Firearm for a new shooter

[AnselHazen]

Our friend did mention getting a carry permit, so I'm thinking not to big or heavy.
She does not have a lot of cash to spare, if she did I would recommend a 22 lr in either revolver or semi-auto and a like gun in 9mm or 38 spl. I think 380 acp might be a good choice but it runs about $5 more per 50 rnds. not sure if this would be a shooting deterrent.

You know, my wife has a lot more ability to hide a full size auto than I do. She can pack a lot into that purse thing. But yes size and weight are a factor.

But what I'm also trying to bring to light here is, if I had said, buy the Sig Mosquito dear, or worse just simply came home with it for her, it would have been a total failure. What I saw first hand was a new shooter trying to do well, and at first, failing miserably. And without that chance to try different guns and finding one she felt comfortable with, it never would have gone further. She would have been convinced she couldn't shoot a gun well and never tried again.

We need to set them up for success.

 

[entropy]

entropy writes:



Actually, you can toss the .32ACP in that mix, too. Just tossing that out there. Sometimes that's all they have at the store.

I hadn't thought of that...it is semi-rimmed. Good to know!

 

[joneb]

AnselHazen,
Good advise

 

[joneb]

I know I am going to try to push her in a direction she may not what to go but I feel a need to put my 2 cents in. We wouldn't want her trying to defend herself with a CO2 BB gun.

 

[susieqz]

some of us prefer 22lr above all.
if i shoot centerfire it's an all steel k frame, model 15.
plastic guns hurt.

 

[joneb]

some of us prefer 22lr above all.

Thanks, I will bring a few more 22 lr handguns

What I saw first hand was a new shooter trying to do well, and at first, failing miserably. And without that chance to try different guns and finding one she felt comfortable with, it never would have gone further.

Perhaps for now I will focus on a pleasurable experience.
Sorry to rehash this topic, I know it's been done here many times. This has been of great help to me and hopefully a new shooter.

 

[susieqz]

smart idea. let her find the fun factor first.

 

[Pete D.]

First

I always recommend a .22 of some sort as a first handgun.
Why? Because handguns require practice in order to become proficient. A new shooter is more apt to practice more with a gun that is a) less expensive to feed and b) less stressful to shoot.
There is no substitute for rounds down range.


Compare the cost of a brick of .22s and 500 rounds of any centerfire cartridge.
Pete

 

[Dudemeister]

I haven't been as active here as I would like, but here are my 2 cents on this.

I just bought a Chiappa Rhino, and have enjoyed shooting it for the last couple of months.

I know some of you will probably flame me for this, but I think a 2" Chiappa Rhino, with 38SPL might just do the trick. The 38SPL is a light enough load, and the design of the Chiappa would translate in to a lot less perceived recoil, and muzzle flip. The 2" model comes with rubber grips, which further soften up the recoil concussion.

The barrel being lined up with the bottom cylinder, puts it in line with your arm, instead of above it, so it makes it easier to line up for follow up shots, and recoil feels like a push against the arm, rather than a wrist break.

I have a 4" version, which my wife got to shoot, and she does have some arthritis in her hands. Previosuly she didn't like shooting anything other than a 22LR (she has her own Walther P22), but this is the first centerfire she didn't mind shooting.

SO that's somethig to think about.

Oh, one last thing, the cylinder flat sided design makes the gun a lot narrower than a traditional revolver, so it's more conducive to concealment.

 

[smkummer]

Yesterday 3 ladies including my wife were shooting my 1977 police positive special 4" with a heavy barrel. All 3 were novice shooters. The load was a 125 grain bullet and 2.8 grains bullseye simulating 38 short Colt. Very mild and no one complained about recoil. I then moved to 38 wadcutters and again, no complaint. Wife's gun is a nickel alloy Colt cobra 38 and she didn't complain after first shooting the steel police positive but only shot the 38 short colt rounds. The day was cut short so hopefully we can do it again. A big B27 target at about 8 yards was used. In the future, it will be 7 yards with a shoot-n-see 8 or 10 in. target in the middle. Anything to get them to enjoy shooting. I believe a K frame smith with a 3 or 4" barrel would be sweet also.

 

[Paladin7]

I think your initial recommendation of a 5 shot J Frame, all steel, is a good one provided the barrel is 3" and you load target wadcutters. She can work her way up to 158 gr LSWC HP +Ps or not and be adequately armed for personal defense with something she can actually carry conveniently.

Having said that, it is generally better to start someone off with a revolver that is K Frame in size, like a S&W Model 10 or 19/66. These guns are about the right size to learn to shoot well and the manual of arms is the same.

For a new shooter, manual of arms favors the revolver, IMHO. Very easy to make safe, very easy to understand, no issues with semi-auto jamb drills, no slides to rack, etc. If the gun doesn't fire, you pull the trigger again, simple.

 

[Black Knight]

I wish I had seen this a few days ago. I would steer clear of any 5 shot .38 Special especially the S&W ones. I tried a few for my wife and the trigger pulls were so horrendous I am surprised that S&W put their name on them. I was told by the shop's counter salesman that the pull could be worked on for about $100 at that time. My response was if I pay good money for a gun it should be right the first time not sent back for what the factory should have done in the first place. I would recommend a medium frame 6 shot .38 Special with a 3 inch barrel. The trigger pull is so much better, the added weight will help dampen recoil, and the extra round may mean the difference between getting home and not. Whatever you do let her try as many as possible so she can decide which one she wants. BTW my wife choose my 2 1/2" S&W model 66-2 for her gun.

 

[azrocks]

As other posters have mentioned, I can't think of a harder gun to shoot effectively than a j-frame snub (as you're considering). The short sight radius, lousy sights, and long heavy trigger pull make accurate fire difficult for men with good hands, much less ladies with arthritis. Then there's the excessive muzzle blast and recoil... unless you get the steel frame... in which case the recoil is reduced but by going with steel you've negated one of the very few advantages a j-frame might offer: weight reduction. Even if you get the trigger worked it's still DA all the way and will still be heavy enough to impact accuracy for someone with bad hands.

There are tons of 9mm semi-autos that will do everything better: better ballistic performance, more maneagable recoil, larger capacity (even in single-stack 9s), the ability to reload via magazines, much lighter triggers right out of the box, etc, etc. If manipulating controls is a problem go with a striker-fired semi, which would require even fewer fine motor skills than a wheelgun.

I think revolvers are sexy as all-get-out, but with the semis available today, I don't see why anyone would choose one as their first/only handgun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks, I will bring a few more 22 lr handguns

Perhaps for now I will focus on a pleasurable experience.
Sorry to rehash this topic, I know it's been done here many times. This has been of great help to me and hopefully a new shooter.

That was my point exactly when I suggested a .22 in post #12. Building confidence is important and so is fun. Make it fun and anyone will want to go again. The satisfaction of hitting what you are shooting at can't be underestimated either. Good luck, don't forget to tell us how the trip goes!

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Post #38: exactly.

Will be having that exact same discussion w a lady friend of mine soon.