Best handgun for a lady?

Shooter13

Hi everyone, so a friend who is a woman asked what handgun would be best for her. She is a single mom in a bad neighborhood and wants something just in case.. Few things she mentioned was she wants 1. Semi 2. Reliable 3. Small 4. Low recoil 5. Thumb safety. (I know).. And must be under $450-500 max

She liked the size and feel of my shield but cringed when I said it was 9mm. So here are some guns I recommended.

Ruger LC380 (lc9 in 380)
Walther PK380
Bersa Thunder380.
S&W Bodyguard380

I don't have any personal experience with .380 other than the lcp but it has no safety, and according to my wife kicks like a .40. Does anyone have any experience with the handguns mentioned above ?? And is there anything else to consider?? Thanks!

centermass556

The one she can consistently hit the X ring with....and I would recommend a revolver, less things to worry about.

Snaketail

I used to work for Cabela's - in the Gun Library, where people brought back guns that they didn't like and wanted to "exchange" them (don't try it - Cabela's doesn't take 'em back). We had many women bring back the Rugers - the little .380 will still bite the hand pretty good. Light weight is not the friend of women shooters - so the S&W Bodyguard is out. I suggest a S&W Model 36 - heavy enough to tame recoil and powerful enough (.38 spl) to do the job.
I've seen Bersa's hang up a lot on the range - they might improve with more rounds shot.
The best of your lot might be the Walther.
But for simple/reliable protection a S&W J frame revolver is hard to beat. Just point and squeeze the trigger - will work 5 out of 5 times.

LMLarsen

If it's for the home, I suggest a medium frame .38 revolver. Simple to operate for a non-enthusiast, low recoil, and within her price range.

Gene L

I'd say ask the lady. Kinda like asking which pair of shoes for a lady. Small and low recoil don't go together, usually. Gotta compromise one of these two things. The .380 LCPs will bite a new shooter. She can learn to cope with the gentle recoil of a 9mm, but will never be able to shrink a large frame revolver.

A J-frame .38 will also bite an inexperienced shooter, and don't lend themselves to accuracy. Shooting one can be discouraging.

Weatherby

Is it for EDC or strictly at home?

bisley

I think she needs to bend a little on her requirements, so as to allow a 9mm. She needs to learn to handle the recoil....380 is just not enough if you seriously believe you might have to use it. I have one, but I almost never carry it because I lack confidence in it's penetration with hollow point ammo, and I lack confidence in my ability to pinpoint a shot, when shooting FMJ.

If the Springfield XDs is out yet in 9mm, I'm betting it would be the tamest of the polymer semi-autos, based on my experience with the .45 - if not, a Kahr K,P, or CW series. Neither have lever safeties, though. I haven't fired a Shield or an LC-9, so I don't know about how they shoot. Either way, it's going to take a lot of practice to get a brand new shooter hitting anything with a subcompact.

A G-19 or a XD-9 would be the most sensible to me, because both are easy to shoot well. But neither comes very close to her criteria. In a revolver, whatever is the modern equivalent of a S&W Model 10 would be my first choice. I have one for my wife that she thinks is purty, but still hasn't showed an interest in actually firing it. It is very mild and easy to shoot well.

breamfisher

Has she ever fired a 9mm? If her extent of knowledge is based on a LCP in .380, she's getting a twisted idea of recoil based on firing that round in a very small pistol.

Shooter13

It will be home/glovebox. Small just because she has small hands.. I know the Walthers is big enough to reduce recoil, but I don't have any experience with them., so not sure how reliable they are..
Does anyone have one of the new Ruger LC380 (not LCP)?
She has some rifle shooting experience so she is not 100% new to guns.. A revolver was my first choice but she wants semi.. I really just don't like recommending something I have no experience with, all my guns are 9mm-40, and bigger rifle loads.. Thanks.

LMLarsen

In that case, how about an S&W M&P 9 compact? It's a bit bigger than the Shield, and recoil is mild. My Wife stole mine.

samzhere

Okay, some personal observations to add to the excellent advice you've already received...

A couple years ago my then-girlfriend, when asked what she wanted for Valentines, said she'd like a small pistol for self defense. She already had a little KelTec .380 that I'd bought her used, but she wanted something a bit larger.

Now my gf was very petite and slender, 5'5" and maybe 115lbs, in decent physical shape but by no means an athlete. She's a small woman.

We went shopping and first we looked at the new Springfield XDM in 9mm but it was too large for her hands, a double-stack magazine and fairly long magazine/grip too, a bit too big to conceal easily.

Per the good suggestions here, we also looked at a nice Kahr 9mm and she picked that, I forget the exact model, but a single-stack pistol, fit her hand just fine and she liked its general size.

