Gun advice

[cloudyday2]

I don't like guns, but I live in a warehouse, and the neighborhood seems to be changing for the worse lately. I am a small, older guy (135 lbs and 50 years old). My hands and wrists are extremely small and weak and easily strained. I go to the chiropractor for shoulder problems and back problems and hip problems.

I've never owned a gun and haven't shot one for 35 years when my father gave me some quick instruction with a .38 revolver. My thought is that I need a gun that I can shoot many times for practice without hurting my wrists and shoulders. I also need something simple like a revolver. I was thinking about a heavy .357 magnum revolver, loaded with .38 bullets. Assuming that would work, I thought it might minimize the recoil.

Of course there are also non-lethal weapons like pepper spray and tasers.

I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: A few other issues I forgot to mention. A few years ago I was diagnosed with some psychotic illnesses that are still on my health record. I don't know if that affects my eligibility to buy a handgun or not. I already have some guns, but they are not my own and I don't know if they are functional. I thought that if I had to shoot and kill a burglar it might be better if I was the gun owner?

 

[Darkhorse]

Getting a heavy 357 and loading it with 38 special sounds like a good idea to minimize recoil. You obviously know the mechanics of shooting, and that helps a lot. 38 wadcutters should be pretty low-impact for practice.

The federal mental-health standards for gun ownership focus on "Have you ever been involuntarily committed to a mental hospital or institution?" and "Have you ever been found not guilty by reason of insanity?" Simply having a psychosis in the past isn't enough by itself to disqualify someone.

Of course, states may have their own more-stringent limits on these things (most don't), so check yours:

Handgunlaw.us


As far as I know, ownership of a gun makes no difference in using deadly force against an attacker. You are either legal to possess it, or you aren't.

Non-lethal weapons are a choice, but they're not as effective or as reliable. You might want both.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

To add to my point above, a bit of deception may be as good as any other. What I mean is putting an "ADT" sign or some other sign in your yard or window that makes it seem as though your home is protected by an alarm system. Most would be burglars would think twice and probably pass even with the appearance of a security system. So that would dramatically reduce the chances of being a victim in itself

 

[ewq1938]

I already have some guns, but they are not my own and I don't know if they are functional. I thought that if I had to shoot and kill a burglar it might be better if I was the gun owner?

If they are not stolen and no one else claims ownership then they are your guns, at least in my state. I'd take them to a gun smith and ask them to check if they are safe and functional and if they are a good enough caliber then your issue is solved.

 

[Darkhorse]

If they are not stolen and no one else claims ownership then they are your guns, at least in my state.

You can check to see if a gun has been reported stolen at this website:

HotGunz Stolen Gun Search

I don't know how comprehensive they are (probably not much), but...it's something.

 

[ewq1938]

You can check to see if a gun has been reported stolen at this website:

HotGunz Stolen Gun Search

I don't know how comprehensive they are (probably not much), but...it's something.

Thanks! I will use that next time I buy a used gun!

 

[cloudyday2]

Thanks for the good information, everybody

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I don't like guns, but I live in a warehouse, and the neighborhood seems to be changing for the worse lately. I am a small, older guy (135 lbs and 50 years old). My hands and wrists are extremely small and weak and easily strained. I go to the chiropractor for shoulder problems and back problems and hip problems.

I've never owned a gun and haven't shot one for 35 years when my father gave me some quick instruction with a .38 revolver. My thought is that I need a gun that I can shoot many times for practice without hurting my wrists and shoulders. I also need something simple like a revolver. I was thinking about a heavy .357 magnum revolver, loaded with .38 bullets. Assuming that would work, I thought it might minimize the recoil.

Of course there are also non-lethal weapons like pepper spray and tasers.

I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: A few other issues I forgot to mention. A few years ago I was diagnosed with some psychotic illnesses that are still on my health record. I don't know if that affects my eligibility to buy a handgun or not. I already have some guns, but they are not my own and I don't know if they are functional. I thought that if I had to shoot and kill a burglar it might be better if I was the gun owner?

