Newbie chick here -- considering a gun purchase

First of all welcome. Not only am I a well recognized expert on guns, but I look like Fabio with long flowing tresses, rippling pecs under my bronzed skin and gleaming white teeth, unlike all of the other guys on this Board, who look like a cross between Shreck and Noseferatu with halitosis.:cool::p

Now that you know who I am, let me start by saying that try not to limit yourself to $300 as the guns in that price range are...well lets just say $300 guns so I dont offend the more sensitive out there. You get what you pay for, with some exceptions like the CZ82.

On the other hand, since your going to be shooting alot to practice you want something cheap to shoot and low recoil.

Three guns stand out...if they fit your hand....S&W 317 3 inch, or a Model 60 3 inch in .38/357, or if you must have an auto, Browning Hi Power. You are going to be shooting alot and I would go so far to allege that until you have 10,000 rounds down range with a handgun, you shouldnt carry one....

But the key is what fits your hand and cheap to shoot. A CZ 75, which has been suggested, is a decent quality handgun although of a flawed design, but it wont fit your hand if you really are 4'11', unless you have fingers like Nosferatu too:D


Do your research and start shooting. Just call on Fabio if you need me.

WildnowexcusemeimustcombmyflowingtressesandputtanninglotiononAlaska TM
 
I vote for a used S&W 442 or 642 in .38 special. I bought one for my wife, point & shoot, no jams etc. She still goes for my Kimber Ultra CDPII in .45 acp at the range though. :confused:
 
Since I live in an apartment complex, I don't want something that might kill my neighbors should I ever have to use it.
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Then get a taser. Seriously. People have shown over and over that all these cartridges in almost every load go through a half dozen apartment walls. It is a low percentage that you will hit someone with your misses, but don't be fooled into thinking your pistol won't go right through the walls.

I think bigger is a A LOT better until you get up to about 9mm. At 9mm, as long as you are using high quality defensive rounds, I think you get marginal returns for more recoil.
If you can accept a revolver 327 mag might be good. I have never shot one, but boy do I wish I had the chance.
The diamond back 380 is a very well designed and very sharp looking gun.

Go to a range rent some guns.
Call a few people who have CCW classes and see if one loans guns for it.
Buy a cheap 22 and go to a range. Talk about how you are buying a practicing for when you buy a "real" pistol b/c you are divorced and need something to keep you safe at home.
Those are my best three ideas for how you can get a chance to shoot a lot of different guns.

until you have 10,000 rounds down range with a handgun
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The specific handgun or ANY handgun? Is a 22 ok?
I call BS in general. Maybe 5000 with 4500 of those being 22LR.
 
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i think near everyone's first gun should be a glock. yes there's a bunch of better guns out there, but for a first time buy, it cheap, it's accurate, it come's in a million different models, it's hi cap, very light and very user friendly. from there, you can decide where to go. if you don't buy AT LEAST try it out
 
First pistol

A gun that fits your budget and other specs is the Makarov. More power than the .380, ammo available and affordable, ultra reliable.
About handgun permits in NYC...yes, you can get one. It is not at all impossible. In fact, as long as you are not a convicted felon or subject to some other legal restriction, the City MUST grant a permit if you apply. The idea that it is impossible is a myth. Now getting a licence to carry....THAT is very, very difficult.
Pete
 
Wow, lotsa responses!

No, I'm not living in Queens anymore. Left the ex and moved back to Arkansas where fortunately we do have a decent concealed carry law. :)

There is a gun range within a 30 mile distance of my home that has some rental weapons. The pricing seems fairly reasonable, too I think -- lane rental is $10.00, handgun rental is $5.00.

As far as a dog.... Unfortunately I'm not allowed dogs in this place, and I also have a cat who has some.... uh, issues. (Friendly with me, absolutely terrified of anyone else, and the reason he was surrendered to the pound in the first place was his previous owners got a puppy and didn't teach the pup to respect the cat. Being clawless, my cat defended his territory the only way he could think of... by smell. Heh.)

About carry, I think you guys made a good point -- I would hate to buy a weapon just to have it be in the bad guy's hands when I need it most. My only concern is that I believe my work prohibits any guns on the premises, even in the car. I will have to investigate that, though -- if nothing else, if I could keep it in the trunk while it was on work property I think that should be okay but I'll have to check.

Thank you for suggestions on ones I should try at the range. And also thank you for the honest assessment of my budgeting situation. I really appreciate all of the advice. And I'll check out CorneredCat's website.

And I'll keep you guys updated! :)
 
Rent different guns and try them out.

Depending on hand size and strength (especially grip strength) you may find something you are very comfortable with or some that you just dislike.

You might even be able to meet some people at a range that will allow you to try some guns not available to rent.

