Archived Posts » 59,726,163
primary firearm for a mother.....
8/10/2011 11:50:42 AM
I agree with the mantra that a handgun is a secondary firearm, the 'first aid kit' of firearms, a gun to use to fight your way to your long gun, etc etc etc
The wife and I keep a few handguns in the house (well now that our son is starting to walk, they are in safes around the house!), but I feel, and she's on board, that she needs a long gun capability.
Realistically speaking, she will be holding our son at all times during a situation that would require a long gun - whether she's alone or not.
So in my search for a primary weapon for her, I'm naturally inclined to seek one that can be handled and fired with one woman's hand. (sure, reloads require two hands or some clever maneuvers, but still she needs to be able to deliver rapid semiautomatic fire with one hand.) Balance and overall weight are obviously very important.
platforms that come to mind (PS90 SBR, UZI SBR, CX4 SBR, Kel tekSub2K), don't seem to offer much over a pistol with an extended magazine.
rifle caliber bullpups all seem to be way too heavy, the only one that looks like it might work is the cqb version of the FN FS2000.
what say the women of arfkom?
The wife and I keep a few handguns in the house (well now that our son is starting to walk, they are in safes around the house!), but I feel, and she's on board, that she needs a long gun capability.
Realistically speaking, she will be holding our son at all times during a situation that would require a long gun - whether she's alone or not.
So in my search for a primary weapon for her, I'm naturally inclined to seek one that can be handled and fired with one woman's hand. (sure, reloads require two hands or some clever maneuvers, but still she needs to be able to deliver rapid semiautomatic fire with one hand.) Balance and overall weight are obviously very important.
platforms that come to mind (PS90 SBR, UZI SBR, CX4 SBR, Kel tekSub2K), don't seem to offer much over a pistol with an extended magazine.
rifle caliber bullpups all seem to be way too heavy, the only one that looks like it might work is the cqb version of the FN FS2000.
what say the women of arfkom?
8/10/2011 12:15:58 PM
I'm not a woman, but I think that the best thing to do would be to have her just use a pistol in a situation where she has to hold your son. Rifles are not designed really to be fired one handed and I think that there would just be too much going on in an actual self defense situation to allow her to effectively operate a rifle one handed, with or without your son being present.
If she wants to use a rifle, the better solution, in my opinion, would be to have her tell your son to hide in the bathtub (or something similar, it is just an example) in the master bedroom so that she can have both hands free and he would be out of the immediate proximity of any shots.
If she wants to use a rifle, the better solution, in my opinion, would be to have her tell your son to hide in the bathtub (or something similar, it is just an example) in the master bedroom so that she can have both hands free and he would be out of the immediate proximity of any shots.
8/10/2011 12:24:44 PM
he's all of 9 months old.
if he'd listen when I say "go to the bathtub" I'd say it every five minutes :-)
if he'd listen when I say "go to the bathtub" I'd say it every five minutes :-)
8/10/2011 8:01:20 PM
Can I just ask, why the need for a "long" gun? Isn't the idea to stop an intruder? Wouldn't a high enough caliber handgun do that if aimed correctly in close proximity?
8/13/2011 1:36:05 PM
Home defense is an area that really needs to be thought through and is based on the residential layout, the proximity of the residents to point of entry, and the ability of the resident to act quickly and efficiently to the pending threat.
In the case of a break-in, what is the proximity of you or your wife to your child (children) and the point of entry? Are you sleeping or in some other part of the house? Proximity of you to the defensive firearm? Will you have to leave your bedroom to get to your child's? Depending on the floor plan of your residence, these things need to be thought out realistically.
It possible, it is always best to retreat to a safe room with a means to call the police, having a means to defend yourself and vocalizing that the police have been called, you are armed, and you will defend yourself if they enter.
If possible, the child should be put down and then use what ever cover is available. If behind a bed, use your legs and the bed to keep the child still and shielded. As for the firearm to use, the best bang for your buck will be a shotgun.
If your wife insists on holding your son while defending both their lives, the child's ears will be effected by the blast of what ever firearm you use. May not be the best situation, but of that's all you got, better deaf then dead.
ETA: Clarity and spelling of course.....
In the case of a break-in, what is the proximity of you or your wife to your child (children) and the point of entry? Are you sleeping or in some other part of the house? Proximity of you to the defensive firearm? Will you have to leave your bedroom to get to your child's? Depending on the floor plan of your residence, these things need to be thought out realistically.
It possible, it is always best to retreat to a safe room with a means to call the police, having a means to defend yourself and vocalizing that the police have been called, you are armed, and you will defend yourself if they enter.
If possible, the child should be put down and then use what ever cover is available. If behind a bed, use your legs and the bed to keep the child still and shielded. As for the firearm to use, the best bang for your buck will be a shotgun.
