Oldest daughter wants a CCW for graduation. Obviously I'll oblige, but I am looking for opinions for a weapon that will be carried in a hand bag/purse most of the time when she's out (going to college in dangerous part of downtown Indianapolis). She has fired snub revolver in .38 and .22 autos. and I believe 9mm full size service pistol. She prefered the SA Ruger .22 Slabside trigger (can't blame her) and seems partial to autos. Since I'm buying, quality, reliability, ease of operation and low maintenance (for her sake) are of primary concern. Given that, I have narrowed the field somewhat to what I consider (based on my readings here and elsewhere... this is where you all come in) S&W 642 , S&W 649, CZ RAMI, Glock 26, SA XD 9mm Subcompact. I have not fired any of these personally and would solicit opinions from those who have. I realize the CZ RAMI is brand new but I love my CZ75BD and thought I should consider it. If anyone would like to make a different suggestion I am open to it. My daughter will practice with this weapon with ole Dad until proficient at 10yds. Thanks, Brett
Daughter wants a gun for graduation
- Thread starter Slow
- Start date
- Status
The_Antibubba
Member
For sheer reliability, she can't go wrong with a Makarov. The standard round, 9X18, 90-95 gr. (some loads up to 109 or 115), is considered slightly superior to .380, less than 9mm luger. Lots of options and enhancements/parts available. Check out
http://makarov.com
http://makarov.com
Black Majik
Member
also check out the bersa thunder and Sig P232!
And maybe check out the Kahr PM9's
And maybe check out the Kahr PM9's
When buying a handgun for someone else toss all of your ideas out the window and take them to the store so they can find what fits and suit them. You are not going to be the one shooting it, so what do your opinion has to do with it. Your job is to just see that it's made by a quality manufactor and stand ready with the checkbook. Handgun purchases are a personal matter. That's even more important if it's for self defense (notice the word "self").
If it's too heavy or large she's simply not gonna carry it all the time.
Let her pick whatever she finds 'cutest'. I know this sounds silly, but this seems to be the only way it ever works out. I've went through this with a half-dozen females. Reguardless of caliber, any gun that's carried is better than no gun at all.
I like the PM9 in autoloaders. Sized small and fairly energized(9mm). 14oz dry weight.
I'd also recomend that titanium S&W in .32 H&R Magnum. 10oz with a fairly violent round. I've used the .32 Mag on alot of coyotes over the years. I have the scandium 340PD version in .357. The wife loves to carry it but hates shooting it. Even when using .38 Special loads. Steel framed versions just feel 'heavy' to her.
Let her pick whatever she finds 'cutest'. I know this sounds silly, but this seems to be the only way it ever works out. I've went through this with a half-dozen females. Reguardless of caliber, any gun that's carried is better than no gun at all.
I like the PM9 in autoloaders. Sized small and fairly energized(9mm). 14oz dry weight.
I'd also recomend that titanium S&W in .32 H&R Magnum. 10oz with a fairly violent round. I've used the .32 Mag on alot of coyotes over the years. I have the scandium 340PD version in .357. The wife loves to carry it but hates shooting it. Even when using .38 Special loads. Steel framed versions just feel 'heavy' to her.
Trisha
Member
I agree with Majic - let her pick it out. Having said that, I'd highly recommend the 649 in 3", as it's perfect for on, or off body carry, close to being snag-proof, and. . . it's heavy. The whole weight-vs-caliber-vs-recoil thing doesn't need to be restated, but I've come to love the comforting presence of my little .357 magnum. She may feel different.
Two aquaintences up here are in love with their BERSA .380's, and the board here gives them high marks.
To personalize your daughter's choice, might I suggest you get a little engraving done, it that's at all feasable?
You've done well as a parent - no, wonderfully - to raise a young woman to grow into self-reliance and the enjoyment of shooting sports! Kudos are due you, Sir - society would be a better place, were there a million more fathers who would integrate such basic common sense into their daughters!
Let us know her decision, please?
Trisha
Two aquaintences up here are in love with their BERSA .380's, and the board here gives them high marks.
To personalize your daughter's choice, might I suggest you get a little engraving done, it that's at all feasable?
You've done well as a parent - no, wonderfully - to raise a young woman to grow into self-reliance and the enjoyment of shooting sports! Kudos are due you, Sir - society would be a better place, were there a million more fathers who would integrate such basic common sense into their daughters!
Let us know her decision, please?
Trisha
williamcrane
Member
CCW for daughter
I'd go with a S&W 642 - nice and light weight, rated for +P and will even fit in a jeans or jacket pocket.
I'd go with a S&W 642 - nice and light weight, rated for +P and will even fit in a jeans or jacket pocket.
