any gun experts?

[heatherwillmom]

I'm looking for advice from a gun expert. I am thinking about getting a new gun. I have a 38 now that I have had for a long time. I actually haven't used it in a while. I used to go target shooting frequently. I am going to take the gun class again to get my gun permit renewed so I have been looking around. A lot of people have told me that a 9mm is the best. I went to gun store & they have one that said was like a smaller 9mm. I looked at a air weight 38 as well. I am a average sized woman, but I would prefer one that didn't kick too much. DS wants me to get the Targus Judge, but that's more gun that I want. Any suggestions from any gun experts out there?

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

You probably have to factor in how you'll be using -- carrying concealed or not? It's a lot harder for women to conceal a larger gun than something more compact, I'd think.

 

[GeorgeG]

The Taurus Judge is something I've had my eyes on for some time, but I imagine it might be a handful, especially if you don't want much kick. The "smaller" 9mm might be a .380, which is a good gun for something in a small package. I disagree that 9mm is "best" unless you have a compelling reason for having one. Airweight .38s are nice. I have an old Colt Cobra that my wife likes. My personal favorite is a compact, lightweight .45 auto, but you probably don't want that much kick. If you like a .38, I would recommend staying with it, perhaps with a new gun. Hornady has come out with a line of defense ammo that is supposed to be effective with lower recoil (haven't tried it yet) or you can just use wadcutters, which are meant for target shooting, but are pretty effective for defense.

The market is flooded with all kinds of new guns with all kinds of "new and improved" ammo and accessories. Unless you have a specific purpose in mind other than basic target shooting and personal defense, a trusty .38 special is as good as any. If your gun dealer has a range, you might be able to try some out or go to the range with friends who already have what you've been considering. I've been shooting for close to 50 years and I'm a firm believer in keeping things simple.

 

[heatherwillmom]

They even have a Targus Judge Lite now but the people at the gun store said it had more of a kick than the regular. I grew up around guns because my Dad had a big collection. He was more into rifles & shotguns though. My neice has a small 9mm that she carries. It's small enough for her purse. Her dad is a detective who usually helps all of us with gun choices. His wife carries a 9mm for work. I liked some of the smaller caliber guns but he always said, if you are going to have to shoot someone, it's because it's you or them & you want enough fire power to do some damage. He doesn't recommend anything smaller than a 38. The .380 is one that I liked for the size. There was a family that lives close to us had a home envasion recently. The intruders had an AK 47. The home owner had a 22 pistol but he got some lucky shots & took out one of the intruders, injured another, & the third one ran away. There were a lot of shots fired, but the intruders missed with their shots. It turned out to be friends of their former foster child who broke in.

 

[Ponygirl]

If you are talking home defense, my husband thinks you can't beat a shotgun and a barking dog. Your chances of hitting something are much higher with a shotgun because of the spray pattern.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Two guns I've been looking at that I really like are the Smith & Wesson .38 Bodyguard and Ruger LCR .38 with laser grips. I really like those laser sights. You can go to You Tube and see a couple of videos comparing those two guns. I like the Ruger better and my DH likes the S & W Bodyguard.

My DH doesn't like a .380 because he thinks it doesn't have enough knock down power. He says don't buy anything smaller than a .38. He has a S&W Sigma that I really like but it's too big to carry concealed.

 

[tonilea]

I love my Colt 1911 .45 w/ night sights. I am not a big fan of 9mm. I feel like they lack knock-down power. Have you looked at a Glock 23? I think that is the compact model. I am not particularly fond of Glocks, but DH carries the full sized Glock 40 cal on duty. Walther PPK .380 is nice for a back up.

For home defense, my 12 gauge shotgun.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

my wife has a S&W 38 airwieght revolver, i carry a 380 Ruger LCP, i also sometimes walk around with my Taurus Judge. love all 3, but these are only a couple of my toys.
my opinion the revolvers offer more reliability, thats why i got the 38 airwieght for the wife. the judge sets nicely beside the bed or (sometimes)holstered on my side.
the ruger LCP is a small lightwieght conceal carry, very similar to the little Keltecs.
but the best advice is to go to the local gun store, look around, maybe check out the local range to see if anyone their has one they would let you try out.

 

[heatherwillmom]

These are some great suggestions. I hadn't thought about the smaller Glock. My BIL carries the full size Glock for work & he loves it. The gun I have now is the S&W 38 Chief Special. It's a "pretty" gun, crome barrel, pearl handle, but it's kinda big for my purse. I like the idea of the laser sights. Can they be put on other guns or do they just work on the type that they are made on?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

My DH has an FFL and sells guns mainly just to friends - his biggest seller right now to other ladies is the Ruger LCR with the Lazer grip. It's small and light weight - would fit in your purse easily. The lazer sight is great because you don't have to think about aiming- just put the dot on the target. Most are buying these for personal protection and it's what I would carry.

