In the process of her practicing loading and performing malfunction clearance exercises, we quickly learned that she cannot operate the CZ 75 slide because the spring is too strong and the serrations too small for her fingers to grasp. Trying the Glock 17, she had no problem grabbing that slide and racking it.
You must not only consider the ability to operate the slide (and other controls) on a semi-auto, but
maintenance. If someone can barely rack the slide, they're going to have
a lot trouble taking the gun apart for cleaning.
The ability to take apart a semi-auto pistol is something most of us here take for granted. But think about how difficult and confusing it can be for a novice, and/or someone who just wants a gun for protection, and not a hobby.
What's confusing about a semiauto, especially a Glock?
"Put your right-thumb around the backstrap. Grasp the slide with your remaning four fingers over the top of the slide. Pull the slide exactly 0.123141598 inches back. With your other hand, pull down on the stubby take-down levers, etc. etc."
Don't get me wrong, I own six Glocks and love them. But I've seen mechanically inclined
guys get confused by trying to take a Glock apart.
After all, just because we drive our cars every day does not mean we know how to take them apart, want to know how to take them apart, or have the time and dedication to learn how to take them apart.
I also agree that a revolver is a good choice, but most of the women I date can't operate a revolver's trigger very long...is there a compromise?
How long will someone need to operate a revolver for in a self-defense situation?
Extended range sessions can be done from a bench (to reduce fatigue from weight of the gun), or in single-action (to reduce fatigue from trigger pull). Also, as somebody noted above, a trigger job can be done to lighten the pull. I would think that you could even put in a lighter mainspring yourself, but I might be wrong about that.
Also, unlike single-action autos or some hammerless autos (Glocks, Kahrs), you can do repetitive dry fire drills with a double-action revolver (and even double-action auto). It should go without saying to make sure the gun is unloaded, first.
Such dry-fire drills can also be used to "grow stronger." Remember in
Silence of the Lambs when Clarice was being timed on how many times she could pull the trigger on her revolver per minute, and was expected to improve? Can't do that with a 1911 or Glock.
In addition to all of the advice above (about trying out different guns), my recommendation in situations like this generally is:
A
Ruger SP-101 with a
3",
not the 2", barrel, in .38 or .38/.357.
Replace the factory grips with something more comfortable (I've found the
Hogue soft-rubber grips work for most people. Individual results may vary.)
I belive the advantages of this setup are
1) Rugers are relatively inexpensive
2) You get a small-frame revolver, with enough weight to absorb recoil of most .38 loads.
3) Wide variety of relatively inexpensive ammo available, from light .38s to heavy .357s.
4) The 3" barrel provides a better sight radius than the 2", but makes the gun easier to carry than a 4". This makes the gun work as both a home-defense and carry (in a purse) gun.
5) If she plans on doing
a lot of shooting, you can get a the same gun in .22 LR for practice of fundementals. Granted, she'd have to shoot a lot of .22 to recoup the cost of the gun, but it is something to consider.
My only real complaint with fixed-sight revolvers is the rear sight.
That's just my idea, so take it for what it's worth.
If you do go the revolver route, I've found it easier to carry (and learn how to use)
Bianchi Speed Strips, rather than mechanical speed loaders.
Not to offend any of the Ladies out there - but in my experience, (most) women generally aren't "into" guns - or anything else requiring an intuitive knowledge of basic mechanics. So simple is better. With regard to handguns, something like an all steel S&W "J" frame size DA revolver loaded with low pressure wadcutters or hollow points is probably going to work best. If she takes an interest, then move on to whatever you like.
After years of watching newbie
men shoot, I think this applies to us as well. They
think they're "into" guns, but in reality, they've just watched too many action movies. I really wished I'd suggested revolvers for these guys, instead (mainly to avoid the "spray-and-pray" mentality, but for other reasons as well).
Just because the 1911 is the be-all/end-all of handguns does not mean everyone should be forced to use one. As Nick96 said, start them off with a revolver. If they show a serious interest in learning more, then see if something else will work better. After a while, something else probably will.