10mmshooter
Member
For simplicity, ease of maintenence, reliability, a very durable finish, and a good self defense caliber....I would at least have her check out the Glock 26.
I am not a huge fan of Glocks. But, they do work, and they are very simple for a novice shooter to operate.
I would advise you to have her try many different designs before purchasing, but if you had to get her a gun without her participation in the process.....I would go with the Glock.
I am not a huge fan of Glocks. But, they do work, and they are very simple for a novice shooter to operate.
I would advise you to have her try many different designs before purchasing, but if you had to get her a gun without her participation in the process.....I would go with the Glock.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
If your daughter is comfortable with a gun that doesn't have a manual safety -- a Glock 26 or 19 would be a sweet gun. I have several Berettas -- compacts type M, standard 92FS and the inox 92 Brig -- all fit snug in my small female hands. The 9mm is a good place to start because of the cheap ammo cost and gentle recoil. I doubt it'd be uncomfortable in any auto should chooses. The best thing I can recommend is let her browse at a few gun shops to handle the various models. Or -- if you know of a good range that has a nice selection -- let her handle a few there. It should be her decision since she'll be the one using it.
Laura
Laura
snubby
Member
Congratulations! If your daughter agrees, I'd go with a quality revolver in 38 Spl if she intends primarily on purse carry. You might consider a purse specifically designed for CCW carry (a second graduation gift!). Otherwise, it's easy for a handgun to get "lost" (twisted around and pointing at self, buried under sunglass cases, lipstick cartridges inside trigger guard, etc.) and hard to locate when needed, if tossed into a standard handbag.
ksnecktieman
Member
You should definitely have her choose. If she is going with carry in a handbag, check out purses with a built in gun compartment. Normally the end will open with a zipper or velcro, and inside the purse from the top the gun can not be found accidentally.
I have two keltecs (.32 and 9mm) and another (.380) on my short list. Make sure she handles one of them. IMHO They remove a lot of the burden of carry. They are light and DAO, and mine have not failed to fire. The sights are vestigial, and it is not a target pistol. Snag proof, and simple manual of arms.
The optional belt clip is great, I know of one .32 that is being carried clipped to a bra strap. No holster needed, so it takes full advantage of the small size, and light weight.
I have two keltecs (.32 and 9mm) and another (.380) on my short list. Make sure she handles one of them. IMHO They remove a lot of the burden of carry. They are light and DAO, and mine have not failed to fire. The sights are vestigial, and it is not a target pistol. Snag proof, and simple manual of arms.
The optional belt clip is great, I know of one .32 that is being carried clipped to a bra strap. No holster needed, so it takes full advantage of the small size, and light weight.
sundance43.5
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 143
No disrespect, but why do people keep suggesting .380's? The recoil difference between .380 and 9mm is negligible, while ballistics of the 9mm are superior. Although, the Makarov is an excellent gun, that I think has far less recoil than the 9mm.
I'd say Glock 26 or XD 9 compact.
Then again, it all comes down to what fits her the best.
I'd say Glock 26 or XD 9 compact.
Then again, it all comes down to what fits her the best.
George S.
Member
With her experience in snubby revolvers, I would suggest that she consider staying with one. There are some very good revolvers in the 2" barrel category and they won't cost a tremendous amount. Look at the spurless hammer Ruger SP101 in .357 for example. Rugged, reasonably priced at around $350 and small enough to fit in a purse, pocket or fanny pack. You can use either .38 or .357 for a defensive round to suit the need or how she handles recoil.
She is the one that will be using it so it has to be something that fits her hand and be easily carried so it's her decision on what handgun to get. .38 Special is a good defensive round in small barrel revolvers and has an easily managable recoil. A 5-round cylinder should be good enough as, if you need 8 or more rounds you're in a war and that is going to be a difficult place anyway.
She is the one that will be using it so it has to be something that fits her hand and be easily carried so it's her decision on what handgun to get. .38 Special is a good defensive round in small barrel revolvers and has an easily managable recoil. A 5-round cylinder should be good enough as, if you need 8 or more rounds you're in a war and that is going to be a difficult place anyway.
Black Majik
Member
sundance,
I suggested the .380 mainly because of the size, not the caliber. Since this is for purse carry, it should be relatively small and light, something the .380 pocketguns fill nicely.
But hey, I did suggest a 9mm also
I suggested the .380 mainly because of the size, not the caliber. Since this is for purse carry, it should be relatively small and light, something the .380 pocketguns fill nicely.
But hey, I did suggest a 9mm also
ReadyontheRight
Member
Since she's going to school, would backpack or bookbag carry make more sense than purse carry? Are there backpacks or bookbags with dedicated CCW compartments?
