What's a good handgun for a young woman?
- Thread starter mike!
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bluetopper
New member
Best handgun for a novice woman shooter ever made. The Ruger LCR 38 polymer framed revolver. Very light double action trigger and very light to carry.
No slide to have to pull back, no not knowing if there is one in the chamber or not. No safety to have to manipulate. It's a no brainer.
No slide to have to pull back, no not knowing if there is one in the chamber or not. No safety to have to manipulate. It's a no brainer.
She definitely should try a variety of handguns.
One that hasn't been mentioned yet, which my daughter of a similar age settled on and likes, is the Beretta PX4. My daughter has the compact which, like the full sized (but not the subcompact) has a rotating barrel which softens recoil. It also comes with three different backstraps which allow the owner to customize the grip size to some degree. Fit and finish, accuracy, and reliability are all excellent. It is kind of an under-appreciated model, IMO, and worth having on the tryout list.
One that hasn't been mentioned yet, which my daughter of a similar age settled on and likes, is the Beretta PX4. My daughter has the compact which, like the full sized (but not the subcompact) has a rotating barrel which softens recoil. It also comes with three different backstraps which allow the owner to customize the grip size to some degree. Fit and finish, accuracy, and reliability are all excellent. It is kind of an under-appreciated model, IMO, and worth having on the tryout list.
My wife didn't like the LCR .38 at all.
Light weight = more recoil.
Small, light guns in service calibers have their applications, but a blanket recommendation for one as a perfect gun for a woman is a bit much.
By the way, my wife is a farmgirl and former pro horse trainer. She's not small, and she doesn't have weak hands, after decades of doing farm and horse maintenance chores.
Again, check out corneredcat.com to learn some of the factors that should go into choosing a gun; take the potential gun owner someplace where she can try on several different types; and spring for a lesson with a pro. Recommending any one gun is kind of silly, honestly; if anything, I'd say do some research in different categories of handguns, to figure out reliability ratings so you can eliminate some and highlight others, but it's counter-productive to say "THIS IS THE GUN!!"
Light weight = more recoil.
Small, light guns in service calibers have their applications, but a blanket recommendation for one as a perfect gun for a woman is a bit much.
By the way, my wife is a farmgirl and former pro horse trainer. She's not small, and she doesn't have weak hands, after decades of doing farm and horse maintenance chores.
Again, check out corneredcat.com to learn some of the factors that should go into choosing a gun; take the potential gun owner someplace where she can try on several different types; and spring for a lesson with a pro. Recommending any one gun is kind of silly, honestly; if anything, I'd say do some research in different categories of handguns, to figure out reliability ratings so you can eliminate some and highlight others, but it's counter-productive to say "THIS IS THE GUN!!"
TacticalDefense1911
New member
Hard to throw out ideas without knowing more about the shooter and the guns intended use.
Assuming the gun will not be used for ccw, a larger framed semi-auto is going to be the best bet. 9mm is a great all-around caliber that is economical to shoot, inexpensive to shoot in large quantities and is a proven self defense caliber. Two guns that immediately come to mind are the S&W M&P9 full size and the Glock 19. They are both mild shooting handguns with adjustable backstraps to fit a large range of hand sizes and they have large support from the aftermarket. Also each platform has a compact version which could then be used for ccw if she decided to get her license in the future. My personal choice would be the M&P because it has a better current track record given the recent Gen 4 Glock issues and there is also a 22lr version of the hangun that replicates the FS 9mm gun in almost every dimension. The 9mm M&P can be found for less then the Glock as well, usually around the low to mid $400 range. Slightly used they can be found for less then $400.
I would stay away from small framed guns due to reliability issues and excessive recoil, guns chambered in a caliber below 9mm (reliability issues and lack of effectiveness), revolvers due to heavy trigger pull and poor sights and low-end guns like Hi-Points and Keltecs due to overall lack of durability from extended high-round use and lack of resale value.
Assuming the gun will not be used for ccw, a larger framed semi-auto is going to be the best bet. 9mm is a great all-around caliber that is economical to shoot, inexpensive to shoot in large quantities and is a proven self defense caliber. Two guns that immediately come to mind are the S&W M&P9 full size and the Glock 19. They are both mild shooting handguns with adjustable backstraps to fit a large range of hand sizes and they have large support from the aftermarket. Also each platform has a compact version which could then be used for ccw if she decided to get her license in the future. My personal choice would be the M&P because it has a better current track record given the recent Gen 4 Glock issues and there is also a 22lr version of the hangun that replicates the FS 9mm gun in almost every dimension. The 9mm M&P can be found for less then the Glock as well, usually around the low to mid $400 range. Slightly used they can be found for less then $400.
