first time gun buyer

[rhall]

I would have her look at a Ruger sp101 in .357 mag. not for the mag. but she can train with a wide variety of Ammo....38 wadcutter on up to .38 +P and if she fells comfortable into many different self defense Magnums.You can still buy any of those calibers just about anywhere even Walmart!If I could only have one I think I would keep my SS Sp101!

[Randy Cornelius]

Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers. The gun she should buy is the one she is comfortable with. If she has week hands a revolver may not be for her. If she cannot pull the double action trigger then a wheel gun is not for her. If it is for home defense then I would not worry about accurate shots at great distances, must shots would be under 5 yards so any of the smaller cal. would be fine. A hit with a .22 is far better than a miss with a 5 inch shell, (I think I seen that on someones signature here, sorry I stole it) but it's true. A .22 is very effective at close range but a .45 will never be smaller than a 45. So make sure whatever she buys she practices with it and becomes comfortable with it...

Randy

[wildrose]

She did mention she had trouble loading the clip on one of her brother's automatics (don't know what it was), so it had been suggested that she get a revolver instead of an automatic.

Hoping I'm getting my terms right...LOL!

Anyhow, my husband also suggested she try a 38. I agree that the best thing for her are classes and trying out a variety before buying.

Thanks! Keep the tips coming if there is anything else to add!

[Tkleather1]

I also believe she should get what is comfortable in her hand and some thing she feels comfortable shooting I was merely sharing the choice of my wife as she is a very small handed woman and she has no trouble with the taurus.

[Shorts]

She did mention she had trouble loading the clip on one of her brother's automatics (don't know what it was), so it had been suggested that she get a revolver instead of an automatic.

Hoping I'm getting my terms right...LOL!

Anyhow, my husband also suggested she try a 38. I agree that the best thing for her are classes and trying out a variety before buying.

Thanks! Keep the tips coming if there is anything else to add!

At this point, I wouldn't discount all semi autos due to loading and cycling the slide (very common for new shooters). These are things that can be overcome by technique and practice and in general becoming more familiar with the mechanics.

A very very helpful website that I suggest that all ladies take a look at is http://www.corneredcat.com/ It's a firearms site geared towards the girls and issues that are women specific. Technique is emphasized and it works. Kathy Jackson is an excellent resource and a great lady. I've been on forums with her for about 5yrs now.

I have carried in the past a .38spl revolver, Beretta 86 .380, Colt Officers .45acp, Commander 9mm and currently a Commander .45acp. I'm 5'3" 110lbs and I do not have the use of my left arm/hand. My hands are a large small- small medium. I am athletic (I'm a runner like your mom).

Here's my impressions about each:

.38spl - 'snubbie' (2" barrel revolver, Taurus 85 model, stainless brushed finished)

Pros: Very easy to carry, conceal and operate. Had great sights, shot reliably. Ammo was readily available

Cons: Long, heavy double action trigger pull (remember, I'm one-handed), this pistol/me was very inaccurate. Full load 158grain ammo is very uncomfortable to shoot due to the grip pounding on my palm. 5 shot capacity, reloads (for me) are not fast.

Based on this experience I will not carry a 2" snubby .38spl again. I'm not interested.

Beretta Cheetah 86 .380

Pros: Easy to operate and shoot. Accurate. Capacity is 8 +1. Tip up barrel. Fit my hand like a glove. Good 3dot sights.

Con: Ammo in this caliber is expensive. Gun is bulky/heavy for the caliber.

Colt Officers .45acp

Pros: Compact & concealable, .45acp, 3dot sights, fit my hand, reliable

Cons: The recoil can be a bit much due to slide length and 230gr bullets. Maybe a con, 6+1 capacity.

Very manageable gun that just takes a little time to get use to shooting.

