There are several important characteristics to look for when choosing a self-defense handgun. Posted on 10/20/2017 7:06:33 AM PDT by w1n1
There are several important characteristics to look for when choosing a self-defense handgun.
First, the handgun must be in chambered in a cartridge powerful enough to reliably stop an assailant when the shot is placed properly.
Second, the handgun must comfortably fit the hands of an average woman. This is a very important characteristic to consider because a properly fitting handgun will have less perceived recoil and be more enjoyable to shoot.
Finally, the handgun must be reliable and easy to operate. When trusting your life to a handgun, it must work every time without fail. If it constantly malfunctions at the range, it very well might malfunction when you really need it and that’s completely unacceptable. Here are our picks for the best handguns for women to use for self-defense.
Ruger LC9s (9mm Luger)
This Ruger uses a 7 round single stack magazine, making it very slim and compact. For this reason, the LC9s is well suited for small framed shooters and those wishing to carry it concealed.
Kahr CW9 (9mm Luger)
The design is a very simple without a lot of the bells and whistles, the CW9 is still a formidable choice as a handgun for women. With such a slim design - its good for people with smaller hands.
S&W M&P Bodyguard (.38 Special)
The Bodyguard revolver is the latest in a line of excellent quality revolvers produced by Smith & Wesson. The synthetic grip makes the revolver easy to hold and noticeably reduces recoil. Weighs in just over 14 ounces, the S&W Bodyguard is the lightest handgun on this list of the best self-defense handguns for women. What other handguns would you refer women to?, for women out there, what do you prefer to pack with? that we didn't mention here. See and read the rest of the full description of 6 good self defense handguns for women here.
First, the handgun must be in chambered in a cartridge powerful enough to reliably stop an assailant when the shot is placed properly.
This is Firepower, and I generally agree but I would state it this way: For self defense, you want to use the largest (or most powerful) cartridge you can comfortably handle. In the case of concealed carry, you will have to constrain that by what fits is your carrier (purse, pocket, etc).
Second, the handgun must comfortably fit the hands of an average woman. This is a very important characteristic to consider because a properly fitting handgun will have less perceived recoil and be more enjoyable to shoot.
This is the Fit. No disagreement here. You need to try before you buy, and keep in mind that for many guns today you can swap out grips for better fit.
Finally, the handgun must be reliable and easy to operate.
I think Reliability is a given, and probably deserves its own category, though an experienced shooter will know that reliability is part design, part maintenance and cleaning, and part choice of ammunition.
As for the remaining, Form and Function:
Function is simple here as the premise is this is a woman's self defense gun.
Form refers to semi-auto or revolver. Most new shooters quickly gravitate to liking one over the other. More experienced shooters see the beauty and advantages/disadvantages of both. Assuming one is comfortable with either, consider how you are going to carry. For example, a semi-auto (like a Glock) with no positive safety likely would not be recommended for a pocket pistol or purse arrangement. Better to have that on a holster. For a purse pocket, or jacket pocket, a double action revolver is a great option. No safeties to fumble with and still very safe in the pocket and upon retrieval.
I wont lecture more, but I always enjoy talking guns, so if anyone wants to debate or has a question, "fire" away.
PS - we tell our students, if you are looking to buy a gun, and you walk into a store and the person behind the counter starts the conversation with "I have exactly what you want right here", walk away. That's why if you want to know what I think of a certain type of gun, I will tell you, but I wont ever answer the question "what type of gun should I buy". I will simply turn the question around and start with "First, what do you want to do with it."
FRegards
My wife also has great difficulty with semi-autos for the same reason. But you probably also know that not all semi-autos are the same. My wife can handle and function a Glock 19, but not my XD, and certainly not my 1911’s or M9. The springs are different for each. So if a semi-auto still has your interest, you might as to try some with the lighter springs.
FRegards,
I met my wife in 1978 and started teaching her how to shoot right away. Her favorite pistol was my Colt Gold Cup and she was a fantastic shot.
She now carries a Taurus 24/7 G2 Compact 45ACP. I bought her one in 9mm and she looked at me and said she wanted a 45 so I obliged. She shoots and trains more than enough to use the thumb safety.
