Trying to build the "perfect" nightstand gun for the wife

[MichiganScott]

I love my revolvers, but for home defense, a carbine has a lot to offer over any handgun.

I'm not sure what kind of scenario you're envisioning but IMHO I feel a carbine might be more of a disadvantage inside a home due to it's length e.g. coming around corners, narrow hallways. But that's just my opinion. In reality any decent full size pistol will get the job done. M&P 9, Beretta 92fs Glock 17 with a tact light should be sufficient. I'm a revolver guy. I feel very safe with my Mod 10 sitting over here next to me.

Never ever go hunting an intruder in your own house in the middle of the night. Secure your loved ones and take cover behind your bed or dresser until the police arrive. You do have a cell phone that stays in your bedroom, don't you?

Note that the reason on the adjustable sights is simply that we do shoot quite a bit as I am on 70 or so acres and have range set up for long and short gun and can walk out and shoot off my front porch if I want to. Every gun we own gets shot a LOT and with a .38 we've both found that POI seems to vary a good bit from one round to the next. I've had just about every fixed sight gun I own 'smithed so that POA=POI using the dot in the center of the bullseye rather than a 6'oclock. Both of us are used to that sight picture and will shoot this little bugger quite a bit and want to enjoy bullseye accuracy on the range when it's not sitting in the nightstand.

I have range toys and I have self defense guns. Sometimes they are the same, but more often they are not.

Take a look around your house and figure out the longest distance you may conceivably have to fire. Now will a POI that's 2-3 inches off at 25 yards make a difference when the longest you may have to shoot is 20 feet?

 

[Mister X]

Never ever go hunting an intruder in your own house in the middle of the night. Secure your loved ones and take cover behind your bed or dresser until the police arrive.

In many cases, you may have to move through the house to reach other family members located in different parts of the home. Plus there is also checking out a noise you heard that is likely nothing, but still keeps you awake.

 

[johnnywitt]

Wow, this is easy. What she needs is a modern polymer striker fired compact 9mm pistol with good Night Sights that fits her hand and HAS A WEAPON LIGHT ATTACHED to avert a tragedy.
I also agree with Poster above with regard to a SMG 'Pistol' with a Tailhook Brace like a Cz Scorpion with a Weapon Light. Don't need an Optic at room distances IMO.

 

[Rpg]

What's wrong with letting her choose what she likes?

 

[Birdgun]

What's wrong with letting her choose what she likes?

I let mine choose her first revolver. See post #25.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I don't think it has to be that extreme. My wife cites this case as being pivotal to her losing confidence in the .38 revolver Georgia mom shoots intruder five times in the face and neck

Plus we had an attempted break-in. We were able to identify him and the police told us that he was from the city, which is over an hour away and also said that he was about as bad as they come.

Well it would appear that the 38 did what it was supposed to do~~stop the threat. I am not sure of my anotomy but the following organs in the link were shot. Does not sound like face, and neck.

"According to WSBTV, Chapman told a reporter late Friday night that Slater has been placed on a ventilator with punctured lungs, a punctured liver and a punctured stomach. Chapman said he has four exit wounds. He said doctors will operate to repair the damage. "

 

[Mister X]

Well it would appear that the 38 did what it was supposed to do~~stop the threat. I am not sure of my anotomy but the following organs in the link were shot. Does not sound like face, and neck.

"According to WSBTV, Chapman told a reporter late Friday night that Slater has been placed on a ventilator with punctured lungs, a punctured liver and a punctured stomach. Chapman said he has four exit wounds. He said doctors will operate to repair the damage. "

No clue, I didn't write the headline. All the other news reports say the same thing...shot in the face and neck and then go on to mention punctures to the abdomen.

Regardless, she hit him with 5 of her 6 shots and he was still able to leave under his own power, so it was technically a psychological stop. He still had the ability to attack if he chose to and things could have gone real bad for this mother and her kids had there been a second or more intruders ending up like this lady or maybe much worse...

61-Year-Old Woman Shoots Intruder, Then Burglars Attack Her << CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

I imagine there are a lot of folks who keep a revolver for HD look at stories like these and decide they would rather have something with higher capacity or perhaps a more substantial caliber for home defense.

 

[one eye joe]

HI Kenneu, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. I LIKE YOUR CHOICE OF A 4" M67. IMHO, THE 4" K/L FRAMES, SANS THE FULL LUG, ARE THE BEST BALANCED, OF THE S&W REVOLVERS......

