Brubz
Member
As Ohio inches ever closer to concealed carry without a permit I'm getting questions from ladies I work with on what I would recommend for them.my default is the Ruger LCP 2 but I'd like to know what you guys think
Handguns for Ladies
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Jim Watson
Member
A friend of the feminine persuasion carries a LCP but it is a nasty little thing.
What she SHOOTS is a Glock 34.
So I am trying to lean her to a Glock 43. She has shot mine to the point of beating me at GSSF with it.
So I'd show them the lesser Glocks, P365, etc.
Of course you could say revolver, revolver revolver.
What she SHOOTS is a Glock 34.
So I am trying to lean her to a Glock 43. She has shot mine to the point of beating me at GSSF with it.
So I'd show them the lesser Glocks, P365, etc.
Of course you could say revolver, revolver revolver.
Hugger-4641
Member
Lcp was the first pistol I bought for my wife and she didn't like it.. My wife is 5''7 and has medium sized hands for a woman. She carries a Charter Lavender Lady with 38+p and loves it. The only auto pistol she has really liked so far is the Sig P365x.
One of my daughters is 5'11 with larger hands. She loves my G19, but its too large for her to conceal well, so her second preference is my Taurus G3c.
Another daughter is very petite and carries the SW Shield EZ.
You get the picture....women are just as diverse as men.
One of my daughters is 5'11 with larger hands. She loves my G19, but its too large for her to conceal well, so her second preference is my Taurus G3c.
Another daughter is very petite and carries the SW Shield EZ.
You get the picture....women are just as diverse as men.
JTQ
Member
We have this thread, that may or may not be helpful
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/so-you-want-to-buy-your-girlfriend-wife-a-gun.564531/
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/so-you-want-to-buy-your-girlfriend-wife-a-gun.564531/
Jim Watson
Member
Also
https://www.corneredcat.com/
Lots of stuff for ladies by a lady, including gun selection and management.
https://www.corneredcat.com/
Lots of stuff for ladies by a lady, including gun selection and management.
https://www.corneredcat.com/contents/
Read and have your trainees read the "Choosing Firearms" section first. The website is only slightly dated. The actual or specific firearms will slightly change over time as various firearms will always be discontinued with new models, even brands, coming into the market.
Each person's choice could be different with no single firearm being the best in every situation. A larger handgun (if a handgun is even the answer) may or may not fit someone's hand and will likely be easier or more comfortable to shoot; while a smaller handgun will be easier to carry/conceal, but may be so uncomfortable when shooting it'll impede the person's desire to practice with live fire.
Weight, price, and budget will be factors. Reliability and a company's repair/customer service are also factors. Revolvers vs. semiautos is yet another factor.
One of my civilian concealed carry teachers recommended the Springfield XD line for its potentially child-safe grip safety, with the selling feature a toddler-size child would be unable to simultaneously pull the trigger while depressing the grip safety. At the time of the class, there was a recent case where a child pulled the trigger on a mother's handgun, killing the mother.
Ref. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/30/woman-shot-with-own-gun/21062089/
While, as an LEO, the instructors all favored the issued Glock-brand of handguns, whether to the male or female LEOs as that's what was being issued to us. As you might know, Glock has a variety of models from its G42 to the G41 size. In my LE department, the G17(gen4) was issued to all whether 5' tall or 6+' tall, with the G26 issued as needed depending on assignment. Other related agencies liked the G19 size. Prior to that, the equivalent sized .40 Glocks were commonly issued. Meanwhile, other agencies were issuing the SIG brand (all this prior to the P320 series of SIG, which is maintaining SIG's brand popularity with its latest P320 models).
It doesn't hurt to mention what the various LE and military depts/agencies/units are using as some folks appreciate the proven nature of those various makes & models. As an instructor, do realize you're not their salesperson. Perhaps point them in the direction of the best local gun shops in a given area.
