[hartzpad]

My wife needs a pistol for home defense. She has shot my 9mm autos a few times but doesn't really enjoy shooting...yet! As we have more kids, she increasingly wants something to defend herself and wants to try shooting again. Problem is she is very petite, 5'2" and about 105 lbs. She has trouble locking the slide back on any of my auto pistols like my Kahr Pm9, M&P compact 9mm, and CZ pistols. Is there any other auto that would be easier to use for her? Glocks have large slides and could be resprung to help her lock the slide back. But I'm not sure I trust her to become familiar with an auto if she doesn't like to shoot much. I guess a Glock 19 would be a good choice.

So...I don't know much about revolvers and don't own any. I was thinking a revolver in 9mm or .38 special would be perfect for her. I would prefer 9mm because it is something I already shoot a lot of and stock large quantities of quality self defense ammo in that caliber. Are there any 3"-4" barrel revolvers in 9mm? Any that have an 6 shot capacity? I figured a DA 9mm revolver with some laser grips would be perfect for her and add in some moon clips for reloads.

Open to suggestions. Taurus? Smith & Wesson? I plan to take her to try out some pistols to see what fits her hand and what is comfortable for her.

[the foot]

One of my daughters, similar to your wife, didn't really enjoy shooting or practicing with a weapon. She tried my medium autos, large autos, medium revolvers and small revolvers. Revolvers were her choice.

The lightweights (S&W model 60, S&W 442, Ruger SP101) were not so manageable for her. However, more substantial revolvers loaded with 38 Special (Colt King Cobra, S&W Model 19 and Model 66) were more comfortable to shoot, less recoil etc, and she has become very accustomed to these medium revolvers.

Maybe a S&W Model 10 in 38 Special, or one of the medium 357's with a 2.5 to 4 inch barrel would be a good place to start your search.

[BullpupBen]

How about a medium-frame .357 and then use it purely for .38 specials. My suggestion would be something like the GP-151:
http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=8&variation=Blued&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

If she would like a smaller frame then the SP101 would probably fit her perfectly, they come in 3" barrels and recoil with .38's should be extremely manageable

[contenderman]

The Kel-tec 32, 380 and 9mm are all smaller and should be easier for her to handle. Their size increases w/ caliber but even the 9mm is pretty small. Then there is the Ruger LCP 380 which is almost identical in size to the Kel-tec.

Revolvers are simpler to use. Smith "J" frames are very popular with folks that have smaller hands. Taurus' Model 85 is another super popular "J" frame like revolver and it is not as expensive as the S&W's

My suggestion is that you find a range that has rentals in the models of interest and let her try them.

Don't go with a magnum, or use +P or +P+ loads as she will not be comfortable with them. Remember, if she can learn good shot placement with standard load level ammo she will be much more effective than some mega banger that she can hit nothing with.

Don't push her in any direction, let her decide.

[mayoke]

Have you tried a Sig 230/232?
A girl I dated some time ago was very petite and had problems with the stuff I owned. We tried a Sig 230 and she didn't have any problem with it at all. This led to her buying it from me and then a Beretta 380. She was a damn good shot with them too. She eventually bought a GP100 and shot IDPA and whupped most people's butt. :what:

[pps]

My wife is a former anti. She was converted to pro 2a after a failed burglary of our house (cops took 20min to arrive, and the BG looking down a 12ga barrel helped him make an informed decision to leave)

Her wanting to go to the range was HER idea. I started her with a 22 revolver. When SHE decided she wanted to try something bigger I had her take a class from an NRA certified instructor (we lucked out and got a lady). My wife ended up getting the Kahr p9. I never thought she'd go for something with that snap. The biggest issue she had was difficulty pulling the slide, she's stronger now though.

Had I made the decision for her, I would have picked a lady smith & wesson. If I had picked instead of HER, she would not have been happy. I'd highly recommend a class with an NRA instructor, preferably a lady. If this is done at a range that has several pistols and revolvers for her to try then she makes her own choice, without pressure.

[Ops Officer]

My wife also has trouble racking the slide of nearly all autoloaders. However, I was delighted to see she racked the slide of a SIG P6 without a problem. I've insisted her choice of handgun for HD be one that she can cycle the slide as part of a tap-and-rack malfunction drill. The P6 is the former German police handgun issue. The civilian equivalent is the P225. It is a single stack 9mm that is accurate and reliable. The ramp angle was modified after 1984 to allow the use of JHP ammo without failure. There are a boatload of P6s in the US now at very attractive prices. Most have been carried a lot and shot little. You can find one that may not have been carried or shot.

