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

[Durus]

I'm always a little surprised when people start suggesting lightweight pistols or revolvers to women. A heavier pistol absorbs felt recoil allowing both comfortable range time and quicker follow up shots in an emergency. If concealed carry isn't a consideration I always suggest going with heavier handguns. A light pistol even with a less powerful round can be a bit snappy and that won't lead to lots of practice time at the range.

It very well may be that a “larger” auto like a 1911 type in 9mm may be the perfect fit. It fits smaller hands well and out of the pistols I own it's usually what women (and men for that matter) feel most comfortable with.

For home defense I personally don't see a pistol as a great choice. Granted a pistol is better then nothing, but I prefer a rifle to any pistol.

[Hardshell]

My wife carries a Colt Detective (snub nose revolver) with .38spl hollow point, low recoil rounds......

[Knitebane]

Mrs. Knitebane is about 5'3" and regularly carries one of these:

That's the 2.25" hammerless Ruger SP101 in .357 (it shoots .38 Specials just fine) with the factory installed Crimson Trace lasergrips.

The recoil is negligible with .38s and manageable (if a bit loud) with .357 Magnum. As Mrs. Knitebane is still a bit recoil (and big BOOM!) shy, she's currently carrying .38 +Ps.

I will say this, though. There are Ruger people and Smith and Wesson people. Mrs. Knitebane likes the way the Ruger fits in her hand and didn't care for the Smith. I know other people that have the opposite opinion. Best bet is to go down to your local gun range and see if you can try out both of them.

[Uri’el-2012]

Here is the one I bought for my sweetie.

It is a Smith & Wesson 642 Crimson Trace (laser)

Model: 642
Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Rubber Grips
Frame: Small - Centennial Style
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 6 3/8"
Material: Alloy/Stainless Steel
Weight Empty: 15 oz.

In a pocket or purse holster with a speed loader w/ another five rounds.

loaded with Corbon .38 Special 110-gr. DPX

[Sir Gawain]

Taurus Ultralight .38 revolver or check out Ruger .380 LCP auto or Taurus 738 TCP.

[GladesGuru]

“Do not accept a Lorcin/Jimenez,Bryco-Jennings or AMT even as a gift.”

Correct! Sens those AMT’s to me for safe disposal. I’ll even pay for them.

;-)

A friend’s AMT .45 is slightly smaller than his Walther PPS, but slightly thicker and heavier. And, the trigger is atrociously heavy.

But, big holes punched with the minimum sized CCW gun.

[investigateworld]

Another vote for 2 inch, hammer concealed .38 Cal. revolvers. Very popular with undercover type LEOs, of both the male and female variety.

[Vendome]

Kimber Tac II 4”, .45 hollow points.

[GladesGuru]

“if you choose any revolver, leave the hammer resting in an empty cylinder except at a range.”

With all due respect, that is only true for revolvers without a transfer bar, like older Colts, etc.

[DarthVader]

I have the SP101 in .357 Magnum and there are some awesome 38 special (+P) and (+P+) loads that a small woman can handle but the .327 Federal Magnum can give the lady greater hitting power especially in 110 & 115 grain which can come close to some .357 Magnum ballistic performance.

[redstateconfidential]

AMT 45 okay, but Backup, try the “safety” on any of em,..PHew.

[Polynikes]

“Get a good “dirk”.
5-6 inch blade is meant to be used up close, easy to shove up to the hilt with little effort and has an immediate effect on any attacker.
Also easy to conceal.”

Be carefull with “dirks”. They are illegal to carry concealed in many jurisdictions and carry felony implications. Try not to carry anything you cannot explain away. A concealed5-6” fixed blade “dirk” or dagger is more potential trouble than a pistol.

As a bladed backup I like http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php They are a bit pricey but almost impossible to dislodge from your grip,fast,concealable,cut like a larger knife and can be deployed and used in conjunction with a pistol. The size usually falls under legal maximums for concealed fixed blades. Sort of makes you a human “velociraptor”

[redstateconfidential]

Fine then, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa_7iFtiruU

[GladesGuru]

“AMT 45 okay, but Backup, try the “safety” on any of em,..PHew.”

My .380 AMT, from long ago, had both a grip and lever safety. The .45 is DAO and has no safety.

[redstateconfidential]

Safety lever on 9/10 Amt backups I have handled allow trigger pull from 1/8” to half travel.The best one I have ever seen is my friends that is at 1/2.

[PapaBear3625]

Only YOU can determine what fits your hand, and what weight and recoil you are able to handle. If you're putting holes in the center of the target at reasonable range (and not tearing up your hand), you can handle it.

The ideal carry gun is one you can carry comfortably AND which you can practice with comfortably. If the recoil is such that it hurts, you will not put in the practice time with it, and you NEED to put in regular practice.

[Voice of Reason88]

Good point.

Remember that like a Lot of people you can always buy one and then sell it privately and get another if it isn't exactly what you want.

[Armedanddangerous]

A good self defense handgun for small-handed persons is the Kahr P-9 9mm. It is a single stack and carries 7 or 8 rounds.

You may also opt for a smith and wesson airweight J frame snubby revolver such as the model 642.(what I carry)

[piytar]

Dirks are also illegal as heck in most states, I believe. Even with a CCW permit.

Does that make sense? Nope, but there it is...

[ExSoldier]

Speaking as an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor with 20+ years of experience I can definitively say that size of the individual has just ZERO to do with this discussion. I taught my daughter to shoot when she was ten. Started off on a 22LR and by the time she was 13 (LITTLE GIRL, too!) she was a bullsyse shooter with a 357 magnum. Her little friend down the street was a "preemie" baby. Her dad (recently passed away) was one of my instructor buddies. That little girl with the spindly arms and legs was a bullseye shooter with a 44 magnum by the time she was 15. For her sweet 16 she brought down a 400 pound wild boar in central Florida with said 44. That pig fed over 35 guests at the restaurant that cooked it up for us. Sweet 16!

My wife is another example. VERY first date? To church. Second date? To the range. Although she'd been raised as a USMC brat and around guns, I still taught her and she immediately lusted after my beloved 1911A1 45ACP. To keep the family peace (piece?) I had to buy her her own Commander 45.

If you are properly instructed there is no reason you can't shoot any caliber you choose. That is a personal choice based on your hand configuaration and what simply "feels right" in your grip. Pay no attention to folks who give specific caliber and brand recommendations unless they're your family. I think the freepers I've pinged would agree with my assessment. I usually take my "client" to a gun show as I did this past weekend and let her handle a plethora of firearms. When she finds the "right one" she will EXCLAIM this is the one! And she'll be correct as sure as the boy King drew the sword from the stone. You just know it feels right. Size is irrelevant as is caliber as long as it's not too small to be decisive in a fight for your life. To that other factors come into play like age related medical conditions or current physical disabilities, etc. But fo a normal healthy female adult there are no options off the table.