Recommendations for handgun for petite woman?

[missycocopuffs]

Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a handgun for a petite woman (me...5'2", 110lbs). Have used a small semi-automatic years ago, not sure of caliber. FIL worries that I might lack strength for semi-auto; I worry that loading bullets under pressure vs. loading ammo clip would waste precious time.

Just curious what the ladies here are using? Going to gun range tonight and I think I will have the opportunity to handle a few different guns. Would like input to maybe weed out some choices that would be inappropriate for my size/needs.

Another question: we currently have no handguns in the house. If we could purchase only one gun for self-defense, what would be a good choice that balances stopping power AND ease of use for both me and my husband? Also, a gun that I enjoy taking to the range to actually *practice* shooting is a huge plus. /grin

Thanks in advance, Missy

[Poser]

Let me second, third, fourth and fifth the recommendations for a hammerless revolver. The Ladysmith revolvers in .38 Special are light, easy to use, safe and never, ever jam.

Taurus and Ruger make good, less expensive versions as well, although they are a bit heavier.

If you plan to carry the gun every day, spend the money and buy the lightest one available. If it is primarily a home defense weapon, slightly heavier is a better choice. Of course, a shotgun is best at home.

[phugg]

Give the Ruger LCP and the Kel Tec P-3AT a look. My wife purchased a Kahr PM9 a few years back. She liked the size but did not like the spring tension when pulling back the slide. She likes my P-3AT. It has been 100% reliable, was inexpensive, and is an easy gun to carry.

[EdReform]

Spend some time over at The Cornered Cat website before you make your final decision.

[Tenacious 1]

As I said, I am sure there are good .380’s out there. A lot of folks swear by them. I just can’t shake the experience I have had with them. And I admit, the maintenance (or lack of) was almost certainly a contributing factor as they were not my weapons.

It’s sort of like Dodge trucks to me. It was like owning a boat. The two best days of that ownership were the day I drove it home and the day I traded it back in 9 months later. They sell and folks love them, but I will never own another. I spent more money on gas to have warranty items addressed than I have on oil changes for the Ford that replaced it.

[Oldpuppymax]

Dear Missy,

I suggest a Smith and Wesson .38 air weight. It’s a model 637, I believe. Five shots. Double action revolver, meaning you can simply pull the trigger, or pull the hammer back, cocking the gun and then pull the trigger. It is light weight, has a small grip for small hands and is as simple, uncomplicated and completely dependable a weapon as can be found. It is far safer for an inexperienced user than an automatic, will never malfunction and certainly gets the job done with any number of good ammunition choices. I’ve had one for nearly fifty years. You should be able to buy the weapon for about $430-$500.

[Uri’el-2012]

I see you are a Nerd.

Here are some recommended reading:

I recommend reading any thing by Masaad Ayoob

In the Gravest Extreme Role of the Firearm

for women I also recommend Paxton Quigley Armed & Female

[AlmaKing]

I may have to rethink about a revolver with no hammer after reading these comments.

The receiver on the Walther PPK is fairly easy for her to handle, but there’s no beating point-and-shoot without pulling a receiver back.

[RebelTXRose]

Going to gun range tonight and I think I will have the opportunity to handle a few different guns.
BRILLIANT Plan.

Thanks for posting this! My husband and I are looking for a gun and don’t want to buy something that will not work for us. We had no idea that we might be able to “try before we buy” at a gun range.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14747&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

[BenLurkin]

You also might want to consider a “Youth Shotgun” http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_jr.asp

[SuziQ]

SirKit and I attended Firearms Safety Class on Saturday. It’s required before we can apply for Class A Unrestricted license in MA. The state has a ‘may carry’ set up that gives the discretion to the local Police Chief as to whether or not one can get the license. Fortunately, our town’s Chief is one of the better in the State for allowing issuance. As part of the fee for the class, our instructor is offering an hour at the local Pistol and Rifle Range with him, and he’ll bring all kinds of guns for us to shoot. At the class, interestingly, one of my favorite guns to handle was the pump action rifle, though for shooting range purposes, and for less expensive ammo, I’d probably go with a smaller pistol.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

It would help if you would post a picture so we can
judge petite for ourselves...

[ChuckShick]

Go with a Kahr PM9. Expensive, but really nice.

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm_pm.html

[MissNomer]

Self-ping

[missycocopuffs]

Wow, thanks all for the advice.

Tonight is first class at the range. I believe we will do gun safety, loading, unloading, and some shooting. We are taking the NRA Personal Protection class. Plan is for both husband and I to finish the class (I believe it’s a month long) and go for CCW eventually.

We have a shooting range nearby and some good gun clubs, and have talked about making shooting practice a ‘family affair.’ Both my FIL & MIL are going to classes with us, and I can see us all hitting the firing range together on a fairly regular basis and then heading off to a local eatery for a nice meal together after target practice. LOL.

[rintense]

Exactly right. As a petite gal myself, trying a handgun is the most important thing you can do. I have small hands, too, which makes how the gun feels that much more important.

[MissNomer]

Self-ping for later research

[rintense]

Excellent suggestion on the shot gun. I have been looking at youth models as well.

[missycocopuffs]

I see you are a Nerd.

Hey, no name calling :-)

Am familiar with Ayoob from my self-suffiency mag reading (Backwoods Home?) years ago. Will look up more current articles by him. Thank you for the links.

Missy

[rintense]

As for the auto/semi auto, again, try one. I thought for sure I’d get knocked on my arse with all the guns I shot. Not a single one jolted me. The S&W submachine gun I shot was all kinds of fun. Switching from manual to auto made me feel like a sniper. LOL!