This changes things...

J

JGulley317

New member
I'm 20 and I still with live my mother. I'm a broke college student and I'm just trying to save money. She's been against having a gun in the house. I respect her choice, I don't pay rent. Though this time when I got back from the range, she changed her mind. In the past I've given her reasons of why it's a good idea to have one. She said she'd allow it. As long as, I teach her how to shoot, take her range from time to time and teach her gun safety. She wants to know how to use it in case anything happens. Well this is a big game changer.

I possibly wanted to get whatever gun I choose in a 40S&W. Though I feel this will be way too much power for her. Should I get a 9mm or 40S&W with a conversion barrel. Can you trust these barrels? It would need to be 9mm when I'm around the house. I feel this will just complicate things. I'll be moving out in 7 months. I figure after then I can get a 40S&W. I just want something that she can be comfortable with if she needs to use it. Any help here?

I was also looking into hammer fired handguns, though I like them both. Personally I think striker fire is easier. If she is going to be using it, I think this would be best. Less complicated, consistent trigger pull. What do you think? Three of the guns I want are hammer fired.

Now that she wants to use this gun, which I'm glad. I need to rethink some of things I want in a gun. Unless I'm at the house, this gun will be with me most of the time.

Thanks for your opinion, Gulley
 
You've got options here. The .40 is really not too bad in a full-sized pistol, and there are lower recoil options for the .40 in defensive ammo. If you learn to hand load as well, you can make some nice low-recoil range loads that will not buck too bad. The 9mm is a solid choice, though, and I think you'd be just fine with a 9mm-only gun. Something like a Sig or a Glock can take some hot, hot loads, and those are up there with the .40 as far as stopping power. Modern hollowpoints have changed the effectiveness of the 9mm. I'd recommend something with a 4" barrel to a 5" barrel, and with a full-sized grip. You may take your mother to the shop with you, once you turn 21, and have her try out some of the guns to see if she likes them too. With the 9mm, the price of ammo will allow far more practice than the .40. Get some snap caps, too. Those work great for dry-fire and weapons function drills. You can teach her how to load the gun without actually loading the gun.
 
I would start her on a 22. Even if its rented, bought used, whatever. Semi auto if you are going with a semi auto as the HD gun. You do not want to introduce flinch issues at this point. Good practice for you to.

I would go with 9mm as the caliber for the gun once she can shoot.

All the real world results say that 9mm is as good a 44 magnum (let alone 40, 357 Sig or 45). Its all abut shot placement.

Boil it down, a badly placed 44 magnum shot is just as bad for stopping someone as a badly placed 9mm.

A well placed 9mm shot is just as effective as a well place 44 magnum.

In other words, a larger caliber does not make up for bad shooting . Also, it usually take multiple hits regardless of caliber. A 9mm is easier to shoot well repeatedly than a 40 S&W. 9mm gets you back on target faster and less recoil and noise to overcome.

Check out the Sig SP2022. Wonderful hammer fired, simple controls, and with the DA, you just pull the trigger the same as a striker (no external safety). Safety is in the heavy DA pull.

You can also cock it just like a DA revolver and you have that fine trigger controls.
 
A preponderance of criminals interviewed expressed the opinion that they would avoid being shot by a 9mm handgun just as much as they'd avoid being shot by a .40 S&W.

If you're as broke as you say you are, consider that 9mm ammunition costs a bit over HALF what .40 S&W costs. If you want to be able to afford to practice, get the 9mm. You can always move up to a .40 when you graduate and have a paying job.
 
chewie, This gun is mostly for my purpose for concealed carry. Though until I buy a HD gun, it will be the HD gun. The current handguns I'm looking into and shooting are the Glock 19, Glock 26, S&W M&P 9c, Ruger SR9c, Springfield XDm 3.8, Sig P229, Sig P239 and the CZ PCR Compact D. I suppose when I move out I will buy her a handgun for herself, but that's a while away. Good idea about the snap caps!

Thor, I totally agree. She's a short, light women. Don't want it to know her off her feet. I don't think I'd get a .40 with a conversion barrel. Too much trouble, I can just use that money for when I get a .40 of my own.

RC20, so you think hammer fired is fine for a first shooter? That Sig looks great, but can I CC that? Remember, this is my gun. Though I want it to be good for her as well. I agree on caliber, the 9mm is a great round. So your saying, when were at the range give her a .22 to practice with, then have her use mine in SD? Then after a while have her practice with 9mm?
 
Part of me says, just get what I want. Then buy her a $300 or decent .22 or some small caliber she can keep around the house. She wouldn't be carrying, she has no LTCH. What do you all think about that idea?
 
9mm's a lot easier to shoot without alot of training.

+p rounds are availible for more punch when you carry it.

Compact handguns for carry are usually no fun for women to shoot in the 40 smith.

Check out the numerous shooting videos on YouTube and you will see it.

Pay close attention to any video where someones wife or girlfriend is shooting a 40 smith and see how far the gun comes back in recoil.

Mom is a woman-the physical limitations of not too much training will apply.