If your wife insists on holding your son while defending both their lives, the child's ears will be effected by the blast of what ever firearm you use. May not be the best situation, but of that's all you got, better deaf then dead.
ETA: Clarity and spelling of course.....
8/29/2011 10:41:11 AM
What are the scenarios for an attack? Optimally, the child would wear hearing protection 24/7, the wife takes herself and the L.O. to a remote corner of the home and sits in the remote corner of the room with the child on the floor next to her, blasting the assailant with a carbine as they enter through the doorway. You don't go clearing the house with a kid in hand. You don't go clearing the house ever. That's a great way to get shot by Barney responding to the 911 call. She did call 911, right? If the wife seeks safety first, rather than "defending the home", she doesnt have to be holding the little one when she shoots. His tender ears are another matter. Obviously the constant earmuffs are not an option. Fortunately, that remote corner is probably going to be a bedroom full of a mattress and other things to make the noise less harsh.
8/29/2011 11:25:08 AM
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
8/29/2011 11:31:24 AM
Originally Posted By TrackSol:
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
do you have kids?
8/29/2011 8:25:03 PM
Originally Posted By chapperjoe:
do you have kids?
Originally Posted By TrackSol:
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
do you have kids?
Good point made just above. I can just see a 9 month or even a few years old allowing for a earpro to be placed on his head. You all have heard of terrible twos right? I agree, shotgun with buck shot. Good for going through one wall. Sometimes this is a tactical shoot that you want to be able to take.
8/29/2011 9:38:47 PM
Suppressed Glock 17C, 33-round magazine, TLR-1S, and 147gr Winchester Rangers (they're subsonic). Compensated and hefty enough to be controllable one-handed, and suppressed with subsonic ammo gives you the best odds of keeping some of your hearing.
8/29/2011 9:39:00 PM
I do appreciate all input, kinda hoped more mothers would chime in.
8/30/2011 4:31:22 AM
You could try the post at the top that says if we don't know your wife, were probably not going to be a lot of help in choosing shoes or guns for her. Let her decide what she wants. I'm a fan of long guns but few people can effectively, under pressure, shoot them one handed. It's not a realistic expectation.
8/30/2011 8:41:46 AM
Originally Posted By Max-Paul:
Good point made just above. I can just see a 9 month or even a few years old allowing for a earpro to be placed on his head. You all have heard of terrible twos right? I agree, shotgun with buck shot. Good for going through one wall. Sometimes this is a tactical shoot that you want to be able to take.
Originally Posted By chapperjoe:
do you have kids?
Originally Posted By TrackSol:
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
Carry handgun in holster while at home.
When intruder enters, run to get child and go to safe room that has a phone and hearing protection.
Call 911.
Put earpro on child.
Aim pistol at entrance to safe room.
Being prepared means having what you need readily available for the situation and not having to go get something to act.
Either have a phone in every room (landlines) or have a cellphone on your person, or both.
Have you handgun on your person while at home.
do you have kids?
Good point made just above. I can just see a 9 month or even a few years old allowing for a earpro to be placed on his head. You all have heard of terrible twos right? I agree, shotgun with buck shot. Good for going through one wall. Sometimes this is a tactical shoot that you want to be able to take.
Yes, we have a 3 year old. We never had any problem putting anything on his head like ear muffs in the winter or hats in the summer except for the first couple times. The trick for us was to let him see we were wearing ours too. You kid and/or patience may be different.
With anything, practice makes perfect, so I would actually run whatever you plan to do like a fire drill regularly.
8/30/2011 9:55:18 AM
no chance on muffing my kid quickly.
truth be told, if my wife has time to go somewhere and fetch muffs, she'll have access to a silenced weapon somewhat mitigating hearing damage.
An, of course, in an active shooter situation where my wife is without me, ears comes second to lives.
truth be told, if my wife has time to go somewhere and fetch muffs, she'll have access to a silenced weapon somewhat mitigating hearing damage.
An, of course, in an active shooter situation where my wife is without me, ears comes second to lives.
8/30/2011 2:04:19 PM
Yeah, I'm not going to make putting earpro on my child a priority if I'm facing a home invasion scenario. My priority is getting them to a safe place and stopping the bad guy(s). I keep my gun on me at home.
She needs to pick her own weapon so she is comfortable with it and will train with it.
When my youngest was an infant I did train some with an airsoft gun and her on my hip....so at least I had some idea of what to expect if I had to turn her away, draw and fire.
She needs to pick her own weapon so she is comfortable with it and will train with it.
When my youngest was an infant I did train some with an airsoft gun and her on my hip....so at least I had some idea of what to expect if I had to turn her away, draw and fire.
