opinions desired

L

LoveMyGuns808

Inactive
Hi, this is going to be my first post on here, but I follow posts on here pretty regularly.

With everything happening around the nation and the world, I have been wanting to get into ccw, but I've been faced with a dilemma: do any of you think that it would be a wise idea to trade a shotgun for a carry pistol? I have a 20 gauge Benelli Nova that i love, it's just that my wife refuses to shoot it (I bought it with the thought that a 5'2" woman would be able to handle a 20 gauge, but if she hates shooting, she hates shooting. It's just that becoming a new parent, I want to make sure that my wife is able to defend her and our son should anything less than savory should occur at home while I am not home. Sorry for the long explanation.)

I was just wondering if anyone would believe that it would be a wise idea to trade in a shotgun for a compact pistol, or if it would just be smarter to wait and purchase the handgun later. I appreciate any viable opinion. Thank you very much for your time
 
I wouldn't trust my life to a pistol in a HD situation. I'd want something I know is going to stop someone quickly And doesn't require judicious marksmanship (still have to aim it though). A pattern about the size of a fist is preferable to a 9mm/.380 Projectile, IMHO. I'd get some reduced recoil loads and start training. Then keep it loaded with HD loads. She probably isn't going to notice much recoil during a HD situation. 20 gauge doesn't kick too terribly much either.

I know as a 15 y/o my opinions don't carry much weight, just felt I needed to add some input.

Regards,

-Mo.
 
Here's some additional info I didn't think of until now.

My wife is SCARY with a .22, I've seen her personally put 8/10 rounds in the size of a soda can at 40 yards, FAST. With that in mind, we've decided that our Marlin 60 loaded with 15 CCI mini mags sits next to our bed, and she knows how to use it. With that in mind, I was wondering if it would still be a wise idea to trade the shotgun for a pistol knowing that there would still be a firearm that she is more than effective with.

Thanks for the input btw mosin-marauder
 
At this point you have no idea of what to upgrade to. You need to get someone to babysit and get the wife to a range that rents a good array of handguns so she can decide what is comfortable in her hands and how much recoil she can handle.
 
If she refuses to shoot a 20 gauge shotgun, what makes you think she will shoot(practice) with a handgun?

What does she say about all of this? Is she on board with a compact pistol or are you making this decision for here?

Has she ever fired a handgun?
 
Would it be wise idea to trade a shotgun for a carry pistol?
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I only use my shotguns for skeet shooting. I acquired them long after I had a handgun for self protection. So, my priority of ownership of various type of firearms is as follows:

1. Good reliable 40/45/9mm/38spl pistol/revolver that can be carried
2. Good large capacity center fire pistol for home defense and/or range
3. Hunting Rifle; or hunting/sporting shotgun - your choice of one
4. Assault Rifle (semi-auto) [we all know what I'm talking about, let's not waste bandwidth debating on what they should be called]
5. Hunting rifle or hunting/sporting shotgun - whichever one you didn't pick in #3
6. .22LR pistol/revolver for plinking, practice and to teach others
7. machine gun, SBR, SBS, AOW, more assault weapons (sorry, I like the term assault weapon:D) or whatever floats your boat!
8. Antique, pre-1940, gun
9. More of 1-8.
 
I'd personally go with her strengths and focus on defensive strategies for the home layout (if that's your main concern). The best weapon is the one that the shooter can get on target quickly and effectively IMHO.
 
Well, first of all, the answer you have already stated! Scary with the .22 rifle.
And you have one.

Did you see the havoc, instigated by Hinkly with a .22 revolver, we almost lost President Reagan!
From a rifle, awesome! My Daughter has a Ruger Semi-auto.
Her partner is deathly afraid of hand guns? The rifle, not so much, the 4 dogs are the early warning system, with teeth.

CCW in the future? For sure, every body has one? Yes.
 
Since we're discussing self defense, and not plinking or shooting matches, how about finding some training on that particular subject.
There's plenty to know apart from the choice of weapons; knowledge that can make all the difference before, during and after an encounter.
The weapon either you or she chooses is really the least of it.
There's lots of people in jail or early graves who thought differently.
There's a whole lot more to surviving a confrontation, and what comes next, than just knowing how to shoot with something.
 
Keep the shotgun, doesn't even have to be loaded. A lady with a shotgun is more likely to scare off an invader. A fool might be tempted to take a pistol away from her, the shotgun is better. If it actually happens, have her tell the invader to go stand in the shower and wait for the Police as the last creep she shot made such a mess on the walls and carpet.
 
Just because a pistol is compact doesn't mean it is easier to shoot; quite the opposite really.

A good night stand good, in my opinion, that is easy to shoot, accurate, and reliable would be something like a Police trade-in Model 10, which though steadily rising in price, are still reasonably priced.
 
Get Her a Ruger 10/22 and some good hollow points . Asfar as tradeing guns I have learned not to , waite till you can buy the next one . If you trade a firearm you like chances are you will regret it .
 
thanks for all the input so far.

To clarify, the pistol will be for me. Like some of you have already advised, my wife and I have before and will be taking all the guns out and shooting them for fun/ just to be sure we all know how they function ( I believe that everyone in the household should know how the gun operates, from as young as possible. That's how my brothers and I were raised, and there has never been any gun safety breaches ever, because we knew what it was and what it could do.)

