What's your opinion on ccw for a woman?
- Thread starter Sammenspiel
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My wife started with a Glock G26 sub-compact carried in a Galco CCW purse. She found the 9mm was too heavy, 31 oz with 12 rounds (finger extension). She moved to a Ruger LCP, a .380. Less than 12 oz with seven rounds. BUT... the LCP has a trigger pull from hell and kicks a lot, not a fun gun at the range. But it can put seven rounds in a six inch paper plate at ten feet in less than four seconds.
She did the shoot-all-the-guns thing to get started and was most accurate with the G26. It's still her favorite gun but is just too danged heavy. Better one in the purse than one in the glove compartment.
She did the shoot-all-the-guns thing to get started and was most accurate with the G26. It's still her favorite gun but is just too danged heavy. Better one in the purse than one in the glove compartment.
1911 guy
Member
same as for anoybody else.
Find a gun that fits, then carry the largest caliber you can comfortably carry and shoot available in that platform.
Find a gun that fits, then carry the largest caliber you can comfortably carry and shoot available in that platform.
Chuck Dye
Member
Read this thread
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467134
on The Firing Line, especially the posts from pax.
Kathy Jackson, pax, has a lot of knowledge and experience and her comments on hand strength and double action are cause for concern. Hunters are familiar with how, taking a shot on game, we may barely perceive recoil we find punishing on the range. No doubt we would empty a revolver or DAO semi-auto in a fight unaware of the double action trigger pull. The problem is, as in that hunting shot, that results will depend a great deal upon how much we have practiced. If double action work is difficult enough to limit practice, I think it is, as pax concluded, not for defensive carry.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467134
on The Firing Line, especially the posts from pax.
Kathy Jackson, pax, has a lot of knowledge and experience and her comments on hand strength and double action are cause for concern. Hunters are familiar with how, taking a shot on game, we may barely perceive recoil we find punishing on the range. No doubt we would empty a revolver or DAO semi-auto in a fight unaware of the double action trigger pull. The problem is, as in that hunting shot, that results will depend a great deal upon how much we have practiced. If double action work is difficult enough to limit practice, I think it is, as pax concluded, not for defensive carry.
If this has already been covered, please excuse me, since I did not have the time to read through all the posts...
I would strongly suggest you not allow her to pick a gun. If she has no experience the chances of her making a good choice is very slim.
What she needs is training first. Get her to a good basic handgun safety course followed by a good CCW course that goes over not only the mechanics of shooting, but covers the legal issues involved in CCW. That is JOB ONE.
For a beginner, I would also strongly suggest you guide her toward a revolver as her first handgun. The manual of arms is a lot simpler and when she learns to handle it well, she will be in a much better position to move to a semi-auto or just stick with the revolver.
Training first will make all the difference.
If she doesn't want to invest the time in training and instruction, then tell her not to even think about carrying a gun.
My 2 cents...
I would strongly suggest you not allow her to pick a gun. If she has no experience the chances of her making a good choice is very slim.
What she needs is training first. Get her to a good basic handgun safety course followed by a good CCW course that goes over not only the mechanics of shooting, but covers the legal issues involved in CCW. That is JOB ONE.
For a beginner, I would also strongly suggest you guide her toward a revolver as her first handgun. The manual of arms is a lot simpler and when she learns to handle it well, she will be in a much better position to move to a semi-auto or just stick with the revolver.
Training first will make all the difference.
If she doesn't want to invest the time in training and instruction, then tell her not to even think about carrying a gun.
My 2 cents...
chieftain
Member
Once again, thinking for other folks rarely ends well.
How much training did you pay for without a weapon?
As with my daughters, I own a bunch of handguns (about 75), had my daughters shoot what ever caught their fancy, and a bunch of suggestions. Took them to a range to try some that I did not have.
My oldest who does not carry, liked the Glock 30 best. My youngest who does shoot and even competes on occasion choose a Government model (full size 5") 45acp 1911. Asked for a Colt on her 21st birthday. I got her and set up a Colt Combat Elite. Thin grips, low thumb safety, short trigger, flat Main spring housing etc. For CCW she got a little Springfield EMP. Oh, she is 4'10" just over 100 lbs.
I tried to push her to a Glock 26, HK P2000sk LEM 9mm, M&P 9mm, etc.... My youngest thought they were "klunky" and she preferred the 1911 system/single action. Of course, she shoots the Colt regularly for grins and giggles.
I recommend everyone try a Glock 9mm 17/19/26/34 or S&W M&P 9mm Pro/L/FS/Compact for their first gun when I am asked. I usually let them shoot each of those models of mine, just to try them. Some like the HK P2000sk, and now the new Ruger SR9c too.
Kahr, but reliability is often raise as an issue with some Kahrs I have owned. Kel-Tec etc....
Let the lady decide for herself. My only direction is when a less than reliable or underpowered weapon is chosen. I will not go to 380's except for extreme situations.
If the lady is recoil sensitive, usually a large frame 380 is required. Bersa, Beretta, SIG 230/232 etc is what I go to. The small compact models usually recoil to much for the recoil sensitive.
Wherever you wind up, trust the shooter. THEN get them to school/training with their chosen weapon, understanding that after shooting it in training she may choose to go with a different gun.
