.22LR carry pistol for my girlfriend. Need suggestions.

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rusty Shackleford

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2010
Messages
197
Like the title says, I'm looking for a pistol for my girlfriend. She is adamant on it being .22LR. She is very recoil sensitive and is SURE she can't handle anything more powerful.

Now, everything I've read basically says that the bottom line is to let her decide what she's comfortable with, and she says that the .22lr is what she's comfortable with...

Yeah yeah, blah blah blah... I'm well aware of the .22lr and it's shortcomings, but it's still a thousand times better than mace. I want her to be comfortable with this. Ease her into it, so to speak. We can upgrade as soon as she's comfortable with something a little more powerful.

Thing is, I don't know anything about .22lr pistols... help me out.
 
ive got a walther p22 and i love it for plinking or just dumping rounds. no real long range capability but from me to you its puts rounds on target.

10rd mag. small and light

i run higher velocity hollow points in it. never killed anything with it but then again that can be said for most of my other guns also.

22s aren't man stoppers but its better than nothing i guess.
 
If you are going to use a .22 LR for defense I'd suggest a revolver. Rim fire ammo isn't the most reliable and even the good stuff has occasional failures to fire along with typical jamming problems with a semi. With a revolver you just pull the trigger again to bring the next round into use if one fails to go off. With a semi auto you need to clear the round or perhaps a stuck case and that requires time and training. If its a stuck case its not a simple rack the slide clearing but needs a small screw driver or cleaning rod.

S&W makes several fine models of 8 shot .22 lr J frame revolvers with short barrels for conceal ability to longer barreled "kit guns".

Taurus makes several 9 shot models of the same type and relative size at a lower price point but with a little less in quality IMO.

HKs makes speed loaders for the S&W's and Taurus 94's so extra ammo can be loaded relatively fast.

This is an older Taurus model 94 in .22lr with 3" barrel that would work fine for someone with recoil sensitivity and need for reliability.
Taurus%2022%20revolver%20sm.jpg
 
Last edited:
My wife and I love our P-22. She carried it until last week when she got a .380. It's been VERY dependable with the right ammo. Ours likes CCI MiniMags (of course).
 
+1 to Smallbore.

Show her a Beretta model 21A, .22LR. IF she likes it, consider:
- good quality,
- SA/DA,
- cocked and locked if you wish,
- uncocked and locked,
- tip up barrel so she need never try to rack it,
- very easy and safe to load, check, or unload,
- small,
- light,
- inexpensive,
- exceedingly reliable,
- low recoil
- available in stainless(ish) w/wood stocks if looks are important. She's a girl, after all.

TPH is great but they are very costly and have a spring that always needs replacing (it's too weak), and she would have to operate the slide by hand - it's not diffucult, but many women balk.
 
Let's start with the basics. Like a local NRA women only or NRA accredited one on one or class at the local gun store/range or shooting club.

This will immerse her into the shooting culture, expose here to many different firearms, and be in a relaxed atmosphere, introduce here to gun safety. Then when she has a good working knowledge of firearms,ammo, and how they work can she then make an informed choice. This will be her gun and here choice. No one else's.

www.corneredcat.com by Kathy Jackson is a good place to start as well. This site has info for women and men. Tells us guys a bunch about the women and shooting as well.

Your girlfriend may be at home right off with center-fire rounds like the .38 Special,9mm., or one of the .32 calibers. More on the .32 calibers later.

Who knows? A .45 ACP full size pistol might just be her cup of tea right off the bat.

The .22lrf pistol or revolver is a good way to go to start off with to get her used to handguns.

Low report, cheap practice, and non threatening with noise or recoil. The Ruger, Walther, Browning, etc., pistols would be good pistols to start with. Then go on from there.

Let's go up one step to the center fire rounds. The .32 calibers.

The .32 ACP in a Walther PPK/S, CZ83, Taurus PT132, or other quality pistol can fill the bill. The .32 ACP has the most of the same characteristics that the .22lrf cartridge has. Low recoil, low noise,and hits with more authority than the .22lrf out of short barrels.

Beretta, North American Arms, and others make pocket pistols for the .32 ACP.

Next up comes the .32 S&W Long, ,32 H&R magnum, .327 Federal magnum cartridges.Modern revolvers from S&W, Taurus, Ruger, and Charter Arms that can shoot all three or two of the three .32 cartridges. These hold 6 or 7 shots depending on the model.

These first two have the attributes that the .32 ACP has, but more power than the .32ACP. At least for the .32 H&R magnum.

The .327 Federal is in or a bit below the .357 magnum in power. If she can handle it, fine. If not she can stay with the .32 H&R magnum and the .32 S&W Long. The benefit is being able to tailor the ammo to the situation.

Next up is the .38 Special. It has the same attributes and advantages as the .32 calibers. Tailor the ammo to the situation. There are mild 130gr,132gr., or 148 gr. rounds for practice or for fun.

There are standard pressure and +P .38 Special rounds that will work for self defense.

9x17 or .380 ACP is up next. Beretta, Bersa, and others make mid frame .380ACP pistols. There are pocket pistols as well, but these have a bit more recoil and noise compared to the mid size framed guns. If she can handle it, no problem.

Last, but not least is the 9x19 Luger or Parabellum round. This cartridge has low recoil, low noise, and excellent defense capabilities. There are numerous excellent pistols out there. Most guns now come with adjustments for the hand-grips so it will fit any hand size.

There are the Beretta and Taurus pocket pistols, but that comes later.

I like both the Beretta 21A and the Taurus PT-22. I own 2 PT-22s, but like the Beretta 21A. Both have fine attributes. In the 1999 Complete Book of Auto Pistols, Gene Gangarosa wrote that the Taurus PT-22 and the Beretta were accuracy champs.

Depends on what the user finds easier to use. The Beretta has the traditional double action/single action trigger system,tip up barrel and a thumb safety. Holds 7 shots.

The Taurus is double action only, tip up barrel,and the thumb safety.Holds 8 shots.

It's also been observed by many gun writer/instructors that recent rimfire ammo in the last few years has had a very low rate of primer failures with premium .22lrf ammo. I have seen the same thing in my use of .22lrf ammo. It's comparable to centerfire ammo reliability. Not to say that the .25ACP should be passed up. Far from it.

The .25ACP crowd has a good point about centerfire ammo reliability.

Your girlfriend might even decide that the .45 ACP is the way to go.

Let her choose,try as many differerent calibers as possible, and let her make the choice as to what gun/caliber combo is right for her.
 
I've been helping out at the local Rent-A-Gun range on Lady's Night's for a couple of months now. In this short time I've seen a number of new shooters that start off sensitive to recoil. For their first session shoot some .22, then a bit of 9mm and then go back to the .22 because they didn't like the kick of the 9. But a few of them that have come back for repeat evenings have moved up from .22 to .38spl and went away with a big grin. Part of it is the lesser snap and less sharp a CRACK of the report. And some of it is the lack of brass flying around. But in all cases you can bet that it was mostly just a case of getting comfortable with the whole environment when dealing with the noise stress of handling and shooting in an indoor range.

Is she sure that she's recoil sensitive because she's shot a few rounds from your guns or just because she think's she'll be that way? Or maybe she's actively against carrying a gun but feels peer pressure or concern over stories from friends to do so?

And of course there's also that whole "a boy friend or husband should never try to teach their girl friend to drive" factor. Coming from you as an avid shooter it may seem like you're trying to push her too fast. You're not by the sounds of it but so often in such cases the reality and the percepetion are two different things. So the suggestion to sign up for a course that is more about dealing with the mental aspects of defending herself in an attack would likely be better than a case of ammo at this point. In such a course she'll be exposed to and have to make THE DECISION ahead of time about if she can or can't. If she balks at taking such a course suggest that she sort of owes it to herself and other innocents that may be in the background during a confrontation that she needs to be able to keep calm as possible and deal with the whole situation. Stress that it's not just about the gun. Although you may not want to weigh her down all at once. Here again a nice carry size .22 will at least get her comfortable with safely handling and carrying. From there you can sort of nudge her along towards the course and eventually a bigger caliber as she is ready to accept them.

If she makes it through a course of this sort I suspect she'll come out the other end with a new mind set and likely will have gotten to shoot a variety of guns in the course. From there if she still insists on the .22 that's fine. As you say it'll serve as an introduction to shooting as part of her life.

