Bustah_c

If you had to buy just one gun for a woman,
for self defense what would you choose ?

I chose to put the thread here, because I feel it should be a DA Revolver.

BH, feel free to move it where you see fit.

claybird

probably be a Jframe in 38sp or maybe a 32 cal if its for a petite little thing like my wife. It would be a double action revolver for sure

gunman42782

Lots of variables here. Number 1, how experienced is she? If not very, I would go with a good DA revolver. # 2, is this for CCW, or home defense or both? If for CCW, a Ruger SP101. If for home defense, a Ruger GP100. Now, if she is fairly experienced with firearms, 1911 all the way baby!

XLCH

I would look for a speed six in 38spl, not to big and not to small..

Cruelshoes

If she is strong enough, I would go for the GP100. It is a bit too heavy for some of the fairer sex to hold up. A 3 inch barrel SP101 would be perfect if the GP is too heavy.

The wheel gunner would not wish to create another bottom feeder, so I would not suggest the 1911.

*Gets ready to duck for cover from the assaults of his 1911 loving friends*

44s Rock

The wife went for a J frame 357 and loads it with 38+p ( CCW and home) but her backup is a Glock 19.

deputy125

well...........as said it all depends on a number of factors.

but just to be a pest.....if she has zero experience.........i would start her on a .22 rifle such as a 10/22 ruger carbine, perhaps the youth version depending on her. This would be the fastest, most economical, and effective way to get her introduced to shooting and still be a good defensive tool in the home.

if she has zero experience and still wants a handgun, then i would say a ruger mkII .22 semi-auto

an equal argument could be made for a smith and wesson model 317 .22 revolver.............it is the cat's meow.......especially if you want the simplicity and reliability of a revolver.

.22 will offer less bark, less recoil, and build confidence and get things started until she is ready to step it up a notch........

if she is gun savy and with some experience..........then get her a gift card and let her name her own poison..........heaven knows, shopping for a woman can get rather perplexing........

tx gun runner

Hammerless wheel gun is the best for a lady with a purse . She can walk to a car or house with hand on gun in her purse without anyone knowing it and point it a bad guy coming at her without him knowing it and can fire the gun from inside the purse if needed without the gun jamming like a auto or hammer gun with all the junk they keep in them and can keep on shooting if needed . A jacket or coat pocket if another good place a hammerless wheel gun is good to point and fire from without waving a gun around . I hope you get the picture I'm drawing for you ... and have Glock on her hip for a backup

Bustah_c

Thanks, Guys,

As usual a lot of good information. This would be primarily CCW, also she has artharitic thumbs and makes it difficult if not impossible to grip the slide on a semi-auto. I assume she would also have trouble with the hammer on SA revolvers as well.

I didn't think of the hammerless version, but that also makes sense for purse-carry.

sheepdog

...so you get to tote the M64 2" nowadays???

b.roberts

Whatever she likes, and is willing/able to carry and shoot. My mom carried a little .22 Beretta with a tip up barrel. I can barely retract the slide on one of those little things, but with the unique tip up barrel design, manipulation of the slide is somewhat unnecessary. That gun was as big a gun as she was willing to carry on her daily 6+ mile runs. The 115 lbs german shepherd that was her running partner probably eased dad's mind somewhat.

44s Rock

Yep!!! Usually carry my Sig but around the house the 64 in my SR Sourdough Pancake is like it's not even there or slips in the pocket nicely.

Bountyhunter

Whichever one you decide on, make sure she can fire it from a DA position. My son can shoot my Redhawk just fine, when he cocks back the hammer first. But from a DA position, he can't fire it. Jen can fire it, but her aim is all over because of the pull. Jen prefers her 5" XD Tactical. Her bed side gun is a Springfield Loaded model 1911. The slide is a bit tough for her, but not impossible. She also shoots them just fine.

Remember that 22 revolvers will have a real heavy trigger pull. Have to, to pop the rimfire cartridges. The 22 I have is the heaviest pull of all my guns, long or short.

Let her hold it, and squeeze the trigger a few times and see how she likes it.

sheepdog

...have the ladies firmly grip the slide with thumb and forefinger close to the body and push the gun away from them quickly till it pulls the slide away from their thumb and finger...this is much easier than holding and pulling back on the slide with the off hand...works better for most...tell her to come say HI...we miss her pretty face!!!

Bountyhunter

She doesn't want to deal with me online. She has enough of me offline.

sheepdog

...so who said anything 'bout YOU...WE're the ones coming out on the short end of the deal...

Taurus_9mm

Probably something like this:



Ruger, Taurus or S&W .38 Special with a 4" barrel and either a 158 gr. SWC or a good quality JHP from 125 gr. - 158 gr.

Snuffy

Depends weather she wants a gun. Once that is settled in her mind then its what does she like, she is going to have to like it or it will never work. Looks to them are big as it is to us. But their idea of looks is far different from ours. I have no Glocks and wouldn't let a true friend carry one either. I agree with Shawn that if its a double action they should be able to fire it with accuracy being the prime point. So all this being said just how much is she going to shoot. Shooting once a year well its never going to do much for any one. Lots and lots of range time, with what ever she is going to carry.
The folks that shoot for the money spend lots of range time, and to me that is what it going to take. Send more bullets down range has done more for shooter than having the best good or the most guns.
Be ware of the person with one gun that knows how to use it.

sheepdog

...Rick, what's the story on the .38 GP100 4" iron sights??? Special order for someone...I like it!~!!

tx gun runner

The 642 is great for shooting in a purse or jacket pocket and not get jammed up , plus it don't have hammer block and all the other SA parts in it , slip a 12 lbs rebound spring and your ready too go . Shoot 110 or 125 gr hp +P and recoil is managable . Watch old Canon movie and learn how to hit a man at 200 yard with a stubby .