Posted: 2/19/2010 4:23:32 AM EDT
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I am a young woman who is interested in concealed carry. I live in Virginia and now have my CC permit, but since I am new to the handgun world I'm interested in feedback on recommended firearms.
I want to make a good investment, but also not spend a huge amount of money. Maybe $750 is my limit, this time around. For the record, I am pretty slight, so concealed for me probably means purse or bag carrying. |
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What kind of handguns have you shot so far? In what calibers?
Do you have any predetermined requirements? Manual safety a must? DA/SA desired or not? Auto or revolver? My initial recommendations, without knowing the answer to the above questions, for purse carry would be a Glock 19, a S&W M&P9c, a S&W 3913, or a SIG P239. All would work for purse carry, but will give you enough of a pistol in your hand that you should still enjoy shooting them, thus practice more and be more proficient. |
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Quoted:
Find a range where you can rent handguns and try a bunch. Pick the one that fits your hand the best, and that you can shoot the best. Oh, and happy shooting  +1 Maybe go into the hometown forum and ask for gun shop recommendations in your area that have a good selection of rental handguns. |
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My wife tips the scales at about 100lbs and has little to no trouble carrying a Ruger LCP IWB in a Crossbreed holster. You may be 'slight' but that might not preclude you carrying on your person. The advantage of purse-carry is that you can carry a lot more firepower than a tiny .380. I don't like the disadvantage of purse-carry in that it is way too easy to lose/steal. I can think of few times that my wife left her purse somewhere unattended - I cannot say the same for her belt.
-TD |
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I'm going to suggest a Smith and Wesson Chief's Special.
1) Different intensities of ammunition can be used without affecting the operation of the gun. 2) Grips can be acquired in different shapes and sizes, allowing better fit to hand. 3) Among the safest firearms made, yet has no additional safety mechanisms. 4) Allows for an outstanding single action trigger pull, which is important to the new shooter learning to shoot a pistol for the first time. 5) Among the lightest and most concealable firearms. 6) Simple to operate and load. If I'm going somewhere remote, I carry a Glock. All other times I carry a Smith. A gun doesn't have much utility if you don't have it with you. The Smith never intrudes! |
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I hate to make a harry potter reference, but the gun will choose you. With this in mind, you probably need to get your hands on a variety and see which ones work for you. I carry a Glock 36, with a Kahr PM9 backup. Glock 36 is slim and is a potent .45. The PM9 is tiny and a arguably less potent 9mm. I wouldn't hesitate to carry the Kahr PM9 by itself. Both weapons have the best defense hollowpoints available. Gold Dots or Golden Sabre. I would suggest you pick up a book before you make any decisions as well: Massad Ayoob http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Digest-Book-Concealed-Carry/dp/0896896110 It covers all the issues that you will confront. Good luck! More women should arm themselves. Especially small cute ones. |
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Not knowing much about you I am going to assume you have almost no experience with handguns. Sorry if I am mistaken.
I would suggest you buy a good 22 and a compact/medium sized 9mm or 38/357. You could easily do both for $800. The 22 will allow you to learn all the fundamentals with almost no recoil and little expense and be fun to shoot. A medium/compact 9mm will not be painful to shoot, and easily fit in a purse or on your person. A small 38/357 revolver will also easily fit in a purse or on your person and have manageable recoil with 38 rounds in it. Go to a gun store and hold a few then find a way to rent/borrow your top choices before you buy. Being male I have never carried a gun in a purse but I would think a revolver or a pistol with a manual safety would be required. I say this because I expect the gun would not be secured like it would in a holster and there would be more opportunity for an accidental discharge. I know this would be true of any of my wife's purses. I will leave it to someone with actual experience to correct me. |
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Congratulations on your choices, and welcome to AR15.com!
