Self Defense Gun recomendation with a long list of caveats

[WheelMan]

Has she tried a CZ75 or CZ75 compact? Most people find CZ grips to be very comfortable. Baby Eagles have a slightly different grip shape which I think is even more comfortable. The all steel CZ's and clones in 9mm have very little felt recoil.

Other than that I would look at revolvers, as "lee n. field" pointed out loading lefty is not impossible. I'm left handed and have gotten fairly quick with the reloads.

 

[Omega_7]

Here's what I recommend for a lady

Especially a beginner lady. A QUALITY 2.5 or 3 inch heavy barreled .38 special

My favorite of all of these is the older style M36 S & W with aftermarket tritium sights drilled in, and the hammer spur bobbed and a hard chrome job done after you break the gun in well. Be sure NOT to get her a 2 inch, they are MUCH harder to shoot. With the proper technique a lefty can reload just as fast a RH folks. Learn the police revolver speed reload technique...

Use both hands

With your left hand, grasp the cylinder fully while pointing the gun up or in a safe direction

With your right hand, release the cylinder

Using your left hand fingers, push the cylinder fully open and HOLD it there with the fingers, using the left hand thumb to eject the rounds with the ejector rod

Right hand should be drawing the speedloader and insert it, now

Left hand thumb closes the cylinder. Grasp the barrel/frame with right hand and place it back in the left hand in shooting position

This entire routine should be able to be accomplished in 2-3 seconds easily.

I like the new Mag Tech 125 grain +P HPs for snubbie .38s they do very well in clothing barrier gelatin tests at www.ammolab.com

 

[Omega_7]

You should start her out on target wadcutters

they are mild and you can get some premium factory new wadcutters for her to carry at first. The .22 lacks stopping power and I do NOT recommend it in a pistol for self defense. It's a good way to get shot by a gun wielding BG

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Everything depends on the gun. I'm a lady shooter with small hands and a Brig, a standard 92FS and compacts. If size really is an issue, I'd look at the Beretta type M. Good choices would also be a Glock 26/19 or the Sig 239. I'd stick with the 9mm because for someone that's recoil shy myself, I don't consider the 9mm to be an issue. Also -- why not a revolver? If you have enough weight, recoil won't be an issue with a GP100 3" -- SP101 2 or 3" Lady Smith S&W 2 or 3" or the Comp 66F 3"....I say don't rule out a gun you haven't handled. I prefer a .38 in a revolver and a 9mm in an auto but it's ultimately her choice.

 

[PCRCCW]

Actually the P7 may be one of the best 9mm's available. I think the main issue with this is the squeeze cocking mechanism. Its a little different and at times may be a little much for a woman with smaller hands.

Just my 2 cents................

Shoot well.

 

[XavierBreath]

I second the Kahr K9. My wife carries a K40. She also has small hands, and while not recoil sensitive, does not want to try my .45's. She also has problems with a heavier recoil spring. Another possibility is the Springfield XD9. My wife shoots that as well.

A J frame revolver may work, especially if you put on some aftermarket grips. The real advantage of the revolver is you can fit it to a hand with grip swapping.

If the person felt a G26 was "jumping ouyt of her hand" a P32 will be to much. Just curious, did the magazine have a grip extension? She should also, IMHO get some instruction on how to maintain a grip on a weapon. Sometimes a close male relative is not the best one to do the teaching. Some women really bloom when they get in a class with an instructor they are not connected to in any way. I'd recommend a NRA Basic Pistol course, and some range time at a range with rental guns.

 

[KLR]

XavierBreath: The G-26 had the pinky extensions both the scheer and pearce ones. I loaded the mag with only 5 rounds so this may have made the weapon top heavy and more inclined to "flip". I think it had more to do with the length of her fingers than anything else. Before we went to the range, she thought the grip was okay, but not spectacular.

She did very well without any instruction, actually. It wasn't until she asked where to focus her vision that I realized she hadn't had any training in 10 years (the last time I took her shooting). My wife sees the skill as a necessary evil, rather than something that interests her. Maybe the P-22 will lead to some further interest. The distance was short at first, but she had several bullet holes both centered and touching.

To Everyone- Thanks for the very thoughtful input.

Here are the courses of action I am considering (all of which are subject to her approval - of course!!!!):

1. I have a K-9 that isn't doing anything right now but needs to go back to the factory. Once repaired, I think a reduced recoil spring in that one might be just the ticket.

2. Another option may be my duty weapon, a personally owned Glock G-19. She has yet to try it. I think it would be easier under recoil than the G-26. Once my agency transitions to .40 (any month now, really) I could make it hers.

3. Ruger SP-101 in .32 H&R Magnum or 9mm


4. Sig 239 in 9mm

5. H&K P-7M8 (Dream gun for me, might work for her). Had the high cap one (P-7M13?) but sold it. IDIOT! :banghead:

 

[artherd]

I'm telling you man!!! SIG 239 with Houage [sp] grips!!!