I would like opinions on what gun YOU recommend for Ladies.?

Question

A few women I talk to are afraid due to the increase in violent crimes and wish to learn how to shoot and purchase a hand gun. I'm not your average gal since I have both a 9mm semi-auto as well as a 357 magnum revolver. I would like to hear opinions on what "YOU" consider to be the best gun for a lady. Please tell us why you feel the gun you recommend is best----in 3 days I will choose one lucky winner to receive 10 points.

Answer 1

I would go with the double action revolver in 357 Magnum if the magnum is too much for your friends load it with 38 Special ammo in stead of the 357 Magnum.
I recommend the revolver for it is simpler to use in the heat of the moment and much better accuracy over the semi auto.
Plus I wide range of bullet selection available for the 357magnum or 38 special is an added bones the 125gr is the best for self defense.
I would also recommend a blued finish over the Stainless Steel or Chrome plated.
Not as obvious when the ladies need to reach for it.
I to would forgo the little revolvers designed for women too light and there for will kick harder.
I would advise the weapon in the size range of a Ruger GP100 not too heavy not too light and can be controlled by all who shoot it.
Please note when I stated simple to use it was not a slam on ladies intelligence, for in the heat of the moment every one will make mistakes, and this is no time for mistakes.
I personnel feel a very large percentage of those packing the semi autos for self defense do not use them enough to have the second nature that is needed in the heat of the moment.
What the chance of you needing more then 6 rounds, most gun fights 1 to 2 rounds and it over some ones dead/wounded or running like the Devil on their heels.
Revolver all the way and plenty of practice then some more practice.
While in the military and state side I worked one week a month as a range trainer for Female Law Enforcement, the rest of the month I serves as a Tactical Police Team leader and that was when I wore a younger man boots.

That my opinion and my advice.

D58

Answer 2

1st I would recommend that a woman I.D.'s if the gun is for home/concealed carry/etc.
2nd how much is she going to practice?
3rd. How much shooting experience has she had in the past?
4th go to a store and let her hold and feel as many guns as possible.

Typically I would recommend the following:

Home defense:
20 ga. Rem 870 shotgun. Winchester, Ithaca would also be fine. Loaded with #3 buckshot. If recoil and size is fine a 16 ga with #1 buck or a 12 ga. with #1 buck would be even better.

If she wants a rifle. The .223 would be my choice over handgun carbines as the penetration is more limited with the high velocity rounds. An AR-15 can be a good home defense tool in rural areas, or if riots, etc. breakout.

A good 6 shot revolver by S&W, Ruger in .357 (.38 if that is all she plans on shooting) with a 3-4 inch barrel.
If she is into the autos a Glock 17 or 19, the new S&W MP, Springfield XD in 9mm.

For concealed carry
Revolver. Model 60, SP101, etc. 5 shot in .357 (same for the .38)
Semi-auto. Size matters here and the Walther PPK in .380, of the smaller glocks, XD, etc. in 9mm

I also recommend a small fixed bladed knife such as the KA-BAR LDT or CRKT Ryan plan B. Very handy if things turn into a FUT (Fouled Up Tangle) with a rapist.

The main thing I recommend is mindset (I am the weapon, the gun is a tool, not a talisman of protection) , practice, training, and preparation. If a person doesn't think a violent encounter through, they may not be able to use a weapon in self-defense.

Answer 3

Not to be an echo but it does depent on the woman... what fits in her hand, what she's comfortable to shoot, etc. The most important thing is that she IS comfortable shooting the gun, because she would be less effective against an attacker standing there with her hand shaking.

I personally disagree that new shooters shouldn't own semi-automatics. They are not complicated to use, many are extremely reliable, and can be very accurate.

I agree that glock makes a good handgun for women... and the price is reasonable. I also agree that the 9mm is a good defensive round for a woman. Not much kick, yet has the take-down power she needs. Depending on where the woman plans on keeping the weapon, I would go with either the Glock 19 or Glock 26, which are the compact and subcompact models, so that they could be carried if they get a permit. When you're only interested in self defense and plan on purchasing one gun, this is definately the way to go.

Answer 4

Although I don't own one and have not shot one I would think a S&W LadySmith in 357 would be the idea pistol for a woman to purchase. You can practice relatively cheaply with 38 ammo, you have the advantage of being able to carry the gun with 357 loads for self-defense and it's size/ergonomics is specifically designed for a females anotomy. Not to mention it's a revolver, which offers ease of operation. Just because a woman wants to be able to protect herself is no reason to choose to small a gun. Sure a 22, 32, 380 or 9mm is more purse friendly, but they can not begin to offer the stopping power of a 357. If a woman is going to choose to defend herself in this way, most likely she's going to fire one shot, not the several smaller calibers might need to do the job. Sure the 357 can be intimidating to fire the first time, but learning how your gun operates and becoming proficient with it with 38 ammo will bring the confidence to use the 357 ammo when necessary. Besides, if she's like most new shooters she'll want something with a little more "horsepower" after becoming used to her gun! She won't have to purchase another one, just different ammo.

Answer 5

I used to work with a lady who carried a 38 snubby (I think a Smith) when jogging, a 45 H&K for general carry, and a 50 AE for fun. Her husband was a polite and well-behaved gentleman. Another needed something for home and vehicle but couldn't carry to work, and she didn't practice as much as she might have, so a 44 Spl revolver (it could as easily have been a 357) fit her requirements well. A lady's hand may make some fatter grips unwieldy, but I'd not generalize past that. A shotgun with a stock that fits at home and anything she feels OK with from 380 ACP or 38 Spl on up is the right (non)answer.

