Posted: 11/4/2005 6:57:24 AM EDT
| Ok, since I got flamed for not asking technical questions, I'll ask. I've been thinking that I should have my own gun. I thought a shotgun would be good to start out with for defense. At least until I become more accustomed to handling guns. I heard about this company called Bond Arms. They make a pistol that shoots a .45 and a .410. I know after I get somthing, I'll take it out and practice. I've shot a few guns over the years, but I'm not really confortable with them yet. Does this seem like a good place to start? If not, where should I start? |
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Start by getting together with other people that shoot. Check out the TX forum and go to a dinner, meet the TX crew and go to an organized shoot. There are plenty of people who will let you shoot their guns. Try a few out and see what you like instead of trying to figure out what you want before you really know what you'll like and need. Welcome to the board! 
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Welcome aboard. I would stay away from the 45/410 combo. I'm not an expert but that combination sounds like trouble waiting to happen. If you want a shotgun by a shotgun. You're big enough to handle at least a 20 gauge. A .410 shoots a cartridge the size of my little finger. As for a pistol, a .38 is an excellent easy to use self protection weapon. Sigziggy is right though, best thing you can do is get together in the Texas Forum and learn learn learn. Do you have an income? Best of luck, Patty |
| I was also looking for something that I can carry with me later on. I had been told that like a .35 or a .38 won't stop an attacker unless you hit them in a vital spot. I just don't know that I can aim that well in that sort of situation. That's where I came up with the Bond Arm idea. I thought the .410 would slow them down long enough for me to use the .45. But then again, maybe I should just get something I can shoot alot of. I heard of these places where you can rent guns and try out a bunch of different ones. I think I'll start there. |
Excellent advice, as always. Txgirl, if you have friends that shoot, go with them on a range trip. I'm sure they'll let you shoot their guns, and you'll be able to get a handle on what you like and are comfortable with. Like Zig said, come to one of the TX crew dinners and get to one of the shoots. The guys/girls here are very forthcoming with info and suggestions. Welcome to the board! 
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That's going to be pretty much any handgun. I know of an excellent school in your neck of the woods. It's something to think about when you're working. |
You need to learn to shoot any weapon. Next time you're out and about go to a store that sells ammo and ask for a cartridge of .410 shells, .38 bullets and .45 bullets. Take a look at the size of the projectile that you're going to be shooting to defend yourself. Keep in mind that the .38 was the service weapon of choice for police for many many years. It is a very effective weapon. Its simple to use, safe and typically very affordable. Patty |
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I know you wanted oppinions from your fellow womenz, but I feel I need to offer my oppinion. The Bond Arms you speak of is a "Derringer" design, it is more of a novelty, you only get 2 shots for starters. I bought a set of deringers for my mother and myself years ago (.38), she couldn't even shoot the dang thing! I allways advise anyone who is new to guns and has little mechanical skillz to go with a .38 spec. revolver. If you think you're going to be target shooting with it a lot you can get a medium/large frame model that holds from 6 to 8 rounds, like the S&W model 10, or S&W model 686 (plus?), Taurus 608, whatever their equivalent to the S&W M10 is. You could get a 3" or 4" barrel. If you think you want a concealed carry gun, go with a small fram 5 shot revolver, like the S&W "J frame" serrys you can choose the steel frame models wich are sturdy and the weight helps with recoil, OR you can get the "Air Weight" models, wich have a light weight alluminum frame, wich lends its self well to carrying it all day, in any out fit. (to many model #s to list), or the Taurus model 85, or 85 Ultra Light (light weight alliminum frame) I like the Model 642 Smith & Wesson myself, it's called the "Centenial Air Weight", for some reason I allways see them on sale. It has a fully enclosed hammer, this is good for several reasons, (1) it keeps dirt and dust bunnys out of the mechanism, (2) no hammer to get caught ,or snagged when you draw the weapon, (3) in CQB (close quarters battle) the bad guy could, on a reguler weapon, simply put the web of his hand ove, or under the hammer and thus render it useless, but not on the 642. I'm sure a lot of people fill try to sell you on an auto (semi-automatic), but I say "if you can't rebuild a small block Chevy engine, you probably wont be able to properly clean the auto", wich meens it will likely malfunction when it gets dirty. Not a good thing. I hope I helped some. |
