Need female gun buying advice.

[93sr20det]

Me and a friend of mine would like to purchase a female friend of ours a handgun for self defense. She is totally new to guns but alot of bad rubbish has moved into her apartment complex and she is always coming home late at night due to work. I am leaning more towards a revolver for sheer simplicity. Would a snubnose .38 special be a good choice?

[gossman]

you are going to get a lot of opinions on this! Check out the S&W M&P or any of the new semis that have exchangable grip panels, it should come in 9mm, see if the low recoil defense loads from Federal cycle the action. Then get her down to a class on both the safe use of handguns and a personal protection or refuse to be a victim class from the NRA. There are lots of good instructors down in your area, perhaps if not too far a Andy Stanford class in Florida and the price is reasonable? http://www.optionsforpersonalsecurity.com/course.asp?i=9

self defense involves much more than packing a gun. Good luck!

[93sr20det]

Yeah I thought about he NRA classes once we get her the gun. The Florida class is out of the question because of her school/work schedule. I just want to get something simple and let her get a little exposure and familiarity before she goes to the class and has no idea what is going on. I like the idea of a revolver for her so she can clearly see if the gun is loaded, but I like the idea of a semi-auto for recoil purposes. I think we are going to take her shooting with our guns then go to some gun shops and let her hold and feel some different things.

[BlkHawk73]

If it's to be for her (and she can legally own one) make her part of the decision. It is after all neccessary that it fit her and that it be comfortable to her. if she's totally new, you gotta start small in caliber so that the practice stage sin't unpleasant for her. if she's put off by the recoil, she'll be less likely to become proficient and less likely to want to shoot it. secondly, just having a fireram isn't enough. Proper training should definately be brought into this as well. Not just a simple class for a concealed carry permit but some good, professional training followed by a dedicated bit of training. If it's worth oding, why go 1/2 way? After all, if could mean someone's life or well being!

[dmen]

My three daughters use 4" 357 mag revolvers. The best "girl gun" I know of as it can be operated one handed. Can also be downloaded with 38 spl for practice. dmen

[DocWagon]

Budget? Size? Commitment level? Likelihood to practice and to do proper maintenance? Type of carry and type of dress? There isn't a one-size-fits-all girl gun.

So, in very broad terms:

Can't go wrong with a snub nosed .38. If she's likely to practice and get a bit of training, a small .380 semi auto is easy to conceal, shoot, and usually fits small hands quite well. The Bersa lineup is economical and reliable, plus the breakdown and maintenance is very simple. It's also probably easier to conceal than the width of a revolver in most situations.

[uncle jerky]

My wife owns two 38 specials, one a Charter Arms 2" snub nose, 5 shot and one a 4" Rossi, 6 shot. Both are older models gun, are very reliable,concealble,recoil-friendly and accurate. I'd recommend a 38 special. I own a Rossi 2" 38 sp.snubbie and a Comanche 4"
38. Both are very good goods.

[armoredman]

Count me differant. I worked two ranges as range safety officer, and assistant CCW instructor. The snub lightweight 38 is a very poor choice for a first sidearm. The newby needs to practice, and the sharp painful recoil of a lightweight snub will very very quickly put them off that idea. The gun will sit, dusty and unused.
Buying them a sidearm is like them buying you a car - will it be what YOU want? I went through 4 revolvers and three automatics before I found what my wife wanted, her CZ-2075 RAMI 9mm.
Go to a rental range, and let her try several. far cheaper in the long run, and she'll feel much more like it's "hers" if she picks it out. If she goes for a .22lr or .32HR mag, don't get mad - a small caliber gun she will work with and be proficient with beats the HECK out of a handcannon she has no idea how to use, and is too scared to learn. Once she is more "into" the whole gun thing, than you can urge her into higher calibers.

[Luv-My-Mini]

S&W model 638 "BodyGuard" (i.e. Airweight Shrouded Hammer), tough to beat.

[Camera man]

3in bbl. S&W mod 60. About the best lady gun I have ever seen. I know several friends that carry one.

[timlt]

Here's one I didn't expect. When I had my wife try my Springer XD subcompact in 9mm, and my full-size CZ 75 SP01 Tac in 9mm, I thought hands-down she'd prefer the tiny little Springer, with her small hands. But she liked the big CZ better, said she could grip it better.

Moral of story, there's never any predicting what people are going to like. If at all possible, Have her try at least a couple of different shapes and sizes of popular and reliable handguns, because you just don't know what each person is going to prefer.

Whatever you try, I'd also suggest 9mm as a caliber, because I tend to agree that while something like a .380 can be a stopper, it seems like most tests have shown that 9mm is the minimum "dividing line" among calibers concerning adequate stopping power. Much beyond 9mm, and the recoil is going to be a factor for her. Some ladies it won't bother, but my wife really hates recoil.

[gossman]

Run up to Rangemasters in Memphis and ask Tom Givens what is his opinion on the .380, he has a pick of one hitting the target clip ( just a plain binder style clip) and just putting a dent in it. While you are there rent a few different guns to see what you like. It's just 5 hours or so from your neck of the woods up there. Gives you a reason to eat at Rendevous, the BEST bbq in Memphis. Then you can walk over to Beal Street and listen to my son play guitar (maybe) or even Steven Segal do the blues.

