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2 girls bitten by gun bug, what to suggest?

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I think that with no prior experience, and the likelihood that these ladies aren't going to turn into 500+ round per month range-addicts overnight, to try to keep things simple for them to handle safely, disassemble&clean, to be able to manage under pressure, handle any FTF or FTEs, and able to get acceptable accuracy results without large amounts of practice. I'd also suggest a standard sized DA revolver to start with, or a mid-size, simple DAO semi-auto like some that have been suggested. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, the ladies should go to a store and handle, try, and ask questions about a selection of options themselves and not rely on someone else's selection for them. I know one woman who carries a Charter Arms 44 Special, and another who carries a Ruger SP101, and yet another with an XDm and a Kahr PM9.

We had an article in today's newspaper about a recent large increase in women purchasing firearms for personal protection. The paper interviewed a lady who works at a firearms store, as well as several members of the pro-2A group, Second Ammendment Sister. A link to the article is here, if it will be helpful/of interest:
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130127/NEWS07/130129238
 
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They need to pick the guns, not you.

My girlfriend absolutely hated the old 50's J frame inherited to her. She likes my full size 45 much better.

Shotguns aren't great either. Pretty hard to hold the phone while firing a long gun then having to rack it again. The recent SD shooting is evidence of that.
 
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to teach a single mother how to shoot a pistol for home defense. Her next door neighbors had been broken into by some dude high on "bath salts" and realized that it could have very well been her house. After basic range/gun safety and a introduction on how each gun functions we began shooting a little. We began with a Ruger MKIII. She really favored it because of the lack of recoil and she ended up shooting VERY well at 15 yards for a first time pistol shooter. Once she was comfortable we shot a 9mm Glock and a Taurus Judge. Between the two she favored the Judge even though your range is a bit limited and the capacity is only 5 rounds. Loaded with a good defense round you can get 3 to 4 hits in each shot shell. I never really thought much of them, but now I'm having a hard time not getting one for my wife!
 
I'd suggest you start by reading this:

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/for-the-men/buying-a-gun-for-your-wife/

It basically explains how to buy an appropriate gun for a woman.

I'd also point out that I've seen several people on here comment about women, or some particular woman, having trouble racking the slide on a semi-auto. My experience is that with few exceptions this is usually because they haven't been taught the proper technique for doing so, largely because whoever taught her probably didn't know it either. OP if you'd like to teach these ladies how to shoot a semi-auto then I'd suggest you look up proper technique for racking a slide (it's on the same website as that link I just posted). I taught my own wife how to work the slide on a semi-auto using that technique and she can easily handle any gun you hand her now.
 
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My go to choice for home defense is always a shotty for those not overly familiar with handguns.

I would also suggest going with a revolver over a semi auto UNTIL they were more advanced in their firearm handling and know how to identify semi-auto failures and how to clear it with ease. Revolvers also benefit from a lower number of required operations to be ready to fire - no racking the slide, safeties etc.

Sure, most semi-autos are quite reliable. But when it comes to mission critical events such as self defense - it's best to remove all possibilities of failure you can. A medium frame revolver with a 4"-6" barrel would be ideal. Something like the S&W 686+ for seven shot capacity in .357 magnum and enough weight to help with recoil. If they have large enough hands, a model 627 has added capacity for 8 rounds of .357.

Then find a load that is good for defense but they are also comfortable shooting. Follow up shots may be required and you don't want the gun literally jumping out of their hand with recoil. Often home defense situations happen at night or without ideal lighting and one thing to remember is the hotter the load, the shorter the barrel, the larger muzzle blast you will get and can momentarily blind you. Consider that when selecting your barrel length and ammo. If possible, try and do some training at night as well.
 
For full size auto, I would consider the beretta 92. They are easy to operate, very well balanced and minimal recoil. For revolver I would consider something along the lines of a Ruger sp101 chambered in .357/38. I have heard of several people buying the berreta only to use in getting their wife/gf used to shooting. I have the beretta92 and its by far the smoothest 9mm I have ever pulled the slide back on.
 
For pure home defense, for the ladies, a Mossberg 20 gauge Bantam would be hard to beat. My 9, 11, and 12 y/o can each fire it with comfort.
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If it is just for home defense, I don't think a pistol is the right choice. For HD I think it may serve her well to have simple mossburg pump. Hand guns are fantastic for something easily carried, holstered, and with you at all times for defense. They are ideal for their purpose, but not the most effective in every situation. The shotgun would be cheaper, and I've known far more women that Cling to a shotgun over any of the handguns they have tried. My wife is one of them.
 
My opinion and just that, my opinion.

