Posted: 11/20/2006 9:28:41 AM EDT
If there is someplace or someone you know that will let you try out different ones that would be the way to go so you can get a feel what you are comfortable with. Unless you have tried it and like it, there is no sense in buying something that will end up as a safe queen. We all are different so asking us what we like or carry you will get a wide range of answers. In pistols I go with what fits my hand. Now I have already told hubby he has to get me a 1911 since I love his. Just my .02
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Any gun ranges around you that will let you rent pistols? Some gun stores have indoor ranges you can rent/try before you buy. When you go the gun store, if you don't have your hubby with you, don't let them talk you into a tiny gun because it's cute or your a lady. Find something smallish and compact (you mentioned you wanted to carry it with you) that fits your hand well in a caliber that is reasonably effective most of the time, .380, 9mm, .357 sig, .40 s&w, for the most part these calibers are found in semi-automatic pistols. Some gal's like revolvers.... in which case .38 special and .357 magnum would be a good place to start. Have fun! |
To reiterate what the others have said, you really need to shoot several different handguns in order to see what you like. A 1911 may fit well in my hand, but not in yours. You just need to try some out to see what you're comfortable with and what fits well with you. 
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(I armed/taught my mother, sister, and wife and, Lord willing, will someday do the same for my impending twins, so please forgive my intrusion into No-Y-Chromosome Land...  )May I ask how you intend to carry this firearm, eventually? That can sometimes place very realistic limitations/requirements on your choice of a handgun.
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To be honest, I never thought about where I would carry the gun (my person or my purse). I never thought that would really make a difference. I guess it would make more sense to carry it somewhere on me. Like I stated before, the world of firearms is relativly new to me, as you all can tell. I was just looking for some guidance, but I guess I'll just wait and go to the gun store with my husband. Sorry for the silly questionh.gif |
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Nothing silly at all about your question IMHO. I only asked how you plan to carry because it can significantly impact choice and should (IMO) be considered before/along with the purchase. Might I humbly suggest you look into dedicated gun-purses/holster-purses when the time comes? There are some high-quality units out there -- this is how my wife carries all the time (my mother and sister are more of the "in the car & house but not on me" mindset, my best efforts to the contrary notwithstanding  ).
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Thanks HardShellhere I know what it's like when someone comes into your world, totally clueless, and although the answer(s) seem obvious to you, the other person just might not know a drop about the subject. Anyways, once my husband is done with school for the semester, we're going to go to the gun store and find something that fits well in my hands. He knows a lot, but I thought I would just find out what types of guns other women carry. |
 I don't want to burst your bubble, but the borderline communist state of CA makes it virtually impossible to carry concealed. Perhaps you live in a county where the LE agency won't have a problem signing off on the concealed carry permit, but those are among the few. As for buying that handgun, go to a dealer with a wide selection of brands and models. Hold each one and see if the controls and ultimately, ergonomics, work for you. If it doesn't feel right when you hold it, don't buy it. Just because someone else says such and such gun is awesome doesn't always mean it will work best for you. Also be mindful of the caliber. There's a noticeable difference between the recoil of what seems to be the three most popular calibers, 9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. You may be able to use all types of calibers effectively and I encourage you to try as many as you can if you haven't done so already. Another factor is the design of the gun. For example, the Browning Hi-Power and Beretta 92/96 series are available in both 9 mm and .40 S&W, but the Hi-Power is easier to hold. I personally find the Beretta 92/96 to be obscenely bulky for a handgun that uses such a small caliber. Another example: woman I know tried out my guns and wasn't thrilled at the recoil of my Kimber Custom but was okay with my Heckler & Koch USP even though they're both .45 ACP. I hope this helps!
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Thank God my husband and I will only be here until May. He just applied to Vet school so it's either going to be NY (which I know isn't much better), CO, WI, IL, or NorCal, which will place me in the same boat. I already know that you have to have this incredible reason why you want to have a CCW...forget about protecting yourself, because apparently that's not good enough by a long shot |
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its not a silly question at all, just one that will get you as many answers as there are wimminz on the board i always suggest a small revolver to new women shooters--fewer parts, no slide to rack, harder to make a mistake loading, etc.--however, a big +1 to renting guns or shooting with friends--i have shot all of our friends handguns and know what i like and what i dont (i hate 1911's, btw  )i havent carried concealed yet, so i cant help you much with how, where and when in that area |
d_c said it how I say it every day for new women shooters who come into the shop looking for their first handgun. A small revolver is really best for any new shooter. One thing she didn't say is in a high stress situation you do not have to worry about the gun misfeeding, jamming etc. and remembering to rack the slide to clear it. With a revolver it goes bang every time you pull the trigger. I always carry my gun on my hip. if someone is coming up to rob me, the first thing he is going to try to take is my purse, leaving me defenseless if I carried in my purse. Each woman is different though and carrying on the hip requires a change in clothing tastes to help conceal the weapon. Fortunately I live in IN which is a conceal or open carry state with a license to carry, so if I don't conceal completely, it is still legal. |
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IMO, first gun should be a revolver. If you ever need it in a panic situation, it is the best thing to have. No malfunctions, no need to tap rack bang. If you pull the trigger, and it goes click, you just pull the trigger again. You don't have to worry about limp wristing. There are some great revolvers out there. And some of them are very good for carry. Good luck. No matter what you do, get out and try different types. You'll be suprised how some just fit you and some don't. TXL |
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Congrats on the decision and here's some thoughts to ponder (from a guy): - As I learned from Mas Ayoob many years ago, usually women's hand sizes and strength differ GREATLY from a man. Thus, we may mean well in making recommendations, but we really can't do more than give general advice on what to look for, otherwise what we recommend is likely NOT to work for women. - First and foremost, the potential buyer has to try the gun in their hand for "fit", can she rack the slide properly on a semi-auto? - Then the potential buyer needs to actually shoot the gun, to make sure that the recoil and ergonomics work for her. - If the gun is for carry purposes, the weight (loaded) and size has to be conducive to the way the person will carry the gun. If it is a "range gun" or a "house gun", this doesn't matter. So purpose of the gun has a lot to do with the decision of what is appropriate for the shooter and intended purpose. How do you get this info: - Reading here and elsewhere, other's advice, etc. BUT YOU must filter it and moderate it with the appropriateness for YOU. None of us can do that for you. - Try it! Find friends, gun club, rental range, gun orgs, etc. where you can try other people's guns (most of us are more than willing to share) to see what works for you. A few years ago my Wife decided to try shooting. Here's what we did: - She joined Second Amendment Sisters and attended some of their practices. Monthly here in MA they get together and share guns (SAS owns some, those with permits bring what they own, etc.) and get to try things out and see what works. - SAS CA branch www.2asisters.net/ca/index.html Just realize that they aren't well organized . . . by that I mean they don't update their website very often (every few years is typical), respond to phone calls/Email (my experience here in MA) very timely (typically weeks later). Their hearts are in the right place, and activities vary greatly depending on who is leading the state chapter. - I called a friend who had finally gotten his Wife to do some shooting and asked him to bring some guns to the range with him. My Wife focused in on the Glock 17 (9mm) and later bought one plus a S&W 64-3 4" .38Spl revolver (she liked the .38Spl revolver she shot with SAS). I had bought a Walther P22 .22LR pistol for her, but it was too fussy on ammo so we sold it and I bought her a S&W 622 .22LR pistol with red-dot scope on it (she loves it). Best of luck! And don't worry, the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask!
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