Best reliable handgun for the average gun shy woman IMHO is a user friendly revolver which, unlike a semiautomatic pistol, requires no jacking a round into the chamber or safety removal, either or both of which can be a deal killer for a lady in a high stress situation. It's always ready to go. All she need do is simply point and shoot, kinda like her Kodak camera - don't even need to turn it on.

For general home protection I like the classic S&W Model 36, (.38 Caliber, hollow point) Good manstopper.

I also like the classic S&W Model 34 (.22 Caliber LR, CCI Stinger Hollow point) Will get the job done and offers very economical plinking. Shoot all day for a couple dollars.

My personal choice for decisive home protection is the good old super manstopper, 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 00 Buck.

I have an old Remington Sportsman "Humpback" model that's been a good trap and skeet shooter over the years and which has won a couple turkeys in its day.

Chico, why do you like #4 shot over 00 Buck?

 Saber, I'm in complete agreement about the revolver.  I had a .25 automatic (the one stolen years ago) and it used to jam.  I understand the reasons for it, small caliber, not a lot of oomph to kick out the casing, inexpensive gun, etc,  but after that I never trusted an automatic.  Another reason I got away from them is that the Luger was so hard to cock that I had to turn it upside down on the bed to brace it.  I have small hands and have never had a lot of strength in them so I'll stick with revolvers even though I don't have as much ammo in the gun itself.  The theory for me is, If I need more than 5-6 I'm in deep ca ca anyway.

I watched a show once where they interviewed burglers and one said the thing that scared him most was a terrified woman with a gun.  You never knew what she'd do.   Wise man.

 Ask any cop. Especially homicide dicks. More peeps killed with 22's than any other. Head shot? It'll rattle around in there like an 80 year old puttering around in his garden. No through and through's, just massive damge inside the punkin.

I like revolvers due to simplicity and hisotrical western value. I just like em. Always have. But one of my all time faves is the ol 1911 Series VII I have. Its sloppy as hell (probably why) but I've run reloads JHP's all kinds of non hardball through er and she never jams! EVER! I also had my biggest firearsm aw s***er with it too though! Autos are more prone to FU's by pinheads I don't care what anybody says.

Got to shoot a Glock one day. Didn't like the trigger but I suppose you get used to anything. But that little sucker with a full mag of 14 40 S&W's and one in the pipe and you've got a fist fulla firepower there! But until those 4 legged critters get themselves armed (instead a legged) my six guns will do. (cept ol Betsy -- every time I look at er I think of the Moros and Philippines back at turn of century. Them little ol 38 revolvers just weren't a gettin it! That gun with tht 45 ACP round is a legend!

Now that I've read about tc's 450 AR conversion, I've gotta look inta that. I'm not much (as you can see) for modern weaponry for civ apps like  huntin, etc. but say 10 rounds with those ballistics? That gun would be a pig killin sumb****  for sure! Of course ya can fish with dynamite too  ;=)

Got my eye on a little bird's head baretta "shopkeeper" model! case hardened frame in 45LC.......God thats a beauty! Ask Sam.......

Then again.... you could always get an air tank, run hose from tank up shirt and down sleeve, holdin retractable  "spike" in yer hand! Gotta be up close and personal though....Mr. Pig might not hold still!   ;=)

 Oh..... and the ammo I wuz tryin ta spell before is LEVERevolution®: (that tc is fixin ta use in his 450)

I have one guide gun in 45-70 and it works well therein. For the most part though, I just use flat head bullets in my lever actions (spire points can set of rounds in tube as the recoil jams primer of round  back against the round behind it -- can ruin yer day -- the flexible but still ballistic tips keep this from happenin whilst still giving ya the bennies of a more aerodynamic bullet).

 Favorite gun?

Well, my favorite handgun without doubt is the H&K USP Tactical. For wheelguns, I would have a little more difficulty choosing just one. I have Ruger security Six that I have had for 30 years, as well as 3 S&W Wesson Model 66s.  They are great guns, but if you look at things like the Ruger GP100 or the Taurus Tracker, they are showing their age.

