Range vs. Real-world

And why do lawyers get involved? $$$$$$$$$$$

If they could not win a few of these cases, they would not take them. We need to do more jury duty.....
 
Welcome and as reccomended in a few other posts, consider a 20 gauge pump shotgun, with a short (18-20") barrel, the loud "click-clack" sound of loading a round is enough to cause most people to REALLY re-think their course of action, and if they don't, shot placement/accuracy isn't quite as vital as with a hangun (which can be difficult when startled out of sleep and adrenaline is pumping), where you have a group of bullets heading towards them as opposed to 1 from a handgun...Just my 2 cents worth.
 
The lawsuit thing

As I put in another post,
If it comes down to shelling out cash or protecting my family, I choose to pay the bill.
Click to expand...

Money is not life, money can be replaced. If the BG is already breaking the law he is thumbing his nose at the protection it is designed to provide and forefits his right to that protection with the exceptions of a speedy trial by peers and just punishment.

These civil cases are a rarity, highly public but rare, especially when proven in criminal court that he was indeed breaking the law.
 
I agree with another poster, hand guns require skill to use especially if you are a novice. Best protection given your size is a shotgun, you dont have to be that accurate, just point and pull trigger.
A short Double barell 20guage loaded with buckshot will convince any home invader to think twice.
You need to go to a club and practice esp with a handgun and you may not have time, esp with your hubby, hence I say again get a shotgun.
 
BritGirl,
Some very good advice here, and I'll echo a bit of it: take an NRA personal protection course. I just went to one here last weekend (both because I need the certificate to get a Mass. CCW and because my fiance and her daughter were attending it) and they covered pistol safety, fundamentals of pistol shooting, and the legal (for NH/Mass) ramifications of deadly force in self defense. I would also recommend getting a Louisiana CCW even if you don't think you'll ever use it - if nothing else it will simplify things if you are ever pulled over for a traffic violation going to/from the range for practice.

One other thing to consider is getting involved in competition. In my (admittedly limited) experience, those getting a gun purely for home defense tend to practice for the first few months but tend to drop off when their skills (and enthusiasm) plateau. IPSC, IDPA, or even Bullseye competition on a regular basis will keep you motivated to go to the range regularly, and (of possibly even more benefit) will introduce you to others from whom you can learn even more. Besides, they're also just plain fun.
 
Thank you all so much for the great advice. My intention is to practice religiously....at least once a week. I shot 100 rounds last night (see my other thread re: Taurus Quality).

I can see this hobby/PD preparation is going to get expensive. What I think I need to do is make my .38 SPL my PD weapon and shoot at least 300+ rounds/month for proficiency, but mix it up with a .22 whereby I can shoot many more rounds without it being cost prohibitive.

I need to see what .22LR revolver will best mimick my Taurus 850 CIA. I saw a nice S&W, but $600+, bit steep.

As for the shotgun idea - my husband liked that idea from the start, but my LE friend felt like my small size/weight may make that a bit unrealistic.

I DEFINITELY plan on getting my CCW. I want to sign-up for the NRA training, and I already have my packet from LA state police.
 
Taurus makes a .22 revolver, the Model 94, on the same frame size as your 85. True, it holds 9 in the cylinder and has a hammer spur and adjustable sights, but the grip and operation are the same as the .38. At 300 rounds a month, it will not take you long to save its cost.
Picture of the 2" barrel version at:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=94B2&category=Revolver
Also available with 4" barrel.

A youth model shotgun, a 20 gauge with shorter buttstock, would likely be manageable, certainly for fixed position defense. I recall the scene from the old thriller 'Night of the Hunter' with the woman sitting in her rocking chair, pumpgun across her lap, waiting for the killer to make his move. He brought a knife to a gunfight and it did not end well for him.

But the revolvers are more fun to practice with.

Get comfortable with your gun and I will be back to talk to you about a 6-shot .38 and the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) which conducts competition but puts on defensive scenarios instead of straightaway target shooting.
 
One other thing I wanted to say (off topic, but many of you mentioned my husband) -- thanks for having him in your thoughts.

His cancer is an ongoing battle. He's had three hospitalizations this year, one critical. Six months ago the news from his oncologists was pretty grim, and I wasn't sure he'd even be here for the holidays. However, things are looking-up, and while no remission is in sight, he's stronger than he has been in a year, and he's enjoying life again :)

THANKS -- you guys are mighty friendly. I have to confess I had a preconceived notion of what gun-type folks were like, and I was wrong :o

As Lance Armstrong would say - LIVE STRONG
 
Well, Thank you for the compliment. I hope your holidays are nothing but happy. What the media portrays, and the truth is oftentimes clashing. I am glad that you had a positive time while you were here, hope to see you again, and please introduce your friends, if they are interested. Its always good to have new faces around :)
 
Glad we didn't scare you off.
Yeah, the NRA course for the home is excellent, usually they go through the legal responsabilities for your area with a LE type or lawyer.
The NRA book is useful, too.
I like some of the tips that are in it.
Like planting big bushes with lots of thorns next to all your windows, instructor called it "hostile landscaping" hehe.
I get this mental picture of a dude scoping out your house trying to hide while looking in your window at the same time, using the bush for cover, getting thorned in his backside the whole time.
Good stuff.
 
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