Handguns

I've recently taken an interest in handguns...but I don't know much about them.

Any recommendations or advice?

I was thinking about getting a Ruger .357 magnum with a snub nose & laser sight. But I have heard it's not extremely accurate.

I have guns... I own a 357 and a 38. You can use 38 bullets with both. I would not suggest using 357 bullets with the actually 357. Cause the kick hurts my thumb. Might hurt yours as well...

I'm getting ready got get my permit.

I have other guns also, but don't shoot them. Glocks and etc...

With a woman, they suggest a revolver just like I the oneds I mentioned cause woman tend to panic...

Take a gun safety course and learn about SAFETY...

But I gotta tell ya, it helps with stress when you go shooting... It's amazing!

I just did a photo-shoot with my 357 last weekend. It's for personal use...

Good luck and hope this helps!!!

Thanks, Megan! I am taking a class very soon. I've already given my deposit.

By the way, that picture of yours with the black gloves and red heels is my absolute favorite escort picture of all time.

I wasn't really concerned about my thumb with the .357 bullets, but someone else told me the shot could blow through a couple of houses. I only care to hit what I'm actually aiming for...as much as I dislike some of my neighbors. Lol.

I just like the heavier feel of the .357 gun. I'll probably put .38 in it.

Have you shot many guns? I don't mean this in a poor way by any means but a 357 is too powerful for most of the women that I know, especially off the start. Anytime I take someone to the range that hasn't shot before I always start them with a .22 just to get a feel for it and they rarely want to shoot anything bigger than a 9mm the first time or 2 out, men tend to want to shoot something more powerful a bit quicker, if you get something with too much kick for you then you are going to have accuracy issues and would be better off with a less powerful gun. Most gun ranges will have rentals for only $10 or $15, I would suggest doing rentals to see what caliber you are most comortable and accurate with, then check out the local gun shops or a gun show and feel a variety to see what fits your hands the best.

I see your point for 99% of women...

But I have larger hands than most & the smaller guns just don't feel like they fit me.

I'll try the .357 at my gun class...before I buy it.

It is more for the kick on it than the hand size but even then you might be the exception that can still be accurate with it. Like stated above, if loaded with a 38 round it won't be bad. A great starter pistol at least for practice is a sig .22 just because it is full size so you get the feel but it has no kick. We normally make new people use a .22 revolver and just load 1 chamber, spin it and make them practice pulling the trigger without jerking it before we let them shoot many other guns. My next purchse will probably be a Kimber Tactical, you can never go wrong with a 1911 IMO.

Here's the gun for you, Ginger.

Wow! It looks almost identical to the one I was talking about getting!

Before chosing your gun, first you need to decide what purpose you had in mind for it. Is this for self-defense, sport, target shooting, ect? A Ruger snub nose is a fine weapon, but it has its limitations.

As a self defense weapon, the classic snub nose (usually a 2-inch barrel) is primarily intended for close up work. The laser pointer is not going to be much use because you won't have time to aim in such a situation; you will likely be firing from the hip or sticking it in someone's gut. Snubbies are generally innacurate beyond 15 feet anyway. Plus a pointer can snag in a quckdraw situation. (Incidently, I have a .357 Ruger GP100 with a standard six inch barrel which is extremely accurate. Any snub-nose is going to reduce your range and accuracy).

Here are your advantages: Snub nose revolvers are easier to conceal and they are reliable (mainly, in that they cannot jam). Here are your disadvantages: A short barrel makes for less balance and thus more recoil. Revolvers are also loud, and they have limited ammo. Most importantly, revolvers have no safeties. Once she's cocked, she's ready to rock. Not a good idea to carry unhosltered or jangling around in a purse.

Lastly, if you load it with .357M, make sure you use hollowpoints and not steel jackets or ball ammo, or you will shoot right through a house. Better to leave the round bouncing around in your target than in the kid next door.

Before chosing your gun, first you need to decide what purpose you had in mind for it. Is this for self-defense, sport, target shooting, ect? A Ruger snub nose is a fine weapon, but it has its limitations.

As a self defense weapon, the classic snub nose (usually a 2-inch barrel) is primarily intended for close up work. The laser pointer is not going to be much use because you won't have time to aim in such a situation; you will likely be firing from the hip or sticking it in someone's gut. Snubbies are generally innacurate beyond 15 feet anyway. Plus a pointer can snag in a quckdraw situation. (Incidently, I have a .357 Ruger GP100 with a standard six inch barrel which is extremely accurate. Any snub-nose is going to reduce your range and accuracy).

Here are your advantages: Snub nose revolvers are easier to conceal and they are reliable (mainly, in that they cannot jam). Here are your disadvantages: A short barrel makes for less balance and thus more recoil. Revolvers are also loud, and they have limited ammo. Most importantly, revolvers have no safeties. Once she's cocked, she's ready to rock. Not a good idea to carry unhosltered or jangling around in a purse.

Lastly, if you load it with .357M, make sure you use hollowpoints and not steel jackets or ball ammo, or you will shoot right through a house. Better to leave the round bouncing around in your target than in the kid next door. Originally Posted by Caligula

+1 on the above. Snub nose is a nice fit for the purse, but unless the target is a few feet away (panic mode), there is a good chance of a miss. Four to six inch barrel is a better option, as you can confidantly nail the target across a room or down a hallway with some level of accuracy.
I used to load my own ammo, and still have several hundred .38 and .357 rounds in the aresenal. I use a .357 Revolver loaded with hollowpoints at the hacienda. The hammer rests on an empty chamber.

Good to see you're taking classes. Does AR have a concealed carry permit? A good thing to have, IME.

H

If you can afford it I would get a Glock in 40cal. The kick is not bad and the round is a good round.

If you can afford it I would get a Glock in 40cal. The kick is not bad and the round is a good round. Originally Posted by mike8443

EXCELLENT choice and the favorite pistol in my arsenal.

40 cal. Glock is also my personal favorite. Glad to see your going to take the classes. I have know people to buy guns for intimidation purposes.. only for the gun to wind up itimidating them. Not good.
Then again... if your just going to shoot wild wabbits attacking your garden I would suggest a 22. and a really good reciepe for Wabbit Stew. Never let your kill go to waste. hehehe

Kahr is promoting their weapon (thinner than Glock) as being the ideal ladies' gun. It is DA only striker-fired like the Glock.

[quote=urhuckleberry;398218. Does AR have a concealed carry permit? A good thing to have, IME.

H[/quote]

Yes, AR is one of the 40 states with a CCW permit. Unfortunately, our legislature has not enacted a 'Castle' law like many other states have done.