Women's guide to buying your first handgun

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marine2541

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While searching the net to find information about what gun to have my wife buy (her first) I came across this website: firearms/pistols for life series-gun training woman's first handgun. It was extremely helpful. It is a quick read and is on the net. This is what it discusses:
ch 1: introduction
ch 2: why handguns
ch 3: why many handguns aren't right
ch 4: what to look for in handguns
ch 5: revolver vs automatic pistol
ch 6: revolver choices
ch 7: semi-automatic choices
ch 8: used or new
ch 9: internet or local
ch 10: why practice is local

A lot of what is in this short book most of you who have been into guns for a long time already know, but it lays out all the important things simply for a beginner to understand. I learned and re-learned things that were helpful to me so I could help my wife pick her first handgun.
a few things I never thought of follow:
chapter five discusses how a woman shouldn't guy a semi-automatic that she can't load at least 5 rounds into a magazine without an aid. I never thought of that. Also, racking a slide might present problems....ditto.
Interesting ways of looking at used gun sales as opposed to a new gun are discussed. And buying on the internet and a new way to use the internet and a local gun shop together is presented.

I know a lot of you might think this is a waste of time, but a new buyer, especial a woman would definitely benefit by reading this before she buys a gun someone else recommends. Some men first buyers would benefit by reading this as well.
 
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While searching the net to find information about what gun to have my wife buy (her first) I came across this website: firearms/pistols for life series-gun training woman's first handgun. It was extremely helpful. It is a quick read and is on the net. This is what it discusses:
ch 1: introduction
ch 2: why handguns
ch 3: why many handguns aren't right
ch 4: what to look for in handguns
ch 5: revolver vs automatic pistol
ch 6: revolver choices
ch 7: semi-automatic choices
ch 8: used or new
ch 9: internet or local
ch 10: why practice is local

A lot of what is in this short book most of you who have been into guns for a long time already know, but it lays out all the important things simply for a beginner to understand. I learned and re-learned things that were helpful to me so I could help my wife pick her first handgun.
a few things I never thought of follow:
chapter five discusses how a woman shouldn't guy a semi-automatic that she can't load at least 5 rounds into a magazine without an aid. I never thought of that. Also, racking a slide might present problems....ditto.
Interesting ways of looking at used gun sales as opposed to a new gun are discussed. And buying on the internet and a new way to use the internet and a local gun shop together is presented.

I know a lot of you might think this is a waste of time, but a new buyer, especial a woman would definitely benefit by reading this before she buys a gun someone else recommends. Some men first buyers would benefit by reading this as well.
 
2541,
NONE of it, is a waste of time!
The more research done, the more likely the chance of dodging the dreaded buyers remorse. There are several Women on the Forum who are EXTREMELY knowledgeable. And I'd bet would be glad to help the Lady if she liked?
 
I bet that if I read that book, I'd learn a thing or two. Firearms are such a vast subject that the more I learn, the more I feel I've just scratched the surface. I'll check that out. I have a female friend that might be interested. www.corneredcat.com is a resource you might find useful. Also there is a podcast on proarms.podbean.com geared toward women. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "previous entries". It is titled 008 All Girl Review, and whatever you do don't miss the interview with Bill Allard on the first page.
icon_wink.gif
 
If you want to really do your wife a favor, give her a gift certificate to the nearest club that has a NRA Basic Pistol Course. Lesson V I believe is "Selection" and the instructors cover all the your listed subjects.

When my club runs the course all the instructors bring in their guns for the students to try. We have ten shooting stations and usually 4-6 guns per station... The students often comment that this was one of the most helpful parts of the course as it helps them from making an expensive error when buying a first gun.

I do not quite understand the reasoning that the book listed stating that a woman should not buy a semi-automatic handgun that she can not load at least 5 rounds into the magazine without an "aid"... I can understand the part about not being able to rack the slide but the loading the magazine has me a little puzzled.

Bob Makowski
 
Hope it helps to bring more ladies into the ranks of gun owners. In my opinion, one of the best guns for the ladies is the Beretta 84. 13 rounds of 380 ACP in a nice compact size. Accurate and well made. Anything less than a 380 is nothing I'd want mine using.
 
Aloha,

I find that a good gun for women that have a problem racking a slide is the Beretta 86. It is a 380 with a tip up barrel in the same fashion as their smaller Tomcats.

Women I have taught love it, but are turned off by the $700 plus retail price.

It is one of the softest recoiling 380s that I have shot. Accurate too.
 
I can understand the part about not being able to rack the slide but the loading the magazine has me a little puzzled.
Click to expand...

Some magazines are so stiff, they require a lot of finger pressure to load. Additionally, put a Lee Press-On Nail on your thumb and try it. I often have to use two thumbs - one to press the already loaded bullet down and the other to push the next one in.

The P22's magazines are like loading a Pez dispenser, but they're not all that easy.
 
Originally posted by BarbC:
I can understand the part about not being able to rack the slide but the loading the magazine has me a little puzzled.
Click to expand...

Some magazines are so stiff, they require a lot of finger pressure to load. Additionally, put a Lee Press-On Nail on your thumb and try it. I often have to use two thumbs - one to press the already loaded bullet down and the other to push the next one in.

The P22's magazines are like loading a Pez dispenser, but they're not all that easy.
Click to expand...

