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Recommendations for handgun for petite woman?

Posted on 11/02/2009 7:25:03 AM PST by missycocopuffs

Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a handgun for a petite woman (me...5'2", 110lbs). Have used a small semi-automatic years ago, not sure of caliber. FIL worries that I might lack strength for semi-auto; I worry that loading bullets under pressure vs. loading ammo clip would waste precious time.

Just curious what the ladies here are using? Going to gun range tonight and I think I will have the opportunity to handle a few different guns. Would like input to maybe weed out some choices that would be inappropriate for my size/needs.

Another question: we currently have no handguns in the house. If we could purchase only one gun for self-defense, what would be a good choice that balances stopping power AND ease of use for both me and my husband? Also, a gun that I enjoy taking to the range to actually *practice* shooting is a huge plus. /grin

Thanks in advance, Missy


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: banglist; gun; handgun; selfdefense
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To: missycocopuffs

Ruger SP101. With the wide choices available in .38 special ammo you’ll be able to shoot it until you’re 100, and then pass it on to your great-granddaughter.


101 posted on 11/02/2009 3:56:18 PM PST by OKSooner ("He's quite mad, you know." - Sean Connery to Honor Blackman in "Goldfinger".)
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To: Armedanddangerous

380 ammo is not too plentiful here (Western Kentucky). I have yet to find my favorite gun store completely out. They always seem to keep 3 or 4 boxes on the shelf and I grab a box when I see them.

Whittaker Guns (Owensboro, KY) usually has them (my fav gun store)

Gander mtn has them at times

Dick’s - I’ll check tomorrow when I’m over in Evansville, IN

Very seldom see them at Wal-Mart, if at all

I went to Rural King today to grab a few boxes of CCI 22LR for the Smith and Wesson M&P AR-15-22 and I bought the last box.

I love that AR15-22.. Put 100 rounds thru it yesterday - that makes 200 rounds so far with ZERO hangs and misfire.

Time for a shower and some football.


102 posted on 11/02/2009 3:57:55 PM PST by airdalechief
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To: missycocopuffs
cocopuffs;

I skipped the 100+ comments w/o reading probably some good information, much not worth what you (didn't) pay for.

As an NRA instructor, life long firearms enthusiast and a recently retired Army type, I recommend you do exactly what you said you were doing-go try out a few, then I recommend you obtain professional training from a reputable entity (NRA instructors are usually a good place to start for basics)like Lethal Force Institute, Gunsight, Chapman Academy etc for what you really need.

Remember, obtaining a firearm and shooting it a few times is not even close to what you need to be able to effectively employ it in a fight for your life....

The skills you need in terms of fighting mindset far exceed the fit and style of your firearms(s).

Firearms are only one aspect of the tool kit you need.

Regards

103 posted on 11/02/2009 4:31:42 PM PST by Manly Warrior (US ARMY (Ret) "No Free Lunches for the Dogs of War")
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To: ExSoldier
Same method we used to teach a friend of mine who was deserted by her husband and left with three children in a not so nice neighborhood. Classic liberal, but mother tiger love trumps politics every time.

We started her with the S&W Model 41 .22 target pistol and worked our way up. Funniest thing was when she shot my Combat Commander, put five rounds in the target, then looked at me and grinned and yelled "This is FUN!"

She didn't like the .41 Mag very much though. Very small woman with tiny hands.

104 posted on 11/02/2009 5:34:34 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary - (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother
We started her with the S&W Model 41 .22 target pistol...

That is one incredible little pistol! We used them in competition when I was on the 9th ID Pistol team. Match grade pistols and ammo made for sweeeeet shootin'!

105 posted on 11/02/2009 7:59:14 PM PST by ExSoldier (Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.)
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To: ExSoldier

Yup. Feed it Eley match ammo and you could take out a flea’s left eye.


106 posted on 11/02/2009 8:05:24 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary - (recess appointment))
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To: missycocopuffs

What ever you choose, make sure you can operate all the functions.

I’m missing my left thumb, so I have some of the same difficulties a person with smaller hands would have operating a semi-auto pistol. I’ve found that with a firm grip on the slide, I can cycle the slide by pushing the receiver forward with my right hand. It is important to make sure your finger is not on the trigger.

Also, don’t get seduced by the idea of a light weapon. Weight absorbs recoil, so you will have a better chance to make a follow-up shot. A tiny, pocket pistol will have both higher recoil and by design, a heavier recoil spring, making the slide more difficult to operate.

