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General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

Neither of my parents carry a firearm but are indifferent towards them. Due to recent break ins, they’ve been mentioning and questioning about pistols and such. Being that none of us have much bread to work with, would a Smith and Wesson SD9/40VE suffice for a nightstand gun? My LGS has them $330 out the door and I’m definitely not going to HiPoint my parents. Keep in mind, I’ll be the one taking my 75year old stepdad to the range to give him trigger pulling basics and it’ll probably never have more than a few hundred down the pipe.

If you have anything else to recommend, let me know but it’s a gift to them and no the monetary value of the pistol doesn’t reflect how much I care about them. I have a wife in nursing school and two kids one 3 the other 9, so it’s a little tight.

2

Berreta M9 or 92FS and the Taurus PT92
9mm should be perfect…

It’s what I was trained on in the military the M9…suggest a high capacity that way he probably won’t need to be reloaded. :slight_smile:

3

I’ll check the pricing on those. Two good options for the bedside. Reliable and can double as a clubbing device

4

The Taurus PT 92 less than $400

5

I have a PT92

It’s heavy. It may be too heavy for your step dad.

You can get a S&W M&P Bodyguard with an integrated laser for about $350
I got my wife one last month. We use Liberty Civil Defense, which is a very nice looking hollow point, in it.

Though small, and I would not advise a 2 handed approach to this pistol for your parents - rather, a one handed extended grip and use the laser for aiming, it actually fits my hands pretty good.

IMO, you really need to involve your parents in this purchase. It may turn out that the pistol is not comfortable in their hands and out of respect for you they may not mention it. This could effect your trigger time and their very safety.
I remember one time when I first started shooting, I went into 2nd Amendment Sports in Bakersfield CA and was set on a 1911 .45
Well, it didn’t fit my hand (at the time) and neither did my 2nd choice - HK .45
So I ended up with a Ruger P345. And, a BS 10 day waiting period lol.

If the Bodyguard is too small I’d look at the S&W Shield.
But again, the laser, IMO on the bodyguard comes in handy for inexperienced shooters, sleepy eyed situations or for people that may not be as quick or eagle eyed as they used to be.
Heck, I’ve even ran through scenarios last night with the SIG next to me during family movie night and the house is dark. I picked up the SIG and could not see the sights. But no biggie, I have the laser on the rail.
Quick target acquisition.

My .02

6

i would 100 percent suggest staying with 9mm, 380 out of a baby grip is probably going to be too snappy. police trade in glock 9’s can still be found for $350

7

If you go the pocket pistol route, I like the lcp over the bodyguard. If you get the lcp with Crimson trace laser, its grip activated. The bodyguard has the button towards the muzzle. You would have to turn it on first or use two hands. The lcp is grip and go.

8

You may be right about the “snap”. I’ve heard that said about the bodyguard. I have not got to shoot it. I wimped out all winter (it was rough in the NE) and didn’t go to the range at all.
The one mag that came with it has the mag extension on it to spread the grip real estate out a bit.
Ammo is another factor also in regards to recoil. Beyond this I cannot say because I have not shot the pistol yet. I do have a 2nd brand of ammo for when I do though.
Oh, and I have found around here, .380 is expensive lol. The LGS I was at yesterday wanted $25 for 20rnd box of Hornady CD. I was like o.O! um, no thank you.
Called my Ammo Supply Warehouse bud and got 50rnd boxes for $25. Yes, thank you.

EDIT
While grip and ON of the LCP has it’s advantages, is it a constant on? That would be a no go for me.
Also, the bodyguard has 2 modes. Constant on (after you push the button the 1st time) and strobe.
Some people still shoot auto loaders like the old revolvers. If one shoots this way it wouldn’t be an issue to push the button.
Regardless, if you don’t train with your tool you’re not operating to your full potential anyways to see what works for you or doesn’t.

9

I’m of the opinion small guns are for carry only. If they wont carry it, I think the sd9 would be a great option. Basically, you would want the biggest they can handle well as its easiest to shoot.

To be honest, I’d suggest an ak with a light. That would beat the crap out of a handgun and they are much more likely to be able to hit where needed under stress, but that bumps you up to 500 for the gun.

10

Jpoe,

There is more to this than just a pistol/weapon for defense.

It has to start with a mindset.

Neither of my parents carry a firearm but are indifferent towards them

They have to get out of their indifference and into a survival mindset.

