which gun for a new shooter

[ordy]

A woman I used to work with asked me to teach her how to shoot. We have gone to the range a few times and had conversations about guns in general, safety, etc. She now wants to buy a gun to be used for carry, range and home protection. In my mind, she's talking about three different guns but she can only afford one.
I'm old school and prefer a revolver for protection and suggested a few different guns. She would rather have a semi in 9mm and has talked about a Glock, sig and HK. My thinking for this application is a single/double action with a single stack mag. Her budget is $1000. What say you??

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Ordy:

Wow - interesting problem you pose. At least this lady has a decent budget to work with. You don't mention if the lady has any issues with hand or upper body strength. If she does, a semiauto handgun may prove to be very difficult for her. My young (21 yr. old) daughter is a tiny thing, and she simply cannot reliably cycle the slide of any semiauto we've tried including full sized 9mm pistols (CZ-75, Browning Hi-Power), compact 9mm (M&P 9c), or others handguns such as a .32ACP Seecamp, 9mm Makarov (CZ-82), or any of the .380ACP Rugers.

She does like the Centennial style S&W revolvers, and can use the Model 642 and 432PD without any problems. We've found the concealed hammer designed revolvers seem to be easier for her to handle, than the exposed hammer designed such as a Model 638 or Model 34. I finally bought her a Beretta Tomcat with the lever that allows the barrel to tip up for loading/unloading without cycling the slide. I showed the new pistol to the wife last night, and I may have to buy another one now.

As far as your friend goes, my advice would be to take her to a range that offers a variety of rental guns, and let her try them until she finds one she likes and can shoot well. By the way, an odd thought here, but if you have access to an H&K P-7, this might be a good "single" gun for her. It's a very accurate pistol (full 4.0 inch long polygonal barrel) that's small enough for concealed carry. The downside is it's heavy, can be hard to find good holsters for, and is out of production and can be hard to find for sale. I have one and I'm very fond of mine.

Good luck, please let us know how this works out.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Arik]

To me they are all the same gun. A carry gun works at the range and at home. If you can carry outside then you can carry inside and if you're carrying at all you should be at the range practicing.

How does she plan on carrying? If it's off body in a purse I'd stay away from most striker fired. If she plans on using a holster that opens up more options. Does she want small single stack like Shield or G43 or something a bit bigger with more ammo like a M&Pc or G26?

I'd stay away from hammer fired guns unless she plans on practicing a lot or only carry in a purse.


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[.455_Hunter]

Ugh. Not a big fan of semi-autos for "new shooters", especially ones with AD/ND prone triggers like Glock or other safetyless striker guns.

Take her to the range with a Model 10 and see how she does. She may wind-up wanting one "just like it" instead of what she has seen on TV.

 

[amcline82]

The Glock is not SA/DA so that only leaves the HK and Sig. If it were me I would go with the Sig. Something like the 938. Besides that don't think HK has a single stack.

Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

A few thoughts about her budget.

I would not recommend blowing it all on a gun. So many here, including me, have not appreciated OEM stocks so a few bucks held aside to get something comfortable is appropriate. She'll need something to put the ccw in. Also, ammo -- nobody's giving the stuff away, and enough to become proficient and confident ain't cheap.

S&W Model 640-1 Pro ($700), Hogue Centennial Tamer grip ($30), appropriate leather ($???) and the rest of her budget for ammo.

There is no perfect-for-everybody ccw, but this, for me, is the ultimate. Heavy enough to negate recoil, especially with the right stock/grip; light enough to carry all day in the right rig; and capable (if desired) of handling a lifetime supply of .357s.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

gun for new shooter

Good Morning Ordy:
I would recommend an NRA Firearms Instructor for the basic pistol course. During the session, the instructor will guide her in recommending a handgun that would be an all around gun for self-defense and home protection. Each person is different as how a handgun fits around the hand and is suited for her ease of operation. The instructor should recommend several guns and, if possible, rent those guns and try them out at the range. A good analogy would be applied to an person buying a new pair of shoes or sneakers and trying them so they fit and are comfortable.