Grip is more important than the size or weight of the firearm when it comes to manageable recoil. If it fits the hand, there will be much less felt recoil. .38 is good, so would be 9mm. Substantial power, very manageable recoil. Back in the day when the Ontario Provincial Police used the .38 S & W revolvers, they used semi-wad cutters. I used to cast my own when I had a .357 for inexpensive home-loads.

Find one that fits, practice with it until you are very comfortable, and you will develop confidence.

 

[cloudyday2]

Grip is more important than the size or weight of the firearm when it comes to manageable recoil. If it fits the hand, there will be much less felt recoil. .38 is good, so would be 9mm. Substantial power, very manageable recoil. Back in the day when the Ontario Provincial Police used the .38 S & W revolvers, they used semi-wad cutters. I used to cast my own when I had a .357 for inexpensive home-loads.

Find one that fits, practice with it until you are very comfortable, and you will develop confidence.

I was thinking about your mention of fitting the gun to the hand. I have very small hands and a weak grip. It seems that I might have trouble reaching the trigger and pulling smoothly. I also have an astigmatism that would make it impossible to see the sight without eyeglasses. (Of course, if I was defending myself from a burglar, I might have very little time to aim and shoot. Honestly, I doubt if I could use a handgun effectively under those panicky circumstances.)

So I was reading a little bit. There are single and double action revolvers. I think the gun that I could borrow is a Colt King Cobra .357 (if I remember).
Colt King Cobra - Wikipedia

It has the longer barrel like the image in Wikipedia. It says it is double-action. I suppose that is better than single-action? I was thinking that a sight that projects a red dot might be helpful - especially if I don't have time to put on my eyeglasses.

I wonder if they make handguns in child sizes? That might fit my hand better. I don't care about the quality of the gun, because I imagine the weak link will be me - not the gun.

EDIT: I probably have some other guns I could borrow. I don't know for certain if we have the .357 King Cobra still, and it might have rusted-away without maintenance. My father and brother used to enjoy gun shows and bought a variety of guns. I don't know where they are now.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

With that and similar grips, with .38 special, it should be very manageable for you; they are a fine gun and still demand a premium price up here in Canada.

 

[ewq1938]

It says it is double-action. I suppose that is better than single-action?

It's slightly more work for the hand which might be an issue for you. But most double action will do single action as well which simply means pulling the hammer back then the trigger is basically like a hair trigger and there is a single action for the hammer to move forward striking the bullet and causing it to fire.

I wonder if they make handguns in child sizes? That might fit my hand better. I don't care about the quality of the gun, because I imagine the weak link will be me - not the gun.

They make small guns. I'd try to stick around 9mm because decently stopping power but not too much recoil. A 357 even using .38 will be much more.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

It's slightly more work for the hand which might be an issue for you. But most double action will do single action as well which simply means pulling the hammer back then the trigger is basically like a hair trigger and there is a single action for the hammer to move forward striking the bullet and causing it to fire.

They make small guns. I'd try to stick around 9mm because decently stopping power but not too much recoil. A 357 even using .38 will be much more.

True, but compared to S & W, the Colts do have more "compact" grips.

Zastava in Serbia make the M-70AA (AA designates external safety), a copy of the M-57 (Serbian Tokarev which holds one more round than the T-33) but in 9mm. This is a single action semi-auto (so you would have to [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] it for the first shot, but it loads and [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] each consecutive round). With there single stack mag the grips are narrow and small. These are not military surplus, but are made for export, and they do a really nice job on fit and finish. Super easy to strip, clean and reassemble, and they are reliable. The 9mm is a lot milder than the the 7.62 x 25 in the M-57, minimal recoil, muzzle jump, no 2' fire-ball, and no "BOOM" just a satisfying "bang" when you pull the trigger; they call it the "Serbian Hand-Cannon" at my club (I have a M-57 that I bought brand new, and it is way too much fun to shoot!!!)

With the 9MM you don't have to worry about "over penetration" either.

