Handguns for women

[Altitude sickness]

Costa is a great instructor

 

[Altitude sickness]

Situational awareness training is more valuable and practical than carrying and shooting proficiency.

 

[flying sailor]

All good advice in above posts. Some gun shops rent. try before you buy. I am taking a small church group to an indoor range where they can rent 3 handguns for 20.00 I will also loan some of mine. Just like test driving a car.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'm still not much of a fan of the 9mm even with today's better ammo.

Can't really go wrong with either of those 2 calibers.

The action and number of available rounds in the firearm are a better debate:

Revolver vs (Semi) Automatic
Speed Loader vs magazine
Recoil isn't much of an issue with either; using moderate special defensive loads
Depends mainly on typical daily clothing and how the firearm is going to be carried.

 

[WildWill]

My mom carries a Walther P380 and my wife carries a sig 365 in 9mm both are great smaller frame semi autos. I'd stay away from snub nose 38 style harder to become proficient, less accurate, fewer shots, etc. Although something to be said about their reliability.

 

[Zinz]

the S&W M&P Shield E-Z slide, as well as their .9mm, two other popular handguns you could consider.

The S&W M&P Shield EZ lineup is hands down the easiest semi-auto to rack the slide. Available in .380 and 9mm, comes with extra mags and reversible mag release for left or right hand shooters.

SHIELD EZ | Smith & Wesson

Since 1852 we’ve been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. We continue to bring innovative firearms to market that meet the needs of every shooter and deliver on exceptional quality with a brand you’ve learned to trust.

www.smith-wesson.com

My brother's wives had trouble racking the slides of several semi-autos and then they fell in love with these Smiths. I've shot them and they are accurate, easy to handle, pistols. Definitely recommend them... easy price point, too.

Ed Z

 

[Dewald]

I assume Mieke is from South Africa or Namibia. Unfortunately it is more difficult here to get your hands on multiple handguns to try out. The average person is only allowed to own one handgun for self defence in SA. In order to own more you need to be a registered dedicated hunter and/or sport shooter, and then typically your other handguns will be more suited for range use ie IPSC, Three gun, or hunting handguns.

Added to that it takes a good 3-6 months to get the license for your firearm, so you really want to make the correct choice the first time.

The other factor here is that after sales service and availability of components are an issue for a number of brands like SIG, H&K, S&W etc. Glock and CZ are readily available, Taurus to a lessor extent.

Another thing to keep in mind is what handguns you may already have in the house. My wife opted for a Glock 26, even though a 43x would have felt more comfortable, but since I have a G19, and have spare magazines everywhere in the house and in the Land Cruiser it is nice to have the option of using them in the G26 as well. The 2021 KwaZulu-Natal riots made most of us think differently about what an adequate amount of ammunition means.

 

[Safari Dave]

As an NRA Handgun Instructor, I teach a few "ladies-only" handgun classes each year...


IMO -

- If the lady is not going to practice and will admit it (my wife, for example) - a .38 Special, double action revolver.

- If the lady will practice occasionally, and will learn all the functions of the pistol to the point that they can do everything in the dark without looking - A Smith & Wesson, M&P Series 9 EZ.

- If they are are pretty serious about being a good pistol shooter and have better than average grip and arm strength - A Sig Sauer 365 or a Glock 19.


- If they are very serious about being a good pistol shooter, will train and shoot frequently, and have better than average strength... whatever the heck they want! They will outshoot almost every man, because they will listen and learn from an instructor!

 

[Throwback]

As mentioned, the Shield EZ in 380 is worth a look. That is what I got my mom who is almost 80 now. Very easy to load and rack the slide. She can hit with it out to about 7 yards. A laser is something to consider imo as well.

Also, any training you can get them goes a long way. Many others have mentioned this too as its like buying the best plane that can fly supersonic but if you dont know what you are doing it never serve its purpose and very likely get you killed. Cheers

 

[uplander01]

Smith and Wesson 642 5 shot revolver, air weight 38spl.

 

[HankBuck]

Yes, let the lady decide which gun feels right to her. This is important. My wife can shoot my 1911 .45 ACP well but is comfortable with a 5 shot .38 Special revolver.

