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

[MisterMike]

I'm a fairly avid fan of Glocks, with three of them (G17, G23, and G26), but the big limiting factor is the grip. I'm used to it and I like my G23 a lot (dimensionally identical to the G19), but you're going to have to see if it really works for your cuz. Putting that puppy in a purse--holstered, of course!--will really add to the weight, so it's worth thoroughly checking out.

Personally--and maybe I'm just a wimp--I've become accustomed to my pocket-size P238 and I think that a subcompact semi in .380 or 9mm may be well-suited to your cousin's needs. I'd let her handle a variety of pistols, to see, first, what seems to fit well, then have her shoot a few of those that feel "right."

 

[Glockeroo]

Can we do better than the Glock 19?

No! Absolutely not! No chance!

 

[MrsSmith]

Both JustinJ and Winkman recommended H&Ks and I wouldn't hesitate to agree. Always loved the way they fire and I've had occasion to shoot one of the sniper rifles as well as two handguns though I don't recall what now - it's been 15 years.
A guy at the gun show last Sunday spent a half hour with me explaining why the P2000 would be a good fit for me and I didn't have the heart to tell him he was preaching to the choir.
Yes, it's a couple hundred more, but it's a reliable gun, the grip fits my hands perfectly (& has changable backstraps), it comes apart easily for cleaning, it has a polymer frame (I spend a lot of time on the water so less pieces to rust is important to me), double action... what's not to like?
Of course, I need to get it on the range first, but a first glance, its a fine choice!

 

[DAP90]

and probably never fired a gun.

53 posts and nobodies recommended starting her with a 22lr?

Get her a Buckmark or a Ruger or some other 22lr handgun; her choice. Then, after a couple thousand rounds, start looking at center fire defensive handguns. A Glock 19 is a good handgun but it’s not necessarily a good first handgun.

 

[Jonah71]

Glock 26 with mag extension imo.

 

[JustinJ]

It's not necessary to start shooting with a .22 to be proficient with other calibers.

 

[hardluk1]

Untill you get to try different models you never know what you might like better. I still have a glock , a g17 for play and around the house. Sold a g27, to darn thick. Carried for a long time a KT pf-9 . Now after buying an shooting a Kahr the keltec is now gone and have a CW9 and a CM9. Each of us have to find what we like and till you try many different pistols to find what works best for your life stile. You might still change along the way. I have kept two things the same for 26 years ,DA trigger pull and front pocket or straight up to a IWB carry. I have only carried 2 different pistols in 26 of those years. Now the third brand. Don't have to think about learning much new for carry'n.

 

[DAP90]

It's not necessary to start shooting with a .22 to be proficient with other calibers.

Sure, you can become proficient by starting with a G19 (or some other gun) and only shooting that gun. I would argue though that you will become proficient faster starting with a 22 and moving to a larger caliber only when you have the basics of shooting down.

 

[ugaarguy]

DPotvin, some people only have the budget for one gun. 22lr is great to train on, but if the budget is for one gun only, 22lr isn't the way to go. Those funds are better spent on a holster, ammo, and range time for a defensive caliber gun.

 

[joe_security]

As much as I like the Glock 19/26, some folks just like single stack pistols.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Let me clarify a couple things. First of all, we are lucky an older, non-shooting woman is now interested in becomeing a gun owner and "one of us", etc, and she really isn't looking to make it a hobby, or invest a lot, hence the desire to find one gun that she can adapt to and learn on. A .22 would be great, if she planned on buying two or more guns, etc. A more compact gun would be a better choice for CCW, but I don't think she'll ever get that far...she says gun fothe house, maybe the vehicle, etc. I'm just trying to make a recommendation that will fit here criteria, and abilities, and I will probably seek out a good range/trainer in the Evansville, IN area (anyone got suggestions there?).

 

[X-Rap]

I would pick the G19 as my only pistol if it was my choice but there are a few issues that might make it impractical to a person of smaller stature (like some women) and a novice.
It may have been already said but cycling the slide on many autos is tough for some, I know this from women and children that I know personally. The safety is also something to overcome especially for those who need or want to see some sort of latch, I would advocate leaving a round chambered while carrying and as the principle HD weapon but I would also keep it in a good holster or lock box when at home. The fact remains that the Glock has but one motion to fire and a fairly light pull compared to DAO so if a kid or unauthorized person would get it the chance of a ND is likley easier.
These are the issues I would discuss with the perspective owner along with the positives which are many.

 

[woodsong]

+1 on the slide racking. If it's in the slightest bit difficult for her to do, then she won't like the gun. (not even thinking about having to load a magazine)

Every woman I've ever introduced to shooting has hated racking slides -- but they've all loved revolvers. Simple, quick, easy, no FTE's or FTF's, easy to reload ... just point and pull the long DA trigger.

My vote would be for a snub K-frame .38 special. I'd avoid the lightweight frames for recoil reasons -- a K-frame would be ideal.

 

[Cards81fan]

I'm a fairly avid fan of Glocks, with three of them (G17, G23, and G26), but the big limiting factor is the grip. I'm used to it and I like my G23 a lot (dimensionally identical to the G19), but you're going to have to see if it really works for your cuz. Putting that puppy in a purse--holstered, of course!--will really add to the weight, so it's worth thoroughly checking out.

Personally--and maybe I'm just a wimp--I've become accustomed to my pocket-size P238 and I think that a subcompact semi in .380 or 9mm may be well-suited to your cousin's needs. I'd let her handle a variety of pistols, to see, first, what seems to fit well, then have her shoot a few of those that feel "right."