Nick

 

[Farmer17]

Most women want a pretty small gun for carry and most of those aren't much fun at the range or target shooting. A Smith 442 snubnose .38 Special for about $350 might be a good compromise.

 

[pawngal]

The H&K compact USP 9 is a double stack, but the grip circumference is not huge. 13 round, I think. My son has the .40 and loves it, he has fairly small hands and never liked full size 9's.

Myself, I never recommend a small semi-auto to a new shooter.

But.....have her try different guns to see what fits and what SHE likes and can shoot well.

 

[gman51]

I see many guns in her future if she doesn't go to the range and rent a few to try out for likes and dislikes.
I think, especially for a newbe, that they should go with a revolver first. She thinks she wants a light purse gun in semi auto but she just might never carry or shoot it after her first range shooting. Recoil is not a girls best friend or mine for that matter.
I started out my CC with semi autos and now for the past 5 years I have been carrying an LCR357 loaded with 38+P. No external safety to be concerned with, excellent trigger, 17 oz. empty weight, and with 38 spl it is fun to target shoot.
I would suggest, since she wants to carry it, that she try a revolver with a 3" barrel because it still can be carried fairly easily, it will absorb recoil fairly well, very simple and safe to use, and with a good trigger action she will more than likely enjoy having it.

 

[wingriderz]

Being she has a budget of a K. Get Ruger Lc9& a smith 442. Got semi & wheels coverd.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Choosing a gun is always a compromise.

Steel J frame .38 is a good all around compromise for a lady newbie with the criteria above. It'll be a good glovebox and nightstand gun. Generally, the carry side of the equation does't get past the novelty stage. But if she's dedicated to carry she can always trade for an airweight.

 

[A10]

I'd recommend taking her to a range that has a wide variety of rental guns and let her shoot as many as she wants. Then SHE will be equipped to make the decision on what works best for her.

I have never had a situation where I chose a gun for someone end up being the one they were most comfortable with. And Glocks actually are good guns to start with, though I would choose and M&P 9mm myself...ergonomics are better for me. Plus they have easily changed backstraps to adjust for hand size.

 

[tx40d]

Since you already took her to the range and she wants a semi-auto, that's probably the way to go.

The next step for me would be to show her how to breakdown and maintain the different models she is interested in to see what she feels comfortable with (I know a few people who have passed on guns just because they were a hassle to take apart and clean).

 

[lrrifleman]

Hello ordy !

You pose a very interesting challenge. There is only one thing other than an on-coming car in my lane that scares the begeevers out of me, and that is an inexperienced shooter with a semi-auto!

I am going to go out on a limb here. I can get a great deal of range accuracy out of my 3" 36-6 Chief's Target Special, so I would suggest that your friend consider a 3" revolver, such as a 36-6, a 60-4 or similar 3" Model 60 with the lugged barrel and target sights. I got my 36-6 ages ago just after it was released, and I replaced the Hogue rubber Monogrips with a wood version of the Monogrips, then I think it was the rebound spring that I replaced. It has a very smooth and reasonable single and double action trigger pull. I have yet to experience a misfire in the over 25+ years that I have owned it.

Yes, mine is just a 38 Special, but I can place my shots well with it. Loaded with 158gr SWC or 148gr WC, it will be a joy for your friend to shoot, and it will serve as a viable defensive round. At about 15 yards, I can reliably get 5 and 10 shot half dollar sized groups at 15-20 yards.

If the Chief's Target Special is too light or too small for your friend, try a 686 version with a 3" barrel. Try to keep your friend focused on a metal framed handgun, as opposed to a polymer one (more weight, less recoil). Yes, your friend may see the revolver as an old fogey gun, but she should be able to be more accurate and consistent with a revolver than a semi-auto!

 

[Arik]

Hello ordy !

