Handgun debate...

[Bob McDowell]

And no, not 'whether', but 'which'. Here's the scenario, please weigh in...

Bill (from my work) and his wife are going for their concealed carry permits, and he's in the process of selecting a pistol for her to carry daily in her purse.

My own advice, were it my wife, would be a 22 I think. Something smallish, easy to fire accurately at short range, and relatively light weight. Not tiny, but not Dirty Harry either.

I do acknowledge that that weapon would only kill some of the time, and has a higher chance to wound, but honestly I wonder if that's a feature rather than a limitation.

Bill, on the other hand, is way on the other end of the fence. He read an article about a home invasion where some 'crack head' survived five 38 rounds to the head and is interested about stopping power.

What do you guys think? What would you advise for your loved one?

Just curious...

[Semtav]

I got one of those Taurus aluminum 22's for my daughter if she ever decides she wants one.

[Brownie Nash]

Bob

When I went to a class to get a carry permit a lawyer and a deputy came to talk to us. Both agreed you are likely to end up in court after a shooting. If the intruder is still alive it is one more person to incriminate you. As all of the dirt bags relatives will be there to swear he was a peace loving person. If you wound a attacker with a 22 he probably will not stop the attack. This all sounds pretty grizley but it may be your life or theirs.

Brownie

[Bob McDowell]

I got one of those Taurus aluminum 22's for my daughter if she ever decides she wants one.

Like so?

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Taurus-PT...C00539.JPG

[Bob McDowell]

Bob

When I went to a class to get a carry permit a lawyer and a deputy came to talk to us. Both agreed you are likely to end up in court after a shooting. If the intruder is still alive it is one more person to incriminate you. As all of the dirt bags relatives will be there to swear he was a peace loving person. If you wound a attacker with a 22 he probably will not stop the attack. This all sounds pretty grizley but it may be your life or theirs.

Brownie

Sure, Brownie, that's definitely one side of it. Momma used to say "if you ever shoot someone, shoot to kill", and that's exactly what the police typically do as well. Empty full clip, center of mass - that kind of thing.

That said, which cal/type would you prescribe?

[hipshot]

I got a s&w shield in 9mm. It is a good size for a carry gun, smaller grip fits my short stubby fingers. Never was a 9mm fan untell thay come out with the newer amo like hornady cridical defence.

[Don McDowell]

Unless it is a 45 center of mass hit or a head shot, the chance of the shootee surviving are pretty good, and the chances the shooter is brought up on charges of some sort is pretty good no matter what the outcome of the incident.
Now the first thing to really consider is, will the permit holder actually draw and fire the weapon with the intent to kill? Probably not. The human mind/conscious thing takes over and even trained combat troops have problems in the early hostile fire situations.And probably accounts for the insane number of rounds cops expend these days and the bad guy still gets away..
So before a weapon is choosen there is a gawd awful lot that needs to be considered.

But to answer the cartridge question, for a new/small shooter, one of the pigmy sized 380's, and don't over look the 32acp, in a selfshucker, and those only if the permit holder can't handle the recoil and size of a 40 s&W or 45acp.
Revolver the 32 H&R would be a good lowrecoil round, then the 38 with +P , followed by 44 special or 45 colt of either vintage.

[Brownie Nash]

Bob

I am pretty consertive both in politics and guns. I like lever guns, single shots and revolvers. That said I would choose a 38 special revolver. Probably a S&W hammerless. Just my thought. Also what my wife carries.

Brownie

[Semtav]

I got one of those Taurus aluminum 22's for my daughter if she ever decides she wants one.

Like so?

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Taurus-PT...C00539.JPG

No the revolver

[Kurt]

Finally a Judge ruled that Illinois will get a CCP. I dont think that I would be packing to often but if I would get a gun for my Wife or Daughter to carry in a fanny pack or purse it would be the short barreled Taurus Judge loaded with the first round a .410 shot shell with #6 or 8 shot and the rest for a follow up the .45 colt.
I think if a fast first shot is needed that .410 will make contact enough so she can get a well placed second shot off.
I have one I carry for a snake gun, yes it only holds 5 rounds but that is enough.
Mine shoots quite well with the .45 rounds despite the long freebore cylinder for the shot shell.

And if she does have to draw it and not to have to shoot that big .45 hole would be more of a deterrent then a small .22 hole at the business end would be.

Kurt