I agree with this, and I am not a Glock person. But if I were asked to pick one gun to recommend someone - without any knowledge to their preferences and intended use and physical characteristics (gender, hand and frame size, age, etc.) - I would recommend the 19. Even though I own an XD.

That said, you may be able to do whole lot better just by getting his or her hands on some pistols, and especially letting them shoot them.

 

[X-Rap]

I keep my nails cut down pretty short and have still hooked a few, I'm sure the average woman with a decent manicure might have some snags especially under some serious presure. There will be some who have no problem and I am generalizing and there are techniques that make it easier but there is no good substitute for strength.

 

[DAP90]

Let me clarify a couple things. First of all, we are lucky an older, non-shooting woman is now interested in becomeing a gun owner and "one of us", etc, and she really isn't looking to make it a hobby, or invest a lot, hence the desire to find one gun that she can adapt to and learn on. A .22 would be great, if she planned on buying two or more guns, etc.

Right now she’s only looking at one gun because she doesn’t know much, or anything, about guns. Admittedly, I’m a little biased because I love rimfires but I think you’re doing her a disservice by not putting a 22 on the table as one of the options, explaining the pros and cons, and letting her decide.

DPotvin, some people only have the budget for one gun. 22lr is great to train on, but if the budget is for one gun only, 22lr isn't the way to go. Those funds are better spent on a holster, ammo, and range time for a defensive caliber gun.

The money saved on ammo can pay for another gun and still allow for rounds downrange; assuming she shoots with any regularity. If she’s just going to dust it off and shoot it every once on a while, then ammo costs won’t be that high and maybe a 22 won’t help her (ease of training platform aside).

 

[Dave T]

I've never understood the penchant for recommending double action revolvers for women. Mastering DA shooting is a none trivial exercise that requires years of effort and thousands of rounds of ammo. Of course most people aren't very realistic about their training or ability so mediocrity becomes the rule.

My wife won't have a DA revolver and loves her 1911s and her G19. She's a Gunsite graduate with an Expert Certificate. My 70 year old sister hates revolvers and likes her G19...although she is starting to talk about a G30. For ten years I ran my own firearms training business. The Glock 19 was the gun I recommended to both men and women as an overall choice for home defense and CCW. Every women who tried one liked it and often shot it better than the gun their husbands, fathers, boyfriends or brothers bought for them.

Dave

 

[JustinJ]

In my experience women who have trouble pulling a slide can do it but are too tentative.

 

[Ally]

Every woman I've ever introduced to shooting has hated racking slides -- but they've all loved revolvers.

Wow, really? Not a single one liked semi-autos? I must be an oddball out, because my first two guns are 9mm sub-compacts. I love how they both shoot, and have no interest in revolvers.

 

[bcp280z]

My previous gf's have all prefered my autos, perhaps it's because my only revolver is a Jframe...

Back on topic, ish, Can't you modify the springs to make the slide go back more easily?

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

No to adjusting slide spring lighter.?!

22lr before 19 yeah maybe if I was taking her to raise.The way I took it events or change in circumstance convinced her ,she needs a gun for protection.That pushes time table up. I under stood the OP as can we beat the G19, No and I would buy her a Glock light for it too. This don't fit the hand thing , has she already said it didn't fit?
I'm having a little problem getting that. If she cant reach around it with BOTH hands I don't know what your going to get her. If your sizing it to fit her one handed and it does, get her one for each hand ,this will be fun.

My opinion, as always,but Glock shape. I see it like this the Glock was designed with 100% reliability and function 1st. Comfort 2nd. For 100% reliability I will learn to adapt my hand to fit it. Same for anyone I loved or thought enough of, to teach to shoot.

Guns with adjustable back straps, and who knows what else ,for hang on do dads to make it yours and yours alone. I think has more to do with, marketing surveys on what makes a gun special for me so I can form a lasting bond with it, and so maybe I wont trade it off, because I cant hit with it, but it feels so good in my hand!, syndrome .

I think back to a simpler time when pistol meant Browning High Power or 1911. oh well

 

[ojibweindian]

Take your cousin to a range that rents guns for a session, then let her try out whatever she can get her hands on. Let her decide on the gun.

After she picks one out, make damned sure she understands that proficiency with a gun requires more than just the occasional trip to the range, and that it's not the gun that might save her life, but her ability to use it.

 

[MrsSmith]

To comment on the posts about starting her with a .22: that's a great idea as a range rental to get her used to the sound/feel of firing a gun (if she's never fired anything). But I wouldn't have her put 1000 rounds through it because moving up to a higher caliber is going to be a shock if she gets comfortable with the .22. I'd say no more than a couple hundred rounds then move up to a 9, but warn her that there's a difference. If she's shot before, I'd skip the .22 entirely and go straight to the 9mm in a class situation.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

The G19 is the smallest gun you can fight with, its reliable, available, and easy to maintain.

the G26 isnt enough smaller to make a difference in concealment, and you can't get a full grip on it.

I don't think there's a situation which calls for a handgun where a G19 won't work just fine, especially if you replace the sights with something better.

.22 conversion units for the G19 are readily available.

to those people who are reccommending revolvers, i have to ask, how many times in a shooting session do you load the gun? do you load the gun more often than you pull the trigger?

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Important point, one of the biggest hurdles to becoming comfortable with a Glock is learning its unique trigger. She has no experience with shooting. It should be cake to teach her. she doesn't have to unlearn anything.

and I will readily admit Women are easier to teach to shoot. Feel free to quote me.