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Ladies Forum A place for our female Calgunners to discuss, share and interact without the 'excess attention' sometimes found in online forums.

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  #1  
Old 09-12-2008, 5:32 PM
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Default HD handgun suggestions for my wife

Talk about perfect timing with the opening of the ladies section...

Recently my wife has come to the realization that she needs to learn how to use the most effective tools for defending home and kids when I'm not there. Funny enough, it was because of a dream she had where she was forced to do just that...with a gun. So, now she wants to learn how to properly use a handgun for home defense and I need suggestions from other female shooters of what may fit my wife best.

Things to keep in mind:
-she IS NOT a gun gal by any means
-she's only willing to learn/use a gun out of percieved necessity, not out of a passion for them
-from taking her shooting one time...a loooooooong time ago...she gets "jumpy" over the gun's bang...like she gets startled every time a gun fires
-to give you some idea of her hand size, she's about 5' 5" tall

What would the ladies here suggest we look at? There is no preference for an auto or a revolver since she has never owned a gun before(unless you count half ownership of my collection)

Thanks for any help, and I really do need the help. I'm a big bore guy myself. I only have 2 handguns, one in .45ACP and one in .50AE so I don't think either of those will fit her.
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Old 09-12-2008, 6:05 PM
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I'm not a lady, but I happen to be married to one.

Have you tried taking her to a range that rents guns? Let her try a few and see what she likes?
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Old 09-12-2008, 6:36 PM
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I am not a lady either but I am married to one too. Out of all the guns that I have, the wife picked the H&K P2000, it said it felt good because she has small hands. Don't know if that helps any.
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Old 09-12-2008, 6:41 PM
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I'd go with a revolver of some kind - Always at the ready, nice double action trigger.
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Old 09-12-2008, 7:05 PM
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I happen to own both a pistol and revolver. My pistol is an SA XD subcompact 9mm. My revolver is an old Smith and Wesson 4" .38. The pros to the pistol is that it holds 10 rounds and is easy to reload in the dark. I also have the laser/flashlight attachment for shooting in the dark. The problem I have with it is field stripping it to clean it. The lever that allows me to take the slide off is very difficult to move, and I know its silly, but I broke a nail trying to clean my gun. I've also tried to pull the slide back with and without nails, and it's a little harder with nails. My revolver however, is easy to shoot and clean. I just use a little screwdriver to remove the cylinder. The drawback to that is it only holds 6 rounds, I need a flashlight if I have to use it in the dark and it's difficult to reload in the dark.

The biggest thing I learned to shoot was a .22 rifle before I went into the Army. I was not really crazy about shooting M16's and handguns during basic and AIT, but it was do it or fail, so I just did it.

Just to let you know, I qualified with the M1911A2 and the M9. I prefer the 1911. I bought the SA because it's small and it really does fit well in my purse, so we really really need to get shall issue in here so that we can carry legally.
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Old 09-12-2008, 9:53 PM
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My wife started like the rest of us......a 22. Got used to not flinching ..not blinking...sight pic...control.. and so on. Then she commandeered one of my 357's....guess which one! Hint: Starts with a P....so be on your toes and hide the good stuff.

22's are the best starter guns
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Old 09-12-2008, 9:59 PM
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Well it sound to me like she will keep it at the house and only as a HD gun...So that tells me you should get her a full size gun. This might be a little heavier, but at the same time, the weight will reduce the recoil for her due to it being "absorbed" if you will with the slide being longer and bigger. (i.e. its less recoil for me to shoot a 5 inch 1911 than a 4 inch XD, cause 1. its a longer barrel, but 2...its all metal and that reduces the recoil for me)


Bigger isn't always better....ballisticlly the difference between 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP isn't THAT much....being as a 9mm has less "percieved" recoil...I'd go with that.

