Ladies & Gentlemen: Any other recommendations? Do you disagree with anything on this list or wish something else had been included?
I carry a Smith and Wesson 38 Police Special. Does the job just right for me. I have a Taurus *Lady Gun* but I still prefer the 38.
There are no guns for guys.
There are guns.
There are people.
People with all sizes and shapes of hands.
People with widely varied tolerance for mechanical complexity.
People with widely varied physical strength.
The question is not "What's a good gun for a girl?" or "What's a good gun for a guy?"
The question is "What's the right gun for YOU?"
I can't answer that for you. Neither can Captain Keyboard Commando.
Only YOU can find the right gun for YOU, and that by trying.
An experienced shooter or instructor can help.
That's best done in person.
BDA .380 with Packmyr grips.
Bump
Ruger SP101 or GP100 if your hands are big enough. The LCR also is available in .357 Magnum.
By the way some women can’t use an automatic, as they don’t have the strength to rack the slide.
Nice selection and I do not disagree with anything! For a few more ounces (23), a lady might consider the Steyr M-9, a fine-shooting and accurate piece, and with those great Triangle/Trapazoid sights..
I carry a Beretta Tomcat in .32cal loaded with Glaser Safeties and Hydra-shocks with two mags. I like it because it’s double action.
Well, 5 minutes before I saw this post, I introduced my 21 year old daughter to our home defense weapon, the Springfield XD 9mm subcompact. Pointing, wieght, balance, safety features and shooting all seemed fine.
However, she was completely unable to rack the slide. If she needs the second magazine, she’s hosed. She’s 5’ 6”, normal body build, college student who doesn’t get enough exercise. My wife is ever more petite. So, for that gun, while it will fire just fine for a woman, don’t expect them to be able to rack a new round unless they go the gym regularly.
I disagree with the Glock 19 for women. I love the guy and carried one on duty. Its not a purse gun. The grip is pretty large and it is heavy with all those rounds.
My wife has 3 off that list.
Another one good pick is a Bersa .380
As already posted, there are guns to fit every hand; semi-autos and revolvers in large frames and small , in dozens of calibres.
The best way to pick is to find the heaviest calibre you are comfortable with the best feel for your hand ( points the best).
The .380 autos, 9mm’s, and .38 Specials make very good guns for women as well as for men.
New advances in ammunition make all of these guns effective for self defense.
I got my sister a Bersa “thunder” .380 acp.
It rates as one of the best buys, points well, has 8 shots
and a smooth trigger.
The newer CorBon 80 grn. “DPX” round makes this a thumbs up.
The Ruger LCP would be very hard for some women to rack the slide. I recommend the Taurus 709 Slim. 1 inch thick, light weight, and 7+1 rounds of 9mm.
Is there a similar list for guys? Now that we have a baby, my wife and I are looking to pick up our first handgun for home protection, and although neither of us are huge, neither of us are what you would call petite either. She wouldn’t even look at a compact sized gun, but as beginners, I don’t think we should be picking up anything too heavy or complicated. Anybody have a good link for advice on picking up your first handgun?
You guys can go for slick and guy-cool if you want, but they're not what I want my wife to have.
#1 380 or better
#2 Frame mounted safety, additional locking feature if desired
#3 SA/DA if possible
#4 profile, weight and feel fit for smaller hand
#5 Good, smooth action with not much force needed to chamber a round if needed.
To me a good revolver is also an option. My choice was a Beretta 85FS with frame safety and decocker in .380 and in-line mag for a small hand. With DRTs in 380, it is deadly. PS. I had a Taurus PT111 that had these features but the sumbitch dropped the mag every time it was fired. Sold it quick - never again.
Anyone checked one of new Kimber Solo’s?
I carry a Colt Python .357 snubnose and an extra speedloader. My first carry firearm was a SP101, which is a great gun and easy to carry, but it just never spun my wheels. The first time I held a Python, I was hooked. I have the gun in 3 different barrel lengths, and it is a great gun to shoot .38 ammo too. With the weight of the Python frame, shooting .38 is like plinking with a pellet gun. For personal protection I do shoot the full meal deal ... hollow point .357
My wife, a little 112 pounder, likes her Kimber Ultra Carry .45 auto with the Crimson Trace.
My wife loves “the Judge” and so do I for home defense. Can’t go wrong with 5 rounds of the new Federal ammo...
“Do you disagree with anything on this list or wish something else had been included?”
My wife does not like the Ruger LCP much at all. Sights are way too minimal—basically a slot down the top of the barrel. She has a very hard time putting rounds on target with it and she’s a shooting instructor. She likes the Springfield .40 caliber a lot.
Ruger SP101.