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Slims · 01-08-2008, 11:42 PM

Mr. Self Destruct:

I don't think a pistol is the ideal defensive weapon by any means. However, I do think pistols are often a good compromise. They are easy to lock up, can be easily kept out of sight yet still quickly accessible, easy to use (revolvers anyways), and are generally 'less threatening' which is actually pretty important to a lot of people. It sounds silly, but my wife won't touch the shotgun, but she is perfectly comfortable using a pistol. I have known a lot of women (and a few men) who are simply not comfortable handling larger firearms.

Also, it is easy to take a pistol to any indoor/outdoor range to practice. Since USTWO specifically mentioned that he was interested in a firearm for his wife and he seems to be the driving force behind acquiring a home defense weapon (I.e. she isn't off getting her own gun), I am assuming that his wife, like mine, is only lukewarm about firearms. As such, knocking her around with some OO buck is probably not the best way to get her to go back to the range or feel comfortable with a defensive weapon. But a .357 loaded with light .38 loads is an easy weapon to learn on, easy to shoot, not threatening (for the shooter, at least), and generally ameniable to someone who is not a fellow gun nut. Which means she is far more likely to actually have it available and/or use it if it ever becomes necessary.

If his wife is experienced and not 'shy' around weapons, then a shotgun is a much better choice.

And while Pistols are decidedly harder to shoot well, and have a very limited range, they are plenty accurate enough for a bedroom or hallway encounter, even at night.

Tactical lights are another aid to those who are willing to learn how to use them in conjunction with a firearm. But unless you have one with a pressure pad, they really take time to get used to, which USTWO's wife probably isn't going to bother with (again, I'm assuming she is somewhat like mine).

Besides, even over here in afghanistan, I keep a pistol near my bed because it takes too long to get up, grab and shoulder a long gun from bed.

I guess this whole debate probably boils down to a percieved difference in ability. I agree that a shotgun is the better weapon, but not that it is better for everyone in all circumstances.

01-08-2008, 11:42 PM	#38 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Mr. Self Destruct: I don't think a pistol is the ideal defensive weapon by any means. However, I do think pistols are often a good compromise. They are easy to lock up, can be easily kept out of sight yet still quickly accessible, easy to use (revolvers anyways), and are generally 'less threatening' which is actually pretty important to a lot of people. It sounds silly, but my wife won't touch the shotgun, but she is perfectly comfortable using a pistol. I have known a lot of women (and a few men) who are simply not comfortable handling larger firearms. Also, it is easy to take a pistol to any indoor/outdoor range to practice. Since USTWO specifically mentioned that he was interested in a firearm for his wife and he seems to be the driving force behind acquiring a home defense weapon (I.e. she isn't off getting her own gun), I am assuming that his wife, like mine, is only lukewarm about firearms. As such, knocking her around with some OO buck is probably not the best way to get her to go back to the range or feel comfortable with a defensive weapon. But a .357 loaded with light .38 loads is an easy weapon to learn on, easy to shoot, not threatening (for the shooter, at least), and generally ameniable to someone who is not a fellow gun nut. Which means she is far more likely to actually have it available and/or use it if it ever becomes necessary. If his wife is experienced and not 'shy' around weapons, then a shotgun is a much better choice. And while Pistols are decidedly harder to shoot well, and have a very limited range, they are plenty accurate enough for a bedroom or hallway encounter, even at night. Tactical lights are another aid to those who are willing to learn how to use them in conjunction with a firearm. But unless you have one with a pressure pad, they really take time to get used to, which USTWO's wife probably isn't going to bother with (again, I'm assuming she is somewhat like mine). Besides, even over here in afghanistan, I keep a pistol near my bed because it takes too long to get up, grab and shoulder a long gun from bed. I guess this whole debate probably boils down to a percieved difference in ability. I agree that a shotgun is the better weapon, but not that it is better for everyone in all circumstances. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence