CCW recommendations for a woman

[KTXdm9]

Seems like I see one of these posts every other day. I take that as a good sign that more women are considering concealed carry.

You won't get the "right" answer here. That will be found at the LGS/range as she handles and shoots a bunch of different pistols. My suggestion would be that she looks at a Shield, since it has the manual safety she requires.

There are lots of good resources online, such as the sticky in the general handgun forum, and cornered cat.com. Good luck.

 

[fatmanonabike]

I've read tons o' these threads, my daughter is beginning to consider carrying. Then one thing that seems to stick out is let her own the decision and comfort is everything.

 

[gbw]

Look at the Beretta 21, either in .22LR or .25.

Very reliable, light, concealable, and no need to pull back the slide to chamber - they have a flip up barrel that women love - at least the one's I know about. There's a stainless-looking version if that appeals to her.

 

[GoPadge]

... Also, the difference in re-coil and size between 380ACP and a 9mm is very small. 9mm ammo is also cheaper, easier to find, and more effective.
...

From a recoil and effective standpoint your two statements are mutually exclusive. Either the rounds are similar in size, recoil and effectiveness or they aren't.

Looking at Federal Premium American Eagle FMJ ammo for both.
A .380 round is roughly 25% less mass (95 grains vs 124 grains) and leaves the barrel at a lower velocity (980 fps vs 1150 fps ) yielding roughly 45% less kinetic energy.

Looking at the Ruger LC380 and LC9 (The LC380 is essentially the same gun as the LC9) that kinetic energy difference is directly transferred to the shooter as roughly 2 1/2 ft.lbs. for the 380 and 6 ft.lbs. for the 9mm.

For the OP
The truth is, that all guns are compromise in concealability, fit, recoil and effectiveness. As far as shooting goes, Newton's third law is the governing factor. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We know (or can find) the bullet weight and muzzle velocities for common rounds and the weight of individual guns. What we can never know is how you SO reacts to those forces.

Your best course of action is as follows:

1. Find a few guns that fit you SO's hands and her concealability requirements.
2. Test fire those weapons and see what works for her, keeping in mind that higher calibers equals greater stopping power.
3. Have her purchase that gun.

 

[JAB]

S&W Bodyguard meets the requirements listed. I am currently eying both the bodyguard and the shield. Want them both!!

 

[armoredman]

As a guy who went through this before - let her pick it out. Offer choices, advice, but don't buy her something and expect her to love it immediately. Buying a personal defensive firearm is a very personal choice, and while I would recommend my wife's carry gun, a CZ 2075 RAMI 9mm in a High noon Double Jeopardy holster, well...



I would have to say, let her choose it. Maybe she'll chose something you think is too light in caliber, too odd, too something, but when she has the ownership on the decision, she'll be more enthused on training, practice, etc., and she will actually be carrying it, instead of leaving "that thing" at home where it's useless.
Please forgive me if that sounded like lecturing or belittling, it was truly not meant that way at all, just words from a guy who went through 4 revolvers and 4 autoloaders before I learned that lesson..
Have fun!

 

[knicks118]

It never ceases to amaze me how we men always seem to assume a petite woman is automatically recoil sensitive. Our gun club has many women shooters, and I can assure you many of them handle recoil as well if not better than many of the men.

As to an appropriate carry piece:
What has she shot already?
What did she like?
What did she not like?
Which were close to what she wants?

My wife is 63 and her piece currently is Ruger SR9c she picked out. She shoots it very well and it's her favorite gun. But even after 500+ rounds the RSA is still very stiff and it appears it's going to stay that way. But she's mastered it so we're both happy.

Did you happen to think that she actually is sensitive to recoil? Or did you automatically go into a pro-feminist stance?

Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

She actually is going to go with a Colt Mustang .380 Pocketlite.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Shield in 9mm. Excellent trigger, and has a very positive external safety.