what caliber for first time shooter

I can't object in this meeting of the .22lr admiration society. Getting her up to a 9 mm shouldn't be too difficult, but the Beretta may be. Many small women (and men for that matter) have difficulty with the Beretta especially the reach for the trigger. Of course, some don't, so let her give it a try.
 
Started my 8 year old nephew out on a Beretta Neos. He went through about a box @ 7 yards just making it go bang, and learning safety. Then he started hitting paper consistently. Had to damn near pry it out of his hand when it was time to leave. Great cartridge to learn the basics with and a hell of a lot of fun to shoot.
 
Like the rest of the rimfire admiration society I have to say 22! Miniscule recoil, cheap to shoot and not a lot of flash and bang. A new shooter doesn’t need any of the distractions when learning the fundamentals of shooting. Plenty of time to go to the larger guns later but stick small in the beginning. Colt and S&W used to make same frame revolvers in 22 for use in practice as well others who made conversion kits for the 1911 and may still. It’s a fun way to keep the hand in without reloading or going bankrupt buying target ammo and it will make you a better shot. Remember folks who have never shot won’t know that 22 isn’t a 44 mag as they have nothing to compare it to. No need to scare anyone away from shooting when they are just starting. That happens too often I feel, with individuals pushing bigger handguns in the training stage.. Once your mom has the fundamentals down and is enjoying it is the time to raise the bar and go to a centerfire that she can be comfortable with. So for now get brothers 22 and get mom out to the range. Just my two cents and worth what you paid.
 
I took a first time handgun shooter shooting this summer, she is 43, 5'6", 105lbs. We started with my G19C. After teaching her safety and a good grip, she was on paper at 10yds almost immediately. She quickly moved to the G17, which she preferred over the 19, I believe she preferred the little added weight. Within an hour she had moved to the fullsize, steel Baby Eagle .40. She loved it! I believe the added weight of the steel frame more than made up for the recoil of the .40. I guess my recommendation is the 9mm, but try and start her on a steel framed gun. The weight seems to boost confidence, go figure.
 
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