I SHOULD MENTION, HOWEVER, THAT THE M686+ MOUNTAIN GUN, WOULD PROVIDE THE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS, A I/2 LUG BARREL, AND AN ADDITIONAL ROUND OF CAPACITY. ALSO, BECAUSE IT IS CHAMBERED IN .357 MAGNUM, IT IS MUCH MORE VERSATILE THAN THE M67. IT WOULD BE MORE AT HOME, IN THE FIELD, AND ON CAMPING, FISHING, OR HUNTING TRIPS.....

I HAVE A SUGGESTION, WITH YOUR CHOICE OF GRIPS, ALSO. I WOULD URGE YOU TO TRY, A PACHMAYR STYLE OF HER CHOICE, THAT WOULD PROVIDE HER SMALL HANDS A GOOD PURCHASE, AND REDUCE FELT RECOIL.

 

[RoyM52]

Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 60 | Smith & Wesson

This is what you are describing.

 

[Walkingwolf]

No clue, I didn't write the headline. All the other news reports say the same thing...shot in the face and neck and then go on to mention punctures to the abdomen.

Regardless, she hit him with 5 of her 6 shots and he was still able to leave under his own power, so it was technically a psychological stop. He still had the ability to attack if he chose to and things could have gone real bad for this mother and her kids had there been a second or more intruders ending up like this lady or maybe much worse...

61-Year-Old Woman Shoots Intruder, Then Burglars Attack Her << CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

I imagine there are a lot of folks who keep a revolver for HD look at stories like these and decide they would rather have something with higher capacity or perhaps a more substantial caliber for home defense.

A person can have their heart completely blown up, and still attack. Only for sure stops are CNS hits, the rest are pretty much stopping because they no longer want to be shot.

People have taken slugs to the same organs with a 12 ga slug, and still capable of attacking. A person can easily survive long term with one lung, cancer patients have been doing it for ages. stomach shots kill by infection which can take days. Bleeding out can take as much as a minute, or more.

There are no magic bullets, or calibers. Even people with high capacity magic guns have failed to stop attackers, or not soon enough.

 

[686-380]

Alright, my .02. While I realize you are more interested in a revolver, I recommend a suppressed semi-automatic.

I won't recommend a brand or caliber because that should be something you two figure out. The same goes for the suppressor.

 

[Mister X]

A person can have their heart completely blown up, and still attack. Only for sure stops are CNS hits, the rest are pretty much stopping because they no longer want to be shot.

People have taken slugs to the same organs with a 12 ga slug, and still capable of attacking. A person can easily survive long term with one lung, cancer patients have been doing it for ages. stomach shots kill by infection which can take days. Bleeding out can take as much as a minute, or more.

There are no magic bullets, or calibers. Even people with high capacity magic guns have failed to stop attackers, or not soon enough.

Sure. More bullets is simply more opportunities. I have both revolvers and auto's choosing one or the other according to my perceived needs. I wouldn't feel all that undergunned if I was limited to wheel-guns for HD, although I would prefer a pair if I was, but do find it preferable to have access to a couple of high capacity autos.

 

[riverrat38]

There have been a lot of recommendations for K frame Smiths.
I think these would be good suggestions if her fingers are long enough to properly reach the trigger. Recoil absorbing grips that cover the back of the grip frame make the reach even longer. I know a couple of women who like the fit of the 3 inch M60. The Pro model has a front night sight. There were some 5 inch models made in the past. These would give more velocity (power) and help absorb recoil. I had a 3 inch Pro model and decided I prefer the barrel of the standard version. I traded it in at the LGS and found out later that one of the young ladies that worked the counter purchased it for her own CCW. And my daughter really likes the M60 size. Unfortunately, she thinks she needs a Glock. O Well!!
I just bought a 3 inch Kimber K6S, and it would likely work well for many with shorter fingers. A very fine revolver, and a couple of ounces heavier than the M60 Pro, it would help with recoil.

Best,
Rick

 

[Bill In Texas]

Hi kenneu!

I get that you want to provide the perfect gun for your wife and that is a good thing. I did the same with my wife a few years back. She doesn't care for guns all that much, but recognized the need to be able to protect herself. We went to a handgun class where she got to try all kinds of different pistols and revolvers. I had narrowed it down with the instructor for her to try a 686 and a 9mm M&P.

