View Full Version : Best self-defense options for someone who won't carry centerfire
I have a rather unusual set of questions, and could use help from guys in the forum who have worked through these kinds of issues before, or perhaps some of law enforcement guys who are well versed in civilian self-defense options.
My wife is not by any means an "anti-gun" person, she's very favorable toward my shooting, and is totally pro 2nd Amendment politically. But she is VERY adverse to carrying a centerfire pistol herself. I've been pressuring her to carry, because we live in an area where there are a lot of violent crimes against women, and often she is out with my two young daughers, driving them around shopping, to piano lessons, etc., when it's dark and I worry about them not having any protection. Bottom line: she's simply unwilling to carry. I've tried every way I can think of to convince her, but she is convinced she does not want the safety hazards of a gun in her purse or whatever, and I'm not going to convince her on that one. But she is willing to try something else, if I can come up with some good options.
So, I'm wondering what people think would tend to be the best self-defense alternatives? Here are a few I've thought about, and have boiled the options down to. There are also the warning-type devices, like airhorns and stuff, but I want her to have a true defensive type device.
1. Mace/pepper spray
2. Stun gun
3. Tactical knife
4. Telescoping police baton.
5. A look-alike airsoft gun (basically, just to fake some bad guy into thinking you've got a real gun).
I think the Mace/pepper spray option is most likely. It's affordable, she said she'd agree to carry it, and supposedly it's pretty effective if you get the right stuff. Does anyone else agree with that? If so, what stuff should I get her, in order to be effective? My understanding is there is a BIG difference in quality of the chemicals used, and also the type of deployment mechanism, whether it uses foam or gel, how far away it can hit the attacker, etc. So it would help especially if some of the LEO guys here could tell me what products have been proven as most effective.
As for the stun gun, she's open to that, but they're more expensive, and that assumes you have to get VERY close to the attacker. I just don't know anything about these, and am leaning away from them, unless someone thinks these are a better option than the Mace/spray option.
I thought about the tactical knife idea (I carry one, in addition to my pistol), but we ruled it out. She's very strong and athletic for her size, but our concern is that she doesn't know how to use a knife (I do--have been trained in defensive knife tactics), and a strong male attacker might take it away and use it on her.
The telescoping baton isn't a bad idea, but isn't going to stop a large or determined attacker. So, for a smaller person trying to keep someone away from her, it probably isn't the best option.
The fake gun option. Has anyone heard anything about whether something like this can be effective or useful, the idea of carrying a fake look-alike gun, say something that looks like a Walther P99?
rimfire and pratice till she is gooood
uncle jerky
02-14-2007, 16:26
Pepper spray/mace would be my choice.As with guns,learn how to use the product.
I would suggest a good combination pepper/OC/dye foam. Most of the good ones are for 6-8 feet and the foam not only reduces the 'overspray' that drifts back into you but it is extremely messy. The more you rub the worse it gets. The dye also makes it easier to pinpoint the offender.
rimfire and pratice till she is gooood
Yeah I did consider that, but she was pretty unwavering that she would not even consider a rimfire pistol. I've pushed on that several times, but she's dead set against carrying any gun. So I'm looking at the other options.
FatDaddy
02-14-2007, 19:13
Most women are no match for a male attacker so anything like a baton or knife will probably do more harm than good. A good quality pepper spray backed up with a stun gun would be a good selection. I just don't see pepper spray stopping a determined dirtbag but could buy enough time and cloud an attackers vision long enough to apply the shock therapy.
I'm not so sure about the fake gun. I've always been told if your going to carry a gun, be prepared to use it.
I hope she never needs any of the above though.
ryan_kalani
02-15-2007, 03:06
Sabre Red OC Spray :)
garza1290
02-15-2007, 07:12
[quote=timlt;418847]I have a rather unusual set of questions, and could use help from guys in the forum who have worked through these kinds of issues before, or perhaps some of law enforcement guys who are well versed in civilian self-defense options.
