RECOMMENDING HANDGUN: Can we do better than the Glock 19?

[Nushif]

She is adequately strong enough to handle most any defensive caliber, but I opted for the 9mm for here for ease of availability, and the softer, less objectionable recoil of a semi auto over a small revolver

Not to pick on you ... but that's the problem with this. The Glock 19 while not the ideal weapon is probably the best middle ground. Can we do better than a glock 19? Sure! But not without knowing more and being there.

 

[Sgt_R]

My standard recommendation to anyone considering their first handgun purchase: rent a variety of 9mm's from Glock, Springfield XD/XDM, and S&W M&P, then buy the one that you shoot the best and/or are most comfortable carrying (or expand the search if the answer is "none of the above").

The Glock 19 is an excellent choice, but there may be a better option for her in the same pricerange. The only way to know for sure is to get out there and shoot!

R

 

[LiveLife]

When someone asks me to recommend a pistol/firearm to them, I tell them to handle and ACTUALLY SHOOT as many they felt comfortable handling as pistol selection is quite personal and "Holes on target speaks volumes".

It does not matter WHAT OUR OPINIONS are as what will matter is how comfortable they feel in THEIR hands and how fast/accurately they can actually shoot, if they had to.

I helped several female co-workers at work select carry/HD pistols and they were surprised when they range fired various make/modesl (H&Ks, Sigs, Berettas, Glocks, M&Ps, XDs, Taurus, etc.). Some had the notion the more expensive models "should" shoot better but found that not to be true. All of them preferred the semi-autos over the revolvers.

These are what they settled with:
Glock 19 - Many felt this to be a good compromise
Glock 17/22 - Softer recoiling than compact/subcompact for HD
Glock 26/27 - Many will walk/run with these (I outfitted with +1/+2 Pearce grip extensions on all of them)
M&P 9/40 - Softer recoiling than Glock counterparts with ambi slide release for "lefties".
Taurus PT145 - Yup, smallest double-stack compact 45 (10 rnds) also has the smallest grip for smaller hands. Recoil is snappier than 9/40, but you should see some of the females I work with

FWIW, my wife "prefers" G22 and carries G27 with +1 Pearce grip extension. She can shoot the G27 as accurate as the G22.

 

[Al Thompson]

I'd rather have a used G19 than one of the newer ones. Seems that the newer ones are having issues with ejecting and the issues crop up fairly quickly.

The Ruger, XD and M&P would be good to try as well.

Although I started out preaching the revolver manta, I do not feel like that is a good idea any longer. Trying to control a 3 pound revolver with a 12 pound trigger pull is for enthusiasts, not beginners.

 

[jon_in_wv]

+1 for the four inch revolver. The Glock 19 wouldn't be one of my first choices for that criteria by far.

 

[majortoo]

Wow....Have to agree with ceetee! (Obviously, a man who knows women....) Take her to the range, let her try out a few, and she will let you know what she prefers. Hint: When a woman asks your opinion, she only really wants you to validate hers....I wish someone had told me that one in my youth..! (Maybe they did, but I forgot!) There are many good choices out there. Glock is good, but I am also fond of the the nice stainless S&W revolvers available. A Model 60, 66 or 67 would be nice, and you can get the 38's for less than $400...Take her to the range soon and often!

 

[jfrey]

Glocks are good BUT not perfect by any means. A woman should be allowed to pick out her own gun, just like us manly men do. Why not? My wife picked out a Taurus PT111 for herself and likes it. I would have never considered it for myself but I'm not shooting it or carrying it either. For me, a commander 1911 is better than anything for carry, but everyone is different.

Let her try several and see what she likes. Those plastic guns might not be right for her either.

 

[catnphx]

She must be involved in the decision. I have a M&P 9, M&P 9c, Kahr CW9 and a S&W 640-1 .357. Here's what my family of girls like:

- My wife likes the M&P 9c
- My 5' 6" 16 year old daughter likes the M&P 9 full size
- My petite 13 year old daughter likes the Kahr CW9

Point is, it all depends on the shooter. For my oldest, I bought her an Xgrip for the M&P 9c so that she could have a fuller grip and shoot 17 round mags ... that satisfied her but the gun can be carry concealed too by taking the Xgrip off. The ability to change backstaps on the M&P's (or the XD) appeal to many because of different hand sizes.