A Smith &Wesson Model 60, or for lighter weight, a 642 DAO, with a smooth trigger pull is essential. For some women, racking the slide of a semi auto can be difficult in a stressful situation.

For a semi-auto choice, the Smith & Wesson MP in .380 is a very good choice, very easy to rack the slide, change mags, and shoot accurately. The Mossberg semiauto equivalent is also an easy to handle pistol.

Personally, I don't prefer these, but the ergonomics are excellent.

The lady must feel confident to handle and shoot the pistol, whether it is a .22 Magnum pocket revolver, or a SIG P365. The Glock 43 is a good choice also.

@cajunchefray: good choice on the S&W model 60 — simple to operate and effective

 

[Jeff505]

I would also recommend a S&W 642 air weight for self defense. It is a hammerless 5 shot revolver. My wife and sister each have one. In a situation where it would actually be necessary to defend oneself, simpler is better. No safety just pull the trigger. A hammer can sometimes catch and delay the gun being brought to ready and a cocked hammer needs to be made safe if not fired. A crimson trace grip would be a good addition to this for both accuracy and safety.
Hornady makes a critical defense lite round, it has a fast expanding bullet, reduced powder charge that should not leave the body of a perpetrator. A missed shot in a house upon hitting drywall should be less then lethal on the other side.
Lots of good advise on this thread and some difference of option based on personal preferences. Good luck with your decision.

 

[cajunchefray]

I would also recommend a S&W 642 air weight for self defense. It is a hammerless 5 shot revolver. My wife and sister each have one. In a situation where it would actually be necessary to defend oneself, simpler is better. No safety just pull the trigger. A hammer can sometimes catch and delay the gun being brought to ready and a cocked hammer needs to be made safe if not fired. A crimson trace grip would be a good addition to this for both accuracy and safety.
Hornady makes a critical defense lite round, it has a fast expanding bullet, reduced powder charge that should not leave the body of a perpetrator. A missed shot in a house upon hitting drywall should be less then lethal on the other side.
Lots of good advise on this thread and some difference of option based on personal preferences. Good luck with your decision.

Crimson Trace Laser sight is a great upgrade. My wife wanted this for her.38 Special and we did. Our first time trying a laser sight , and damn, it really is an advantage within 5 yards.

The best part is it is easy for her to hit the target, and inspires confidence.

 

[Katy Darren]

I was looking for a pistol for my wife who'd mentioned she'd like one. I did some research and found an article that did a comparison of several and the Springfield Hellcat RDP ran away with it for a woman's carry. They like the compensator for reducing the snappiness a small 9 can have and the red dot for ease of hitting your target. I ended up getting the Springfield Hellcat OSP and added a different red dot, a Holosun green dot (because they'd sold out of their red dot plus got the more expensive green dot at the same price as the red dot). I intended to have her shoot it as a rental at a range but ran into a sale and went for it. Was a bit nervous if she'd really like it...

We went to a friends ranch and range last weekend and she loved it and was really getting accurate and quick at hitting the targets as we shot two sessions over two days, even doing some shooting and moving. I'm really happy with the purchase. The one slight issue is the Holosun doesn't allow to see the guns sights as back up like the ones that Springfield selected for the RDP do.

Edit to add, the compensator really does make a difference, it's much easier for her to shoot than my Sig P365.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

If kept at home Glock 19 or Glock 26 with night sights. General purpose home/EDC J-Frame Smith & Wesson. Firearm should be kept loaded and ready for self-defense. Of course, all precautions taken with children should they be in the home or travel.

 

[Ridge Runner]

My mom carries a Walther P380 and my wife carries a sig 365 in 9mm both are great smaller frame semi autos. I'd stay away from snub nose 38 style harder to become proficient, less accurate, fewer shots, etc. Although something to be said about their reliability.

I have to disagree on your recommendation to stay away from the snub nose 1-1/2, 2 inch barrel 38 as an EDC/PDF. Short barrels regardless of style are meant for close range as within feet, inside a room, not yards. Revolvers are no harder to become proficient nor less accurate comparing a snub nose 38 than a 2-1/2 or 3 inch automatic. As for fewer shots, depends on make and model of automatic. Some automatics have equal some have more rounds. But it's always the first shot that matters.