The best, of course would be if she is willing to carry on her person. Maybe along with taking her out to pick out the gun, you should go to a shop that can let her try a number of different on-body holsters. A shop that sells to LEOs might have some more options for women than your typical gunshop.
In the real world, if she has both a good holster and a good purse/bookbag/backpack, she might be more likely to switch between the two depending on what she's wearing and end up carrying more often.
Sorry to spend even more of your $$$ Dad Sounds like you've got a great daughter.
The best, of course would be if she is willing to carry on her person. Maybe along with taking her out to pick out the gun, you should go to a shop that can let her try a number of different on-body holsters. A shop that sells to LEOs might have some more options for women than your typical gunshop.
In the real world, if she has both a good holster and a good purse/bookbag/backpack, she might be more likely to switch between the two depending on what she's wearing and end up carrying more often.
Sorry to spend even more of your $$$ Dad
Sounds like you've got a great daughter.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
She's graduating so she won't be carrying on school grounds I'm sure; she can't legally. I wouldn't opt for keeping a gun in the purse as I think it's particularly foolish and would instead look to a holster to keep it on the body. I'd advise her to do the same. If the purse gets stolen or the book bag -- bye, bye loaded gun....
If she's considering a revolver -- I'd suggest something with a three inch: SP101 3" -- S&W 60 3" -- Lady Smith 65 -- etc.... I'd still choose an auto in either a Glock or Beretta but your daughter should pick her own gun. Good luck.
Laura
If she's considering a revolver -- I'd suggest something with a three inch: SP101 3" -- S&W 60 3" -- Lady Smith 65 -- etc.... I'd still choose an auto in either a Glock or Beretta but your daughter should pick her own gun. Good luck.
Laura
Slow, I commend you.
My thoughts are if she is gonna carry in the purse then I would at least suggest a BUG, ankle carry. Alot girls girls are wearing the baggy bell bottom type pants that are tight near the waist and girls dont tend to wear longer shirts like most of the guys do that carry IWB. Your daughters typical daily dress might be different and I notice you live in a colder climate but id suggest at least ankle carry in conjunction with purse carry. 380 minimum.
Now, ankle carry isnt the best method tactically but the weaponis more secure than purse carry for obvious reasons. They can take the purse but the ankle. One downside is the inability to flee and draw the firearm.
Invest in some Defensive shooting classes and some good reads from Massad Ayoob such as "In the Gravest Extreme" and Paxton Quigley's "Armed & Female",
Knowledge is key.
My thoughts are if she is gonna carry in the purse then I would at least suggest a BUG, ankle carry. Alot girls girls are wearing the baggy bell bottom type pants that are tight near the waist and girls dont tend to wear longer shirts like most of the guys do that carry IWB. Your daughters typical daily dress might be different and I notice you live in a colder climate but id suggest at least ankle carry in conjunction with purse carry. 380 minimum.
Now, ankle carry isnt the best method tactically but the weaponis more secure than purse carry for obvious reasons. They can take the purse but the ankle. One downside is the inability to flee and draw the firearm.
Invest in some Defensive shooting classes and some good reads from Massad Ayoob such as "In the Gravest Extreme" and Paxton Quigley's "Armed & Female",
Knowledge is key.
horge
Member
Sundance:
The recoil difference between a .380 and a 9mm is NOT 'negligible' for everyone.
My wife claims less snap and muzzle flip in a Bersa Thunder 380 than in a 9mm CZ 75B, despite the latter's fullsize weight.
Slow,
Good for your daughter!
I think any person, man or woman, must choose their own weapon.
The suggestions here might reduce the number of options to consider, but in the end, there's no substitute to visiting a range that offers a wide variety of rentals, and having her try them out to see which one suits her best.
A revolver would probably be best for instant, reliable use, with no complicated controls and fewer parts to jam, but some women seem to prefer the higher capacity (and, for lack of a better word, 'sex appeal',) of autoslides. Some snubbies can be a handful to control, though.
The Kel-Tec P3AT is light enough to be carried in a purse or handbag (though I might recommend a 'handbag holster' for any handbag-gun to maintain it in optimum position for a draw), or on-body. I'm told it can require minor work to make it reliable, and that its light weight makes recoil and muzzle flip more pronounced.
The Bersa Thunder 380 is said to be easier to shoot (I and my wife use it), with a reliability you can bank on, but its weight perhaps makes it more suitable for holster carry, than loose in a purse or handbag. It has an abundance of safety features and there are lots of reviews on it. Check out the link at the bottom of my post if you like.
.380 ACP is adequate if she can practice towards reliable marksmanship (de rigeur with ANY caliber), though I'd agree the cartridge is the minimum acceptable for defense. Make sure she tries out a few 9mm platforms , and if she later indicates a curiosity in mastering the more powerful (yet less-snappy) .45 ACP... Alleluia!