My wife is not by any means an "anti-gun" person, she's very favorable toward my shooting, and is totally pro 2nd Amendment politically. But she is VERY adverse to carrying a centerfire pistol herself. I've been pressuring her to carry, because we live in an area where there are a lot of violent crimes against women, and often she is out with my two young daughers, driving them around shopping, to piano lessons, etc., when it's dark and I worry about them not having any protection. Bottom line: she's simply unwilling to carry. I've tried every way I can think of to convince her, but she is convinced she does not want the safety hazards of a gun in her purse or whatever, and I'm not going to convince her on that one. But she is willing to try something else, if I can come up with some good options.
So, I'm wondering what people think would tend to be the best self-defense alternatives? Here are a few I've thought about, and have boiled the options down to. There are also the warning-type devices, like airhorns and stuff, but I want her to have a true defensive type device.
1. Mace/pepper spray
2. Stun gun
3. Tactical knife
4. Telescoping police baton.
5. A look-alike airsoft gun (basically, just to fake some bad guy into thinking you've got a real gun).
I think the Mace/pepper spray option is most likely. It's affordable, she said she'd agree to carry it, and supposedly it's pretty effective if you get the right stuff. Does anyone else agree with that? If so, what stuff should I get her, in order to be effective? My understanding is there is a BIG difference in quality of the chemicals used, and also the type of deployment mechanism, whether it uses foam or gel, how far away it can hit the attacker, etc. So it would help especially if some of the LEO guys here could tell me what products have been proven as most effective.
As for the stun gun, she's open to that, but they're more expensive, and that assumes you have to get VERY close to the attacker. I just don't know anything about these, and am leaning away from them, unless someone thinks these are a better option than the Mace/spray option.
I thought about the tactical knife idea (I carry one, in addition to my pistol), but we ruled it out. She's very strong and athletic for her size, but our concern is that she doesn't know how to use a knife (I do--have been trained in defensive knife tactics), and a strong male attacker might take it away and use it on her.
The telescoping baton isn't a bad idea, but isn't going to stop a large or determined attacker. So, for a smaller person trying to keep someone away from her, it probably isn't the best option.
The fake gun option. Has anyone heard anything about whether something like this can be effective or useful, the idea of carrying a fake look-alike gun, say something that looks like a Walther P99?[/quote
Timlt,
A good friend of mine, who is an LEO, once told me that Mace is you best option for self defence other than a firearm. A telescoping baton or a knife might be considered by some LEA's an unlawful weapon. An airsoft gun or any toy gun is painted bright orange at the barrel for an obvious reason.
To remove that paint or paint over it with black paint would be, by some LEA's unlawful.
First, DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER A FAKE GUN! All she needs is for the perp to call her bluff and she's toast.
I agree with the previous posts that pepper spray is probably the best non-lethal option.
Even if she'd consider carrying a good compact .22 rf or .22 magnum handgun, I'd still recommend the pepper spray as additional protection - and she should practice with whatever she decides to carry (including the pepper spray).
My wife works security for a company that PROHIBITS weapons of any sort. During the day it's not really an issue, but last week she was locking the gate to the parking lot at night and noticed a car that was out of place. As she walked up to it she noticed it had been stripped from top to bottom by thieves.
This really unsettled her and I insisted that she carry her Berretta .32 Tomcat in her pocket from now on. She's too afraid of getting fired for carrying a weapon (the company says no guns, batons, knives, stunguns, pepperspray, or anything that can be constrewed as a weapon). I'm surprised they let them use maglites. I've always said: "Better alive and unemployed than dead" but she still won't carry the pistol. So yesterday, I bought her some pepperspray she can fit on her keychain and she says she'll carry that. It's only about $7-$10 and it's a whole lot better than nothing.