Answer 6

I have a Kel-Tec P-11 9mm. The only thing I don't like about it is the trigger pull. You pull and pull and finally...bang. I would have rather had something with a little less trigger pull. Another thing I don't like is that it doesn't have a safety. I carry it in my ankle holster, it's a nice size. If I were ever to carry something in my purse I would want something a little smaller. My husband has a 357 revolver and I'm not fond of it for carrying, just because it's so big.
My all time favorite is a Taurus 9mm that I had a few years back, it was perfect and I can't even remember why I got rid of it.

Answer 7

I do not recommend revolvers.

It is hard to do single action fast and many women can not hit accurately double action.

Also, you only have five or six shots and the "bad guy" knows it.

Also, if he gets his hand on the gun, he can just squeeze down and prevent the cylinder from revolving and you can not shoot it.

Also, if a kid gets his hands on the gun, there is no safety to prevent him from shooting it. Very small kids hold the gun backwards with their thumbs thru the tirgger hole and fingers around the butt, shooting themselves in the head.

I recommend a high capacity 380 or 9 mm, double action semi auto. The first shot is double action but all the following shots are single action, helping with accuracy.

The bad guy probably will not know how many shots you have in the gun. He can grab it all it wants but since all the motion of the gun comes AFTER the shot goes off, you can still get one round off even if he has it in his hand.

Lastly, you can store it with no round in the chamber. There are very few kids who can figure out how to rack the slide or have the strength to do it. They can pull the trigger all they want and nothing happens.

XD 9 mm compact is a good gun.

Answer 8

It sort of depends on the lady, since some are very good with guns. On average, however, you want one with some punch but something easy to handle.

Also, an inexperienced gun user should not have a semi-auto or even a double action.

I recommend a single action snub-nosed .38 revolver. They have knock-down power, can be carried in a purse, are relatively safe and easy to use. Plus, they're reliable, easy to handle and ammo is readily available.

They are not accurate, but for self defense you need only short range accuracy.

I hope I get 10 points. I really want 10 points. ;)

Answer 9

Congratulations, with a .357 Magnum revolver and a .9mm you are already formidably armed. Obviously, you are NOT your average gal.

Indubitably, many will suggest the .380 Sig or Walters PPK. Not I. I've heard too many gals complain that they have too much 'snap.' For this reason and for ease of loading that critical first round without having to 'pull the slide back,' this is what I recommend:


The Beretta Model 86 Cheetah (sometimes referred to as the "86F"). Technical Data:

NOTE: This is the only .380acp with a tip-up barrel.
Price:$680 Retail, $450-485 Street, $350 Used
Trigger system: Single-action or double-action
Caliber: .380 ACP (9mm Kurz short)
Capacity: 8+1 in a single stack magazine
Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
Slide and barrel material: Carbon steel
Sight type: 3 dot
Front sight: Blade integral with barrel (non-changable)
Hammer: Exposed, double action
Grip material: Wood
Barrel length: 111 mm/4.4"
Length: 185 mm/7.3"
Height: 123 mm/4.6"
Width: 35 mm/1.4"
Weight: 660 g/23.3 oz
Safeties: Frame mounted safety levers. Firing-pin safety.
Magazine release: Lower trigger guard.
Production years: 1986 - Present
Production location: Beretta Manufacturing, Italy

Another good choice is the .380 Beretta 84 (with a heavier, wider frame) and the 13 plus one bullet capacity. With personal defense .380 rounds a lady is well armed. This is what I got for my wife. My 22 year old daughter, however, preferred the Glock Model 26 .9mm.

One other option for ladies who are really recoil sensitive is the Beretta Model 3032 .32acp. This model also features the 'tip-up barrel' for ease of loading that first round. If this is chosen, it is critical that it is loaded with quality hollow point ammo for personal defense. I use either Fiocche hollow points or Winchester Silvertips in mine. Yes, for conceal-ability I've been known to carry a .32acp. Gold Dot also makes a good .32acp defensive round. The Hydrashok tends to keyhole in my Tomcat (I think the hollow point nose is too wide and catches too much air) but would probably also work well.

I guess I sound like a 'Beretta-man,' but if anything I'm actually a 'Glock-man.' Beretta, however, does make excellent automatics and I believe in giving credit where credit is due. In favor of the Glocks I will add the following... The Glock Model 19 or 26 are excellent .9mms for the personal defense although they tend to be a bit 'wide' for ladies with small hands. Still, coupled with the fact that Glocks are available with nightsight (for about a hundred or so more), I also strongerly recomend the Gocks with the much more powerful full-sized .9mm cartridge for the ladies.

Don't forget your gun safety course, practice, practice, practice and ladies, don't ever point your guns at anything you are not willing to destroy. Unless you use pre-fragmented ammo, bullets shoot through a lot of dry wall so be sure of your surroundings.

And ladies, here's wishing you... The best of luck. Stay safe.

H

Answer 10

for a semi auto, a 5" fullsize 1911 in 9mm. it has a single stack slim grip that fits small hands and the soft recoil of 9mm.

for a revolver, a 4" medium frame .357mag. its not too heavy and you get the option to shoot .357 or the soft recoiling .38spl.

i dont recommend subcompacts and snubnoses because accuracy isnt great and they tend to kick more. this is unless of course, youre going to carry concealed.

if youre going to carry concealed check out the springfield armory EMP. it is a 3" 1911 chambered in 9mm. match grade barrel, night sights, and slim grips. it also has 9+1 capacity and that is double than any snub nose revolver WITH the option of carrying extra magazines.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=110