Whatever she chooses, urge her to get a defensive course to go with it, and make it real easy for her to get lots of practice at the range.
hth
The recoil difference between a .380 and a 9mm is NOT 'negligible' for everyone.
My wife claims less snap and muzzle flip in a Bersa Thunder 380 than in a 9mm CZ 75B, despite the latter's fullsize weight.
Slow,
Good for your daughter!
I think any person, man or woman, must choose their own weapon.
The suggestions here might reduce the number of options to consider, but in the end, there's no substitute to visiting a range that offers a wide variety of rentals, and having her try them out to see which one suits her best.
A revolver would probably be best for instant, reliable use, with no complicated controls and fewer parts to jam, but some women seem to prefer the higher capacity (and, for lack of a better word, 'sex appeal',) of autoslides. Some snubbies can be a handful to control, though.
The Kel-Tec P3AT is light enough to be carried in a purse or handbag (though I might recommend a 'handbag holster' for any handbag-gun to maintain it in optimum position for a draw), or on-body. I'm told it can require minor work to make it reliable, and that its light weight makes recoil and muzzle flip more pronounced.
The Bersa Thunder 380 is said to be easier to shoot (I and my wife use it), with a reliability you can bank on, but its weight perhaps makes it more suitable for holster carry, than loose in a purse or handbag. It has an abundance of safety features and there are lots of reviews on it. Check out the link at the bottom of my post if you like.
.380 ACP is adequate if she can practice towards reliable marksmanship (de rigeur with ANY caliber), though I'd agree the cartridge is the minimum acceptable for defense. Make sure she tries out a few 9mm platforms , and if she later indicates a curiosity in mastering the more powerful (yet less-snappy) .45 ACP... Alleluia!
Whatever she chooses, urge her to get a defensive course to go with it, and make it real easy for her to get lots of practice at the range.
hth
Flashpoint
Member
I MADE my wife go out and shoot my Sig p239 so she could if she had to. My wife is not really anti, but she kind of leans that way. That being said when I finally got her to shoot my Sig once(she really didn't want to because the last gun I had her shoot was my Stery M40 and it scared her, too much recoil) she actually volenteered to shoot it a couple more times on her own. She has kinda small danty hands but she had no trouble holding on to the p239. It would also have the ultra reliable trait your looking for and is comparable to the RAMI.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Greeting's All-
I think the best decision of a gun purchase is best left
to the person that will be using that weapon! With
that said, I would not deviate too far from the 9m/m
in a self-loader; or a .38 Special in a snubby revolver.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
I think the best decision of a gun purchase is best left
to the person that will be using that weapon! With
that said, I would not deviate too far from the 9m/m
in a self-loader; or a .38 Special in a snubby revolver.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Waitone
Member
find a range with a good sized rental board then let her take the time (and you money) to shoot her way through the board.
I'll lay money that her selection will surprise you. Once she has made a selection you can direct her toward reliability, looks, etc. She will have to make decisions regarding how to carry, etc.
As an added plus, make sure the range has a friendly FEMALE thereabouts. Women have many more complications to CCH than men.
Keep us posted on her progress.
I'll lay money that her selection will surprise you. Once she has made a selection you can direct her toward reliability, looks, etc. She will have to make decisions regarding how to carry, etc.
As an added plus, make sure the range has a friendly FEMALE thereabouts. Women have many more complications to CCH than men.
Keep us posted on her progress.
CZ100B
Member
CZ-75 Compact (all metal choice)
Glock 19 (plastic choice)
Steyr M9 (other plastic choice)
I would suggest the CZ compact, and a purpose designed purse to avoid any potential dangers.
Jeremy
Glock 19 (plastic choice)
Steyr M9 (other plastic choice)
I would suggest the CZ compact, and a purpose designed purse to avoid any potential dangers.
Jeremy
redbone
Member
I suggest that you look into a 642. K & S on Pendleton Pike has them for slightly over $300.
Get a High-Noon pocket holster to be used in the purse. This is what my wife does, and it is handy, and keeps the trigger covered.
Popguns may rent a 642 or 442, check it out to see if she likes the concealed hammer .38. I know for sure she can rent a snub .38 with an exposed hammer just to see how that package appeals to her.
Good luck!
RBH
Get a High-Noon pocket holster to be used in the purse. This is what my wife does, and it is handy, and keeps the trigger covered.
Popguns may rent a 642 or 442, check it out to see if she likes the concealed hammer .38. I know for sure she can rent a snub .38 with an exposed hammer just to see how that package appeals to her.
Good luck!
RBH
- Status