Its also harder to learn to shoot a DA/SA gun like a sig than a DA only gun like a glock, XD, or S&W MP. Its difficult cause the first pull on a sig is long and hard, and the following are short and easy. Plus Sig doesn't have any built in safety mechanisums like the previously mentioned guns. Since she doesn't sound like much practice will be put into shooting, go with one of the guns I mentioned

As far as cleaning goes, I have never cleaned a Glock or S&W M&P, only my sig and an XD before and BOTH were super easy to clean.

In regards to her shaking with the recoil....LOTS of people do that, its fairly common. Our bodies are made up of mostly water, so the sound and explosion actually reverberates in our bodies a little bit (that's what I was told at least) but the only way she will stop jumping around guns...is more shooting.

Also something that I WISH I had on my pistol is a rail like annie said and I highly reccomend that as well. When it comes down to it....she will be more accurate with it cause withing the flashlight spot on the bad guy that is where her bullet will go, and thats pretty easy to remember even when you have tons of adrenaline in your blood....she isn't trying to put 2 in the chest and 1 square between the eyes....just trying to stop the threat....So I would recommend that.

So I would recomend :
-Full sized or 5 inch Springfield XD 9mm (they also designed the grip to be ergonomically easier for a new shooter to pic up and shoot, plus they have a trigger safety, grip safety and I think they just came out with a thumb safety but IDK if its CA Legal or not)
-Full size Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm (oh btw this has interchangable grips, so if she has big or small hands you can change them accordingly...forgot to mention that)
-a full size Glock 9mm (I think its a Glock 17, not sure)

whatever you choose, be sure to check out all the options and have her shoot all three of them and then have her decided which one she likes best.
I hope this helps! Also there are LOTS of great guns out there...but these are the ones I would most likely pic if I wasn't into guns, but its also just my opinion.
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  #8  
Old 09-12-2008, 10:06 PM
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Not a lady either but I have some observations. If you start with a .22 (rental?) and work up she can probably handle a lot more gun than you think. Jeff Cooper always said that any woman could handle a 1911 just fine, and if she really couldn't,t "get her a .22 and tell her to shoot for the eyes". Cooper's words, not mine. I think anyone, male or female, who does not have an affinity for shooting and just wants to learn and practice enough to be competent should stick to a revolver. Much more straight forward and intuitive, not as many bells and whistles to become confused about in times of stress. It's not likely she will need more than 6 shots. For many of these same reasons I find myself carrying my .357 most of the time. Quick but sure shot placement and one shot stops is more my style than spray and pray. .38 special may be all she wants to deal with, but you never know, she might get to liking the punch of a .357? The .38 special with proper loads is a good fight stopper. I have small hands for a man, grip selection can go a long way toward getting a good fit. A S&W ladysmith is a gun I would look into.
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  #9  
Old 09-13-2008, 12:54 AM
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My first handgun I shot as a young kid was a SW .357 magnum. No problem.

My wife's first time with handguns were a couple of my .45ACPs. No problem. However she personally likes some of the newer compact models in 9mm as ergonomically they fit her hands better in a way she is more confident of.

On another point - I tell everyone new to shooting that having a device exploding in your hands a couple feet from your face is simply not natural. So it is normal that you will at first reject this and functionally attempt to avoid it everytime you pull the trigger. So it's okay. The point is learning what you are doing, like flinching or too tight of a grip, and overcoming it. It can be frustrating for some people, but once they get over it a little there is nothing but pure joy in shooting waiting for them.

.
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  #10  
Old 09-13-2008, 9:54 AM
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Take her to a range with rentals and let her try a variety of pistols and calibers. Find out what feels best in her hand and move from there. You'll probably need to make multiple trips but more shooting never hurt anybody.