Long guns... I use a Bushmaster M4 modified with an Ares Defense GSR 35 gas system. For precision shooting, my all time favorite is the H&K PSG 1. My second favorite would be an Accuracy International AW. Unfortunately, I don't own either one, although I have shot both extensively. For my precision piece, I have a heavy barreled Remington 700 BDL with a John Plaster stock. It is a good 800 meter gun.

Shotguns... I am a big Mossberg fan. I would trust my 590 to get me through just about anything.

 Oenghus - How do you like the Ares Defense gas system mod on your M4?  Bushmaster just came out with their own mod and I am deciding whether or not to install one.  Any downsides?

 Chico - Where can you get the dynamite to fish with? LOL,  I know that most people don't like see the need for the amount of firepower that common civilians enjoy with rifles like the AR15.  Most of them haven't had the chance to go shooting for a day with one and see it is not that different from other rifles.  Yes it is black and ominous but they are fun and they serve the same purpose as any hunting rifle.  You just may not have to reload between hunting seasons with the AR!  I'll let you know how the .450 works pig hunting.

 TCinBaco,

I think it is great. I don't really see a downside to it, unless expense is a factor in the decision making process.When I made the decision to do the mod on mine, Bushmasrer had anounced theirs, but it wasn't released yet. I suspect there isn't really a whole lot of difference between the two. I think they even retail for the same amount.

The rifle shoots cleaner, the bolt stays cooler, and reliability is greatly enhanced.

It isn't something I would recommend to the average, weekend shooter. there just isn't a need for it. But if you anticipate a situation where extended use in less than ideal conditions is a real possibility, I would recommend it highly.

I

Brad Pitts guns~either arm.  Super soakers can be fun,but as a farm girl give me a .22 rifle and some vermin.... 

My gun safe has the following tools:

M-1 Garand (most durable and accurate semi-auto rifle ever made)

Ruger Mini-14 (to replace a politically-incorrect rifle I now have to store at my sons house out of state)

Remington 700BDL in 30-06 caliber

Ruger 10-22 in .22 Caliber

Remington 870 in 12 Gauge

Remington 870 in 20 Gauge

Remington 700 ADL in 7mm Mag

**In addition to those above, the two rifles below have been relocated to my sons house in a more civilized state (free) I shoot them on every vacation**

Colt AR-15 with all the goodies

FN-FAL with all the goodies

In addition to the above rifles and shotguns, I have the following handguns:

SigArms P220/S  in 45 acp

Springfield Armory V-90 in 45 acp

Browning HighPower in 9mm

COP four barrel derringer in .357 Mag (rare)

Smith & Wesson Model 29 4 inch in 44 Mag

Colt Trouper Mark III in .22 Caliber (rare in .22)

High Standard Derringer in .22 Caliber (not "rare" yet but getting there!)

Walther PPK/S in .380 (wife's mainstay)

Grendel P-30 22 Mag semi-auto with 30 shot mag

Colt Pocket 25 (4-digit serial RARE)

Old Hercules 16 Gauge single shot shotgun (my grand-dads old rabbit gun)

Now, to answer the typical anti-gunner question: Why do you need so many guns?"

My answer is:  These are firearms yes, but more importantly the are tools. 

You would never use a Crescent wrench to change a flat tire now would you? 

Why? The crescent wrench is the wrong tool for the job.  

If I want to hunt pheasant I'm not going to use my M-1 Garand because hitting a pheasant with a round from my M-1 would leave nothing but bird poop and feathers!  Same principal goes for personal protection.  While I could use my Smith and Wesson Model 29 (44 Mag) to protect my household,  I would run the risk of over penetration and going through the bad guy and having my round end up in the next room.  The 45acp will get the job done with less risk of over penetration.

Just like working around the house, you use the right tool for the job.  (Besides I not only want these "tools", I bought and paid for them in accordance with State and Federal law!)

