Suggestions for a ladie's rifle or carbine?

[firearms_instructor]

Here are my requirements: it has to be lightweight, not overly long, light recoil, and as ergonomically comfy in every possible respect for a small-framed shooter. I prefer at least 9mm caliber. Ideally it would be fun and cheap to shoot.

I'm currently considering the Kel-Tec Sub-2000, but I'd like to know if the Kel-Tec can handle +P or +P+ loads, and whether it's OK to run cheap Russian steel cased ammo through it.

Any of the ladies out there have a fave rifle or carbine y'all can recommend?

Thanks!

 

[ilmonster]

Well, if a 9mm carbine is your game there is the Beretta CX-4 Storm, 9mm AR-15 varients (olympic PCR-9, Rock River Arms 9mm Colt clone), Ruger 9mm carbine, etc.

 

[natedog]

What about an AR-15 with a stubby stock?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I handled a Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm the other day and was very impressed. It's a little on the small side for me, being 6'0", but would probably be the perfect size for a woman. Light, easy handling, and comfortable. Very nice ergonomics. And it goes w/o saying that 9mm is cheap to feed. One of those would be worth a look.

 

[artherd]

The storm is good looking, and well designed.

 

[PO2Hammer]

How about a Marlin 1894C in .357/.38? With .38's it actually has less recoil and noise than a 9mm carbine.
I have the Ruger PC-9 as well and it is nice and accurate.
.38's in a levergun are easy shooting and she can graduate to .357's later. The Marlin is also more accurate and has a better trigger and has the 'nastalgia' factor that women seem to appreciate.
.223 carbines can be a bit noisey for a beginner.
My wife prefers the Marlin to the Ruger PC-9.

 

[benEzra]

A Ruger mini-14 would fit the bill in .223, even though my wife makes fun of mine because it's not as powerful as her 1952 Tula SKS. (She calls the mini "piff piff".) Noise is not that big of a deciding factor if you wear both plugs and muffs. The mini is very simple to operate.

Kel-Tec SU-16 is sort of a .223 version of the 2000 and has a lot of neat features.

If price were no object, an AR with a red dot sight, 18-inch-ish barrel and fairly short stock would probably be ideal, IF she likes the looks and ergonomics.

 

[Dionysusigma]

What about an M1 Carbine?

 

[Cortland]

I'll second the M1 Carbine. It fits all your requirements with respect to size, weight, recoil, power, etc. Auto Ordnance is now making M1 Carbines, and there are plenty of military carbines still available at reasonable prices.

You can't get much more fun than an M1 Carbine; it's the ultimate plinker.

 

[No4Mk1*]

If you add - Simple to maintain then I would suggest an AK-74 clone. If someone could make 15 or 20 round mags it would be perfect.

 

[Mulliga]

I've shot the Kel-Tec SUB 2000. Good gun, but had some problems with the magazine. I wouldn't mind running Wolf through it, but the Kel-Tec warns in the manual that "non-European" import ammo does the worst in its gun. It does not mention +P or +P+, but I assume at least +P is safe, since many of the "high-performance" 9mm hollowpoints are +P.

The Beretta is quite nice, and seems built to last, but it is quite expensive. At least the mags are cheap. Good ergonomics and a space age feel - perhaps TOO space age.

An AR is always a possibility. It's the most expensive option, but it looks evil, and it gets the gun-grabbers mad!

 

[MLH]

Beretta Storm

It's very easy to take down and clean which is a plus and you can change the length of the stock with spacers to better fit her. It's a blast to shoot and very accurate. You can get 30 round mags for it too! and with all the different rails you can trick it out to suit yourself.

 

[Brian Williams]

I'll second on the Marlin 1894c, they are a great gun and easy to shoot.

 

[Diamondback]

I also think either the Marlin 1894C or Winchester Compact Ranger ( or the Trapper for that matter ) in .357/.38 would be an outstanding choice. They don't seem to be finicky ...will eat just about anything.........38's out of the little levers are so mild they seem almost like rimfires..........357's are very tame but effective for social work and varmits....and step up to a heavy duty .357 Partition Gold or Core Lok and you have a dandy little rig that will take whitetail and such within 100 yards. And.....they are FUN !
Lot's of other good choice however. It's only my opinion.
All the best.

 

[mainmech48]

Definitely a Marlin or Rossi LA carbine in .357. Low recoil and noise with .38 Spl.; simple, direct manual of arms; direct visual confirmation of firing/safety status for training; many inexpensive upgrade options for sights, etc.; unsurpassed utility (IMO).

Only downside is that it won't feed wadcutters from the mag. BFD. Remanufactured .38 Spl. RN or SWC nearly as cheap as 9x19 ball in quantity, and just as cheap or cheaper to reload.

 

[oldfart]

When I lived in Alaska, my wife liked to carry a Ruger .44 Magnum Carbine when she went fishing or berry picking. Like all good insurance policies, she never had to use it except for practice. Still, it was a handy little rifle and it did pack a pretty good punch.

 

[Mannlicher]

uhhhhhhhh in the Army, I think they arm the distaff side with the same weapons as the guys.
My wife and daughter can handle any of the rifles I have, and with some, just plain out shoot me.

 

[Trebor]

My wife likes the M-1 Carbine and handles it very well. We've also found that the stamped AK-74 clones work well for her.

We don't have any experience with teh pistol caliber carbines.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Any SKS variant.

ZM

 

[SapperLeader]

Most females Ive seen shoot have liked the ar15 family of rifles. A friends wife has a a3 with stubby stock, and after she put a recoil pad on it, loves that rifle. she can outshoot myself and every other rifleshooter I know. The fullsize stock was too big for her, but the stubby was brusing her, hence the recoil pad. I think the size of the stock will be more important than the caliber. If the gun doesnt fit the lady, she wont enjoy shooting it, just like any guy shooter.

 

[Ian]

Seems to me that one of the new 7.62x39 Enfields would make an excellent light general-use carbine

 

[NEtracker]

M1 Carbine, or an AR15 short brl version. Both very light weight and little recoil.

 

[MrAcheson]

Why not let the lady pick?

 

[firearms_instructor]

Why not let the lady pick?

I absolutely intend to, but she's not convinced of the need for a long gun, so I'm hoping to find something she'll totally fall in love with. None of the long guns she's fired so far have done it for her.

 

[MrAcheson]

I'd go with an adjustable-stocked AR-15 when the AWB sunsets. That way you can enjoy it even if she doesn't.