Need a quick recomendation on a defence pistol for a woman.

[michaelmcgo]

An acquaintance of mine was raped a few months back and the rapist may be getting out of prison later this week . She has a daughter and wants to be able to protect herself because he knows where she lives. I have recommended a 20ga. shotgun for the house, but she wants a purse pistol to carry around (after getting her CPL). She is about 120lbs. and has small hands. I was thinking something like a Kahr PM9, but don't know if this is the best choice. She is asking for recommendations at or under $500. Also some advice on an inexpensive 20ga pump shotgun would be nice.

She is going to go to a shooting range to practice several times and try out some rental guns, I wanted her to go with some idea of what to try (kind of an emergency purchase). I also recommended she start with a .22 pistol and work her way up to 9mm or higher if she can. Thanks in advance.

[HydrostatiK]

The kar pm9 , keltec p11, and pf9 are small. Nine millimeter is powerfull for a gun that size, noobs, women and children could be prone to limpwristing the gun. The recoil may also be difficult for them to deal with. A full sized 9mm, or a 38 revolver might be more efficient.

A remmington 870 pump 20 gauge is very good for home protection.

Ruger, smith and wesson, taurus make good revolvers under $500. XD, 24/7 pro, SR9 should be under $500

[Mike J]

There is a page designed for women interested in firearms www.corneredcat.com that might be helpful to her. As far as pistols there are a lot of good options under $500.00. S&W Sigmas, Kel Tecs & Ruger P-95's are all right around the 300 dollar range. If she wanted to look at revolvers you could get her into a Law Enforcement trade in Smith or a new Taurus or Charter for around 300. You should be able to find an inexpensive pump shotgun if you just check around the pawnshops. The shotgun forum here had a thread about some alternatives if she wants to go that route.

[MisterMike]

I'd say "no" to a .22. Maybe for initial range training, but a .22 is not a viable self-defense round. She needs to utilize a round that is likely to incapacitate or kill an attacker. If this guy really does return to attack her, it's almost a given than he's doing so with the intent of maiming or killing her. A .22 doesn't hack it. Ideally, I'd recommend something along the lines of a .38 cal. or a 9mm.--there are a lot of reasonably-sized handguns that can shoot those rounds.

Many here are far better-versed in a variety of weapons than I am, but among my pistols is a Glock 26--it's small, very accurate, easy to shoot, and highly reliable. For someone who doesn't have a great familiarity with weapons, something like a Glock, or a revolver, would be a good choice. Simple operation=pull the trigger and it shoots.

Also, let's not forget that there are many other strategies that she should be considering--better lighting, locks, alarms, developing alternative routes to work, etc. Truthfully, while I'm loathe to recommend anything that smacks of letting the bad guy "win," maybe this is the time for her to consider a move, to a place with an unlisted number.

Arming her her and preparing her to use a gun is an important step. Equally important is ensuring that she evaluates her total security situation.

[HydrostatiK]

A dog and a shotgun would be good.

[Echo9]

In my experience, women don't like Kel-Tec tiggers, and the LCP slide is a bit difficult to rack.

I'd suggest a Bersa CC, a Taurus 709, Glock 26, Sig P238 or a sub-compact XD.

I know you said ≤$500, but the HK P200SK and Springfield EMP are good choices, too.

[bigfatdave]

She is going to go to a shooting range to practice several times and try out some rental guns

Open up your safe for her also, report back on what she liked and didn't like, and perhaps some constructive and relevant suggestions might happen. Until then, you're just going to get opinions and personal preferences.

If she refuses to consider on-body carry, at least you can fit a lot of gun into a dedicated CC purse, so she won't be limited to the tiny 9mm and under category.
Any polymer sub-compact or compact should fit a reasonable CC compartment in a purse, MrsBFD has a Springfield XD9sc in hers, and that purse is about the size of a hardcover book.

As far as a .22 pistol, how about YOU supply some range time with a lot of .22 shooting, and your .22? Let her pick up a rimfire pistol that mimics her chosen CC gun after she picks something for CC.

[CooperThunder]

Glock 19 is compact, just the right at her price range and almost no recoil...it is a 9mm too...

