Hoping someone here can answer this for me... or offer a little guidance.

I'll present this as a hypothetical situation, ok? Let's say I'm a female who lives in WV and has permit to carry. And I want a weapon for carrying purposes.

Will a .22 have enough firepower to be effective self-defense? I know the bulkier .38 is probably a better choice, but I'm less likely to carry it since it'll ruin the fit of my dress.

For self-defense, a .22, although very small, is unpredictable in it's results. Personally, I'd look at a .380, perhaps in a Walther or maybe a Taurus. A .380 is fairly concealable, small, but packs the necessary wallop at close range to effectively neutralize and incapacitate an attacker. You can pimp it out with mother-of-pearl handles and perhaps a stainless steel frame.

Whatever you chose, ammunition is important. Look minimally at a heavy grain hollow-point; a hydro-shok round makes a nice neat hole going in, and a wide gaping hole upon exit. Not to mention the nice little fragments it leaves in its path.

Walther Site

Here's a nice little Ruger

.22 how true. No stopping power. The little bullet actually ricochets all around your insides and is a nightmare to repair the damage. Unless it hits a vital in a big way. I have a .380 semi that fits nicely into my jeans pocket.

I have a Glock 27 for concealment, but don't really carry it. It's a great little gun, but can sometimes be a handful (.40 cal) in such a small package. Don't dismiss the concealment capability, reliability, and simplicity of a compact revolver.

I still carry my old S&W, blue-steel, 5-shot model 36 Chief's Special with 2-in bbl., when I need concealment under light clothing. In fact, I carry that way more than my Glock model 32, .357SIG.

I tell ya though, that little Ruger LCP in my link, looks like a fine little firearm.

Would be harder to conceal, but...

When I had that problem, I carried a glock; but still, I had the prob of having to travel through parts of 3 different states just to get to work, and was always afraid that if my weapon were noticed by a cop during a routine traffic stop, I would get shot w/o having the chance to explain......it happens. Also, just because one can legally carry a weapon does not mean it is welcome at all workplaces or wise to have at all workplaces. What about picking up the kids from school and daycare? Also.....no matter how well your weapon is concealed, the clever small child WILL find it. That, too, happened to me once. I guess I am not recommending a concealed weapon; but I do think a weapon kept at home is a smart choice for many women.

One thing I forgot to mention that might be of interest to you, Peacefrog; if you happen to be expecting, the baby you are carrying will react every time you fire the weapon. They can hear, you know. Not that things like that will ever be covered in any courses one can take for safe use of weapons, but perhaps it should be.

WOW, hadn't thought of that. Makes sense though, folks are always encouraged to read/sing/talk to the baby. Certainly don't want the little bundle of joy to have that dreaded In-Utero-Pistol-Twitch thing going on. Bad enough the little things dance around in there like they're going to a sock-hop!

Yes definitely keep those points in mind. Your carry permit in WV does not apply in other states. Cross a state line and you could become a criminal. Also good point about employers. Mine would fire you in a heartbeat if you brought a weapon onto the premises.

Any gun is better than no gun. But some are certainly better than others.

Check this out for some info on effectiveness of various calibers and loads: http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/calloadgoshin.htm

Try this for some size comparisons: http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

Don't forget if you're going really slinky you can go for a 2-shot derringer.

Thanks for the guidance! I knew you guys would be able to help me out.

One question though... what about things in the revolver line?

Not doing any target shooting while pregnant, so I think the baby's hearing will be ok.

S&W has an airweight line I believe and "Ladysmith" line if I recall correctly. Nuttin' wrong with a 5 or 6 shooter!

Smith & Wesson

Take a look at the model 36 (which is what I carry) in the 1 7/8in. bbl, or the model 40 (similiar to the 36 but with a "hammer shroud", i.e., non-exposed hammer. The hammer shroud keeps the hammer from snagging those haute couture silks and cashmeres.

Taking a look at the model 36, sheesh, I paid $96 for mine new in '73.

Ruger also makes a dependable revolver.

Alternatively, if you're worried about carrying a gun and having to use it, take some personal defense lessons or carry some other defense mechanism. I have thought about owning a gun, and while I don't have any children, having a gun in the house or carrying one and shooting myself in the leg is something I'd worry about. Seriously I don't wanna be the guy that shoots his eye out! It's just a matter of peace of mind, for me.

