[Richard Kimball]

I'm think of something around a 9mm or a .357 with a .38 load in a revolver, but not something as small as a Lady Smith. A slightly larger handgun in a smaller caliber seems to have less kick. We have not had many zombie infestations in the area, so a 12 gauge isn't necessary. I'm particularly interested in the revolver, semi-auto aspect. I think she'd be comfortable with a revolver, but would it be prudent to get a semi-auto in order to get the additional legal right to carry either? Any thoughts appreciated.

[Arrowhead1952]

I forgot to mention we shot only .45 M1911s.

[basil]

What part of Texas is she in?

In April, I will be holding a “Ladies Learn to Shoot Day” near Austin where we will have about 60 guns of many calibers that she can try out. We furnish guns, ammo, and one on one NRA qualified shooting instructors. The course lasts half a day on a private range, all for the kingly sum of $35.

[Uri’el-2012]

Beginners should start with NRA Certified training

I would recommend training
from an NRA Certified Instructor in

Refuse to be a victim
NRA training for women
Basic pistol
Personal protection in the home
and the newly released
Personal protection outside the home

NRA Gun Safety Rules

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

[353FMG]

>>She is relatively small, so please no suggestions for .45s, .50 Desert Eagles, etc.<<

.
Get a .45 before you get the “tiny” 9 mm Rohrbaugh. The latter is a cute and well made gun but will try to separate your hand from the rest of your body every time you pull the trigger.

[Postman]

If she has the strength and dexterity to work the slide on a semi, that would be preferable to give her the broadest choices. If that’s a problem, I would go with a .38 revolver. My wife also has trouble racking the slide on a semi but she likes my .357 Taurus tracker wheel gun with a 4” ported barrel that shoots seven .38 specials. The ports reduce the recoil; the 4” barrel allows for better aim and I replaced the original tickler grips with Hogue which further cuts the recoil. If she feels uniquely and regularly threatened, I would go with the revolver. They always do what they’re supposed to.

[Little Ray]

Beretta .380 ACP; I think its called a “Cougar.” Or something similar but cheaper. Find an ammo that feeds well and run a couple of boxes through it, before she tests.

The .380 ACP is easy to shoot, even in DA. Its a bit wimpy, but carrying a gun and being able to shoot it comfortably and accurately is more important than carrying a really large caliber.

Also, from what I understand, that clears her for using revolvers, too, if she want to get something larger.

[meadsjn]

If she tests with a revolver, her carry permit is only good for a revolver.

Does TX allow testing with both a revolver and pistol? If so, I'd recommend both a 9mm and .38/357, and lots of practice with both.

I'd really hate a driver license that's only good for a GM vehicle.

[Lockbar]

A Smith and Wesson “J” frame .38 special is the way to go for a gal for her first handgun. Very easy to learn to use. Smaller than the “K” frame on which probably 75% of Smith and wessons are built. The “J” frame series will only hold 5 rounds, but that is more than likely enough. I believe automatics are problematic for most first time gun buyers, so I try to dissuade them from that style of gun. They can graduate to automatics later on. Training is everything, and also is the willingness to use the gun if the moment arises. Nothing worse then somebody holding a gun and shaking with fear. The predators will then know they might have the upper hand.

[OldMissileer]

Taurus PT111 Millenium Pro (Stainless).

A 9mm with a real safety and a very good price point.

I own Colts, S&Ws, Rugers, Dan Wessons, and Taurus’ and I have to say I like the Taurus’ because they are a very good quality and the prices do not make you have to take out a second mortgage.

My wife, 5'2” high and skinny, always enjoyed shooting my different versions of my Colt 45 ACPs and so I just bought her a Taurus PT145 Millennium Pro Stainless, the 45 ACP version of the PT111 I recommend to you. We have gone to the range several times and she really likes it, and as I wrote, she is a petite woman. Then again, she has a ball shooting my S&W Model 29, 44 Magnum.

[JoeFromSidney]

After my wife had shoulder surgery and could no longer handle her Ruger .357 Magnum, I bought her a Bersa .380. Small, reasonable recoil, shoots to point of aim. She's very happy with it. I like it myself, but still carry my 1911.

[xone]

Ruger SP 101. If she has shot before, she can handle this w/.357 mag. My 110# 15 yr old niece shoots like a pro with this.