Check out the Browning HP. With aftermarket grips, it can accommodate small hands, the slide isn’t overly heavy and with a little work, the trigger is very nice. 9mm can be a very effective load and it is easy to make accurate follow-up shots.


107 posted on 11/02/2009 8:18:26 PM PST by MediaMole
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To: missycocopuffs

Missy,

My wife is 5’4” and 110. She has may firearms but carries a S&W 642 and/or a KAHR PM9.

I recommend that you go to a gun store and find one that fits your hand and is comfortable for you.

There is a lot of folks that consider a .380 a minimum caliber, and I would agree and recommend a .38 special or 9mm, but get one you can shoot. A .22 you can hit with is better than a .45 you miss with. That being said, My wife also loves her full size .45 (and she has small hands, half the size of mine), but thinks it is too heavy to carry all day long.

In order of caliber preference (least effective to most)

.25 acp (a rock is more effective
.22 lr (better than most people give it credit for)
.32 ACP
.380 ACP
.38 Special
9 mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
.357 Mag
10 mm

Lots of others, but these are the major players.

Bottom line - get a gun that fits YOU, in a caliber that you can hit with. Larger caliber is better.


108 posted on 11/02/2009 9:27:13 PM PST by RetiredNavy ("Only accurate firearms are interesting")
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To: missycocopuffs

Drop your preconceptions about your petite size limiting what you can shoot or carry.

Go to a range with training and gun rentals, and try a variety. The big guns will be more comfortable to shoot that the small ones, but you just need to learn to shoot first.

And first, buy a copy of Boston’s Gun Bible. Even if you need only 10% of what’s in it now, you’ll get valuable info you’d never get online.


109 posted on 11/03/2009 6:07:42 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Why not "interpret" your tax returns like the Supreme Court "interprets" the Constitution?)
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To: RetiredNavy

Thank you for the run down on caliber effectiveness. Last night at class I used a S & W .22 semi-auto and I was pleased that I was able to manage the slide easily on that one. My DH and I talked about going down to the gun range this week to rent a few different pistols to get a feel for what I prefer. Next week we will be using .38s in class.

I was pleased and surprised that there was a good ‘girl vibe’ to the class. The video we were shown had a woman home alone who decided to take a gun class as its subject. About twenty-six people in our class, four of whom were women (we were all there with our spouses). Instructors were great, all retired military or LEOs, and basically I had my own private shooting instructor when we went to the range. It was a fantastic experience.


110 posted on 11/03/2009 6:43:50 AM PST by missycocopuffs
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To: Beelzebubba
Drop your preconceptions about your petite size limiting what you can shoot or carry.

I already have :-) I just assumed that because of my small frame I would be limited in what I could handle...y'all set me straight on that one.

I will check out Boston's Gun Bible. Thanks.
111 posted on 11/03/2009 6:47:29 AM PST by missycocopuffs
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To: missycocopuffs

any lighweight .38 revolver....Smith and Wesson and Taurus make excellent choices..

my wife has an SW 642PD in .38 which will handle premium loads...weighs only 15 oz


112 posted on 11/03/2009 6:51:37 AM PST by wardaddy (folks, these freepathons are taking too long tightwads, shame on us in front of the kooks)
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To: China Clipper

I have this gun with pink handle grips, of course I’m a girl. My husband laughs at me, but says a big bad man who comes after me won’t think its too funny getting shot with a “Barbie Gun”.


113 posted on 11/03/2009 6:51:47 AM PST by kacres
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To: China Clipper

I think this is what my FIL has, and I might be using his gun next week. Thanks.


114 posted on 11/03/2009 7:06:16 AM PST by missycocopuffs
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To: missycocopuffs

Mrs Wobbly is smaller than you and handles a .45.

picking a good grip and pistol is almost as important as good training and good practice.

If that doesn’t work, the .357 S & W Ti is a good choice-(experiment with different aftermarket grips) practice with .38s and carry/fight with a .357 round (it takes both)


115 posted on 11/03/2009 11:57:17 AM PST by WOBBLY BOB (ACORN:American Corruption for Obama Right Now)
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To: missycocopuffs

Find a good .32 revolver. LEOs relied on them for decades.


116 posted on 11/03/2009 12:01:45 PM PST by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: missycocopuffs

You are more than welcome. If I still lived in michigan I’d invite you out to try a few things. As it is, I see that you are being well taken care of.


117 posted on 11/03/2009 5:00:51 PM PST by RetiredNavy ("Only accurate firearms are interesting")
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