Need some TASER info

[Wolf Kiessling]

Oklahoma has a self defense act that allows one to carry a gun. I had considered going thru all the crap necessary to do this but decided I really don't want to carry a gun. The only handguns I really like are the revolvers, I have a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum with a 6 inch barrel, and I don't like the semi automatics at all. My revolver is way too big to carry and I mainly have that for home protection. So, I got thinking along the lines of a taser because in this day and age I think it is prudent to be prepared for a mugging or carjacking. I can no longer handle myself physically like I used to be able and I want some mechanical help that I really hope I would never have to use. Like the Toby Keith song goes, I ain't as good as I once was........

I don't like pepper sprays because they are too unreliable (some of them I know I can overcome myself) and I'm getting too old to rely on my flip out baton.

I did a Google search on tasers and found that there are at least three types available ranging from a thousand bucks down to three hundered. I really favor the $350 model, with the laser sight, mainly because I really don't want to spend more money than I have to.

Anyway, does anyone have any knowledge or practical experience with these devices? I would appreciate any input or insight that someone may be able to provide. Also, our local gun store doesn't sell them so if I do decide to buy one I will probably have to go the mail order route. A recommendation as to who is a reliable vendor would also be appreciated.

[Lee DeRaud]

All things considered, tasers (at least cheap concealable ones) are less reliable than pepper spray: one-shot-only and won't penetrate thick clothing. (I assume you're talking about the kind that shoot darts on wires: the contact-range "stun guns" are even more useless.)

Given your dislike of semiautos, it sounds like the right answer is a J-frame S&W or Taurus revolver.

[Al Willits]

fwiw, I looked at them too, and went back to my .38 special Taurus Ultralight (summer) or Starr P5 semi in .45acp (winter), just to many chances of the tazers not being able to defend against attackers.
Mental awareness and continued gun training work imho much better.

Consider that more and more attackers seem to be armed, I'd think you'd want to at least level the playing field, not to mention the total lack of respect for human life criminals seem to have now.
Also I realize the carry option isn't for everyone.
Al

[David G Baker]

The security guy in charge at the place where I once worked carried a very small 38 revolver in his back pocket. I would talk to him on a daily basis and never knew he was carrying. The gun was so small I was surprised it was a 38.
When I reach the point where I feel that I have to keep a gun on me all the time I think it would be time for me to move to a safer location if one exists any more.
I do not think a taser is a good option because more than likely it will be used on you, especially if you are not in good physical shape. If your heart is weak it could even kill you.
David B

[Wolf Kiessling]

All things considered, tasers (at least cheap concealable ones) are less reliable than pepper spray: one-shot-only and won't penetrate thick clothing. (I assume you're talking about the kind that shoot darts on wires: the contact-range "stun guns" are even more useless.)

Given your dislike of semiautos, it sounds like the right answer is a J-frame S&W or Taurus revolver.

Good info, Lee. The clothing penetration is one of the things that I wondered about. Regarding the contact stun guns, I had already discarded that idea. I would rather rely on my flip out baton than use one of those.

[Wolf Kiessling]

fwiw, I looked at them too, and went back to my .38 special Taurus Ultralight (summer) or Starr P5 semi in .45acp (winter), just to many chances of the tazers not being able to defend against attackers.
Mental awareness and continued gun training work imho much better.

Consider that more and more attackers seem to be armed, I'd think you'd want to at least level the playing field, not to mention the total lack of respect for human life criminals seem to have now.
Also I realize the carry option isn't for everyone.
Al

I'm not familiar with either weapon you mention, Al, but I'm wondering why the summer and winter option. Is it the size of the weapon? Meaning, a smaller "summer" weapon would be easier to conceal while wearing summer clothing while winter clothing may allow a heftier piece. Lee, like you, mentions the Taurus. I guess I may look into that piece. I may want to rethink obtaining a carry permit also.

Haven't had a positive reply re the taser as of yet...........

[Wolf Kiessling]

Al Willits.......

I noticed on your reply to my taser question that you are from Minneapolis. We are going to be coming thru there in March and are tentatively planning on taking a look at the Mall of America. Is this a worthwhile thing to do?

[Lee DeRaud]

I'm not familiar with either weapon you mention, Al, but I'm wondering why the summer and winter option. Is it the size of the weapon? Meaning, a smaller "summer" weapon would be easier to conceal while wearing summer clothing while winter clothing may allow a heftier piece. Lee, like you, mentions the Taurus. I guess I may look into that piece. I may want to rethink obtaining a carry permit also.

The small (J-frame) Taurus revolvers are available in a number of finishes: blued, stainless, and alloy frame. The one Al mentions is (I think) titanium, same size but quite a bit lighter than the 'standard', might be the concealed hammer version also. S&W has similar options if that's your preference...like trying to choose between Jet and Delta.

