Posted: 1/3/2008 6:51:33 AM EDT
| After a recent horrific murder right across the street (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/south/epaper/2007/12/20/m1a_BOCA_DEAD_1220.html), the woman in my life is finally interested in a CCW. We went to the gunstore a few days ago, and she decided she wanted to purse-carry a S&W J frame. She really like the 642 w/CTC grips, but the question is are they worth it? Also, is .38+P enough?? or should she move up to .357 (ie 340 CT)? Its a big price difference, but then again, after what people are apparently willing to do in my community, can you put a price on one's life? |
NO! A "purse carry" is probably THE worst method of carry! A perp snatches her purse or pulls a knife/gun on her & demands her purse, guess what then? Now HE has HER gun too!  Lots & lots of good CCW holsters out there for females & J-frames to waste effort on a purse carry. Answering your other question, there's no problem carrying .38spl in +P. I use it when I use it for my summer clothing CCW.  My .o2 
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.357 in a snubbie packs one hell of a kick. Heck, .38 Spl. has some stout recoil in the S&W snubbies. I'd suggest you have her try out a 642 and/or 340 before buying one. My wife had her heart set on a G27, so that's what she got (isn't it cute?). She'll never admit it but it's too much gun for her. If she wanted a subcompact Glock she should have gone with the 26. |
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I would get her a .357 model, let her shoot .38 +P until she can get used to the greater recoil of the .357. You haven't told us anything about her; is she petite, large-boned, or in between? These make a lot of difference in choosing a caliber. IMO, ANYone should carry the biggest gun they can handle. |
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My first CCW was and remains a S&W 340PD .357. It does have a kick, but overall isn't that uncomfortable to shoot. Carrying in a purse is a waste of time. Purses are targets and grappling to pull any weapon out of a purse, even those with special concealed pockets, can mean precious seconds lost. The little S&W tucks right in to the waist of my jeans or into a jacket pocket. It is a good gun for women, easy, light and dependable. I moved on to add a Keltec .380 for lighter, summer clothing. |
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these topics might help: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=33&t=51911 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=4&t=51389 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=4&t=50881 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=4&t=49966 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=4&t=48648 imo, unless your lady friend is willing to practice and train up for an auto, a wheelgun might be more appropriate--in this case, mechanical operation is simpler and usually easier to learn the hard parts are placing shots on target and trigger pull while purse carry is not the best option, for some women, it is the most logical at times, mostly b/c of thier attire; belly bands, UC holsters, IWBs, etc are others to consider start off w/ .38spl and work up to .38spl+P (esp for carry); dont start off w/ .357mag, ESP in an airweight/lightweight frame! to tell you the truth, dont get an airweight/lightweight for a first HG/wheelgun; while they carry more comfortable due to the lightweight, felt recoil and handling can be a handful, and w/ new shooters, lead em to dislike even shooting em get a full weight (SW 60, 640, Ruger SP101, etc) and start from there--recoil and handing will be a lot more comfortable and 'no', while one cant put a price one's life (esp a loved one), its best to opt for something that will not only last, is reliable, but comfortable to shoot and carry if she is a new shooter, get her shooting--.22lrs are great to learn on; practice w/ that, get shots on target, get the basics down; 9mm or .38spl for min carry calibers when that gets down, then consider upgrading to more powerful calibers |
For novice shooters, *I* always have them shoot .38spl wadcutters for practice. Very mild recoil allows them to practice w/o the associated flinching.
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I thought this was the point of a CCW.
Uhmmmm, not accurately. Once she has lost her purse, what does she have? Bupkiss! Handing him her purse & THEN drawing while he is backing away or distracted IS the purpose of CCW, IMO. Of course, the ideal thing is to maintain a condition yellow/red BEFORE the perp get upon one. Sadly, this can't always happen & THAT is why a purse carry is THE worst idea to come down the pike. Wanna bet $1 how many female cops use a purse carry????
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