gun for wife?
Going to gunshow Sat. Wife is getting her CWP. Any reccomendations for a gun for her? I have several autos, but she can't pull back the slide easily. I have a small revolver too, but it has no safety and shes not comfy with that. Is it safe to carry an auto cocked with safety on? I doubt it.
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Beretta makes a small semi-auto model that doesn't require the slide to be pulled back to load. You can get it in either .22/.25 or .32, I believe. It's not much of a stopper with those cartridges, but better then nothing. 0 -
Thanks. I have a Berretta and really like it, but its too big. I'll look for one like you're describing. 0 -
There is no need for a manual safety on a modern double action revolver. Let her try to drag the trigger back 3/4 inch against a 10 lb spring and see if she thinks it likely to go off by itself.
It is safe to carry an automatic "cocked and locked", I have done it a lot. But there are double action and "safe action" autos out there so you don't have to worry about it or "remember" to disengage the safety to shoot.
Suggest you and she read up at The Cornered Cat, a site about guns by a woman for women.
http://corneredcat.com/0 -
Revolvers do have a safety in a sense, they have long heavy trigger pulls. This is no different then DAO autos.
As for if it is safe to carry and auto cocked with the safety on that will depend on the gun. Example the 1911 is designed to be carried cocked and locked (safety).0 -
quote:Originally posted by s. ward
Going to gunshow Sat. Wife is getting her CWP. Any reccomendations for a gun for her? I have several autos, but she can't pull back the slide easily. I have a small revolver too, but it has no safety and shes not comfy with that. Is it safe to carry an auto cocked with safety on? I doubt it.
The best gun for her is the gun she likes, is comfortable with, and will actually carry . . .if its a single shot .22, that's still better than nothing.
Its possible to learn to get a more effective slide racking action with some practice. A simple "pinch and pull" may not be enough. It may require a full hand grab with the racking hand working against a full push with the other hand, with the gun brought a bit closer to the torso for better leverage.
As mentioned revolvers don't need an external safety. You either have to manually cock back the hammer to fire them (which is analogous to disengaging a manual safety) or alternatively, pull the trigger back with an over 10 lb "double-action" pull.
The 10+ pound trigger pull means that the gun cannot go off by accident. In fact most authorities consider a double-action type trigger pull to be THE SAFEST form of trigger there is.
Not only that but ordinary .38 special revolvers were basically standard issue for military and police all over the planet for over 50 years. They're plenty safe.
Is it safe to carry a semi-auto gun "cocked and locked"? Well, it was standard practice in the US military to carry 1911-type .45 automatic pistols that way for something like 70 years. I think its perfectly safe to carry that way. . .though that doesn't mean that everyone is comfortable doing so.
As further food for thought, many cops and soldiers are carrying so-called "safe action" Glock pistols now, and not only do those lack an external safety, the trigger pull on a stock Glock is only 5.5lbs. Now, I'm not saying Glocks are or are not safe, only that guns without ANY external safeties are widely carried by trained individuals in the real world.
Ultimately, you don't have a lot of choices here. You either have a safety or you don't. . .and at some point pulling the trigger is supposed to make the gun go off, right? For an auto you've got:
a. No external safety at all (eg Glocks and some similar striker-fired guns).
b. Manual safety - single action (like Colt 1911 .45 auto).
c. "Traditional" double-action. . .that's a decocking safety requiring a long hard double-action pull for the first shot to cock the hammer, and after each fired shot automatically cocks the hammer for the next one, a light single-action pull.
d. Double action only.
For a revolver you've got:
a. Single action only. . you MUST manually cock the hammer prior to each shot. While they are nice for sporting, hunting and recreational purposes, I'd say guns like this are functionally obsolete as defensive weapons.
b. Traditional double action: You either cock the hammer for a light short trigger pull, or pull the trigger a long way for a heavy one.
c. Double action only.0 -
I strongly suggest a double action revolver. The 5 shot J frame S & W would be my choice for her. With the revolver there is no worry as to whether or not the safety is on, no worry if there is a round in the chamber and no worry as to whether there is a magazine in the pistol.
If she was shooter who fired the pistol weekly and was very familiar with it's features, the semi-auto would work as well but it doesn't sound like she has that much interest in firearms.
I am a retired law enforcement officer and was a certified law enforcement firearms instructor. What would be the best choice for me would not be a best choice for your wife.0 -
If she has trouble racking the slide on an auto you want to look at a double action/single action with a decocker. Have her cock the hammer back on the empty chamber before racking the slide then decock as she usually would anyway. This will make it a lot easier to chamber the first round.
I would suggest something like the Bersa Thunder in .380.
Beretta also made or perhaps still does make a .380 with a tip up barrel. They are a bit pricey though.0 -
gun for wife? thats a good trade[:D][:D] 0 -
Thanks, folks. You've given us a lot of info to think about. We'll see what she likes at gun show. I looked (online) at the Berreta Bearcat. I liked what I saw, but she'll have to do hands on before deciding. 0 -
The 3032 Tomcat would be the one for her. loaded with a good 32acp. HP is the best. I have the Alleycat and load it with WW Silvertips.
The 22LR. Bobcat is not enough gun for defence, in my opinion. But if someone is comfortable with it, go for it.0
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