I know that I can't stop a bullet, but I am comfortable knowing that if I was in a close combat situation, I would have a pretty good chance at taking someone down and maybe snapping a limb or two. And, with three dogs, I have a pretty good alarm system in place.

A kid I went to high school with did this. He was cleaning his gun, thought it was unloaded, but found out the hard way that it wasn't. It left a big 'ol hole in his leg!



I feel the same way.

Gee, I'm surprised. Anything to down guns.

I didn't put down guns in any way in my post Patton, so

Oh and btw, I'm not downing guns... I don't care to get into that battle. LOL

I'm just sayin', my personal decision is that I wouldn't own one because I am afraid of them.

I'm all for exercising personal freedoms. That's cool.

Same here. Though I will vehemently defend the rights of anyone else to keep and bear, I personally don't want one and don't want to be anywhere near any if I have a choice.

The whole discussion about "stopping power" makes me more than a little nauseous.

It does me, too, until I consider what might happen if I can't stop the guy.

For those not willing to "kill" you could alway load less than lethal rounds. Personally though the handgun I want isn't allowed in the peoples republic of maryland. I want the Kel-Tec PL-16 with a 30 round magazine. 30 .223 rounds and I don't think there would be any question of "stopping power." LOL sorry I couldn't resist making some of you nauseous.

This one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckZ0HC_GwcY&NR=1

Good point of course. I guess I just am glad I don't have cause to go into any of the more dangerous neighborhoods or situations and seem to be doing okay just keeping my eyes open and praying nobody decides I should be their next victim.

yep

My prayer book is 23 ounces of cold hard steel.... well a couple ounces of steel and a bunch of high tech polymer.

Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition.



Nice gun Tony, that would pretty much stop anything... but awfully difficult to conceal in a ladies purse.

Have you seen the size of some of those so called purses? Heck they could use them as cover to hide behind as they shoot!!! I do like that gun and as soon as I move I am buying one. I also like the Hi-Point 9mm carbine that I am going to buy soon. That of course is for home defense not carry.

Sweeeeet weapon. Alas, TPRM is arse-backward.

Agreed, Froggy. I hope I never have to fire a weapon in anger. But if it is me or mine or the bad guy, I'll get over it.

Many times the mere showing of a gun will suffice to get the perp to remember an important meeting elsewhere. But if he's still too stupid, he deserves to be "stopped".

Washinton County, Maryland Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America has some target and rifle ranges. My hubby and I belong, we target shoot. Just saying if you are looking for a nice place to practice. Have not been in awhile so I am not sure of the current set up. What can i say, it makes for a wild and wonderful afternoon together.

http://people.delphiforums.com/rammots/iwla.html

On another forum I post infrequently on, they have periodic "Shot Fests". Those interested all meet at a gun range with their various rifles and handguns. Everyone gets a chance to shoot a variety of firearms, out of the assortment of what everyone brings.

Some newbies invariably show up and they're taught how to handle and shoot a firearm. It makes for a fun afternoon, and all safety precautions are observed. No horseplay or fooling around. On the firing line it's all business and no alcohol.

Too bad those interested on this forum couldn't arrange something like that. Sort of a "Meet and Greet Shoot".

The only public range I know of in the area is down in WV, I think at Sleepy Creek.

Cool post Yoss, sounds fun.

They do that on another forum I visit, but they are down the road and I don't feel like making the drive, it sounds like they have a blast though.

I'm in, I could bring a couple 38's a couple 9mm's a 44 mag. and a few rifles.

I'll be at the range this Sun. morning but I can't bring guests. Going to be working on some loads for the 300 win. mag.

There used to be an indoor range in Chambersburg... that one's gone?

I think it is either closed or .22 only -- at least the one at C'burg Rod and Gun Club. Being a member there got to be a hassle -- had to attend certain weekday meetings to get your membership renewed. So I quit.

Waynesboro R&G has an outdoor range -- covered.

It's best if you know someone with some land who will let you shoot -- then you can shoot a variety of targets in a very informal way, no pressure, no waiting. I had that once...