My wife works security for a company that PROHIBITS weapons of any sort. During the day it's not really an issue, but last week she was locking the gate to the parking lot at night and noticed a car that was out of place. As she walked up to it she noticed it had been stripped from top to bottom by thieves.
This really unsettled her and I insisted that she carry her Berretta .32 Tomcat in her pocket from now on. She's too afraid of getting fired for carrying a weapon (the company says no guns, batons, knives, stunguns, pepperspray, or anything that can be constrewed as a weapon). I'm surprised they let them use maglites. I've always said: "Better alive and unemployed than dead" but she still won't carry the pistol. So yesterday, I bought her some pepperspray she can fit on her keychain and she says she'll carry that. It's only about $7-$10 and it's a whole lot better than nothing.
Isn't that ridiculous about her company's policy? I onced worked at a company that is so strict, they say you can be fired even for having a gun IN YOUR CAR when parked on company grounds. I guess they are so worried about the scenario of someone getting a bad review, going postal, and shooting their manager, they decided they were willing to violate our constitutional rights and our safety.
I wouldn't blame a person in situations like this for going ahead and carrying anyway (well concealed, of course). They would never have the legal right to search you, so as long as you keep the thing concealed, there'd be no problem--they'll never know you carry it. And if you ever had to use the gun to truly protect yourself or someone else, I think hopefully they'd be glad you survived and would not make a firing issue out of the fact that you carried it. Even if they did fire you for it, wouldn't you rather be alive without a job, then be dead and know that you obeyed the company policy? I wish there were more legal recourse for us to fight companies that are restrictive of our rights like this. These kinds of policies have the effect of undermining the 2nd Amendment, as I wrote in another thread. It doesn't prove much to say we have the right to bear arms in public, if everywhere we GO in public, all the places have a policy of banning us from carrying firearms.
Anyway, I went ahead and took what seemed like the best option for my wife, given that she won't carry a pistol. Got her some good quality Mace, and also got here a Black Cobra stun gun, with 900,000 volts. The general idea is, blast 'em in the face with the Mace, then if they keep coming, hit 'em again with the stun gun.
I just don't think there's a single good substitute for a handgun. What safety liabilities is she worried about? That she may need to kill someone? First of all, if she's going to carry, she shouldn't carry in her purse. She should carry in a good holster. A handgun in a purse is an AD waiting to happen. Out of everything you listed as an alternative, pepper spray is the only decent alternative. It's what I got for my wife because she is just as stubborn as yours. She just doesn't think she'd ever need it and I will never give up on convincing her.
A taser or stungun simply doesn't work on some people and sometimes, they just don't work themselves. Batteries can go bad and some people show extremely high tolerance levels when intoxicated.
A baton, all though a valid form of protection would require far too much training for someone if they don't know how to use it and considering it's an up close contact weapon does not make it a good option for a primary defense weapon.
A knife is the same deal as a baton but I would suggest that she carried one. It would make a good backup to the OC and serves other functions as well. I started carrying mine in case I ever got pinned in a burning car so I could cut my seat belt, as one in a million as that sounds.
A look-alike is probably the worst thing she could carry. To me, it's like making your car look like it's really fast when it is not. You'll be very sorry and look stupid when it comes time to race...and everyone will think that you want to race. With a look-alike gun, your life will be jeopardized instantly. If a criminal has any lethal weapon, especially a gun, they will feel threatened and will go into fight or flight. If she'd pull a fake gun on a criminal in an attempt to scare them off, she could be shot or stabbed and even worse, she couldn't do anything about it with a fake gun.
Pepper spray is really the only effective ranged weapon and will easily drop 99.999999% of people. What's better, is you can actually kill someone with pepper spray pretty easily if they continue to attack. If worse comes to worse, all she'd need to do is ram the nozzle of the bottle into their mouth and spray it directly in. It will pressurize into their lungs and swell their bronchial tubes and esophogas shut until the esphixiate. Basically, a tremendous asthma attack.
