What is the best handgun for a woman to have?

Answer 1

Something stupid simple to maintain, and comfortable. The Sig 226 is a reliable hi capacity and comfortable handgun. On the other hand, revolvers are really simple but not always the most comfortable. I would recomend going to a gun store with a large selection of hand guns because not all guns fit your hand the same. Hold various makes and models and see if any really feel good in your hand. (another words, what's comfortable for me isn't always going to be comfortable for you). With automatics, a lot of the recoil is absored by the slide. My wife carries an EAA Witness in .45 acp Its in the CZ75 family of guns and is very comfortable. Bersa also makes a fairly inexpesive but yet stupid simple pistol called the Bersa Thunder I used to own one till my brother talked me into selling it to him. (my wife loved the rear sights on it and the way it handled plus, the weight wasn't too heavy). They come in .380, 9mm, 40S&W or .45acp. They breakdown the same way a Sig does and like the Sig the Bera also has a 'decock feature'. Truth be known, .45acp dosn't really have very much more recoil then a 9mm. But, there is a significant difference in knock down power. (another words, in a self defense situation you might fire your whole magazine with the 9mm but only maybe half if you fired the 45acp to get the same results). As far as revolvers, I recomend geting one that shoots both .38 or .357 mag. .38 special Is a great target round but the 357mag is a much better personal defense round. If you need to defend yourself, you won't notice the extra recoil at the time. (too much adrenoline). Just remember that if in the end you buy a revolver in a .38 caliber don't run 357mag through it unless it specifically has been designed to do so. (these revolvers will usually have some marking on the body stating this feature).
Glocks maybe light but they sometimes are difficult to breakdown when cleaning is needed. A lot of women I've known liked to light weight feature and not awhole lot more so, you may want to stay away from them as well.
What you need to remember most is this, the handgun is a extention of you, your arm etc.. so it is important that it fit comfortably in your hand and feel as if it is an extention of you. Never buy a gun just because it looks nice or is pretty. You are the one who will use it weather in self defense or in target practice so, your opinion is the only one that really matters when you finally make a purchase descision.

I got my experience from owning my own gun store.

Answer 2

Go to your local gun shop and tell the salesman there exactly what you want, try on several different pistols to see which one fits you, your hand, and your needs the best.You may find that you like a semi auto better than a revolver, or vice versa.I'd not recommend anything less than a .380, and for a beginner shooter I'd recommend nothing higher than a 40sw. The 9mm altho some may think is over-rated, is the most prolific handgun pistol and ammo issued to modern military and police world wide, This speaks volumes of it's dependability as a defensive caliber. the 40sw packs a bit more punch, but also has a bit more recoil as well, for a beginner shooter this might be a drawback.38spc with +p ammo is an awesome defensive round, a short barreled revolver using this ammo developes low end magnum velocity(357mag) yet has much less recoil than a 357magnum. Get practice time in with whatever pistol you choose, take a class at your gunrange if they offer one, get familiar and SAFE with your new pistol.Confidence breeds accuracy.

Answer 3

After she was robbed at gunpoint I got my 22 year old daughter a Glock Model 26 .9mm which she selected.

The .380 Walters & Sig at first seem like a good choice for a lady's gun, however, if they intend to shoot them a lot they do tend to hurt the hand (especially smaller hands). A Walters PPKs in .32acp may serve you better. Less recoil and with good hollowpoint ammo, nearly as efficient as the .380acp. If you must have a .380acp consider the 'wider-bodied,' heavier Berettas & Brownings with the double-stack magazines. These are far more comfortable to shoot and with the 'pre-ban' magazines have a 13 + 1 bullet capacity. My wife and sister-in-law have these and they enjoy plinking with them.

The Beretta Model 3032 Tomcat in .32acp with the tip-up barrel is also a good choice. Again with quality ammo and if you can find it in stainless steel or titanium it is worth the extra bucks.

Don't dismiss the revolvers. S&W actually made snubbies for ladies some decorated with a stamped rose. I believe they called them the Lady Smith. Again, loaded with quality .38 Special ammo they will do the job. Stay away from ball ammo except for target shooting.

