Would you give your daughter a Jennings for self defense?

[Racechase1]

Not if I loved her.

 

[JetGirl]

OK...

But SERIOUSLY;

 

[hookedonjeep]

Wow, her Dad must hate her... Or not know squat about the quality of certain firearms. The only reason to have a Jennings around is for the exclusive role of "paperweight" IMHO. Cheap bass-turd. When my girls are old enough for a sidearm, I will have no problem shelling out good money for their first piece.

 

[LarryC]

Wellll, I've had a totally different experience with Jennings! Several years ago I was at a GS in Tipton with my youngest son. We had already purchased a couple of guns, just walking through looking at everything. A guy had a stack of Jennings 22's on his table with a $60 or $70 price marked - as I casually walked by I said "I'd give you $50 for one" and started to leave. This was during the era when the "pink slip" was all you needed to buy a firearm. He said "Whoa, you have a pink slip?, you bought it". So I picked it up. As I carried it through the show a few people saw it and told me they were "unreliable, very ammo sensitive, and some of the clips (two came with the gun) didn't function well.

So while at the show, I purchased several boxes of 22's from CCI hot rounds, Win Super X, Remington and as I remember some Russian junk. On the way home from the show, we stopped at another son's home in the country to try the gun out. We set up a target about 25 foot away, and loaded each clip with rounds from the various ammo I had bought. The darned thing never missed a beat. NO FTF, NO Stove-piping, NO Failure to eject - NOTHING. As for accuracy, with the short barrel, short sight radius and fairly crude sights, I did not expect much, but the gun surprising grouped well 6 to 10 inches as I remember (with some of the "good" ammo).

We have shot the gun since (not a lot - probably only a few hundred rounds - we have several guns) and I can't remember ever having any issues.

BUT no I would not ever purchase ANY 22 LR caliber firearm for my Daughter, any more than I would give her a 25 cal. I also would not purchase a Jennings for any of my children due to its reputation - even though the one I have has operated flawlessly. I would opt for a firearm with a minimum of .380 caliber - more likely a 9mm with a solid reputation or possibly a good 38 special revolver.

AND I would take her shooting, provide her with good Defense ammo rounds, and make sure she knew how to use the firearm properly, safely, accurately and WHEN to use the firearm.

 

[jcwit]

This whole thread is very similar to threads on other forums regarding

1. Lee Equipment

2. Heritage revolvers

3. All lower priced scopes or any other lower priced glass

4. Most anything else that is low priced and does not give the owner bragging rights

If in fact they were/are so poor what in heavens names keeps them in business for decades, even the Yugo went away.

The same old question comes, those stating their opinion regarding this subject, I wonder how many have actually owned one?

 

[CindyE]

This whole thread is very similar to threads on other forums regarding

1. Lee Equipment

2. Heritage revolvers

3. All lower priced scopes or any other lower priced glass

4. Most anything else that is low priced and does not give the owner bragging rights

If in fact they were/are so poor what in heavens names keeps them in business for decades, even the Yugo went away.

The same old question comes, those stating their opinion regarding this subject, I wonder how many have actually owned one?

I've owned one. The difference between this and the other things you mentioned is that most of them aren't used for personal protection. Maybe the Heritage revolver...I have one in .22, so far it is flawless, much better than that POS Jennings.

 

[jcwit]

I've owned one. The difference between this and the other things you mentioned is that most of them aren't used for personal protection. Maybe the Heritage revolver...I have one in .22, so far it is flawless, much better than that POS Jennings.

But it's no comparison to a Ruger single six. Yes I own 1 of each.

But also the Yugo could have been deadly in an accident. FWIW remember the Yugo was nothing more than a rebadged Fiat.

 

[LtScott14]

Bought one in brand new condition, used. Never fired, in the box, with paperwork. First time fired, slide chipped rail, jammed. Returned to a LGS to send back under warranty.
They replaced gun, traded it ASAP. No, would never give my sons one!!! Sorry to hear of other folks having probs with them. BTDT.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

LOL... We were having a discussion about that today. I had one for years th at had been pretty reliable. Decided to buy another to give to my daughters for backup guns. It's essentially a single shot. What a POS. So now i have two of 'em, and dont know which one is good. Awesome.

 

[roadrunner681]

i never give anyone a POS like that, get a charter arms bulldog in 44special or a cz82 or makorov. thats what i would give a lady any day of the week.

 

[ChalupaCabras]

She much not be worth much to you.

 

[Mark 1911]

No. Not unless she can throw it better than the bad guy can shoot.

 

[SILVERBACK]

Dear ole DAD needs his bare butt whipped with a nice thick poison ivy vine.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Better than nothing.