Hand guns......?

Question

What would you recomend as the best hand gun for a small woman to carry for self defense

Answer 1

The safest and most practical would be a revolver. There are several to choose from.

1. Smith&Wesson .38 Model 638 Revolver ( i have this)
2. Smith&Wesson .357 or the lady smith

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15704&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703

check these out some models come in alloy frames and they are really light. Price range is $500-$1000

Other brands would be Taurus. These are more affordable models

Model 851SSULT is good its made of titanium. very light as well

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=302&category=Revolver

Like I say revolvers are the point and shoot of pistols.

If you want an auto loader, the Kel Tec.380

http://www.kel-tec.com/p3at.html

this unit is alot cheaper than the previous revolvers. But its a good option should you want an semi-automatic.

What ever you choose. Remember to practice and know you gun well. You might need it some day.

All these weapons that I have suggested are very dependable and very light weight. There is no reason for you not to bring it cause of its weight.

Usually the heavier equipment has a tendency to be left at home.

good luck and shoot well

Answer 2

Might as well get a 9mm and skip the 380. Check out the Kahr Arms CW9 in 9mm. Polymer framed and single stack so it's light and slim. If you'd like a snubbie .38 check out the Smith and Wesson 637. Both these handguns will run you less than $500. Kahr also has another pocket 9, the MK9 you'd probably like that better but it's more expensive. But if you must carry a 380 and don't want to spend too much, like less than $300, you can check out the Bersa Thunder 380. Don't let the price discourage you, after breaking this in with 300 rds it feeds anything flawlessly. Otherwise checkout the SIG P232 or Walther PPK/S, more expensive 380s but two of the best out there

Answer 3

Jai, another viable choice for a small woman is the Beretta Model 3032 Tomcat in .32 auto. This is a good quality, inexpensive pocket pistol. It is available in blue, stainless steel and titanium. The blue steel is around $300 and S/S a bit more and the titanium even more. I recommend the S/steel because it is the heaviest of the three and will damp the recoil better. With good .32 hollow point ammo (Fiocchi, or even Winchester Silvertips) it is a good defensive handgun.

By all means, if you can handle and shoot something bigger, go for it. Everyone is recommending a small .380 acp or a .38 Special. The .38 is probably okay for you if you do want a revolver. However, before you buy a .380 here are the facts.

Many women complain that the Sig and Walters .380s hurt their hand. It is a function of the way they recoil and the bearing surface on their relatively thin handle even though their recoil is not vicious (for one with big hands like a man). A bigger .380 works better because of the weight and wider bodied handle/grips. My wife has a Beretta .380 Model 84 thirteen+ 1 round pistol. Browning makes a similar model that is a little less expensive.

A lady friend of mine carries her licensed .45 acp concealed and she is tiny. Another lady police officer friend carries a Glock Model 26 .9mm when she is in plain clothes. This is another good choice for ladies, but it is a little harder to conceal than the .380s. I would shy away from the tiny .25s and .22s unless this all you can handle.

Smith & Wesson used to make a Lady Smith in .38 Special. If you like wheelguns this is another good option as is any good quality small revolver. The .357 Magnum will also shoot .38s, something to keep in mind. Final note: For self defense use quality (premium) defensive ammo. Ask your dealer about this. It will be jacketed hollow point ammo. Always be sure of your target, remember that bullets go through walls and never point your gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

