Would you?

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • carry205

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 6, 2017
    96
    33
    Florissant
    Here’s my situation...trying to convince the better half that she needs to learn to shoot. She is not interested in going to the range with me, but acknowledges she needs to learn. We have had this conversation many times. I told her I would buy her her own gun. She shot my single action .22, YEARS ago. She was “meh” about it. I’ve tried to get her to at least try my 9 mm, but she’s afraid of the recoil, and now, during dry fire exercises I do, she tries to pull the slide back, and can’t do it. I’ve shown her the alternative method, that is, holding slide with her left hand, and pushing with her right. Still a no go. I’m at a loss as to what to try next.
    So, contemplating my next move, I’m thinking of telling her I would consider selling one of my pistols to enable her to shoot what she has told me she would shoot, a .22 revolver. Since we are retired now, it might make things go down easier.

    So, what say you, INGO? Would you sell one of yours to facilitate the other half getting involved in her own self protection? I’m not crazy about a .22 for self defense, but I guess you gotta start somewhere. Let me hear from you!
     

    Brandon

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    11   0   0
    Jun 28, 2010
    6,997
    113
    SE Indy
    I would not sell any but I am lucky to have her wanting more than one or 2 of her own!
    she also will shoot my 1911's at the range while other guys that bring their girl friends are freaking out over a 22.

    and shes a danged good shot!

    not sure i can offer anything useful to you. i know alot of women who try the 9mm shield ez tend to love them :-/
     

    d.kaufman

    Still Here
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    128   0   0
    Mar 9, 2013
    14,715
    149
    Hobart
    My wife loves to shoot but did have trouble manipulating the slide and she's not a fan of recoil either. Problem solved with the S&W 380 EZ shield. They also make the EZ shield in 9mm as mentioned above
     

    Route 45

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    92   0   0
    Dec 5, 2015
    14,884
    113
    Indy
    This isn't a hardware problem. It is a software problem. Just going from what you posted, she doesn't sound like she cares to learn to shoot. Is she actually going to carry a gun, or is this a home defense gun only?

    If it's a carry gun, sorry...any gun that is small and light enough for someone who really doesn't even want to carry one is the kind of gun that takes quite a bit of practice to be proficient with at anything more than bad breath distance. Small pocket pistols and revolvers are not easy to master.

    With regards to a small 22 revolver, most of them have particularly heavy double action trigger pulls to ensure reliable ignition of rimfire cartridges. The Ruger LCR might be an exception, because that model has a good trigger in the 38/357 models, but I have not handled one of the 22 or 22 magnum models.

    If I was going to force my wife, who doesn't want to carry a gun, to put a gun in her purse (which is what is likely going on here), then I'd probably choose a Ruger LCR 22 Magnum. Whether I'd trade one of my guns for one depends on how likely I think that she would be to actually have the wherewithal to use it, if needed.

    If it's a home defense gun, this is an easy one. Buy a good solid 357 Magnum revolver, load it with whatever defensive 38 Special loads that she feels comfortable with, and put it in whatever drawer she chooses. Done.

    Before you trade any gun, though, make sure that this is about how she feels about needing a gun, and not how you feel about her needing a gun.
     

    ***Ironhead***

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 19, 2008
    536
    93
    Morgan county
    Had a similar problem with my wife. I decided to go with a wheel gun. Got her a compensated 32. She still will not carry it but at least keeps it close. She actually doesn’t mind practicing with it. In my opinion it is better than nothing.
     

    GIJEW

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Mar 14, 2009
    2,716
    47
    I second what Rt. 45 said with the addition of adding something like a crimson-trace laser grip. If she's not motivated to train beyond familiarization, she'll need the extra help to get good hits in an emergency
     

    carry205

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 6, 2017
    96
    33
    Florissant
    This isn't a hardware problem. It is a software problem. Just going from what you posted, she doesn't sound like she cares to learn to shoot. Is she actually going to carry a gun, or is this a home defense gun only?

    If it's a carry gun, sorry...any gun that is small and light enough for someone who really doesn't even want to carry one is the kind of gun that takes quite a bit of practice to be proficient with at anything more than bad breath distance. Small pocket pistols and revolvers are not easy to master.

    With regards to a small 22 revolver, most of them have particularly heavy double action trigger pulls to ensure reliable ignition of rimfire cartridges. The Ruger LCR might be an exception, because that model has a good trigger in the 38/357 models, but I have not handled one of the 22 or 22 magnum models.

    If I was going to force my wife, who doesn't want to carry a gun, to put a gun in her purse (which is what is likely going on here), then I'd probably choose a Ruger LCR 22 Magnum. Whether I'd trade one of my guns for one depends on how likely I think that she would be to actually have the wherewithal to use it, if needed.

    If it's a home defense gun, this is an easy one. Buy a good solid 357 Magnum revolver, load it with whatever defensive 38 Special loads that she feels comfortable with, and put it in whatever drawer she chooses. Done.