Bottom line - get her involved in the process, put some guns in her hand, give her options (i.e. M&P 9c but with Xgrip for a full-sized in HD situations), but most important than anything is she must feel good about the gun she buys enough that she shoots it and it doesn't just sit in a bedside drawer.

Good luck!!

 

[Strahley]

Some brought up the pocket carry deficiency of the Glock (possible AD's due to the trigger design), which is a very valid point. Are there particular guns that avoid that?

The only thing that hurts a Glock for pocket carry is the size. Trigger has nothing to do with it. ANY gun can have a ND (there are no accidents!), not just a Glock. This is a moot point. The only gun that can avoid is it the one that sits disassembled in your safe. Any other gun is prone to a ND if the person carrying the gun is being irresponsible

 

[hardluk1]

Hay sharp Any handgun she will carry so long as it has a da feel for a first pull should be a safe pistol and why not take her to a indoor range a rent a couple handguns to try out and let HER deside what she likes. A glock sized pistol might be right but a m&p or xd might be better. she may deside the 38sp is it. But let her deside. Many ranges have female instrutors to help too. I would admit a 9mm glock is a nice pistol but she has to be sure her hands fit on it well and 38 wadcutters or cowboy loads it a 21oz snubby are not heavy recoiling to learn with too. Or the new 32 fed mag reolvers can shoot 32 h&r and 32 sw loads for practice.

 

[RevDerb]

If she is set on a semi-auto, has she looked at the Ruger SR9c? Among the many features is a manual safety which will eliminate the Plexico Burris situation. Made in USA. Comfortable interchangeable grip straps, not a Glock but certainly rugged and reliable.

 

[bcp280z]

Dunno about grip thickness of the 19 but on some Glocks grip thickness is a deterrence, in which case I'd recommend an M&P 9 because you can change thickness.

Though, I haven't messed with any Gen4 Glocks so I'm not sure of their backstraps.

 

[Prion]

A G19 for sure.

 

[KevinB]

Among the many features is a manual safety which will eliminate the Plexico Burris situation

.

The factor that caused the Plaxico Burress situation was, believe it or not, Plaxico Burress... Manual safeties, last time I checked, do not stop reckless and negligent behavior, nor do they keep anyone from breaking the four rules.

 

[MrsSmith]

I'm female and strong but have small hands. I CAN shoot anything, but have better control and less fatigue with a gun that fits my hand well. I've had guys push the Walther PK380 on me because of the easy slide (never had problems with any slide and didn't appreciate the inference that I wasn't capable), the XDM because of the changeable backstrap (though even the smallest is still big for my hand), the G19C because of lower recoil (but muzzle flash at night means you only get one shot in the dark), etc. The thing is, it all comes down to what fits ME. For what it's worth, I like the 19 better than any other Glock, but I'm not that thrilled with Glocks to begin with (they're just so utilitarian) and it certainly wouldn't be the first thing I offered her.
I'd call a few ranges in Evansville and have them work with her directly - pick one with a wide selection of rentals and talk with the rangemaster to find someone who will take some time with her since you can't be there.

 

[hardluk1]

I do believe Mrs Smith has got it right. Guys spend the money if it makes you feel good but let the lady's shoot and pick there own handguns maybe with no help from us guys. Now I did buy a kahr cw9 a couple weeks back. My youngest girl, all 5'2 and 110 lbs of her loves the kahr cw9. small enought to give her a ggod grip and recoil is very flat and fairly soft compaired to most any 9mm I have own. My wife picked a glock but if she shoots this I may have ti find a couple more kahrs. glock, Interesting pistols. Just doesn't have a high round count of the bigger pistols

 

[Effigy]

Here's a review of the S&W M&P9c by a female shooter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPKyvdI3z68

She says the Glock grip is too big for her to shoot comfortably, but thinks the M&P grip is a better fit for small hands. Worth considering. I agree you should have her decide what she likes though.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I think your pick is the best, store mag full, chamber empty,trigger back.
I would teach her to shoot riding the sear. If shes not a shooter, shes a blank slate as far as having to unlearn trigger work. 1st pick of women in LE.
3 1/2 lb trigger.would also drill til its automatic to work the slide everytime she pick it up.

