latebychoice
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My girlfriend wants to start carrying but doesn't want to use my Glock 30. Any suggestions? Possibly a smaller caliber... Thanks.
Female Carry Option
- Thread starter latebychoice
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Hard to go wrong with a 9x19mm. Glock makes them in subcompact models, as do a few other manufacturers. 5 shot .38 snubby revolvers are popular carry guns too. Most women I know carry in their purse so I'd suggest an internal trigger DAO or a concealed trigger on a revolver she plans to carry. That also give her the option to pocket carry the revolver since there is no protruding trigger to catch on things. JMO, I wouldn't go smaller than those two calibers for defense.
RevolvingGarbage
Member
Your girlfriend will be the one carrying so she needs to be the one to decide on the gun, and only after she handles (and ideally shoots) many different makes in plenty of calibers. Don't assume she will want a small gun or a gun in a "weak" caliber simply because she is a female.
If what she does not like is a snappy gun, then have her try something bigger and with a metal frame and in a low pressure caliber like .45 auto or .38 special.
If what she does not like is a snappy gun, then have her try something bigger and with a metal frame and in a low pressure caliber like .45 auto or .38 special.
Women who I have worked with on their shooting really seem to like the Sig 226/228 for the range, but seem to prefer the Kahr K9 or Glock G19 for carry...that G30 is pretty big in the hand for most women
Shadow 7D
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All the carry options of a man
Sorry but guns are NOT gender specific
I find hand size and personal preferences to be a much larger factor in suggesting a gun...
Sorry but guns are NOT gender specific
I find hand size and personal preferences to be a much larger factor in suggesting a gun...
This.
I spent about a month going over various options with my girlfriend, and renting anything she seemed interested in, before she finally decided on a Kahr PM9, carried at 3:30-4:00 in a Galco belly band.
What works for my girlfriend will not necessarily work for yours. Talk to her about carry methods and firearms, listen to what she has to say, rent anything that she shows an interest in, and ultimately, let her make her own decision.
R
It's got to be her choice, and every lady is different as to what they'll take to, but
I'd recommend starting with a smaller 22LR auto. Even easier and cheaper to shoot than a 9mm or 380 with less kick to scare her (if she's not been around gun much)
I'd recommend starting with a smaller 22LR auto. Even easier and cheaper to shoot than a 9mm or 380 with less kick to scare her (if she's not been around gun much)
neededausername
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My wife picked her own after firing some of her uncle's guns. She really likes a 4" Taurus .38. She had never fired a revolver before she shot it, but after her first time with it she said a gun had never felt more comfortable in her hand, and she's been shooting since she was 13. So just let your gf shoot as many handguns as possible and she will find the one for her. Don't try and force her into a mold of a "female" gun. Like the guy at the store who tried to convince my wife that she needed a lady smith with a pink grip.
I agree that you should let her choose. She might be interested in www.corneredcat.com
Zundfolge
Member
You'd be amazed how many women trend toward 1911s in .45.
The grips are slim and the recoil of .45 is more of a shove and less sharp.
The grips are slim and the recoil of .45 is more of a shove and less sharp.
Zerodefect
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I belive Kahr has a heavy all steel version of the PM9. The MK9 if I remember. That would be better, more weight, less recoil.
You have to let her pick though, been there done that.
You have to let her pick though, been there done that.
jfrey
Member
I would suggest steering you GFtoward the P/CW9 series of the kahr. Just as easy for a female to conceal as the smaller ones and more grip to hold on to. Makes you a better shooter in the end. CW9 is just as easy to hide and costs hundreds of dollars less for a gun of the same quality.
longhair75
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I just bought my wife a Beretta Cheetah 84fs. She is very pleased with it.
harmon rabb
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Well, how does she want to carry? Is she going to carry IWB, OWB, pocket, purse? (I'm not a fan of purse carry, as a purse can be snatched).
Or is she going to look into some of the more unique carry options out there for women? A woman at my office carries a full size xdm40 every day in some sort of under the breast holster made for women. I'm not sure exactly how the thing works, but I gather it uses the curve of the breast to help break up the lines of the gun. One thing I am sure about is that it does not print whatsoever. She swears she can draw from it as fast as a IWB holster. (humorously, most of the guys carry pocket guns, while she's toting around a full size)
Anyway, my point is that how she's going to carry will determine what her options are (i.e. she's not going to pocket carry a G19, but she sure as hell can carry one in her purse). Once you know the range of options, then it's really up to her to decide what she likes.