As if they are your wife, daughter, or other family member, they'll need to make their own decision anyway. Encourage them to exchange each other's contact info and they can discuss between themselves off-line what each are buying or recommending to each other. Keep in touch with your own students and other teachers to hear about what folks are buying and what or if there are any problem makes & models.
There are just so many makes & models available aren't there?
Read and have your trainees read the "Choosing Firearms" section first. The website is only slightly dated. The actual or specific firearms will slightly change over time as various firearms will always be discontinued with new models, even brands, coming into the market.
Each person's choice could be different with no single firearm being the best in every situation. A larger handgun (if a handgun is even the answer) may or may not fit someone's hand and will likely be easier or more comfortable to shoot; while a smaller handgun will be easier to carry/conceal, but may be so uncomfortable when shooting it'll impede the person's desire to practice with live fire.
Weight, price, and budget will be factors. Reliability and a company's repair/customer service are also factors. Revolvers vs. semiautos is yet another factor.
One of my civilian concealed carry teachers recommended the Springfield XD line for its potentially child-safe grip safety, with the selling feature a toddler-size child would be unable to simultaneously pull the trigger while depressing the grip safety. At the time of the class, there was a recent case where a child pulled the trigger on a mother's handgun, killing the mother.
Ref. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/30/woman-shot-with-own-gun/21062089/
While, as an LEO, the instructors all favored the issued Glock-brand of handguns, whether to the male or female LEOs as that's what was being issued to us. As you might know, Glock has a variety of models from its G42 to the G41 size. In my LE department, the G17(gen4) was issued to all whether 5' tall or 6+' tall, with the G26 issued as needed depending on assignment. Other related agencies liked the G19 size. Prior to that, the equivalent sized .40 Glocks were commonly issued. Meanwhile, other agencies were issuing the SIG brand (all this prior to the P320 series of SIG, which is maintaining SIG's brand popularity with its latest P320 models).
It doesn't hurt to mention what the various LE and military depts/agencies/units are using as some folks appreciate the proven nature of those various makes & models. As an instructor, do realize you're not their salesperson. Perhaps point them in the direction of the best local gun shops in a given area.
As if they are your wife, daughter, or other family member, they'll need to make their own decision anyway. Encourage them to exchange each other's contact info and they can discuss between themselves off-line what each are buying or recommending to each other. Keep in touch with your own students and other teachers to hear about what folks are buying and what or if there are any problem makes & models.
There are just so many makes & models available aren't there?
MrChicken
Member
IMHO, if the lady is new to guns...
Start with .22 and let her work her way up in caliber. I've seen women fire one shot and leave the range. If it's too loud or hurts, they may just switch off at that point.
Look up ladies apparel for CCW, purses, blouses, pants, etc. Show the lady what you found and see if you can get her interested in searching for more. Finding an "attractive" carry method goes a long way.
Most men consider a gun as a tool. Most women aren't fond of carrying a tool around. Sexist as it may sound, but colorful and shiny may be their first choice. I'm not saying let her buy junk but also don't ridicule her choice. Find a better example for to look over.
A S&W EZ was mentioned, a great option, but being all black may not be a plus. The performance center version has some color and be more to her liking.
You could also point out that most guns can colored through a variety of ways, grips, platings, paints and coatings. If she wants a pink Glock, make it happen.
Start with .22 and let her work her way up in caliber. I've seen women fire one shot and leave the range. If it's too loud or hurts, they may just switch off at that point.
Look up ladies apparel for CCW, purses, blouses, pants, etc. Show the lady what you found and see if you can get her interested in searching for more. Finding an "attractive" carry method goes a long way.
Most men consider a gun as a tool. Most women aren't fond of carrying a tool around. Sexist as it may sound, but colorful and shiny may be their first choice. I'm not saying let her buy junk but also don't ridicule her choice. Find a better example for to look over.
A S&W EZ was mentioned, a great option, but being all black may not be a plus. The performance center version has some color and be more to her liking.
