I am not gun savvy by any measure. But I own them and have no issues with their use.

I have a 357 single action for home protection. Simple to use and Cathy is unlikely to dump all six shots because of a nervous trigger. This is backed up by a side by side 12 gauge with big shot. I assume one or two shots from the 357 will make happen whatever decisions have to be made in the first encounter of a home invasion.

However, we now both carry money from time to time. We also have a few ex employees with attitude. So, we have decided to go for Conceal and Carry. The 357 is OK but she will need a smaller weapon with more shells in the clip. In the open street, I would assume the faster reload and easier function of a 9mm would be more appropriate. A reasonably aimed 357 will do real damage but after five (always hammer on an empty) reload is a b*tch.

Cathy has been saving credit card points for her's. It's time to go and find one for her and possible for me.

Suggestions from the floor requested.



roadster with a stick

 

My GF took a job downtown Detroit....the first thing we did was get her a CCW permit and a handgun.

She decided, wisely I might add, on the SigSauer 380ACP. It's small enough to conceal in a small handbag, yet still has enough power to get the job done.

http://www.sigsauerpro.com/category/...p_Pistols.aspx


Sig's are a little pricey......but when you need it does the price really matter?

 

Smith & Wesson .40. 14+1.

Well balanced and my wife can easily handle it. ~ $300.

 

Fran may look at these. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...49/ai_97170886 FRAN i believe the wife/Sonia and i had supper with you at the lodge at the dragon.

 

One of the steel framed 9's from Khar would be a nice carry piece. I have a K9 and the trigger is smooth as butter. Easy to point and accurate. Small size too. Might be hard to rack the slide she would have to try it.

A lot of people dont like the recoil of the Sig 380. I have a 229 in 9 and it shoots great, It is large for carry though.

 

Coming from a old jackass that does know handguns, not from a zealous view but from one of pure function (former 1,000 rd/mo competitor), one and only one way to go for mom and pop: Colt 1911 .45 or clone thereof for you and a Colt Mustang Pocket-lite .380 for her.

The 1911 goes from cheap to wastefully expensive, depending upon your tastes. Google 'Brownells' and have them send you their 1911 catalog #3. You'll get the ideas for one you like and then buy it at a gun show. As for the Mustang, Colt quit producing them during the Clinton years (that's odd), so just search the web and you'll find a nice one for her.

You will find these to be a most enjoyable pair of handguns with identical controls. Handling, recoil, effect and the like will be appropriate for each of you. Don't let anybody try to sell you any other way just because such-and-such brand name makes them hard.

Gosh, you can even dress 'em out to match your his-and-hers beach towels if you want.

 

I have to agree with Dwight on the 1911 style guns. I say "1911 style" because the original 1911's were SA only with a grip and trigger safeties. I'm not sure how comfortable you feel with carrying in "Condition 1" with an SA only gun. Many modern 1911's are now available in DA/SA carry, which is the same kind of trigger you would find on a GI issue M92. The advantage of this is condition 2 carry and still being able to fire off a round without a safety (assuming the gun has automatic firing pin block.)

1911's however are incredibly accurate guns. I shoot better with 1911's than any other kind of gun. Even the recoil of .45 ACP feels like nothing on a 1911. Follow up shots are faster.

Based on my experience, if I had anticipated all my engagements to be under 5 yards, I'd be comfortable with virtually any average handgun. But if I anticipated engagements between 5 and 15 yards, I'd choose the 1911 every time.

The only negatives with 1911's I've experienced are frequent FTF jams on the feed ramp. This is sort of a big negative. Strong magazine springs are key here as well as quality ammo and clean mechanics. To be honest, this is the reason why I would CCW only a Glock, H&K USP or an Airlite revolver.

The only negative of .45 ACP is cost, but if you are like Dwight Mcgee and like punching primer maybe it's not so big a deal

 

I would assume the Colt .380 would use shells compatable in my 357, in a pinch of course. Is it a gun she can shoot safely through her coat pocket?

The fact is this will not be a target range weapon but likley suffer missuse of storage in her purse or pocket. Mechanisms that require clearance, clean slides and high maintanance may prove to be a ineffective hammer when needed.

so the cost of ammo is a small consideration.


franc

 

I like the sig 380, fyi. Woody easy carry

 

I'd decide on a new place to live or a new line of work before selecting what brand heat to pack everyday.