Remember, there are still plenty of hazards with pepper spray and it does not always go where she points it. Even a very small draft could cloud some into her eyes and throat and very well seal her fate.
A handgun is the only sure fire option. Good luck to you.
rsidner said
A handgun in a purse is an AD waiting to happen
I couldn't agree more, however, my wife has a number of concealed carry purses that are both stylish and useful. Most are not more expensive than any quality purse and the handgun is secure and quickly accessible.
rsidner said
I couldn't agree more, however, my wife has a number of concealed carry purses that are both stylish and useful. Most are not more expensive than any quality purse and the handgun is secure and quickly accessible.
You have a good point. My only problem with a handgun being carried in a purse is if a purse snatcher would get a vulnerable purse, if it has her handgun in it, that's a very bad thing. Nothing worse than arming a criminal. Past that, if someone were to attack her and grab her purse before she could get the weapon out, despite how easy it is to access, then she's pretty well screwed unless she can pull a knife and shank them. The best bet for carry is a holster IMO because if an attacker grabs the purse first, they'll be slightly pre-occupied, she just takes a step back while drawing at the same time. Before the attacker knows what the hell is even happening, they have all ready been double tapped in the chest. Simple and quick. Then all she'll need to do is keep saying and writing "I was in fear for my life!" a few times and go home and get a good night's sleep.
I like my version. :D
ryan_kalani
02-16-2007, 15:38
You have a good point. My only problem with a handgun being carried in a purse is if a purse snatcher would get a vulnerable purse, if it has her handgun in it, that's a very bad thing. Nothing worse than arming a criminal. Past that, if someone were to attack her and grab her purse before she could get the weapon out, despite how easy it is to access, then she's pretty well screwed unless she can pull a knife and shank them. The best bet for carry is a holster IMO because if an attacker grabs the purse first, they'll be slightly pre-occupied, she just takes a step back while drawing at the same time. Before the attacker knows what the hell is even happening, they have all ready been double tapped in the chest. Simple and quick. Then all she'll need to do is keep saying and writing "I was in fear for my life!" a few times and go home and get a good night's sleep.
I like my version. :D
Good points! I like your version too. :D
HighDesertWolf
02-18-2007, 09:00
I bought my lady a taurus M731 ultra lite in 32 H&R mag to carry but she wont because it wasnt pretty enough atleast thats what she said I thought to myself WTF:wacko: So I offered to her to go to the gun shop and her pick out a gun. we go and she picks out a taurus PT-22 nickle with pink pearl grips. I tried to talk her out of it and that small calibers anything less than a 32 mag wont do much to stop a determined bad guy fast enough to keep you out of harms way unless you get a heart shot or head shot but she insisted on it I tried to also explain to her that a 22 just isnt as reliable as a centerfire and managed to talk her into the PT-25 nickle with pink pearl grips. I dont understand her now because she still wont carry a gun even though she said she wanted one to carry. I dont know if she was pulling my leg or what the deal is with her I even at one point begged her to carry atleast pepper spray I even bought a pink pepper spray can but she wont carry it either. that I bought her a surefire 60 lumens flash light to atleast blind an attacker she carries it but she constantly uses it as a regular flash light at work and the batteries are always run down.... Im pretty convinced most women are ding bats that truly beleive that nothing will happen to them.....
magnomark
02-18-2007, 10:30
:lol: :lol: :lol: . Im pretty convinced most women are ding bats that truly beleive that nothing will happen to them.....[/quote]
I like high desert wolf's version!!!!!!!!!!:lol: :lol: :lol:
Well here's what I ended up getting her. I'm praying she'll never have to use it to protect herself or my 2 girls!