One lady friend went to Gunsite with her SIG 239 9mm which she had been shooting for a couple years before I met her. They, Gunsite, sold her a M&P 45 full size. As soon as she got back I swapped her a M&P compact 9mm (ammo costs being my primary issue, recoil was secondary). She has been shooting that compact gun with 17 round magazines and spacers for competitions, and CCW/EDC with the 12 round magazines for about a year and a half now. Tried to offer her a fullsize 9 but seems to really love her compact. She is deadly with that little M&Pc.
Reliability, fit, recoil, ammo cost, ability to maintain, etc...
Let the ladies choose with assistance for their purposes, not yours.
Good luck.
Fred
230therapy
Member
Yes, your mother should carry a handgun or three.
She should also attend safety training, state mandated concealed carry permit course, and at least one two or four day tactical training course from a recognized school or instructor.
She should also attend safety training, state mandated concealed carry permit course, and at least one two or four day tactical training course from a recognized school or instructor.
chieftain, my post wasn't clear... I'm not suggesting she not pick a gun, what I meant to say was that she should not pick a gun first. I think she would be better off taking an NRA basic firearm safety course or something like that first, then choose.
This will give her some good info on the various types of handguns, their actions and she can ask questions and get some good answers to help her in her search.
With some basic training, she'll be better equipped to make a good decision for herself, then she can move on to more in depth tactical training.
Also, next time I'd appreciate the courtesy of a clarifying question before you take a swipe...
This will give her some good info on the various types of handguns, their actions and she can ask questions and get some good answers to help her in her search.
With some basic training, she'll be better equipped to make a good decision for herself, then she can move on to more in depth tactical training.
Also, next time I'd appreciate the courtesy of a clarifying question before you take a swipe...
230therapy
Member
I also advocate training first and using a semi-automatic handgun provided by the trainer. The training should be a two to four day "Level 1" course. The reason for this is that she does not know what she likes in a handgun. There are very small details that turn out to be very important. Features such as how the bottom of the triggerguard interacts with the the middle finger, texture of the grip, relationship of a safety or button to the hand, angle of the front sight, and so forth. For example, I seriously dislike the texturing on the HK USP 45 Compact and 20 LPI checkering on 1911's. Once she has taken such a course, she'll have a much better idea of what features that will work for her. More importantly, she'll also know what doesn't work for her.
Waywatcher
Member
My 130 pound wife really enjoys my Glock 23; a compact .40.
I like it too.
To the OP, I think your logic was sound, don't pay too much attention to the people who say that a .40 is too much for a small woman. (veiled or not) It isn't.
I like it too.
To the OP, I think your logic was sound, don't pay too much attention to the people who say that a .40 is too much for a small woman. (veiled or not) It isn't.
harrygunner
Member
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If you're not "into guns", consider having your mother attend a beginner's session with a trainer.
IMO, pre-supposing small revolvers or .380-9mm pistols for woman is a mistake. Some find it easier to handle a semi-auto over a revolver, especially finding the trigger harder to pull on double action revolver.
I took a woman to the range this week to assist her in choosing a handgun.
The range was nice enough to allow us to handle several guns in a separate room before she rented any. I kept my bias to myself as best I could, focusing on her grip, her ability to reach the trigger, etc.
She's in her fifties, small and not strong. Her main issue was racking the slide, even as I taught her to push the frame away, not pull the slide toward her.
I gave her a mini-training session focusing on safety, stance, grip, sighting, etc.
She shot 9mm, .40S&W and my 1911 in .45ACP. I did not see her flinching or anticipating the shot by pushing the muzzle down. She said recoil was a non-issue.
I was very impressed with her groups. No shotgun pattern, most in a 4" circle at seven yards on her first time at a range.
She wound up wanting either a HK USP Compact in .45ACP or a 1911 Commander in .45ACP.
Similar result with my daughter a few years ago when she was eighteen. After shooting several guns, she wanted my Sig P229 in .40S&W. So, I gave it to her.
IMO, pre-supposing small revolvers or .380-9mm pistols for woman is a mistake. Some find it easier to handle a semi-auto over a revolver, especially finding the trigger harder to pull on double action revolver.
I took a woman to the range this week to assist her in choosing a handgun.
The range was nice enough to allow us to handle several guns in a separate room before she rented any. I kept my bias to myself as best I could, focusing on her grip, her ability to reach the trigger, etc.
She's in her fifties, small and not strong. Her main issue was racking the slide, even as I taught her to push the frame away, not pull the slide toward her.
I gave her a mini-training session focusing on safety, stance, grip, sighting, etc.
She shot 9mm, .40S&W and my 1911 in .45ACP. I did not see her flinching or anticipating the shot by pushing the muzzle down. She said recoil was a non-issue.
I was very impressed with her groups. No shotgun pattern, most in a 4" circle at seven yards on her first time at a range.
She wound up wanting either a HK USP Compact in .45ACP or a 1911 Commander in .45ACP.
Similar result with my daughter a few years ago when she was eighteen. After shooting several guns, she wanted my Sig P229 in .40S&W. So, I gave it to her.
SorenityNow
Member
Im takin my mother to the gun range on tue to rent and take a look at weapons. This topic would be great for her to take a look at
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