They are OK for what they are, but a slightly used quality pistol vs a new SD9 seems a no brainer to me. My short stint with S&W they told me they sold quite a few Sigma’s now SD9s and few came back, so that’s good news. My experience with the SD9 was it’s not something I’d invest in personally when there’s better choices for the same price (Used M&Ps, etc) or perhaps as others have mentioned, a wheel gun.
Please convince them to get basic safety training, NRA class, or something similar once you/they settle on a firearm. Training is critical, knowledge is powerful.
As an NRA instructor, my 2cents worth for firearms advice for your parents situation. Ruger GP 100 in .357mag, 4.20" barrel, shooting low recoil 38special ammunition such as:
http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Special-90-gr-FTX-Critical-Defense-lite/
Mom had signed up Hoover Tactical with some friends but I can’t remember why they cancelled. Some of those guys at the counter apparently have a ton to prove in the wang department just from various convos. But im sure instructors are professional.
I need to drag them to the range.
I was beat to the punch earlier but I think it should be said again. Look for something like a used Glock 17 or 19 or M&P9. I have a buddy with a limited budge since he is saving for an engagement ring and I have recommended the same to him.
If your parents haven’t been shooters in the past I would second getting them some training, at the very least a NRA handgun course. This link can give you a place to start. You can even take it with them, I had a great time taking a class with my dad.
NRA Course Search
I’d second the Taurus PT92. All steel, solid and very reliable.
How about a police turn in Glock? Various calibers and generations if you look online.
Or maybe just a big can of pepper spray since they’re such gun affecionados
If they’re not going to practice much then they need a revolver.
My wife isn’t in to guns but she needs something at the house for when I’m out of town. She’s not going to practice. I was thinking a used S&W .38 at the gun show. But then I saw a box of .44spl hollow points at the local GS. I have a 4" S&W 629. Problem solved. It’s a pussycat with this load.
Agreed - get a revolver. They even have 7 and 8 shot models now. For people who aren’t going to practice or train, and people who just want a gun laying in a drawer until something goes bump in the night, the wheel gun is optimum.
Um… That ammo is garbage. And it’s ill-advised to buy defensive ammo because it has a nice looking hollow point. Plenty of good ammo choices are available and none of them include the hyper-light bullets used by the questionable company suggested here.
Maverick 88 home defense shotgun in 20 ga for $240
CDNN has new Walther PPXs in 9mm and .40 starting at $279. Probably $320ish OTD after shipping and transfer fees. Used Glocks and M&Ps can be easily found around the same price. If any of those pistols work for them they would all be good choices. As stated previously training is important. Even if it’s just the NRA Basic Pistol Course taught by a vetted instructor. An X400U may also be a wise addtion to whatever they end up with. They add weight but a lot of capability.
I’ll go to the LGS and check out revolvers. I have them agreed to go to the range. Stepdad used to hunt squirrels with his dad until he was in his late 20’s so he’s shot a gun before. Mom had some revolver in the early 80’s.
If I can get them use to the 9mm I may step that direction.
FYI, the defensive I carry is Federal HST LE Tactical 147 gr. +P. Mr Anderson Mentioned defensive ammo. The HST has great reviews. Literally got it next day from Ammo to go. Couldn’t beat the price. Me and a buddy split shipping and got a box each. ~$42.50/50rounds. The LGS didn’t have that and they only had boxes of 20 for nearly the same price. Bump that
Jpoe - too many other people have mentioned the MOST critical point here - interest and dedication, so I’ll “wish that away” in the interest of advancing the conversation. WRT revolvers PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t get them a J-frame, or other small framed revolver (or any allow frame revolver). The short sight radius, skimpy sights, heavy trigger, heavy recoil, and low capacity really make those VERY BAD choices for non-dedicated shooters. Ask me how I know, after having been a firearms instructor for several decades now…
If you’re going the round gun route, I’d suggest nothing smaller than a S&W K frame (or equivalent) and nothing less than a 3" barrel. A 4" K/L frame or a 4" GP100 would be a much better choice, IMHO.
Having said that, a used pre-2010 3rd Gen G19 or G17 would be much better - the single recoil spring is a breeze to manipulate, and it has a simple to learn, easy to use trigger with good capacity and good performance. A newer M&P FS MIGHT be OK as well - assuming you get the latest iteration that allegedly “fixed” the accuracy issues earlier models were prone to.
WRT the new Sigma (or SD), I used to qualify an FBI agent who had one on his personal weapons list - he swore by it, shot great with it, and I never witnessed him have a malfunction with his. But, as others have noted, you get what you pay for, and the SD might be a bit of a pig-in-a-poke…
Best of luck!
I keep ping ponging all of this info around. I have a xd9 service so that’s a piece they can shoot at the range. A buddy has a 1911 that I can borrow so I think that’s two they can at least experience. I’m hoping to give them experience enough to allow them to feel comfortable in the store holding a few samples.
Coincidentally, I’ve been advising my friend of 50 years, just turned 70, on the same subject. He has no handgun experience at all. He’s pretty much decided on the heaviest 4" K frame size revolver he can locate and plans to load it with the stoutest .38 spl HP that he is comfortable with. This is New Jerky so it will strictly be an inside-the-house nightstand gun.
FWIW
YMMV
Do you have sources for the ballistics/studies on this round?
I’ve seen it said before of the brand/caliber.
Speaking of caliber, it IS a .380… I’m not expecting TOO much. I would like to obviously maximize it’s lethality. It was either the Liberty round or a FMJ. I figured the Liberty round would be a better round. But I have both, currently.
And, just for the record, when I said “good looking hollow point” I mean, as it SEEMED to me that the bullet should make a nice wound. Not that it is pretty… which, it is too, but that’s not what I mean.
ETA
I found my PT92 handled recoil very well. If you are not warm to the Taurus (as many aren’t around here) then I assume the Beretta model should have comparable recoil/handling.
I don’t find the weight of the pistol a factor. In fact, I like heavy guns. It was an original concern of mine for your situation but you said your step dad is in good strong shape (loosely translated) so he may be up for the 92
I’d never recommend a Taurus or a 380 anything as a HD gun. Same with a J-frame.
For a bump in the night handgun for people with little experience / interest, a medium frame revolver is ideal. You can load it with a variety of rounds (light or heavy), easy to load / unload, malfunction drill is pull the trigger again, no need to worry about safeties, slide bit, limp wristing, etc, etc.
Unless they are the exception and are truly dedicated in learning the gun, you are going to be lucky to get them to the range more than a handful of times. Impart gun safety #1 and an easy and reliable weapon.
Concerning ammo, stick with proven, tried and tested, mainstream JHPs. Speer Gold Dots and Federal HST are my preferences, but Hornady is probably good too.
Boutique bull$hit ammo is just that, bull$hit for the internet commandos to argue about and ogle over with the shades drawn tight.
YMMV.
So far a few negatives have the j frame out. Looks like a k frame, sd9, pt92, and a full size glock fit the bill. Lemme see if I know anyone with the mentioned or of its likeness to meet us at the range.
Get a shotty… all the guns in my safe and that’s my go to for home defense inside the home! Also the one I made sure my wife can use.
Given the experience you mention the mom and step dad having, this may not be a horrible option. Even a 16 or 20 gauge can be effective in the right hands, and I assume no kids in the house to secure. Would be easy to huddle down in the bedroom, cover the entrance, and wait for the cops to arrive.
Not usually a fan of shotguns for HD, but from a static position it might be a viable option.
A shotty is great when you know where all the friendlies are and assume that they’ll be behind you.
Take that away and I’ll take an AR or pistol anyday of the week and twice on sunday.