I made a choice on guns
 

Thank you all for all the help. I read all the responses carefully. I made a choice to start simple. In truth I am really afraid of guns and will have to overcome that. I have picked two simple inexpensive weapons to see how I do with those. I picked a revolver because I understand how it works. The clips intimated me. I want to buy a fair amount of ammo too. I was not aware some ammo would shoot through walls so I will have to figure that out next. I just want something with stopping power not something to take the house down.
I wanted to go with a smaller gauge shotgun because I have a feeling this is going to knock me in the dirt but it was a compromise with my husband. Im going to buy online because I am more comfortable with that and will just have to adjust to the choice of weapons. Im sure my learning to use these guns will provide my husband with considerable entertainment. :)

BULLDOG 38 6RD 4IN BL

MOSSBerg 55110 500S 12 3IN 24 FR RS

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Great! You'll get the hang of it and aprehension will be replaced with familiarity and competence. Since you have chosen a revolver and are worried about bullets going through walls you may want to look into Glaser rounds. They are specifically designed not to overpenetrate barriers.

You do know you still have to go into a gunstore to pick up a gun you buy online, right? A gun can only be shipped from one federal firearms license holder to another. Unless you mean you are just buying private sale in your local area from an ad you found online and will do a face to face transaction.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

When you shoot the 12-gauge just be sure to have it snuggly nestled between your collar bone and sholder and lean into the shot a little bit. Also, shoot standing - your body's movement will absorb some of the recoil. When you are seated you will be leaning forward more than normal and your body will absorb more impact than normal. Also, you don't have to shoot the 3" magnum rounds. Get a lighter load for starters (don't forget ear protection!).

The .38 is a great choice. I haven't heard of that brand, but I had a Taurus that was relatively cheap and worked fine for me and my wife. In fact, you can get a .357 magnum and shoot .38 ammo in it. This is my recommendation. That way you can increase the power of your ammo when you are ready.

PS - Avoid the lure of "shiny" guns (chrome/stainless). Get something "blued" - it is less likely to reveal you in a tense situation in a dark house.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Rev, I did not know that. I am very ignorant on the subject. Im sure it shows..LOL

I was going to call the local Police Station to see about permits and the legality issues. I think we are facing a time when ignorance is no excuse so I am trying to get slowly educated. Its hard for me because of my aversion to weapons but Im getting there.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

SLV, I am a woman and I like SHINEY!!! Thats why I buy PMs. :)
I will limit my love of shiny to gold and silver and resist buying shiny guns.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

I love revolvers. The hammer is very easy to see so there is no wondering if its cocked. In single action they have a very easy trigger which helps with accuracy. If theres a misfire pull the trigger again and the new bullet comes into play.

Kim Detoit--a writer---said of revolvers, " They are like a fork, every time you pick them up they work".

Get some time on the range and have fun.

The Mossberg has a good safety location so its easy to see if its on or off---good choice.

First Guns--Good Choice

E-A

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

The name 'Jaima' represents the Indian Goddess who rides the lion and her enduring qualities are strength, power and stability.

:smile: Goddess with a 12-gauge shotgun

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Because you need to practice with any defensive weapon, do yourself a HUGE favor and get the Limbsaver custom recoil pad for the Mossberg. About $30: http://cgi.ebay.com/Limbsaver-Recoil...sid=p1638.m118

Have you considered getting the black Mossberg 500 with the 18.5" barrel? It is easier to wield indoors than the longer sporting versions. It is called the "Persuader": http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

A 38 revolver is a fine choice. Almost exactly the same power and recoil as that makarov pistol I recommended and even simpler in operation. The police were equiped with them for half a century in the US.

Try to talk your husband into a shorter barrel for the shotgun, or even a "youth" model which has a shorter stock also. I am consided to be a big guy by some and top 200 pounds, but have short arms and legs and have always cut an inch or so off the stocks of all my "normal" american made long arms so that they fit me for fast operation and for use with heavy winter clothing. The top plastic safety of the mossburg shotgun I owned broke in cold weather, so get a spare and know how to put it in.

Aquilla[Remington of Mexico]makes shorty reduced load 12 gauge birdshot, buckshot, and slug loads that duplicate 20 gauge energy and you can stick 50% more of them in your magazine.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Good luck on getting up to speed. FWIW, you may want to reconsider shiny. Better to have no reflection especially at night. May give away your position.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

good start, have always prefered wheelgun. cheaper than dirt, midway are good online ammo sources. 158 gr semi wadcutter lead bullet is a good practice round for me. currently have a taurus lightweight snubbie, and my dads s&w model 10 heavy barrel. 4" barrell handles great. good luck and congrats. have fun practicing!

