Hello from a Newbie with Questions

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Welcome 3KillerB's

Have you considered a Smith & Wesson "LadySmith" 5 shot revolver?:)

That is the gun my wife chose. She spoke to all the sales people and tried every kind of handgun.

I switched from a Semi-Auto to a revolver myself. I love'em.:)
 
Can I ask how often a civilian has to reload under fire or with one hand in a self defense situation?

Seems to me this shouldn't be a major concern, and certainly wouldn't even come close to stopping me from carrying my Kahr. If for some reason you found yourself needing to reload one handed I would hope you have taken cover and could use a curb or hard object to rack the slide if you couldn't get the release to let go.

I would say to make sure you get a gun that you can shoot comfortably and accurately, each and every time without hesitation and not to worry so much about one handed operation.
 
@BruceRDucer,
I'll consider a revolver if I can't find a suitable semi-auto but I really do not enjoy shooting revolvers so it would be an uphill grind to practice often enough with it to meet my standards of appropriate proficiency.
 
Great to see another mom on this board!

A lot of enthusiasm here for the 9mm Kahr -- my two cents is to "try before you buy" this one. My better half carries one, but to me, shooting it is like a firecracker going off in my hand. Not comfortable at all.

Try a Glock 19 or 26. I love my G19. While it is a double stack, you can get an extended slide and mag release installed to ease one-handed operation.

I know you said you're not as proficient with a revolver. If this is because you've only shot snubbies, then maybe try something with a 3 or 4" barrel instead? I'm certain you would see an improvement. (This size may be impractical for carry, but maybe perfect for you for home defense. Good moms may need to have two weapons to keep their family safe :D)
 
Have you tried this one?

The Walther P99 also has changeable back straps as well as the Smith & Wesson P99 (same gun). I only mention these because I took my old Boss out to shoot and of all the pistols she shoot that day she loved the grip and feel of the P99. She has very small hands. The P99's Magazine release is located along side of the trigger guard. Really easy to reach. Good luck with what ever you do ,..Blitz
 
@WheelGunMom,

No, my thing with revolvers is that I just don't enjoy shooting them. I know its a matter of taste sort of thing.

My DD, who is 14 and whose hands are about the same size as mine right now, absolutely fell in love with a little, S&W .22 revolver that isn't made any more and she doesn't like firing the semi-autos. So we're looking for a used .22 revolver for her to shoot.
 
Welcome to THR!

Your story (and location...we're near Lillington) sound very familiar. I couldn't help but be reminded of a lot of what my Wife has gone through to find her perfect pistols also. She eventually settled on a Kel-Tec P3AT for CCW, but is most comfortable with a .45 ACP Springfield 1911a1. Mom, on the other hand, enjoys a S&W 317 or Ruger Bearcat .22 revolver much more. Both said that anything in 9mm or .40 S&W was too "snappy" and wouldn't feel comfortable with their ability to hit anything, so I stayed well out of the way.

Please do read all of the good advice here, but then go and try for yourself before you buy, regardless of the configuration and caliber, because we can only share our experiences and expectations. If I may suggest, though, you might want to check out Eds Guns for a good mix of price, service, and availablity if you're in the area. http://edsgunshop.com/

Take care
 
Welcome aboard, new members are always welcome.

I have somewhat small hands for a guy, how I play the guitar is beyond me, but I digress. I've read a number of responses suggesting the kahr 9mm. I had the chance to shoot a subcompact model a few weekends ago and it made my hand go numb. I own a springfield 1911 full sized lightweight .45 and a S&W 500 (doesn't get much bigger than that) and i find both to be comfortable to shoot, but that little kahr was downright sadistic.

Keep in mind though that that is just my own person experience, and yours will likely vary, try to find some friends or coworkers or friends of friends that own pistols and see if you can try them out. When it all boils down, it doesn't matter if its an inexpensive little bersa or a top of the line multithousand dollar kimber, if it works for you thats all that matter. brand name, price, all that is insignificant in the long run.
 
I am 4' 11'' and have very small hands. I found that the Khars are women friendly. They are also good for carry because they are very slim. I am not really a fan of them other than those facts though.

A .380 might work... I'm not sure which models, as I don't keep up with them.

I shoot a 1911 .45 single stack. I have the very same problem when shooting it, but I have learned to tork my hand enough to get to the slide stop/mag release. I kind of had to adapt to it.