Ammunition is a big factor for the functioning of an automatic vs a cylinder. If an automatic jams that jam has to be cleared before another round can be chambered. With a cylinder firearm less worry about a jam, if a round doesn't go off just squeeze the trigger or cock the hammer, then squeeze trigger

If reloading is a factor then an EDC/PDF becomes a backup to a better choice primary weapon.

 

[Forrest Halley]

To all the eggspurts on carry guns and EDC for women recommending j frames and revolvers:
The j frame is an expert's weapon. It is a kill or be killed option only. It is not a get in a gun battle weapon. They don't possess the necessary ammunition on board and they are not easy to reload. They are not easy to use and require dexterity and hand strength some may not possess. If it has a problem, it is likely out of the fight entirely. A person of limited strength or proficiency is ill-served by being forced to use this type of weapon. They will be combat ineffective in short order. The average person is best armed with a Glock 19/26 or a S&W M&P 9 or 9C.

This is coming from someone who can make hits at 100 yards with a j frame, likely beat you to five shots with it, and reload it under three seconds(shot to shot).
.

 

[Ridge Runner]

To all the eggspurts on carry guns and EDC for women recommending j frames and revolvers:
The j frame is an expert's weapon. It is a kill or be killed option only. It is not a get in a gun battle weapon. They don't possess the necessary ammunition on board and they are not easy to reload. They are not easy to use and require dexterity and hand strength some may not possess. If it has a problem, it is likely out of the fight entirely. A person of limited strength or proficiency is ill-served by being forced to use this type of weapon. They will be combat ineffective in short order. The average person is best armed with a Glock 19/26 or a S&W M&P 9 or 9C.

This is coming from someone who can make hits at 100 yards with a j frame, likely beat you to five shots with it, and reload it under three seconds(shot to shot).

Let us know how your legal situations turn out when you explain why you engaged perpetrator(s) at 100 yards. At 30 yards, 90 feet, courts deem a rational person is far enough away to remove themself to a safe area, away from any percieved threat Most courts recognize 20-30 feet as the max threat limit for a person to engage deadly force against a life endangering threat. Then there's the collateral injury, death to innocent bystanders and damage to property.

There are small frame revolvers well suited for people with small hands: ie S&W Lady Smith, S&W Model DA 36, Ruger LCR, etc., etc.

....They don't possess the necessary ammunition on board and they are not easy to reload. ......

Speedloaders make reloading double action revolvers quick and easy. Since in most normal situations 1 to 3 rounds would be sufficient to repell home invader(s), would be assailant(s).

....If it has a problem, it is likely out of the fight entirely. ...

This is true of any firearm. Revolvers are less likely to have a problem.

.....They are not easy to use and require dexterity and hand strength some may not possess. .....

If a person doesn't have required dexterity and hand strength to handle a revolver they are more likely not able to work the slide on an automatic. A revolver is much easier to use than an automatic.

.....They will be combat ineffective in short order. ....

LOL. It's called Personal Defense as in repelling simple home invader(s), assailant(s); Not going on the Offense taking on a mob, chasing down heavily armed gangs.

 

[steve white]

My very diminutive wife LOVES her Walther P380!!! She can rack it and she can shoot it. A saleswoman stepped up at the store and said, "here is what she is going to be able to rack." She was right. I would not want to go up against her if I were some miscreant, the girl can shoot it, lol. In fact, on one ladies night out, she shot up ALL my ammo in one go.
I only wish I could get some HoneyBadger ammo in 380 since it will penetrate heavy clothing...

 

[Ray B]

Related to hand strength, before his passing my step dad had a Colt Mustang 380. One day he wanted instruction so he got it out. It turned out that he had gotten so weak that he couldn't pull the slide back. He finally decided that the gun could be fully loaded, hammer down. then if he wanted to shoot it, he could pull the hammer back. Fortunately he passed away before he saw the need to use it.