[2Ais4U]

My mother is getting her CCW and wants to know what caliber, brand, size pistol to get. she is 50 years old, very highly educated with rifles but not so much with pistols, any suggestions on what she should get?

[mekender]

im guessing .38 revolver... easy to operate, easy to load, easy to use... doesnt require much force to cock... etc

[Autolycus]

I would give the following link a read.

http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/missadventures.aspx

[SecuritySixShooter]

The one that best fits her. The link above will provide excellent info.

[Autolycus]

And this link...

http://www.corneredcat.com/Men/gunforwoman.aspx

[czbegenner]

THE 38 REVOLVER is a good choice, mabey a Smith, or Ruger is the best.Why
There dependable,wont go wrong if you take care of it,just all around a good
choice.

[Treo]

CZ compact maybe a 2075 ?

[Zedicus]

A Glock 26 or 27 would work well for size and decent stopping power combined with good concealability.

[chris in va]

I'd have to agree first about finding out which one she likes personally. Then, have her try out a J-frame with some good grips.

[kd7nqb]

There are so many options it hard to judge. Almost all of these threads end in a statement about finding a range that rents guns and have her shoot a bunch. Let her handle a lot of guns and choose what works well for her.

[cambeul41]

Read the relevant sections of http://corneredcat.com/
Read the relevant sections of http://www.spw-duf.info/

Let her do the choosing. my wife got all the standard "for a woman" advice but chose a Glock 23. She now carries an XD-9.

[kludge]

About 15 years ago when I was in college, my mom, brother, and I all got our licences and handguns... 40 cal Smith&Wessons (her's was a DAO 4046 - I always liked that trigger). Shooting it was fine, but she was never able to rack the slide. So she got a .38 snub-nose instead, which she likes very much. Very concealable, very light, very comfortable. She is now 67 y.o. and still has no problem shooting it, but her arthritis and the recoil makes shooting more than a few rounds somewhat painful.

[WeedWhacker]

If at all possible, take her to the range and rent the same type of pistol she's interested in for a test-fire session. You and I may think 9mm, for example, is a pussycat round, but several of the new shooters I've taken to the range have expressed a distinct dislike of it for any one of several reasons.

[Buck shot]

Lots of options if she's only 50!

I know a few ladies that are very happy with the little Kel Tec P32. They are really light weight. If you are thinking .380 maybe a look at the Kel Tec 3AT might be an idea.

[weisse52]

Almost all of these threads end in a statement about finding a range that rents guns and have her shoot a bunch.

That is because it is the best option!!

I use to recommend all kinds of handguns, but unless I know the person, have taken them to shoot, and understand the need all I can do is recommend a quality handgun. ONLY the person who will be shooting / carrying can really answer the question.

AND, as far as a J frame for a new shooter....having a new shooter attempting to fire a J frame with decent self-defense ammo could / will discourge them from the sport. You evolve to a J frame, you do not start with one. They are light and easy to carry, but a bear to shoot with powerful loads. If you use light loads in them, well you might as well carrry a 22 mag.

The links provided are really good as well.

[romma]

Handguns General Forum this site might be good to read up on stuff...

[tegemu]

I concurr with the suggestions for www.corneredcat.com .

[dmazur]

My wife started out with a .380 semi-auto, but eventually wound up with a Colt Officer's Model .45ACP. She was determined to learn the procedures for racking the slide, clearing the chamber, thumb safety / grip safety, etc.

She liked the "little one", even though the slide effort is higher than on a Govt or Commander length slide.

Whatever she gets, I'd suggest a set of Crimson Trace grips. Makes a world of difference in rapidly acquiring target and hitting it, and the iron sights are always there if there is enough light (and time) to use them.

[Linda]

ARG!!!! These discussions make my female/instructors brain snap!!!:fire:

I had this same discussion yesterday, with a lady that will be in my next concealed carry class. She will be attending with her husband. She said "some guys at the gun store" had been making suggestions to her on what gun to buy. I said "let me guess, a .38 snubbie?". "Yes!"

*sigh*:banghead:

As I explained, guys suggest revolvers because they have less mechanical parts than a semi automatic. Why is it, that guys under estimate a woman's ability to clear a misfire? Please don't count us short gentleman!!

How about reloading? Hmmm...,wait Mr. Bad Guy, I need to reload my revolver that the guys suggested I carry. I'll be back with you in about 45 seconds. OR, drop the mag, slam another in, and you're back into the fight in a matter of seconds. Gentleman, how will you feel when the female loved one in your life has been killed because she shoot her 5-6 rounds out, and couldn't reload, all because you suggested a revolver to her? That's a pretty sad and harsh reality, since only 20% of the shots will hit their target in a defensive situation.

Snubbies are NO fun to shoot! Plain and simple. I've had several women in classes that could not pull the long trigger pull. They are hard to hold. If your gun is not fun or comfortable to shoot, you will not practice with it.

Also, please don't assume that a woman is going to carry in their purse, thus a revolver would be the worst gun to suggest if she is. If a lady goes thru my class, she will know that the purse is not the place to carry, but on the body is where that gun belongs.