When I was looking a little while back for a 9mm, I was more concerned on how the gun FELT in my hand and not so much being able to get to slide stop, etc. because you'll want to shoot it for fun to get more familiar with it and get "closer" to it! and there is nothing more annoying and more discouraging than shooting a gun that doesn't fit your hand.

When I started shooting some competition matches, I started noticing that it WOULD be helpful to be able to get to the slide release with one hand.

I think you should find one that fits your HAND, and then work on adapting.

Hopefully, if you ever do have to use it, you won't need to get to slide stop!!!!!

Good luck and let me know if you come across the right thing!

-Kate
 
3KB, welcome to The High Road. . . . .

May we always be worthy of your company. I have not seen the Makarov pistols mentioned nor the Czech model 83 but if you are going to a gun show to handle a few different guns they might be worth a look. Small grips and compact ergonomics are the high points - used military surplus with no manufacturers warranty and a slightly underpowered cartridge are the low points. They are relatively inexpensive to acquire and shoot and the ones I have seen and handled have proven quite reliable so far. Good luck - let us know how you fare.
 
"Regardless of whether or not a child is involved, you (anyone) should be able to operate their handgun with one hand to fire it, reload it, and to clear jams."

I'd really like to see someone reload an autoloader and clear a jam one-handed...

JR
 
@Griff,

Ed's shop is where we've been going and he's been giving us the true, red carpet treatment even though we're newbies on a budget. :)
 
3KillerBs said:
Rather, my problem is that I can't seem to reach the slide release and the magazine disconnect on what I've seen so far. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I ought to be able to do these things with one hand...
Click to expand...
There is room to play with this a bit. Think about this: If these controls are easy to reach when your hand is in a normal shooting grip, you may find yourself locking back your slide or releasing a magazine when you need to be shooting. It doesn't hurt to shift your grip a little.
 
My take on choosing a CCW gun.

First and foremost, choose one that feels good in your hand and points well. Operation can be considered secondarily, as you will easily find a method that works for you, provided the handgun feels good in your hands. Several other posters have brought up good and valid points. Glen Bartley mentioned turning the pistol in your hand to hit the slide stop and mag release. This is the method I use and it works well because the gun droops back into position without thought because the gun fits me. TX1911fan mentioned that going with a 9mm and modern designed HP ammo is not a compromise. I agree completely. I'll also second the notion that you'll likely find steel or aluminum frame guns to be easier to manage that thicker polymer guns. External controls are usually more ergonomic on metal frame guns, too. I've often referred to controls on XDs, Glocks, etc. as "vestigial". They're barely there and hard to manipulate.

In short, I'd concentrate on finding an autoloader (since that's what you're most comfortable with) that fits your hands well and you shoot well. Step two would be adapting your technique to operate in the manner you feel necessary. Step three would be deciding what wardrobe changes you need to make to conceal it with a good holster and gunbelt.
 
Sent a message, but have you tried a Stoeger Cougar? SImilar hand fit to the TAurus 92 you like so well, but with a better grip, shorter barrel, and all around better concealed carry dimensions. Cheap, too! (RElative term in the gun world unfortunately)
 
Thank you all again for the advice. You've given me many things to think about.

@1911 guy,
Part of what I'm going to have to deal with is that my build doesn't permit me to wear belts comfortably, especially wide, sturdy belts.

Granted the situation would be better if I could lose some weight, but even when I was in college and had a size 8 waist I had size 12 hips and found belts almost painfully uncomfortable.

While there is no knowing until I've tried, from the recommendations I've gotten a shoulder holster or belly band sound like the likeliest options.

There seems to be very little info readily available about concealing a handgun for a pear-shaped, middle-aged woman. :lol:
 
quote: Ed's shop is where we've been going and he's been giving us the true, red carpet treatment even though we're newbies on a budget. :end quote

glad to hear it! there's lots of good people there (and here) who are happy to help. take care
 
I got to handle almost every gun that was suggested today. I posted my short list to a new thread.

The advice about "families" of guns was spot on. I discovered that almost all Tauruses and a good half the Berettas fit regardless of frame size. But not one 1911, not even the Taurus 1911s, fit.

Thanks again!
 
Thank you.

The video made that very clear. I can easily see the position shift and how much more power the thumb has in that position.

The sides of my thumb are sort from ineffectively attempting to operate guns at the gun show today and I can see that a couple I might have rejected could be reconsidered if I master that technique.
 
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