP low-weight rounds.
FWIW, if I had to defend my life, I wouldn't worry about over-penetration. I'd use the best caliber available for the job.

Check the gun laws in your state about her actually carrying it, and the rules of engagement if she has to use it.

Again, it's HER choice.
 
for her to stick in her duster pocket or even her little cigarette pouch and her purse at work
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ummmm.... except for on her own personal property.... I'm thinking you might want to start with a permit for a concealed weapon and maybe figuring out if possession of a gun is allowed by the employer.

Like someone else stated, way too many "I's" in your post.

Went to a great talk by Vicki Farnam on clueless males and gun advice. Get competent female trainer advice.
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+1 for that!
 
Have her look at revolvers, a heavy revolver with .38s will not produce much recoil. If the weight is a problem, then look at .32H&R or maybe even the new .327 mag.
 
Let HER pick what SHE wants. Just a detterannt to have to sue what you don't feel comfortable with. Second and equally important...get her the proper training and make sure there's some fairly regualr trianing. Just becasue one has the gun doesn't equate to being able to sue it properly when the time arises.
 
okay, to clarify things, another I.....*I* have talked to her about owning one, she HAS handled and shot handguns and rifles before, but she doesnt own any so her experience is quite limited.

She is open to owning a gun but she has as much clue where to start as i would have decorating a house, so it is left up to me.....therefore the I's

Also, there hasnt been only one instance like this, but the one i went into was by far the scariest.

The 12 gauge would be great to keep in the house, but again, she lives on a main street, and no disrespect to cops but the police in her area are.......unsavory. they have run down on her lawn while we were having a little family reunion and wanted to search the house and treated us all like criminals telling us all that "we just watched a guy we were chasing run into your house fifteen minutes ago" so my response was "where the hell were you fifteen minutes ago then?" obviously they were only guessing and profiling us as harboring a fugitive........anyways, we have countless stories like that, whether youre breaking the law or not, in her county you just dont want police attention in any way. so i would imagine that every time she walked out the door with a 12 gauge to her smoking spot would result in handcuffs to say the least, not that it would be an arrest, just a major pain in the ass that would make her NOT have the weapon when she needs it most, by simply refusing to carry it outside, make sense?

And yes, i imagine that is correct that we should see about the concealed weapons permit before she carries it around in her purse. i was just trying to make a point for the size of the gun.



sorry i asked.
 
What has she handled so far?
Even a .22LR handgun would be good for her. Not as powerful as others, but it'll leave you in fear if pointed at you. Not to mention getting ammo wont cost an arm and a leg.

just my humble opinion.
 
442 Smith snubbie.

642 if she likes a shiny handgun.

Ladysmith if that gets her to actually use the gun.

Taurus Model 85 if she has a seizure over how much you paid for the Smith's.

She can carry it with her everywhere.

But YOU better make SURE she knows how to use it.

Just giving her a loaded snubbie and saying,"I bought it because I love you and am concerned for your safety." just guarantees it won't be with her when she needs it.

Another option is pepper foam or spray.

Pepper foam is better in windy areas but requires better aim.

Pepper spray is good but can be blown back onto her on a windy day.

Again,she still needs to know how to use the stuff.

If she is determined to NOT use or have the defensive weapons she needs when she needs them,you are simply making you feel better about trying to help her if she ever gets attacked.

Way too many people think it can't happen to them.

It is very sad when it does and they are not prepared.

And the odd part is that people intent on harming or robbing someone can sense sometimes when the victim is ready to defend themselves and WON'T start that attack.

So being trained,armed and ready to defend yourself can actually stop a crime before it starts.
 
My experience with women shooters is that they've all loved my S&W Model 10 with a 4" barrel. They can shoot it well and the recoil isn't bad at all. Plus, it can be left loaded and ready to go for a decade, if need be. And 38+P is an effective load out of that particular gun. The 4" barrel is able to take advantage of the extra velocity that a snubbie can't. I keep mine charged with Remington +P lead semiwadcutter hollowpoints - the FBI load. And I know it'll take care of business if ever called on.

Since your mom will be using this in her home and not as a carry weapon, its medium size shouldn't be an issue.

Just my 2 cents...
 
Let her decide. But a 20 gauge pump loaded with low brass #4 shot should be on the agenda. A 4" S&W Model 10 or its stainless version (? 64 ?) too. Or my "surrogate husband", a Colt 1908 Pocket Model with which my wife repelled boarders while I was away out yonder. No blue left, but good mechanics. I take care of it for her, and I have others, here and there. Except when the grandkids come.

Cordially, Jack
 
I don't think a "small .38 special" would suit your Mom. Indeed, I think she would fire one shot with it and hand it to you while screaming words at you that you didn't know she knew. My own limit with my 637 Airweight is fifty rounds, after which the web of my hand is quite tired of it all, and my trigger finger is numb from trigger slap. Practice is a duty, not a pleasure. The heavier a handgun is, the easier to fire it is. And since it is for home defense, not concealed carry, why get a small one?

Cordially, Jack
 
And since it is for home defense, not concealed carry, why get a small one?
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So that she chooses to carry it outside, mostly.
and with you guys saying "you'll only make YOURSELF feel better about your mother by giving her a gun".............thats worth SOMETHING in itself isnt it?

also
does she want a dog?
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She has a dog, its favorite trick is eating its own......leavings. if that gives anyone a hint of the breed of the dog. i tried to get her to look at some larger dogs, i've known labs to be VERY protective and not scared to defend their masters. theyre a little more cuddly too than german sheps and drooling rotties. but she wanted a little paris hilton accessory dog.
 
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