She felt the most comfortable with the M&P. We bought that Pro Series gun right after the class. She is left handed and the mag release on this particular semi-auto is reversible. Anyway, my point is maybe it would be a good idea to let her pick. That 5" M&P is still the only handgun my wife has any interest in shooting, but she knows how it works, and it is a very soft shooting 9mm.

I keep it clean for her and it hasn't malfunctioned yet. It has a green fiber optic sight and all she has to do is cover the target, no 6 o"clock hold as a sight picture. Hope this helps!

 

[DaStray]

There`s absolutely nothing wrong with what you originally specified as your choice is well thought out and should take care of most situations. Some excellent points have been made like staying in the bedroom until help arrives (I assume you`d take care of business if you`re at home), having a weapon light available and keeping a cell phone with her if she goes to the bedroom. A yappy dog is also a good warning device that may give her time to GET to the bedroom if she`s elsewhere in the house. The mention of a 20ga shotgun is perfect once she gets to the bedroom. A load of #3 buck in a 20ga isn`t too bad recoil-wise and a proven stopper of most anybody...hopped up on drugs or otherwise.

 

[zogger]

I went with a 325 TR with a red dot sight and light on the rail. 6 rnds of 45 ACP should do the trick.

If you put the Vortex Venom in auto mode and keep it in a dark area (like a drawer), the battery is good for 33K hrs. Then it is always ready to go.

 

[ridgewalker]

Hi I fully support your choice of the 67. I wouldn't really need more than 38 special +P for HD. For you haters, this guy and his wife shoot on their 70 acre property so I give them credit to be able to hit what they want.
Some alternate suggestions: the new 66. It comes as a 2 3/4 or 4.25 inch barrels I believe and gives you the option for 357 magnum for around the farm.
The 60 Pro. I have attached pictures of mine before and after I put some Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips on it. I have only had it to the range once since I put the Pachs on it but I think it might be the perfect J frame grip for me. I wasn't even conscious that I was shooting a J frame.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

A 4" Model 67 is exactly what my wife keeps by her bedside. She carries a small gun but for home defense she wants the bigger, heavier K-frame.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Not knowing your particulars, if you have to do it for her, you might choose a shotgun.

 

[kenneu]

Ok, lots of great feedback here and, again, I'm not choosing for her, dang it! I've let her shoot my plastic wunderguns, 1911s, mouse guns, revolvers, ARs, and others. I have a .22LR target pistol and a 10-22. She's shot those as well. I have a 686. She doesn't like the bulk. I have a taurus snubbie. It barks and she definitely doesn't like that.

I've read several "model 10!!!" here. The difference between a 10 and a 67, beyond the sights, is extremely minimal. Yes, they are a different finish but beyond that, they are VERY similar especially given a pachmayer "slender" grip is in order.

In my original post I asked if I'm missing anything. I'm open to options but are they BETTER than a 67 as I described her wishlist? I'm more than happy to listen and even buy one of those suggestions but my original desire still stands... Again I appreciate all the suggestions and I am listening but if the consensus is a 10, then a 67 isn't a bad idea in any way relatively speaking and we both want adjustable sights. I'll get her some pach grips to fit her hands...

Oh, yeah, we have two yappy dogs, she keeps her mobile at her sides at all times, and a container of mace. I bought her a trainer for that, too, so she could target practice on me without melting my eyeballs.

 

[FAS1]

I'll get her some pach grips to fit her hands...

Not sure if you already got something, but I recently saw something similar with my daughter in law. She wanted a gun for home defense, but small enough to carry with her if she wanted to. She wasn't comfortable enough yet with semi-autos and racking the slide so she went with a Airweight revolver. The stock grip was a little uncomfortable for her so they swapped it for one that I wasn't familiar with prior to shooting the gun, the Ergogrip. It's kinda funky looking, but the gun points well and recoil seems more manageable for her. Just something to consider.

Here's what the grip looks like on her gun.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I'm not sure what kind of scenario you're envisioning but IMHO I feel a carbine might be more of a disadvantage inside a home due to it's length e.g. coming around corners, narrow hallways. But that's just my opinion.

I always have an AR pistol with a 7.5" barrel standing in the corner. That and a 30 round mag, go thump in the night I dare 'ya..

 

[H Richard]

You are all talking revolvers. Read the American Rifleman a couple months back where the NRA did a study with quite a few women (without their husbands) is shooting classes and trying out numerous different handguns. They all voted and the biggest selection came back a compact 9mm semi auto that they can get all 3 fingers around on the grip. Revolvers were in the mix, and nearly no one picked a revolver.

