small guns?

Question

I want to get a small, light gun for my wife. Something that she can carry in her purse. Just for self protection. Every gun I got her was 'too heavy'! Maybe something w/ 1 or 2 shots???? Any Suggestions???

Answer 1

1 or 2 shots why bother, take a look at a Glock G27 only if she has a CARRY PERMIT by the way.

Answer 2

I would suggest taking her with you and let her pick out the gun she likes. You've got to remember that women have different priorities than men do. A pistol that is too bulky to fit comfortably in her purse or weighs it down too much will end up sitting at home doing her no good whatsoever. While I personally think anything less than a .38 special or 9mm should be used for self defense, I would rather have a .22 than nothing at all, something is always better than nothing!

Answer 3

What is too heavy so far? Taurus makes the Millennium Pro. It is about 19oz and you can put up to 12 (10 depending on local laws) rounds of 9mm into them. Of course if a full magazine is too heavy and can put 5 or 6 rounds in it. You can also look at Kel-Tec, North American Arms. They have smaller guns that may be right for her. I do however suggest sticking with a 9mm or higher for stopping power. And as she uses her firearm more at the range the better she will be with it and have no problem picking it up and holding it. She will build up the strength.

Answer 4

Take a look at snub-nosed revolvers (2 to 3 inch barrels). Ruger and Taurus make some good affordable ones. It doesn't sound like she will be going to the range all that much, so I wouldn't recommend a semi auto. But if I'm wrong then take a look at the Glock 26 (9mm) or a Bersa Thunder (.380 ACP). As I said though, if she isn't going to go to the range that much then the snub-nosed revolver is the better choice as it will withstand lack of regular cleaning and use better than a semi auto. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I give this advice to a lot of people, but I firmly believe it. First, no to a derringer, they are mostly a point blank pull the trigger and pray kind of weapon. Very in accurate and for their size, the really don't fit the hand well. Many of them, like "davis": brand, are poor quality. Better choices are something like a small Hammerless S&W revolver, or if she likes pistols,and you have a budget, pick up a Bulgarian made "Makerov" pistol. These little gems are not expensive (I buy them for $150.00 to $200.) they are rugged, utterly dependable, accurate, ammo is cheap for practice (military surplus) and Harnady and Federal to name a couple, make great self defense cartridges for them in Hollow points. They are small, not heavy, and served as the side arm for more third world counties and police forces than I can count. They are easy to use (when my wife sprained her wrist and could not work the slide on her S&W pistol, she could still cycle the makerov with no problem.) They fit easily in a purse, aftermarket grips etc are available ( mine came with the stock grips and a set of pachmayar type grips, 3 magazines and a holster) I threw the holster away and bought her an IWB holster and a fobus belt holster for it. It fires the 9mm Makerov cartridge(9x18mm) which falls in between the .380 (9x17MM) and the 9mm (9x19MM) giving it plenty of oommph for a self defense round for a lady to use. In a busines suit, my wife used to wear hers in a belt holster or shoulder holster and it was never seen. Currenty, my 16 year old daughter has one, as do both my daughters in law for home defense. I still have a couple of them placed around the house and shop as well.
Anyway, this is just one of many options available for her. Don't forget "KAHR" makes extremely light pistols too.
Hope this helps.
Shoot safe

Answer 6

The Smith and Wesson Model 360 only weighs 12 ounces (.357 Magnum). The somewhat less expensive is the Taurus 85CHULT at 13.2 ounces (.38 Special). And the Taurus 138 BP-12 weighs only 18.7 ounces (.380 ACP). The North American Arms .22 LR weighs 4.5 ounces, but are you sure that you want her to carry a firearms that she needs to be close enough to touch her assailant to be reasonably sure of its effectiveness? I actually carry the NAA because of what I can get away with at work, but I do so reallizing that it is truly a belly gun. Not only that but the little sucker is hard to hang on to when you shoot it. The NAA .22 WRM has a considerably larger handle--but remains a belly gun.

Answer 7

Get a Seecamp LWS32 or Kel-Tek P32. Both are light and manageable. The .32 round may not be a show stopper, but its certainly better than nothing. I own and carry the Seecamp as a back up, and I love it. It is well built, classy, and a good shooter. Both of these can carry 7 or more rounds so she should have more than enough for defensive purposes.

Answer 8

One poster recommended a .25 auto.

Dude, if you shoot me with a .25 and I find out about it I'm going to hunt you down and shove that gun down your throat. Of course I probably won't notice...

To the questioner: Take your wife to a range that has a wide variety of firearms for rent. Have her find one.

Also consider that she doesn't *want* to carry a firearm, but doesn't want to argue that point with you and is saying "too heavy" to get out of it.

Finally reminder her that the lighter the firearm for a given caliber the more the felt recoil. A Lady Smith (.38 snubby designed for women) is a bit heavier than an airweight titanium, but is MUCH more comfortable to shoot.

Answer 9

A hammerless 38 like a 'chiefs special` in a
lightweight aluminum frame. If thats 'too heavy`,
it's not the weight, she just doesn't want to carry.
If that's true, you've got to respect it.
If she doesn't want to, she shouldn't.

Answer 10

Lady Smith and Wesson chambered for the .38 pecial round. This gun is made specifically for women.