You could also point out that most guns can colored through a variety of ways, grips, platings, paints and coatings. If she wants a pink Glock, make it happen.
FL-NC
Member
Mrs. Fl-NC carries a Ruger LCP. Not a fan of the gun or caliber myself- but it works for her due to its size and weight- better the LCP than another larger more powerful handgun somewhere else besides being carried. Her nightstand gun is a Glock 19 (there are several hidden through the house) and there is also a Glock 26 with a holster and spare mag in her get home bag in the trunk of her car.
Jim Watson
Member
I have seen one problem arise:
Husband: What gun should I buy for my wife?
Internet Experts: Show her a selection and let her choose.
Wife: Oh, honey, I don't know anything about that, you get me something good.
Husband: What gun should I buy for my wife?
Internet Experts: Show her a selection and let her choose.
Wife: Oh, honey, I don't know anything about that, you get me something good.
I can only go by what my wife carries, started with a .22 WMR LCR revolver - hard trigger pull in DA (due to being rimfire)
If I were going to teach one of her friends to shoot, I would start with the .22 lcp2 or something similar and after shooting that a while, figuring out the sights, etc move up the food chain to a .380 (like the p238) then to the Sig or similar in 9mm.
Until the new shooter gets to where they feel comfortable, the .22 is not expensive to buy or shoot has no significant recoil, and they can get into shooting, learn to clean, etc without a big budget, the P238 is soft shooting for a small .380 but is a little heavy for a "small" pistol - that is why it shoots softer, however it is also a single action which can be a turn off for a purse carry for some ladies, the 365 has a good grip and is a reasonably soft shooter (my wife shoots it pretty well and has CT in her shooting hand).
A .22LR she will carry and can shoot is much better than something they will not carry due to too much recoil. Not looking for a .22 is too small war, just saying what I have observed in the journey for my wife to find a gun she wants to carry and shoot. She picks her own guns so this is an observation of what my one in particular lady has done.
On good hand days (we are both getting older), she carries the Sig 365, on bad days the LCP2 in .22, but she is always armed when she can be.
d
If I were going to teach one of her friends to shoot, I would start with the .22 lcp2 or something similar and after shooting that a while, figuring out the sights, etc move up the food chain to a .380 (like the p238) then to the Sig or similar in 9mm.
Until the new shooter gets to where they feel comfortable, the .22 is not expensive to buy or shoot has no significant recoil, and they can get into shooting, learn to clean, etc without a big budget, the P238 is soft shooting for a small .380 but is a little heavy for a "small" pistol - that is why it shoots softer, however it is also a single action which can be a turn off for a purse carry for some ladies, the 365 has a good grip and is a reasonably soft shooter (my wife shoots it pretty well and has CT in her shooting hand).
A .22LR she will carry and can shoot is much better than something they will not carry due to too much recoil. Not looking for a .22 is too small war, just saying what I have observed in the journey for my wife to find a gun she wants to carry and shoot. She picks her own guns so this is an observation of what my one in particular lady has done.
On good hand days (we are both getting older), she carries the Sig 365, on bad days the LCP2 in .22, but she is always armed when she can be.
d
freedom arms .45
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from what i know of women, you're gonna be wrong anyway.
Seedy Character
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Husband: (takes wife to store, with a range, that rents guns) These (3-6) are GOOD choices, different actions, different sizes, different calibers. I will show you how they operate. You can shoot each one and pick the one you like OR we will try some more, until YOU find what YOU want. Them, we will practice regularly.
Daughter HAD a LCP, hated it, sold it. A friend let her shoot a Phoenix PA22 .22LR. She loved it.
We were at a gun show, guy had 2. Daughter bought one. Wife was looking at it and decided to buy the other.
It wasn't MY first choice (or 10th), but,
1. The pistols have proven 100% reliable, with a variety of ammo
2. They practice regularly.
3. Always carry them.
4. .22LR beats being unarmed.