There is a WOMEN SHOOTER'S FORUM, where you may get some good answers. Not that any of the above posters are wrong mind you... but advice from another woman may be more appropriate. Once again, WELCOME! |
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Seems like you've been here a couple months, but welcome to the forum. Some of this might be an echo to what was already posted. First, if you're completely new to firearms - see if you can take a basic NRA pistol shooting course or something of the like. Doesn't have to be too fancy and are not usually too expensive. Familiarization to different types of firearms, safety, fundamentals to basic shooting, etc. Second, I'd suggest something chambered in .22lr and get good with it. It's cheap to practice with and works wonders for fundamentals (even after you "step up" to a centerfire "service" caliber). Third, see if you can find a range that rents a good selection of pistols - both semi-automatics and revolvers. Don't be afraid to ask questions to the counter guy and here. Be sure to shop around and be an informed buyer. Even if you want to order something out of state and have it delivered to an FFL, it's a pretty straight forward process (well, for most states. Dunno about VA, though I think it's still a free state) that can be walked through fairly easily. Ask around to your hometown forum and more people could have some better advice to what's available in your area. Be safe! |
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Small Pistols: Pros: small concealable you're more likely to have one on you when the time times Cons: usually chambered in a "weaker" round lower capacity smaller guns can be harder to shoot due to small sights and small frames small guns are usually more prone to mechanical issues and ammo sensitivity if chambered in a more powerful round, recoil can become an issue very quickly Large Pistols: Pros: easier to handle with more powerful ammunition easier to control with a larger frame more prominent controls for easier manipulation and larger sights Cons: can be heavy less likely to carry it for extended periods less concealable the higher the capacity, the heavier it gets. Like others have said go shoot some pistols and pick which one best suits your needs. Do not let the gunshop guy tell you what you need. You will not likely get a return on your "investment" unless it happens to save your life. Look at some of the following: Glock Model 26 (small automatic) Glock Model 19 (medium automatic) (either of the above could be replaced by the medium and compact Springfield XDs or S&W M&P series) Ruger LCR (lightweight revolver) Browning Hipower (larger automatic; very substantial; somewhat complicated and requires care) If you really want to go small: Ruger LCP Walther PPK Keltec P3AT Sig P238 Like I listed in the con's section, the can be somewhat finicky so make sure you fire several hundred rounds through them to ensure reliable function. |
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Before spending any money go shopping. Buying a gun is no different then buying a pair of shoes or a bra. Fit is what counts.. Find what is comfortable for you. Probably the most comfortable gun I have is a Colt Lawman. A really nice feel. The second best for me is the FN Five Seven. Let me tell you it almost feels like a part of my hand. Again you need to go out and handle as many guns as you can. Shoot them if you can. Also another pistol I really like is the S&W M&P 9mm. I also would like to suggest a Sig 232..
Just spend some time checking out what is available. Go to different gun shops. go visit a local range and watch the shooters. If there are IPSC or IDPA clubs in your area visit with them. Watch. Take the time to make an informed decision and when you do you will learn how enjoyable it is to spend a day at the range with friends poking holes in paper or shooting at steel poppers that I swear shrik before my very eyes when I'm up to shoot.. |
| Stay away from an LCP unless you plan on never practicing, Them SOB's hurt to shoot. Every female that's shot my P32 has loved it and even though the cartridge is a little weak, I don't feel that much undergunned when loaded with alternating FMJ's and corbon's in the mag plus you can get 10+1 capacity. For more knockdown power but less capacity, a small 38 revolver would be a good choice. If your'e looking for a fullsize gun, then for the money your'e willing to spend, it would be best to just try a few different ones to see which one feels better and shoots better for you. You can get any of the good brands for that kinda money. |
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I recommend a revolver. Autos require a good firm grip to allow the gun to cycle reliably, and it may take some time for you to build the specific muscles used for this. There are numerous ways to jam an automatic, including getting a thumb against the slide when you shoot, not having a good firm grip, having ammo that the gun doesn't like, etc. Revolvers are pretty fool-proof when you shoot them. I'd recommed you buy a nice .357 magnum, but only shoot standard .38 special loads (not 38 Special +P, and definitely not 357 magnums). This will be comfortable for you to shoot, but will retain more resale value since it's a .357.
If your hands are big enough, I'd get a S&W K frame. If not, a J frame Professional model. The extra weight will make it easier to shoot. It will be an inconvenience to carry that weight, but in the words of the immortal prophet, carrying a gun is supposed to be conforting, not comfortable. Hornady Critical Defence ammo would be good. Get some wadcutters to practice with, as the recoil will be very mild. Do a lot of dry-fire practice at home, and do all of your work double action. |
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$750 is plenty to get a quality firearm. I would highly suggest renting a few guns and see what you like. If you're new to shooting I would recommend taking a friend who knows guns with you to give you some tips. It took my fiancée a little bit to learn to operate the slide, she lacks the hand strength to operate the slide without using a certain technique.
I would suggest you try a small .38 spl revolver, something like a 640 or 442 these small wheel guns are pretty simple to operate, thought they're not the most fun to shoot. Also check out some compact/subcompact 9mm's Glock 19 or 26, S&W M&P 9c, XD 9. Make sure to take a look in the ammo forum at the best defensive round FAQ so you can get some quality rounds for whatever you settle on. |
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Quoted: Find a range where you can rent handguns and try a bunch. Pick the one that fits your hand the best, and that you can shoot the best. Oh, and happy shooting Do this, and start with a full size handgun. The smaller handguns are harder to use and train with. Buying a handguns isn't like buying a rifle. A properly designed rifle will fit almost anybody. On the other hand a handgun has to have a more tailored to fit us more than a long gun since our physique is quite different from one another. When you get your handgun get trained from somebody with reputable credentials too. The training is the most important thing you can do. It's even more important than buying the handgun; since if you don't know how to use it then it's pretty much useless. |