Go to a range, and rent multiple guns, in different calibers. She should carry the highest caliber that she can comfortably and safely shoot. It must fit her hands. It can not be too big or too small. Or too heavy. She needs a good quality gun that's functions properly everytime. She needs to practice clearing misfires. Practice, practice, practice....and train, train, train! You/she will react how you/she train!

Most importantly:
Gentleman, LET HER PICK HER OWN GUN!!!!

I didn't mean to come across sounding harsh, but I'm sure I did, because I'm very passionate about the concealed carry issue. I want to see the numbers on ladies carrying upped, but at the same time, it's very frustrating when they are being given bad information!

[czbegenner]

I Agree

[Airman193SOS]

Linda, when we make the suggestion we certainly mean no offense. However, neither my wife nor my sister can rack the slide on either my Glock or my Sig. Part of it is fear of causing damage, and I'm trying to overcome that by demonstrating that they will not break no matter how hard you pull, but the other part is that they simply do not have the strength to consistently work the action. I'd venture to guess that this is the case a good bit of the time.

Therefore, it makes sense that people recommend revolvers. It's easy to break open the cylinder and it quite adequately does the job. It also eliminates any possibility of problems related to actuation.

In any event, the usual suggestions apply: have her fire all she can and have her pick what she is comfortable with. That includes automatics.

[alaskagunner]

A woman or a man should both select their own gun. I really don't think is a gender issue at all. I also believe it would be the rare woman that could not successfully rack the slide on a typical auto with the proper training. "With the proper training" is the key.

I've got to stick for the j frame revolver a bit too. I just got back from the range minutes ago and had a hoot shooting my s&w j frame with crimson trace grips on it. They weren't +p loads, but mid power loads. Multiple 6 inch paper plates were shot at in rapid succession. It was just plan fun to send 200+ rounds down range. When I first purchased the snubbie over a year ago I found it difficult to shoot. After working on my grip, etc., it's just plain fun! I always have it with me due its ease of carry. I can't say the same for my 1911. Nope, I don't feel at all undergunned carrying my 5 shot snubbie with a few reloads.

I think one is selling anyone short by saying with proper training and practice that they can't rack a slide, clear a jam, pull a double action trigger, or even shoot a snubbie well.

With that said, if they get into it they'll end up with several guns.

[Linda]

Linda, when we make the suggestion we certainly mean no offense. However, neither my wife nor my sister can rack the slide on either my Glock or my Sig.

No offense taken, I just don't want to see ladies brushed off as being weak and not being able to handle a semi automatic. We ALL have experienced the gun store employee and well intended guys suggesting a snubbie to the ladies!

Anyone can overcome the issue of learning to rack the slide. They just have to practice...A LOT! Push/Pull! Until they can do it easily, they should not carry that gun. Surprised she can't rack the Glock slide. Those are generally fairly easy.

[Airman193SOS]

Agreed that the Glock slide is pretty easy, but the double spring on my 27 is giving them fits. I suppose I could let them try my dad's G22, but I haven't brought his stuff out as I'm just holding them for him. Maybe next time.

... and I just told my wife to try racking the slide on my 27. The first time after I demonstrated it to her and passed it over it slipped out of her hand. The second time she pulled it back far enough to eject a round (were it loaded) but it slipped yet again. The third time she did it just fine, but her hand was trembling a bit with the tension.

I guess she could get used to it, but I don't know that I would give it to her were she inclined to carry. A revolver still seems more her speed for now.

[ARTJR338WM]

While resurching which auto I should by for CC, I came across ALOT of very favorable information for the "Lady Smith" a revolver made by Smith & Wesson thta is spacificly designed for a womans hand. I think it comes in .38 or .357 both plenty powerfull to change any woodbe atackers mind.

[kashton]

H&K P2000SK .40

Glock 27 .40

Kahr MK40 Elite 2003

those are all fine handguns that will function well and can be concealed easily in an IWB holster. The Kahr can ever be pocket carried with the right belt if you have large pockets.

[shootinxd]

Carrying something is better than not carrying at all.I personaly carry at kel-tec p3at 8-5,but carry xd-40 when clothing permits.I think EVERYBODY that has the proper training should carry at all times,crime would go wayyyyy down dont ya think!

[Dr_2_B]

since only 20% of the shots will hit their target in a defensive situation.

Linda, if you're still around, can you cite a reference on this statistic? I've not heard this low a number before.

[RustyShackelford]

Depending on her health, hand strength, budget and other factors in general I'd suggest the Smith and Wesson model 638 .38spl. It's small, easy to load/unload, easy to clean, lightweight and can fire single or double action w/o any snags or problems with the exposed hammer spur. :uhoh:

The Taurus Protector series in .38spl or Ti may be good too but the S&W model 638 is more well known.

If she can handle DA only handguns then the DA only Ruger sp-101 is a good choice. It's .357/.38spl and weighs more but that may reduce the recoil.

www.gunsamerica.com www.ruger.com www.smithandwesson.com

BTW; for a standard carry load get the great Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP or the Buffalo Bore 158gr lead SWC HP at +P.
These rounds are what most .38spl users and sworn LEOs carry.

Rusty S

[gunsnmoses]

consider a glock 19