Originally Posted by
MichiganShootist
Lots of good information has been shared here. (and some that is not well thought out) As a CPL holder since 1966 and a long time instructor... I could write several books on this topic... but I'll just focus on one aspect.
You must be able to manipulate and shoot the gun well... or it's the wrong gun. PERIOD !! The physical size and condition of the shooter and their experience level MUST be considered above all else in this choice.
An 870 in the hands of most ladies, small statured men, or the elderly (like me) ....is a VERY bad idea. For decades I had people show up at CPL classes with guns that were not fit to them or were FAR too powerful for them to shoot well. Snub-nosed 357s (and air weight 38s), Glock model 30s, short barreled .45s and 40s.... etc. require years of practice to shoot well.
The shooter must also be able to operate the gun while potentially dealing with a flashlight... or without their glasses---in the dark.
One of my elderly lady students had it figured out pretty well. Her choice was a large capacity semi-auto 22LR pistol with a laser on the barrel. When watching TV in the evenings... she kept the pistol in the sewing basket right beside her chair.
I wouldn't want to be the person who targeted her for a home invasion. She could put 6 rounds in a 3" circle in seconds.
Mark