[SamuraiRat]

I was recently content with buying a Glock 22 because Glock is a reliable brand and 40 S&W has stopping power and pretty good capacity. Today when I went to this shop to pick up my M1 Garand, there was a Smith & Wesson 4506 calling me from the display case. I think the 4506 is a cool looking gun, and I've always wanted a 45. Smith and Wesson is also a great brand.

My dilema is that I want a gun that I could take to a range, and that my mother could use to protect herself at home. In another thread in this forum y'all recomending the Glock 22 to a gentleman looking for a handgun for his girlfriend. Do you all think a middle aged woman could handle the 4506, even if I were to put light rounds in it, or should I just choose the comprable Glock? What's y'alls take?

Thanks.

[mixicus]

You need to have the people that will be using it test fire or at least hold the gun. If a person can not get their hands around the grip, press the trigger and work the safety...whatever gun the is would be a bad choice.

"Comfort" is the biggest issue in determining performance/utility of a firearm for a given person. If it doen't feel right, it's hard to shoot well.

[Dolomite]

Owning a gun doesn't make one safe any more than owning a guitar makes one a musician.

Quality training and regular practice are a must - given that such things require large amounts of ammo - check out the difference in price of ammo: .45ACP & .40S&W - it's why I shoot 9mmP.

Neither one of those guns make my list for a middle-aged woman with probably little to no firearms training. A decent used wheelgun in .38 Special can be had for less than $300 (S&W, Colt, Ruger) - train with resonably priced and low power wadcutters - keep it loaded with +P JHP's from Federal, Winchester, or CCI.

[Provocateur]

I have a Glock 22C and I love it. However I feel a .40 cal is a bit much for most girls to handle. I would recommend a 9

[Chris B]

It depends on the woman really. Everything with a weapon is personal preference.

My wife carries a Glock 19. I agree that the 9mm is an easier round to control than the .40 and it suits her well. The Glock has a lighter trigger pull (@5.5lbs) which she loves and she has long enough fingers to get to the slide release and mag release without changing her grip.

I only own one Smith and Wesson handgun and really do not care for it much. I don't know if all their models are still the same, but I personally hate the magazine disconnect in the weapon design. Meaning, you cannot fire a round in the chamber unless there is a magazine in the well. This issue would come in to play for tactical reloads and mag swaps. Some law enforcement like that so they can simply drop the magazine out of the weapon if they are fighting for control of the weapon. I am not one of them.

I hear people recommend a hammerless revolver in .38 special all the time, but my main problem with them for my wife is that they usually have a heavy trigger pull in the range of 12 lbs. If you opt with a small featherweight, they can still difficult to control simply due to the size. That energy has to go somewhere. If you do opt with a lightweight revolver, make absolutely sure the gun is capable of handling +P ammo. Not all can handle the increased energy.

Regardless, I agree that she should still spend time at the range getting proper training to include more than aimed in, 10 seconds between shots type of shooting. The weapon does her no good if she cannot use it effectively.

[Gsoares2]

sell it and have her buy a Springfield .40 cal XD40



Will save you money - and its a great gun.

[peregrine]

glock or xd

the smith and wesson autos are not desired and cheaper for a reason. only reason to own one is if your 'department or agency' issues them.

Glocks are great, xds are nice cause they have the grip safety.