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

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SharpsDressedMan

member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
5,957
Location
NE Ohio
I have been asked to recommend a handgun for my cousin, a female 64 years old, and probably never fired a gun. She is healthy, strong, and works as a school teacher, so understands things pretty easy. Considering price, reliability, ease of operation, access to parts, ammo, accessories, etc, I cannot think of a better place to start than the Glock 19. It is a medium frame, yet compact; soft shooting, and simple to understand and operate (given some short lessons in safety and operation of a semi-auto, etc). If she can manage to pull the slide back, the rest is cake. They have easy to see sights, recoil more softly than comparable (.38 Special) revolvers, and already have a following from the female sector. I thought the Glock trigger would be easier to manage than DA only or DA/SA, etc, so that is another reason I picked the Glock. Any other things I missed?
 
Intended use? HD/SD? Purse gun? Range?
The Glock 19 is a good all around gun for many. But it might not work well for an older lady if hand/arm strength is an issue (or going to be in a few years). Small and medium steel frame revolvers aren't that bad recoil wise, not in .38 special anyway. Alloy frames on the other hand add a bit of excitement. A 4" medium frame revolver would be a good starting point, IMHO.
 
I agree with the revolver recommendation. This situation would be perfect for an old S&W Model 10 or a DAO modified Model 64.
 
The only hesitation I have on a Glock is using the slide, but otherwise it's hard to go wrong with a Glock given any circumstance or need
 
No less an authority than Evan Marshall has said that the Glock 19 may be the best handgun for the novice to select for home defense.
 
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. It will mostly be a house gun, but she is not opposed to having it with her in the vehicle (possibly in a purse, maybe on person later, after she gets used to the idea). This gun will be the only one unless she gets the fever, and it will have to do for practice and defense at home. I think you get a better performing cartridge with the 9mm over the .38 Special with less perceived recoil. The .38 doesn't start to perform as well until it's a plus P loading, and then it kicks.
 
Sharps I agree with you for all the reasons you mentioned.

The only reason I would not recommend a G19 in this situation is if she is going to purse carry it. A glock needs to be carried in good holster so you don't pull a Plaxico.
 
I have a hard time coming up with anything superior. Its closest competition (IMO) is the S&W M&P, with the new SD series up-and-coming. These may have slightly better hand fit and pointing characteristics.
 
SharpsDressedMan said:
I have been asked to recommend a handgun for my cousin, a female 64 years old, and probably never fired a gun. She is healthy, strong, and works as a school teacher, so understands things pretty easy. Considering price, reliability, ease of operation, access to parts, ammo, accessories, etc, I cannot think of a better place to start than the Glock 19. It is a medium frame, yet compact; soft shooting, and simple to understand and operate (given some short lessons in safety and operation of a semi-auto, etc). If she can manage to pull the slide back, the rest is cake. They have easy to see sights, recoil more softly than comparable (.38 Special) revolvers, and already have a following from the female sector. I thought the Glock trigger would be easier to manage than DA only or DA/SA, etc, so that is another reason I picked the Glock. Any other things I missed?
Click to expand...
Yes a Glock 26 should fill the bill.
Dave
 
My 2cents as a 52 year old woman;)
I love my Glock 19. Love it so much I bought a second one.
I've recommended them to other women, and they all love them, too.
Go for it!
Edited to add:
Everyone recommends a revolver for women. By all means have her shoot one, but I hate the darn things, won't have them around the house.
Semi autos are not that complicated.
 

Attachments

  • Austrian 19-1.JPG
    Austrian 19-1.JPG
    71.4 KB · Views: 52
Last edited:
I'll chime in on the revolver comment. I own several handguns & the g19 is my go-to, HD, favorite, kept near the bed, everything gun (i'm male for the record, 30y/o). I have been promising(aka pushing) my wife, more for my benefit to add more to the collection, that i'd buy her any gun she wanted. She loves the looks of a Kimber I own but the fullsize gun is too heavy for her. She did fine with the .45acp recoil but fatigued quicker with the heavier gun.

I was wanting her to get a .357mag revolver/.38, something like a S&W 686 or ruger sp101 with a 2"-3" bbl so that I could use it. After the last range trip, she really does handle the g19 well & won't go for the revolver. the lightweight & manageable recoil were big factors for her.

Now I have to convince her that we need 2 G19's in the house!
 
Sharps I like your choice of the G19 and believe the reasons you mentioned are valid. Some women like the idea of a revolver over semiauto but as long as she is comfortable with the Glock it's an outstanding choice.

I do recommend taking her to a gun shop to handle a few guns including the G19. And of course take a firearms safety class and become very familiar with the gun she chooses.
 
My thoughts, If she is going to shoot regularly and learn to clear jams, misfeeds,etc. then by all means a Glock would be a good choice. And I'm not a real big fan of them personally.....

that said, if she is going to learn to shoot somewhat, maybe target practice once or twice a year, then get her a good medium frame 38 revolver. real simple. not gonna jam or misfeed so theres not alot of constant practice to be done. I've seen alot of people buy a semi auto for defense or hope protection and never shoot it enough to know what to do in the event something doesn't work right.....
 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a Glock 19. Nor is there anything really wrong with starting a new shooter out with a 4" .38 revolver. They both point well, recoil isn't too bad (but it's noticeable enough so that the shooter can get used to it), ammo for both is readily available, and neither is likely to break soon.

The best handgun for this particular shooter? Whichever one she likes best...
 
You didn't miss anything. The Glock 19 is probably the best universal handgun on the market. Short of pocket carry and hunting big animals (which you should have a long gun for anyway), there is no job that the Glock 19 cannot do (that you would need a handgun for)
 
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 Kahr comes to mind, with its fairly light DA only. Any other ones? I have not handled the S&W M&P's, or the SR9c. Which model would be the equivalent of the G19? Are they DA (longer pull, like the Kahr), or do they have a trigger pull like a Glock? I was also trying to keep the price in the under $550 category for a new gun. My cousin lives in Evansville, IN, and I am in Ohio, so I won't have a "hands on" training opportunity with her....she'll have to get some locally. Also, any good places to buy in the Evansville area?
 
Even though I have a M&P, I'm going to recommend a XD/XDm because of the loaded chamber indicator and the cocked indicator... something that I feel a 64 year old women could really use.

Plus, all these striker fired guns are pretty much the simplest you can get. Bullets go in, rack slide and ready to go.
 
My wife does not like to handle any gun without a thumb safety. IMHO Glocks need a thumb safety.
 
My wife does not like to handle any gun without a thumb safety. IMHO Glocks need a thumb safety.
Click to expand...

Nah. While I can respect your preference, understand that some people hold an opposite preference. The market will cater to both preferences. You're just looking at the wrong product.

If you like Glocks but are really hung up on a thumb safety, look at the Ruger SR9.
 
ill back the revolver
it seems she would have no problem with the glock now but we all age and it would probably be better to get her familiar with something she can use longterm
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Auto loader for wife? She likes my Glock 19!
Replies
22
Views
1K
tinygnat219
T
E
  • Locked
Glock 19 opinions?
2 3 4
Replies
91
Views
6K
buckhorn_cortez
B
Elkins45
  • Locked
Other "compact" 9mm smaller than a Glock 19?
2
Replies
44
Views
7K
JR24
JR24
unclenunzie
  • Locked
HK P30 / VP9 comparison for older female with weak hands?
Replies
16
Views
2K
unclenunzie
unclenunzie
S
  • Locked
Why do HK owners think HK's are better than Glocks?
2 3
Replies
68
Views
25K
Art Eatman
A
Back
Top