I have allowed folks to fire off a magazine from a number of my guns after watching them with their guns to make sure they had a clue.

I think I have only turned down one or two people over the past 20 years.

My wife is not especially strong (100 pounds of size 0), and has a horrible time loading a 1911 compact, though she can operate a full size just fine.
 
Thats awesome that you have a rental nearby. Definately go and check out a bunch of handguns to really get to know what you want.
 
WildAlaska you are correct about 22's being O.K.for defense.When my youngest daughter moved into an apartment(1st time away from home) I gave her one of my 10/22's with a 50 round magazine loaded with CCI Stingers.My advise to her was"If anyone tries to get in,keep pulling the trigger until the gun goes click."I never had a seconds fear about her not being well enough armed to protect herself in the apartment.
 
Moriah,

You may want to check with the range, but most have a really cheap yearly membership fee that could save you alot of money compared to daily lane rentals. If you find your handgun you will need to practice often as you can. If you cannot carry a gun on person or in car at work perhaps look into the new Mossberg 410 mini-bantam for home defense. It is very manageable and only weighs 5 lbs. and isn't very expensive. As for your carry weapon, if you can find a used Sig P238 you will more than likely love it.
 
I vote 38 Special Revolver - S&W

I am looking at one for my wife now. J&G Sales has good prices on S&W police trade ins which would be less than $300 shipped to you. Many are DAO with no hammer spur so that may also interest you. They have a good reputation. I love autos but revolvers are simpler to use and you don't have to pull the slide back which can be difficult for some folks with smaller hands. 6 rounds of 38 Special is pretty decent defense for the average person.
 
Revolvers are a very viable option, and are pretty reliable. Take a look at the J-frame airweights in .38 special +P. I carry the S&W 442, which only weighs 15 ounces and use +P hollow points for personal defense. It is not as much fun to shoot as my S&W 627-5 5" revolver or the M&P9PS, but not too bad either. I have a friend nearly about your height, and her gun is a S&W 686 2-1/2" which she likes a lot, and it fits her hand pretty well, but she doesn't carry just for home defense. She doesn't like the kick of .357 rounds much so she uses the .38 SP JHP too. She also loves my 442 for the feel in her hand, though it bucks a bit more than her bigger 686.

Best thing you can do is go to a range and rent a buncha types to see which one you like best. The BEST choice isn't revolver or semi auto or .38 or .44 or whatever, the BEST choice is the one that FITS YOU BEST AND YOU WILL USE. Nothing is more useless than the gun left at home in the drawer because it isnt comfortable in the hand or to carry.
 
You are going to get posters all touting their favorite handguns by asking that question. Things like "nothing less than a .454 Casull will do" type of thing. In my 60 years of teaching (my wife and daughters, and others)...get yourself a small .38 special revolver. Smith & Wesson make several models, Charter Arms makes several (and even in colors), Taurus, Rossi, and etc. They are not cost prohibitive and the recoil is not overwhelming. Take it to a range or into the country and shoot at least a box through it. Clean, oil, and load with fresh cartridges.

Both my wife and youngest daughter have S&W .38 specials and the older daughter has a Rossi .32 snubby. I even have one for the bedside.

Also, keep practicing so that you will know how to use it well when or if needed.
 
Since you have a range close by that rent guns, that's a great option to find a gun that fits you. If they have instructors, see if you can hire one for an hour or so, and when you've made contact with the instructor, ask them to bring a few of their guns along for you to try. Most every instructor I know have many handguns, and are happy as all hell to show them off.

I'll not offer a certain firearm that you'd like, but I'll relate my own experience with a new shooter who is much like you, my dear wife. She had grown up around guns, and her first husband was a gun owner who shot regularly, but until the age of 70, she had never fired a handgun. She's small, under 5'3" and has small hands. She's also had surgery on both shoulders so manipulating the slide on a semi auto is an issue for her. She had never felt a need to shoot until we had an incident near by our home that made her consider getting involved in shooting. Her self defense firearm? A Ruger Service Six in .38 Special that I've had for better than 20 years.

But welcome to the forums, and let us know how you're progressing in your shooting. Congratulations on your decision to take your own safety into your own hands.
 
Try before you buy

Take the advice of others in this thread, don't buy something based on what others think. When I started shooting 2 years ago, I was influenced by many great opinions on the web and from friends. I'm on my 3rd gun (and not cheap ones either) and finally found something I love which I never would have imagined I'd love when I first started shooting. The only advice I'd listen to online is that of reliability and rumors around customer service. My own personal shooting experience is with Sig and Kimber, both great brands but shoot very very differently. Sig customer service is fantastic. I shoot the Kimber a million times better.

So in the end, go to a gun dealer that's willing to rent you the gun you want to buy. Pop off a few rounds, and see what works best for you.
 
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