I would stay away from small framed guns due to reliability issues and excessive recoil, guns chambered in a caliber below 9mm (reliability issues and lack of effectiveness), revolvers due to heavy trigger pull and poor sights and low-end guns like Hi-Points and Keltecs due to overall lack of durability from extended high-round use and lack of resale value.
Picking a handgun is a very personal thing and certainly not a choice that total strangers can make. When people say a handgun for a lady, most people automatically assume they need something small, light, and with little recoil but such is not always the case. I have personally known women that, with proper instruction, could handle large, heavy, hard recoiling handguns up to and including .44 Magnum without issues.
That being said, there are a couple of platforms that are, in my experience, very easy to shoot well even for inexperienced people. As has been mentioned several times, a S&W K-Frame or comparable revolver in .38 Special seems to be universally easy to handle. The grip of the K-Frame seems to fit a wide variety of hand shapes and sizes and the weight of the gun dampens recoil well without being so heavy as to feel unwieldy or cumbersome. Good models to look for include the S&W Models 10, 13, 15, 19, 64, 65, and 67 or a Ruger Security Six, Speed Six, or Police Service Six (some of the aforementioned revolvers are chambered for .357 Magnum, but they will shoot .38 Special ammunition just fine).
If a semi-auto is more to your liking, a full-sized 9mm will be easy for most people to shoot. Much like the S&W revolver, weight is your friend when it comes to recoil and a 30+ oz handgun dampens the recoil of a 9mm quite well. Good models to look at include the S&W 5906, CZ-75, Sig P226, Beretta 92-series, Stoeger Cougar, Browning Hi-Power, or one of the various 9mm 1911's. Polymer-frame guns like the Glock 17, HK USP, Ruger SR9, Beretta PX4, S&W M&P, and Walther P99 can also be good choices, but their lighter weight will come at the price of somewhat increased recoil. Be careful, however, when selecting a 9mm as most full-sized 9mm's on the market today are double-stacks and may not fit a person with small hands well.
That being said, there are a couple of platforms that are, in my experience, very easy to shoot well even for inexperienced people. As has been mentioned several times, a S&W K-Frame or comparable revolver in .38 Special seems to be universally easy to handle. The grip of the K-Frame seems to fit a wide variety of hand shapes and sizes and the weight of the gun dampens recoil well without being so heavy as to feel unwieldy or cumbersome. Good models to look for include the S&W Models 10, 13, 15, 19, 64, 65, and 67 or a Ruger Security Six, Speed Six, or Police Service Six (some of the aforementioned revolvers are chambered for .357 Magnum, but they will shoot .38 Special ammunition just fine).
If a semi-auto is more to your liking, a full-sized 9mm will be easy for most people to shoot. Much like the S&W revolver, weight is your friend when it comes to recoil and a 30+ oz handgun dampens the recoil of a 9mm quite well. Good models to look at include the S&W 5906, CZ-75, Sig P226, Beretta 92-series, Stoeger Cougar, Browning Hi-Power, or one of the various 9mm 1911's. Polymer-frame guns like the Glock 17, HK USP, Ruger SR9, Beretta PX4, S&W M&P, and Walther P99 can also be good choices, but their lighter weight will come at the price of somewhat increased recoil. Be careful, however, when selecting a 9mm as most full-sized 9mm's on the market today are double-stacks and may not fit a person with small hands well.
bedbugbilly
New member
I have a friend that is looking for a 380 pocket semi and I posted on the semi-automatic forum to inquire about the Ruger LCP, the Kel-Tec 380 and the S & W 380 Bodyguard. You might want to take a look at that thread for some opinions on those.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500121
Whatever you are thinking about, I'd recommend taking her to a range where you can rent something that she might be interested in so she can actually shoot one prior to purchase. A lot is going to depend on her experience (I'm assuming that if you are a shooter, she's already been exposed to that), her hand size and build, how she is going to carry, etc. I'd even try out some of the lighter weight snubbies as well such as the Ruger LCR, S & W Bodyguard, Airweights, etc.
