Home defense gun for a woman.

[daishi5]

I am currently out of state for work, and my girlfriend just called to tell me there was a shooting near our house. Apparently the shooter was hiding somewhere in the neighborhood, but its all over now. She was not sure if the cops found him or not.

I live in Illinois and I had been thinking about getting a small plinker handgun for target practice, but now i think I may need something a little more serious. However, I also want something the girlfriend can easily use, and she wants something without much kick. I have never owned a gun before, but I have applied for the ID card you need in Illinois. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for, and anything else I would need?

 

[PieIsAwesome]

An M249. Plenty serious.

 

[Pepsei]

shot gun.

 

[compman25]

If it's for her get her a 380 and lots and lots and lots of practice.

 

[daishi5]

I am all kinda freaked out by this, not being able to do anything. But now that you mention it, shotgun seems like a good idea, what should I look for in something like that?

 

[magomago]

shotgun....and you don't want kick? uhhhhhhhhh

i hear if you saw them off, it makes them more accurate!

 

[daishi5]

Originally posted by: compman25
If it's for her get her a 380 and lots and lots and lots of practice.

380? I hate to sound like an idiot, but I grew up in anti-gun central. Until I recently read the John Lott book, I hadn't even considered owning a gun, so I do not know what you mean.

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: daishi5
I am currently out of state for work, and my girlfriend just called to tell me there was a shooting near our house. Apparently the shooter was hiding somewhere in the neighborhood, but its all over now. She was not sure if the cops found him or not.

I live in Illinois and I had been thinking about getting a small plinker handgun for target practice, but now i think I may need something a little more serious. However, I also want something the girlfriend can easily use, and she wants something without much kick. I have never owned a gun before, but I have applied for the ID card you need in Illinois. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for, and anything else I would need?

Just keep in mind that you can't legally own/bring a handgun into Chicago.

 

[coldmeat]

I thought you wanted a home defense gun that could shoot two blocks down from the house.

 

[daishi5]

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: daishi5
I am currently out of state for work, and my girlfriend just called to tell me there was a shooting near our house. Apparently the shooter was hiding somewhere in the neighborhood, but its all over now. She was not sure if the cops found him or not.

I live in Illinois and I had been thinking about getting a small plinker handgun for target practice, but now i think I may need something a little more serious. However, I also want something the girlfriend can easily use, and she wants something without much kick. I have never owned a gun before, but I have applied for the ID card you need in Illinois. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for, and anything else I would need?

Just keep in mind that you can't legally own/bring a handgun into Chicago.

I do not live near chicago, but I do live just down the street from a school, and I'm not sure exactly how far. Do those 1000 ft school zones include houses, and how do they measure the 1000ft, from the curb, or from the building?

 

[daishi5]

Originally posted by: coldmeat
I thought you wanted a home defense gun that could shoot two blocks down from the house.

Huh?

I think you misunderstand, some guy shot at someone, and apparently ran and was trying to hide in the neighborhood, from what I understand. I am getting the story from my gf who is currently freaking out, and staying at my parents till I get home.

Edit: She is the one who really wants the gun now, because the guy had a gun, was running from the cops, and she was home alone defenseless (as if me being there would have helped much).

 

[NoShangriLa]

50 cal Rambo gun

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: daishi5

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: daishi5
I am currently out of state for work, and my girlfriend just called to tell me there was a shooting near our house. Apparently the shooter was hiding somewhere in the neighborhood, but its all over now. She was not sure if the cops found him or not.

I live in Illinois and I had been thinking about getting a small plinker handgun for target practice, but now i think I may need something a little more serious. However, I also want something the girlfriend can easily use, and she wants something without much kick. I have never owned a gun before, but I have applied for the ID card you need in Illinois. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for, and anything else I would need?

Just keep in mind that you can't legally own/bring a handgun into Chicago.

I do not live near chicago, but I do live just down the street from a school, and I'm not sure exactly how far. Do those 1000 ft school zones include houses, and how do they measure the 1000ft, from the curb, or from the building?

Who cares? What they don't know wont hurt them.

For a handgun, I would suggest a Glock 19. Simple, easy to use, can take a beating, and low recoil (9mm).

 

[Miramonti]

Shotgun. Less likely to miss than a nervous person with a handgun, and just pumping it is enough to send most intruders scrambling.

 

[Jaywire]

I'm not understanding the lack of serious answers. The best gun for your application would be a Glock 19 or perhaps a Springfield XD40. Before you assholes go apeshit about Glock, shut up. Glocks get alot of bad hype because a few of the older 9mm models were known the explode. Welcome to the 21st century, they are alot better. By the sounds of it he isn't going to be doing crazy tactical competition shooting, so for home defense a Glock would be plenty good. If your crazy about the shitty rep then go for a Springfield XD series. The XD40 doesn't have a ton of kick, but no gun will have like absolute zero kick unless you drop alot of money.

 

[Rebasxer]

380 was the best thing mentioned. I'd be my choice for a woman too.

 

[PHiuR]

any 9mm will do.

 

[BunLengthHotDog]

Get her a tried a true revolver...just point and pull. Training is also key. Semi-autos (though not often) can jam when cycling rounds from the mag, a revolver is MUCH more idiot proof and less prone to issue when you need to send a round downrange.

If you do get a semi-auto, I would suggest having her train on at least a 9mm, .380 auto is a tad anemic for someone in the middle of a home invasion or burglary. Like I said above and others have said as well...training is KEY; rent multiple guns and have her shoot them to see what she is comfortable with...then purchase that particular weapon. Glocks are great guns, and cheap for what you get regarding durability etc, but I cannot stand holding one...it feels like I am holding a 2x4 (again, Glock is a fine gun...just not my speed with their grip angle and width). Personally I have 2 guns setup for HD...Sig P229 in 9mm (wifey) and Sig P220 in 45 for me

 

[Kelvrick]

I'd recommend a shortbarreled 20ga shotgun. Aim not required as much, less recoil in a larger gun.

EDIT: Probably much cheaper then a handgun as well.

 

[Rubycon]

Browning High Power (9mm) with Pachmayr grips.

 

[daishi5]

Sounds like I need to take her to a range and let her see what she likes. Anyone know of a range in the Peoria, IL area that lets you rent guns?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

If this is to be carried, then a 9mm works well. If for home defense a shotgun. Handguns are inferior in close combat situations, but one cannot carry a shotgun without drawing a great deal of attention.

 

[daishi5]

Home, you cannot carry at all in IL.

 

[SampSon]

Sig P229.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: daishi5
Home, you cannot carry at all in IL.

Then a 20 gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot. It has less recoil than a 12 gauge, and it's lighter.

It should also have the shortest barrel permitted by law.

It's a hard weapon to beat.