But from that point it'll be up to you and others to get her to shoot often to become good with the gun and dealing with situational awareness. In fact if you can get her into one of those courses mentioned above I bet it would help immensely on a lot of issues and likely she would get to shoot some other small guns in .32 or .380 while there.

If she actually begins to enjoy shooting I'd also suggest that you and her attend a local IDPA match to watch. If she likes what she sees setting yourselves up for some competition shooting would be a nice way to do something together and at the same time it gets both of you out shooting in a scenario where you're not just standing and punching paper. It puts you both into a semi stressful situation that at least in some small manner gets you both used to thinking on the fly. A handy skill to have in any attack confrontation. It also makes it so that handling of the gun in a combat like manner becomes second nature. All skills that she'll never learn while shooting standing still at a practice bench. And besides, a good day of shooting with a lot of other fun minded shooters gives you both a lot to laugh and smile about at the end of the day.

At least that's how I see it. We're all different though so take what seems to fit your girl friend's situation and go with it.
 
Last edited:
I'd personally see if she likes a .25acp....the recoil is very low and since the round is designed for mouseguns, produces more power than a .22lr (who's figures are based onrifle length barrels).

Ammo isn't cheap, but it's not unacceptably expensive either.
 
and is SURE she can't handle anything more powerful.
Click to expand...
IMO: You need to check her into a physical fitness program and toughen her up a little bit!
Little bitty pre-teen girls are shooting 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and 12 ga shotguns in competition, and winning, every weekend!

If she can't handle a .38 Special with target wad-cutters, or cowboy action loads in a steel J or K frame S&W, she needs an attitude adjustment, or life support!

Either load is superior to a .22 RF for SD.

rc
 
Let her make the final decision. But if she wants your input, point her toward the Walther P22. The good thing about that choice is that if she decides to move to a more powerful round, you can get her the Walther PK380 which is virtually identical and fires .380 ACP.
 
My wife bought me this as a present about 25 years ago and I like it a lot. I got one like it for my father in law a couple Christmases ago and he loves his. Long discontinued they are out there used for $150-$200.

standard.jpg
 
I'm a new shooter (shot my .38 special for the first time last Wednesday) and decidedly a revolver girl. I like the simplicity of the mechanics of a revolver, and I do not like flying brass... What bothered me way more than the physical recoil of shooting was the sound. Yes, I was wearing ear protection, but it was still surprisingly loud.

I shopped for a .22lr revolver last week to use for practice. I'm not sure why, but I decided it "had" to be double action. Not a ton of choices for a DA .22 (or if there are, I didn't find them). My .38 is a Colt Cobra with a two inch barrel, and I ended up getting the little sister version of the Cobra in a .22 with a three inch barrel. The Colt Diamondback was a nice option but way more than I wanted to spend.

I'm not sure if your girlfriend is like this, but I generally need to understand something to be confident with it, and I really like that I have the same model in both .22 and .38. Having to figure out how to grip or load a different gun at the same time as dealing with greater recoil is something I would not want to do. So, from my perspective, it would be nice to get her a model that is available in both .22 and .38.

The other piece of all this is she has to like the gun and want to use it. And by that I mean she has to like the look and feel of the gun, and maybe even have a certain level of affection (yeah, I know it's irrational to have affection for an inanimate object... ). After shooting I decided I do not like the checkered factory grips , so I've ordered new grips for both. White pearl with a heart medallion for the .38, which is nickel, and grey pearl with daisy medallions for the .22. They shall be called "Queen of Hearts" and "Miss Daisy".

For all of you guys about to lose your lunch over the estrogen in this post, you may be happy to know I went to the closet of not-cheap purses that I don't use any more and found one that is great as a range bag! Saving money, one accessory at a time... :)
 
Last edited:
Next thing you know, when some chick decides it's time to seperate Trakhack and the non-cheap purse, they will find themselves separated from freedom instead.

While .22 is a well respected round, many don't suggest it for self defense, with good reason. However, lets remember the first rule of gun fighting,

BRING A GUN.

I would suggest something that is good for practice, works for CCW, and when she goes up in caliber, still is useful.
 
I recommend a revolver for the same reasons as "Steve C". I would buy a Smith & Wesson. You can do a search for specific models. The discontinued model 34--J frame, blue, 2" barrel, adjustable rear sight--was pretty nice. I've had problems with one older model Taurus and two older model Charter Arms, so I personally would not buy either for self defense purposes.
 