Bersa also has some very reliable semi-autos. I purchased a used Bersa Thunder CC 380 but personally, I didn't care for it. After the first shot the trigger was way too light for my liking - I'm not sure if the previous owner had worked on the trigger or not. I was impressed with the pistol though and would not hesitate to buy another one. You do have an exposed hammer though versus a "hammerless" (not exposed hammer) on such pistols as the LCP, Kel-Tec, etc. I' more of a revolver guy so I went with the Ruger 357 LCR and it's light and easy to carry - would also fit in a purse as well.
I have a friend that I shoot with and she has one of the Sig 380s - pricey yes, but an excellent smaller handgun. She is a smaller gal and it fits her to a "T". She handles the recoil of the 380 just fine and has improved to the point that she has no problem hitting central mass with a small grouping at SD ranges.
Above all, as you well know, the secret is for your daughter to practice, practice, and pratice with whateve she ends up with so that she is fully familiar with it and can hit what she's pointing at. Good luck - let us know what she ends up with!
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500121
Whatever you are thinking about, I'd recommend taking her to a range where you can rent something that she might be interested in so she can actually shoot one prior to purchase. A lot is going to depend on her experience (I'm assuming that if you are a shooter, she's already been exposed to that), her hand size and build, how she is going to carry, etc. I'd even try out some of the lighter weight snubbies as well such as the Ruger LCR, S & W Bodyguard, Airweights, etc.
Bersa also has some very reliable semi-autos. I purchased a used Bersa Thunder CC 380 but personally, I didn't care for it. After the first shot the trigger was way too light for my liking - I'm not sure if the previous owner had worked on the trigger or not. I was impressed with the pistol though and would not hesitate to buy another one. You do have an exposed hammer though versus a "hammerless" (not exposed hammer) on such pistols as the LCP, Kel-Tec, etc. I' more of a revolver guy so I went with the Ruger 357 LCR and it's light and easy to carry - would also fit in a purse as well.
I have a friend that I shoot with and she has one of the Sig 380s - pricey yes, but an excellent smaller handgun. She is a smaller gal and it fits her to a "T". She handles the recoil of the 380 just fine and has improved to the point that she has no problem hitting central mass with a small grouping at SD ranges.
Above all, as you well know, the secret is for your daughter to practice, practice, and pratice with whateve she ends up with so that she is fully familiar with it and can hit what she's pointing at. Good luck - let us know what she ends up with!
Handguns are very personal and each of us should be left to make our own choices. Give the young lady advise, but let her try as many as possible, then let her make her own decision.
My wife likes my Airweight. My daughter-in-law stole my Model 60. Go figure. However, I like to let them try a variety of handguns and one of the ones I always let them try is my Ruger Super Blackhawk. I let them shoot medium .44 Special Skeeter loads and they universally love it.
Here's one daughter-in-law trying it on.
And here's a friend's daughter giving it a go.
Every time a young lady tries that pistol, I get to hear an insane laugh from them after the first round. And, they always want to finish the cylinder.
My wife likes my Airweight. My daughter-in-law stole my Model 60. Go figure. However, I like to let them try a variety of handguns and one of the ones I always let them try is my Ruger Super Blackhawk. I let them shoot medium .44 Special Skeeter loads and they universally love it.
Here's one daughter-in-law trying it on.
And here's a friend's daughter giving it a go.
Every time a young lady tries that pistol, I get to hear an insane laugh from them after the first round. And, they always want to finish the cylinder.
handguns for daughter
I have two daughters each has chosen a different path. One likes to carry in a kydex holster a Makarov 9mm. She is very confident with it and carries it.
The other daughter has chosen a 2 inch Charter Undercover .38spl. She too carries it on a daily basis. Both have Concealed Carry Permits.
So it boils down to what the young lady likes and is comfortable with.
I have two daughters each has chosen a different path. One likes to carry in a kydex holster a Makarov 9mm. She is very confident with it and carries it.
The other daughter has chosen a 2 inch Charter Undercover .38spl. She too carries it on a daily basis. Both have Concealed Carry Permits.
So it boils down to what the young lady likes and is comfortable with.
Thanks for all of your replies. Sorry I haven't responded sooner.
Yes she will have the gun for self defense & will probably get a concealed carry permit.