You pose a very interesting challenge. There is only one thing other than an on-coming car in my lane that scares the begeevers out of me, and that is an inexperienced shooter with a semi-auto!

I am going to go out on a limb here. I can get a great deal of range accuracy out of my 3" 36-6 Chief's Target Special, so I would suggest that your friend consider a 3" revolver, such as a 36-6, a 60-4 or similar 3" Model 60 with the lugged barrel and target sights. I got my 36-6 ages ago just after it was released, and I replaced the Hogue rubber Monogrips with a wood version of the Monogrips, then I think it was the rebound spring that I replaced. It has a very smooth and reasonable single and double action trigger pull. I have yet to experience a misfire in the over 25+ years that I have owned it.

Yes, mine is just a 38 Special, but I can place my shots well with it. Loaded with 158gr SWC or 148gr WC, it will be a joy for your friend to shoot, and it will serve as a viable defensive round. At about 15 yards, I can reliably get 5 and 10 shot half dollar sized groups at 15-20 yards.

If the Chief's Target Special is too light or too small for your friend, try a 686 version with a 3" barrel. Try to keep your friend focused on a metal framed handgun, as opposed to a polymer one (more weight, less recoil). Yes, your friend may see the revolver as an old fogey gun, but she should be able to be more accurate and consistent with a revolver than a semi-auto!

There's a lot of assumptions there. You assume she's going to practice a lot. The DA trigger pull does need practice. You also assume she wants a heavy gun. Half the people here carry little pocket guns but a new female shooter should be interested in a gun over 30oz.

This isn't a popularity contest. Buy a tool that suits the needs and learn to use it

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[ordy]

We have been to the range a few times and she has shot my M64, 642, victory and Dan Wesson guardian in 9mm. I haven't introduced the .357 or .45 acp. I wouldn't hesitate to let her give them a try if she wants to but would like to stay a little less aggressive for now. This young lady is tall and thin but very strong. She works out in the gym and is a student of the martial arts.
We have a date on Thursday to shoot at a range that has a variety of different guns for rent and will try a few out.
I want her to choose a revolver in the worst way and have to keep reminding myself that the choice has to be hers in spite of what I may think. She shot my 64 really well and if I had my way, my choice for her would be a 686 plus with a three inch barrel (loaded with .38's).

 

[rwsmith]

Just to throw it out there...

My wife's alloy J frame is shootable with standard ammo with the rubber Hogue grips.

My steel J frame is easier. For standard loads the wood grips are fine.

Have her bear in mind that small, short barreled guns are harder to shoot.

If recoil is a problem, a .380 might work for her for semi auto.

If racking is a huge problem, I'd get a lighter spring and shoot standard load ammo.

if using a semi, I'd get a config with a safety and keep a round in the chamber.

The carry gun needs to be small and light and can be used at the range. IF she is serious about carry. For home and more fun at the range, something bigger, easier to shoot would be my choice.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A Sig P239 would fit the bill.

P239 | Sig Sauer

 

[growr]

I've been an NRA Certified Instructor since 1988 and have been asked this very question thousands of times....MY answer is simple ...you need to start with FIT in HER hand. If it doesn't well she will certainly not shoot well with it.
I usually use the following statement for the ladies and they seem to relate to it...."Ladies, when was the last time you put on a pair of boots or shoes that REALLY fit your foot well?

It is the same with handguns....your hand will tell you what feels great and what doesn't.

Doesn't matter if it is a revolver or auto loader....fit is paramount. After that then you can start on learning THAT particular firearm which also includes teaching how to manipulate the slide of ANY auto by ANY one from 9 to 99. Yes, it can be done!

I do like to encourage the use of service calibers for a variety of reasons.

When we did a Ladies Day only class every month all of the instructors or assistants were encouraged to bring out many different handguns for ladies to try and live fire. Many times it was the lady herself deciding that her handgun was not a good choice after trying others that fit better.

That is MY take on this eternal question..........

Randy