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Hi everyone. I work in a bar and have to walk to my car after we close. I have mace but I want to get a gun. I tried the Smith and Wesson at Carter's Country and it feels good but it's expensive. I went to Academy and looked at the Rossi and it's like $200 cheaper but the trigger is really hard. My hand shakes trying to pull the trigger. Are all the Rossies like that? They guy in the store said to cock the hammer first but I don't have time to brace myself and use two hands if I get attacked.

Don't buy a gun that you cannot pull the trigger on. There are lots of options out there if you can't afford a new S&W. You can check around for used ones, or consider a Taurus or a Ruger.

You will receive advice from many people on this board, wiser and more informed than I. One of the things you will hear is that you will need to gather information to be able to make your own choices. Your first question is a good way to start gathering information.

I don't know which Rossi you are talking about, but I believe Rossi makes mostly revolvers. The only Smith & Wesson handguns I own are revolvers, but they make auto-loading pistols (also known as Semi-Automatic pistols) as well. You will learn the difference and decide which type of handgun is for you, and which make and model.

Another thing people will point out is that having a gun is not enough - you must also have the skill and the will to use it to keep yourself safe, and the judgment to know when it is appropriate (when shooting an attacker is the only feasible way to escape unharmed).

Try http://www.corneredcat.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for more information. The site is directed at women seeking information about guns and self-reliance, but most of it is not gender-specific - it is for people who have grown up, but not grown up around guns.

Oh - and some people will say that working in a bar and leaving late is too dangerous, and you need to change the way you live. Others will be furious with that, and say that how you live is how you live, and you ought to do as you please as long as it is legal and ethical. Only you can decide which side has the most persuasive argument.

If you post your location - nearest city - people will offer to take you shooting, give you an introduction, the "Four Rules of Firearm Safety", and let you try out different handguns. Although I can not vouch for the good character of each and every person on this Forum, I think it is safe and would advise your taking them up on their offers. Shoot different guns, try different stances, and holds, gather background, and proceed from a position of strength - i.e information and understanding.

The cost of the gun will soon be eclipsed by the cost of practice ammunition, training, and range fees. Don't look first and foremost at the price of the gun. Buy the one you like, that fits your hand and points naturally - but don't buy anything until you've tried several.

Hang in there, you are in for cool experiences and meeting good people.

Regards,
Andrew

Welcome to the forum, Megs.

I see that this is your first post, and you don't already own a firearm.

BobCat's advice is excellent. You need to meet up with some good people who can guide you.

By mentioning Carter's Country, you revealed that you live in the Houston area. Many members of this forum are in the Houston area and will be willing to help you, and there are many CHL instructors.

Also, if you work in a bar that you do not own, you must have the consent of the bar owner to carry there. The laws about carrying weapons in bars are complicated.

- Jim

megs wrote:Hi everyone. I work in a bar and have to walk to my car after we close. I have mace but I want to get a gun. I tried the Smith and Wesson at Carter's Country and it feels good but it's expensive. I went to Academy and looked at the Rossi and it's like $200 cheaper but the trigger is really hard. My hand shakes trying to pull the trigger. Are all the Rossies like that? They guy in the store said to cock the hammer first but I don't have time to brace myself and use two hands if I get attacked.

Hi Megs, and welcome to the Forum. Congratulations for not listening to the salesman trying to talk you into buying the Rossi. You'll get a lot of better advice here. Contact CompVest for some local classes and first hand experience.

My 2 cents: Get something that feels good in so far as the overall grip of both your hands. Initially wrap you strong hand around but then follow up with you weak hand applying most of the pressure on the grip. (with your trigger finger along the slide or barrel but either way outside of the trigger guard). After that even if you have an uncomfortable trigger pull, then PRACTICE. Likely you may just be nervous which is something that needs to be overcome all together anyway.

The trigger pull should be a swift motion after you have acquired the target in your sight.