I chose the Kel Tec as a benchmark because even though I have some .380's, I think that a 9mm should be the smallest caliber she should carry & the price is a big constraint (I can't even afford a Glock for myself).
I will take her to the range & rent at least three different guns for her to try - I am just looking for suggestions. The S&W Shield may be a good one, maybe in .40 S&W
We were going to go to the range this morning, but she went out to party with her girlfriends last night & was not up early enough.
I am going to send her a link to corneredcat.com today.
Yes she will have the gun for self defense & will probably get a concealed carry permit.
I chose the Kel Tec as a benchmark because even though I have some .380's, I think that a 9mm should be the smallest caliber she should carry & the price is a big constraint (I can't even afford a Glock for myself).
I will take her to the range & rent at least three different guns for her to try - I am just looking for suggestions. The S&W Shield may be a good one, maybe in .40 S&W
We were going to go to the range this morning, but she went out to party with her girlfriends last night & was not up early enough.
I am going to send her a link to corneredcat.com today.
HamsterHamster
New member
The one she wants and stay out of it.
Years ago, my ex was in the market for a new Mercedes. I call up an engineer friend working in Sindelfingen and ask him to spec the perfect configuration. The most efficient engine, comfortable seat options and in-car entertainment.
I got everything together and guess what my ex do? She went down to the dealership and bought one that matches the colour of her handbag!
Years ago, my ex was in the market for a new Mercedes. I call up an engineer friend working in Sindelfingen and ask him to spec the perfect configuration. The most efficient engine, comfortable seat options and in-car entertainment.
I got everything together and guess what my ex do? She went down to the dealership and bought one that matches the colour of her handbag!
We're going to the range tomorrow morning. We will try out at least three different 9mm auto pistols. I am thinking S&W Shield, a Glock & maybe something cheaper like a Hi-Point or the Kel-Tec.
Whatever she likes will probably go on lay-away & she will need to apply for a CC Permit as well.
Thanks for all your input.
- Mike
Whatever she likes will probably go on lay-away & she will need to apply for a CC Permit as well.
Thanks for all your input.
- Mike
marine6680
New member
Remember... the smaller and lighter... the more recoil and more unpleasant to shoot.
If she is not a "shooter" or has no real interest or large desire to learn to shoot... that unpleasantness is not a good thing.
If she has experience shooting, then smaller light pistols may be fine.
I am looking hard at the Ruger LC9 myself.
The P11 has a little extra size that may help for shoot-ability... but it is not a gun designed for regular shooting and practice.
You need regular practice... it does not have to be all with the carry gun, so that can help limit the wear and tear on the P11 if you go that route.
Glocks and the XD/XDM pistols in the sub compact version, with an optional extended magazine with grip extension is always a good choice. The extra length helps practice at the range, then using the short standard mag for carry.
The XD is probably the cheaper choice there.
A little bigger, but a good rugged well made pistol is the Sig 2022... it can be found for $350 online if you look around.
If she is not a "shooter" or has no real interest or large desire to learn to shoot... that unpleasantness is not a good thing.
If she has experience shooting, then smaller light pistols may be fine.
I am looking hard at the Ruger LC9 myself.
The P11 has a little extra size that may help for shoot-ability... but it is not a gun designed for regular shooting and practice.
You need regular practice... it does not have to be all with the carry gun, so that can help limit the wear and tear on the P11 if you go that route.
Glocks and the XD/XDM pistols in the sub compact version, with an optional extended magazine with grip extension is always a good choice. The extra length helps practice at the range, then using the short standard mag for carry.
The XD is probably the cheaper choice there.
A little bigger, but a good rugged well made pistol is the Sig 2022... it can be found for $350 online if you look around.
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This may get in the way of finding the perfect handgun for her. When I took my wife shopping for a handgun I let her handle all the guns she could and she eventually settled on a Sig P232. It felt the best in her hands and pointed very naturally for her. Of course it was also the most expensive gun she looked at.
I wouldn't rule out the little .380 ACP for her if I were you, it allows for a lot more options in smaller guns which some people like. My wife has small hands so a .380 was about as large as she wanted to go even though she could shoot my Ruger P-90 better than I did.
Stu
Best. Answer. Ever.
Let me elaborate....
I am an NRA Pistol Instructor, and I also instruct officers in my Department concerning pistol and patrol carbine shooting.
I have trained both men and women for a long, long time.
