Daughter wants handgun

[Puckinhead]

Hi all, My daughter is 21 and just moved to Anchorage. She is wanting to purchase her first handgun. Her experience is very limited as she had zero interest until now. Limited means she has only shot my Glock 19 a few times along with a rifle a few times. She loves hiking and going alone with her dog in the outdoors of Alaska.

I have told her that the dog and bear spray are her best defense against bears and moose. There is also a possible threat of the two legged kind. My question is, would a 9mm be useless or would it offer some kind of protection and/or confidence in the wild? I am not sure she could handle a larger caliber...

I also told her to go and visit a gun shop and rent some different handguns to see what she may like. What say the sometimes great minds of calguns?

[finsfan21]

A carried 9mm (because its comfortable) is better than a .44 left at home.
Anchorage is a pretty big city and I would be far more concerned with 2 legged predators than 4 unless I was out of the city.
Whatever she is most comfortable carrying and shooting would be the first 2 criteria for me.

[golfish]

Hi all, My daughter is 21 and just moved to Anchorage. She is wanting to purchase her first handgun. Her experience is very limited as she had zero interest until now. Limited means she has only shot my Glock 19 a few times along with a rifle a few times. She loves hiking and going alone with her dog in the outdoors of Alaska.

I have told her that the dog and bear spray are her best defense against bears and moose. There is also a possible threat of the two legged kind. My question is, would a 9mm be useless or would it offer some kind of protection and/or confidence in the wild? I am not sure she could handle a larger caliber...

I also told her to go and visit a gun shop and rent some different handguns to see what she may like. What say the sometimes great minds of calguns?

Maybe a 10mm or .357

[IronsightsRifleman]

Women who own guns but don't know how to use them are downright frightening. So, my thoughts are:
Whatever gun she is most comfortable with.
Have her get some good introductory training and promise to keep in regular practice (at least once a month at the range).

[Puckinhead]

I was thinking maybe 10mm. Yes I also agree that training and being comfortable are two requirements.

[ProRoad]

You nailed it with "I also told her to go and visit a gun shop and rent some different handguns to see what she may like" Find something she likes and can rack. Just don't get that tiny Sig P238 like all the ladies in my family. (CA options) Its too small to be safe. I want a 10mm for that bear encounter myself, but understand that a 9mm may be just what she needs.

[Grobie]

Women who own guns but don't know how to use them are downright frightening. So, my thoughts are:
Whatever gun she is most comfortable with.
Have her get some good introductory training and promise to keep in regular practice (at least once a month at the range).

People* I've seen more men mishandling a firearm than I have women.

[Puckinhead]

People* I've seen more men mishandling a firearm than I have women.

Haha yes that is very true. Women seem to listen and take advice (sometimes!). Where men say I know what I am doing, but reality is they know neither jack nor shiat.

[Robotron2k84]

There have been a few brown bear attacks in Anchorage Borough in the past few months to years. The recent attack against a service member at the landfill between Anchorage and Eagle River is just the latest. They can be found along the inlets and in centennial park along the east side of the city, too.

We all joke about it, but practical minimum for a handgun is .44mag with hard cast or sintered copper projectiles, for bear. 10mm equals .41mag (nominally, or more depending on load) so .44mag generally has more punch, but you lose capacity in a wheel gun.

Rifle or shotgun with slugs is better, and the dog will do its fair share, but any time living around bears you should be prepared for the worst, even when just out and about.

Whatever she chooses, even repellant, get training to learn how to use what she has.

Last time I was up there, Bass Pro had decent pricing on their guns.

Also I don’t remember off-hand, but I think it’s 60 days residency before you can purchase as a resident, and need to have an AK driver’s license.

She should also get her concealed carry permit, even though AK is constitutional carry. AK permits are good in more states than any other permit, 38 states IIRC.

[Rob454]

In city…I would get a FN5/7. I like the 20 round capacity
In the wild 44 magnum would be my starting point

Tell her to find a GOOD instructor that deals with female trainees. Not jsut some jackbooted commando wanna be special forces dude. A real instructor that has multiple years of weapons experience. When my wife took her gun safety class i took her to one that was specifically for women only

[racinjason233]

I agree with women only training. It seems less intimidating when speaking with another from Venus.

1 prefer 16 rounds of 10mm over 6 of 44 mag. I carry a G20. Glock 29 is my pick for her. She can train with hundreds of .40 caliber and shoot a mag of Barnes or similar at the end of every session to stay proficient.

[Puckinhead]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes very good points. Her best friend up there (female) is in the AF and has some friends who are in the security force. Not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing. But instruction is key in my mind.

[Robotron2k84]

I agree with women only training. It seems less intimidating when speaking with another from Venus.

1 prefer 16 rounds of 10mm over 6 of 44 mag. I carry a G20. Glock 29 is my pick for her. She can train with hundreds of .40 caliber and shoot a mag of Barnes or similar at the end of every session to stay proficient.

[tawadc95]

You buy what will meet the intended criteria that you can shoot accurately and operate all the controls without changing master grip.
Comfortable doesn’t always fit into that equation immediately until you grasp what your handguns purpose is and can see results on paper begin to happen, suddenly a gun can start to be more comfortable.
Not saying comfort is never important but making a gun that doesn’t fail run is the top criteria for saving your life.
My take on men or women and safety is anyone who doesn’t commit mental and physical time to safety is unsafe at some point.
Glad you taught her well!!

[Mandalorian]