Newbie chick here -- considering a gun purchase

Hi there. Regarding the cost of the gun, I will give a contrary opinion. Once you factor in training, belt, holster, hearing protectors, targets, range and ammo costs - will easily be more than the gun. To me, that's why you shouldn't try to cut corners too much on the gun itself - the incremental cost of a quality handgun will be a modest percentage. $300 is really low for a handgun - $500 allows a quality gun purchase.

Just my $0.02. ;)
 
Go somewhere, probably NOT Queens, handle and FIRE several guns that feel good to you and you can make function. Some slides are difficult to pull back for a small hander.

Dont let a family member, friend, poster here, husband etc tell you that a left handed, 86 cal boomenslager would be excellent for you. What yOU decide is best, is best. And shoot it as poster #12 stated. That will cost you a few bucks, but a gun in the sock drawer, unloaded and rusty is worthless.

Check at local gun clubs, if there are any regarding 'pistol shooting night'. Go and many shooters will gladly let you shoot their gun-couple mags. May have to buy them a latta.

Do it for everyones safety.
 
If you are new to guns, & want to learn to shoot well, it will take a bunch of ammo for practicing. A 1000 rounds may sound like a lot, but if you go shooting for a few weekends the price of ammo will really add up really quick.
That being said, I would recommend a 9 x19mm (Luger) due to cost. It's simply the cheapest ammo out there. (besides .22).

For example, during the winter I went shooting every Saturday & shot 150 rounds of 9mm per session. In 5 months I spent over $900.00 on ammo. I'm still nowhere close to "marksman" status... So don't limit yourself so much on the initial price. You are better off getting a better quality vs. cheap gun if you will only be getting one to depend on.
 
Moriah, My wife, who is very close to you height and has small hands, shoots the crap out of and totally loves the Glock 19.
 
Dont let a family member, friend, poster here, husband etc tell you that a left handed, 86 cal boomenslager would be excellent for you.
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Ahhh, the left handed .86 caliber boomenslager - the pinnacle of firearms design and manufacturing.

Things have really gone downhill at the Boomenslager factory since the Iron Age though. Those newfangled steel Boomenslagers can't hold a candle to the Bronze Age Boomenslagers. Those were made in caves by firelight, and they didn't measure anything in those days either - it was all by feel. Real craftsmen.

Then in the Renaissance they introduced that stupid internal clock - totally ruined the weapon.
:p :p :p :D :D :D
 
I didn't notice anyone suggesting a shotgun for home defense, why is that? Birdshot #9 is a lot less likely to penetrate multiple layers of sheetrock than a pistol caliber.

BTW, I'm married, and in no way hitting on the OP.
 
I didn't notice anyone suggesting a shotgun for home defense, why is that? Birdshot #9 is a lot less likely to penetrate multiple layers of sheetrock than a pistol caliber.
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It is also a lot less likely to put a fast stop to whatever is going on when needed, though at close range it does tend to make hamburger of anything it hits (just not deep hamburger).

Maneuvering a shotgun in confined spaces (even with a minimum barrel) is also not that simple.
 
I didn't notice anyone suggesting a shotgun for home defense, why is that? Birdshot #9 is a lot less likely to penetrate multiple layers of sheetrock than a pistol caliber.
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I thought about it. I would imagine that there would be something very psychologically intimidating in seeing a short little woman holding a long gun on you -- could be a useful tactic. Unfortunately the tight spaces argument holds true for my current apartment. In order to get from the bedrooms to the living room there is a narrow hallway, plus a narrow kitchen area. Doesn't make it impossible, but a little more difficult.

Hopefully, tho, if I'm going to be even partially relying on psychological intimidation in a self-defense situation, *any* gun combined with a forceful and confident "Get OUT of my house" would do that. Still, the thought of a short woman surprising a burglar with a long gun and starting to cackle hysterically does make an amusing mental picture.
 
Maneuvering a shotgun in confined spaces (even with a minimum barrel) is also not that simple.
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Lot easier if you're using a double-barrel coach gun.....that's why my Stoeger 12ga. is my house shotgun....and it's easy to learn and maintain....and it's available in 20ga. too....
 
Well we arent talking about clearing the entire home of tangos, now are we? If its a home defense situation, all one needs to do is hole up in a secure position, such as a bedroom, you can hold the shotgun on the doorway, or down a hallway or stairway.
 
Moriah,

I'm sure your head is spinning with all the recomendations, and I'm not sure if it's necessary for me to add to the aleady long list of choices. But, I will anyway.

I know of a very dependable, and excellent carry gun, and they sell for $300 or less. It's the - Bersa .380 CC (Concealed Carry). It has a single stack magazine, has an 8+1 capacity, it's a Double-action - Single action De-cocker, with safety. I have many expensive guns, but I can honestly say this inexpensive Bersa is every bit as reliable Recoil is not harsh either. It works with every kind of ammo I've tried. It's not a "pocket gun". It's compact, although not as small as my Ruger LCP for example, but much easier to shoot, and from my experience, way more reliable.

It fits your criteria, and it'd be an excellent gun for concealed carry if you decide to do that. Normally I recommend small revolvers, but with your desired price range, I think this Bersa would probably fit your needs a little better.

Good luck.
 
In my honest opinion I think she already knows what she is looking for. Most ladies are like dumbfounded and dont know what questions to ask. Heck! She knows more about handguns than she is leading us to believe.

but anyways Leave the .380 alone. Over priced and under powered ammo.

Go with the .38 spl or the 9mm
 
spacemanspiff is 100% right. I don't know what Hollywood wet dream made people think they have to clear the house. There is no rule that says you have to go and personally confront an intruder.

A narrow hall way is custom made for hunkering down with a shotgun and a phone. Let the cops clear your house, your responsibility is the physical safety of yourself and your family.
 
Nothing wrong with the .32.
Either ACP or SW Long. I'm 6'2" at 190 lbs. Remember that even the .22 Long Rifle in a handgun is certainly viable to have on hand for the occasion. Handguns are limited anyway in effectiveness. The bang just needs to go where the problem is without worrying about stopping power.

In a handgun the only real controllable good caliber is the .357 Magnum with 125gr JSPs or SJHPs. Nothing comes close and all the rest are debatable.

Here is my favorite handgun, a .32 Colt Cobra that is so handy anytime anywhere without me feeling "undergunned" because I already know most handguns are undergunned beneath the .357:
PA170003.jpg


Back in the 60s or 70s something as simple as a .38 or .32 SW Long was enough.

Today we are living in some sort of nightmare about whatever is going to be powerful enough to save us from the "boogeyman."
 
Shafter,
When I found this Colt Cobra in .32 I would have given everything I owned but I didn't have to. I still think it was an amazing deal.

Moriah,

Are you really a female? I just reread your post and now I am realizing I responded to a male wanting advice.

Sorry for my neglect in reading your post this way.

Now I am even more convinced what I wrote makes sense.
 
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