 

[GeorgeG]

The Chief's Special is too big for your purse? Adequate defense guns don't come much smaller. Perhaps one of the small .380s might be worth looking at. They can be a tad smaller.

As far as "knockdown" power is concerned, there used to be a lot of hype over the best rounds for "one shot stops," but that concept isn't very realistic. For the average civilian (and some police), real defensive situations are up close and personal - at arms length. You empty just about any caliber gun into an attacker and by the time the gun goes "click" the attack should be over. The same goes for laser sights. Good for some applications, but when your muzzle is pressed against the bad guy's sternum, sights don't matter. As the distance between you and a potential attacker is greater, the justification for self-defense is reduced. Keep in mind, my comments are for the average citizen who will likely be surprised by an attacker and not a police officer who may face a bad guy at more distance.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

The Taurus Judge fires .45 long colt as well as .410 shotgun shells. It is a handful though, but I like it.

As far as economics go, you can't beat a Hi-Point .380 or 9mm semi-automatic. I have the 9mm. They come with 8 round magazines, but 10 round ones are available. They run around $150. I also have a Hi-Point .45, but it is quite clunky and will probably sell it sometime soon.

I carry both the Judge and the Hi-Point in my truck, and the Hi-Point is used as my CC weapon.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

These are some great suggestions. I hadn't thought about the smaller Glock. My BIL carries the full size Glock for work & he loves it. The gun I have now is the S&W 38 Chief Special. It's a "pretty" gun, crome barrel, pearl handle, but it's kinda big for my purse. I like the idea of the laser sights. Can they be put on other guns or do they just work on the type that they are made on?

Yes, you can put them on just about any gun. I like the laser grips. Seriously, check out the you tube videos comparing the Bodyguard to the Ruger LCR. I found them very helpful. The Bodyguards are pretty new and are going to be a very popular gun for carrying concealed. But I am going to have to shoot both the Ruger .38 LCR and the Bodyguard .38 before I decide which one is right for me.

 

[bored]

Two guns I've been looking at that I really like are the Smith & Wesson .38 Bodyguard and Ruger LCR .38 with laser grips. I really like those laser sights. You can go to You Tube and see a couple of videos comparing those two guns. I like the Ruger better and my DH likes the S & W Bodyguard.

My DH doesn't like a .380 because he thinks it doesn't have enough knock down power. He says don't buy anything smaller than a .38. He has a S&W Sigma that I really like but it's too big to carry concealed.

My conceal carry weapon is a Ruger LCR. Fantastic little gun, easily concealable, and enough stopping power.

 

[DisMN]

Well I'm a little old fashioned so I stick to the old standards like Juicy Fruit or Doublemint.

Oh. Wait. You said GUN. Sorry.

LOL

But seriously...have fun shopping! DH was never a hunter so we don't have guns but I grew up going out for target practice with my dad. Great sport and I wish I could have talked hubby into it over the years.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Good for some applications, but when your muzzle is pressed against the bad guy's sternum, sights don't matter. As the distance between you and a potential attacker is greater, the justification for self-defense is reduced.

If a guy is coming after me the last place I want to be is within arms reach of him. If seeing that red dot on his chest isn't going to make him change his mind...He's gonna get 5 rounds in him. As a female, if he has a knife or is just larger than me that's all the justification I'm gonna need to prove self-defense.

 

[donaldduck352]

I bought my wife a Tuares Judge with the laser grip site option.She loves it.The .45 long colt is a great round for distance,but put a #4 .410 in it and watch out.At close range it will stop anything.The great part is if you use the .410 in a house for self defence,it will not go threw 5 walls like the .45LC.IMO the best home defence gun on the marcket today!!

One downfall,it does have a kick cause of the short barrel.


Now with me.I love my Ruger Super Redhawk .44mag.I just used the iron sights on it till I bought The Judge.Now I got the Crimson Trace Laser Grip on it.Tell ya what,it WILL drive nails at 50yrds...

We both did the concealed permit class together.But remember every state have diff ways on that law.So study up before going on long trips with a gun in a vehicle..

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

I bought my wife a Tuares Judge with the laser grip site option.She loves it.The .45 long colt is a great round for distance,but put a #4 .410 in it and watch out...

try some of the special handgun ammunition for the judge, its buckshot pellets and BB pellets mixed. its pretty cool.

 

[GeorgeG]

If a guy is coming after me the last place I want to be is within arms reach of him. If seeing that red dot on his chest isn't going to make him change his mind...He's gonna get 5 rounds in him. As a female, if he has a knife or is just larger than me that's all the justification I'm gonna need to prove self-defense.

I agree with your point, but many attacks begin at close quarters or are at arms length by the time the defender can react. We can run all the drills over and over in our minds and rehearse our responses, but in the end it will usually be up close and personal. That's been my experience on two occasions in the distant past.

 

[IDoDis]

You'll shoot your eye out!!!