Those YouTube video's are an information goldmine.

As far as a cheap house gun,Bud's in selling Model 10 Smith revolvers right now for $265.

A revolver is pretty much a point and shoot gun that can stay loaded for very long periods of time before needing it.

Of course,they also sell a Ruger p95 9mm new for $300 that holds 15 rounds plus one in the chamber too-sells with two mags too.

The p95 is a little big in the grip area so Mom will have to see if she likes that particulkar gun.
 
You've got two conflicting goals here - at least two.

You have an objective of trying to teach a beginner how to shoot and you seem to want a .40 S&W for yourself.

It can be done, but I personally don't think it's optimal for a beginner to learn with .40 S&W. I think a better path is to learn on a .22

As far as conversion barrles go, there are some people who have some for their Glocks that they feel are relaible enough to use a conversion barrel for carry. I am a little wary of it myself. I have a Glock that I modify and gof around with for range use, but I wouldn't carry it. And while I think the models that I have make good night stand guns, - not after I've modified the triggers and springs and stuff in them. I think there are a lot of draw backs to modifying a SD gun, but that's just my opinion. And that goes for using a conversion barrel.

A conversion barrel IMO is great for the range, not so great to stake your life on.

If I were you, I'd seperate the issues out. You're asking a single piece of machinery to do too much stuff, last I checked Ron Popeil never made a handgun, but if he did it would do everything, dices slices, takes the place of over 12 other kitchen appliances and it would be lemon scented.

Just wait 7 months.

Get the handgun you want based on your wants and needs and get a .22 like a Ruger Mark III or Browning Buckmark for your mom to learn on.
 
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Okay, so we've decided and agreed just a 9mm.

What about hammer fired or striker? I like either, both are good. What would be easier for a beginner? I believe she's never shot a gun, and if she has it's been years.

Also, I just thought about this. What if I just got her a gun of her own? Like a .22? Nothing too expensive. I'd rather not spend the money, but I can adapt to what would be best for her. It'd be just for around the house, she wouldn't carry. She doesn't have a LTCH.
 
Most strikers have less than optimal triggers, probably the best is the PPS.

A good single action trigger like the CZ 75B-SA would be easier to learn on.

And that CZ 75B- SA is a great gun IMO.

My kids are learning to shoot and the hardest thing for them is keeping the sights aligned and on target while they "move" the trigger.
 
Just out of curiosity. How are you going to buy a handgun at 21? How are going to buy ammo? How are you going to get a CC permit? I thought the minimum for all of this was 21. I believe that it is in my state (TN) anyway.

To your question. Shot placement is the key with "stopping power". Good shot placement will come with practice. Cheaper rounds mean more practice for both you and her.

A DAO or Striker fired gun that has the same trigger pull all the time is usually easier to teach/master than Single Action or Double/Single action type in my experience.
 
Crow, in Indiana you can be 18 to obtain your LTCH. Though you must be 21 to buy the handgun and ammo. Buying either of those two wouldn't be hard at all. Either parents, older brother, or any of my friends that are over 21 are more then willing to do either when I need them to.
 
JGulley,what you just describeed may be a straw purchase and may not be legal.

You need to be legally able to own the handgun yourself.

I could be wrong though.

If not,you need to stop talking about this on the internet right away and not do it in real life either.
 
I question those who say girls can't shoot a 40S&W. I've seen some awful little girls or should I say little women, shoot some pretty heavy handguns.

If you can't teach your mother to shoot a 40 cal, find someone who can.
 
Real, I know my laws. I talked to the local sheriff while applying for my LTCH. You are wrong. This is all legal. He told me you can carry, as long as you have your LTCH. Though can't buy the handgun or ammo tell your 21. Though the handgun must be registered to someone over 21. He also said, anyone over 21 can buy the ammo for you to shoot at the range or while carrying. Which I already knew. A few of my friends are under 21 and legally carry the same way. I know I'm just 20, but I'm not dumb when it comes to laws and my rights as an American. No offense taken, no offense given.
 
I question those who say girls can't shoot a 40S&W. I've seen some awful little girls or should I say little women, shoot some pretty heavy handguns.

If you can't teach your mother to shoot a 40 cal, find someone who can.
Click to expand...

Yup. I know several women shooting USPSA who will beat me any day, hands down.

BTW, I think training is often better delivered by a third party. That way there are no preconceived attitudes between the teacher and student.
 
JGulley317,

Your selection of handguns is limited to semi-autos. Have you considered that your mother needs sufficient hand strength to rack the slide? Some women have trouble with this part of the necessary skills to competently handle a semi-auto.

Consider her hand size compared to yours. She might need a smaller circumference grip compared to you.

Does she have any experience with shooting handguns?

Would she benefit from starting with lower powered cartridges such as the 22 long rifle? This could help he overcome any fears she might have about guns.

Is she recoil sensitive? A heavier handgun has less felt recoil compared to a lighter handgun of the same cartridge and design. This may be in conflict with your desire for a small concealable handgun.

Read http://www.corneredcat.com/ for some insights. Good reading . . . .
 
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