What gun would you reccomend for a woman?

[natedog]

All right, here's the deal. My mom is somewhat into guns. She shoots when I shoot and is profficient with our Colt Officers Model .38. Only problem is that she has very weak hands, and despite the excellent double action pull on the Colt, she cannot hit well and fast with it. Only on single action can she make accurate hits. So I'm trying to think of a good gun for her. We rented a Glock 17 in the past, and she commented that that was probably the most recoil she could manage well. She also said that the Glock's grip was too wide for her. So basically the requirements are :


Slim grip
Powerful enough
Good sights
Nice, easy trigger pull

[natedog]

Light weight would be great, too.

[Andrew Wyatt]

what about a 1911 in 9mm?

[incursion]

Kahr K9

Send it to Teddy Jacobson if you need the trigger lightened.

[Sean Smith]

I'd go up a size and say a Kahr T9. Still only 26 ounces, small grip, trigger is DAO but smooth and can be easily lightened, recoil should be no sweat. Also, longer slide vs the K9 means a lighter recoil spring for easier racking, and if you don't shoot +P you can use an even lighter recoil spring than stock. Less recoil than the K9 too.

A 9mm Lightweight Commander could be a good option, but there aren't many out there.

[denfoote]

Get the Kahr P9 with the Elite package. The trigger job is already done by the factory. Take her to a gunshop and let her try out the pull first!!
Andrew's sugestion about a 1911A1 platform chambered in 9mm is also good.

Springfield Ultra Compact
Lightweight, Stainless Steel PX9505L (Image)
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 8+1
Barrel: 3.5", 1:16 RH
Sights: Novak® Patented Low Mount
Sight Radius: 5.1875"
Size: 28 ozs., 7" overall length
Trigger Pull: 5 to 6 lbs.
Magazines: 2
MSRP: $837.00

www.springfieldarmory.com

[Ky Larry]

Browning HP if she doesn't mind size. CZ-83 in .380 ACP.

[El Tejon]

Whatever gun . . . [wait for it] . . . SHE PICKS!!!

[SirVette]

Whatever gun . . . [wait for it] . . . SHE PICKS!!!

Exactly.
Many police go their entire careers w/o firing their gun though many are taken into custody w/ it.
You don't want to go too light on the pull in a defense gun & have an AD.
DA or DAO recommended for a defense gun.

[Gabe]

Get her to try a Makarov.

[Cawdor]

The Sig 239 (http://www.sigarms.com/products/classicpersonalsize-models.asp?product_id=43) has a single stack magazine, so the grip is smaller than other 9mm's. First shot would be DA, unless it is cocked manually first. Also, the Sig 225.

The new HK P2000 (http://www.hk-usa.com/pages/civilian/handguns/p2000.html) has changeable backstraps. The LEM trigger has a long light trigger pull.

The Walther P99 QA (http://www.waltheramerica.com/p99qa.htm) also has changeable backstraps, and a trigger than is similar to a Glock.

[Sean Smith]

Whatever gun . . . [wait for it] . . . SHE PICKS!!!

Yeah, that's what I usually say, but I got so tired of making the same suggestion for "man needs to choose gun for woman" :rolleyes: threads that I just suggested something. What can I say, I was weak.

:D

And in total fairness to Natedog, he had some specific needs to work with; he didn't just say "what's a good chick gun, man? like some guys here have. And I'm still waiting for someone to suggest an airweight snubnose as a great "beginner gun" ... :barf:

[10-Ring]

I've got a friend who has to carry the Glock 17 but prefers the 21 while another friend can't really tell the difference from caliber to caliber excepts for 22's. Really, it will come down to the gun your mom is most comfy w/ & the one she shoots best. She needs to rent a few figure out which one works for her.

[Sean Smith]

The counter-stereotype (not to say insane) example that comes to mind is the small woman I got shooting a Glock 20C one time. The grip was comically too fat for her, but she loved shooting that thing, and was darn accurate for a new shooter... 8, 9, and 10s at 7 yards with no experience is something to see. Anytime she handles anything in less than 10mm or a slimmer grip than a Glock 20/21 she thinks it is sissy.

Ya never know... :D

[4v50 Gary]

Depends on her hand size, grip strength and how much weight she wants to carry. She's has to like it and feel both comfortable and confident with it.