WildBill wrote:Contact CompVest for some local classes and first hand experience.

I agree absolutely.

Megs,

I suggest that you go to a shooting range that will allow you to rent a gun to shoot and try different guns from different manufacturers. If you have never shot a gun before I also suggest that you take a basic shooting class, most gun ranges offer them. The most important thing to remember is that YOU must decide which gun is right for you, not the salseman. I will assume that you live in houston since you mentioned carters country, if you do live in houston there are a couple of gun ranges around town that you can rent a hand gun from to shoot, on of them is TOP Gun of TEXAS, they are located near the Galleria area. The other place I know of that will rent you a gun is Pasadena Gun Center. I have had dealings with the people at TOP GUN and from what I can tell seem to be very honest people. Hope this helps.

Steve

Thanks for the help! That cornered cat website is really good.

Yes, the Cornered Cat is a good read, and there is enough information there to keep you busy for a while.

In the meantime, you expressed concern about a real situation - leaving work at the bar, late.

I encourage you to find out your options as far as carrying at work; Jim is right and I really forgot an important point, that a concealed handgun licensee can not carry in an establishment that derives 51% of its revenues from on-premise sale of alcohol. Please forgive, this may not be exactly right, it may be 51% of profits or something else but a CHL person can not carry in a bar - unless you own the bar or have permission from the owner, or something; again, there are a couple of people on here who can set this straight.

For your immediate safety, please consider a very bright flashlight and maybe some pepper spray. Flashlight brands are like everything else - there are "top names" that cost a lot, and others that work and cost less. Surefire is one of the former, Brinkman one of the latter. For around $20 at Walmart or Target, you can get a bright xenon-bulb flashlight that takes two CR123 lithium batteries (expensive batteries) - or go to candlepower forum when you have time (ha!) and find out more.

Fox labs has a good name for pepper spray - I have no personal knowledge or experience but it comes highly recommended.

In the final analysis, you want to escape if attacked. You don't want to kill anyone, you don't need to "win" - you don't even want to fight. You want to survive. A pistol is a great tool for that purpose; but until you get one, and the skill to use it properly, do not overlook lesser tools like bright lights and pepper.

I am not a good person to be giving advice on this. I carry for self defense, but am primarily a paper-puncher. I shoot for relaxation and fun. The skill can carry over into the realm of self defense, but there are lots of other people who know more about self defense and teach it. Seek them out.

Best of luck to you. Stay safe.

Regards,
Andrew

I should add that it would be very reasonable to request an escort to your car at (I'm guessing) 2 or 4 a.m.

I have walked women coworkers to their cars many times without assuming that we were in a war zone.

- Jim

For immediate use, check out the Kimber pepper sprays - the Pepper Blaster - or the JPX depending on how persistant you think the issue might be. One of them and a good light can be used now while you are finding out what you need in a gun. They may even solve your problem and that is the real objective.

Even if you get a gun and the permit to carry it, you will find your instructors recommend also carrying these things.

Welcome, megs! You have certainly found the right place to start your research. Don't pay much attention to what a salesman tells you they are just trying to sale a gun and not necessarily have your best interest in mind. Here you will find honest answers and great debates on every issue you can thank of. As already been said, try many different guns and calibers until you find the one you are comfortable with and can shoot well.

Welcome,
-geo

Would you be able to have your gun at work? I don't know about the castle doctrine but I know with the CHL if the bar you work at has the 51% logo on the door you could not carry. Before I took the CHL class I talked to my employer and he gave me written permission to carry on his property so I would be covered by the castle laws but i work for a construction company so i don't have to worry about the 51%.

A manager of a bar can carry a firearm. No CHL is required in that case. PC §46.15(a)(7).

The question is, who is a manager? The owner of the bar can appoint more than one person as a manager, but I would think they need to be people who are reasonably considered to be in control of the premises. A janitor, for example, probably could not be designated a manager.

- Jim