I'm in a similar situation. My 686 is just too big for my gf but so far at the range she's had a good time with a Glock 17, a Sig 226 in 9mm and a full size Kimber in .45. She did the best with the Kimber for what it's worth.
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Old 09-13-2008, 9:57 AM
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Take her to the store and let her hold the different guns
you want the one that fits her hand the best
as far as caliber she is going to have to shoot a few and see
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Old 09-13-2008, 9:42 PM
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Okay I'm a lady and I went to the gun store (thank you bullseye) to try out the different guns and I'm going to recommend the 22 revolver handgun for several reasons.
1. I can see what's going on. Guns freak me out when I don't know why I pull the trigger and they don't go boom. This one I can tell whats going on. I can see when it's loaded and how many bullets I have to go. If one doesn't go off I just open it up and shake it out. No problems. It relieves alot of anxiety for me just to be able to understand how it works.
2. It's not very loud and it doesn't kick hard. Still not having shot that many guns it allows me to practice good shooting technique, like not flinching, which will prepare me for when I decide to go with a larger caliber and a shorter barrel.
3. The revolvers have a tendency to fit in my hand better. Neither of my hubby's guns fit my hands very well. I can't get my fingers to grip it how he says it the best way and this frustrates me to no end.
4. Cowboy gun, I've seen it on alot of movies, and think they are cool. Movies where cops and thugs are shooting over drugs don't impress me and I don't want to associate myself with those weapons. I'll take a classy Clint Eastwood model instead.

So that's what I would suggest to her, maybe not reason number 4... but for all the other reasons, definitely.
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Old 09-13-2008, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by things that go boom View Post
Okay I'm a lady and I went to the gun store (thank you bullseye) to try out the different guns and I'm going to recommend the 22 revolver handgun for several reasons.
1. I can see what's going on. Guns freak me out when I don't know why I pull the trigger and they don't go boom. This one I can tell whats going on. I can see when it's loaded and how many bullets I have to go. If one doesn't go off I just open it up and shake it out. No problems. It relieves alot of anxiety for me just to be able to understand how it works.
2. It's not very loud and it doesn't kick hard. Still not having shot that many guns it allows me to practice good shooting technique, like not flinching, which will prepare me for when I decide to go with a larger caliber and a shorter barrel.
3. The revolvers have a tendency to fit in my hand better. Neither of my hubby's guns fit my hands very well. I can't get my fingers to grip it how he says it the best way and this frustrates me to no end.
4. Cowboy gun, I've seen it on alot of movies, and think they are cool. Movies where cops and thugs are shooting over drugs don't impress me and I don't want to associate myself with those weapons. I'll take a classy Clint Eastwood model instead.

So that's what I would suggest to her, maybe not reason number 4... but for all the other reasons, definitely.
I think a .22 revolver is a GREAT starter gun...but the OP was about a home defense gun and I DON'T think a .22 LR gun is a good defense round because it puts soo much pressure on shot placement for it to be adaquate to stop the threat. Also you are going with FMJ projectiles (never seen a .22 LR Hollow Point for sale at your avg gun store....now someone I'm sure will put up a pic of one and point out that the Seceret Service is prolly going to the .57 and my reply to that is...they have FAR more training) Without an expanding bullet, the round will do less damage and that means less ouchy for the bad guy and he keeps comming at you.
Also I prefer semi-auto's for HD cause they hold more rounds, and when your out the gun locks back and is a physical reminder that your out of bullets, vs a revolver just keeps going and dosen't show you that your out....also a semi-auto is faster to re-load. The whole reliability thing is also not a problem any more....get a glock, or xd, or something like that....you won't have any problems unless you don't oil it and put 20,000 rounds through it

Also as far as the gun not fitting your hand....there's lots of different guns and grips and feels and size....go to a store and feel some of them....I don't have small hands, but they aren't huge and a guy would say they are small and I don't have a problem holding a semi-auto....maybe try a single stack mag if you have too

for the flinching....not much to flinch on a .22 LR, only solution is to move up to a .38 target round
work with the semi's....they will most likely win you over for a HD gun....don't give up on them yet
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Last edited by shellyzsweet; 09-13-2008 at 10:54 PM..
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Old 09-13-2008, 10:59 PM
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The S&W referred to above is a 617. It holds 10 rounds.

