Personal protection handgun for women

[Thinkingman]

One of the smith and Wesson EZ pistols. wife got the 380 after it was recommended by her instructor. Really likes it. Easy to shoot, load. She likes it a lot more than a J frame.

Absolutely this.
Not just for women..Think of trying to manipulate controls with sweat or other fluids on your hands.
Really solid choice for SD.

 

[Trr15]

Glock 43x is worth consideration. Concealable but not so small that it makes recoil unmanageable.

 

[BjornF16]

My wife has G26, G17, Sig P226, Sig P238 and a G43. Her daily carry are P238 (body) and the G26 (purse).

My daughter just picked up Sig P365-380 for CC. She had a Walther PK380 previously (not for on person cc, but in purse).

 

[MT-Native]

My girls and wife grew up shooting. Handgun wise, stated with Ruger single six when young then moved to .38 revolvers as they got older. Then on to 9mm simi autos. They all love and are very confident with with glock 17/19’s. They also have some other compact 9mm’s, but when they come home to visit now that they are both done with college, it’s always the G17’s on ‘em. They say it’s what I’ve practiced with for years and what I feel the most comfortable with if ever needed. I’m Blessed my Girls enjoyed shooting and training so much from 10 years old to now in their mid 20’s.

 

[jimh406]

A big consideration is how big their hands are. A 5’9” woman usually has a long bigger hands than a 5’2” one. They shouldn’t have to reach to press the trigger.

Many stock revolvers have 12 lb triggers or more for double action. However, that’s nothing a spring change can’t fix to drop them down to around 8 or so.

I’m just comparing Glocks, but similar comparison exist in other brands/models. Subcompacts are a lot more snappy in 9mm than 380. I think most find the 42 easier to shoot than the 43, for example. I agree the fullsize are easier to shoot. The Glock 48 is an example as a single stack. If they want a safety, S&W, Sigs, Berettas, and Rugers should be looked at.

Ideally, you can go to a range that rents and let them shoot some different models/types.

 

[Rich M]

Carry gun? LCP

I have a Sig 938 and don't care for it at all. Can shoot circles around it with an LCP. Thinking about an LC9 to replace it.

Make sure she/they shoot the gun before you buy it - see if it fits their hand. Lotsa good options out there.

 

[yfarm]

43X, bought my wife a 43, put mag extension on it as well as a ported barrel, she shoots it better but not as well as a 17 or 20.

 

[Desk Jockey]

regardless of man or woman, unless they are going to become a “shooter” and take it up as recreation, then I think a revolver is the ticket. Semiautos are often too mechanically complex for a novice. A good light j frame like a 642 is hard to beat For concealed carry. Make sure to keep it pleasant. Learn and practice with low power loads. Save the full power for defense. +p if they tolerate them.

drill from retention and close in shooting along with standard stuff.

 

[DosAmigos]

My wife carries a Sig P238HD (380) or her S&W 642 (38 sp)

 

[Gutshot007]

Folks thanks for all the great info . Feelings on revolver vs semi auto ? S & W 642 vs Ez series ?

 

[Remington92]

I love my 642 for what it is but ill tell you from personal experience unless they have lots of experience I'd say its a horrible gun for someone just starting out. We set my mom and sister up with them for Christmas a few yrs ago an they both collect dust in the safe now. Maybe unpopular opinion but I consider them more an experts gun. Long HEAVY triggers, sh!t sights, and boat load of recoil for someone unaccustomed to it. Mom upgraded to a hell cat not long after. Me and the girlfriend both run p365s (she wanted tiffany blue on hers and grip mod swaps are cheap and easy).

Ive never handled a SW EZ but everything folks tell me is its the greatest thing since sliced bread for low recoil and easy to manipulate with weaker hands.

Only time I run the 642 anymore is if its a short run and I want it to disappear in a pocket or what it does 99% of the time is live in the pickup with 2 hollow and 3 shotshells. Perfect for checking fields in thick rattle snake country.

Honestly if I was in similar boats again Id take the ladies to an indoor range that rents guns and let them pick. That or sign them up for a ladies class. Theres one guy up this way that for the ladies classes he brings in a pile of common guns and holsters and lets them try them to see what they like.

 

[WCB]

My wife hates revolvers and "likes" to shoot my Sheild. She has shot the EZ models and really likes them we just haven't purchased on yet. Trigger is too long and heavy on revolvers. She echoed my experience with revolvers that they are just not as comfortable to shoot as a semi auto. Nothing to do with recoil but just balance and functional grip etc. This was done with no input by me as she knows what she likes and I let here go at it with as minimal input from me as possible.

Keep in mind my wife grew up shooting a 12ga nova and shooting 3.5" waterfowl loads. She has a bunch of different shotguns and rifles now, and she shoots magnum caliber rifles with no issue. I know handguns/revolvers are different but recoil isn't a thing with her and she has pulled many different trigger configurations.

She also liked magazine capacity and having extra mags.

 

[Bluefish]

A J frame is not a good first gun. A revolver may be easier to load, and manipulate, but hard to shoot well. Lots of recoil, short sight radius and not all that small. The EZ 380 s&w is a far better choice. Slide force is low, magazines have a follower that can be pulled down to make loading easy, much more pleasant to shoot.

 

[Deleted member 8-15-23]

5 shot .380 with a laser.

 

[daisy024]

I have a Beretta 84F 380 and recently started shooting it again. Was very fun for target shooting in handgun league.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Im envious of my wife's p365 xl comp rose.

Think about to upgrade from my original p364

 

[Vern400]

Starting to look at handguns for wife and daughter .( Obviously needs to fit them properly ) any standouts in brands or ,versions you guys are recommending ? Preferred calibers 380 vs 9 mm etc ? It will be a conceal carry weapon . Thanks

You shouldn't be looking to buy a handgun for your wife or daughter. If they don't go and they don't pick it out, it'll be the wrong one.

A lady I know picked a Taurus 85 with a crimson trace grip. Squeezing the middle finger activates the laser. I handled in the gun and thought "not bad .."

Out in public she's probably dealing with a single threat. There, the challenge is making it convenient and comfortable enough where she'll actually have the darn thing. And whether she has enough situational awareness to access it before it's too late.

Home invasions, now those are different. There's a trend towards two, three, or four armed Invaders. In that case might she may want more than a five hole wheel gun.