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

[NCBraveheart]

Walther PPK/S or a Bersa Thunder .380

[Pessimist]

A .380 is usually considered the minimum self defense weapon, and particularly good for ladies.

I guess if you were set on a revolver, you might try a .32 (although you sure don’t see many around...).

[rae4palin]

Smith & Wesson Model 442 .38sp. Very light. Hammerless. Can also get same frame is smaller caliber. .38sp may have more kick than you want. I just got one & love it. (I’m a guy) Check out the S&W website.

[taxcontrol]

Try a .38 or 9 mm. If you can find a friend or gun shop that will let you try before you buy, see how a compensated model feels.

[DarthVader]

Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum

[ArrogantBustard]

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

Good plan.

No ...

BRILLIANT Plan.

And don't let anybody, no matter how supposedly expert or seemingly well meaning tell you what's right for you.

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.

[taxcontrol]

Also, consider being accurate is FAR more important than the size or speed of the bullet. I knew a little lady that could shoot the eyes out of the target at 25 feet. I dont care if it is a .22 .... being able to shoot the eye at will will put anyone down and in a hurry.

And as always ... practice, practice practice and then more practice.

[Jagdgewehr]

Best answer yet.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

I am not a petite woman (actually not even a woman) but I want a Ruger LCP .380 just for ease of transport and handling.

[Mr. Jazzy]

Good call. My wife tried the Bersa 380 and thought it was a little too heavy for her hand. She was used to firing a .22 and I wanted her to move up and the 442 fit the bill.

[Tenacious 1]

You will get a lot of opinions here. Here is mine and the logic that goes into it.

The best all around handgun for self defense for carry or in the house for a petite woman is a hammerless snub-nosed .38. If you want even less kick purchase a snub-nosed .357 and load it with .38s.

(1) It is easy to load and unload.
(2) There is no slide to chamber a round
(3) There is no chance of jambing
(4) If a round does not go off when you squeeze the trigger, pull the trigger again
(5) There is no hammer to catch on the purse or pocket when you have to draw it in a panic.
(6) It is always double action so there is no easy trigger pull to cause an accident.
(7) .38 is cheap to practice with
(8) Revolvers are less maintenance and more reliable with fewer moving parts.
(9) It is a cost effective firearm compared to a semi-auto (most cases)
(10) Always very easy to conceal.

It is certainly not a sexy weapon, but it is my and my wife's primary carry weapon. We have .357s. She loads with .38 and I load with .357.

Practice safety and practice often. Good Luck and welcome to the club.

[jongaltsr]

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.

[Disambiguator]

The small framed S&Ws (J-frame) and Rugers (SP101) are worth looking into in revolvers. The Rugers are chunkier than the Smiths, which helps tame the recoil, but makes them more noticeable (to the carrier, not to onlookers) when carrying due to the extra weight.

[US Navy Vet]

I agree w/ you as far as the Ruger SP101 part only chamber it in .357 Magnum(you can shoot .38 Spec out of it too).

[redstateconfidential]

Anything in a 327 Magnum. Some here won't like a Keltec P3AT(380), mines never had a failure to feed.And a lifetime warranty.Or a Ruger LCP with Red dot

[AdamBomb]

Don’t buy anything until you at least look at the Ruger LCP.

[grady]

+1 on the S&W 442(blued) or 642(stainless). Load w/ +P ammo. Small and light enough to go with you everywhere, every time you leave the house.

[goseminoles]

I agree with you. Being a man, I especially can’t tell a petite woman what to shoot. Some women love the small frame Glock which is entirely too small for me. I would also advise her to actually shoot and not just hold the gun. A small frame .357 is usually too much to hold on to for most men.

[isthisnickcool]

The S&W 442 is a great suggestion.