[FatGeek]

I agree with the comments about staying away from the smaller pistols. It won't work for everyone, but .45 should be near the top of the list for her to try. My mother is similar in physical stature to your friend, and her favorite pistols are .45. The recoil of a .45 being more of a push than a snap is more comfortable to her than the sharp response of 9mm.

[Big Bill]

Have her buy a S&W Sigma in 9mm. It's just the right size for a lady and there is a $50 rebate or two extra mags special till December. My 9mm S&W Sigma actually kicks less than my Ruger LCP. BTW, I got my new Sigma (It's my second one.) for $319 after the rebate. I also really like the NEW Stoeger Cougar in 9mm. I can buy one of them here (Where I live.) for $399 That rotary bolt makes it one of the most accurate handguns I have ever shot.

[KAK]

Taurus Wheelgun+crimson trace laser= perfect for women. I envision one for my girlfriend.

Ill tell her squeeze the grip and it turns the laser on, then put the dot on mister bad guy's chest and pull the trigger.

I have a hard time getting her to the range with me so this, I think is the best option.

CIA 650 full of light 95GR Magtech 357s


+
Crimson Trace

[mjb03bolt]

My wife tried all my pistols after getting her carry license. she did NOT like the PF-9, LCP, Springfield EMP, Glock 26, Browning BDA 45. Either too heavy, too much recoil or did not fit her hand.She did like the 380 Bersa CC. It is small enough to easily conceal but heavy enough she can control the recoil when she practices double taps. Fits her well and she shoots well with it which gives her confidence in using it. That was most important to her. Find something that fits that she will be able to use well. Whatever the caliber is.
MJB

[Jed Carter]

Ditto KAK! Can't limp wrist a wheelgun, so most semi auto malfunctions will not be a problem. My wife likes very few of my pistols, cannot rack the slide on many of them (Has no trouble with Glocks), stove pipe jams and short cycles most at least once every trip to the range (including the Glocks), I don't have any problems with the pistols ever. Now give her a 4" .357 revolver... As far as the rock / Sigma choice I would not hesitate to hmmm? Rock ,Sigma? Sigma, rock?

[Diggers]

She will have to shoot them to see what she likes of course.

No one can say how she will deal with recoil or what gun will feel good in HER hand.

My wife doesn't get bothered by recoil at all, but a buddy of mine hates shooting the 9mm he has because "its like a bomb going off in my hand!" heh heh.
So who knows.

She just needs to shoot different stuff and see how it goes.

And don't shy a way totally from a .32 (auto or mag) if the .38/ 9mm class is too much for her. Its not ideal but a .32 WILL punch a whole through some one using ball ammo.

She needs something she will feel good with so she will go to the range and shoot it be it a .32 or a .45.

Shotgun for home is a good idea.

[Crawford]

...she wants a purse pistol to carry around...

One advantage to a wheel gun (double action revolver) is that once you have shot it a few times you don't forget. You can carry it around for years without even thinking about it (which a lot of women tend to do) and if you suddenly need it all you have to do is take it out, point it and pull the trigger. No slide to pull, no safety to flip, just point and shoot.

I'm not advocating not practicing, it's just that it is not too high on the list for a lot of women, especially those with children and/or jobs that take up most of their time.

[geronimo509]

have her check out the corneredcat.com website. The people above me have given the same recommendations as I would've.

[CornCod]

The .38 revolver is probably the best choice for new shooters of both sexes.

[joe_security]

A .38 snubnose for sure...S&W or Colt . Start her out on wadcutters and work up to Short Barrel Gold dot. Show her some holster options as well.

[bwsmith2850]

Take her to the range & let her try as many as she can borrow.

I have a co-worker just about her size. She shot my Glock 27 last year and bought one just like it. She has shot alot over several years & was used to
.40 S&W.

One of the small Polymer pistols (G26, or a small M&P for example) in 9mm might be a good start and current 9mm is a convincing argument to an attacker. Glock thirves on abuse.

I hesitate to advise smaller than 9mm but another coworker just bought a Ruger LCP in .380. You have to be very particular about shot placement with smaller calibers but this one is likely to come along when somthing larger stays home. A .380 in your pocket is better than a .45 at home.

