Home Defense for those in restricted states

[Grimjaws]

Hello gang. Long time no posting but I recently read the Old Man Post about home defense and it got me thinking. I live in NY so I am limited to 10 rounds in any autoloader. So a Glock or CZ or Beretta, etc are all equal in terms of round count.

I have two carry guns - LCP Gen2 and 36-10 but the wife cannot use them due to Lupus and Arthritis. She cannot rack the slide or hold on to the LCP and the 36-10 has too much recoil for her even with wadcutters.

We currently use a HK VP9 as the Missus is a lefty so with true ambidextrous mag and slide release we can both use it. She is not a gun enthusiast and will shoot maybe once a year so my concern is if it were to jam she would not be able to clear it. She has no issues shooting the HK or dealing with recoil.

I have been thinking of getting a 686+ as she sometimes has issues with racking the slide depending on her Lupus. I know we could look at an EZ line but she looked at one and was frustrated with the lack of left side controls. A revolver she can easily cock if necessary and she can pull a double action trigger. I like the idea of more rounds and with the rubber grips would be a better option for her hands.

I have thought since we are limited should I go to something more powerful like a 1911 or 40 S&W but with my wife in the mix I am stuck with .38 or 9mm for recoil purposes.

If it were me alone I would go with a 40 or .45 and .357.

So for folks behind the lines what do you use for home defense?

What handguns would you pick if you had family members with limited experience and/or health issues besides the EZ line?

Thanks

 

[ContinentalOp]

The biggest problem I can see with the 686+ is that it is on the large side. Your wife may be able to pull the trigger, but would she be able to even hold the gun up to shoot? If so, for how long?

A K-frame may be a better choice, maybe a Model 10? If the DA pull is too heavy, a gunsmith could probably smooth and lighten it up a bit.

A Kimber K6S may be worth considering, if you can get them there. It's a small, J-frame-ish size steel revolver that can hold 6 rounds of .357 Magnum or .38 Special. I haven't handled one, but from what I've read the DA trigger is manageable.

A .22 revolver may work, too. It wouldn't be my first choice, but low recoil and light weight may be to your wife's advantage. DA trigger pulls may be heavier, though.

I don't know how available they are where you're at, but Beretta made a .380ACP pistol with a tip-up barrel. I can't remember the model number. But it wouldn't require racking a slide. I don't know how manageable the recoil and/or trigger pull would be, but it might be worth it to investigate.

Would a long gun be feasible? A pistol caliber carbine (PCC) might be a good option, at least for a "hunker-down-in-the-safe-room" gun.

I hope this was helpful.

Best of luck to you and your wife in this endeavor.

 

[dusty3030]

Ruger SR22 with a laser on the rail?

 

[S42N8]

If the VP9 is manageable, then you may have the answer. If clearing the pistol is a significant concern, then a revolver (Model 632?) would be better. The 632 would give you the choice of .32 cartridges. Would a Ruger 57 be suitable? Ambi safety, reversible mag release ( ‘tho not slide release) and the recoil should be manageable. The 5.7x28 would be sufficient for SD. Good luck with finding a better gun!

 

[bigwheelzip]

As a former NYer, you have my sympathy.
Hate to hear a husband say he wants a gun for his wife with no interest in them. If you could turn her loose at a range rental counter so that she might claim a favorite on her own, she'll be more likely to invest the energy to be safe and proficient.
My 4" 686+ is a perpetual favorite for everyone I let shoot it, including my sub-100 lb 70 year old female cousin, and everyone shoots it well.
My "little" cousin with my 4" 686+, shooting a handgun for the first time.

 

[jeffsmith]

Why does it have to be a handgun
if she has trouble with handguns (& my wife does too for the same reason)
why not a 9mm (Handgun round) Carbine in any flavor you choose
I have the cheapest of the Cheap Hi-Point and it goes Bang every time

 

[Hillbilly77]

How about a pistol grip shotgun in .410 loaded with buckshot?

Very little recoil and easy to manipulate.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I wouldn't consider the .38 and the 9mm as calibers to be "stuck" with as both are proven, capable and certainly lethal rounds.

There is a lot of love on this forum for the 686.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Lot to be said for the good ole model 10.

 

[rubiranch]

My first thought was a shotgun.

M&P .45 with one in the chamber, just pull the trigger with 10 more to follow.

 

[kmyers]

When we take newer shooters we let them try a variety of rifles and pistols. Most seem to like K frames a lot and also the VP9 we have here. Another that is popular is the Walther PPQ. For rifles they seem to really enjoy the AR rifles we have for the very low recoil.

 

[Grimjaws]

Problem in NY

The problem is she the wife does not have a permit. I have it. She cannot go to a range and rent various guns as only permit holders can shoot a handgun. I have a friend in another state that we go visit where the laws are not so draconic and she can shoot some handguns. She was able to shoot some K and L revolvers. She has no interest in a rifle or shotgun.

I travel sometimes for work and to visit my sons so I feel better knowing she has access to a firearm. She feels better knowing it is there (another huge step for someone who had no exposure to firearms growing up).

She was willing to try shooting which was a huge first step. She's gone about three times now. We had one instance of the VP9 jam as she did not seat the magazine all the way.

So I am thinking a revolver may be the way to go.

Now for another question.
So for those of us stuck in 10 round land does it make sense to go with a 40 or 45 or 10mm if recoil or another person was not a factor?

 

[kmyers]

Another good option and one of Wendy's favorite calibers is .38 Super, more powerful than the .38 Special or 9mm but still easily controlled and easy to shoot. We have a Colt which they can be pricey but I have always heard good comments about the less expensive Rock Island Armory offerings.

 

[URIT]

A Kel Tec PMR-30 may be an option for your wife. A .22 Magnum with European style mag release and 30 rounds in the mag might work well for her with lupus and arthritis.

Oops, I forgot you lived in one of those states.

 

[ancient-one]

Another good option and one of Wendy's favorite calibers is .38 Super, more powerful than the .38 Special or 9mm but still easily controlled and easy to shoot. We have a Colt which they can be pricey but I have always heard good comments about the less expensive Rock Island Armory offerings.

The Rock Island 9mm is a nice gun, easy to rack and have had not a problem with it.

 

[kamloops67]

Forget the handgun and get a pistol caliber carbine
Easy to use , negligible recoil

 

[Rob613]

The only problem with her using a handgun without a permit in NY, even in a home/self defense situation, she's most likely going to get a arrested for using the gun.

It is not something my wife was willing to risk since it would end her career. So it is a .410 loaded with 000 buckshot for her.

 

[andy52]

Even though I live in a state where I could use just about any firearm for home defense, what I do use would probably be with in the law in all states. I use a 12ga shotgun and a Sig P220 as a back up.

 

[cougar14]

I like the .410 option also, was thinking one of those super powerful strobe flashlights would be a useful attachment. Whichever buckshot has the most pellets for the largest dispersion.

 

[Scott in NCal]

I would think if a person suffering from weakness or pain in the hands has trouble racking the slide or tolerating recoil of a centerfire handgun, a 22 rimfire mite serve them better. 8 shot 22 magnum revolvers are avaliable and 10 round 22 LR semiautos are everywhere.