Good range pistol for a small lady

[glbtrottr]

Oh, here we go with women and guns . Small frames don't displace recoil as well as larger frames.

I've been through this conversation sooo maaaany times I can't see straight with new girls / women we take to the range.

"Oh, but it's so small and cute!"

I typically take an LC9, Kahr PM9, Small frame glocks, medium frame glocks (G19, G23), Large frame glocks (G17), and a G34. Also, I take a P239, a P229, and a P226. Lastly we take 3", 4" and 5" kimbers / les baers etc.

First they get to use / fire / get comfortable with a Glock SIRT practice pistol.

They get to shoot a Neos .22 cal, or a Ruger 22/45 first. They may end up also firing a P229 with a .22 conversion kit.

It's almost always the same. The recoil of an airweight or a PM9 or an LC9 is very annoying to them.

Once they move up to a 9mm, .40, .38, or .45, the choice is almost always the same:

They like the medium or large frame Glock 9mm (manageable recoil in a larger frame), or they like the single action .45's. Most find the Sigs heavier; no XD's or Berettas in my house.

[Target-Ed]

Smaller pistols

Probably other posts like this but I couldn't find one quickly that is so similar.

So, the g/f has actually been bringing up wanting to go to the range. She mostly enjoys shooting the 10/22, but that's because we haven't found her a good handgun to shoot yet.

She wants to practice shooting pistol, but my G23 is intimidating for her, maybe a little big in her hands. She's 5'2 and has small hands. The others are bigger, except for the S&W airweight... but it's so short it isn't fun to shoot very long.

I'm looking for something that would fit well in her hands with pretty tame recoil.

Walther P22 is at the top of the list, but only because I'm not sure of any 9mm that are small enough to fit a small hand, yet hefty enough to absorb some of the recoil.

Any other suggestions besides a P22 to make it enjoyable for her to shoot and become more confident with pistols?

One note is she did like my buddy's old 5" 38sp. That seemed to handle fine for her. I'd really like to find a good pistol though so we can have fun taking advanced courses together after she builds some confidence with the pistol.

If a woman likes shooting a 1911, locate a Colt Government .380....the full size 7 rd one not the Mustang. The "baby Government Model" is a scaled down 1911 pattern pistol that handles just like a 1911 w/o a grip safety.

Ed

[9mmepiphany]

If a woman likes shooting a 1911, locate a Colt Government .380....the full size 7 rd one not the Mustang. The "baby Government Model" is a scaled down 1911 pattern pistol that handles just like a 1911 w/o a grip safety.

Ed

While it does handle just like a 1911, there are functional issues specific to that platform...to say nothing of the caliber issues.

If the 1911 platform is the one of choice, I can highly recommend the Springfield EMP as extremely functional and accurate

[dexter9659]

I think you will find there are many single stack 9mm's out there which should be considered. While there are far too many to name them here are a few which I find have a positive end user review: HK P7, Sig 239, or P6/P225, SW 39 series, Ruger LC9, Commander 1911's in 9mm, Kahr PM9 or CW9... that's all I can think of right now.

As for the Sig Mosquito. I have seen waaay to many problems with them for me to ever recommend one. Sure they are inexpensive and there are plenty of them out there that shoot, but I see more Mosquitos returned for repairs (per gun sold) than any other 22. That new GSG 1911 .22 on the other hand is a very nice pistol, especially for the price. Plus unlike the Mosquito, it shoots just fine on bulk ammo and does not require expensive CCI minimag ammo to cycle reliably.

[raymartrading]

What about a Sig p6/225? Yes its a tad heavy, but it soaks up recoil. Thin, small, and you can tell the backstory about how this pistol was carried around by German Bundespolizei.

[VL221]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

S&W 22A

[Xtracrispy]

I have not had any problems with my Sig Mosquito. I really like it, and so does my GF. I had a couple FTE/FTF's when using some old ammo(unknown brand), but it shoots fine with everything I have. Mini-mags, Remington Thunderbolts, Remington Subsonics, Aguila 60gr SSS, Federal, and Winchester Wildcats.

I would recommend it, not intimidating at all, affordable, fun and cheap to shoot.

[verapakill]

My wife just bought a Glock 36 single stack .45cal and she handles it very good.

She also likes to shoot my .380 body guard.

[loose_electron]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

S&W 22A

I've got one with the larger wood grips.
Easy to disassemble and clean.
Works well, fires any form of ammunition, bulk bricks, etc.
No problems with FTF/FTE issues.