.22 hollowpoints are pretty common, really. They're usually the only .22 ammo I buy... They still won't do nearly as much damage as a .38 wad-cutter or 9mm fmj, not to mention something that'll expand, but as the common saying goes, a hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .45.

That said, I do share a lot of your concerns about .22 for defense. But it's definitely better than nothing, and as long as you're willing to literally empty the whole ten rounds into someone, you should be fine.
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Old 09-13-2008, 11:09 PM
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The S&W referred to above is a 617. It holds 10 rounds.

.22 hollowpoints are pretty common, really. They're usually the only .22 ammo I buy... They still won't do nearly as much damage as a .38 wad-cutter or 9mm fmj, not to mention something that'll expand, but as the common saying goes, a hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .45.

That said, I do share a lot of your concerns about .22 for defense. But it's definitely better than nothing, and as long as you're willing to literally empty the whole ten rounds into someone, you should be fine.
WOW didn't know that...thanks....still I'd rather have 10 of .38, or 9mm....my personal choice is 10 rounds of .45 JHP and I couldn't imagine lining up 10 rounds with a speed loader under high pressure....too much to go wrong in my opinion.

knew someone would say that about .22's and HP....Never seen one, but I don't own a .22 so maybe its cause I'm not looking...

Never heard that phrase...heard "better to have a .380 in your pocket than a .45 at home" IDK....I wouldn't trust a .22 to save my life unless I HAD TOO, if your gonna get a HD gun, AT LEAST get a .38 special, just my .02
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Old 09-13-2008, 11:40 PM
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Oh, yeah. .38 is pretty much my minimum "feels like enough", too.

I'd much rather use a carbine or shotgun, though.
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Old 09-13-2008, 11:47 PM
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Oh, yeah. .38 is pretty much my minimum "feels like enough", too.

I'd much rather use a carbine or shotgun, though.
idk about a carbine in a HD situation.... a 30 cal or 5.56 will go through more walls than some 00 buck will esp. some tactical stuff....never know whats beyond your walls....

but for any women that says she doesn't like the recoil on a 12 gauge....buy a knoxx stock...WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!!
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Old 09-13-2008, 11:50 PM
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Yeah, I know about the penetration issue (it'd be 7.62x39mm), but find the option of having pretty much pinpoint accuracy if I want/need it a very persuasive argument. That and I shoot my AK more than anything else, and in light competition run-and-gun stuff, so I feel most confident with it.
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Old 09-13-2008, 11:56 PM
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Yeah, I know about the penetration issue (it'd be 7.62x39mm), but find the option of having pretty much pinpoint accuracy if I want/need it a very persuasive argument. That and I shoot my AK more than anything else, and in light competition run-and-gun stuff, so I feel most confident with it.
got an adjustable optic on it? Cause at any distance in your home you would most likely need to aim high to compensate for the sight being so many inches higher than the barrel for that pin point accuracy....but I'm sure you already knew that....
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Old 09-14-2008, 1:36 AM
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Could go the 22 revolver route with 2 cyls, 22LR for practice and 22 magnum for other times. Probably still not much stopping power, but its better than nothing.
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Old 09-14-2008, 10:59 AM
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There is much wisdom in this post. There is much more gun magazine hype in the posts that criticize it. If any of the posters who criticize this choice have ever actually been in a gunfight speak up.

Better the .22 you understand and are comfortable with than the forty-five that confuses and intimidates. You grow into the larger, more complicated, "more effective" guns. Meanwhile, a .22 is a lot louder from the front than it is from behind, and the criminal with a bullet in him probably will become a lot more interested in the location of the nearest emergency room than what he was planning to do to you.

Granted, people on certain drugs can be almost impossible to stop. But they are only stopped by precise, or lucky, shot placement destroying physical (breaking bones) or neurological (brain or spine) systems even with bigger guns.