[MICHAEL T]

A 4" rev S&W model 10 . or a 357 and use 38spl. Start her with 38 wad cutters for practice and HD at first 148gr wad cutter was a good SD round before HP took over. Still will do the job. We are talking SD not police shooting.
Later you can move her to a hotter 38 load. Keep her away from autos Their not a good beginner pistol.
All the KEL TEC 9 mm are to light and to muck recoil for a biginner.

[357sigRog]

My wife has 2 Colt Detective Specials in 38 special. A snub in her nightstand for self defense and a 4 inch barrell for shooting targets. She likes shooting my Bersa 380 but she is most comfortable with the revolvers.

[intheburbs]

Rent some guns for her to "test drive." One of our local gun stores here will rebate the cost of up to three gun rentals if you buy a gun from him that same day. I think most gun stores would be amenable to something similar.

My wife is also 5' 2". She can handle my Glock 19, but she prefers my Ruger SP101. Add the Hogue monogrip and it's a real pussycat with 38 specials. I keep it loaded for her with 38 +P's - nice compromise between 38 and 357.

[ArchAngelCD]

For home defense I would suggest a 4" S&W Model 10 with a set of grips your wife would find comfortable. Inside your home a .38 Special is more than powerful enough for protection and is less likely to over penetrate than a .357 Magnum. Almost any K frame will serve her well and all the K frames are 6 shot revolvers. If you want something in Stainless the Model 64 is the Stainless model 10.

I'm suggesting a K frame because of the moderate weight and good balance of the revolver. Also, most K frames have very smooth triggers and a 4" barrel provides a good sight picture.

Any of the K frames or Ruger Six-Series revolvers will do a good job of home defense IMO.

S&W M10, M13, M15, M19, M64, M65, M66, M67
Ruger Speed-Six, Security-Six, Police Service-Six

[chris in va]

My friend simply doesn't like to shoot my old S&W J-frame. She says it's too small and bites her hand.

Her favorite? My CZ Kadet and Sig 220. Go figure.

[XDShooter07]

IMO a glock or any other auto without a dedicated external safety isn't a good idea for a new shooter that is uncomfortable shooting and has trouble locking the slide back.

An SP101 with 3" barrel loaded with standard .38's would be a good starter and she could progress up to higher pressure loads as she gets more comfortable. The weight of that gun should help her deal with recoil.

[makarovnik]

Hasn't this been done before?

[XDShooter07]

does it hurt your brain to see one more thread about it? Get over it.

[hartzpad]

Sorry, I've never even checked this subforum since I joined years ago so I wouldn't have seen past threads.

After some more thought and research, I'm thinking a 2 1/8" barrel (would also allow CCW) DAO, hammerless revolver in .357 that I can load .38 special for her to use, .357 for me to shoot. I would really like to get her a 6 shot capacity instead of 5 shot. I'll take her to the range to try out some different guns and see what she likes.

Who makes a short barrel, .357 hammerless revolver that is a 6 shot? There are too many model numbers to keep track of with revolvers.

[Quoheleth]

Ruger's SP101 comes in a 5-shot version of what you ask about. Nice thing about the Ruger is it's heavier than a j-frame, thus Sir Isaac Newton will be with your wife to help tame recoil. A SP101 (I have the 3" Magnum w/hammer version) would be my first choice if my wife ever miraculously asks me to go shooting.

Taurus makes several hammerless or shrouded hammer revolvers - not sure about capacity, tho. Folks badmouth Taurus, but generally they seem to be decent. For more info: www.taurusarmed.net

Keep an eye out and you can probably find some of the old Smith model 10s that have been bobbed with shorter barrels and rounded grips for $250 or so.

Q

[hartzpad]

I found that Taurus makes the model 617 with a concealed hammer, short barrel in .357 with a 7 Shot Capcity! Cool.

[Steve H]

MY wife has had a slide cocking problem until I showed her to not pull the slide. I taught her to hold the slide in place and push the gun foward. Also for home defense a high mag ~17 rds. makes for more confidence.

[psyopspec]

Both you and your wife need to spend some time at Cornered Cat (http://www.corneredcat.com). Trust me. An hour or less by each of you on this web site will save you a LOT of problems down the road. It's a series of short essays written by a woman for both women and men on the topic of women defending themselves. The author is a member here, goes by the name of Pax. Believe me when I tell you that the web site is excellent. She'll explain how to find the right handgun for your wife better than any member here could.