8/31/2011 12:33:06 AM
Hmmmm...so I'm a mom - I just got my own "home defense" weapon and have done some practice shooting with it. It's a 9mm. Basically...like some others have mentioned, she needs to find something she's comfortable with. Because of my own preferences, I liked the one I chose because it had less recoil, so I am more likely to aim steady...even when freaked out and having to fire repeatedly. It fits in my hand (which is small), so I don't have to strain to reach the trigger (important!). I also wanted something small enough to keep in a safe in my nightstand for quick retrieval. And...I have a 17 bullet magazine - so I can shoot the crap out of someone if need be. In the case of home invasion, the last things I'm worried about are my or my son's hearing. Also, I have to be able to get to him across the living room - which means past the front door. Not entirely the best set up, but there isn't much choice. All in all, when I considered the weapon, I thought about weight/size, my ability to fire it accurately and wield it safely while hurrying to my son's room, repeated fire and little need for reload,and in the case of reload - it needs to be quick and easy.
I've shot several of my husband's guns. Just wasn't happy with any of them besides his 9mm. Then I got my own, and I like it even better. It's lighter and has less kick.
Ultimately. That is what matters. Have her shoot several. Have her load, unload, reload, etc. in quick succession and aim/fire repeatedly. She'll find one that "works" for her. It won't matter what she chooses as long as it's a high enough caliber to do some damage. Most women (I'm assuming), in a home invasion that actually requires them to shoot, will not do so until they are close enough to aim well. I'm not a sniper. If I'm shooting someone, I will probably more closely resemble a cornered cat (which can be dangerous in its own right). I don't personally like to go hunting or shoot guns recreationally, like my husband. I know lots of women who enjoy it, but I go to practice, so that when I have to shoot, I will hit my mark. A gun for me isn't a hobby or a toy....it's to protect myself and my child. My son knows that. He knows they aren't toys. And they are locked up so he can't test that. Because of that, I can't just reach over on my night stand ... and I don't walk around my house with a gun strapped to my hip (though I do take one when we go walking or running). A shotgun, while possibly easier to use, just wouldn't be feasible or logical in my situation. I do understand the choice, though.
Here's a great article on Women and Guns - it addresses types of guns,sizes/modifications for women, use of guns, practice, and protection...it also includes a few good links at the end. I love the last paragraph opener: The lioness is often more formidable than the lion. No instinct is stronger than that of mother protecting child. There is nothing unfeminine about strength and empowerment.
'nuf said.
Women and Guns
I've shot several of my husband's guns. Just wasn't happy with any of them besides his 9mm. Then I got my own, and I like it even better. It's lighter and has less kick.
Ultimately. That is what matters. Have her shoot several. Have her load, unload, reload, etc. in quick succession and aim/fire repeatedly. She'll find one that "works" for her. It won't matter what she chooses as long as it's a high enough caliber to do some damage. Most women (I'm assuming), in a home invasion that actually requires them to shoot, will not do so until they are close enough to aim well. I'm not a sniper. If I'm shooting someone, I will probably more closely resemble a cornered cat (which can be dangerous in its own right). I don't personally like to go hunting or shoot guns recreationally, like my husband. I know lots of women who enjoy it, but I go to practice, so that when I have to shoot, I will hit my mark. A gun for me isn't a hobby or a toy....it's to protect myself and my child. My son knows that. He knows they aren't toys. And they are locked up so he can't test that. Because of that, I can't just reach over on my night stand ... and I don't walk around my house with a gun strapped to my hip (though I do take one when we go walking or running). A shotgun, while possibly easier to use, just wouldn't be feasible or logical in my situation. I do understand the choice, though.
Here's a great article on Women and Guns - it addresses types of guns,sizes/modifications for women, use of guns, practice, and protection...it also includes a few good links at the end. I love the last paragraph opener: The lioness is often more formidable than the lion. No instinct is stronger than that of mother protecting child. There is nothing unfeminine about strength and empowerment.
'nuf said.
Women and Guns
9/5/2011 8:53:22 PM
OK, I am a mother and a Nana!
I have three 9mm semi autos pistols, glock 19, SIG 229, Springfield XDM, and 1 (about to be two) AR-15's, and a 12 gauge..I love them all
..just let her play with a few to see what she likes...or what she finds easiest to handle...we all have different capabilities...
I have three 9mm semi autos pistols, glock 19, SIG 229, Springfield XDM, and 1 (about to be two) AR-15's, and a 12 gauge..I love them all
..just let her play with a few to see what she likes...or what she finds easiest to handle...we all have different capabilities...
9/8/2011 12:20:22 PM
I'm not a mother, but I came across this youtube about concealed carry with your baby... it's a great informational video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJriDAhIIQs&feature=relmfu
http://youtu.be/RJriDAhIIQs
[youtube]http://youtu.be/RJriDAhIIQs[/youtube]
Hope those links work...
http://youtu.be/RJriDAhIIQs
[youtube]http://youtu.be/RJriDAhIIQs[/youtube]
Hope those links work...