Quote:
Originally Posted by things that go boom View Post
Okay I'm a lady and I went to the gun store (thank you bullseye) to try out the different guns and I'm going to recommend the 22 revolver handgun for several reasons.
1. I can see what's going on. Guns freak me out when I don't know why I pull the trigger and they don't go boom. This one I can tell whats going on. I can see when it's loaded and how many bullets I have to go. If one doesn't go off I just open it up and shake it out. No problems. It relieves alot of anxiety for me just to be able to understand how it works.
2. It's not very loud and it doesn't kick hard. Still not having shot that many guns it allows me to practice good shooting technique, like not flinching, which will prepare me for when I decide to go with a larger caliber and a shorter barrel.
3. The revolvers have a tendency to fit in my hand better. Neither of my hubby's guns fit my hands very well. I can't get my fingers to grip it how he says it the best way and this frustrates me to no end.
4. Cowboy gun, I've seen it on alot of movies, and think they are cool. Movies where cops and thugs are shooting over drugs don't impress me and I don't want to associate myself with those weapons. I'll take a classy Clint Eastwood model instead.

So that's what I would suggest to her, maybe not reason number 4... but for all the other reasons, definitely.
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Old 09-14-2008, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by shellyzsweet View Post
got an adjustable optic on it? Cause at any distance in your home you would most likely need to aim high to compensate for the sight being so many inches higher than the barrel for that pin point accuracy....but I'm sure you already knew that....
Going a bit OT, but yes, I have an EOTech, and yes, I'm used to shooting in close with it, and have a good idea what kind of hold-off I need at close-in distances. At "indoor" range, aiming at about the hairline would put a bullet between the lookers.
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Old 09-14-2008, 1:05 PM
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I don't want to go to far off track, but I just wanted to add that I have the laser sight on my gun so that I can avoid shooting someone. Thank goodness I've never had to do this, but if it ever does happen I want the bad guy to know things will go very bad for him if he keeps threatening my life. And the flashlight is so I can see him and give a description to the police in case I can't call 911 before I have to defend myself. That's really it.
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Old 09-15-2008, 2:03 PM
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Thank you all for the input, I have a clearer idea of where to start
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Old 09-15-2008, 6:53 PM
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First off, do not underrate the .22 LR as an in-home defensive firearm. A woman who can shoot a .22 LR well is more dangerous than a woman with a .44 Mag that causes her to flinch and jerk the trigger.

Second, there are those people who are just noise and recoil sensitive. It's often difficult to get them completely over their tendency to react to the bang. If someone is by nature a "jumpy person" personality, a low-recoil gun/ammo combination will be more suitable

For the novice and simply pragmatic shooter, I recommend the revolver. Because it's mechanism is easily understood and because it's "powered by hand", I think it's a safer and more intuitive tool. She doesn't need to remember, in a crisis, which lever to move or to pull the slide back either. This is the original point 'n click interface. And that will be important 3 years from now when she hasn't fired the gun in over 18 months.

Letting her pick out a gun that feels right in her hand and that she can operate will go a long way in making sure the selction is right. Renting and shooting a variety of guns before purchase will also help her decide which is best.

A very nice gun for learning and even for home defense in the early part of training is the 10-shot S&W 617 (shown below). It's a medium K-Frame, accurate, low recoil and will last a lifetime. With 10 rounds you're unlikely to need to reload.


S&W 617 10-shot .22 LR

On the chance that the K-frame sized gun is too heavy or the grip is too big, the J-Frame .22 LR could make an acceptable substitute for an accurate shooter.

S&W Model 63, 6-shot .22 LR (small J-Frame)

For some people, the recoil of the .32 S&W Long is all they can handle. While not a very formidiable cartridge, the guns look like small .38's. It's easy to make well placed shots with a .32 Long and follow it up with a couple more very fast.


S&W Model 31's in .32 S&W Long.

The .32 H&R Magnum has about the same recoil but with a much louder "bark". It sends an 85-98 gr pill downrange at 1100fps which puts it just above the .380 ACP in power.

