first time gun buyer

[wildrose]

PLEASE no politics here!!!

My mom is looking to purchase a handgun for protection. She lives in a rural area, off the main road, and wants something easy to use, that will be kept at home. Two of her brothers have been giving her some advice, and even target practice, but I know there are some really knowledgeable people here that can help me pass some info on to her.

Dad occassionally goes on short-term mission trips, and Mom would feel more secure if she had something close by if needed. She's not afraid to learn, and not afraid to use it, and plans on taking some concealed weapon classes shortly. Though she's in her 60's, she's very athletic (has run the NYC Marathon, and runs every day still) and does most of the work on their horse farm.

For point of reference, we live in Virginia.

[Shorts]

Well, I think what feels good in her hand and what she leans to is what she should take home. It can be a revolver, a semiauto or probably the greatest home defense gun, a good shotgun. Since you said that she is physically active, more than likely she'll be able to handle a variety of firearms/calibers.

As far as caliber, I would keep it above .38spl. A .38spl, 9mm, .40 or .45acp. I can't negate a .380acp but right now ammo is exceptionally expensive and very difficult to find. For a shotgun, a good standard 12ga can be had for a great price. It's easy to use and it is certainly effective with the proper load.

Its great to hear that she is going to take a class. That will be a great intro. Tell her to ask her instructor as many questions as she wants and hopefully she can get her hands on a variety of firearms while at class to get a feel for options. The next thing to do is go to the range and rent a few guns, try them out. This will help get a real feel for how they operate and shoot. For her bros giving her lessons, while it may be easy access, it might not be the easiest way to get info. Very often when people try to learn things from family or spouses it is way too easy to take advice incorrectly or the teacher is way too critical. Basically, it keeps the peace to learn with an instructor haha

VA is a great state for firearm ownership. Good on your mom for wanting to be able to take care of herself if she needs to If she interested in some good online firearms forums, I can suggest a few that I'm on and have been a member of for a long while.

Good luck on the search. If there's anything I can help with, ask away!

Edited March 16, 2009 by Shorts

[DCKNIVES]

My wife and I both carry Glock 19's. They are virtually indestructable and very reliable,but I would recommend a revolver, something like a S&W 38.Less to learn and very reliable.Good stopping power as well, though not as many shots as a semi-auto.Dave

[Kevinjohnson]

Glock model 23 .40 caliber? Maybe a short barrel shot gun for home defense. That's the same advice a respected customer gave me.

[freak]

As these times have it, honestly take her to the gun shop and let her fell and hold as many as she wants. Get something that feels good and she understands how to work that gun in the dark, that's also in her price range. Then i'de go check your price for ammo , it's just gettting higher and higher and harder to find. No need to buy a gun you can't afford ammo for or can't find.

My mom's in the looking stages as well. I'm pretty sure she'll be getting something in a 9mm. It just all depends on what i stated above. Plus it's a good round for her, it has stopping power and is not over powering for her to handle.

[ArtS]

There is a lot of personal preference with a gun selection.

The first one my mother in law got was a semi auto and she couldn't pull the slide back. I told my father in law to return it and get her a revolver. Sounds like your mother is stronger though.

I bought my wife a S&W Airweight .39 special revolver with hidden hammer. She likes it. I also added a laser to it (picture included). It's very light weight.

It only has 5 shots so you may want to get her a semi auto that holds more.

Art

[JohnnyDingus]

First off I recomend that your Mom go to a gun shop range combination if you can find one. One that lets you rent their guns so you can get a feel for the different types. If that is not possible do you have some friends and neighbors that would be willing to go with you so your mom could try out a few different types. If she hasn't shot before to get her comfortable with just shooting I recomend someone bring a .22cal pistol so she can get used to hitting the target and comfortable with sight alignment. Then and only then do I recomend she gradually increase in caliber and type of pistol to find out what she prefers. Just holding the gun does no good in finding out what she will be comfortable with shooting. She needs to practice practice practice. You might do all of this over a period of a couple of weeks. Deciding in one day what you like is applicable to new cars, puppies and food. But deciding on something that you are going to depend on to save your life if needed needs careful consideration.

Just a old Marine's .02

Johnny Dingus

edit: ps. a 357 will shoot 38spl. So in my opinion for a lady a 38, 357, or 9mm should be about minimum for protection, good rounds with plenty of stoping power.

Edited March 16, 2009 by JohnnyDingus

[Jordan]

My mom has a shotgun with deer slugs that she keeps by the bed and a walther semiauto pistol made famous by bond james bond. lol. I have a bersa .380 small, inexpensive and very reliable. She definitely go to a range/shop and shoot a few different guns until she finds one that she is comfortable with.

[superchute]

look a the judge 45 410 and use the 410 shells in it nice pattern and would work great

Russ

[Tkleather1]

I jsut bought the wife a Taurus 357 Model 66 I think. I like the 357 because you can shoot 3 loads through it .38 spl, .38 spl +p, and 357. The taurus is a lower end gun but very nice and the prices are aheck of alot lower than a smith or Glock or ruger, well you get my point.