So do your wife a favor and let "Her" pick out the gun to defend herself with. By the way, a .380 was 2nd place if I recall correctly.

 

[noshow]

Sorry should I offend the concerned husbands out there

In my 55 years of handgun shooting, I have never felt that my wife, my daughters or women in general require a feminized handgun that they can handle. I have read many posts on many forums that would suggest women just can't deal with the noise, recoil, blast and flash of a man stopping round in a centre fire handgun. I don't buy into it at all! Over the years, I have introduced many females to shooting and found with normal practice, the vast majority have excelled as would be expected from most men.

 

[ScandiaTitan]

My wife has a sw331 on the shelf and a 332 in the purse: first is sa/da 2nd is dao- 12oz, 6 shot 32h&r mag. She likes them both.

 

[seldon14]

Ill probably get banned for suggesting this on a Smith forum, but Have her look at a 3in Ruger Sp101 in 327 Federal. HEavier than a steel j frame, lighter than a steel k frame. pinned front sight that's easy to replace. Factoru loads from *****cat to powerhouse.

 

[johnnywitt]

I just bought my Wife a SIG 365 with the X-RAY Sights. This is a revolutionary micro compact & a Game Changer IMO.
We'll see.
I'm still a BIG S&W Guy and have a lot of S&W Revolvers, even one with the hole, haha.
Thinking about a couple of M&P 15-22's for cheap practice as well.

 

[MichiganScott]

You are all talking revolvers. Read the American Rifleman a couple months back where the NRA did a study with quite a few women (without their husbands) is shooting classes and trying out numerous different handguns. They all voted and the biggest selection came back a compact 9mm semi auto that they can get all 3 fingers around on the grip. Revolvers were in the mix, and nearly no one picked a revolver.

So do your wife a favor and let "Her" pick out the gun to defend herself with. By the way, a .380 was 2nd place if I recall correctly.

I believe the panel of 55 ladies chose the Ruger American Compact Pro, the one without a thumb safety. If I remember correctly, a J-Frame was way down the list.

 

[windypoint]

My wife likes her Model 19 Nickel snub with CT grips loaded with .38 loads. She is confident and proficient with it.

 

[stykshooter]

Over the past 30 years I have instructed several hundred, If not 1,000's, of ladies in basic academy classes, plus an untold number of friends, family members, etc. I used to steer the non-LE women towards a J or K frame revolver as it was pretty much fool proof and always goes bang when you pull the trigger. I have had a bit of a change in my mindset over the past 5 or 6 years.

I have instructed several of my friend's wives, daughters, as well as my own daughter, daughter in laws etc. Most of them have had zero experience with handguns prior to our range time. I have started them with a S & W model 17 or 18 and Ruger Mark III in .22 and then moved on to the center fire calibers. I thought for awhile that the perfect handgun for a smallish female would be a model 60 Pro with the 3" barrel and adjustable sights. Over the course of several range sessions and having the opportunity to shoot numerous handguns including the model 60 Pro, the large majority of these girls and women have surprised me. When given the choice of what they enjoy shooting the most, were able to get more hits on target and were comfortable loading and handling almost every one of them settled on a Glock 17. I thought the 19 might be a better choice but the shorter slide has a bit heavier recoil spring and is harder to cycle, plus the recoil is a bit snappier.
With modern ammunition, the 9mm is a more than capable fight stopper and with 18 rounds at their disposal they are very adequately armed. When the hit potential for most shooters is less than 20% in an actual shoot out, it makes me a little leery of them only having 5 or 6 shots at their disposal before having to perform a reload. They aren't planning on carrying the gun concealed, it is a home defense weapon, so size really is a non-consideration. The polymer 9mm's have some of the least objectionable recoil of about any of your choices. One of the biggest stated reasons was trigger pull. The revolvers, especially the smaller ones, have a trigger pull that is long and heavy and hard for a lot of females to manipulate properly. The striker fired semi has a lot shorter, lighter trigger pull and the girls are more accurate with them.

I have set up several Glock 17's with an accessory light mounted on the rail, which also helps to mitigate recoil, and an XS sight on the front. The girls can turn on the light for target identification and then just place the big white dot with tritium insert in the center of their target and press the trigger…. Repeat….repeat….repeat….

I agree whole heartedly, let the shooter choose their weapon of choice if possible. The choice might just surprise you.