Barb...I can see the point IF there is no assist available, but since I know many women who shoot Glocks that can't load three rounds w/o the Glock magazine loader the statement just didn't sound right...

The Beretta .380 is a very nice gun but if someone can handle one of them they can usually also handle a Kahr. 9mm is cheaper to shoot, harder hitting and because the Beretta is a blowback and the Kahr is a locked breach the recoil difference between the two is minor...

Bob
 
Originally posted by BarbC:
I can understand the part about not being able to rack the slide but the loading the magazine has me a little puzzled.
Click to expand...

Some magazines are so stiff, they require a lot of finger pressure to load. Additionally, put a Lee Press-On Nail on your thumb and try it. I often have to use two thumbs - one to press the already loaded bullet down and the other to push the next one in.

The P22's magazines are like loading a Pez dispenser, but they're not all that easy.
Click to expand...

My sister bought a brand new XD-40 a few months back going by what other people told her ( myself not included ). She quickly found out that loading the magazines was nearly impossible for her and she's no weakling. Matter of fact ........ it was all I could do to get 7 rounds in those 12 round magazines at first ......... I still can't get past 11 rounds even now. She also has problems racking the slide ........ especially when trying to lock it back. Another issue she's got with the .40 is dealing with recoil ........ she says that after firing 4 or 5 rounds it becomes like work to keep shooting. She has since bought a walther PPS 9mm and is much happier with it. I'm sure she'll end up selling the XD sooner or later since it's difficult for her to shoot and operate. I think everyone should operate and fire a particular gun before they decide that they want to buy it. I think it's doubly important for women to do so since loading, operating and firing may, in a lot of cases be more of an issue.
 
Originally posted by YogiBear:
I find that a good gun for women that have a problem racking a slide is the Beretta 86. It is a 380 with a tip up barrel in the same fashion as their smaller Tomcats.

Women I have taught love it, but are turned off by the $700 plus retail price.
Click to expand...

The strength needed to rack the slide is a huge issue with my wife. In fact, she can't use a 3rd-gen S&W unless it has the ambidextrous safety which for some reason gives her enough to hold on to so she can rack the slide. She can't work a ladysmith (kind of ironic, huh?) for example or a 915.

So does Taurus make a copy of the Beretta 86? They seem to have knockoffs of most Beretta semi-autos.
 
Of note for those advising women on gun choices, the slide of an M&P is noticeably easier to cycle than that of a 3rd generation.
 
My wife wanted a handgun. We both took an NRA handgun safety course (even though I have been a shooter for many years, don't know it all). There she got to shoot many different handguns, along with all of my collection. She favored the model 36. For her birtthday last year I purdhased a nickle Classic 36 an installed pearl grips on it for her. Dang that girl can shoot that thing with Speer +p.
Bottom line, shoot as many different ones you can then pick what you like and shoot well.
 
Originally posted by t3chnoid:

The strength needed to rack the slide is a huge issue with my wife. In fact, she can't use a 3rd-gen S&W unless it has the ambidextrous safety which for some reason gives her enough to hold on to so she can rack the slide. She can't work a ladysmith (kind of ironic, huh?) for example or a 915.
Click to expand...

In case you didn't check out the above link to corneredcat, she might have luck with the ideas there http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.aspx
Racking the slide should be less about strength, and more about mechanical advantage. It should be possible for almost any healthy adult. And probably for a lot more young kids than a lot of people think
icon_frown.gif
 
I know this is a pretty old thread. Hard to believe I just passed my 1 year anniversary with my baby. My baby is a .38/357 S & W model 60, 3 inch barrel, high viz sight. I truly love that gun. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and there is no way at all I could use an auto., I am not a weak gal either, just got arthritis. Never had a problem with my gun, I searched far and wide, and researched for at least 6 months before I got mine. Even took my baby to get my ccp...what memories (laughs)

The only problem I have really had is that they sure do not make many concealed carry holsters for it...I carry iwb appendix mostly, and strong side some too. Right hand draw. Most holsters are for snubbies and autos.

Love the gun. Research and handling really pay off, don't ever buy something cuz someone said. Lots of people told me what they thought, or what they had- but if it didn't fit my hand and I couldn't operate it without aid- it wasn't coming home with me....
 
I agree with snubbiebob. Got to as many ranges , shoot as many different pistols, and them make a decesion. Many a gun store salesman will try and sell you anything especialy something that is a case queen.

Fisrt check the fit in hand. Is it too big?
Where are you going to carry it. will it fit comfortably.
Firepower. Is it to much to handle and return to point of aim for follow up shots??
Functions. Can you easily load it and if an automatic, rack the slide easily.
All the simple functions of owning a firearm.
Take it and practise with it. If you buy it and only shoot it once or twice. your chance of using it correctly when needed is greatly reduced.
 
My female students, almost to a man (?), want to jack the slide with a bent wrist, instead of slingshotting it,using arm strength, as I try to teach.

Why ?

Maybe Barb can tell me.
 
Maybe they're trying to open it like a jar?

It is all about the technique and a push-pull with both arms is probably most effective for those with low arm strength.

On a side note, now that my mother is hauling herself around the carpeting in a wheelchair with her broken ankle, she called me all excited that she was finally able to rack the slide on my dad's KelTec.
 
Titan,

Thanks for posting that link!! I am passing it on to some of our women friends that shoot and are leary of getting into self defence with handguns.

Niklas
 
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