You ask 100 people this question and you will get 100 different answers. My best advice? I have over forty years experience handling all types of firearms. The only problem you will have asking this question is that everyone that ever handled a firearm thinks there an authority on the subject. One of the best handguns to hit the market lately is the Walther P22. First and foremost this pistol fits the hand very well, no matter how big or small your hands are. Some might say the barrel is to short at 3.4 inches, I say nonsense. If you can learn to shoot well with a short barrel pistol, you are better off. Bought my wife a P22, my self-P22 target. Both function very well with any type of ammunition. The biggest problem on learning to shoot is handling the firearm correctly. By first learning a few simple do’s and don’ts. First obey all laws pertaining to firearms, second a firearms training course is well advised. I will give you a couple tricks to shoot well. First once you have learned to handle all firearms safely the next thing is shooting accurately. Shoot at only indoor ranges to start with. Second use targets that show where you hit. Third shoot at very short distance. Why short distance? After you master short distance you will be better able to shoot at longer distance. Other tips squeeze the trigger gently with a continuous force until the firearm discharges. Use only the very tip of your trigger finger to squeeze the trigger.
 
S&W Model 317

Years back my wife insisted on a 22 LR for conceled carry. What we came up with is a s&w 317, super light, very concelable. Only thing is the price. And yes, she still has it and won't consider anything else.
 
My wife has a .22lr for home defense. It's a Ruger MkIII 22/45. While .22lr isn't the best round for HD or SD my wife knows how to shoot. If your GF is willing to practice and get very proficient with the gun it will work. The great thing about .22lr is that it is relatively cheap and can be fired all day long. If she isn't a great shot and insists on .22lr teach her to walk it up a target. Start low, most potential attackers would be guys and guys don't like things pointed at their crotch, and then empty the gun moving up with each shot.
 
I recommend you get her to an NRA Basic Pistol class so she can get comfortable with something else.
 
My wife Chose a Walther P22. She loves it and so do I. Agreed a .22lr is not the best option. BUT, say what you want, I wouldn't want to absorb 10 of them.
 
Like I said, she's SURE she doesn't want to move up. When I took her to the range the first time, a couple of our friends pressured her to try other pistols. Namely a 9mm full sized Beretta. They kept telling her how 9mm really didn't have much recoil at all. She passed up on it, and just shot the .22lr pistol.

Fast-forward to the next time we are at the range and it is just me and her. She asks the caliber of MY pistol. I say 9mm. THEN she decides she wants to shoot it because our friends said 9mm didn't kick the last time we were at the range.

Problem is, my 9mm isn't a full sized Beretta... It's a Kel-Tec PF9. If you've ever shot one, you know that it is a little Beast. It's very very harsh, loud, uncomfortable, and has a lot of muzzle flip. If you don't grip it tight, it'll try to jump out of your hand.

I tried to explain this to her, but she took offense, saying I didn't think she could handle it. So I did what any boyfriend would do... I caved in and let her shoot the dang thing. Now she's SURE she only wants a .22lr... After one measly magazine of 9mm. Go figure.

I tried to explain it to her why my pistol isn't representative of bigger calibers, but she's completely convinced that she only wants a .22lr. So here I am, looking for suggestions on a caliber that I (and most people who carry) consider inferior for self defense.

Like I said, I am 100% sure that's it's better than even the best mace though, so that's why I'm asking for suggestions. Like everybody says, "if .22lr is no good for self defense, can I shoot you with it?"

And before anyone gives me a hard time about letting her shoot it... you'd have let your own women try a .454 Casull for the second pistol ever shot if they got the same attitude. You know how they egg you on... Sarcastically saying, "Oh, so since you're the big strong man and I'm just a giiiirl, I can't play with a big boy gun?"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Pistol for my girlfriend
2
Replies
47
Views
2K
tomrkba
tomrkba
D
  • Locked
Gun for my wife for self defense.
2 3
Replies
63
Views
2K
kb0zos
K
T
  • Locked
Girlfriend needs a gun! (small problem)
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
thorazine
T
Y
  • Locked
how to intro granny to handguns.....
Replies
7
Views
675
Nick96
N
I
  • Locked
If you HAD to, What pistol?
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
4K
DanK
D
Back
Top