I guess the question would be, would it still be a wise decision to trade the shotgun for a pistol that I will carry? I'm sure I'll get her to shoot the pistol and she may love it, but that's not exactly the point I'm driving at. If she won't shoot the shotgun and we can both efficiently handle the rifle, would it still be a bad decision to let the shotgun go? Or would it be better to have 3 things that go bang in the night? My personal opinion even though I'm an avid gun lover is that if it won't be used, then why have it?

PS- I firmly disagree with using an empty weapon as a deterrent. No disrespect to anyone who believes in it, but in my opinion, if someone has the gunction to break in to your house and threaten your family's safety, they have the ability and potential to cause harm. Thus, if he/she finds out the truth about your lack of defense, chaos will ensue, more than likely spurred on by the fact that you have waved an empty threat in their face.
 
IMHO, it is always good to trade unused, less desired guns for desired guns.

Thinking about the pistol, I think I would sell for money and buy a new/used pistol.
 
My advice is to keep the shotgun and buy a handgun. Try a bunch of them at a range near you if you can and make a decision based on results. If you don't like the shotgun, then sell or trade it. It does not sound like you want to get rid of it. . .so don't.

Good luck, whatever you do.
 
Welcome to TFL LoveMyGun!

I was just wondering if anyone would believe that it would be a wise idea to trade in a shotgun for a compact pistol,..
Click to expand...

.. but if she hates shooting, she hates shooting. It's just that becoming a new parent, I want to make sure that my wife is able to defend her and our son..
Click to expand...

Welcome to TFL! and CONGRATULATIONS! on being a DAD. Toughest job you are every going to love.

to your main question, I'm going to give you a qualified "no" for an answer.

Here are some of the reasons...
Handguns are more difficult to master than long guns. The generally accepted wisdom is that they are 3 times more difficult to learn to use with equal skill as a long gun. This matter more when you are out and about, but it is also important in home defense situations.

Wife isn't a shooter. Little or no interest in guns, right? Maybe even a distaste for them overall. Fine. Her life, her choice. BUT, she doesn't have to like them to know how to use one. And having a baby to protect makes things even more important.

For what you are looking at, something Mom could use "in gravest extreme", the shotgun is a better choice than any handgun. (and not because the pattern spreads!)

What is the plan right now, if goblins break in while you are away? Get behind a locked door, call 911? Run out of the house to get away (taking the baby, of course)?

Consider this, she knows about the shotgun. Its not something totally new to her. If the shotgun is on her side of that locked door when she calls 911, and she knows how to load and fire it (whether she likes it or not) she has it, and could use it to stop a bad guy coming through the door. She's going to be shaking like a leaf, if that ever happens, and a long gun means she's more likely to actually hit someone in the doorway than she would with a handgun.

Hide, call cops, be prepared to "repel boarders". Wait for the cops to show up. (and verify they are the real cops!) That's all she should have to be able to do, but she has to be able to do that much, or you need to rethink your security plans.

For that much, the shotgun is the best choice, and also has the advantage (for her) of not bringing in any thing new she has to learn and get used to.
 
Welcome to TFL!

Has your wife actually fired the shotgun? If she has and didn't like it, there may be a lot you can do to make it more comfortable for her to shoot: it may not fit her well (especially if she's on the smaller side), she may have started out firing a load that's heavier than necessary for a beginning shooter (the recoil of slugs and buckshot can be brutal compared to a light target load, particularly if the gun doesn't fit well), or the gun may be too light, which would also increase felt recoil. All of these can be corrected.

Consider finding a professional trainer who can work with her to make sure the gun fits her well, that she's holding the gun correctly, etc. If she hasn't fired it and is just uncomfortable with the idea, this would also be the way to go. A shotgun is a pretty good home defense weapon -- in the hands of someone who knows how to use it and has practiced enough with the controls to run it effectively under stress.

If she's not willing to get professional instruction, or if she still just doesn't like shotguns, then she'll be better off with the .22 she's comfortable shooting.

If you're concerned about her ability to defend herself, it makes very little sense to trade the shotgun for something that you want to carry. Put home defense first, and figure out what will work for her.
 
I also dont agree with the 'empty gun' theory as a viable means of defense. A drugged-out meth head isnt in the right mind to make rational conclusions and may not be deterred by the mere sight of a gun, especially if said gun is being wielded by a female, which he may not see as a legitimate threat anyways. If you are in a circumstance where the threat level warrants drawing a weapon, then at that point the threat level is in the 'him or me' area of thought. Any weapon that isnt functional is a glorified paper weight...and perhaps a deadly one to its owner. DONT make that mistake.

Also, I would not bet my life on a 22 caliber for self defense, or any unreliable rimfire cartridge for that matter. Only if this was the last/only option would I consider it. Yes, some will argue it is better than nothing, and thats true, but I dont apply that philosophy when people's lives are in danger. I work at a level 1 trauma center and it is a rare occurrence when someone dies quickly from a small caliber wound. I remember the quote "A 22 will kill anyone on earth....tomorrow".

The shotgun, when loaded with reduced loads, isnt that harsh. And actually a larger framed 380 or 38 spcl would be something id look into. A larger frame wheel gun is hard to beat in terms of recoil/accuracy/reliability...no safetys to mess with or did I remember to chamber a round or insert a mag. And no jamming issues..pull the trigger it will go bang. Instead of looking at smaller framed guns, I would look into something larger if recoil control is a concern. Many people wrongly think small gun=small recoil. The opposite is true. More weight=less recoil, given the same caliber is being used. I guess it really comes down to what she will be most comfortable with. Remember that any way you go, some adjustment and confidence will have to be instilled with whatever platform you decide. But this is the case with anything worth doing, especially if your life is at stake.
 
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