[James Bondrock]

This gun is a blowback, tip-up barrel .380 ACP. The tip-up barrel obviates the need to rack the slide to load or check the chamber. It has a selective double action which gives you the choice of carrying with the hammer down and the trigger forward in double-action mode (the DA pull is fairly light) with the ambidextrous safety on or off, or cocked and locked. It also has a magazine safety. Its 8-round single stack magazine gives it a thin grip and the bore axis is low which gives it little muzzle flip. The .380 ACP is barely adequate for self defense, but this gun's four-inch barrel gives the little bullet a bit more velocity. I have one, not because my hands are weak, but as a curiosity because of its unusual design. It is quite fun to shoot.

[Mannlicher]

my wife likes the 3 inch model 60. my daughter favors a Commander. Both ladies shoot well.

[ARperson]

Is it actual recoil or muzzle flip (rise, but rise doesn't really describe the jolt with which the muzzle comes up) that she doesn't like? I only ask because I personally think there's a major difference, even if not technically recognized by the industry. For instance, I think the 1911 has pretty significant muzzle flip, but very little felt recoil. And for that reason is a favorite of mine.

On the otherhand, a .357 magnum out of our 6" barrel has very little muzzle flip, but is a bruiser on the hand after a while. Same with the CZ-52.

The most important thing is she has to be comfortable with it. (Yes, another "let her pick" suggestion.)

Based on your requirements, I think a best fit is the 1911. Doesn't get much slimmer. Round is definitely powerful enough (but powerful enough for what? You didn't really say). Sights are better than average on most models (can always go with the nights sights too!). And the trigger pulls are famous for sweetness.

Just my two pennies. Being a woman and all.

[M58]

Try one of the Kahrs or Sig 239.

Maybe the Para LDA Compact.

[jercamp45]

it is her's.....gotta feel good to her!
JC45

[Mike Irwin]

Whatever she's comfortable with after handling as many handguns as possible.

Given your criteria, just about any small to medium framed revolver will fit the bill, as will the Kahr K9.

[10mmman]

Not the Pocketlite version, but the full sized steel version. Put wrap-around Pacmeyers on it and you will have a very soft shooting (non recoil operation) .380. If you get a stainless steel version, you will want to blacken the fron sight. A set of Wolff springs wouldn't hurt.

X

[Dilettante]

(Sean Smith)
And in total fairness to Natedog, he had some specific needs to work with; he didn't just say "what's a good chick gun, man? like some guys here have.

Hey, let's be fair now. :D
I don't know how often this question comes up. I did ask recently if a gun has ever been designed for women--especially a rifle or carbine, where it's more likely to matter.

Maybe the question should be

"What gun would be good for Nate's mom?"

Take her to a renting range and see what she likes! Will they let you try out different guns in one visit? If you put down a purchase depost they might!

I also doubt that very light weight is a good thing. Small guns have worse recoil, and sometimes the trigger is very hard to pull.

[Obiwan]

Whew...you had me going for a minute.

After all those threads about what gun for Elk or Bear...I thought......

Oh...never mind...get her something nice

[valnar]

I also recommend the Kahr K9 as perfect for the parameters you described.

-Robert

[Matt G]

Slim grip

Powerful enough

Good sights

Nice, easy trigger pull

Wait a sec-- those are all qualities I want in my pistol! Why does she get to have the gun with the desirable qualities?!? [/whine]

[Rich357]

If your mother tries a SIG P239 and the trigger is a little too far forward in DA mode, SIG has an optional "short" trigger. I would call it a "thin" trigger but SIG didn't ask me. It is not as thick from front to back and places the forward surface of the trigger a little closer to the grip. It is a popular option with a number of SIG shooters.

Rich

[Sunray]

Start by getting mom a rubber ball cut in half. Have her sqeeze it as often as possible to strengthen her hands. Then buy the pistol that fits her hand. Nothing else matters if it doesn't fit her.

[Trisha]

natedog -

As I continue to incrementally lose comprehensive finme muscle control (which seems to make my hands a little weaker, my gait a bit sloppier), I've found continuing to make bread (kneeding thorougly by hand) helps better than just about anything I've tried, with assisted chin-ups second.

I'd add my support to her trying a Makarov for fit, or the Colt Government .380 with comfy Pachs.

And congradulations for enjoying time at the range with your Mom!

Trisha