[Hawk]

20 posts before a link to Cornered Cat? We're slipping. Drop the preconceptions and get yourselves there.

I'll defer to the those more familiar with weapon selection by the ladies but I'd be willing to bet the slide issue is less important than you're thinking and the problems with a 9mm revolver are being underestimated.

Mooning tools for 9mm are scarce and I'm betting busted up nails are a given without the gizmos. Of course, there's the breathtakingly high priced S&W 547 of magic extractor.

[krs]

When you're confused about a caliber choice find this Taurus: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/50_494/products_id/17248 and shoot almost anything you can pick up on the ground at the range



My "petite" wife is deadly with her S&W 442 loaded with 148 gr. full wadcutters and a load of 3.0 gr. of bullseye. (She's 5'3" and struggles to keep her weight over 100 lbs.)

She's good with all of my pistols though has some trouble racking a short barreled 1911 but prefers her revolver so there's nothing for her to forget if she finds herself under stress.

When she was new to all of this it was less about her not being able to handle a gun, it was more about her being afraid of me thinking less of her if she did something wrong, or if she did something that damaged a pistol. This was when we were new together - 14 years ago.

Once she was convinced that I wasn't the ogre that her ex had been she took to shooting like the proverbial duck takes to water.

I really believe that she might be Annie Oakley reincarnate. A natural shooter.

Also, because of an episode early in our relationship I have full trust in her taking my back if we're ever in a situation.

[KBintheSLC]

My wife is about 5'2" @ 105 lbs and she loves her Sig P239 in 9mm. I tossed some Hogue rubber grips on there and she shoots it like a champ.

[springmom]

+1 on the suggestion to find a place that rents guns so she can "try them on". Or if you have friends who have guns, perhaps a day at the range with them? That's how I picked my first one...one of Archerandshooter's buddies had more guns than the U.S. Army, and his dad more than HIM, and they took me to the range one day and let me at it.

That was a good day. :D

The only drawback to a revolver for a new shooter, or for a woman whose hands are too weak to rack the slide, is that the triggers can be formidable. Especially a new one...of course, if she wants a revolver, you could always pony up for a really well done trigger job for her (this gets you stars in your Good Husband crown). But a lot of women, me included, find that we rack the slide differently than men, using the "push, don't pull" technique of pushing the slide with the left hand while gripping the frame with the right. Might not work, but it's worth a try.

Also, you and she both go to www.corneredcat.com and do some reading on this topic. Always worthwhile for a new woman shooter. (And invite her to come on and join here herself! :))

Springmom

[Exmasonite]

look at the Bersa .380

<$275, accurate, reliable little sucker. i love mine but i usually ahve to pry it out of my wife's hands.

[3KillerBs]

A thought here, from a small woman:

Though my hands are strong for their size and I can rack just about anything even the ones that are so big I can't lock the slide back, I have noticed that the slides are stiffer to work and the controls harder to cope with on the small guns than on some of the larger ones.

In particular, the guns that I find easiest to work with are the Beretta 92 and its Taurus clone the PT-92. The slides are easy to get ahold of and pull back.

Additionally, the narrow neck at the top of the chunky, double-stack grip makes it possible for short fingers to reach the trigger comfortably.

So, counter-intuitive as it is, going bigger rather than smaller may solve the problem since it a home gun rather than a carry gun size isn't really relevant.

As for revolvers, I suggest getting a steel one rather than an Airweight or Ultralite.

Lightweight snubbies HURT to fire -- like slamming your hand down on a table as hard as you can. Even the retired military guys from Ft. Bragg are willing to admit that so its really sort of ridiculous how often women who are shooting for the first time are told to get lightweight snubbies.

[M203Sniper]

have you tried a Sig P225/P6 8 rounds of 9mm and get the springs right, the same for a glock, get the spring weight right about 13lbs and it will be easier to work the slide.

A shotgun is probably best.

[mnrivrat]

As you can see there is a lot of good idea's on how you can pursue a firearm for the smaller lady. I always think the first choice that should be made is wether an auto or a wheel gun fits the person the best.

That is in handling, ergonomics, weight, etc. Racking a slide is problem for some, for others it is not an issue. How to find out is to have her try various guns and see what she is most comfortable with.