Jai, I agree with a lot of the suggestions here but not necessairly the brands. I usually do not suugest brands but will in regards to this question. I would stick with the .32ACP, .380ACP, or .38SPL. In a small gun the .32ACP will be the least troublesome to handle in a small package.
A lot of people think that .32ACP is too weak, but with specialized ammuniton it's better than FMJ ball in larger calibers with less recoil to boot! The problem with .32ACP is that a lot of the reliable models are on in a small market and guns are expensive. DO NOT buy a cheap .32ACP or the dreaded .25ACP "dumpster gun". As far as brands are concerned, you do not have to buy a Smith and Wesson (They are outrageously expensive these days, especially the Ladysmith!). Ruger is almost as bad with the SP-101 series. The gun has to go boom when the trigger is activated and because it's a close range weapon accuracy is not paramount-reliabilty and control are.
Taurus 85 snub .38s are a good deal as far as small-frame .38s are concerned. They are old school but cheap and reliable. You are not buying cool ("I want an automatic cause everyone says you need one!"), you are buying what is necessary ("This is simple, reliable, and I can handle the recoil."). You really need to try to shoot guns at a rental range or maybe you know someone who will let you try out the above listed calibers. 9mm is also a choice you can consider, but it starts to get "dicey" in terms of recoil for some people when you go beyond .38SPL is a small, concealable gun. Definiteley stay away from the concealable .40/.45 "mini-pistols". These are for dedicated gurus.
Bottom line: Choose the right caliber for you/no fashion statement choices/watch your money because you can get ripped off buying something that is nicer than the basic tool you need

Answer 5

My former wife, at 5'1", carries a Ruger SP 101, in .357 mag. She loads it with a .38 spl, 124 gr. Jacketed hollow point. As a former daughter of a Wyoming rancher, she grew up with guns and is capable and competent in handling the weapon. She works with horses so carries the gun in a belt holster, under her jacket. She likes the revolver because it is a "point and shoot" tool. She does not have to contend with slide locks, safety switches, or jammed slides. The nice thing about the .357 mag. revolver is the ability to load both the .38 spl. or the more potent .357 mag. round. The bullet also allows for a large choice of not only caliber but bullet type as well. Do you work in a urban setting? Then the choice of ammo might be a Glazer safety bullet. A pre-fragmented round that will not over penetrate your target or go thru walls if you miss.
Finally, take a gun safety/self defense class. Too many people buy weapons for self defense without learning the proper use of the weapon.
Good luck.

Answer 6

S&W, Ruger, and Tarus all make small framed .38 special revolvers. For a strictly defensive gun I'd get one that was double action only with a bobbed hammer.

In a 9MM I'd get a Kahr. They are small, well made and generally easy to shoot despite there small size. My preferance would be for the Kahr. They operate much like a revolver as they are striker fired so you just point and shoot. There is no manual safety just like a revolver. I think the triggers are easier to master and they are flatter and easier to conceal. Also they are generally faster for most folks to reload.

What ever you choose make sure you get professional instruction in the use and in the law before you begin to carry it. Going armed is a huge responsibility. Take it seriously.

Good luck

Answer 7

Concealing a handgun is very difficult, especially if your small. I'm considered average but a little thin so the size of the weapon is important. Revolvers are a little wide so stick with an auto. Stay with the .380 or 9mm, both are good rounds and as they said, better than nothing. Now the type of gun. Here is a list of handguns (from largest to smallest) which are accurate, dependable and don't cost a fortune.

1) Glock 26 (9mm) excellent track record, my top choice
2) Kahr PM9 (9mm) the most expensive
3) Kel Tec P-3AT (.380) cheapest but very good customer service
4) Bersa Thunder (.380) also cheap but very good

Answer 8

The most important thing, in my opinion, for a woman to consider in buying a hand gun for self defense, is how strong are you. If you can't operate the slide on an automatic then it'll do you no good. I generally sell a .38 special "under cover" model to women when possible. It's simple to use, has no hammer, and a shortened grip so as not to get hung up on something in their purse and has enough power to get an aggressor off of you. Charter arms "under cover" is small, inexpensive and very dependable.

Answer 9

Keep all the answers you got in mind. Find a range that will rent guns. Try them all. Then try the ones you liked again. It should feel comfortable in your hand, point like you were pointing your finger, and the recoil should not be too much to allow for another shot. Try rapid fire and see how well you can control it. It will be money well spent if it helps you get a gun that you enjoy. You can always have it cleaned professionally by a gunsmith.

Answer 10

I would recommend a 22 or 38 derringer ,American derringer makes some nice reasonably priced ones that are easy to conceal and reliable .at point blank a 22 or 38 is plenty and relatively easy to handle. This style handgun has been around for ever for a good reason .