re: The Art of Selecting a Self Defense Weapon for the wife/gf...

I wouldnt. Buckshot is disgusting at close range. Slugs will definitely over-penetrate.

I would only maybe do it in a .410.

Eta: just my opinion. Im no expert.

I'm mostly just fricking with you. The difference in velocity is probably no more than 120fps. The difference in shot is a quarter ounce. The difference in pattern is dependent upon length of the barrel. The difference in recoil is negligible because of the difference in weight of the gun.

All of which is the same kind of quibbling shite you were ragging on the .243 for.

Just don't let goat start that Judge crap in this conversation and I won't go bat shite.

Well done Slick
Now for my 2 cents.
Anyone that cares for they're wife these days should teach them to shoot. Take time out of your important day of hunting or fishing & take them shooting. Don't start her out with 10 gauges or 44 mag. My wife & daughter are now shooting skeets with me with there 20 gauges & shooting pistols with me.
My wife has 2 pistols, a 380 & a 32. I just bought a 9mm & she likes to shoot it more than them. Looks like i'll have to buy her one now.
My daughter like my 22 revolver.

Yeah I wasn't kidding about the #4buck being better than the 00 for home defense.

It is.

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All of which is the same kind of quibbling shite you were ragging on the .243 for.

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That's comparing apples to diesel trucks

dawg23,

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Revolvers are easy to operate. They are difficult for a beginner to shoot well (with "well" being defined by most trainers as the ability to fire accurate, reasonably rapid follow-up shots.

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You pointed out some potential problems that beginner shooters can encounter when shooting revolvers. If you don't mid, I have 2 questions I'd like to ask:
1. In your above quote, are you referring to revolvers w/ all barrel lengths or snubnoses?
2. If not revovlers, what handgun do you recommend for the beginner?

Thanks.

I would not want to be shot in the face with a .380. I know that for sures.

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1. In your above quote, are you referring to revolvers w/ all barrel lengths or snubnoses?
2. If not revovlers, what handgun do you recommend for the beginner?

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Good question -- I shudda clarified.

In the original post, the images listed were J-frame revolvers. I assumed that the OP was talking about the snub-nose revolvers -- but as I think back, it's likely that he didn't specifically limit his discussion to "snubbies."

Anyway, my comment about "easy to operate, difficult to shoot well" was made in reference to the J-frames -- especially the air weights. Heavy triggers, rudimentary rear sights, short sight radius and heavy felt recoil make them hard to shoot well at ranges beyond "up close."

As you know, the larger (K-frame and N-frame) revolvers have better sights, longer sight radius, better triggers, less muzzle flip and less felt recoil. I think they are great for beginners -- or anyone else for that matter. They are slower to reload than semi-autos, but the "quality" revolvers are incredibly reliable.

In response to your second question -- I think other good choices for beginners are the "simple" semi-autos (meaning few, or no safety levers, switches, etc.) like Glocks or M&P's.

I usually start a brand new shooter (think "soccer mom") with a Glock 19 shooting .22 LR ammo through an Advantage Arms Conversion Kit. The operation of the gun using the AACK is identical to using it with the 9mm slide & barrel (mag loading, mag release, racking the slide, releasing the slide, sights, trigger pull, etc).

Once the new shooter is consistently getting good groups with the .22, I put the 9mm slide & barrel back on the Glock frame. Depending on the student, I may have them shoot some reduced power 9mm cartridges before having them shoot regular FMJ ammo (WWB or Blazer). The whole idea is to "ease" them into shooting the 9mm and develop good trigger control skills without developing a flinch.

The people that come to me who already have a flinch issue, or have a fear of the gun, were usually handed a .40 S&W, or an air weight J-frame, or some "Desert Eagle" type weapon by a well-intentioned husband or boyfriend.

I'm sure others have a better system for showing "newbies" how to choot. I'm just mentioning what seems to work consistently for my students (male & female).