Colt Commander 9mm

Pros: Cheap ammo, accurate, reliable; good capacity 8+1 IIRC

Con: For my body size/shape the grip is difficult to conceal; ammo scarce due to political factors

Colt Commander .45acp

Pros: Most accurate gun I've ever owned. Very reliable, good sights. 7+1 or 8+1 capacity depending on the magazines

Cons: Grip is difficult to conceal; gun gets heavy at the end of the day. Ammo cost is now up there and scarce due to political factors

By far the best firearm I've shot/owned/carried

The above doesn't address the other handguns we own and have the pleasure of shooting, merely the list of guns I've carried. Which means I spend an intimate amount of time cleaning, shooting, cleaning, shooting, carrying, handling, upgrading, shooting cleaning etc.

Definitely get a good .22rl pistol. It is the best tool for learning technique and is a superfun plinking gun. A work horse I can recommend from experience is a Ruger 22/45. There are a few version of this pistol but all are excellent, reliable 22s that can be purchased new for a very affordable price. I've also hada lot of fun with a .22lr revolver, 4" or 6" barrel. These are just a good time on a Saturday afternoon

Now, I think I am biased towards the semi autos. And I will confess that I am a lady who does not like the trend of recommending revolvers to ladies because they are ladies. I find it somewhat condescending of a perspective. I certainly don't take issue with any of the posts here. I think they are all spot on. What I have seen in the past however on different sites is another story

Edited March 16, 2009 by Shorts

[rawhide1]

Holly

My wife has a .380 Walther PPK. It fits in her purse nice. And fits her hand good. It's a nice little gun although when I shoot it I wind up losing a little skin on my hand from they slide comeing back. So if she has big hands this probaly wouldn't work for her. Just something else to keep in mind.

Mike

[JohnnyDingus]

At this point, I wouldn't discount all semi autos due to loading and cycling the slide (very common for new shooters). These are things that can be overcome by technique and practice and in general becoming more familiar with the mechanics.

A very very helpful website that I suggest that all ladies take a look at is http://www.corneredcat.com/ It's a firearms site geared towards the girls and issues that are women specific. Technique is emphasized and it works. Kathy Jackson is an excellent resource and a great lady. I've been on forums with her for about 5yrs now.

I have carried in the past a .38spl revolver, Beretta 86 .380, Colt Officers .45acp, Commander 9mm and currently a Commander .45acp. I'm 5'3" 110lbs and I do not have the use of my left arm/hand. My hands are a large small- small medium. I am athletic (I'm a runner like your mom).

Here's my impressions about each:

.38spl - 'snubbie' (2" barrel revolver, Taurus 85 model, stainless brushed finished)

Pros: Very easy to carry, conceal and operate. Had great sights, shot reliably. Ammo was readily available

Cons: Long, heavy double action trigger pull (remember, I'm one-handed), this pistol/me was very inaccurate. Full load 158grain ammo is very uncomfortable to shoot due to the grip pounding on my palm. 5 shot capacity, reloads (for me) are not fast.

Based on this experience I will not carry a 2" snubby .38spl again. I'm not interested.

Beretta Cheetah 86 .380

Pros: Easy to operate and shoot. Accurate. Capacity is 8 +1. Tip up barrel. Fit my hand like a glove. Good 3dot sights.

Con: Ammo in this caliber is expensive. Gun is bulky/heavy for the caliber.

Colt Officers .45acp

Pros: Compact & concealable, .45acp, 3dot sights, fit my hand, reliable

Cons: The recoil can be a bit much due to slide length and 230gr bullets. Maybe a con, 6+1 capacity.

Very manageable gun that just takes a little time to get use to shooting.

Colt Commander 9mm

Pros: Cheap ammo, accurate, reliable; good capacity 8+1 IIRC

Con: For my body size/shape the grip is difficult to conceal; ammo scarce due to political factors

Colt Commander .45acp

Pros: Most accurate gun I've ever owned. Very reliable, good sights. 7+1 or 8+1 capacity depending on the magazines

Cons: Grip is difficult to conceal; gun gets heavy at the end of the day. Ammo cost is now up there and scarce due to political factors

By far the best firearm I've shot/owned/carried

The above doesn't address the other handguns we own and have the pleasure of shooting, merely the list of guns I've carried. Which means I spend an intimate amount of time cleaning, shooting, cleaning, shooting, carrying, handling, upgrading, shooting cleaning etc.

