Handguns

.38 revolver would be a excellent choice. I have a Ruger gp100 and its my favorite gun for shooting. With a .357 you can shoot .38 rounds also.

I have to agree with the shotgun crew. I keep a loaded 12 gauge PUMP in the closet. No shell in the action until you pump it once. The sound of you pumping the first shell into the receiver also gives the intruder a chance to run like hell before I pump him full of buckshot. Just one mans opinion.

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I have to agree with the shotgun crew. I keep a loaded 12 gauge PUMP in the closet. No shell in the action until you pump it once. The sound of you pumping the first shell into the receiver also gives the intruder a chance to run like hell before I pump him full of buckshot. Just one mans opinion.

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And alerts the savy evil doer of your exact location for the first shot.

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I have to agree with the shotgun crew. I keep a loaded 12 gauge PUMP in the closet. No shell in the action until you pump it once. The sound of you pumping the first shell into the receiver also gives the intruder a chance to run like hell before I pump him full of buckshot. Just one mans opinion.

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And alerts the savy evil doer of your exact location for the first shot.

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I never like agreeing with Mike just because of principle, but the element of surprise is to your benefit.

Not that I would shoot and ask questions later, but close…

The best thing you can do if you are looking for a pistol is to take your wife with when shopping. If they day ever comes that she needs to use it, she needs to be comfortable holding it and be able to keep it under control. Bills does have a ton of pistols you can rent but you need to buy their ammo and the $ can add up quick. Since you don’t have a Bills close by your best bet is to hit Cabelas, Gander or Fleetfarm and let her handle a lot of different pistols to see what fits her hand then check reviews on line so you can go in to Bills knowing what you want to shoot and not wasting time or $ on guns that got poor reviews.

I also sent you a PM because I was in your EXACT position about a year ago.

I have the wireless microphone attached to the shotgun so that when you rack one in the surround sound in the house makes the intruder look everywhere…..

Perfect! Might just record 4 racks then play it back so it sound like the guy is surrounded!

You and your wife go take a basic defense course and get all the facts you need to decide if having a weapon is for you.

Any Kids?

Will you continues to shoot the weapon to keep muscle memory intact?

Can you or your wife kill someone, If not sure you may end up getting shot with your own weapon.

Do you know when and when not you can shoot someone?

Lots of questions, take the course.

Shotguns and safes are nice, but you won’t always have the time to get them, a revolver next to the bed will be your fastest access to a weapon.

My choice would be the Ruger LCR in .38+p, with the right defense round enough stopping power, yet usually won’t end up in the next room or neighbors and is strictly point and shoot.

Al

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You and your wife go take a basic defense course and get all the facts you need to decide if having a weapon is for you.

Any Kids?

Will you continues to shoot the weapon to keep muscle memory intact?

Can you or your wife kill someone, If not sure you may end up getting shot with your own weapon.

Do you know when and when not you can shoot someone?

Lots of questions, take the course.

Shotguns and safes are nice, but you won’t always have the time to get them, a revolver next to the bed will be your fastest access to a weapon.

My choice would be the Ruger LCR in .38+p, with the right defense round enough stopping power, yet usually won’t end up in the next room or neighbors and is strictly point and shoot.

Al

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Definitely agree with taking a class. Whether or not you ever decide to carry, its great information.

Who actually knows if they can kill someone unless they have been put into that situation. If you are not sure, I’d consider that a normal response.

As for a weapon of choice…I think the .38 caliber revolver is perfect. I’d recommend staying away from the light weight revolvers unless carry is a priority. Shooting a .38 (especially +P ammo)from firearms like the Smith and Wesson Air Weight, Ruger LCR or the Charter Arms Undercover lite revolvers can kick like a mule. Similar sized revolvers with a heavier frame would be a lot more comfortable to shoot. Especially for your wife. Since we all agree that practice is a necessity, it makes sense to get something that will be comfortable for both users to fire. If you never intend to carry, I’d go up to a .38/.357 with a 4 inch barrel. Firearms like the Taurus 627, Ruger SP101 model 5771 or a Smith & Wesson 686 would be easy shooting with the .38+p and can handle a .357 round if desired.

I have been employed for Bills for years. Spend the money go and shoot a few different guns and find one you like.
The make a lot of different models and different sizes for a reason.

Make sure you get training. I went through a lot of formal and even more informal training. When a stressful environment is created in a controled environment you learn to deal with stress. I don’t want to talk about stressful situations that is another day…

Another thing is to actually shoot frequently. Practice makes perfect.

Just my .02.