EDC for new female shooter

[wcwhitey]

Ergonomics is a key factor, first the gun has to fit the hand. Then the lifestyle. If a revolver is what she likes such as a J Frame then so be it. Recoil can be managed, from 158 grain +p down to a target wad cutter, there are 110 grain options also. If she likes a semi auto then so be it. It’s all about feeling confident, practice and actually having a gun when needed. I am of the mind that if it’s a .22,.32,380 or above it’s more important to shoot well and have it with you. She is going from unarmed to armed, that a huge transition. She can always upgrade as she gains experience.

 

[JJFitch]

I'm a certified NRA and POST certified firearms instructor! I reach out to prospective women who want a "personal trainer"! This appeals to women who want that one on one attention and void of the testosterone loaded public training world!

I've been doing this for over 10 years. My clientele is a mix of Moms and professional women. The end result is the empowerment of "self defense" at their disposal while out or at home! (After reading my post I know I'm repeating a lot of prior posts but some warrants repeating!)

I have about 35 handguns and bring a variety depending on their individual wants and needs. During the selection process and subsequent training they almost never select the firearms their "significant other" recommended!

Slide racking is nearly always the deal breaker due to lack of arm strength but sometimes "technique" can help overcome some of these issues.

Always keep in mind safety, ergonomics and manual of arms over caliber/cartridge choice for women! A .22 cal. firearm in hand that they can manipulate safely and will practice with trumps cartridge choice.

I found that women like the J/K size revolvers and medium size semi-autos that have a thumb safety! Why a thumb safety? Think "Glock leg" and Moms getting shot by "Jr" as he finds her firearm in her purse and pulls the trigger! Granted the extra safety won't guarantee no ND's but it might!

I train: The safety goes on during holstering their striker fired pistol and comes off while holstered and the trigger is covered! (Why did Ruger discontinue the SR9?)

I also bring my wife's high quality concealment purse for exhibition and some training exercises.

I also have a variety of "on line" training videos used to validate my training. They like the idea of being able to view the vids at their own pace and time.

Consider fit and function and carry options over caliber/cartridge. Train slowly since most of what they will be learning is all new as well as the muscles learning a new memory! Make it about them and their wants and needs.

All the best,

 

[bikerdoc]

@JJFitch nailed it gentlemen, you don't tell her, she tells you! You just pay for it.
Seriously your job is to make sure she is properly trained, and exposed to enough guns to make her own decisions, and practices frequently.
Along time ago, Mrs Doc, My bride of 33 years in my avatar tried many guns, to my surprise she loves boomers. A 357 3 inch is her primary and she has a lot of love for the 1911 45 Offiicers model.
And she is good with both of them!
Oh, and she is better shot than me!
Now go forth and help produce a shooter you will be proud of!

 

[.308 Norma]

And she is good with both of them!
Oh, and she is better shot than me!

How are you with a rifle? The summer before last, my wife and I took the Idaho Enhanced Concealed Carry Class together. After we’d each fired the required 99 rounds (we each actually fired an even 100 rounds of course), the Instructor took one look at our individual targets and said, “Dang! I wouldn’t make her mad if I was you!” My only retort was, “Yeah well, I can outshoot her with a rifle any day of the week!”

 

[bikerdoc]

I'm better with a rifle, but she can hold her own with a Ruger PC 9 carbine and a 30 rd mag. Out to 70 yds

 

[FL-NC]

Snub LW revolvers seem like a really good idea for an inexperienced person due to mechanical simplicity, reliability, etc. until that person actually fires them. They tend to be bulky, loud, kicky, and difficult for most people to fire quickly and accurately. Before the world went to heck, the 38 sp round that most of these guns fire was fairly expensive. A new shooter will not feel confident in something that assaults them with recoil and noise, has a trigger that feels "difficult", and they get poor feedback with (hits on target) when training. Modern compact semi autos from companies like Ruger, S&W, Glock, Sig, etc. tend to be very reliable and "user friendly". I think a good 380 or 9mm (with 9mm being superior in terms of power) are the best choice for most people, without regard to experience, sex, etc. Why not get her a 365 like yours? In an emergency, she will know how to operate your gun if it is the same.