As to the 6 shot revolver vs a 5 shot . I believe it is a non issue. That said, there are small frame revolvers that hold 6 rounds. In 38spl there is the Colt detective special, there is my Taurus 731 in .32 H&R magnum that is also a 6 shot. By the way, all ladies who have looked at My Taurus seem to find it appealing. The Ulta-lite is 17oz which feels good in their hands, and the recoil is less than the .38 Spl with H&R mag loads, and absolutely a soft shooter using .32 S&W Longs. It may be something worth looking at for her. Mine happens to be a now discontinued 13oz total titanium. The ones still being manufactured are alloy and stainless.

S&W and Taurus make a variety of small frame revolvers in shrouded hammer designs, and various materials. The longer trigger pull of a DA only revolver can also give some problems so check for that.

In auto's one can get a tip-up barrel Beretta to rid yourself of the need for racking the slide. They are limited to smaller calibers however. Smaller calibers can in fact get the job done with proper shot placement . Shooting something that she is comfortable with is more important I think than what caliber or how many rounds it holds.

So, first - auto or revolver , then caliber , then fit . That is my 2 cents worth for today.

[C-grunt]

3KB stated:
As for revolvers, I suggest getting a steel one rather than an Airweight or Ultralite.

Lightweight snubbies HURT to fire -- like slamming your hand down on a table as hard as you can. Even the retired military guys from Ft. Bragg are willing to admit that so its really sort of ridiculous how often women who are shooting for the first time are told to get lightweight snubbies.

This is GREAT advice right here. My wife absolutely loved her SW 442 15 oz .38.......until she fired it. After about 20 rounds through the gun, it became mine. I even traded it off because the thing hurts to shoot. For a home defense weapon, I think a bigger, longer barreled revolver would be a much better choice.

[BrennanKG]

My wife's preferences. She's 5'1", and petite, with tiny hands.

Sigs: P232 (380), P239 (9mm), or P225(9mm, out of production but easy to find).

1911: any reliable 3-4.5" model, preferably with an aluminum frame. She prefers 9mm to 45, but handles the 45 pretty well.

The above choices reflect her unreasonable bias against double-action pulls. She can handle the Sigs' first DA shot, but dislikes it. She flat out refused any of the Kahr options. :(


B.

[creativetownsman]

For auto, agree Beretta 92 or Taurus PT-92. Easy to rack, less recoil.

For revolver, any 4" steel framed .357/.38gun, and CERTAINLY NO J-frame. Impracticable and she'll end up hating it, most likely. The only one J-frame that would probably work might be a 432PD, or one in .22LR. If had to choose J-frame, 32 H&R magnum but since you prefer auto for her in 9mm go with the Taurus.

[Loosedhorse]

For some with small hands, the Beretta 92 is going to be too big, and the back strap will recoil against the thumb--ouch!

Is CCW the issue?

If not, think about

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/162440_large.jpg

That's a 60: J-frame small grip, but with lots of barrel to decrease muzzle flip and increase sight radius. .357, but .38s'll be just fine.

If concealed carry:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/150198_large.jpg

Model 36: No-snag sights, pretty nickel (as befits).

Small hands can have trouble with slides--especially slides with heavy springs for blow-back calibers like .380. True, good technique and training overcomes that almost always.

But you indicate that she's unlikely to go gung-ho on training. Then I gotta think revolver, and one of those two steel revolvers should do it. Add laser grips and you're set (but she still needs to train with it--use target or cowboy loads, they're light).

Revolvers have their problems: ammo capacity, slower reloads, and if they go bad they go way bad. But for someone who isn't up for practicing a lot of tap-rack-re-acq drills, revolvers have a special appeal.

[JImbothefiveth]

And maybe set her up with a snap cap for every chamber, if she ever feels inclined to practice at home.

[Loosedhorse]

I have been reminded that I forgot to suggest the Ruger SP101 3"
http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/110844000/110844378/pix878300156.jpg
Omission corrected.

[3KillerBs]

For some with small hands, the Beretta 92 is going to be too big, and the back strap will recoil against the thumb--ouch!

That's what mystifies me about the situation I described. My hands are very small, with very short fingers though a relatively broad palm. There is no way I should be able to handle a full-size, even over-sized, duty gun like that. The only reason I ever even picked one of those monsters up is that they match my long-time mental image of what a semi-auto ought to be like and I just wanted to hold it for a moment. I was completely prepared to sigh hopelessly and try to find something else.

But that narrow neck at the top of the grip makes ALL the difference and I can handle one of those more comfortably than ANYTHING else, even my Mark III. And when you add in how hard it is to work the low-profile safeties, slide locks, etc. on the varies compact guns designed for concealed carry compared to the large controls on the 92 that are so easy to get firm contact with its amazing. So its worth a try for anyone who is struggling that way.

