[ExSoldier]

Speaking as an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor with 20+ years of experience I can definitively say that size of the individual has just ZERO to do with this discussion. I taught my daughter to shoot when she was ten. Started off on a 22LR and by the time she was 13 (LITTLE GIRL, too!) she was a bullsyse shooter with a 357 magnum. Her little friend down the street was a "preemie" baby. Her dad (recently passed away) was one of my instructor buddies. That little girl with the spindly arms and legs was a bullseye shooter with a 44 magnum by the time she was 15. For her sweet 16 she brought down a 400 pound wild boar in central Florida with said 44. That pig fed over 35 guests at the restaurant that cooked it up for us. Sweet 16!

My wife is another example. VERY first date? To church. Second date? To the range. Although she'd been raised as a USMC brat and around guns, I still taught her and she immediately lusted after my beloved 1911A1 45ACP. To keep the family peace (piece?) I had to buy her her own Commander 45.

If you are properly instructed there is no reason you can't shoot any caliber you choose. That is a personal choice based on your hand configuaration and what simply "feels right" in your grip. Pay no attention to folks who give specific caliber and brand recommendations unless they're your family. I think the freepers I've pinged would agree with my assessment. I usually take my "client" to a gun show as I did this past weekend and let her handle a plethora of firearms. When she finds the "right one" she will EXCLAIM this is the one! And she'll be correct as sure as the boy King drew the sword from the stone. You just know it feels right. Size is irrelevant as is caliber as long as it's not too small to be decisive in a fight for your life. To that other factors come into play like age related medical conditions or current physical disabilities, etc. But fo a normal healthy female adult there are no options off the table.

[JesusBmyGod]

ping - good suggestions for which gun might be best for me.

[LoneStarC]

A lot of good previous advice. Consider a hammerless .38 revolver. You might also want to consider a simi-auto in 9mm or 40 S&W, but first go to a good shop/range and try both. If you decide on simi-auto you will need more training to be comfortable, but if novice should get good training anyway.

Ladies are welcomed and respected by the pro-gun crowd. And it is sincere, like you were their sister.

[ExSoldier]

PING!!!!

[roses of sharon]

Bookmarking.

[07Jack]

Check out the line of .410 Buckshot Derringers from Bond Arms. My favorite model is the Ranger, awesome self defense gun, you can score 10 hits with 2 shots.

http://www.bondarms.com/index.php

[Slings and Arrows]

Dear Missy,

Not this one.

[Revolting cat!]

[School of Rational Thought]

The first requirement of selecting a firearm is it must go bang when wanted.

Best thing to do is what you are doing, trying out as many firearms as possible.

There are many, many factors to consider. One that should not be forgotten is that the firearm may have to be used in an emergency when you will lose fine motor skills.

Factors should include (not a complete list):

Intended use of pistol
Price and budget
Availability and price of ammunition
Pistol fit and ergonomics
Size/weight
Recoil
Simplicity of operation and ease of cleaning
Reputation of manufacturer
Reliability record of the make and model
Warranty or guarantee
Availability of repair or aftermarket parts

Firearms that are bought with the idea of mulitiple use using end with the purchase of other firearms. Determine your priority use and make your purchase for it.

Be aware that the best firearm for you may not be the best for your husband.

NRA Instructor (and I teach basic pistol and a handsome devil)

[OKSooner]

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.

[Manly Warrior]

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

[MediaMole]

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.

[RetiredNavy]

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.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

[wardaddy]

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

[WOBBLY BOB]

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)

[wtc911]

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