despite having a farm, having a meth lab across the road from me, and a whacko that is on a online watch list for neighbors, there isn't a gun in the house. Now don't get me wrong. Katie and I are well versed with firearms and are nether scared of them, or against them, its just for one reason or not, we don't have one. Last year Maine passed a concealed carry law that pretty much allows anyone to pack a pistol just about anywhere. before things get crazy after the election, Katie and I discussed getting some self defense pistols. I suggested buy a darringer and keep it in her petticoat, but that was quickly disputed. Actually we were thinking of 2 small pistols, of the same caliber so we could have the same ammunition. The question is what to get for a pistol; make and model? What caliber? And where we should carry them (purse, hip, ankle, etc). I know a guy that owns a fire arms store who went to our old church. We are going to go there unless you can think of a better way to buy guns. Here are some specifics: We are a sheep farm only so the biggest animal we would dispatch would be a sheep (no bulls or anything) We have (4) daughters ages 3-11 years old which is scary We were Foster Parents so our records are blemish free Katie is a tiny little thing so recoil is of concern Katie is pretty so in all honesty, protection for HER is a very real possibility (she gets hit on a lot, with a stalker once that had to spend Christmas in jail).
While doing business with your church friend is admirable, I suggest going to a shop where you can rent guns to try before you buy. Don't just trust your friends opinions. Grip angles are different, grip sizes vary, barrel length varies, and recoil matters. The little pocket pistol you are describing is gonna have alot more recoil than a larger framed, heavier gun shooting the same round as the pocket pistol. So try them out where you can, then go buy from your friend is my advice. Btw...ammo compatibility between you two is a good idea, but don't let it be a deal breaker ie; buy something you don't shoot well, just because she does.
There are a few variables, but I will say that my carry gun, both Dawn and myself is a Smith & Wesson m&p shield in 9mm. They are great pistols, are lightweight and very concealable. The mags are single stack, with a shorter version for smaller hands or a larger mag for medium to bigger hands. This is my particular "summer" pistol, easily concealed with shorts and a t-shirt, and I carry a somewhat larger pistol in the winter. Recoil isn't bad at all, remember, even a smaller gun/ caliber doesn't always mean less recoil. If it's a self defense situation, you want stopping and dropping power. Like the above post, try before you buy. M&P SHIELD - Smith & Wesson
Great replies, I am glad I asked, though you guys must realize "Smith & Wesson m&p shield in 9mm" and "single stack, with a shorter version for smaller hands or a larger mag for medium to bigger hands" is pretty much the Russian Language to me, and my family is from England! Again, this is why I asked. never thought about recoil being the same for big and small weapons. I shot a 9MM before and liked it. Funny story though, I had caught a skunk in a cage and hauled it to a distant field to shoot it. Borrowed a 9 MM and 4 rounds. I shot all four rounds and gave the gun back, and then a few days later a Game Warden saw the trapped skunk and let the thing loose. I never hit it with 4 rounds!! My brother was in the Special Forces as a sniper and qualified for 3/4 of a mile shot, but me and my father could not hit a bus at 5 feet!
Single vs dbl stack: And the mag length on the m&p is negligible. One a little longer, the other a bit shorter
And yes...the shield 9 is about as soft shooting as a compact gets. I'd definitely try one of those of I were you. My kahr pm9 is a wrist wrecker but I got it before the shield existed. Now I can't hardly give it away with the influx of small 9mms on the market.
You should probably take an NRA style class to get familiar with the makes and models and lingo. These classes are great for the novice to get familiar and see what fits them. There are lots of great firearms out there, and for all budgets. Ultimately, the most important thing is being able to hit a target. So your best choice is the one that you can shoot proficiently and handle safely!
You'll want to address that with some practice on whatever you decide on. For EDC, this is what I have. Ruger LCP in .380. When it's in my back pocket, in the pocket holster, it looks just like a wallet; which is what you would expect to see in a back pocket. Add a magazine full of jacketed hollow points and it makes a fine concealed carry handgun. It's not going to stop a raging bear or some crazed meth head but will work well for most other situations. In the colder weather, when I'm wearing more cloths, I go with something that has a little more punch. S&W .357 in a shoulder holster. The .380 then goes on the ankle.
9 mm is a very popular caliber. But with the latest technology in bullets, a .380 would be good also. The 380 had become very popular in the last ten years. I've carried.357's , .40 cals and .45 cals for 25 years. You will need to shoot as many calibers as you can, then make an informed decision
For EDC Every day carry. LodgedTree, a quick google search will usually get you a definition of terms you're not familiar with. There are also some "gun glossary of terms" that will help you to sort things out.
You can't carry anywhere in my state but next year I'll be in Alaskas' Brooks range for a couple of weeks and this will be my carry gun. Of course, this gun is for an entirely different kind of predator.
SW Shield Walther PPS or CCP Springfield XDS Sig Sauer P938, P320C Glock 19, 26, 42, or 43 That's not everything....but pretty much the cream of the crop when it comes to small carry guns in 9mm or 380.
The gun I most often carry is my Ruger LCP in .380. I have nicer guns, and I have guns that "hit" harder, but that LCP is so small that it's easy to just put it in my front pocket or a rear wallet holster. I've actually worn it into a concert once and made it through a pat-down, the security guard just asked if that was my wallet in my pocket! Some people think the LCP has some kick, I don't. My mom, who has probably shot a total of 3 guns in her life really likes my LCP as well. If you want a softer shooting handgun I think the SIG P238 is an excellent CCW handgun. It also shoots the .380 round but has a metal frame, adding a little bit of weight which will help a lot with recoil management. From what I've read on various forums a lot of guys wives like them. I have it's larger brother, a SIGP938 in 9mm. It's got a little more recoil, but I love the gun. Both are 2 of the most accurate subcompact handguns out there. I carry it when I know I can carry all day since it takes more effort to put on a holster. The LCP gets used for those quick runs to the corner store when I just want to drop something in my pocket. I love revolvers in theory, but after carrying one for awhile I got tired of the bulkiness of them. But you should probably still look into the S&W 442 / 642 and the Ruger LCR. The Ruger has a nicer trigger and shoots softer which may be a big deal for your wife.
You need to take safety classes first. You need to study up on firearm's. For a newbie gun owner a long gun is easier to learn safety basics (22lr) Then go shoot some guns to see what you think. Caliber and size is all personal. For example the Mrs loves to shoot .45 but they are all much bulkier than say a Glock 42. The 42 is "cute" and fits anywhere. With kids in the house get them involved ASAP. Take the mystery scary and taboo out of it right away. If you carry daily with kids, locking the gun up should be habitual, like brushing your teeth.
Great thread, great questions and great answers.... I'll add one more thing. Make sure you get a gun with an easy to use and reliable safety, that's a big deal. And I strongly second both you and your wife taking a pistol training class.
A lot of modern handguns don't have external safeties. Just about any stricker fired gun (Glocks, S&W M&P's, Springfield XD's) relies only on internal safeties, but there's no lever on the outside to flip.
