Pistol advice, home defense for her

[h20hunter]

Good idea Weather......please keep on mind......not my wife. As the one experienced my goal is to help her with the research so she can figure out what is best, not make any decisions for her.

Also, regarding the CT grips...good point and we have chatted about that. One more thing to fail.

[wranglernqtrhorses]

I don't know if your local rifle club does this, but the Spokane Rifle Club is having a ladies day(let me know if the link doesn't work.)  I have a Bersa .380 Thunder that I like.  I have been looking for a concealed carry purse.  I found the Guntoteingmama's have some nice ones, but they seem pricey.

http://www.spokanerifleclub.org/files/pdf/ladiesfun.pdf

Also, Sharp Shooting in Spokane had "Date Night" 2 people could shoot for the price of 1, and you could try all their hand guns - you just paid for ammo.

[jaymark6655]

I though most places had a girls only class. 

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I like the airweights with the button hammer myself, doesn't snag on stuff like a typical hammer.

autos are more prone to misfire,  and you can't jam it into someones rib cage if they are on top of you and shoot as it'll disengage the slide.

IN high stress with a fat guy on top of ya I'll take a revolver please thank you very much

Why would you let a fat guy get on top of you in the first place?

[weathergirl]

I though most places had a girls only class. 

Do they? Of course living on a remote island without even a gas station let alone a store, I miss a lot of things.  I guess I was just thinking about a class that teaches women what to look for and think about when buying a gun, but maybe that is part of classes that are out there?  I think I'll do some research unless anyone knows of anything in the Skagit/Whatcom/Island type area.

Anyway, I've enjoyed the info on this thread.

[weathergirl]

I found this article on the "The Girl's Guide to Guns" website.

http://girlsguidetoguns.com/2013/01/08/what-gun-should-i-buy/

[300rum]

Look up babes with bullets.  Tought by the best lady shooters in the world. 

[h20hunter]

I have alsp encouraged her to take a class at Norpoint in Arlington.....rhey may offer ladies only. However, she can hang in there just fine with most fellas.

[Bean Counter]

...

And like many women, I'm happy to have the husband do the research and present me with what he thinks is best (at least narrow down some choices).  But wouldn't it be great if there was an educational class designed for women on "how to buy a gun" with options to try them?  And then some practice sessions?  (Or is there something like that?)  And almost more importantly, I want to know what cool purse/jacket/holster/etc. I'm going to carry the thing in, which could be part of the class too.   

Anyway, just an observation and a thought.

Sounds like you just found yourself a business venture. A class by women, for women. Do it! 

[GEARHEAD]

Ruger LCR

[weathergirl]

...

And like many women, I'm happy to have the husband do the research and present me with what he thinks is best (at least narrow down some choices).  But wouldn't it be great if there was an educational class designed for women on "how to buy a gun" with options to try them?  And then some practice sessions?  (Or is there something like that?)  And almost more importantly, I want to know what cool purse/jacket/holster/etc. I'm going to carry the thing in, which could be part of the class too.   

Anyway, just an observation and a thought.

Sounds like you just found yourself a business venture. A class by women, for women. Do it! 

I wish it were that easy...sigh...

[JackOfAllTrades]

...

And like many women, I'm happy to have the husband do the research and present me with what he thinks is best (at least narrow down some choices).  But wouldn't it be great if there was an educational class designed for women on "how to buy a gun" with options to try them?  And then some practice sessions?  (Or is there something like that?)  And almost more importantly, I want to know what cool purse/jacket/holster/etc. I'm going to carry the thing in, which could be part of the class too.   

Anyway, just an observation and a thought.

Sounds like you just found yourself a business venture. A class by women, for women. Do it! 

I wish it were that easy...sigh...

There used to be a class just for women at Custer Sportsmens Club that discussed just the issues you point out.
 
-Steve 

[KFhunter]

I'm just sitting here reading all this, knowing someday it will all mean more to me than it does now (as lokidog mentioned, we are shopping soon, and I am soon to learn a lot).  I find it so interesting that the standard seems to be that as soon as the wife/girlfriend gives the word that she is ready for a gun, the husband/boyfriend begins what I assume is happy research and discussions  (like this thread here). 

And like many women, I'm happy to have the husband do the research and present me with what he thinks is best (at least narrow down some choices).  But wouldn't it be great if there was an educational class designed for women on "how to buy a gun" with options to try them?  And then some practice sessions?  (Or is there something like that?)  And almost more importantly, I want to know what cool purse/jacket/holster/etc. I'm going to carry the thing in, which could be part of the class too.   

Anyway, just an observation and a thought.

Unless your man has experience with women and guns - together- lol
Leave him at home!

Dudes tend to go way too big, just look at this thread.  Often times when the woman is shooting for the first time he'll intimidate the hell out of her, not on purpose of course but she'll most likely be frustrated, he'll be frustrated.  Like me, if I took my wife out it'd be very different than teaching a stranger.  She'll be intimidated and I'd be frustrated most likely.

I've been around *a lot* of girls, first time shooting a pistol, trust me I've seen some crazy stuff 

So do yourselves a favor, go to a range that has girl classes. Find a female instructor even better!

Don't go to a range though and find an instructor that's only taught dudes.  Teaching girls is different, especially first timers.
Don't let your husband/man toy whatever pick you out a gun then take you to some backwoods "range" and shoot old refrigerators, you won't learn a damm thing and you won't want to carry it and 9 times out of 10 it'll be too big.


Start small!   You can always sell the gun and upgrade, nothing says you have to keep it forever and can never buy another gun    You'll come home with a sweet handling little .380 that's too small and your man is gonna go "huh? you should got xx gun"  Smile sweetly and tell him maybe for your next gun   

The goal here is to be comfortable, and if a 9mm is too scary and you won't carry it then it won't do you any good will it?  I've seen some women shoot a .40 S&W no problem, and I've seen others flinch at a .22LR so the caliber will vary with comfort zones, so build up from it.

 

[hardcorecarnivore]

A lot of good info. 

I think:
 .380's should be treated as backups.
Glocks are great but an XD may fit her hand a bit better and they're a bit cheaper.
Lasers are good but practice without plenty so you don't get dependent in case of failure.
Although I think high capacity is good, my vote goes to a .357/.38sp for all the reasons already mentioned.
I'm a carry fan over a purse.

That being said, my wife equipped herself with a XD Sub-Compact .40 w/ either a Galco shoulder rig or a Blackhawk paddle holster.  In addition to her .40, a .380 LCP w/ a laser in a Flashbang (bra rig) or Desantis Nemesis for pocket or purse.  Not to mention a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. Oh yeah, the Mossberg 500 for home defense and to keep someone from taking the other guns she doesn't carry.  My mom carries the same XD in 9mm which give you a few more rounds and is cheaper to purchase/shoot.

Bottom line, what ever she gets should be shot often!!!

[Fl0und3rz]

Well said Joe.....If she leans towards revolvers I think one one be hard pressed to do better than a SP101 in .357 with CT grips shooting +P .38 rounds.

Don't rule out the Ruger GP100 with 4.2" barrel, especially if recoil is a concern.