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Brubz
Member
Thanks for the info if the gun shops in my area can get back to carry more than three or four pistols in stock I can take them and let them try something for hand feel.those web sites will be very helpful
Recommend that they find a class oriented to female shooter or a beginner's class that is female friend (no neck beard crap). That's better than a trip to the range with various guns. The above links should be read also.
Why are they waiting for permit less carry? Ohio is shall issue - so that seems silly to me. I grant that this is a side issue.
Shooting at the square range is insufficient. Thus, a list of possible guns misses the main focus that they should have.
Why are they waiting for permit less carry? Ohio is shall issue - so that seems silly to me. I grant that this is a side issue.
Shooting at the square range is insufficient. Thus, a list of possible guns misses the main focus that they should have.
Armored farmer
Member
Mrs farmer has a lcp.
halfmoonclip
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A friend and his wife, both teachers, use the LCP simply for its size. Tried to talk them into getting the .22 version for practice, because they are snappy little stinkers to shoot.
Really don't trust .22 autos for anything serious; the round is just hard to feed, and misfires too frequent. If it really, absolutely, positively has to be a .22, make it a revolver. Gave my daughter the Smith .22 Centennial; the .38 version was more recoil than she liked.
Moon
Really don't trust .22 autos for anything serious; the round is just hard to feed, and misfires too frequent. If it really, absolutely, positively has to be a .22, make it a revolver. Gave my daughter the Smith .22 Centennial; the .38 version was more recoil than she liked.
Moon
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Brubz
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gryphon1911
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A handgun purchase should not be made based on gender. The criteria are the same for any person. Carry whatever they can handle and what they will actually carry.
my wife carries a .357 magnum revolver because she can and it is what she is most comfortable with.
I carry a 1911 or a Sig P365 depending on the time of year, what I’m wearing.
my wife carries a .357 magnum revolver because she can and it is what she is most comfortable with.
I carry a 1911 or a Sig P365 depending on the time of year, what I’m wearing.
gryphon1911
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Im from Ohio and have had a ccw permit since it was offered, on day one in Franklin county. The process is not at all tedious, not sure what you are referring to that is.
the requirements are straight forward. Any CCW class will walk you through it. While I agree with constitutional carry, ohio’s system is very manageable by the average person.
Coyote3855
Member
My wife alternates between a Glock 26 and a Kahr P9. She is adept with both. 0
OP
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Brubz
Member
Some people just don't like having to fill out forms to exercise their constitutional right would someone like to have to fill out a form to go to church would someone like to fill out a form to call in a talk radio station and express their opinion?
gryphon1911
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that is different ball game than a “hassle”.
Sometimes we have to go through a process to get to where we need to be. It was better to have to go through the permit process than to be in violation of state law for carrying concealed.
now, Ohio is close to the so called constitutional carry and that is a good thing.
Officers'Wife
Member
The only real difference between man and woman in shooting is the female tendency to not have the upper body strength to work the slide the way a man does. But even that difference is solved by a matter of technique. First off and most important... don't play the weaker female game. I once had a... gentleman... tell me my .38 Super was almost "too much gun" for me and strongly recommended I choose a smaller caliber. In a fit of pique I borrowed my brother's Desert Eagle (50 AE) and proceeded to out score his 44 Mag at 50 meters. Most important, no matter what she decides advise her to a competent gunsmith install grips that fit her hands.
somethingbenign
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Lot of good advice here so far. The only thing I will add is that with the three women I've taken to ranges and walked them through different rentals they all thought highly of one gun I haven't seen mentioned. The Walther PK380. Two of the women went with different guns in the end but all three said the Walther was in the top three.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
I recommend large frame autos that shoot 9mm.
pretty much the same I recommend for anyone learning to shoot.
Find a trigger type (DA/SA, striker, SAO) and platform (CZ, Glock, Sig, etc) you like, then scale the gun down to the largest thing you can conceal.
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