That being said, I have NEVER seen a woman/female shooter regret her choice, if SHE is allowed to pick out the handgun that she wants--and gets enough range time to practice well.
Example: I purchased my wife a Ruger LC9 for a "sick in your pocket when you're on our property" pistol. She understands the need for being prepared--but she does not like the pistol too much. It barks, bucks and snorts. My wife is 5'2" and about 120.
On the other hand, she will--and has--done quick mag dumps from my Glock 22 into a B27 at 7 yards. Everything stayed within the 9 ring.
She does not like my shotguns--they're too long for her.
She does, however, feel quite comfortable sitting at the bench and burning ammo through my folding stock MAK-90.
Once again--LET HER PICK IT OUT!!!
Best of luck--and post some targets, too!
marine6680
New member
Like was said... let her pick.
But another good option to look at would be some of the larger 380s.
The CZ 83 is a little bigger, and steel, so it should recoil very little... It's not too spendy either.
There are other similar sized 380s... even that size in a 9mm with a steel frame should not be too bad in the recoil.
But another good option to look at would be some of the larger 380s.
The CZ 83 is a little bigger, and steel, so it should recoil very little... It's not too spendy either.
There are other similar sized 380s... even that size in a 9mm with a steel frame should not be too bad in the recoil.
muddymustang
Inactive
Bought my wife an American Arms .380, and was surprised at how accurate it was at 20+yrds. Small gun, low recoil, and accurate.
Folks, there are plenty of helpful intentions on the board.
That being said, there are also a lot of (unintentional, I'm sure) efforts to buttonhole this lady into a .380.
Why?
A quick story...
We had a female officer who had just been hired and was getting ready to go to the Academy. She chose to use a personal firearm, instead of the issued Glock 22.
Well, some gun store salesperson talked her into an XD40. Great guns, and I love the entire XD series--but they do not fit small hands well. Her grip put the base joint of her thumb right into the backstrap. She was not happy, the gun actually hurt--and she could not manage to qualify.
After watching her try to qualify for the second time, I had an idea. I asked her to unload and clear, and set her pistol to the side.
I then handed her my duty sidearm--a Colt Gov't Model enhanced 1911, in .45. It's not box stock--there are Champion night sights with a trijicon front, an Ed Brown beavertail, a mainspring housing checkered at 20 LPI--and a short trigger. I also have it fitted with Hogue rubber grips.
She accepted the pistol, gripped it and looked at me with some surprise. "It fits! This gun feels good," she said.
I handed her two magazines with duty ammunition--at that time, 230 grain HydraShok. For those who have used this round, these things are HOT (right at 960 fps from my gun).
We had targets set at 7 and 10 yards. She ate the X-ring out on both targets--no flyers. I asked how firing the .45 felt. She said, "It's comfortable. More of a push, no sharp recoil, and it settled right back on target."
Once again, let her pick what she wants, and what she feels comfortable with. That includes caliber.
That being said, there are also a lot of (unintentional, I'm sure) efforts to buttonhole this lady into a .380.
Why?
A quick story...
We had a female officer who had just been hired and was getting ready to go to the Academy. She chose to use a personal firearm, instead of the issued Glock 22.
Well, some gun store salesperson talked her into an XD40. Great guns, and I love the entire XD series--but they do not fit small hands well. Her grip put the base joint of her thumb right into the backstrap. She was not happy, the gun actually hurt--and she could not manage to qualify.
After watching her try to qualify for the second time, I had an idea. I asked her to unload and clear, and set her pistol to the side.
I then handed her my duty sidearm--a Colt Gov't Model enhanced 1911, in .45. It's not box stock--there are Champion night sights with a trijicon front, an Ed Brown beavertail, a mainspring housing checkered at 20 LPI--and a short trigger. I also have it fitted with Hogue rubber grips.
She accepted the pistol, gripped it and looked at me with some surprise. "It fits! This gun feels good," she said.
I handed her two magazines with duty ammunition--at that time, 230 grain HydraShok. For those who have used this round, these things are HOT (right at 960 fps from my gun).
We had targets set at 7 and 10 yards. She ate the X-ring out on both targets--no flyers. I asked how firing the .45 felt. She said, "It's comfortable. More of a push, no sharp recoil, and it settled right back on target."
Once again, let her pick what she wants, and what she feels comfortable with. That includes caliber.