--- In Combat-Handgun@yahoogroups.com, "LadyPoet" <ladypoet33@...> wrote:
>
> I took a concealed weapons permit class and I am looking at purchasing
> a handgun that is light, small and not terribly expensive.
>
> I found a Cobra .038 for $139 locally, and was curious if anyone knows
> anything about these guns. I would really welcome any input.
>
> I am a gal who wants to learn. I am brand new to this group, so go
> easy on me. I don't know much about guns. I have shot both rifles and
> pistols, and I am a good shot with a target, but I don't know much of
> the lingo that goes with guns. I may sound really stupid at first,
> because of my lack of knowledge...please be patient. lol
>
> Debbi
>

Greetings and welcome to Combat Handguns.

Since you have taken a concealed weapons class, you have completed a
basic course on understanding your responsibility with a deadly
weapon. You have also made a statement on accepting responsibility
for your own life and safety that many people never make.
Congratulations.

Since you are asking novice questions, please bear with me if what I
say next sounds simplistic to you. I am not "talking-down" to you; I
just do not know your skill level so I have to assume you are a
novice. And don't worry about being a novice; everyone is at least once.

You are looking at firearms and have located a handgun that suits you;
so far, so good. Is the handgun you have located a revolver or
pistol? If it is a double-action revolver (a handgun in which
cartridges are inserted into a cylinder that rotates to bring a
cartridge in line with the barrel with each pull of the trigger) it is
probably a Colt Cobra (a used gun) in .38 Special caliber. The price
seems very reasonable for such a handgun, but - as a used gun - it
should be checked out by a competent gunsmith to see if there are any
problems that must be repaired before you buy it. If it is a pistol,
(a handgun which has all cartridges contained in a magazine - usually
in the grip - and feeds those into the chamber of the barrel with each
rearward movement of the slide), I am less certain of what it might be
as there have been a few small pistols in .380 ACP that use that name.

The .38 Special is a more powerful cartridge than the .380 ACP and is
usually of sufficient power to perform its task of defending its owner
adequately without overwhelming the novice due to excessive muzzle
blast or recoil. Since you have indicated that you are a novice to
handguns, you would probably be best served by a revolver. These are
very dependable and easy to learn to use. Both of these are critical
in a defensive situation; in order to protect yourself from someone
who would harm you, the handgun must go "Bang" when you want it to do
so and you must be completely comfortable with that handgun to do so.

This being said, there are a lot of choices in .38 Special
double-action revolvers: Smith & Wesson has numerous offerings, both
new and used. Colt revolvers are readily available but they are all
used guns as Colt no longer makes the small double action revolvers.
Charter Arms is back in business and many small revolvers are
available, both new and used. Ruger has many good choices in .38
Special and .357 Magnum revolvers (.357 Magnum revolvers can fire both
.38 Special and .357 Magnum ammunition). I recommend that you start
with .38 Special ammunition if you choose a small .357 Magnum
revolver. Of these, I favor the Ruger SP-101, a very strong and
reliable gun made in stainless steel. It is heavy but that is useful
in absorbing recoil - a factor you will notice when you practice but
something of which you will probably be unaware in an actual defensive
situation.

Since you have taken a concealed carry class, you probably intend to
carry the weapon concealed, either on your person or in your vehicle.
The laws of the States vary considerably, so the laws of your state
govern where and how you can carry, as well as the rules your employer
may make. It is you duty to know these things. With many employers,
it is a "don't ask, don't tell" situation; with others there are
stated policies. The best situation is probably not to say anything
to anyone you don't absolutely, totally, completely trust and be
discreet even then. If you carry on your person, you can carry on
your body (the safest, but most difficult to conceal) or off-body (as
in a purse). If you want the handgun mostly for your car and home,
you might consider a small pouch that resembles a Day-Timer style case
or convert a Day-Timer type case to a handgun case. There are also
special gun cases that are made for this purpose and resemble such cases.

In Texas, a handgun can now be carried concealed in an automobile
without a Concealed Handgun License, although there are rules that
must be followed if stopped by a Law Enforcement Officer. The laws on
carry of handguns varies dramatically from state to state and you - as
a concealed weapon licensee - are required to know all those laws. A
Texas CHL is allowed to carry the weapon on his/her person in an
on-body (such as a holster) or off-body (such as a pouch or purse)
mode as are concealed weapon licensees in most states (again, consult
your state's law). Comfortable holsters are often difficult for women
to find as most holsters - especially for concealed carry - designed
for men and men and women are shaped differently, especially around
the hips and waist (the most effective place to carry a concealed
weapon). Belt-level holsters designed for men tend to force a handgun
into a woman's ribs more than a man's, so if you chose a holster, you
will need to select a holster more carefully than a man.

At any rate, this information is enough for now. I hope it helps. I
expect you will have a lot of information posted in the next few days.
We are a friendly community here and like to help novices become
experts.