The bottom line: buy the best made, best fitting, most powerful pistol that she can afford and will carry daily.

[Guns and more]

For a pistol I highly recommend the Sig P-238. Easy to rack the slide, very light recoil.
I have one and I'm amazed at how well it works. (And it's easy to conceal).

For a shotgun, (for a woman) I recommend a pump in a .410 using #3 buckshot.
Why not the 20 ga? I've shot the youth 20's and the recoil is equal to a 12ga.
Actually, I'd go with a .410 pistol grip, but that's personal choice.

[sidheshooter]

I just went through a somewhat similar situation: I turned out to be the resident "gun nut" known by a lady who is receiving death threats.

While both her ex husband and myself felt that a solid, 5-shot revolver with .38 +P would be a good place to start (and I taught her using one), in the final analysis, she chose for herself, and ended up with a Ruger LCP. Mainly because she can always have it with her (same reason anyone chooses an LCP for carry, I suppose). Smart girl.

Not my first choice for a "I might really have to use this thing" gun, but it's always with her, and the price and reliability were right.

So far as limp wristing, that can be trained out of someone in one session. Get the right gun for the job and then show her how to use it. Get her pointed towards a good class or two as soon as she knows she can shoot.

Oh, and if I had my druthers, my friend would be carrying the G26, although I realize it is a lot bulkier than the little .380 Ruger.

The G26 is the j-frame of the new millennium, IMHO. I'd rather see a G26 and several classes and lots of ammo than a G26 and a shotgun and no formal training, but YMMV.

Regarding 20's; it's sort of either a mossberg or that rem 870, unless you can find a used win 1300 defender (although I'm no shotgun expert, I may be missing some good options). For what it's worth, the Rem 870 is heavier than the mossy. I'd take heavier.

There are obviously some other good suggestions above in addition to the ones that I am echoing: The idea of the sig P238 sounds good from what i know of it (and from fondling a couple, I may need one myself), and everyone needs a dog.

Good luck with helping her out, and thanks for doing it.

[Cosmoline]

Don't assume small women will need small handguns. Small handguns are actually among the most difficult firearms to shoot. It takes years of practice go get semi-competent with a snubnosed revolver, and small semis are difficult to control as well. I've known women who do best with full size 1911's or Beretta 92's and can conceal the things!

[joe_security]

I think purse carry is a bad idea, unless its one of those with the dedicated gun pocket. Fumbling in a purse under stress is never good. A purse can be taken away outright.
Lots of good advice in this thread, including relocation, a dog, alarms and the G26 pistol. I still feel a revolver is the most simple system to learn for the new shooter, and that the snubby or G26 is the hardest to "take away" from the intended victim. Forget the purse, conceal that licensed pistol IWB or a belt holster with concealing garment over it,when ever practical.

[JEB]

for a new shooter i would go with a revolver for simplicity of use/reliability.

under $500, i would look at taurus. as little as it is probly going to be used it should have no problems holding up.

check into these:

my first choice would be the .38
http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...adcrumbseries=

if she wants/needs a little less recoil, you might look at this:
http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...adcrumbseries=
(i dont personaly have any first hand experience with a 9mm revolver but it might be worth looking into)

if nothing else will, this just might do it
http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...adcrumbseries=
(if you have a ftf, the next round is just a trigger pull away...and you get 8 rounds!)

add laser grips to any one of these and it should more than get the job done.

as for a shotgun, go to walmart and look at the mossberg maverick 20ga. and pick up an 18 in. barrel. i got a maverick in 12ga a few years back an have been using it for everything from skeet to deer with not a single problem to date and they are just under $180!!

[Avenger29]

I recommend the S&W M&P 9mm, compact or fullsize. I'd also recommend a Glock 19 or 26, but those with small hands (including me) tend not to like them as much.

Either of those should be right around the $500 mark, or can be found for that price (may have to go used depending on the prices in your area).

And I'd recommend the above choices to anyone looking for a handgun.

I'd also recommend that she strongly consider on body carry.