Giving guns as gifts to my sisters

[AdioSS]

So, I'm pretty sure I want to give each of my sisters a gun for Christmas. They would be for home defense only. I'm just not sure what kind. I'm kinda thinking 20GA shotguns, but not so sure what kind.

Another idea was AK-74s in 5.45x39. It is a very simple & rugged design & recoil with that round should be light enough for them.

Something in 5.56 would be good, but there aren't many options in the price range I'm looking at.

Or what about one of those lever action "pistols" in .357 Mag, yet loaded with .38 Special? Those aren't priced too high, they are very compact. When loaded wih .38s they might almost be like shooting a .22lr, right? Lever actions are quite rugged yet easy enough to operate.

What else might work? Gimme ideas people!

[cheezit]

i vote for either 20ga or 410 the shorter the better.

[WildBill]

i vote for either 20ga or 410 the shorter the better.

I vote against a 410. I don't think this gauge holds enough pellets to be effective as a self defense round.

[JMPJr]

I like the 20 gauge shotgun idea. I could envision them embracing the platform and potentially moving into additional firearms. Maybe they would try skeet or trap. Them being trained and proficient with the 20 gauge seems more likely to me than with an AK or ranch hand (lever action pistol). You can't go wrong with a pump mossberg or remington. Easy to understand function and safety, reliable, easy to clean, not too intimidating. Be sure to make it a complete gift with ammo and a couple "mandatory" range visits.

Let us know what you pick and how it goes. Great gift!

[cheezit]

i vote for either 20ga or 410 the shorter the better.

I vote against a 410. I don't think this gauge holds enough pellets to be effective as a self defense round.

i dont disagree but they do make a shell that has 3 good sized pucks, pretty sure that would leave a mark

[mrvmax]

Saiga in 410, they are cheaper than the 20 and 12 gauge versions and are magazine fed. 10 rounds of good 410 self defense ammo with do much better than any handgun they could use. 410 may not be the best, but most women I have run across that do not shoot regular prefer the 410 over 20 gauge. It doesn't do much good to get a gun that will cause them to flinch and dread the sound/recoil - they will never want to use it. Others have said that the 410 does not have enough pellets to be effective, but 10 rounds of 410 will be very effective. Ammo has really improved in the last few years and I think there is good 410 ammo out there for self defense.
BTW, regardless of caliber it all boils down to shot placement. A shotgun multiplies your chances of hitting a vital area, 410 or 12 gauge - they are both better than a handgun. Don't take my word for it, but listen to someone who has some data to prove it: http://www.handgunsmag.com/2011/03/21/a ... er_031711/

[Wodathunkit]

My vote is for a Mossberg 500. Those double 00 BB's can inflict some bad juju. If your sisters live in an apartment or other close quarters, you want to be cognizant of where stray bullets might go.

[punkndisorderly]

None of the above. :)

I vote gift certificate to a reputable gun store where they pick out their own.

A) half the fun is looking at all the options and picking it out
B) guns are very personal items. Someone else picking the right option for someone else is the exception rather than the rule.

In my opinion, the absolute best way to give a gun as a gift is to either take them someplace and let them shoot either rentals and buy the model they like or let them shoot yours and take the one they like. Then you replace them with what you would have spent on the gift. The cool thing about that, especially within family, is it becomes an heirloom and they associate that gun with you.

My. 02

[C-dub]

So, I'm pretty sure I want to give each of my sisters a gun for Christmas. They would be for home defense only. I'm just not sure what kind. I'm kinda thinking 20GA shotguns, but not so sure what kind.

Another idea was AK-74s in 5.45x39. It is a very simple & rugged design & recoil with that round should be light enough for them.

Something in 5.56 would be good, but there aren't many options in the price range I'm looking at.

Or what about one of those lever action "pistols" in .357 Mag, yet loaded with .38 Special? Those aren't priced too high, they are very compact. When loaded wih .38s they might almost be like shooting a .22lr, right? Lever actions are quite rugged yet easy enough to operate.

What else might work? Gimme ideas people!

Just in case it makes a difference, how old are your sisters, have they ever fired a gun before, and are they in Texas?

Oh, and what is your price range for each gun?

[OldCannon]

None of the above. :)

I vote gift certificate to a reputable gun store where they pick out their own.

This.

Also: Shotguns aren't very useful in in-home defense compared to an AR or AK (or other high-capacity carbine).

Also also: If you think otherwise, I don't mind. Just don't try to convince me. I've kinda studied/practiced this for a while. If a shotgun is all you have, and you're ok with the low ammo capacity, fine.

[pbwalker]

Also: Shotguns aren't very useful in in-home defense compared to an AR or AK (or other high-capacity carbine).

I don't want to threadjack, but it looks like I am going to anyways. :)

I'm curious why you think this? Not looking to sway opinion, but hear the other side of the argument as I've heard otherwise pretty much 90% of the time. I'm always "all ears" for information.



Oh, and to stay on topic, I vote for the gift card as well...let them try out what fits them.

[AdioSS]

I mentioned this to my 2 younger sisters & my Dad.
My youngest sis lives alone in an apartment. She is the one that wants a gun the most.
The middle sister is married. She lives in a house in the city. One of her friends & her husband's pregnant sister's family (with a young girl) all live there, too.

My family grew up with loaded guns around the house. My Dad was also good friends with several in law enforcement who were around in & out of uniform while armed. My brother in law's parents were military, but I seriously doubt they owned any firearms other than maybe some rifles. When middle sis spoke with her husband & he is against owning a gun... They are in a good area & my sis has some expensive tastes. Plus, they have had some issues with an in-law that could cause problems...

My Dad said he isn't against any of his kids having guns, but he would prefer if they knew what they were doing with them. I totally agree with him.

So, now I'm trying to find some kind of introductory basic training classes for defensive firearms to take them to. Not just handguns, but shotguns & rifles too.

Any suggestions?

[C-dub]

Also: Shotguns aren't very useful in in-home defense compared to an AR or AK (or other high-capacity carbine).

I don't want to threadjack, but it looks like I am going to anyways. :)

I'm curious why you think this? Not looking to sway opinion, but hear the other side of the argument as I've heard otherwise pretty much 90% of the time. I'm always "all ears" for information.



Oh, and to stay on topic, I vote for the gift card as well...let them try out what fits them.

There was this thread a little while back. I think the order was rifle, shotgun, handgun.
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=52012&hilit=rifle+ ... +best+home" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[C-dub]

I mentioned this to my 2 younger sisters & my Dad.
My youngest sis lives alone in an apartment. She is the one that wants a gun the most.
The middle sister is married. She lives in a house in the city. One of her friends & her husband's pregnant sister's family (with a young girl) all live there, too.

My family grew up with loaded guns around the house. My Dad was also good friends with several in law enforcement who were around in & out of uniform while armed. My brother in law's parents were military, but I seriously doubt they owned any firearms other than maybe some rifles. When middle sis spoke with her husband & he is against owning a gun... [ Image ] They are in a good area & my sis has some expensive tastes. Plus, they have had some issues with an in-law that could cause problems...

My Dad said he isn't against any of his kids having guns, but he would prefer if they knew what they were doing with them. I totally agree with him.

So, now I'm trying to find some kind of introductory basic training classes for defensive firearms to take them to. Not just handguns, but shotguns & rifles too.

Any suggestions?

I haven't caught which part of the state you or your sisters are in. That might help with some of the suggestions from people. Sorry about the BIL, but love the face palm smilie.

[AdioSS]

D'oh! They are in the DFW area, but could come further east around Tyler.