My wife claims to be recoil sensitive. I think that's kind of bs, because I've seen her shoot .357 just fine, but so be it. Therefore, I picked up a Bersa Thunder 380 and a PK380 for her (I got such stupid deals on both that I figured what the hell). We both agree that the PK380 fits the hand nicer, and the slide is so easy to rack that she can slingshot it. Yet, know what? She shoots that damn Bersa a lot better. Go figure.
So, it would help if your GF could actually shoot some of the guns she's deciding between, because even what feels the best in her hand might not be the best choice.
Or is she going to look into some of the more unique carry options out there for women? A woman at my office carries a full size xdm40 every day in some sort of under the breast holster made for women. I'm not sure exactly how the thing works, but I gather it uses the curve of the breast to help break up the lines of the gun. One thing I am sure about is that it does not print whatsoever. She swears she can draw from it as fast as a IWB holster. (humorously, most of the guys carry pocket guns, while she's toting around a full size)
Anyway, my point is that how she's going to carry will determine what her options are (i.e. she's not going to pocket carry a G19, but she sure as hell can carry one in her purse). Once you know the range of options, then it's really up to her to decide what she likes.
My wife claims to be recoil sensitive. I think that's kind of bs, because I've seen her shoot .357 just fine, but so be it. Therefore, I picked up a Bersa Thunder 380 and a PK380 for her (I got such stupid deals on both that I figured what the hell). We both agree that the PK380 fits the hand nicer, and the slide is so easy to rack that she can slingshot it. Yet, know what? She shoots that damn Bersa a lot better. Go figure.
So, it would help if your GF could actually shoot some of the guns she's deciding between, because even what feels the best in her hand might not be the best choice.
saltydog452
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Most ladies, I think, aren't likely to wear baggy jeans held up by a thick leather strap cinched up tight.
Women have waaay different requirements and fewer options. For on body carry, male or female, it'd be tough to find anything more discrete and effective than a light weight .38 and Birami Hip-Grips.
'Carrying' in the purse, center console, or glove box opens another can of worms.
Don't try to force it on the lady. Its gonna take some 'want to' and commitment on the part of the CHL License holder.
Having a hammer and saw don't make anyone a carpenter.
salty
Women have waaay different requirements and fewer options. For on body carry, male or female, it'd be tough to find anything more discrete and effective than a light weight .38 and Birami Hip-Grips.
'Carrying' in the purse, center console, or glove box opens another can of worms.
Don't try to force it on the lady. Its gonna take some 'want to' and commitment on the part of the CHL License holder.
Having a hammer and saw don't make anyone a carpenter.
salty
AirForceShooter
Member
Guns are not gender specific???
I'll disagree on that one
AFS
I'll disagree on that one
AFS
sm
member
Try before you buy
I would find a CCW class, or gun range, where some folks would let her try various makes, models and calibers. A bonus would be letting her try various holsters as well.
I concur with Mr. H, in setting up a target at 5 rounds, and loading 5 rounds and shooting a piece of typing paper, folded in half, then in half again. At the sound of the buzzer, shoot as effectivley and fast as she can.
The paper will not lie.
We have a tendency when at ease, to scrunch and crunch around firearms, to allow us a better sight picture. When stressed we do not have time to do so, hence the importance of gun fit to shooter.
WE change with age, and not just eyes, and physical growth, as we do get aches, pains, injuries, arthritis, disease, surgery and so forth, do affect us, and how we do things, such as shooting.
This 5/5/5 is something we all should do from time to time, as I mentioned, we change with time.
i.e WE may have been able to shoot .357 loads from a revolver, but the paper may reveal we get more effective hits, with a .38 spl loading.
In my experience, the ladies do very very well with full size and Combat Commander sized 1911. Some do best with 200 gr, and 185 gr loads. Other guns include BHP, and S&W 3913.
Do not rule out revolvers. Smith K frames such as Model 10, 64 were favored by ladies, as were the Colt D frames ( Colt Detective Special). Other dedicated .38spls were favored, such as the Ruger SP 101.
Yes, we had ladies go with Model 19, 65, etc., in .357.
Re: 40 cal.
In my experience, none of the ladies liked this caliber, because of its recoil curve, no matter what make/model of gun used.
i.e. BHP in 9mm, was always, always favored over the BHP in .40 cal.