Bitter?  No. 

Well prepared?  Absolutely

 Oops!

Almost forgot.  If I had to choose my favorites it would be:

Rifle:  M-1 Garand

Shotgun: Remington 870 pump action shotgun in 12 Gauge

Pistol:  Toss-up between either of my 45's both theSig and Springfield are fantastic!

True Gun Control 

 I agree Chico. That Stewart guy that shot the guy trying to break into his house to torch it used a shotgun. He didn't kill him instantly, but he did enough damage to make him retreat, and he bled out eventually.

And true, I carry my little Glock 27 all the time. But the difference is now I'm not expected to take action when I see a crime committed. I carry it for mine and my families personal safety. Let the youngsters deal with it after I call 911.

All those old classic firearms may have to be moved out of state with some of the new ones if the representatives in Sacramento have their way!  Better buy them now if you want them.  Of course that will make you look like you're stock piling!  Its a pity the people of california don't understand the real problem with firearms isn't the weapon but the idiot behind it.

CALIFORNIA:  News on Pending Second Amendment-Related Bills in California! On Tuesday, April 15, numerous bills affecting our Second Amendment rights were considered by the California Legislature.  Assembly Bill 2235, passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  AB2235 would forbid the sale of handguns other than "owner-authorized (or "smart") handguns" -- that is, handguns with a permanent, programmable biometric feature that renders the firearm useless unless activated by the authorized user.   For an informative article about smart guns and the New Jersey law this bill is based on, please click here. Assembly Bill 2948, was approved by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and now is en route to the Assembly floor for deliberation.  AB2948 would ban the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace.  While these threats to our rights have made it to the Assembly floor, one attack of anti-freedom forces was thwarted.  Assembly Bill 2566, failed to pass in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  AB2566 would have repealed statewide preemption statutes and allowed cities, counties, and other such localities to enact their own forms of restrictive regulation on handguns.  Please contact your State Assembly Member and respectfully urge him or her to oppose AB2235 and AB2948 when it comes before them for a vote.  Contact information can be found by clicking here. 

Chico, Ob, I see your point about potential collateral damage and the possibility of injuring or even killing innocents by 12 gauge overspray, but I've heard so many stories about meth-loaded perps still coming at ya despite a magazineful of pistol rounds in 'em.

Cut 'em in half, blow their heads off and the danger is done.

An average load .45 round travels at about 600-700 FPS and is not likely to go too far past a target, but I can't imagine a 12 gauge load of 00 going too much faster or further.

What is the effective range of a 9mm or .45 caliber versus a 12 gauge?

Never mind, I looked it up and found that the average effective range of a shotgun is about 50 yards with a dispersal of about 8 feet and .45 about the same. The trajectory of either round with an average load and round weight dips severely at just under 2 feet at 50 yards and a round missing the target is not likely to travel too much further before grounding out.

Even in close quarters, I'm inclined to rely on the shotgun with it's superior firepower over a pistol.

Of course, there are some automatic and even semi automatic weapons with awesome firepower capable of getting the home protection job done, but many are illegal.

Let's see:  It's 3:23AM, a window in another part of your house is carefully opened by a doped-up burglar and this felon is now roaming your darkened house.   A noise wakes you and as you wipe the sleepfrom your eyes you hear him in the hallway.

You call 911 and whisper into the phone someone is in your house and you're told: "Don't worry, a sheriff is on his way (from Lamont)". 

Terrified, you open your night stand drawer and remove your 45 Caliber "Smart Gun" to defend yourself,  but Oh my God!   You cannot locate the "Smart Ring" that is the key to allowing the firearm to fire.  You're still groping in the dark for the electronic key to your firearm when this drugged up felon opens your bedroom door, calmly turns on the bedroom lights,  takes careful aim and shoots you and your wife to death. Once he is done with you, your children are the next ones to die.  Maybe he is a sex offender and he will have some "fun" with your kids before he kills them.   What's to stop him?