1. This Mace pepper foam:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=328429
2. This Black Cobra compact stun gun, 900,000 volt. WOW--does that stun gun make a hot pop when you test it. I was going to consider trying it on myself to see what it would do, and when I saw how hot it is just from pushing the button without touching the contacts, and read the description of its effects in the instructions, I thought the better of it. The one thing I don't like about it is, it's unclear whether you should leave the "On" switch on at all times while she's carrying in her purse, or if she should just turn on when she needs it. I know, seems like a trivial detail, but those split seconds can add up when someone's coming after you. If she leaves it on, I'm not sure if that would drain the battery faster, and also, there could be a risk of bumping the stun button while digging in her purse. But if she leaves it off, then she has to: a) Turn it on, b) Get the contacts on somebody, and c) Push the stun button. I think having the extra step of (a) under stress might be undesirable.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=264409
Der Verge
02-22-2007, 20:57
Just be careful if you decide on the stun gun. Make sure it is legal where you live. I know you are not allowed to have them here in MI.
Just be careful if you decide on the stun gun. Make sure it is legal where you live. I know you are not allowed to have them here in MI.
They don't allow you to have a stun gun? Why on earth not?
pepper spray is her best option. Since you are somewhere in the vicinity of Seattle ( a guess ) you might get her (along with yourself) take a class from either Firearms Academy of Seattle or Insights ( in Issaquah ). Non lethal force is something that anyone who whether they carry a gun or not should train in. My wife carries pepper spray and replaces it on a regular basis. I like to carry it especially when I am fishing or hiking for people and dog repellent. I will look for links and post them for you.
http://www.insightstraining.com/en_us/view_course.asp?courseID=14&categoryID=4
http://www.firearmsacademy.com/womens.htm
pepper spray is her best option. Since you are somewhere in the vicinity of Seattle ( a guess ) you might get her (along with yourself) take a class from either Firearms Academy of Seattle or Insights ( in Issaquah ). Non lethal force is something that anyone who whether they carry a gun or not should train in. My wife carries pepper spray and replaces it on a regular basis. I like to carry it especially when I am fishing or hiking for people and dog repellent. I will look for links and post them for you.
http://www.insightstraining.com/en_us/view_course.asp?courseID=14&categoryID=4
http://www.firearmsacademy.com/womens.htm
Thanks Gossman; I've heard of that one down in Issaquah. Not far from where we go to church, in fact. I'll check it out.
Squidward
04-26-2008, 21:39
Taser?
http://www.taser.com
uncle jerky
04-30-2008, 22:44
Due to the seriousness of this topic, I would be remiss if I failed to give the very best possible advice for your woman. Tell,do not ask her, to always carry a ROSIE O'Donnel mask in her purse. When or if she is ever accosted,immediatley go to the purse and don the mask and get in the face of the man that's giving her a hard time. The crook will immediately recoil and stop his advance. This is proven man repellant:)
I just glanced at the replies to this so if somebody already mentioned this, sorry. I like the “pepper blasters” like those offered by kimber http://www.life-act.com/. They use a pyrotechnic charge to launch OC making it very directional and diminishing the “over spray” problem with pressurized pepper spray cans, they work at distance too. Unfortunately for me they are illegal here in NY so the bad guy will have to die from a gunshot instead of getting a second chance to clean up his/her act and do good in the future. Stupid isn’t it.
Seabear1500
11-04-2008, 16:22
Im pretty convinced most women are ding bats that truly beleive that nothing will happen to them.....
I LAUGHED OUT LOUD on that one. Literally. Not LOL. Better. You are dead on with that one. My wife says sometimes she feels nervous but doesn't need protection. ???????????
twiceaweek
11-11-2008, 19:19
I think you are spending too much time on hardware and maybe should spend more time on software. In other words, is she up for unarmed self defense classes? She may need to talk to other women that are there to start getting up to speed on protecting her children.
She will start to pick up on the Warrier Ethos, even though she won't realize it and when she is ready, will pick the best weapon for her.
I have witnessed some pretty dramatic transformations in self defense classes by women who formerly thought themselves weak and helpless.