S&W 432PD Centennial 6-shot, .32 H&R Magnum

Then there are the ubiquitous K-Frame revolvers. Probably the most suitable will be some form of a K-frame if she's 5'5" and average build (115-135 lbs). The smaller "magna" grips (see bottom snubby below) may suit her fine, but there is a large line of aftermarket grips available. A .38 Special loaded with wadcutters for low-recoil practice will allow training someone who startles easily to get used to the gun. Progressive practice with a few faster rounds and then later some +P should help her quite a bit.


S&W K-Frame Revolvers in .38 Special and .357 Magnum

The challenge with a .38 caliber revolver will be finding a defensive load that she is comfortable enough shooting and will build her confidence. A simple 158gr semi-wadcutter round might be all she needs.

Statistically, the sight of an armed person usually changes the attitude of most predators. Unfortunately there are still jerkwads in the world who don't believe a woman could really use it. This is where consistent training and practice comes in. Use of B27 silhoutte targets and both single and double-tap drills that are on target helps boost that confidence.

Good luck and let us know what happens!
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Old 09-15-2008, 7:03 PM
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I have trained my Ex and my cousin both with the Glock 17. The size of the grip seemed to fit both very well.They are both petite ladies that work in an office.
The centerline of the bore on the
Glocks is very close to the top of the hand, which reduces the muzzle flip. My Ex by her third lesson could hit 5 bowling pins at 25 feet in under 5.5 seconds.
Get a Ciener 22 top end for the Glock, for her first practice sessions. 22s are alot cheaper than 9s and alot of fun too.
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Old 09-15-2008, 8:14 PM
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Better the .22 you understand and are comfortable with than the forty-five that confuses and intimidates. You grow into the larger, more complicated, "more effective" guns. Meanwhile, a .22 is a lot louder from the front than it is from behind, and the criminal with a bullet in him probably will become a lot more interested in the location of the nearest emergency room than what he was planning to do to you.
i concur. that is great advice.
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Old 09-15-2008, 9:29 PM
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Wow, BillCA, that's a pretty comprehensive overview of revolver options for my lady, thanks.

Of course I will let you guys know what she choses, and how it all goes. It will be a process over several months so have patience, it will be her first ever firearm...for someone who is skittish around guns. The important thing is that she is willing to learn how to use a very important tool as part of the defense of our home and children. Hopefully she will never have to use it in self defense, but it's better to be prepared.
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Old 09-16-2008, 5:43 AM
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My wife and daughter both have procured my .22's my daughter likes the 6" S&W 10 shot and the wife borrowed my 4" S&W. Now I have to get a new one, Oh woe is me!
I found that they will use what they want and unlike us men go by how it feels not how cool it looks.
Let her choose and you will be happy she is comfortable with what she has.
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Old 09-16-2008, 8:20 PM
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Just a thought. If you handload you can start with a larger caliber gun. I started my granddaughters at ages 6&7 with a S&W Mod. 649. A J frame 38 spcl. with shrouded hammer. I loaded it to the absolute minimum to insure positive ignition and accuracy. They are now 10&11 and handle full power 38's quite well. Next stop; .357!
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Old 09-16-2008, 10:39 PM
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while I think any gun is better than no gun and .22 is prolly the best to start with....but when its all said and done, I would want a bigger caliber and I hope that she starts with a .22 and goes up to at least a .380 or 38, but that's just my opinion. However a .22 is better than no gun at all.
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Old 09-17-2008, 8:18 AM
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To OP,

Have you considered having your wife take a few basic shooting classes with an NRA trainer? They do offer women only classes. They generally don't have to bring a gun as the instructor or range will offer them. There are classroom sessions followed by range time. Very non competitive surrounding.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy her a gun because we (as in hubbies) think it's a cool chick gun. Negotiate with the gun shop/range that rents guns to offer discounts if you buy a new gun from them after the training. Let her pick her own gun.

