Loosedhorse
member
SCastle--
I think you see the consensus here--if you can find some means to try a lot of guns, that's the best way to find out what you'll like.
If I may, let me offer some observations I've gathered from training women to shoot pistols over the last 10 years:
1) Just like you said, a 9mm fired from a gun that rests on your thumb is less comfortable than .357 full-power hunting loads fired from a well fitting revolver.
2) Is the gun for carry? If so, how will you carry? Women's hips and waists are different (Vive la difference!), so holster carry may entail very short autos or 2-inch-barrel revolvers to prevent rib-digging. Carry in a purse or fanny-pack may be important options to consider. And if this is just for the bedroom night-table, we have more guns to choose from.
3) I'm glad no one her (I think) talked about .380 semi-autos: most are blow-back operated, so they actually kick more than locked-breach 9mms, and the slide can be impossibly stiff to operate for some women. (Keltec's 3AT is a locked-breach .380--maybe you should look at it.)
4) Besides trouble with slide manipulation, some women will have trouble with long, heavy, double-action triggers. Therefore, double-action-first autos (e.g., SIG and Beretta) and hammerless .38s might need to be avoided; better to go with SA autos or exposed-hammer revolvers if you can't dependably and smoothly compress a heavy DA trigger.
5) Heavier guns have less perceived recoil (all other things equal) and are wonderful to shoot--if carry isn't the concern. Some women won't feel comfortable lifting a heavy gun, though, feeling they can't steady it.
6) Many women will choose to put in less practice/training than many men (some women are dedicated professional shooters who regularly clean me out!). If you're not gung-ho to practice at the range every weekend, consider a revolver--fewer jams (so less jam-clearing training) than with semi-autos. But good training is likely MORE IMPORTANT than what gun you choose.
All that said, my usual recommendation as a starter gun for women who "just aren't sure" is either a .357 4-in revolver (using .38 special loads) or a .45 ACP revolver (those full-moon clips make reloading a snap!). Both these revolvers allow use of powder-puff low-power loads for practice (make practice fun, and make it often!), and dang impressive loads for self-defense. For a different opinion: my wife loves the H&K P7M8, which is unfortunately discontinued and hard to get these days.
Lastly: you like the CZ? Stick with it! Great gun! (REAL important that you get a gun that YOU LIKE, no matter what some GUY like me says!)
Good luck!
I think you see the consensus here--if you can find some means to try a lot of guns, that's the best way to find out what you'll like.
If I may, let me offer some observations I've gathered from training women to shoot pistols over the last 10 years:
1) Just like you said, a 9mm fired from a gun that rests on your thumb is less comfortable than .357 full-power hunting loads fired from a well fitting revolver.
2) Is the gun for carry? If so, how will you carry? Women's hips and waists are different (Vive la difference!), so holster carry may entail very short autos or 2-inch-barrel revolvers to prevent rib-digging. Carry in a purse or fanny-pack may be important options to consider. And if this is just for the bedroom night-table, we have more guns to choose from.
3) I'm glad no one her (I think) talked about .380 semi-autos: most are blow-back operated, so they actually kick more than locked-breach 9mms, and the slide can be impossibly stiff to operate for some women. (Keltec's 3AT is a locked-breach .380--maybe you should look at it.)
4) Besides trouble with slide manipulation, some women will have trouble with long, heavy, double-action triggers. Therefore, double-action-first autos (e.g., SIG and Beretta) and hammerless .38s might need to be avoided; better to go with SA autos or exposed-hammer revolvers if you can't dependably and smoothly compress a heavy DA trigger.
5) Heavier guns have less perceived recoil (all other things equal) and are wonderful to shoot--if carry isn't the concern. Some women won't feel comfortable lifting a heavy gun, though, feeling they can't steady it.
6) Many women will choose to put in less practice/training than many men (some women are dedicated professional shooters who regularly clean me out!). If you're not gung-ho to practice at the range every weekend, consider a revolver--fewer jams (so less jam-clearing training) than with semi-autos. But good training is likely MORE IMPORTANT than what gun you choose.
All that said, my usual recommendation as a starter gun for women who "just aren't sure" is either a .357 4-in revolver (using .38 special loads) or a .45 ACP revolver (those full-moon clips make reloading a snap!). Both these revolvers allow use of powder-puff low-power loads for practice (make practice fun, and make it often!), and dang impressive loads for self-defense. For a different opinion: my wife loves the H&K P7M8, which is unfortunately discontinued and hard to get these days.
Lastly: you like the CZ? Stick with it! Great gun! (REAL important that you get a gun that YOU LIKE, no matter what some GUY like me says!)
Good luck!