 

[DR505]

One thing I learned, my wife and I both prefer for someone else to be her instructor. We were both sworn LEOs on the same agency and I was one of the firearms instructors. When she would show up for qualification/training quarterly shoots she would be at one end of the shooter line and I would be an instructor down at the other end. Worked better for both of us.

 

[FFGColorado]

In a “Sidearmor” Kydex on her hip normally.

Good for her. Even tho I'm a big guy, there's no way I could comfortably carry my G17..No way IWB, I have a OWB for my G17 but I sure wouldn't call it 'concealed' but if she does it..G17 is a GREAT pistol...

 

[JTQ]

One thing I learned, my wife and I both prefer for someone else to be her instructor.

Excellent recommendation.

 

[eamydust]

While there are pistols with higher capacity and more "knockdown power" than the S&W J-frame, my wife has gravitated toward the 442/642, over the LCP, Glock 30s, and Shield9. When loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr. or the +p version, we're both confident in the performance of that combination and she's most comfortable with it for EDC. I also have this combo as one of my EDC choices and don't feel "undergunned" when outfitted with it. YMMV

 

[KevininPa]

@JJFitch nailed it gentlemen, you don't tell her, she tells you! You just pay for it.
Seriously your job is to make sure she is properly trained, and exposed to enough guns to make her own decisions, and practices frequently.
Along time ago, Mrs Doc, My bride of 33 years in my avatar tried many guns, to my surprise she loves boomers. A 357 3 inch is her primary and she has a lot of love for the 1911 45 Offiicers model.
And she is good with both of them!
Oh, and she is better shot than me!
Now go forth and help produce a shooter you will be proud of!

My wife's favorite is a Ruger Security Six with a 2 3/4 barrel. And .357s. She'll play with the .38s, but she's disappointed if there aren't any "boomers".

 

[ThomasT]

Maybe the Ruger LCRx revolver with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. It weighs 16oz and are reported to have smooth, easy to pull triggers. Plus they are a little bigger than the J-Frame and have a longer grip to hold on to. Add in the simplicity of a revolver. Use ammo with lighter bullets in the 110-125gr range to help mitigate recoil. It really helps. I like the 110gr Winchesters in my 442.

https://www.ruger.com/products/lcrx/specSheets/5431.html

But in the end let her decide.

 

[JR24]

Anecdotal but worth considering (though the "let her try a bunch and pick her own" is the right choice) in regards to small revolvers, especially the LCR is that they aren't very fun to shoot.

My wife prefers wheelguns and lover her Vaquero and her dad's 66-2, she shot my LCR with soft loaded .38s twice before handing it back and refusing to touch it again.

She doesn't carry, but prefers my Sig 228 and when I pick up the 225 I've got a line on, I bet it'll be her favorite.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Welcome to the world of "you'll never pick the right one for her".....

After trying twice to pick a gun for my wife, I learned the expensive lesson of letting her do it herself.

I took her to a couple of gun shows and had her fondle a great deal of different handguns and she finally settled on a Walther CCP 9MM for several reasons. 1, it felt good in her hand. 2, it has the reduced recoil system. 3, the reduced recoil system made it easier for her to operate the slide with her off hand. 4, single stack magazine allowed for slimmer handle which benefits her grip style.

So in the end she has a pistol that feels good, shoots well and is easy to operate. After shooting it she was sold on the gun and its always on her side or in her purse.

 

[Koroner]

I agree with all those who say let HER decide. Don't they say at Gunsite, "ANY gun will do if YOU will do." Let her try out a bunch of different roscoes, and see what she likes and does well with.

But whatever you do, do NOT point out to her that at least the gun will function normally every day of the month, or that at least you can put a silencer on a gun.

 

[mnrivrat]

I have been mostly a wheel gun guy. My training was forwarded to my daughters and has worked well for them. I have found they have have have done well with that platform, but have not pushed them to continue with it. They have been introduced to semi auto firearms and made a smooth transmission in doing so. In the end returning to what they were most comfortable. I also developed the let them chose what they want attitude. They get along just fine that way.