HTH
I would find a CCW class, or gun range, where some folks would let her try various makes, models and calibers. A bonus would be letting her try various holsters as well.
I concur with Mr. H, in setting up a target at 5 rounds, and loading 5 rounds and shooting a piece of typing paper, folded in half, then in half again. At the sound of the buzzer, shoot as effectivley and fast as she can.
The paper will not lie.
We have a tendency when at ease, to scrunch and crunch around firearms, to allow us a better sight picture. When stressed we do not have time to do so, hence the importance of gun fit to shooter.
WE change with age, and not just eyes, and physical growth, as we do get aches, pains, injuries, arthritis, disease, surgery and so forth, do affect us, and how we do things, such as shooting.
This 5/5/5 is something we all should do from time to time, as I mentioned, we change with time.
i.e WE may have been able to shoot .357 loads from a revolver, but the paper may reveal we get more effective hits, with a .38 spl loading.
In my experience, the ladies do very very well with full size and Combat Commander sized 1911. Some do best with 200 gr, and 185 gr loads. Other guns include BHP, and S&W 3913.
Do not rule out revolvers. Smith K frames such as Model 10, 64 were favored by ladies, as were the Colt D frames ( Colt Detective Special). Other dedicated .38spls were favored, such as the Ruger SP 101.
Yes, we had ladies go with Model 19, 65, etc., in .357.
Re: 40 cal.
In my experience, none of the ladies liked this caliber, because of its recoil curve, no matter what make/model of gun used.
i.e. BHP in 9mm, was always, always favored over the BHP in .40 cal.
HTH
Wheelguner05
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HI there I think your best bet is to go to the range and try out differnt pistol sizes and calibers. If you ask the staff Im sure they will be happy to help you.
Russ Jackson
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My Wife is thinking about the springfield xd sub-compact. How do you guys feel about that choice?...Russ
rd2007
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My wife's two favorites are 1911's and the Glock 19. The smaller guns she originally thought she would like (P3AT and Taurus PT111) are the two guns she likes least, not counting my AK, Mossberg, SP101, and 629 of course.
HPShooter
Member
Start small and work up
I would recommend starting out with a .22 LR auto or revolver and working up. She should choose what she is comfortable and confident....and can HIT with consistently, under extreme stress. .32, .380, 9 mm all are sufficient in the right platform.
Many women are not "into" guns and need something simple and sure. Don't get me wrong, many women can also hit well with anything we men can shoot. But it may take relatively more practice. Under the very short notice of a criminal event and adrenaline, simple beats complex.
9mm BHP is with its slender frame and (relatively) slender grip may work well for many women. So can the Beretta 84 (as mentioned by a prior poster) series, and of course the small frame revolvers. Again, simple, confident, and sure trumps everything else.
Frankly, I think a .32 S&W Long a girl can hit with is better than a miss with a larger caliber. Kel-tec .32s also will go bang every time at point blank range and are more likely to be to hand.
It just doesn't have to be a cannon. The first rule of gunfighting is "have a gun". Anybody who thinks a .22 hollow point is a bb, step right up and we'll test your resistance.
I would recommend starting out with a .22 LR auto or revolver and working up. She should choose what she is comfortable and confident....and can HIT with consistently, under extreme stress. .32, .380, 9 mm all are sufficient in the right platform.
Many women are not "into" guns and need something simple and sure. Don't get me wrong, many women can also hit well with anything we men can shoot. But it may take relatively more practice. Under the very short notice of a criminal event and adrenaline, simple beats complex.
9mm BHP is with its slender frame and (relatively) slender grip may work well for many women. So can the Beretta 84 (as mentioned by a prior poster) series, and of course the small frame revolvers. Again, simple, confident, and sure trumps everything else.
Frankly, I think a .32 S&W Long a girl can hit with is better than a miss with a larger caliber. Kel-tec .32s also will go bang every time at point blank range and are more likely to be to hand.
It just doesn't have to be a cannon. The first rule of gunfighting is "have a gun". Anybody who thinks a .22 hollow point is a bb, step right up and we'll test your resistance.
latebychoice
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Thanks for all the replies. She decided she wanted a Kimber Ultra Aegis (9mm) that she'll carry in her purse. It fits in her hand nicely and she doesn't mind the recoil. It's a great pistol, but it's a Kimber... so it looks like I'll be living off bread and cheese for a while...
Zundfolge
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