[Cecil Arnold]

Back when I carried a badge (investigator) I preferred a S&W Mod. 60 that had been de-horned and tuned. I usually carried it stuck in my pants just off the right hip. Since it was stainless I didn't worry about corrosion in the Houston climate. Since most gunfights are at under 10 ft. and consist of 2.7 rounds fired, I always figured I had enough for two. If we were doing anything "heavy" I had a Colt Gold Cup .45 ACP in the trunk.

[Al Willits]

Yes, exactly, summer and winter.
Hard to hide a gun in the summer, winter here is a piece of cake though.

Minn is a shall carry state which means it doesn't have to be concealed, but most folks get a bit excitable if it's displayed, easier to just keep it concealed.
The Starr is a small framed copy of the 1911, holds 6 rounds, plus one in the chamber and is no longer made, Springfield or Kimber make probably a better carry .45, but this one is reliable and seems to fit my rather large hands well, considering the smaller size.

The Taurus is a aluminimed frame 5 shot revolver, black finished, I had the hammer spur taken off for concealment.
The S&W in .357 titainium would be my next choice if I hadn't already had the Taurus, big time spendy though.
Lighter the better though...usually

MOA?
Ya, bring lots of money and your walking shoes, lots to see.
Some of the resturants are nice and there's shops galore, not always the best deals in town, but there's some stuff you normally won't find in the average mall.
Gotta do it once anyway.
I don't go often, but when I do its with the wife and SIL's, we all walk for a bit, then they go off to do their shopping, and I sit with a beverage and watch the babes...er....sites...
There's also a pretty big water slide that just opened up across the freeway, from what I hear, its a great attraction for the kids.

Not sure where your from Wolf, but the temps in March here are a bit erradic, March usually encludes a major blizzard and a few days in the 60's, dress for both, mall is heated and lots of parking btw...
Have fun, but plan on a full day.
Anything else I can help with just ask.
Al

[Von Bickley]

I would look at the S&W Model 60....
S&W makes a super light-weight revolver in titanium, but it will hurt you to shoot it.

[Al Willits]

Model 60 is a nice gun, but non profession people who carry usually require being light as a major requirement, especially if your not wearing a suit or jacket all the time...imho
Shoot 38 specials though the Titanium S&W for practice, then load with the .357's for carry, under extreme duress I doubt you'd even notice the recoil of the magnum load and at close quarters, the trajectory difference between the two wouldn't matter.

This whole carry thing is kinda like Jet vs Delta (thanks Lee) and there are many different opinions on what is the best way to go.
Carry is a pretty serious thing to deal with, be serious about it, and if your not trained, get trained on carry, and when NOT to shoot.
Crying shame some feel they have to carry to be safe, but 10 minutes of news in the morning convince me anyway, its the safer thing to do, we all can't or won't move to a safer local...if there is one.

Al

[Wolf Kiessling]

Model 60 is a nice gun, but non profession people who carry usually require being light as a major requirement, especially if your not wearing a suit or jacket all the time...imho
Shoot 38 specials though the Titanium S&W for practice, then load with the .357's for carry, under extreme duress I doubt you'd even notice the recoil of the magnum load and at close quarters, the trajectory difference between the two wouldn't matter.

This whole carry thing is kinda like Jet vs Delta (thanks Lee) and there are many different opinions on what is the best way to go.
Carry is a pretty serious thing to deal with, be serious about it, and if your not trained, get trained on carry, and when NOT to shoot.
Crying shame some feel they have to carry to be safe, but 10 minutes of news in the morning convince me anyway, its the safer thing to do, we all can't or won't move to a safer local...if there is one.

Al

You bring up an interesting point, Al. When I practice shoot my big S&W .357, I use .38 special ammo. I do it because the ammo is generally cheaper and it's not as hard on me. However, I can't remember if I read this somewhere or if someone told me, but it seems to me I heard that you really shouldn't do this because this practice can be damaging to the weapon. Problem is, I can't remember the exact reason why. Something about a minuscule difference in cartrige size or something. Anybody know anything about this?

[Lee DeRaud]

You bring up an interesting point, Al. When I practice shoot my big S&W .357, I use .38 special ammo. I do it because the ammo is generally cheaper and it's not as hard on me. However, I can't remember if I read this somewhere or if someone told me, but it seems to me I heard that you really shouldn't do this because this practice can be damaging to the weapon. Problem is, I can't remember the exact reason why. Something about a minuscule difference in cartrige size or something. Anybody know anything about this?

Urban legend.

The cartridge case on a .38 is shorter than a .357, so you can get some fouling at the front of the chambers...nothing a good cleaning won't cure.

[Jason Roehl]

Wolf, I'm glad you are considering a handgun over a taser. A good friend of mine has 2 sons who are cops. Both in large, metro areas. Both have stories of tasing guys 3,4 and 5 times with no effect because the perps were hopped up on drugs--the type of people you'd probably have to defend yourself against, were that situation to occur. Personally, I like my .45 Colt Commander for carry. It's been very reliable--I don't believe that in the 1000 or so rounds I've put through it that it has ever jammed. If I were to go smaller, I'd go with something like a .380 pocket pistol, double action only.