Your favorite uncle,
Dean
(this is what I would say to my married son if needed and is just my 2c)
I think you are spending too much time on hardware and maybe should spend more time on software. In other words, is she up for unarmed self defense classes? She may need to talk to other women that are there to start getting up to speed on protecting her children.
She will start to pick up on the Warrier Ethos, even though she won't realize it and when she is ready, will pick the best weapon for her.
I have witnessed some pretty dramatic transformations in self defense classes by women who formerly thought themselves weak and helpless.
Your favorite uncle,
Dean
(this is what I would say to my married son if needed and is just my 2c)
That’s a darned good point.
Isn't that ridiculous about her company's policy? I onced worked at a company that is so strict, they say you can be fired even for having a gun IN YOUR CAR when parked on company grounds.
Thats nothing- I work for a large national company that prohibits even discussing weapons at work. If you do you are supposed to be reported to HR. You might be a threat. :huh:
I have just retired from the Colorado Dept. of Corrections. If any criminals are reading this they are probably laughing thier ass** off. Almost to a man they all agree that the only thing they really fear was a gun pointed at thier face. Mace, pepper spray, OC etc can be amazingly tolerated by some people, the Ultratron devices are excellant but you must be extremely close to use them, they work well if you are willing to grapple and make hard contact with the dirtbag. One handed use and the muscle reaction pulls the target away from the device. When training with them a 3 sec contact works, but I've seen some of our "Macho" officers stand up to a 10, yes ten, second burst. The wisest thing a woman can do is be aware of her surroundings, go back to the store, house, mall, etc. scream as loud and as long as you can and run like hell.
A true story; My ex wife, a very independent woman, who I gave and taught to shoot a S&W nickel bodyguard was leaving the mall ( where a recent spate of kidnapping/rapes) had occurred. As was her habit she always parked away from other vehicles in the back of the lot ( she hated door dings on her Porsche) Anyway, while walking back to her car she noticed a white van parked very close to her drivers side door. I had gone over this scenario with her and told her there is no reason you can't enter your car from the passenger side if you feel uncomfortable. Upon doing that and before she entered the car a man got out of the van and said " I've got some really nice stereo equiptment I will sell you real cheap. He indicated she should come around and check it out as he had it in the van! She said no thanks, but he became insistant, she then took out her revolver, laid it over the top of the car and very loudly said " I told you I'm not interested."
He left and she came home safe and sound,as a matter of fact she was proud of her reaction and results...So was I.
Strawberry Roan
12-07-2008, 14:38
:lol: :lol: :lol: . Im pretty convinced most women are ding bats that truly beleive that nothing will happen to them.....
Sigh, unfortunately, I have to agree with you, but....I would have to add that this is true of a lot of men as well. I'm a woman that has survived really bad things growing up and went on to a 13 year career in law enforcement, so I KNOW that bad things can and potentially will happen to me and those I care about. With this current culture of entitlement, nanny government and protection from one's own stupidity, there are just so many clueless people out there. Boy...some folks are going to be in for a rude awakening!
There are a lot of people that I would just rather not carry guns, or drive or even leave their house without a caretaker! Those that refuse to take the time to become and stay proficient, are too timid or physically weak to manage a firearm or are unwilling to develop their situational awareness to try and avoid getting into a situation in the first place are better off NOT having one. It would really tend to tick me off if I'm minding my own business and end up getting shot because of someone's incompetence. I would rather see people paying more attention to situational awareness and just plain old "common sense" than carrying a gun for the sake of carrying one. It drives me crazy to see so many idjits driving and walking around with cellphones in their ears, putting on makeup, reading maps,newspapers or books,anything but paying attention to their surroundings. I could go on and on. As far as some non gun options, my personal experience has been that high quality pepper spray is better than mace. Fewer people develop a tolerance to pepper than they do mace. If you do carry mace or pepper spray, make sure it's non flammable if you carry a stungun or taser, not to keep the dirtbag safe, but to keep you from going up in flames!