The M-70 is very inexpensive to buy as well (just over $200.00 US [$290.00 in Canada]). In the US they are imported with a hammer block safety (US law), here in Canada, we are allowed to have the unmodified version that only has a "half [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]" safety. 4 1/2" barrel and just under 2 lbs, it is not "compact" but it is small. The frame is under an inch wide, and the mags hold 8 rounds.

I don't have huge hands, but I have found the grips a bit on the small side for me; so I bought a Hogue grip sleeve, and my shooting has improved considerably since I put it on:

 

[ewq1938]

True, but compared to S & W, the Colts do have more "compact" grips.

Zastava in Serbia make the M-70AA (AA designates external safety), a copy of the M-57 (Serbian Tokarev which holds one more round than the T-33) but in 9mm.

I actually own a Tokarev and have always been impressed with how it shoots and how balanced it feels.

 

[ChavaK]

I'm a 63 year old woman who has arthritis in my hands. Because of that I am limited to the caliber I shoot
(.40 and .45 kill them) but my favorite gun is a Glock 17. I don't have large hands, but it seems to fit perfectly. I shoot better with it than any other gun I've tried. And it's comfortable, the recoil/muzzle flip
is very controllable. I've tried revolvers and I find them difficult to handle and they are more uncomfortable to my hands.
I would highly suggest borrowing or renting several guns and see what seems to work best for you.

 

[ChavaK]

PS- please make sure to invest in some good training.

 

[cloudyday2]

PS- please make sure to invest in some good training.

I was just thinking the same thing. I remember going to a gun store with college friends in the 80s, and they showed us how to operate various guns and allowed us to fire them. A local gun store with a range would probably offer a class.

 

[ChavaK]

I was just thinking the same thing. I remember going to a gun store with college friends in the 80s, and they showed us how to operate various guns and allowed us to fire them. A local gun store with a range would probably offer a class.

Take more than one class, there is a lot to learn! I have been shooting for 6 or 7 years, and I still take classes!

 

[cloudyday2]

I read an article where the author suggested that a handgun firing the .22 LR bullets could be an effective home defense. I like that option if viable, because I could probably practice a lot with less fatigue and expense.

If I opted for the .22 LR, I would probably use a semiautomatic instead of a revolver so that I could fire several shots.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I read an article where the author suggested that a handgun firing the .22 LR bullets could be an effective home defense. I like that option if viable, because I could probably practice a lot with less fatigue and expense.

If I opted for the .22 LR, I would probably use a semiautomatic instead of a revolver so that I could fire several shots.

If I were buying for home defense, I would want something heavier than .22. I'm not sure about the US but in Canada, there are all kinds of low cost surplus 9mm ammo to be had. There are also some inexpensive but good quality semi-auto 9mm weapons available up here. Norinco NP22, and 34 can be had for under $400.00 Canadian (I would guess $250-300 in the US), modeled on the SIG P-226/228 pistols; reliable, and accurate, and about 1/3 the cost of a SIG. They are comfortable and easy to use, and the 9mm is quite tame, recoil wise, but has lots of energy for close range.

 

[cloudyday2]

Well, I found the boxes of guns available and had a question. There was a .357 revolver with a longer barrel that would have fit my original plan of a heavy .357 with small .38 bullets to reduce recoil. Unfortunately as I was holding the empty gun and pulling the trigger, I noticed a lot of shakiness due to the weight of the gun and my weak muscles. There was a short barreled .38 revolver that was much more comfortable. The grip was smaller and the gun was lighter. Unfortunately I'm sure there would be more recoil, and it would be hard to use the sights with such a short barrel. There was also a short barreled .357 revolver, but it seemed a little heavier and the grip wasn't as comfortable.

I've been wondering if capability for long range accuracy might be less important than simply feeling comfortable and confident with the gun. Probably I would call 911 and hide in room. If somebody enters the room then I would be shooting at short range. So maybe the short barrel on the .38 would not be an issue. The only issue would be discomfort the recoil might cause during practice versus discomfort from the weight of the heavier full-size .357 revolver.

Any ideas?

BTW the revolvers were all Smith and Wesson. I have read about the red-dot lasers that can be added to handguns. I don't know if these guns would allow that or not. Maybe it doesn't matter at short range anyway.