Definitely get a good .22rl pistol. It is the best tool for learning technique and is a superfun plinking gun. A work horse I can recommend from experience is a Ruger 22/45. There are a few version of this pistol but all are excellent, reliable 22s that can be purchased new for a very affordable price. I've also hada lot of fun with a .22lr revolver, 4" or 6" barrel. These are just a good time on a Saturday afternoon

Now, I think I am biased towards the semi autos. And I will confess that I am a lady who does not like the trend of recommending revolvers to ladies because they are ladies. I find it somewhat condescending of a perspective. I certainly don't take issue with any of the posts here. I think they are all spot on. What I have seen in the past however on different sites is another story

Great post, especially like the last paragraph. I too am biased for the semi autos. I am just as comfortable with the revolvers but I shoot cowboy action. Don't know too many that push revolvers just for the ladies.

Thanks for the added insight and the link to the other forum/group. If it is alright I will recomend that to other lady shooters too.

Johnny Dingus

[Gilligan]

if it's strictly for in home protection, there's no true need for more than three maybe four rounds, at that point the thieves should be gone or dead.

I have a Beretta bobcat in .22 easy to conceal, has a capacity of 8+1 if i remeber correctly. barrel has break action like a shotgun for loading silently if she doesn't want to keep it loaded.

The Kid

[TwinOaks]

Good reply Shorts, very informative and insightful.

I'm gonna recommend the S&W M&P series, compact or fullsize. From your description, it doesn't sound like hand strength will be an issue and therefor slide manipulation probably won't either. The thing that counts most is the trigger. After all, its very unlikely she'll be loading mags during a robbery/B&E. The M&P, like the Glock and other striker fired weapons, has a consistent trigger pull for every shot. As a new shooter, it will be easier for her to develop good habits with a good trigger. I only mention the M&P because I'm most familiar with it, and I like it's LIFETIME WARRANTY (over Glock's 1 year), interchangeable backstraps on the grip to better fit the pistol in the hand, ambidexterous controls and you don't have to pull the trigger to fieldstrip it.

Is it the only one? Absolutely not. Among the other 'good' mfgrs I know about......Taurus (24/7-OSS), Ruger SR-9, S&W Sigma, Kahr (model?).

My wife carries the M&P compact in .40 cal.

If you're leaning towards a revolver, the Ruger sp101 is a true workhorse capable of handling magnum loads. And it isn't as light as an airweight (S&W), because it's made from stainless steel. Smith and Wesson makes some fine revolvers but they are a little pricey. Besides Taurus, you might also check out Rossi revolvers. They have excellent warranties and 6 shots as opposed to 5. Personal recommendation for a revolver is for .357 magnum. As previously stated, it will handle a variety of loads from soft shooting .38 spcl 'target loads' to full house magnums. She could even throw in couple of shotshells for varmits. If she dislikes the long heavy trigger, it's better to get one with an exposed hammer which can be cocked (or decocked)......single action triggers are usually the most accurate due to less movement of the hand muscles. A gunsmith can smooth and lighten the trigger pull on most revolvers significantly without compromising the function of the pistol. Remember, as it comes from the factory, it doesn't have labor consuming polishing and precision fitting done to it.

Another note about revolvers: Generally, grips can be changed out to the shooters preference. Check out a variety of them.

My personal preference (in defiance of all the advice above) is the old 1911 platform in .45ACP. It fits my hand well, and I'm very comfortable with using the manual (thumb) safety and carrying it in 'condition one'. It's what I learned on, and I'm big enough that concealment of a fullsized 1911 isn't a problem. I also like the fact that it offers one of the best single action triggers ever designed for a pistol, as I practice to make the first shot count not scare.

Once she's found a pistol or revolver she's comfortable with, I can recommend a website to locate a holster maker for it......

Good Luck in your shopping,

M

Edited March 16, 2009 by TwinOaks

[JohnnyDingus]

Just a small point about having trigger work done to a defense gun....don't. If you were to ever use it to defend your life a good lawyer would use that fact to tear you up if it ever came to trial.

Most of the quality guns out there have good enough trigger pulls that you really don't need to modify.

Just my .02

Johnny Dingus