 

[md7]

My advice to prospective gun owners is the same for male and female. Identify reputable makers/models, try before you buy (at least handle over the counter if you can’t shoot), and make your the decision from there.

Also, I generally say that j frames are not the easiest or most pleasant to shoot for most shooters.

There’s no shortage of common carry guns available that are viable for anyone.

 

[max it]

My wife has recently decided that she would like a handgun for personal protection. I have carried ever since moving to a state that believes in the 2nd Amendment, and currently carry a Sig P365 loaded with 10+1 Critical Defense and a second spare mag. I’ve been shooting my whole life, and own many guns including semiautomatic pistols and revolvers so I’m familiar with the pros and cons of each. My specific question is on what would be the better choice for my wife to carry.

I like the idea of a revolver such as a LCR or S&W J frame in .38 special since the manual of arms is so simple and the double action trigger pull adds to safety. My concern is that she’s got small hands and the DA trigger pull may be a bit much for her. She’s fired my Glock 19 at the range and likes that, but I’m not super comfortable that she can operate the slide quickly if needed. I’ve thought of a hammer fired DA/SA with a decocker/safety, but that seems like it might be complicated for her. I’d appreciate your thoughts, especially if you’ve dealt with the same sort of situation.

yes, a service revolver in .38spl is best. none of the women in my family is going to spend time at the range in any regular fashion. therefore a gun that you can pick up and goes bang is what's needed. lengh of pull and trigger weight notwithstanding. good luck.

 

[wnycollector]

My wife carries a 2" S&W model 12 in a cross body purse/holster. She shoots my pistols at the range all the time without issue, but does not want to carry one. She prefers the simplicity and the "idiot proof" nature of revolvers when it comes to carrying a firearm for serious purposes.

 

[Pat Riot]

Take her on several trips to a range that allows rental and have her shoot several platforms and calibers. Or, borrow from friends. A decision will be easier, and better, when there is knowledge backing it.

Absolutely! And have her try her finalists a couple of times.

 

[doubleh]

Welcome to the world of "you'll never pick the right one for her".....

After trying twice to pick a gun for my wife, I learned the expensive lesson of letting her do it herself.

I took her to a couple of gun shows and had her fondle a great deal of different handguns and she finally settled on a Walther CCP 9MM for several reasons. 1, it felt good in her hand. 2, it has the reduced recoil system. 3, the reduced recoil system made it easier for her to operate the slide with her off hand. 4, single stack magazine allowed for slimmer handle which benefits her grip style.

So in the end she has a pistol that feels good, shoots well and is easy to operate. After shooting it she was sold on the gun and its always on her side or in her purse.

Hoo-ray, I finally found someone besides me that likes the CCP.

 

[Jim Watson]

You do occasionally run into the Little Woman who says when invited to try out everything at the rental range: "Oh, Honey, you are the Man and you know all about that stuff, get me something good."

 

[Buckeye63]

My wife carries a LCR 327 loaded with Hornady 80gr 32 H&R ..

 

[WrongHanded]

Terrible time to be buying a gun. Worse time to be taking the wife shopping for one.

Has she shot your P365? If so, how does she like it? I gave up a P239 SAS gen2 in .40S&W to my wife because she liked it. It's still the most expensive handgun I've ever purchased.

 

[zaitcev]

My concern is that she’s got small hands and the DA trigger pull may be a bit much for her. (...) I’d appreciate your thoughts, especially if you’ve dealt with the same sort of situation.

Indeed, the siren song of revolver is deceptive, precisely for the reason you pointed out. If all she needs is to intimidate, a revolver is great, but if she needs to fire it, it can end badly. Civilians have an enormous liability regarding the final resting place of all projectiles that we fire.

So, I agree that a striker fired pistol or equivalent is the best, you just need to find one that fits other parameters. In particular, where she's going to carry it. Women often have onerous fashion requirements, which trigger workarounds like "shorts under dress" (doing so allows a gun belt -- as popularized by Sarah Tipton). Depending on climate you're in, a belly band can works well. With that in mind, you want a gun that is as large as she can carry comfortably. If at all possible, try to dissuade her gently from the off-body carry method.

Come to think of it, you already have a P365. What did she think of it?