"Just point and pull, Honey"
All my self defense handguns are wheelguns. I've have had too many semiauto fails
I have a 238 and except for the safety, its a great little concealed gun. But the safety is only an issue for me because its small in my hand and a bit uncomfortable thumbing the safety. For someone with small hands its probably perfect.
But for the general audience, I always remind folks that any semi-auto requires regular (at least monthly practice), otherwise under stress you are going to fumble or forget things like safeties. If your not going to practice regularly, stay with revolvers.
Wife has a Glock 42...very nice size and feel.
You choice for CC is a good one, no knocking it. However, your note about failures on semi-autos, no good reason for that if the gun is a reputable brand, well maintained, and using good ammunition. I see a lot of problems with semi-autos, and almost 90% are due to folks shooting cheap crappy ammo or reloads, usually from someone other than themselves. The other 10% are maintenance items on the guns like worn/broken extractors or worn springs.
A reload, if not resized properly will stick in the chamber when its supposed to be extracted. A reload with the primer not properly seated can misfire. A reload with incorrect powder charge can squib or cause overpressure. Reputable factory ammunition rarely will have these issues.
S&W Shield
Just a little confused by your statement. For self defense you would always want one in the pipe (no time to rack slide in most cases), but the Glock only has the safe trigger, so you do have to handle appropriately. Recommend not in a pocket or purse, but rather a hard holster with trigger and guard completely covered. What other safeties were you referring too?
The 238 has a heavy trigger pull.
I don’t feel unsafe carrying it with the trigger back...
I presume you meant hammer back.
Locked and cocked like a 1911.
Not recommended since you can go double to single action, but it is the recommended procedure for single action 1911.
Stay safe.
Yes. Hammer.
And you’re correct.
Wish is were double action.
You also corrected me. The 238 is single action.
I got the one I have for my daughter and she has been away to college now for a year so the gun has been in the safe for awhile. I forgot it is single action. :)
Ya, my Gold Cup is tricked out for competition, so everybody loves to shoot it.
Not much for concealed carry though.....
The training I refer to is “stress situation”, which is difficult training to find, especially with the frequency required.
Most of the guys I know don’t use the safety for that reason.
That’s why I qualified my statement noting that women are not usually comfortable carrying w safety off.
My wife really likes her XDE as well. Very nice gun.
“My Lady can’t rack any semiauto.”
Any semi auto? ANY? I recommend she never shot because she will not be able to hold the gun safely. Or better yet, get some training on how to rack semi autos better. Men usually teach it in a way that does not work for many women. There are a lot easier techniques that should work on most autos for anyone with the grip strength to safely handle a gun.
If they are going to carry a weapon in their purse a S&W Jframe .38spl. either the model 36, 637 or 642 are excellent choices along with the light weight Ruger version or if you can find one a Colt Detective Special which gives you six rounds instead of the five in the other snubbies.
If they want an automatic the Ruger LCP, S&W Shield, Glock 42 or SIG P238 are excellent choices. But if they can’t rack the slide that becomes an issue. Either you can or can’t. If you have someone chamber a round for you and you carry that is okay to a point. What happens if you get a jam and have to clear the weapon and can’t, then you have a nice hunk of metal to throw at a would be goblin.
In either case revolver or automatic, get a good holster, even if it is purse carry. Keys and other things can knock safety’s off on auto’s and get caught in triggers on revolvers. A trigger covering holster should be used at all times.
If the weapon is going to be for home defense or left in your glove box I recommend a four inch barrel S&W, Ruger, or Colt .357 magnum, loaded with self-defense .38spl rounds. I am partial to the Model 19 S&W’s or the Model 66 S&W in stainless. The heavier magnum will feel much tamer with the .38spl loads. And if they are going to carry, practice and get some basic weapons handling training.
My wife keeps a Glock 17 with two full JHP’s filled magazines in her vehicle and when she carries a piece on her it’s a Model 36 S&W or a Firestar 9mm auto.
I carry the Kahr CW9. No safety on that guy.... just a long long trigger pull.
Revolvers are The Good choice.
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