All that being said, I would fight to the death for the second amendment and working on getting a lifetime membership to the NRA, as well as praying for a serious increase in the common sense department of the general populace!
Strawberry Roan
usmcronin
12-22-2008, 13:32
Pepper spray may work against an undetermind individual but NOT SOMEONE BENT ON RAPE OR MURDER.
While stationed at 8th&I in DC I had to be OC "qualed" before I could stand guard. The qualificationed involved being sprayed with mil spec oc spray then spar/fight/defend yourself against 10 other Marines one at a time.
I learned that all OC spray does to me is P!$$ me the F OFF. If I was going to rob someone and they sprayed me with OC I would change my mind and rob them and then kill them. Not to mention the fact that your screwed if you are getting attacked if the wind is your face.
Us new guards later learned that the spray worked AWSOME on the chow hall grub.
Ive also been hit with stun guns and tasers and neither would stop me. If she wont cary a sidearm buy her a quality knife and teach her to use it. Plan for the worst case scenerio(sp?), not the best. Batons are good to but require more training and they are much more bulky/heavy.
PS Bear spray MAY work, im to much of a sissy to try it.
deadeyedick
12-22-2008, 15:33
If your wife is unwilling to carry a firearm for protection then she's probably better off not carrying anything at all. Statistically speaking, you're less likely to be injured during a criminal attack if you don't resist than if you resist with any type of weapon other than a firearm. Of course, you're best chance of remaining uninjured is to resist with a firearm.
jamesp81
02-13-2009, 12:00
Good quality pepper spray. You want *strong* stuff, like bear spray. Still, even a rimfire handgun would be much, much better.
If she won't carry centerfire handguns, you might think about talking her into a rimfire. North American Arms makes a little 5 shot single action pocket revolver chambered in 22 magnum. The single action makes it good and safe to carry. While it doesn't have the wallop of a centerfire round, a 22 magnum in the chest at short range would still screw the perp's world up.
I would not, under any circumstances, have her carry an airsoft gun. Never make a threat you aren't able or willing to carry out.
Good quality pepper spray. You want *strong* stuff, like bear spray. Still, even a rimfire handgun would be much, much better.
If she won't carry centerfire handguns, you might think about talking her into a rimfire. North American Arms makes a little 5 shot single action pocket revolver chambered in 22 magnum. The single action makes it good and safe to carry. While it doesn't have the wallop of a centerfire round, a 22 magnum in the chest at short range would still screw the perp's world up.
I would not, under any circumstances, have her carry an airsoft gun. Never make a threat you aren't able or willing to carry out.
Single action good and safe to carry??
jamesp81
02-13-2009, 13:11
Single action good and safe to carry??
Absolutely. Since it's single action, you have to cock the hammer for every shot. An accidental depressing of the trigger while shuffling it around in her purse wouldn't fire it, whereas with a double action it would.
Absolutely. Since it's single action, you have to cock the hammer for every shot. An accidental depressing of the trigger while shuffling it around in her purse wouldn't fire it, whereas with a double action it would.
Right, it was a revolver you are talking about. My brain has a hard time associating single action with revolvers.
StreetMini
06-25-2009, 00:12
I know this thread is old, but if the original poster is gets this, I hope it helps. Keep in mind this is just my opinion, though I am an active LEO in TX. #1 best resource would be to get her a simple to use revolver in an adequate calibre, IF you can in anyway change her mind. To that end, try getting her to read some Dave Grossman.
If not, strongly consider getting her one of the new civilian Tasers. They are miles ahead of the old "stun guns" in performance and allow engagements out to 7 yards. They also make them in pink, leopard print, etc for the crowd who is afraid to look mean, primarily women.
Be VERY careful about buying a baton, fixed or collapsable. In some jurisdictions these are illegal if you are not an LEO or security officer. In TX, they are illegal to carry on your person, though in your vehicle or at home you are ok; however, that would leave you without any weapon when you are most vulnerable. I would also stay away from OC or Mace unless she will carry nothing else as they have questionable track records for effectiveness on deployment and they can end up contaminating her if the wind is wrong, etc.
