[SnakeDoctor]

Lots of shops have ranges where you can rent weapons to try them out.

People seem to like shotguns for home defense. I don’t actually have a shotgun, though.

For an all-purpose handgun, get a 9mm — Glock, Walther, S&W, Heckler & Koch. My personal choice is the HK P30. A little expensive, but extremely reliable.

I like .45s a lot — particularly 1911s — but, since you’re getting one for the both of you, get a 9mm instead. The .45 is just not a womens’ caliber — too much bang for her small frame. My wife doesn’t like the .45 at all.

Good luck.

SnakeDoc

[Disambiguator]

The .45 is just not a womens’ caliber

My soon-to-be 16 year old daughter begs to differ. She knows her way around a 1911.

[jboot]

Tolerance for recoil is difficult to predict and isn't always related to build or sex. Some small women can shoot .45s all day, and some large men will complain about the recoil after just one mag.

A real deal-breaker for anyone are the sharply checkered grips common on older handguns. Even shooting a .380 can get tedious if the grips are biting. I mind shooting a checkered .38 far more than shooting a smooth .45. I guess you eventually get used to it, or get gloves.

[OldMissileer]

The .45 is just not a womens’ caliber — too much bang for her small frame. My wife doesn’t like the .45 at all.

My wife is 5'2" and 112lbs. She picked out a 45 ACP Compact for her conceal carry pistol. Back when I met her in 1978 the first pistol she fired was my Colt 1911. she never looked back.

My daughter, 5'6" and 100lbs, also picked a compact 45 ACP. It seems the women in my family not only can handle but also like the larger calibers.