Here's good read from my town where the perp lost out to the victim:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...BAI4161N0D.DTL

 

THAT'S A PLEASANT DREAM. BUT THE TRUTH IS I LIVE AND WORK IN ...wait for it.....AMERICA!

Land of the diverse cultures. And I travel the length and breadth of it.

My wife does also often going 1,100 miles by herself. Since the dawn of man, it has always been unsafe to live in this world. There are laws , I know. Problem is, the law doesn't protect you anything like a 45 Caliber slug.

Most victims of their own weapons had one moment to be in control of the situation. Unfortunately, they were not commited to what they thought they had in mind when they aquired the weapon. The perp took advantage of their moment of hesitation because he had no conscience or guilt to overcome.

It's very simple really, just understand,
THERE ARE NO RULES IN A KNIFE FIGHT!

Now about that 1911 .380, or the Sig 380. Can my wife fire it safely from her coat pocket?


roadster with a stick

BTW, I have stared at the business end of a 357 in a place where I should not have had to fear it. In a place with strict gun control laws hence the lack of defense in my pocket. Trust me, it is very hard on your laundry.

 

Like I said, I'm not gun savvy. I could pretend I know but I don't. I could PM descreetly but my assumption is there are others as unaware as I and this stuff could soon be important.

What does SA only mean?
What does DA/SA mean
What does ACP mean?
FTF ?

franc

 

The Sig380 fits perfect in a pocket.....it's only a 3.5" barrel, maybe about 5 inches overall. Just over a pound in weight.

My GF keeps hers in her left coat pocket all the time, usually with her hand on it when she's downtown.

 

SA = single action
DA = double action

Both have to do with the hammer movement.

ACP = Automatic Colt Pistol Has more to do with the type of cartridge the gun fires.

 

You guys have been great.

Thanks, I sorta knew that just not the Jargon I guess.

Now, she has about $350 in points to spend at Cabella's. How much do we have to add to get a decent sig380?

I'll find a decent SA 1911 at a gun show in about two weeks.


franc

 

Carrying is one part of the equation.

The second part is practice, and training.

One should be completely comfortable and familiar with their weapon of choice.

 

Don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of training from my military nephew and my son. I also had lots of experience hunting as a young man in Nothern MO and Northen Ill. That I didn't know the nomenclature doesn't mean I was unfamiliar with the hardware.

As to being comfortable with my current weapon, I'll tell this story.
As my nephew explained how his 15 shot clip in his 9mm Ruger was a better weapon in a street fight, we began to shoot at the same targets, about 50 yards away. A veteran of two Afghanistan tours, I figured he knew his stuff.
He shot 7 of ten bottles off the fence and then began peppering the 5 gallon plastic jug of water on the ground. His five rounds put up dust all over the ground with one hit laying a tiny stream of water out the bottom front of the jug.

I had never fired a pistol before so I listened to his advice. I cocked my new SA 357, held it gently but firmly and squeezed of one round. The jug exploded. SGT Kling responded "OK you're fine with it."

Been comfortable ever since.



roadster with a stick

I imagine Cathy and I will spend a good bit of time at the range this summer. Our Landlord is a good friend and a former competition shooter. There is an excellent private range near to his house.

 

FTF is Failure to Feed. It happens when you fire a round and the next round fails to chamber. If it is a jam, then it usually occurs where the bullet meets the feed ramp or chamber. This disables the weapon until the jam is cleared.

 

Yes you did. It was my pleasure that evening and I hope you didn't mind the flirtations I made to your lovely wife.


Thanks for the info.


franc

 

Definitely spend time at the range!!!!

Having a weapon is one thing...knowing how to use it is quite another.

I strongly suggest you BOTH take a few classes from the NRA or a local gun club who teaches the proper use of the handgun. Complete and total familiarity is imperative to keeping yourself secure. The slightest hesitation can be the difference between living and dying.

Not to be too overbearing, and I'm all for gun rights, but I feel there's far too many people who are armed without the proper training to handle the weapons they carry.

If utilizing the weapon in the proper way is not second nature to you then you have a far greater chance of doing more harm than good.

Again, not to preach, and I'm sure you're aware of this Franc, but you can never have too much time at the range familiarizing yourself with your firearm.