At the range she really enjoyed shooting the 9mm. Since the gun was larger and therefore had more mass than the KelTec .380, the recoil was easily manageable and she never had fatigue or any other negatives. She also practiced, at my insistence, with +P CorBon ammo which of course would be her self defense load, and yes the recoil was snappy but no it was not a problem.

I'd highly recommend that your friend consider a midsize 9mm such as the Kahr. It's also a soliid, reliable pistol and a good bargain, too.

There's a common concept that revolvers are simpler than autos and therefore a better choice for newbies. Revolvers have their own problems -- they are usually not as slim as an auto and with snubbies, can be quite snappy in the grip and hard to aim due to the very short barrel. Even a novice can learn to clean and care for an auto, especially the very reliable and durable way they're made these days.

Don't rule out the revolver, just make it a possible choice. But persuade your friend that a mid-size 9mm will be quite manageable to shoot.

Be sure to keep us informed on the outcome.

REDDEVIL

+ million for bersa thunder 380

Gene L

A point against the Kahr is that the recoil spring is very strong, especially when new, and I could barely chamber a round myself, at first. It gets better. Also the break in is 200 rounds. Although you might not need that much.

Antonio

Bersa Thunder. For the price, a surplus Russian PM Makarov in 9mm Makarov might also work. I'd label the other guns in the list as backup pistols rather than primary weapons.

All the Walther PK380s I've seen around here had issues regarding ammo, magazines and small internal parts that make them, at least from my point of view, somewhat unreliable so I don't trust them at all. Will rather have an old, trusty PPK.

In my experience, Ruger's LC380 has an awful trigger, uncomfortable grip and practically no sights. Would only consider it as a backup gun for VERY close, almost contact, distances.

Some urban women with little or no previous firearm training or exposure have issues with handguns due to overall size, recoil, weight, lack of strength to operate the slide or even point & aim the gun, magazine loading, grip size (And having to hold it with small hands, long nails, jewelry or all of the above), noise, "too many buttons & levers" (Safety, trigger, magazine release & slide lock) and fear of children getting access to the firearm. Lots of shooting & handling training along with proper storage and "child-safer" carrying modes are needed to make them feel secure and confident about handling and owning a gun.

If home invasion is the most feared risk (Among females it's usually the one) , better to invest in making the hose safer from intruders (Window & door bars, alarms, locks, motion sensors, proper lightning, etc.) before buying a gun as first step.

Shooter13

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I did mention to her to get an alarm, or even a dog.. Knowing I have an alarm at my house makes me sleep better knowing I will at least have a warning if something ever happens..

So I recommend a near by gun shop that rents guns so she can get educated, and try a couple of the .380s I mentioned., the Walther, Bersa, and Bodyguard. I also offered to go with her and let her shoot a couple of my 9s to let her feel the difference and maybe be more open to a 9mm. Thanks all, I will post back after this weekend to see how it goes!!

JKP

Glock 19.

samzhere

Gene L wrote: »

A point against the Kahr is that the recoil spring is very strong, especially when new, and I could barely chamber a round myself, at first. It gets better. Also the break in is 200 rounds. Although you might not need that much.

For some reason, my ex didn't have any problems racking the slide on her new Kahr (P9 I think was the model). And as I said, she's very petite and not strong, not athletic but indeed quite fit. Anyway, as we all know, occasionally a specific pistol is a bit troublesome out of the box, maybe the slide in yours was a teeny bit too tight or something? At the gun store, my gf had no problems with the slide -- the people at the LGS were excellent, by the way, taking plenty of time helping her and showing her various models.

Gene L

Alan_Hicks wrote: »

I think she needs to redefine her criteria. Since you said it's going to be mostly for home defense and in the glove box of her car, the benefits of any of the sub compacts are negated leaving only their disadvantages.

The first thing that jumps to my mind for under $500 with a manual safety is a RIA 1911. They make a 9mm GI model in addition to the .45 Auto, but she should probably rent a .45 1911 and try firing it a few times just to get an idea of the firearm. I would think the steel frame should soak up the recoil of a 9mm until it feels like a hot rimfire. The thing I don't like about the GI model of the RIA in 9mm is the traditional GI sights. RIA makes a tactical model with Novak style sights, but the MSRP is a touch over $600.

That's bad advice in light of the fact that she wants a small pistol. The 1911 is a belt gun, not a handbag gun.

sarg1c

centermass556 wrote: »

The one she can consistently hit the X ring with....and I would recommend a revolver, less things to worry about.

I agree first sergeant. A S/W airweight would be trouble free and very easy to carry.


A revolver would not bite any more than an Auto if not held proper... The small airweights are rated +p, but would too harsh for a small lady that's not used to shooting pistols....

Gene L

Her criteria... Few things she mentioned was she wants 1. Semi 2. Reliable 3. Small 4. Low recoil 5. [thumb safety. Neither the small revolver nor the full-size auto fits these requirements. They're almost impossible, in fact, to meet. While both the S&W and the 1911 are excellent choices for someone else, they don't meet the specs.