Come on!! my Glock (27) has 5 parts when field-stripped, and a single latch to strip it. It takes roughly 5 minutes to clean well. Your comparison is badly biased, unfair, and incredibly sexist. Both my little sisters have no problem shooting semi-autos -- one owns and carries a Glock 26 all the time, and shoots my 1911 when she visits. I guarantee you neither of them can "rebuild a small block Chevy engine" -- for that matter, neither can I! "rebuilding a small block Chevy engine" has nothing to do with properly maintaining a handgun of any kind. txwxgirl -- I'm a guy, but just my 2-cents. Try out as many different handguns as you can get your hands on, ranges offer them to rent most of the time, and see what you like. If you have small hands, the sig P239 is one recommendation I would make to look at, and the Glock 26 or Glock 27(my personal carry gun is a 27) would be the others. If not, you can pretty much try out anything on the shelf that you like. My personal favorites are Glocks -- because they're the simplest to use, field-strip and clean, and don't have the external levers that get in the way and hang up on holsters and such. I also like Sigs because they're pretty much the most reliable weapon in existence, and their triggers are absolutely perfect. I do agree with Hoffa on one thing -- stay away from the derringer-type designs, they're more trouble than they're worth. If you're inexperienced with guns, the best way to learn is go to the range(preferably with someone who can teach you) and practice -- there's not much technical difficulty to shooting and becoming at least semi-knowledgeable about firearms once you get over that initial discomfort that many people have with them. good luck! |
"incredibly sexist"!  ETA: So, Joshki, you're telling me that no woman on Gods green earth has ever been, nor ever could be a mechanic?  I knew a few female MKs (machinery technition) in the military, at least one was also a BTM and carried a Berreta M9 and a Remington 870 during boardings. WOMEN RULE!!!!! 
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I think what he's saying is the following: 1. You assume she can't rebuild a small block Chevy engine. 2. WTF does rebuilding a small block Chevy engine have to do with cleaning guns? 3. Can I attach a small block Chevy engine to my 1911 and make them related topics? ETA: I have zero interest in rebuilding small block Chevy engines. I don't even like Chevys. 
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Oh please..... I detail strip my 1911's, my Walther and every other gun I own every fifth time they go out, and they get field stripped and cleaned every time they go out. I've built 4 AR's from the ground up have a 5th in the works (from an 80% milled reciver that I am finishing) and I've got 1911 and 2011 build projects in the works. I've never rebuilt a small block chevy engine. Field stripping a pistol is withing the grasp of ANY woman that decides she wants to. All the women in my Women's classes have to field strip and clean their pistols when they day is done and not one of them has failed to be able to do so after being shown how. |
 w00t!
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 We're so glad you're here.
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Hmmmmmmm , Single?
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i don't think stripping a semi-auto is what's really important. Knowing how to operate the pistol in a stress situation is more important. If she is a novice shooter starting with a revolver is always recommended for any gender. If the gun you choose is one you will carry for defensive purposes. It needs to be simple. If the gun you bought soley for the reasons of capacity jams after your first or second shot what good are the other 12? In my classes i try and stress how fast an attack is. how close your attacker will be before gives you any clues to his agenda. The last thing you need to do is think. Thinking if you have flip a safety? Not sure if you have to rack the slide. making sure you don't bump the magazeine release. The beauty of revolvers is they work all the time. No thought required. Roll the trigger back 5-6-7 times. If it doesn't go bang the first time. Squeeze it again. As for a Bond arms 45lc/410 . Stay away from that. It's a derringer. It's a novelity if anything. You will not enjoy shooting something like. You won't want to practice with a 27 ounce shotgun. trust me. You need to think about guns like this. If you've ever riden in a small car. You feel every pot hole and crack in the road. Then if you've ever riden in a large truck or car you don't feel anything. It's the same with guns. The large the frame the more enjoyable it is to shoot. the weight of the pistol sucks up the recoil making the duration of your practice longer. Smaller , lighter guns typically fatigue shooters because it's rough on their hands. You need to try some stuff out. What's very important is how it feels in your hand. Guns are like shoes. I could see you the nicest pair of running shoes made but, if they hurt your feet you'll never wear them. I will make a recomendation for a fantastic ladies gun. take a gander at S&W's 432PD. It's a J-frame revolver chambered in 32 H&R mag. It's a fantastic round with low recoil. It's a great defensive piece but for target I always give my vote to S&W's 4" 686. i will offer one more piece of advice. Let someone who actually knows how to shoot teach you not just some guy who owns guns. Owning a lot of guns doesn't make a person knowledgeable. I see too many morons " teach" people how to shoot. Its like a virus. Someone who didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground taught them and now he's spreading it to someone else. See if there are any ceritifed NRA intructors in your area or at your local range. Good Luck and welcome to the sport. J |