I do have that problem you mentioned about taking recoil in the thumb joint when I fire a 1911. Only a few rounds of .45 from a compact Kimber left my thumb joint aching for a couple days afterward. Any gun that does that to a person is definitely the wrong gun.

[Chuck Dye]

One slightly expensive solution to the small hands question is a Ruger SP-101 with custom grips. The grips on an SP-101 mount to a central peg rather than the backstrap/frontstrap full frame used by most revolver designs. The result is substantial room for shortening the length of pull. I shared some range time once with a family who had a .22LR SP-101 with grips customized for the kids. It worked great.

[Blacksmoke]

No offense meant but if your wife (and anyone else) is not intending to practice shooting it regularly she has no business owning a handgun. Would it be wiser to buy her a shotgun or a carbine she can wield?

[Loosedhorse]

+1 on shotgun--don't know why I didn't think of it (except that you asked about 3-4" revolvers).

Semi-auto youth-sized 20 gauge would sure do it. But strangely, I've run into a few gun neophytes who could do pistol fine, but had all sorts of shouldering problems with long guns (or were cross-dominant: left eye aim with right shoulder mount) that made long guns feel very awkward, even when sized correctly, negating their usual advantages.

Definitely something to think about, though.

For the newbie, I don't think pump has advantages over semi-auto: semi is "more complicated", but it's easy to short-stroke a pump. Do they make a 20 gauge coach gun? If only they made a revolver-shotgun...hmmmm....

:)

[pbearperry]

Time will fix everything.In 20-30 yrs,the petite wife will probably weigh 170 lbs. and she will be able to handle just about everything.Oh ya I am way out of line here.Jay Lenos fav line.

[tschmittel]

Not to thread jack, but my problem is more serious. How can I get my wife down to 105lbs.?

[BrennanKG]

Not to thread jack, but my problem is more serious. How can I get my wife down to 105lbs.?

Divorce.
I've noticed that when women get divorced, they very often lose weight. I've seen this in most of the divorced couples I know. While the men generally pork out.

Back on topic, my wife really wants someone to make an 80% scaled FN Five Seven. She likes how they shoot, but has a hard time reaching the controls.


B.

[S&Wfan]

I'll be married 35 years on the 28th, to a petite 5' 0" lady who is so sweet.

Which handgun for a petite lady? Whichever one SHE likes best.

Guys, there is NO WAY you can know this. Take her shooting and let her find what is right for her!

T.

PS: In the end, my wife rejected all the automatics due to slide rack issues and rejected some for having to remember to flip levers under stress.

She LOVED the 3" barreled .38 and .357 handguns such as the K frames, so I let her have my 3" Model 65. However, she wished for a much lighter and smaller revolver with a 3" barrel.

In the end, she settled on a 3" barrel Model 37 Airweight S&W . . . one heck of a choice too, IMHO! I put a Tyler T-grip on it and she LOVES how it shoots.

She took it to a self-defense course taught by our sheriff and staff . . . and her range officer told her she shot better than most cops! He also told her she knew the subject well enough (gun safety AND technique) to teach the class too. I'll take a little credit for showing her that!

In the end, a lady should get the firearm SHE likes and is most comfortable with.


T.

PS: Ditto about the advice learned on the "Cornered Cat" website. ALL men and their ladies should read this FIRST.

[3KillerBs]

For the newbie, I don't think pump has advantages over semi-auto: semi is "more complicated", but it's easy to short-stroke a pump.

Short-stroking a shotgun is a major issue for the very short person -- who, naturally, has short arms. When I get a shotgun of my own I'm getting a semi-auto because of that problem. I refuse to use my DS#1's 12 gauge even at the range because I short-stroke it 3 times out of 5 and end up creating a safety hazard due to the gun's uncertain status and my inability to clear the problem.

[Clipper]

You might want to have her try one of the tilt-barrel berettas...Racking the slide isn't necessary, and I think they're made up to .380...

[wnycollector]

My wife's CCW is a 2.75" Ruger Security Six loaded with Speer Short Barrel 135gr gold dots. It has been a progresion of good revolvers to get to this point! When she got her CC permit we went to the gun store and SHE picked a S&W 638...she loved the light weight and ability to shoot it SA. She HATED it once we got to the range! Anything hotter than a 100gr WC was out of the question! Next came a S&W M36 with hogue monogrip...MUCH better but still not right. Finally I picked up the Six and she tried it one day at the range and was sold. She travels overnight on business ~ once/month and now the Six is "her" CCW on those trips;)