These women aren't anti-gun, but have no experience and right now want home protection.
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A revolver as it does not get any simpler. While anyone can be taught a semi-automatic pistol and become proficient with it if god forbid a gun is needed in a home defense situation nothing beats the point and shoot simplicity of a revolver. Racking a slide and or working a safety should not be a factor. Be it a Ruger, S&W, Taurus or whatever I just lean towards a revolver. Shooting in a defensive situation is a one time deal, factors like recoil should not be a factor. I believe a factor like recoil should not even enter into it. Most shootings like this are not a matter of holding and squeezing with sight picture and alignment but more often shots from the waistline at a very short distance. I suggest a short barrel, 38/357 revolver.

Just My Take...
Ron
 
9 MM might be a great choice for the home owner with no children but not for the Condo dweller IMO. When the SHTF you can be sure there will be bullets that do not hit their mark and this is proven time and again with trained police officers in shooting situations. Where do those free flying bullets end up in a Condo setting? For the mother I would suggest a K frame 38/357 loaded with safety rounds.
 
gbran said:
I'm leaning toward J-Frame 38's or 20ga shotties.

Thoughts?
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A 20 gauge is good but make sure the stock fits. If the ladies are small, get a youth model or have the stock shortened to fit.

For the home i would not recommend a J frame, but I agree a revolver would be the best place to start. The smaller guns, while great for concealment, tend to have a kick objectionable to the novice shooter.

Again, fit and comfort is important. My wife is small with small hands but likes her 4" S&W 586 with neoprene grips.

Remember, a hit with a 22 trumps a miss with a 44 Magnum any day.
 
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What ever you buy make sure they can handle it and be resonably accurate with it.
Getting them a cannon they make be afraid of ....serves no purpose.
 
Since presumably neither of them will be doing any house clearing, etc and will head to the "panic room" and wait for the cavalry, a long gun would be my call. I was going to be different and say AR, M1 or other pistol-caliber carbine..then remembered CA..so probably stick to the shotgun route.
 
Start them off with a .22 LR automatic or revolver. Let them enjoy shooting to start with, build up some confidence and them work them up to a larger caliber pistol. Then they can more realistically choose what's best for them. I personally think a good used 9mm Sig P239 pistol is a good choice and pretty soft shooting.
 
If this is a purely defensive, home gun I suggest the Glock 17. If they may decide to carry it in the future, go for the Glock 19.
 
If you're gonna try a semi-auto, have them try the Walther p-99 in .40 , easy to rack, wonderful trigger, and left in the night stand with a dummy in the chamber and a loaded mag. The drill is to slam the mag in and rack the slide. Very easy and very straight forward and with the AntiStrain model, the trigger slides into VERY light mode making the first shot more likely to land on center mass. Remembering the gal in Georgia that hit the target 5 times, Shot placement, shot placement , shot placement.

KKKKFL
 
Here's a different option.

I would not hesitate to grab my KelTec Sub2000 (40S&W) in a life & death situation. Of all the guns I own, this is the one I grabbed after an explosion at a local chemical plant woke us up at 1am. Sounded like someone had knocked down the front door. Turned on the red laser and off I went. The 32 round mag is nice to have in a high stress/high adrenaline situation. I think even I could put at least one of 32 rounds in a bad guy's hurt zone. The Sub2000 is a compact carbine that's easy to control and folds down for storage in a laptop bag. Only downside might be the charging handle can be a little heavy at times, but a lighter spring might address that issue. Just a thought.
 
My first thoughts are 20 gauge shotgun or full sized Glock 9 mm. Both have pros and cons and will require them to rent a few things and see what they like.
 
Whatever you get make sure you practice, practice, practice. Having a race car does not make you a race car driver. Having a gun does not make a good marksman. Develop strategies for home and away from home and if possible, always let the bad guy come to you on your terms.
 
When I was at the range a few weeks ago testing out the new M&P c9 I got, a couple of young ladies, mid to late twenties were getting a few pointers from their dads and uncles on shooting. They were shooting a Glock 19, a Ruger LCP, a 9mm Sig, forgot to ask, and various revolvers, with a couple 1911s thrown in. After a bit of talking and bs ing, I offered my c9 for them to try. Both woman loved it. And they were hitting decent groups at about ten yards. They both told the guys "I want that"

Might work for your two ladies as well
 
This is only a suggestion list. Let them try before buying and make a choice.

M&P9c
Glock 19
Springfield 9mm 1911
Sig P226 or SP2022

I am not a big fan of revolvers for a lady but wouldn't rule it out. Once I was an XD9sc fan but have seen too many problems with them.
 
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