A firearm is good. But won’t do them any good if an intruder is able to sneak up on them in the night.
I have early warning devices. A dog, Security Alarm, motion activated lighting. My house was built in the 1800’s so the wood floors are impossible to walk on w/out making noise lol.
Locks on all doors to sleeping quarters, etc.

Most importantly? A plan. A mindset. I run through scenarios of “what if, when this, happens” type stuff.
Your parents have to do this or they may not be victorious in a confrontation inside their own home.

To me, Security is a lifestyle. It’s not something every now & then, or a hobby.
IMO, this is the first thing they have to understand regarding defense.

I’m of the opinion small guns are for carry only. If they wont carry it, I think the sd9 would be a great option. Basically, you would want the biggest they can handle well as its easiest to shoot.

To be honest, I’d suggest an ak with a light. That would beat the crap out of a handgun and they are much more likely to be able to hit where needed under stress, but that bumps you up to 500 for the gun.

Small guns have a small niche, IMO.
His step father is 75 yrs old. Personally, I’m not sure he is up for the Rock’nRoll of an AK :smiley:
Maybe a shotgun with mounted light? Low brass ammo?

Dad would have to be assessed first to see what limitations he has and figure that into the purchase.

11

4" 38/357 Smith or Ruger. Loaded with 38SPLs

Easy to load, easy manual of arms, easy to maintain, doubles as a club.

Useful for non-gun people who want a gun.

12

Do you have a 9MM or other pistol he can shoot, and see how he can manage it? If he has trouble with it how about a pistol caliber carbine? They may be a bit more expensive.

13

Don’t overlook the used market. Most people want new toys and put very few rnds through a gun and sell them, and a used M&P FS 9mm for example would be had around that price. Personally, I’d take a used quality handgun over poor quality new gun if money was a major issue in the decision making.

14

So many quotes to address!!

Ok my stepdad is 75 as of Yesterday and can still outrun me. He has a 20ga westernfield pump that was his fathers and he thinks racking the action is enough to ward anyone off. This isn’t 1963.

They have a 100lb chocolate lab that lives inside.

They keep the house locked up.

I can’t get him into the LGS because he’s so indifferent that gun talk gets on his nerves. My mother wants a loaded pistol in reach by the bed. She has shot them in her past life/marriage but still doesn’t care much for them.

I’ve had my hand on the SD series and other than a heavy trigger, I don’t see an issue. I’d own it myself. Looks to be a good bet with a Viridian light/laser setup in 9mm.

It’s difficult to involve them in this when it becomes irritating to them but rest assured, if they ever need it they won’t feel bothered to implement the weapon.

I do own a 9mm. My stepdad is still very much a golfer and can play his age at the local courses. Maybe I can get him to the range if I make a driving range trip with him.

All of this is very difficult because I can’t force this but they know it’s neccessary. It’s kind of put to me to just handle it and show him how to shoot it

15

This! If you can find a good price on a used gun, check to make sure nothing is broken, replace springs, and be happy.

The next thing I would do is take them to the store and have them try a few guns in hand and see what fits. I see used Glocks, police trade ins in the $350 range, CDNN has some but they are in .40, but last gun show I was at had 17s for $375 used. A used 92 wouldn’t be a poor choice either since they tend to be very easy to shoot and soft recoiling. I know in training new shoots have had several gravitate towards my 92 because it fit their hands well and was easy for them to shoot compared to a Glock. A .38/.357 revolver may work as well. But again make sure it is something that they are both comfortable with and are not going to be afraid of shooting.

16

If they are not gun people definitely get them a revolver. A steel framed Ruger or a J-frame would be best. Novices and older folks have a lot of issues with slides, safeties, etc. A revolver will be safe for normal handling but simple enough for them to figure out no matter what the situation.

17

Thoughts about a taurus model 85? Or is that a no go. Not a lot of money to work with but still want something reliable for my parents.

18

If they live in your area, maybe you could go to Hoover Tactical to try a full size 9mm and a 4" 38 revolver. Maybe they’ll become a little more committed sooner than later. I would think you could pick up a decent used gun for them.

19

The SD9 should be a decent pistol other than the trigger pull of 8.5 pounds. I’m sure a different spring could remedy it. Here is a review.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/10/tyler-kee/gun-review-smith-wesson-sd9-ve/

20

Will your mother be going for the pistol and your step father going for the shotgun?

If so then it’s her that needs fitted for the gun more so than dad?