 

[RP88]

I find the M&P line to be superior as a gun, but as a whole package you get a tad more for the money out of a Glock - especially nowadays.

Everything I dislike about my Glock is not present in the M&P. The mag release is easy to press and discernible from the frame; the gun is fully ambidextrous for the red-headed lefty stepchildren like myself and is more easily depressed; the gun is sleeker, has a lower profile, and the bore axis height is much better; the gun is more forward in design and makes the gun follow up for you; the sights are much better; the trigger is slightly better; the grip is much more natural.

The only thing I dislike about the M&P line is how there is no actual compact size and just a full-sized or subcompact choice for each caliber. They also don't have trigger guard grooves, either, but that is more for personal preference.

That is really the only thing that beats a Glock, in my opinion.

 

[ugaarguy]

I recommended the range trip / instruction / rental guns to my Aunt's sister-in-law when she decided she wanted a gun a few years ago. She's a strong, but very arthritic retiree. My own thoughts were a medium frame revolver for ease of loading / unloading, or a medium frame semi auto for softer recoil if she could reliably cycle the slide.

The after action report I received was: She went to the range, and picked out a S&W AirWeight J frame as her first rental, because she liked the size & feel. After a quick primer from the RO, she promptly dumped her first few cylinders - all shots fired DA - into the X, 10, and 9 rings at 15 yards. This performance prompted joking accusations from the RO that my uncle had brought in a ringer to mess with him . She tried a few others, but liked the little J frame best. Recoil and trigger pull were no obstacles to her, and she loved the size & simplicity.

After her range visit she got in touch with me. Wanting to keep things simple she decided hammerless (internal hammer) was the way to go for low snag, fewer debris entry points, and and DAO operation. She opted for a 642 because she liked its silver finish better than the black finish of the 442. I located a good used example in her price range locally, and my aunt & uncle accompanied her on the two hour trip over this way to get it. She's personalized it with factory pink rubber boot grips I acquired at her request. It rides in a pink w/ floral print Not Your Daddy's Gun Cases brand soft pistol case when she travels out of state through non-reciprocating locales - it blends well with her similar designer soft sided luggage. Now a GA Weapons Carry License holder she carries it everywhere she's permitted to. Location and holster preference haven't been disclosed to me - some things a lady never tells as she jokes.

I never thought a 642 (or any .38 Spl. AirWeight) would be the favorite of an arthritic woman in her 60s. You just never know until you try the guns yourself.

 

[Prosser]

SDM:

My solutions are the PM9, Kahr, and 360PD. Price range isn't great, but, the 9mm Kahr is accurate, and carries enough rounds for carry, maybe not for home d.

The 360PD is nice for pocket carry, which I find the PM9 too heavy for, and, I'm a 205 guy.

 

[JustinJ]

It's a few hundred more but the best police/civilian 9mm on the market is the HK P30. It's grip is extremely customizable and can be had with a DA/SA or LEM trigger.

 

[SIGLBER]

The G19 is a great gun as long as it fits her hand. Lots of folks have trouble with the thick grip on Glocks. If the G19 is too big for her look at an XD in 9mm. The guns have much thinner grips and is very glock like with a bit of SIG thrown in. I have both BTW. like the Glocks because of the simple design and all the aftermarket pats for them. Like the XD's ergos and trigger better. If you can let her try both.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I've been witness to god knows how many recommendations to and purchase by women. 1 reason given was snub barrel harder to grasp and wrench away. But it usually comes down to how heavy it is or " I like the little one, its cute".

When they say this they're usually holding a J frame S&W. 80% of those guns will be fired once, to show how it works. and never again because little cute 38s
KICK. I like them have 4 myself. Why not teach her to use something she might enjoy shooting? I say Glock 19 or MP9 either one.

I would also say the Glock 19 is 3 times better than a j frame.
15 divided by 5....yup 3 times better!

If you would of told me in 1986, I'd recommend a glock at all let alone Over a jframe I'd told you you were crazy!

 

[Winkman822]

Personally, I'd say an HK P2000 9mm LEM. I find them to be a little easier to shoot across a wider range of shooters thanks to the more neutral grip angle. As far as hard use polymer guns go, HK is as good as it gets.