    Before you trade any gun, though, make sure that this is about how she feels about needing a gun, and not how you feel about her needing a gun.
    It’s for strictly home defense, though I have mine next to me. She won’t carry, I know that. Not as long as I’m around.
     

    MCgrease08

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    37   0   0
    Mar 14, 2013
    14,373
    149
    Earth
     

    BigRed

    Banned More Than You
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Dec 29, 2017
    18,919
    149
    1,000 yards out
    Here’s my situation...trying to convince the better half that she needs to learn to shoot. She is not interested in going to the range with me, but acknowledges she needs to learn. We have had this conversation many times. I told her I would buy her her own gun. She shot my single action .22, YEARS ago. She was “meh” about it. I’ve tried to get her to at least try my 9 mm, but she’s afraid of the recoil, and now, during dry fire exercises I do, she tries to pull the slide back, and can’t do it. I’ve shown her the alternative method, that is, holding slide with her left hand, and pushing with her right. Still a no go. I’m at a loss as to what to try next.
    So, contemplating my next move, I’m thinking of telling her I would consider selling one of my pistols to enable her to shoot what she has told me she would shoot, a .22 revolver. Since we are retired now, it might make things go down easier.

    So, what say you, INGO? Would you sell one of yours to facilitate the other half getting involved in her own self protection? I’m not crazy about a .22 for self defense, but I guess you gotta start somewhere. Let me hear from you!


    Though I have no dog in the hunt, I will state my opinion since you asked.

    I would not do anything to push her until you know her answer to "are you willing to take a life in order to save the life of one you love or your own?".

    Like I said though, no dog in the hunt.
     

    Route 45

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    92   0   0
    Dec 5, 2015
    14,884
    113
    Indy
    Hadn’t thought about a .32...
    A 357 Magnum loaded with 38 Special 148 grain full wadcutters is a very low recoil and effective home defense option. Very easy to shoot, which is important for new shooters. Nothing wrong with a 32, but the more effective loads are warmer, at which point you might as well use 38 Special, since the home defense revolver capacity will be the same 6 rounds.

    I'd recommend a Ruger GP100, 4" barrel. You will never wear one out, especially with 38 loads.

    Sourcing any kind of ammo is a challenge these days, but you may have an easier time locating 38 Special over trying to find 32.

     

    gungirl65

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 11, 2011
    6,437
    83
    Richmond
    From a girl's perspective.

    Take her to a rent a gun range and let her try different ones. Or better yet go shooting with friends and let her try their guns.

    How about a nice 22 magnum or other solidly made wheel guns?

    I really like snubbies but for a beginner, I would go with a longer barrel because it's more sturdy and less likely to bite. Forget about lightweight metals if you ever want her to like shooting. Target shooting doesn't have to hurt.

    Right now my most likely to be carried is a S&W 38 special lightweight. I hate shooting the gun but it is lightweight and easily concealable. Ok gun but not for a beginner. If it were my first gun I probably would not have so many others. I almost hate the gun but it's ok
    to look at and I got it for a song.

    I have both wheel guns and semi-auto's. For carrying I prefer a wheel gun because it is point & shoot. No slide to rack with my arthritic hands. Less chance of user error. It makes me feel more confident.

    I first started carrying when I was riding the bike trail alone. It helped me gain the confidence to carry on a regular basis.

    Let her look at and touch lots of guns so she can decide what her choice (style) really is. Sometimes I pick up guns and it's almost as if I feel an instant connection with the weapon. She needs to find that too if you want her to enjoy shooting.
     

    BigRed

    Banned More Than You
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Dec 29, 2017
    18,919
    149
    1,000 yards out
    From a girl's perspective.

    Take her to a rent a gun range and let her try different ones. Or better yet go shooting with friends and let her try their guns.

    How about a nice 22 magnum or other solidly made wheel guns?

    I really like snubbies but for a beginner, I would go with a longer barrel because it's more sturdy and less likely to bite. Forget about lightweight metals if you ever want her to like shooting. Target shooting doesn't have to hurt.

    Right now my most likely to be carried is a S&W 38 special lightweight. I hate shooting the gun but it is lightweight and easily concealable. Ok gun but not for a beginner. If it were my first gun I probably would not have so many others. I almost hate the gun but it's ok
    to look at and I got it for a song.

    I have both wheel guns and semi-auto's. For carrying I prefer a wheel gun because it is point & shoot. No slide to rack with my arthritic hands. Less chance of user error. It makes me feel more confident.

    I first started carrying when I was riding the bike trail alone. It helped me gain the confidence to carry on a regular basis.

    Let her look at and touch lots of guns so she can decide what her choice (style) really is. Sometimes I pick up guns and it's almost as if I feel an instant connection with the weapon. She needs to find that too if you want her to enjoy shooting.


    Listen up boys.
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    CKW had serious medical issues that took her out of the game for a few years. She is back now but reduced muscle mass has her struggling with the slide on about anything so I built her this and she loves it. Steel killer for her.
    I spent some coin on it but man it is a serious little shooter and she is all smiles.

    91JXzpi.jpg
     
    Top Bottom