 If these "Smart Guns" are so damn smart why is it no law enforcement officers support their carrying them while they are on duty?  If the "Smart Guns" are so smart why is there a provision in the law to exempt all law enforcement officers from having to comply with the law?

Who's the dummy?

 Saber:

I'm a retired Paramedic and I've seen people shot with just about everything. 

If you have to choose between 00-Buckshot, 0000-Buckshot, or number 7-1/2 quail loads, inside your house, choose the 7-1/2 quail load.   At six to eight feet, it's still an ounce and a quarter of lead hitting the target and even if you don't instantly kill him (unlikely) you will cause a surgeons nightmare.  Instead of having to remove 9 round lead pellets from the bad-guy, the surgeon will have over a hundred wound channels to sew up - and if you miss, you won't punch completely through the wall and harm someone in the next room. (buckshot will sail right through drywall like a hot knife through butter).   Remember high school physics?  Energy equals mass times velocity squared.  BUT YOU HAVE TO HIT THE TARGET. Remember: Bigger is not necessary better.

At six to eight feet, the difference in kill-ability between buckshot and birdshot is negligible (unless there is heavy clothing involved).  At longer ranges (outside for instance) yes, by all means choose the 00 or 0000-Buckshot. The buckshot retains it's energy better than the smaller shot at longer ranges.  

Nothing.     Absolutely NOTHING beats a shotgun for close encounters of a deadly kind.  Personally, I'm not too fond of using one in the house because the barrel length makes it difficult to maneuver in a cramped hallway.  That's where a good handgun comes into play.

 All that nice metal going to be melted down to fill the manhole cover shortage in California

Thanks, Curt. I have plenty of 71/2 game load shells on hand.

Used 'em for trap and skeet, never on quail.

Can't stomach killing cute little critters myself.

They sure taste good, though.

 If you can't make your mind up whether to have the pistol or the shotgun for close encounters you can always go with the "Judge"  that Taurus has started making.  Not quite a 12 Gauge but it gives you some options.

Chambered for .45 Colt  and .410 shotshells, this astounding piece of equipment can send five shots of .45 Colt, No. 4 or 6 shot, slugs or my personal preference, 000 buckshot, whistling down range in less than two seconds.

Chico - since you already have the 45 Colt rounds, this would make a nice addition.

Just another day of fun in the sun!  Of course this was outside of the peoples republic of California!

...and Curt like you I'm not bitter, unless I'm being judged by elitist people like Senator Obama.  I do cling to guns and religion!

 

 All that nice metal going to be melted down to fill the manhole cover shortage in California

You see........... this is the ultimate goal of the Libs (Obama included) to wrest those nasty pieces of metal from yer hands.......

Do nothing about the real problem (the idiots behind the guns pullin the trigger to commit crimes against persons or property), just take em away from those who utilize them properly. They represent the biggest fear of Lib-Socialists -- the ability of the common law abiding citizen to have some say in the matter when they come ta impose their re-distribution will on ya.............

CCI also makes the .45 ACPshot shell and a .22 LR shit sholl, too, along with various types of fragmentation rounds that produce multiple wound channels.

 TCinBako -- you can take what oenghus says about  weaponry to the bank....... but you already knew that....

I am constantly amazed out how quickly people like yourself can  detect "fraud or for real"...... You immediately took the op to ask a technical question, somehow just knowing you would get an answer you could bank -- get fair interest on - and never have to worry about it mishandling assets or going under.

I don't wanna p***  him off so suffice it to say the man knows from whence he evokes. Former career SF (18S MOS) Ato Z all the way to Delta (oops)......

Self made entrepreneur (not entremanuer like meself) he took the op to get out of Army for a chance to turn his unique skill sets inta private sector lucre and largesse. He's helped many along the way.

They don't come better...........

 Just my experience though Saber, any of the shot shell rounds work best in revolvers, anything but autoloaders.. I don't know how the 45ACP ones would work in say the 1911 (except for that first shot).

