Getting a gun for protection - first gun need advice?

Question

I'm a smaller woman (5'3" and a tad on the skinny side of avg) and im moving to an apt by myself, my first without a roommate and feel i should get a gun for protection. I havn't shot a gun since i was a child. My boyfriend was talking about me getting a .38 but i feel that's too powerful, maybe a .44 instead.
What in your opinion would be a good gun just for protection?
Also since i havnt shot in so long should i go to a range again?

I have no children.

Answer 1

Probably the gun will give you only a false sense of security. Often they are not readily available, (in a cupboard, in the other room, locked or not loaded), when you might actually need them. Many times guns are taken away from the victim and even used on them by the preps.
You need to be VERY familiar with a gun to make it useful, just like any other tool.
A cell phone, house alarm, electric shock or pepper spray type defensive weapon is a better choice for someone who needs protection and is not a trained gun user.

Answer 2

...If for home protection, get a shotgun. A single shot 20 gauge is fairly cheap at Walmart.
...If you want a handgun, get one that will knock someone down - that would at least be a .38 revolver or .38 special - that is what I used to have. Forget a .22 - it is only effective if the slug(s) hit the thug in the right place - otherwise, it may serve only to anger the thug.
...A revolver is safer than a semi-automatic, since it is harder to make a mistake with it.
...Look into and purchase special rounds that guarantee it will stop someone, too.
...Make sure you know the local laws in your state - they vary from state to state.
...Yes, and do practice at the range, and ask the instructors there about home security - they give some very good advice. The family man I talked to gave me some great tips on what to do about an intruder -
...If you hear an intruder in your house:
1. Have a pre-determined safe room and have everyone go there - like the bathroom adjoining the master bedroom. Give your wife the phone and have her call the police.
2. Do not stalk the intruder. Close the bedroom door and take up a defensive position with your gun pointed at the bedroom door.
3. If the guy walks into your room, he is history (in other words, shoot him).
...BTW, I had a Taurus .38 special and loved it. If you like the .38 special, you might want to consider buying a .357 magnum (4 inch barrel), which fires both .357 and .38 special rounds). I would also get 4 inch barrel - the extra weight of the firearm helps with recoil.
...It was a rather repulsive thought to me to go to the range, and practice firing a gun - I realized I was really training to shoot someone - I hoped I'd never have to do it.
...I found it even more repulsive and unacceptable to think some thug could torture, mistreat, abuse, or kill me and my family - so to protect us was far more important.

Answer 3

A .38 would be an minimally good choice. Anything less would not have the stopping power to put down a large attacker before he is able to do at least some physical harm. A 357 or a 9mm would be better, but both might be a little too much for a beginner. A 357 because of the recoil, and the 9mil because you will find most to be semi-autos, and for a beginner, a revolver would be much simpler to load and maintain. If you really do want to know it's going to work though, go to a range that allows you to shoot their firearms and try out a 357. If you shoot it enough to learn what to expect, you'll do OK.
And absolutely get some professional training. you won't have time to teach yourself when the bad guy is coming up your stairs.
One more thing to remember - contrary to what you see on CSI, apartment walls will not stop a bullet, so be aware of who's on the other side of the wall, in case you happen to miss the bad guy with one of your shots.

Answer 4

Okay first of all, blowing out someone's knees only happens in movies. Just like intentionally wounding someone. The only time you can shoot someone is to protect your life or the life of another. If you believe that your life is in danger, then shoot. However, if you use a gun for home protection, someone must be in your house before you can shoot them. and please, do not drag a body into your house after you shoot someone. Cops are way too smart for that. As far as weapons, a decent 9mm semi auto will do nicely. Its easy to handle, it is accurate and if you put three rounds into someone, they will stop. You also may want to talk to someone at your local gun store and get some advice from them. I own two 9mm's. I also have a concealed carry permit and most of the time, I am armed. I also keep one next to my bed. any gun training you will get will show you to shoot a pattern at center mass. That would be the area immediately surrounding the heart. anything in the head is a kill shot. through the heart can also be a kill shot... depending on how long the brain survives without blood. Again, visit some gun stores, talk to the employees, talk to other gun owners and then make your decision.

Answer 5

Unless you are prepared to use a gun, and witness all of the destruction and mess it causes when you shoot some one, don't. I am NOT against guns, I just know that most people don't realize just how much damage they actually do to a person. I had a female friend who was mugged. She got a gun. She was afraid to take it out of her purse. It did her no good. If you want to see what happens when you shoot someone, find a friend with gun (one of a large enough caliper to stop a person), go to a range, set up a watermelon, back off a few yards and shoot the melon. The mess will be the same as with a person (hydrodynamics). The bullet pushes all the fluids ahead of it. IF you are willing to witness that, then think about getting a gun. But get trained in the use of it. Bye the by, a .44 is MORE powerful than a .38. And don't forget, you have to maintain them so they won't jam.

Answer 6

As it sounds like you are limited in experience with a firearm and if you're only going to use it for home protection, I'd recommend a shotgun.
One shot will do the trick, you just point it and pull the trigger.
A pistol needs to be carefully aimed, unlike the shotgun, which has a large bullet pattern.
If you want a pistol, get something that will do the job.....and a 22 isn't it. Go for a Kel Tec 380 or a Taurus 40 cal.
I have the 40 and love it.
Don't worry about the kick, in the time of an emergency you're not going to care about the gun recoil.


U.P.

Answer 7

First let me suggest you post this in Home > Sports > Outdoor Recreation > Hunting
You will find more of my fellow shooters there and a bit more knowlegeable in arms than some of the above posters. The first suggestion would be a vist to a local range with rental guns. Like a car, you take a test drive. There are many that would work for you and vary in price. Since it's hunting season, many have sales going on. So check the yellow pages & do some tryouts. The .38S&W Special is a good starter gun for your use. Easy to use, popular, not very pricey or hard to shoot generally. I'm rather fond of Taurus' line of guns http://ww.taurususa.com check them out.

Answer 8

WARNING: BE CAREFUL about getting a gun for protection. My uncle is a Captain with the Michigan State Police and he has heard countless stories of break-ins where the homeowner was overpowered by their assailant and shot with their own gun. In most cases, people don't have time to grab their guns, take aim, and shoot. You might be better served by taking a class in self-defense or martial arts.

If you're dead-set on getting a gun, get a .22 or .25 automatic. A .38 is overkill, and a .44 is a freakin' cannon. Besides, a .22 or .25 is something you could easily carry around in a purse or pocket if you needed to, say, if you were in a bad neighborhood or something like that. And DEFINITELY go back to the range if you haven't fired a gun within the last two years or if you get a new gun -- even experienced shooters need to get used to new firearms.

Answer 9

You can't just throw out numbers. Are you talking about a 38 special, 38 Long Colt, 38 super?

Best option is to take an introduction to firearms class. No, you don't need a gun for an introduction class. This will give you the knowledge to either make the choice yourself, or to ask the right questions.

Answer 10

Depends on if it's for home defense or carry.

Home I would get a Remington, Bennilli or Winchester 12 gauge shotgun.

Having a pistol also wouldn't be a bad idea

Nothing under a .38 special. My main carry weapon is a .45 ACP 1911, my secondary piece is a Springfield Armory XD-9.

Whatever you are comfortable would be a good idea

Before you do anything get a basic self-defense class and then some firearms training