mouse gun for a mouse

If she likes the Single-Six, why not a medium-frame Blackhawk/Vaquero in .357Mag? Using .38SPL loads, it's a pussycat, and it'll do for SD work. And finding grips to fit isn't a problem....
 
The way I read it, the Single Six was still a little large for her? I have to 2nd the Single Six's little brother, the Bearcat. It would be perfect for her.
 
Again, I'm going along with aarondhgraham's suggestion of a NEOS.

The original poster said the little lady didn't like guns at all before and mostly shoots now only because he does. I think it's imperative to make her shooting experience as positive as possible to increase her interest. In my mind, that means getting her gun that she can shoot well. Few centerfire pistols (especially pocket-sized ones) will be as accurate as a 22lr.

But perhaps a bigger consideration is the cost of practice. If she gets a .32acp and shoots up one box of 50 cartridges per trip to the range, it'll cost about $20 each time. After 12 or 13 trips, the cost of ammo alone would have paid for a Beretta NEOS.

It seems more practical to start with an easier-to-shoot gun that uses ammo about 1/10 the cost. All the money you're not spending on expensive ammo can set aside toward the purchase of separate defense gun is desired.
 
@ CLC

I got the Colt .25 this past summer at a LGS for around $300 bucks, (haven't checked out their value) It was just too cool to pass up. Believe it or not I haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet. College keeps you busy, and the activities you love get put on hold.

The whole gun fits in the palm of my hand, so i doubt your girlfriend would have a problem gripping one if you can find one.

And about the .25, If i am a bad guy and someone shoots me with a .25, I am not going to ask "Is this bullet inside me a .25?". Odds are whoever is unfortunate to come across the business end of a .25 is going to be more terrified of the fact that they have been shot, than analyze the bullet lodged in their body.
 
The muzzle velocity of a 40 grain CCI Mini-Mag is around 1,235 FPS,,,
The muzzle velocity of a 35 grain JHP .25 ACP is about 900 FPS

That mini mag velocity is from a 18" rifle barrel, chrono it from a 2" you'll find it'll be less than the 25.
 
After 12 or 13 trips, the cost of ammo alone would have paid for a Beretta NEOS.

That right there is what caused me to buy a Neos. It is a fun little gun to shoot, and everyone who shoots it likes it. If OP is looking for a range gun for his lady friend, it is great. But in my mind, it is just a plinker, not a serious defensive firearm (yeah, I know, better than nothing) and certainly not for concealed carry.

No reason not to start with a fun plinker and add to the collection, though. Isn't that what a lot of us have done?
 
+1 for the Seecamp! If the .32 is still too much for her, which I doubt, Im sure you cAn find one in .25... And she can dry fire it all day without harming it, so she can practice her draw! Good luck!
 
You should rent/borrow one of the little Kahr PM9's to see if she can handle the recoil. I haven't yet gotten to play with one much, but i handled a lil PM40 and laughed at how small the grip was in my hand. My first thought was to wonder if one should raise their pinky when firing it (like lil ole lady tea drinkers).
 
If it helps I got some pictures of her holding the single six. Its just a tad bit to big for her thumb to cock the hammer. Thanks for all the help. Is the bearcat that much smaller? (hope they show up) Had to show a evil PA farmshow chicken
 

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OOPS! I miss-read aarondgraham's post and I came in with specs on how much more powerful the .22 WMR is than the .25 ACP. Than I realized he was talking .22LR.

I still recommend the Seecamp LWS32.
 
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I have a similar problem with my daughter.

The walther P22 was a good starter but it is really a cheap gun. I got rid of it.

I will have her next move to the Colt Gov 380 in 380 auto. The gun is about 65% of a full size 1911 and is all steel locked breach. Great gun and I love mine.

For plinking I will get a browning 1911 22 here in about 2 weeks. It is a 7/8ths copy of the 1911 in 22lr. I figure the small hands will deal with it great and then I can teach her a true 1911 format gun.
 
go with a kel tec pll. my wife shoots that. its a 9mm. she fits the same discription as your girlfriend. its really not too much. and the p11 is so small and compact it fits completely in my hand. reliable and under $250 anywhere.
 
Consider a Walther PP in .32 acp. You can get those for around $300.00. Look for a Manurhin PP, made by Walther. I carry one of those sometimes.

I also second the motion on the Colt vest pocket pistol in .25 acp. You can also get an ASTRA .25 which is basically the same gun (ASTRA was under contract to make some of the Colt vest pocket pistols), just easier to find (and a little cheaper).
 
Hhmmm....Interesting thread, but I just keep thinking..."mouse gun, for a mouse....If my spouse ever made such an oblique reference to me, said spouse would find his saddle outside the front door when he came home from work.--Patrice :rolleyes:
 
lol I guess your right. I did laugh at her the other day when a bird pooped on her head and our mail. maybe I should change my ways :rolleyes: As for the Walther PP idea her hand didnt fit at all when I was at the gunshow. We just got done painting my gun so I was using her nails as base ideas so they are kinda f!@ked up lol she wanted to do it on my nails but i said no way.
 
My first wife was petite, 5' tall and less than 100 lbs the day I married her, with very small hands. She had trouble cocking most single action guns, and semi-auto slides were impossible for her. Even double-action triggers gave her trouible. (But she was a great rider who could control the largest horse - amazing!)

I finally bought a Berretta 950 .25 auto for her. She loved it because it had a tip-up barrel so she didn't have to worry about working a slide, and even she could manually cock it. But what she liked most of all about it is that it was so small that she could drop in her riding jacket pocket, or purse, and take it with her anywhere.

With 50 grain ball ammo it wasn't a real powerful gun nor was it considered to be a "stopper", but its little bullet had enough velocity and weight to provide minimally adequate penetration, and its 8 +1 capacity gave it a considerable firepower advantage over my 5-shot 38 Special snubbie.
 
Have her check out a .25 Galesi.

You see them used for @ 160$.

I've had problems with 22LR rimfire ammo in pistols. Good, heavy duty,
competition target pistols.
 
Let HER make the final decision after shooting & handling as many as possible.

That being said, consider a DA revolver in .22lr (or possibly .22mag) w/ 3-4" barrel. Small grips available, mild recoil, medium barrel length (balance target/defense use), and simple operation (if no 'bang', pull trigger again).

I'd lean away from pocket pistols. As mentioned before, hard to shoot for any beginner - especially pocket semi-autos.

Since considering for self defense, I'd recommend against semi-auto in rimfire due to AMMO reliability concerns. (Prime argument for .25ACP over .22LR despite power.) On the other hand, if she will be using this primarily for target shooting, she could use the get something else later as she becomes more proficient.

If she prefers semi-autos, encourage her to practice as much as possible - especially clearing jams.
 
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