I would dearly love to have one of the Taurus Judge's TC posted, but they are considered a shotgun pistola or short bbl'd shotgun here in CA. You shoot shot here in People's Republic and it'd better have a bbl longer than 18 inches.

I guess you could carry a pocket full 45LC's and try and tell F&G or Deputy that you only shoot 45LC's outa it??

Just like the gun never passed the  "drop test" in CA, I doubt that will either.........

Sad, isn't it?

I've shot many of the 22 shot rounds in revovlvers (carry one fer snakes) and they're pretty handy. Kinda Expensive though.... (esp cornsiderin ya can get Rem Peters or Federal 22's by the brick (actually 550) for $9.50! Makes it easy ta reconoiter by firin when squirrel huntin (i.e. fire a few rounds at dirt clod or cow pie just ta see it its a critter [moves] )..... (1.7 cents/round)  haha!

somethin like this might work for ya though.........

(Glaser Safety Slugs--been around for quite awhile--recommended for urban usage)

 Chico, I guess I should pay closer attention to whats still legal in California before getting all excited about new offerings in firearms!   Funny how common sense application of the right gun for the right job gets all messed up by lack of freedom of application.

I had some Glasers in 45 ACP but never have used them along with some Magsafe rounds (uses #2 or #3 shot pellets).  I also have a few boxes of Black Talon from way back when they were all the rage.  I'm guessing that they probably aren't supposed to be used anymore in the state.

So, Chico, are you saying it's legal in California to fire shotload .22 LR rounds through my Marlin .22 semi auto rifle, but illegal to fire the same rounds using a S&W Model 34 pistol?

Hardly seems fair.

What are the advantages, if any, of the shotloads over regular rounds?

No Saber, I said nothing of the sort. It is illegal in CA to have a shotgun with a bbl shorter than 18 inches. That's all I said. So any gun that fires shotgun rounds (410 to 12 ga for instance) has to have 18+ inch bbl.

For this reason the Taurus TC depicted as well as Thompson 45LC/410  bbls, etc. are illegal. They are considered  "shotgun pistols" by the People's Republic. To my knowledge, in their infinite wisdom, the CA legislators have never weighed in on shot shells designed for cartridges be they 22's, 44 mags, 45LC's, etc.

That doesn't mean they won't at some point. I have used shot shells (plastic containered projectiles over the regular brass containing small shot within the projectile) for 22's, 44's, 45's, etc. They sell them at various places in CA so I presume they are legal.

Put another way, any round that is typically considered a shotgun round (again 410 through 12 ga and larger) cannot be utilized in a gun with bbl length less than 18 inches. This makes the Taurus Judge, TC 45LC/410 bbls, and any other such guns illegal in CA. Do not cut your 12 ga down under 18 inches either.

It is another stupid law IMHO but they are bountiful in this state (the firing pin primer  "stamping" bill being one example). Never fear however, more are on the way. Your mere asking after the viability of the shot shell rounds for typical cartridge rounds may well spark an interest in some Democrat legislator however........

Stay tuned.............

TC, as regards the Taurus Judge......... I think if someone were to be a Deputy or other duly sworn member of the constabulary, they probably could own one and get away with it.

This then renders the obvious question of  "double standards" and all that. Again, this merely makes eminently more evident the obvious inequities in laws aimed at gun owners....... they tend to only appply to the law abiding cits who are not what the legislation was aimed at in the first place!

Chico, it is unfortunate that the criminals have lost their conscience and tend not to follow laws that are one the books.  Maybe we should just learn to say please instead of passing laws!

I just got a video of men shooting a .577 T REX [?] rifle.  The recoil is amazing.  If you want me to foreward it just let me know.

This one Anglo?

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Who are these guys?

That's it. Furners I  suspect. Stoopid to boot.  I'd  like to give it shot.  Wonder if I would flinch or jerk the trigger.