I previously published this a few years ago and with new people visiting the site thought it would be a good idea to bring it back around. – Rourke
There’s no such thing as a handgun that is best for women. Everyone regardless of gender has strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. The old adage….“Just get her a revolver” is both an insult and dangerous. Far too often a woman walks into a gun shop with very little experience and is sold a revolver. I understand the concept, however, every owner of a gun should practice and train so they are capable – no matter the gender. Most women(and men) are perfectly capable of shooting Glocks, 1911’s, Sheilds, etc.
So, why not treat a woman as a shooter rather than an incapable victim? The reason might be as simple as people are resistant to change. Come on guys, how many of us have dreamed of being the hero and saving the damsel in distress? To believe that women are just as capable of defending themselves may play physiological chess with your manhood, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are.
The video below shows a competitive 13-year-old girl demonstrating that almost anyone with sufficient training can be very capable and proficient.
Now that I’ve stirred a hornet’s nest…bring it!
Rourke
You only stirred a hornets nest to those who are too ignorant and don’t know what they are talking about. There I said it. I don’t care either. Many men can’t shoot those cute “women’s “ guns properly so why on earth would one suggest that to a woman? I know plenty of women who shoot glock 19/17s smith m&p and one who runs a beretta 92x at idpa. We really need to start slaughtering some sacred cows and this is one of them.
Ya know .. any weapon employed confidently is better than the best weapon poorly employed. Until you use it, you don’t REALLY know how it’s going to go. Training and muscle memory get you there, and make you effective.
I foolishly chose a weapon for my wife .. and it worked fine. She was a little resistant. Next we went to a couple ranges that had a use whatever rental you want as long as you buy the ammo day. She tried maybe 8, and settle on one she liked and was willing to carry .. no big deal. The way she holds it and her body language when she does is totally different, than the one I got for her.
So cool all done right? Nope. I asked if I could have the other for a secondary and she said no. Well, so much for that!
Still in all, the objective was to have her as safe as she can be, if I am not there to help. Mission accomplished. A side benefit is she no longer is quite as questioning when stuff shows up that might be related.
The difference is CHOICE! that might be applicable in lots of cases. (see what I did there? and no politics)
GG58
Fit is important along with hand strength. Some women cannot “rack” the slide on a semi-auto. Some can’t do a double action trigger pull on a DA-only revolver.
That being said I’d go with a exposed hammer .38 Special (not a Taurus) or a 9mm Glock 43X.
I’m going to agree with both GG and JP. I grew up around guns, but I was never comfortable with the feel of my dad’s pistols. I have wide hands but short, stubby fingers, and I was always afraid I was going to drop it at the worst possible moment. As an adult, I fell in love with .38 Special revolvers. I may have to reload more often, but I’m able to hold them securely.
Yes the one they can hit the target with!! My wife settled on a Glock 48 after having a Glock 19. Proud of her and of her obtaining her LTC. Now the real training begins!!! She is a recovering liberal who did not like guns and now she’s proud conservative and a pistol packing momma. There is hope for the world yet!!!
A J frame is the perfect first gun or lady’s gun and it teaches them critical skills they must have BEFORE owning a semi auto.
Guns like Glocks are merely a accident waiting to happen for new shooters so i never recommend anything like that for new shooters.
I have seen hundreds of people that should never have bought a semi auto show up at the range over the decades and it’s only getting worse because of all the youtube channels that do nothing but review the latest semi autos.
Good points Jim. That’s part of my issue with blanket recommendations that women should simply get a revolver. I’ve seen elderly women or those with weak hand strength get sold a revolver and then they struggle to pull the trigger. Something like a S&W EX380 would have been a better choice but every gun owner should get training. Far too often they buy the gun, put it in their bedside drawer, and then feel safe.