[Joe 6-pack]

Ruger SP101 in .327 Magnum sound about right for the young lady. Yep...I said “.327 Magnum”, not “.357”. It’s a relatively new loading from Federal.

[Billthedrill]

Lots of good advice on the thread. If I could add my $0.02, as a small guy who's trained a number of woman shooters, frankly, size really doesn't matter, training does. The real difficulty is that you're going to have to find a sweet spot between two ends of the continuum when you're talking about concealed firearms - small and concealable means that more energy is transferred back to the shooter. Large and easily manageable (yes, large firearms ARE more easily manageable when you're talking about a follow-up shot) is less concealable and a pain to carry.

Best advice is to let her try as many firearms as you can. She'll know when the right one is in her hand. Until then, and knowing what little I do about her, I'm guessing your safest bet is, as others have said, a small .38 revolver. You have to be able to train with what you carry or it's just a lump of metal, and some very fine concealment firearms are not much fun to train with - lots of muzzle blast, muzzle flip, and stiff slide springs if you're talking a semiauto. And some really aren't built with a lot of repetitive firing in mind.

Look into some leather for her. Loose carry in a purse is a dumb idea - if you need to draw down you don't want to be fishing around in the hundred items of crap (sorry, ladies) that are to be found in the average purse - since one of these is generally a wad of Kleenex, you're going to find that and other lint in the barrel. Get her a purse with a separate compartment at the very least. Most training courses require some sort of holster anyway (usually it's one into which you can re-holster the piece one-handed). Budget for a belt and some leather even if it isn't what she'll be normally using.

Have her take classes. Not just the minimal requirements, but good, basic combat handgun classes that will familiarize her with things like weak-hand shooting and tactical reloading. And practice, practice, practice, and then more practice.

Oh, and you know what else? Get her some amplified earmuffs. It'll cut down on her flinching and help her hear her instructor. Hearing protection is absolutely vital and it's no place to economize.

Small enough to carry, big enough to shoot comfortably, that's what you're looking for, or rather that's what she's looking for. You can't make the decision for her. Best of luck!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

My suggestion would ask your CHL instructor to use one of
his self loaders as you must score 175 out of 250 in fifty
shots and different distance with both rapid fire and slow
fire to qualify.

He will provide the ammunition at cost so you are not
locked into one caliber and can spent more time selecting
the weapon that fits your hand and where you carry it.

[sockmonkey]

Walther PPS in a 9mm. It’s way smoother than my 642 revolver. My instructor doesn’t think anyone should test for their CHL with a revolver as then you are stuck only carrying a revolver.

BTW, on another thread ex-soldier posted a link to http://www.crossbreedholsters.com which has a holster called the minituck for the pps.

Diamondback firearms has a little .380 that is new to the market. It’s really concealable. They are flying off the shelves around here. It’s called a DB380. Very portable weapon.

[smokingfrog]

Kahr PM40

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

.357 with a .38 load in a revolver, but not something as small as a Lady Smith. A slightly larger handgun in a smaller caliber seems to have less kick.
~~~
I was gunna say that !,,,;0)

Buy her a new S and W in the box so it will be “Her” gun,,,

A .22 is great for the range,,,

Even cheeeper than .38’s to learn on,,,

Firing a pistol is all “Hand~Eye”,,,

“Point-N-Shoot” in a close range situation,,,(5-10 yards),,,

This is where the .357 Mag. round comes in,,,

1 round center-mass will stop most bad guys,,,

I would add Hogue grips,,,

Bianchi thumb-break holster,,,

At least 1 speed-loader,,,

And,,,

A,,,

BOOK ?,,,

Yup,,,

“No Second Place Winner” by Bill Jordan (RIP),,,

He was a friend of my Dad’s and gave me some pointers

back in my younger days...;0)

Good Shootin’...

[Shooter 2.5]

The Texas Concealed Carry Class requires a caliber of .32 or larger. You already know of the semi/revolver restrictions.

Keep in mind a revolver fired in a self defense scenario would probably be fired in double action. It would be much harder to hit with a revolver due to the long trigger pull.

Every person carrying a concealed weapon should be aware of Jeff Coopers four safety rules:

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEHIND IT