Best CCW pistol for newbie female

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I gave my ex a SP101 and she was drilling the center out at 12 yards with .357 loads on her first time ever shooting. Go shoot a bunch of guns and see which one suits you best. There are plenty of ranges that offer rentals. I like the SP101, it's rugged 5 shots, 38/357 and requires little maintenance. Stay away from lightweight or airweights, they recoil very harshly.
 
Frankly, a Smith K Frame, Model 10, with a 4 inch barrel.

It's not only the best first handgun for women, it's the best first handgun for men. Not tacticool enough for some, but the best with which to learn to shoot.
 
Took my wife to a gun show today to have her feel a lot of weapons and get an initial opinion on what she might like. A lot of them were too "right-handed" to suit her. After handling a lot of different guns she settled on 3 candidates. Ruger LCR, closely followed by a Charter Arms Lavender Lady. However, the one that surprised me, and her favorite, was a Magnum Research MR Eagle 9mm. She liked the way it fit her hand and was pretty lefthand friendly. Next step is to take her shooting with a variety of calibers to see how she handles recoil.
 
i think you should listen to queen_of_thunder. she is the only female, so far (hint, hint), that has posted on this thread. she gives good advise.

murf
 
See post #7, then go to the site referenced there (corneredcat.com).

Kathy Jackson is a very wise and accomplished instructor who understands women (being one) and has worked with many. She is also very well-spoken, and her writing style is informative and enjoyable.

The accumulated benefit of her experience and wisdom is available to you and your wife at that site. Both you and she should read what Kathy has to say on selecting one's first gun. There are some things you can do to help, but mostly it will be her decision...as it should be.

Kathy will help make sure that the decision is a good one and the gun will prove appropriate for the shooter.
 
My wife carries a S&W 360 with .38 Spl 125's. She handles it very well (it has only ever had one cylinder of .357's through it).

She originally wanted an auto and most sales people wanted her to have an auto but she soon realized it didn't work for her and after handling many handguns, decided on the S&W.
 
Sky Dog, what did she end up picking out?

It's probably too late for a recommendation, but I highly recommend against an airweight. Heck I don't even like to shoot them, at practice, which means she may not like to practice with it either. Being a snub nose will make her even more discouraged as it'll be harder to hit anything.

If you have to carry an Airweight to defend yourself, fine...but if you can afford it, it might be a good idea to get the all-steel brother of it for practice. 80% steel, 20% airweight practice. It'll help with flinching. If her only impression of shooting 38sp+P is through an airweight, it might intimidate her too much.
 
I'm looking info on a carry piece for my wife-to-be. Mid 50's, small frame and an absolute newbie to firearms. I'm looking at SW 637/638CT Airweight .38 specials. You all's thoughts?
Taurus TCP .380 if she wants a lightweight DAO .380 Semi-auto that does not cost an arm or leg. Stainless slide to so minimal cleaning needed.

Yes I'd prefer bigger gun but I must admit it works very well, very good DA trigger, and is a slim and small as you would want.

If 9mm is the floor then the DAO Taurus 709SS would also work well, especially with DPX 9mm ammo (it's not loaded hot and the DPX slug is a very reliable expanding slug.)

And yes, snub revolvers are EXPERT ONLY guns. Very hard to hit with unless you practice alot.

Deaf
 
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