[Zydeco76]

The spinfield XD and the CZpO1 and the CZSPO1 are excellent choices for smaller hands. I have very small hands. I like the XD and the CZPO1 alot. Both have a considerable amount more firepower than a 38 snub. In my opinion they are also easier for a new shooter to hit with.

All that being said the gun is the least important part of this. She needs to be introduced to shooting in an encouraging atmosphere. Without some basic training the pistol could make her situation more dangerous. Sounds like you should bring her to a pistol match. She will get all the free lessons in the world there.

[Joe Garibaldi]

Much good advice above. I'll second it with my own two cents.

1st cent: Let her try different options. My wife has often surprised me with what she likes and dislikes, even after I'd thought I knew her tastes cold.

2nd cent: Bedside manner, if you will (or maybe "range-side manner"?), is all-important. I took a few relatives to a range while they were evacuated up here after Katrina. They wanted to learn, but my Mother didn't. She kept talking about this pistol my Father let her shoot 20 years ago that was just horrible in terms of recoil.

Long story short, I got her to try a revolver. She thought it was OK. MUCH better than that kick-monster of my Father's. IT WAS THE SAME REVOLVER. When I told her afterward that it was the same one, she was stunned.

My Father had taught me on it, but I either reacted differently or he taught me differently. She ended up really being fond of the same weapon she'd hated for 20 years (and she'd shot nothing since).

Choice of weapon is not only very personal for feel, but heavily influenced by how one approaches it.

[turbobrick]

My wife carries her Taurus PT145. The .45 carries a kick, but she likes the feel and build of the gun. The grip is much more female friendly than my 1991a1 .45 and Glock 36, but keeps her with a sufficiently powerful round.

[COBRADOC]

Count me differant. I worked two ranges as range safety officer, and assistant CCW instructor. The snub lightweight 38 is a very poor choice for a first sidearm. The newby needs to practice, and the sharp painful recoil of a lightweight snub will very very quickly put them off that idea. The gun will sit, dusty and unused.
Buying them a sidearm is like them buying you a car - will it be what YOU want? I went through 4 revolvers and three automatics before I found what my wife wanted, her CZ-2075 RAMI 9mm.
Go to a rental range, and let her try several. far cheaper in the long run, and she'll feel much more like it's "hers" if she picks it out. If she goes for a .22lr or .32HR mag, don't get mad - a small caliber gun she will work with and be proficient with beats the HECK out of a handcannon she has no idea how to use, and is too scared to learn. Once she is more "into" the whole gun thing, than you can urge her into higher calibers.


93, there's loads of advice on this thread. Print it and read it several times - but start with armoredman's advice above. You won't go wrong if you follow his advice.

Good luck.

[DiN_BLiX]

I just took my wife to the gunshop and let her try 'em on. she choose a big azzed taurus pt92. I was gently urging her toward a CZ but its HER gun.

[copen]

I bought our daughter a Ruger Sp101 in 357mag. last year that she likes real well.
Thinkin about another one for her Mom. Loaded up some handloads for practice and got some factory loads for social issues. It's pretty sweet and fits her small hands.
It's now offered in 327 Federal. Whatever you choose,make sure it's something she'll
enjoy and practice with often.

[goatman556]

My vote goes to the glock 19 with trijicon nitesights.concealable, not too small, easy to shoot ( point and shoot), recoil is mild and ammo is cheap.

With the right loads, it is a powerful, compact and perfect for CCW.:rolleyes:

[Gatorfarmer]

If a .38 snub nose is desired, it is generally easier to learn to use an all steel K frame than one of the light weight J frames. It is also a bit easier to get used to the steel J frames. The heavier guns are a bit more difficult to conceal and require more dedication to carry, but will are easier for most users to get used to. Older snub Model 10s and 64s aren't hard to come by off Auction Arms or other such sites. They'll also avoid any potential problems with the Internal Locks on current production guns.

Another option, esp. if the pistol is going to be used more for home defense than carry, is the Smith and Wesson Sigma. These are quite inexpensive right now thanks to a rebate giving 50 dollars back and two additional free (for a total of four) magazines. There are a fair number of men and women who've had decent luck with the Sigmas as a first gun.

[mnottfam]

This may sound stupid at first, but hear me out--best choice IMHO might just be one of the Makarov derivatives. They're VERY low $$ firearms, light recoil 9x18, and have been earning a reputation for putting high $$$ custom auto's to shame in out-of-the-box accuracy. The Soviet Union issued these design sidearms to their military and police for MANY years, and I dare say it's their version of the 1911 with all the use it's seen through the years. If you're considering an auto, this one should be high on the list.

[Joe Garibaldi]

Not stupid in the least, IMO.

I actually had never considered this option because of my own caliber preferences.

From all accounts, the Makarovs (assuming good condition) are reliable. Might be a little heavy compared to the modern polymer options, but it could be a great way to get started, with a minimal cash outlay.

A da*n interesting idea.