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Take the 12 gauge out and try some skeet or trap shooting. This is where clay discs (aka "pigeons") are launched through the air, and you try and hit them when they're flying. It's a lot of fun and satisfying to nail those moving targets. Might be a good way to get used to and comfortable with the shotgun. Most people new to it seem to enjoy it quite a bit, and it's a little more exciting than shooting at a stationary paper target.

Here's a video of a young man doing some fun shots; I thought it was pretty cool.

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Re: I made a choice on guns
 

http://www.atigunstocks.com/products...egory=50&id=40

I recommend that stock for your mossberg, maybe also a heat shield. That stock is great, pistol grip is comfortable and the collapsible stock lets you adjust how long you need it to be. The shell holder can be removed, I unscrewed mine and taped it to the strap on my pump/foregrip/whatever.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

Haha! I think we're trying to turn Jaima into a mall ninja. :D

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

It's not going to knock you on your butt. :) You'll be fine!

It's sounds as though you're planning to learn how to shoot from your husband. If so, I urge you to reconsider! Learning to shoot from a husband or boyfriend is usually a truly bad idea, especially if the woman is already approaching guns or the firing range with some trepidation. Men have a tendency to mother-hen their wives and girlfriends in things like this. I've seen this smother many a woman's newfound love for shooting. The most damaging part of this, however, is that when we women are insecure, we have a tendency to defer to others. The more one defers, the more one feels incompetent and insecure in her own knowledge. Even if we don't defer, the constant "instruction" has a way of making one feel like an idiot who can't do anything right or feel that everyone else thinks you're an idiot who can't do anything. I've seen so many women never fully develop their own knowledge of their guns or the confidence they need to be truly competent and safe with guns because they start to buy the message of all that instruction, that they can't do it without guidance.

If you're considering guns for self-defense, then you have to be comfortable and competent with them in a stressful situation. You know yourself better than anyone else. Figure out the best way to get to that point. For many women, the best choice is to enroll in a shooting course, perhaps one for women. You might also join Liberty Belles and get on the email list for your local chapter. The women sometimes get together to go shooting. A good short-term goal would be to get yourself to the point that you feel knowledgable and competent enough that you can (and will) go to the range alone.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

If you have not grown up around guns, it is perfectly natural to be intimidated by them initially. Particularly with all the Hollywood images of what guns are and how evil they can be. :)

The best way to cure this is to teach yourself how it works, and shoot them, then you realise that you have control over the gun and not the other way around. After a while it resembles any other hand tool, it is a tool designed for a specific purpose, you have to handle it safely and competently.

Once you are comfortable and relaxed when shooting, and learn the habits of safety, your accuracy gets much better. :)

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

I love all these responses. You guys are really helpful. I will check out a shorter barrel on the shotgun and get a protective pad.

Im sure my husband would like to teach me to shoot but my guess is he will not want to be anywhere near me while I am firing a weapon. :)

I think the shooting range sounds like a good idea. I have never handled guns but live in a rural area where hunting and guns are prevalent. I think we have a range up the road.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

I agree, it's easy to get intimidated when you've never had or used a gun before. I bought my first pistol this morning, and all my fears and concerns, all the mystery surrounding guns evaporated the minute I held it in my hands. They're very plain, boring, uninteresting mechanical tools. It's very much like holding a power drill or an electric saw. Tools can be dangerous if you use them improperly, but they're very safe if you observe the proper precautions. Memorize the four rules of firearm safety, and always follow them:The most important step is overcoming that fear and setting foot in the gun store. It's all downhill from there. Your confidence will build every time you safely handle and train with your new weapon, and in the end you will no longer fear it; it will instead be your useful and loyal servant: always at your side ready to aid you in your hour of need.

Re: I made a choice on guns
 

There are a couple of additional rules for safe gun handling:

5. Guns, alcohol or drugs (and some prescription drugs) do not mix. Never handle a gun if you are under the influence or allow others to do so if they are.

6. Never handle a gun if you are depressed, or let OTHERS do so. If you have any doubt at all about your state or someone else's, then stop. Take the day off and do something else. For recreational shooting, only go shooting when you're in a good mood.

7. Never climb over a fence with a gun that is not set to SAFE.

8. If you are shooting with others and they do something you feel is dangerous, or makes you uncomfortable with their gun handling. Tell them. If they persist, then leave.

9. Never point a gun at anything that you don't intend to destroy.