Whatever you pick it has to fit your hand comfortably and if it is a semi-auto, be sure you can reach the safety & slide release effortlessly & with one hand. Don't forget to take a safety course and don't ever point your gun at anything you don't intend to destroy. Safety first. Learn to load and unload your gun and how to safely carry it and use it. Most importantly, WHEN to use it.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

My ex-wife carries a concealed Ruger SP101 in .357. She went with this because she carries the gun on her and needed something compact (2 inch barrel). The .357 cal. allows her a choice of either loading it with .38 or the .357 round. She currently loads with .38, 125 gr. hollow points.
My current wife carries a smith & wesson 640 in .38. This is a double action only revolver with a concealed hammer. It is also a snubby. She also carries 125 gr. hollowpoints.
Both of these women have taken shooting classes.
Generally speaking, autos of any type are a bad choice for a beginning shooter. Slides can be heavy and tight, lots of controls to master, and sometimes touchy about ammo (jams).
Personnally, I have three guns for protection/defense. My "house gun" is a 4 inch S&W mdl. 629, 44 mag. (l live in the country & my nearest neighbor is over a mile away. I don't worry about over penetration). My "car gun" is my old Colt 1911 45 auto. My concealed carry gun is a Taurus 745, 45 auto.
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

My gut instinct was a .38 or .357 revolver, but my wife insisted on having an auto, so I went with a Ruger P94 .40 S&W. It's a little heavy and bulky, but it has great knock-down power and controllable recoil. I'd still recommend the .357 revolver. If the lady doesn't like the .357 recoil, put .38's in it.

Answer 6

Trust me when I say, you will have to search for the best handgun for your preferences after taking many things into consideration. Price, caliber, recoil, capacity, quality etc.. Merely buying a handgun doesn't keep you safe, knowing how to use your gun quickly and effectively means all the difference in the world. A big .357 or .45acp from a crapshot isn't nearly as formidable as someone with a .22pistol who's a great shooter. Dont be pressured into buying some big heavy cartridge weapon that you will usually leave at home due to its lack of concealment and excess weight. I recommend www.naaminis.com they have tiny "guardian" pistols in calibers up to .380. If you want a larger pistol I would recommend the Glock family, nice guns, they go all the way up to full size big bore calibers.

Answer 7

Always go with the largest caliber that you feel comfortable with, and can shoot well. For self defense the minimum cal would be a .380 acp for a semi auto, or a .38 special for a revolver. While you may be able to "handle" a much larger caliber, if you cant hit anything with it, it is no good. I feel well armed with my browning bda .380 acp, because It is very accurate in my hands, while my beretta 92 in 9mm doesnt fit my hand as well, resulting in less accurate shot placement.

Answer 8

Any that you can accurately aim and handle the recoil. This week I had my sister out to the range, the first time ever handling a firearm and she had no problem with my .45. I wouldn't want anything under a 9 MM

Answer 9

depends on a lot of factors, but the .380 is a good universal woman's caliber. it can be fairly compact with some really good knock down power.

just stay away from the 9mm. it has REALLY been over-rated for practical use. And the .25 cal is absolutely useless. You'll be lucky if the bang is loud enuff to piss them off with a .25. .22 is a nice universal round for anybody also, but for personal praotecion the .380 is is overall best. Many cops like this cal for an off duty piece. If you have the room to carry it the .40 cal is the best load on the market today for knock down plus accuracy. It is the standard police issue in most departments today. And it is so for a reason. good luck. hit me up if you need info. [e-mail]

Answer 10

For a woman , a S & W airweight .38 revolver would be great.
It's simple to use (squeeze the trigger) no decockers or safey, or stiff slides to rack. for self defense rounds I would use the .38spl -+p in corbon jhp, of federal hydro-shock ! Get it in a snubby version without a hammer so she can carry it in her purse or coat without the hammer snagging .
Hope this helps
Good Luck & be safe