Final point, make sure to emphasize that EVERYTHING is a weapon. Ink pens are shivs, cars are 2 tons worth of baton, mascara in the eyes is a chemical irritant, and there are only two people who get to decide when the fight is over: You or the Lord Almighty.
I know this thread is old, but if the original poster is gets this, I hope it helps. Keep in mind this is just my opinion, though I am an active LEO in TX. #1 best resource would be to get her a simple to use revolver in an adequate calibre, IF you can in anyway change her mind. To that end, try getting her to read some Dave Grossman.
If not, strongly consider getting her one of the new civilian Tasers. They are miles ahead of the old "stun guns" in performance and allow engagements out to 7 yards. They also make them in pink, leopard print, etc for the crowd who is afraid to look mean, primarily women.
Be VERY careful about buying a baton, fixed or collapsable. In some jurisdictions these are illegal if you are not an LEO or security officer. In TX, they are illegal to carry on your person, though in your vehicle or at home you are ok; however, that would leave you without any weapon when you are most vulnerable. I would also stay away from OC or Mace unless she will carry nothing else as they have questionable track records for effectiveness on deployment and they can end up contaminating her if the wind is wrong, etc.
Final point, make sure to emphasize that EVERYTHING is a weapon. Ink pens are shivs, cars are 2 tons worth of baton, mascara in the eyes is a chemical irritant, and there are only two people who get to decide when the fight is over: You or the Lord Almighty.
How about a pyro charged pepper blaster (OC) such as sold by kimber?
atomic09
06-28-2009, 12:49
Have your wife listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3vWsa4ags&feature=related
Luckily the police arrived in time to at least stop the rape before it went on any longer...
And here's a video of a similar situation in which the woman was ARMED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ExC7fE1LaY&feature=related
Also check this out: http://www.corneredcat.com/
I have just retired from the Colorado Dept. of Corrections. If any criminals are reading this they are probably laughing thier ass** off. Almost to a man they all agree that the only thing they really fear was a gun pointed at thier face. Mace, pepper spray, OC etc can be amazingly tolerated by some people, the Ultratron devices are excellant but you must be extremely close to use them, they work well if you are willing to grapple and make hard contact with the dirtbag. One handed use and the muscle reaction pulls the target away from the device. When training with them a 3 sec contact works, but I've seen some of our "Macho" officers stand up to a 10, yes ten, second burst. The wisest thing a woman can do is be aware of her surroundings, go back to the store, house, mall, etc. scream as loud and as long as you can and run like hell.
A true story; My ex wife, a very independent woman, who I gave and taught to shoot a S&W nickel bodyguard was leaving the mall ( where a recent spate of kidnapping/rapes) had occurred. As was her habit she always parked away from other vehicles in the back of the lot ( she hated door dings on her Porsche) Anyway, while walking back to her car she noticed a white van parked very close to her drivers side door. I had gone over this scenario with her and told her there is no reason you can't enter your car from the passenger side if you feel uncomfortable. Upon doing that and before she entered the car a man got out of the van and said " I've got some really nice stereo equiptment I will sell you real cheap. He indicated she should come around and check it out as he had it in the van! She said no thanks, but he became insistant, she then took out her revolver, laid it over the top of the car and very loudly said " I told you I'm not interested."
He left and she came home safe and sound,as a matter of fact she was proud of her reaction and results...So was I.
Good for her....My 5 foot 2 1/2 inch small framed lady carries (licensed) and practices shooting every time she can...... She pays attention to surroundings as well...... She has taught others to shoot as well.......Avoidance is best but being able to defend oneself is a very good thing..... There is a womens' defensive website called "corneredcat.com" a LOT more women are adopting realistic attitudes about safety/defence......A good thing......
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