Help with a GUN

[Jen Nayfly]

Most everyone on here knows I fish 99% of the time from my FishCat tube. Here's my question I ' d like help with.........I can't afford to buy a Real pistol to carry in my tube so am wondering if anyone has CO2 experience with a BB pistol. Also since I live alone would this be helpful against an intruder as well as Snakes?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It is the fishing angle that interests me with the Judge. Yes, .38 caliber shot shells are available, but there is a bigger load of shot in the .410. Generally, I would avoid the .410 for almost everything else, but in this case it makes sense. For its larger shot load, I would seriously consider the Judge as a dual purpose handgun.

For women, handgun size is important. You always hear that gals should tote small guns - but they are murder when it comes to recoil. I recommend a woman go larger, as larger guns absorb more kick. This makes shooting them less brutal and ultimately makes the gun MORE controllable.

If this is not to be a concealment piece, then the proper holster makes any gun serviceable. Its all in your determination. Keeping all high and dry in the fishing tube is a priority.

At home, the need for concealment is moot. Meanwhile the need for stopping power remains. But large guns can be carried handily in purses and other ladies' carry alongs if concealment is wanted... the girls are lucky in this regard.

This leads us to concealed carry. Keith is right; learn the law if this is something that interests you. Many states today have "shall issue" laws... OK is probably one of them. This essentially means that if there are no legal reasons to forbid it, the state 'shall issue' a concealed carry permit to a citizen who requests it. It requires training and a course in the laws governing the use of deadly force - which is as it should be.

If you have fired a Colt Commander .45, Jen, the Judge should present no major problems for you. Additionally, the revolver is probably the simplest, most reliable handgun on the planet.

[Leo Nguyen]

Dick, thanks for the kind word about not eradicating all snakes. However, when it comes to personal protection, anything and everything we can use should be presented as an option.

 

Float tube and live ammo, is something that you ready want to carry around? I'm nervous as it is already carrying a 6.5" hunter's knife on my float (the Caddis Nevada), let alone carry a weapon that will sink you on an instant with high temperature exposure and sudden shock wave introduction near the inflatable bladders. Not a good thing. Imagine an explosion under water and the fish belly up. I'm trained both in tactical gun fight, and hand to hand combat in military training. I'm also trained martial arts and survival modes. A knife is my best friend.

 

There are CO2 grenades that we normally use for paintballing. It uses small CO2 canister to create a rapid dispel CO2 content to scatter paintballs the size of 0.6".  That's more than sufficient to scare any snake within 20ft radius with all the noise and disturbance in the water. You can also use a 16oz CO2 canister with a quick release "panic" rig to dispense CO2 bubble around your float. That will discourage any water creature near you. Let me know if you want me to show you more on this subject, or draw out some designs for you to rig to your tube.

 

When it comes to protection against human, a gun is good to have, but make damn sure you truly want to have a gun. Because an improper handling of a gun without a good series of experience behind it will only end in woes.

[Keith Owen]

Jen,

If you have shot a 1911 Commander in .45ACP... you have pulled the trigger on a pretty big pistol! :) More than happy to provide input. Both Ruger and Smith & Wesson make small frame .38s which will handle +P ammunition. Don't overlook any of the other Taurus firearms as well. They tend to be less expensive. The big deal is, whenever you do settle on a make/model and buy it, learn to run it with your eys closed and even one handed. The more comfortable you are with it, the better off you will be in a bad situation and loose some of the fine motor skills to stress. Besides, going to the range and practicing is fun, for Lisa and I anyway. We usually make a date of it!

Man... am I lucky she likes to hunt and fish as much as I do or what!?

Keith

[Jen Nayfly]

Thank you Keith! Input is what I'm looking for. Only thing i've ever fired is a commander 45 so i'm gun "dumb". Just looking for something inexpensive and dual purpose that I can carry in my float tube and keep beside my bed.

[Keith Owen]

Jen,

First… let me give you my "Law Enforcement" perspective. For self defense carry you should have as much gun as you can be accurate with. .45 ACP (a very popular large caliber) does you NO GOOD if you can't put rounds on target. My wife prefers a small frame revolver in .38 SPL. It fits her hand and she can manipulate the gun (called performing the Manual of Arms) quickly and easily. Unlike a semi-auto, the manual of arms for a revolver in a no-fire situation is to simply pull the trigger again. No need to mess with magazines or to rack a slide.

Second, a more personal level from experience with helping my wife chose a gun. She and I have looked at the Taurus Judge and its equivalent from Smith and Wesson, the Governor. It has high coolness factor and both the .45LC and certain .410 rounds are proven self defense cartridges, thing is… it is huge! Lisa’s hands are much too small to manipulate the gun well and control the recoil. One of the things I consider critical for a self defense side arm is the ability to put rounds on target one-handed. No way with the .45LC or any of the self-defense designated .410 rounds, at least not for her.

Please look seriously at some of the purpose built .38s designed for self defense. Some even have built in aiming aids like lasers for those who might be “accuracy challenged”. Most can handle .38+P rounds which rival the ballistic performance of the .357mag. David gave very good advice about it. Truth is, of all the semi-automatic firearms I have (and carry on duty), from .45ACP to .40 Smith and Wesson. My personal self-defense carry gun is a small-medium frame, seven shot .357mag revolver. Many semi-auto manufacturers talk about their guns being “Revolver Reliable”. Can’t get more revolver reliable than an actual revolver.

The last thing I will mention in this all ready too long post is… ammunition. As David said, you can get shot rounds for most pistol cartridges. The .38 is no different. These would be fine for close critter problems BUT be very careful firing rounds into and across water. Even the small size nine and twelve shot commonly in the shot shells can skip and hit other things, or people. Solids will most certainly skip. Also, shot cartridges are nearly useless as self defense rounds. Buy a box of good ammunition. I recommend the Hornady Critical Defense rounds. A little pricey but it’s not like you will ever use many (if any), we pray. Buy the cheap stuff for practice. And practice you must! Please don’t let the first time you fire the gun be when a bad guy is trying to get you. Have a knowledgeable person show you how to operate, load, UNLOAD and clean the gun safely. Better yet, take a class.

Finally I wouldn’t be doing my Brothers in Law Enforcement justice if I didn’t mention that there are numerous laws governing the carry of a concealed weapon. Please be aware of that. You should look into a Concealed Carry class. I guarantee someone near you teaches them.

Best Fishes,

Keith

[Jen Nayfly]

Awesome David.....I need one of those!!!!! Doesnt cost a thing to dream

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Two excellent discussions of the Judge and its merits can be found here:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot53.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

On a personal note, Jen, its my opinion that every single woman, or those that spend a lot of time alone for whatever reason, should be adequately armed.

The evening news is always full of women falling victim to rape, beatings, robbery, molestation, etc. We cannot hide from this. It is also important to remember that "official" help is always minutes away - when seconds count.

Women are empowered more and more to take charge of their lives. This should also include their own self defense, when needed. It isn't hard or terribly expensive to provide for this, and all women should consider it.

I do like the Judge for this purpose, and it has the bonus of being potent snake medicine when loaded with shot. I would only consider one in stainless steel, the 3" chambering, with a 3-4" barrel.

[Jen Nayfly]

Think you're right David....talked with some of the guys at work today and one of said he'd help me get a Real gun. :)

[dick tabbert]

Can't believe you guys wanting to kill all them snakes. I know that would be something LEO would take no part in.