Oh, taking some form of martial arts training also help in boostering her self confidence.
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Old 09-17-2008, 2:07 PM
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WokMaster,

Great suggestion with the NRA instruction. I don't know why that didn't even occur to me. I'll probably take the class with her as a back-to-basics refresher for me.
And don't worry, she will definitely be choosing her own gun.
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Old 09-20-2008, 7:04 AM
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Check out the article in the current Oct./Nov. issue of G&A Handguns Magazine about the Charter Arms Police Undercover 38 Sp.

Good pistol, good price, easy for a novice to use for HD.
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Old 09-23-2008, 9:17 AM
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Sorry, if this was already said... I don't feel like going through ALL the pages. Take her to a range and have her shoot various guns to see which ones she's comfortable with. I know a lot of people like the glocks because of the weight and feel. I like the weight although I'm petite because it gives me balance. I know weird, huh? I want a Kimber 45.
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Old 09-23-2008, 9:27 AM
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I want a Kimber 45.
I have one and I loooove it. I also have Kimber's .22, fun to have matching ones.

I just adore the way they feel in my hands, not too big, not too much recoil. In fact I want to get a 1911 style grip for one of my OLLs since I like it so much.

http://www.pearcegrip.com/ar15.htm
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Old 09-23-2008, 9:29 AM
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I have one and I loooove it. I also have Kimber's .22, fun to have matching ones.

I just adore the way they feel in my hands, not too big, not too much recoil. In fact I want to get a 1911 style grip for one of my OLLs since I like it so much.

http://www.pearcegrip.com/ar15.htm
Oh that's awesome! Thanks for the link. I want to buy one but after the rifle.
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Old 06-14-2009, 8:19 AM
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Try the smaller frame Glock's after she's spent some time with a .22. I find the Glock 19 and Glock 23 sized frames are a better fit for my hands than the 17 frame.
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Old 06-14-2009, 9:11 AM
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Not a lady either, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

Both my wife and daughter have a lot of difficulties loading rounds into semi auto magazines. My daughter often can't rack the slide, despite pointing her to alternate techniques. Which BTW, you can find a lot of useful info at http://www.corneredcat.com/ .

Both of them like to shoot, but they are not "in" to it enough to want to go more than a couple of times a year, and spend any practice time.

But neither of them have issues with an ancient .22lr revolver of mine. Which has be thinking I have to get a revolver. I'm not a revolver guy, but I got to think about what if I'm not around.
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Old 06-15-2009, 1:24 AM
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Not a lady either, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

Both my wife and daughter have a lot of difficulties loading rounds into semi auto magazines. My daughter often can't rack the slide, despite pointing her to alternate techniques.
:
Both of them like to shoot, but they are not "in" to it enough to want to go more than a couple of times a year, and spend any practice time.

But neither of them have issues with an ancient .22lr revolver of mine. Which has be thinking I have to get a revolver.
Once again the revolver mechanism is much more intuitive for novices and women to understand than a semi-auto. It is entirely manual and does not do anything "automatically" without your input.

It's really hard to go wrong with a 4-inch fixed-sight .38 Special that will handle +P ammo. And it is relatively easy to be competent with this kind of pistol with some moderate dedication to practice.

This S&W Model 10 Military & Police .38 revolver sports a five-inch barrel for added velocity and accuracy, yet has a simplicity about it's operation. At HD distances it has sufficient energy to disable or neutralize an attacker.

S&W Model 10, 5-inch .38 Special circa 1970

At gun shops you might find a "little treasure" in the form of an old Colt that sat in someone's drawer for 30 years or more. For someone who shoots only a little, these are great guns with the benefit that Colts seem to rise in value faster than S&W's.

For smaller hands, a Colt like this Police Positive Special, is a tad bigger than a J-Frame, holds six rounds and is smaller and lighter than a K-Frame.

Colt Police Positive Special, 4-inch .38

For what it's worth, if someone has trouble racking the slide, let them try it with a Beretta 92FS/M9. While this is a large auto, the slide tends to be easier to manipulate than most, especially with the hammer cocked. Throw in a magazine loading tool to make life easier on the ladies' fingernails too.
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