home defense gun for elderly?

bountyhunter · Dec 18, 2005

Good morning all, I am looking for a home defense gun for my father who is not as strong and agile as he was when I was young (no longer Superman). He has a .357 now, but I was wondering if there is a light recoil .38 load for it. Also how does the .22 mag stack up as a smaller defense weapon? God forbid that he actually need to use it, but I want him to have one "just in case". All responses are greatly appreciated.

uglydog · Dec 18, 2005

There are many .38 Special loads that would apply, one could down all the way to match style wadcutters for a very easy shooting load that would be much more effective than a .22 mag. I would start with any of the standard velocity 110 gr hollow points and then go to some of the frangibles like the Galser and Mag-Safe. These last are quite expensive, roughly $2 per round, but do not recoil very much as they are very light weight bullets. The afore mentioned wadcutters are kind of pricey as they are target loads but at $15 for a box of 50 it isn't too bad.

Maser · Dec 18, 2005

do u think your father could still handle a .410 shotgun cuz that would make a good choice because of its low recoil and close range knock down power

wwb · Dec 19, 2005

Pass on the .22 Mag. The .38 Spl has plenty of punch, and some very good self-defense loads are available, all of which have a whole bunch less recoil than a .357 Mag load.

Fuelburns2 · Dec 19, 2005

I would say that a .38 Spl is the minimum revolver caliber for a balance between effectiveness and ease of use. The .22 mag would be effective but it may take 20 or more shots to stop a truly determined or doped up intruder. :?

Maser · Dec 19, 2005

OMG!! now i feel completly stupid :roll: i thought that this thread was at SGW and thats why i said about getting a .410 shotgun

lol i guess i need to not have so many forums open at once

bountyhunter · Dec 19, 2005

Hey Maser, not a problem, in fact that was a very viable suggestion. I think I am going to get him some low recoil .38's though, along with his ols S&W State Trooper issue, the recoil should be very little.

Paul F. · Dec 19, 2005

.38 with a standard target load (most ranges sell them) and wadcutters. Low recoil and a very nasty bite. If you have fears about his ability to stay on target, the, by all means, go with the Glaser's. If he misses... they'll not penetrate thru the dry wall. :wink:

.22 WMR is a good round in the right hands... but for the average person, I'd say not. I can fire the automag extremely rapidly and that helps... but still prefer the .45.

bbanbury · Dec 20, 2005

Maser - I can't stop chuckling at your pic. :lol: But son...you gotta stop smokin that weed. And who is bubbles?

Maser · Dec 20, 2005

lol thanx :wink: Bubbles was my cat that had to be put to sleep

semiauto · Dec 20, 2005

Sorry about your cat Maser. Getting back to the thread, I say a .22WMR Revolver with shotshell ammo would do the trick. You won't have to worry too much about accuracy and those little shot pellets should be very painful and make the intruder runaway or even blind them if you aim at the face.

Fuelburns2 · Dec 20, 2005

You're not serious are you? Shoot to kill, dead criminals don't take you to court. Nobody would break into your house by force if they didn't mean you or your property harm.

uglydog · Dec 21, 2005

To be really blunt, I have to agree that the suggestion of using a .22 mag with #12 birdshot (the stuff event the manufacturer calls "dust") is one of the poorest pieces of advice I've heard in a long time. If you are forced to shoot someone it is because they have decided to harm you and they are not likely to be scared off with something that is ineffective on rats beyond 15 feet. These are not Glaser type rounds where the birdshot pellets are much larger and held together by a polymer until they contact an object. Instead they start spreading as soon as they leave the barrel and I know these will not pentrate anything thicker than a windbreaker at room distances so it is unlikely to have enough pain deterent to change an attacker's mind. Use a real bullet as in the extremely unlikely event of having to shoot someone you will want and need every possible advantage on your side.

semiauto · Dec 22, 2005

I didn't want to be so blunt as to say blow the intruders head off with a .44Mag because I didn't think that sort of thing would fly with some people. Since this is not the case I say yeah go for it, kill the bastard with the largest gun you can find so he won't survive. This is exactly what I would do because if someone threatens my life I have no problem ending their's. I just didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

Paul F. · Dec 22, 2005

He who threatens my family or I, or enters our home without permission, harken and beware - for one of us will surely die that day. No quarter - no prisoners taken.

Period.

End of discussion.

semiauto · Dec 22, 2005

Well said Paul :wink:

Asylum Keeper · Dec 30, 2005

Paul F. said:
He who threatens my family or I, or enters our home without permission, harken and beware - for one of us will surely die that day. No quarter - no prisoners taken.

Period.

End of discussion.

amen to that!

If you enter my home uninvited you will be greated with a 12 gauge shotgun, or a .357mag and you will be leaving in a body bag.

TMats · Jan 2, 2006

I like the idea of a shotgun. 12 or 20 with buckshot.