The S&W Shield is small, reliable, semi, relatively low recoil, and has a thumb safety. To my knowledge, it's the only handgun that fills all these requirements.

LMLarsen

The M&P9c can be had with a thumb safety. But you're correct on all other counts.

Reading is fundamental.

Gene L

Yes, I have an MP 9, no C. It's a great pistol, bigger perhaps than I'd chose for a woman, side-to-side. It's wide, double stack. Mine has a bad habit of hitting me in the forehead with the ejected brass, a problem no one else has.

samzhere

Have to make a sidebar comment... this forum is excellent! Any time a question arises, we've got numerous good suggestions, some may not always fit the original query totally but they may also tend to provide slight alternatives that the originator hadn't thought about. Nevertheless we get so many good replies and always a cogent discussion. The best!

tv_racin_fan

Gene L wrote: »

Her criteria... Few things she mentioned was she wants 1. Semi 2. Reliable 3. Small 4. Low recoil 5. [thumb safety. Neither the small revolver nor the full-size auto fits these requirements. They're almost impossible, in fact, to meet. While both the S&W and the 1911 are excellent choices for someone else, they don't meet the specs.

The S&W Shield is small, reliable, semi, relatively low recoil, and has a thumb safety. To my knowledge, it's the only handgun that fills all these requirements.

I believe some Kahr models can be had with a safety.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9-w-Night-Sights-External-Safety-and-LCI.asp

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9-w-Night-Sights-External-Safety-and-LCI.asp

Shooter13

I'm getting a lot of good advice guys thanks so much.. I'm not giving up on her getting a 9mm over a .380 because this will allow a lot of good reliable guns for her to consider..

Also I'm starting to wonder if there would be a good market for an M&P Shield380?? Personally I would pass,(my first rifle was 30-06, n first handgun was in .40. But it would be a perfect gun for newbies, recoil shy men/women, young/older shooters that have trouble racking slide..etc. why not.

breamfisher

Uh... I think the Shield's only in 9mm or .40.

A problem with most .380s is that they are blowback: the only thing holding the slide closed at the moment of firing is slide mass and a recoil spring. If you find one that's locked breech, you'll have a lighter recoil spring because the barrel locks into the slide, holding it shut.

Shooter13

breamfisher wrote: »

Uh... I think the Shield's only in 9mm or .40.

A problem with most .380s is that they are blowback: the only thing holding the slide closed at the moment of firing is slide mass and a recoil spring. If you find one that's locked breech, you'll have a lighter recoil spring because the barrel locks into the slide, holding it shut.

I know it only comes in 9mm & .40, I have one in 9mm. What I am saying is that it would make sense to make a shield in .380.
It would be a better gun to shoot than the tiny Ruger LCP, and LC380 (I shot an LC9 n chose the Shield) it would be like a modern Walther PPK.. Smaller, lighter and reliable,, cheaper..

bowserb

I know a few women who carry and like the G19. Also A LOT of men who like it. She should at least try one. And please don't leave it in the car!


Please excuse typos. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

shawn1172

Ruger LC9 fits the bill. Don't know why the eversion to a 9mm. It's what my gf picked out when I took her gun shopping and she shoots hers and mine just fine.

bowserb

shawn1172 wrote: »

Ruger LC9 fits the bill. Don't know why the eversion to a 9mm. It's what my gf picked out when I took her gun shopping and she shoots hers and mine just fine.

Our host, Guns and Ammo's sister publication, Handguns, has a report on the new LC380 in the current issue. The LC380 is the same as the LC9, just rechambered for .380. If that caliber is the make or break deal, it might be a solution. Apparently it is larger than the LCP, so it's easier to hold onto (I know that's always a problem for me with small handguns). It comes with one magazine but an alternate base plate that looks like a Pearce Grip baseplate and gives a little curved extension for the little finger.

I still say, though, if you don't at least look at a G19, you may regret it. A year and a half after selling mine to a friend, I regret doing that, even though he thanks me about once every couple months for selling it to him.

North Forest

Well since we bought an LC380 for my wife I thought I'd add some input here. When we went gun shopping for her I had ideas about what I wanted here to have, thinking it would be her carry gun, like a Kahr 9, an M&P Shield, or maybe one of the compact Springfields. But ultimately I let it be her decision, and she chose the LC380. Now, after she has practiced with it, she doesn't care for it too much, saying that its a bit snappy in the hand and hard to be consistently accurate with it. She now prefers my XD9 and shoots quite well with it, and she says she feels more confident with the larger gun, but she doesn't want to go up to a .40 or .45. I've shot her LC380 a few times and had no problems other than not liking the long trigger pull, which I think could actually make it awkward to pull off a quick 3 tap in a defense situation.