What do the ladies carry?

[Haven]

Plus, what works for one person isn't necessarily going to be a good fit for someone else. I know the handgun my hubby thought would be the "perfect" one for me, didn't even fit in my hand. Let her handle as many different kinds until she finds the one she likes. JMO

[melissa5]

Several things come to mind.

If it's the noise that frightens her, have her wear ear plugs and muffs.

If possible, start her out with a .22 revolver...easy to load/unload, no slides to fight with, and very little kick.

If she is not ready to actually shoot, then just have her handle an unloaded gun so that she can get familiar with it...dry fire it and learn the safety rules. Before I finally started shooting, I looked at gun magazines and browsed at gun stores for about 6 months before I could talk myself into renting a gun. LOL

You could approach this whole thing as something the family can do together.

BTW, I carry either a Glock 9mm or .45, S&W Shield 9mm, or an S&W Model 37. The Model 37 is a lightweight revolver and it hurts to shoot it.

[itsthelaw]

Thank you to everyone for all the advice. I am confident that she will shoot, but not sure she will carry. If that is all that she does, at least she will have overcome a fear and gotten a better understanding of guns and safety.

[jocko]

get her some good pepper spray in the mean time..

[les strat]

My wife carries an LC9. We started with a Beretta bobcat .22, then went to a Bersa T380, then moved to the 9mm. She does not like to carry on her body even though I preach at her about it. She will purse carry, ehich a don't like, and keeps it in her vehicle. She wears very form fitting clothing and weighs 110lb, so she said she just can't do it (even after I showed her the youtube video by faliaphotography).

[dkmatthews]

A friend of mine started with a CZ P-07 Duty but decided it was too big to carry comfortably. Her next was a Taurus PT 709 Slim. It's pretty tiny and shoots like the typical tiny gun: lots of muzzle flip and with large groups. It does, however, get the job done.

[Barth]

Girls, as usual, can be unpredictable as to what gun they will favor.
Deanna seems like a small girl but carries a S&W 686 or a HK45!!!

I think much like us guys, they (girls) are all unique and will carry a wide variety of hardware.

[AIRret]

Definitely start out with the smaller calibers, and over time have her shot as many different guns as possible. And if she likes a revolver have her try ones with great grips.
For instance one of my carry guns is a Ruger LCR 357 and it's great. But I don't think I would like it without the Hogue grips. My primary carry is the Kahr PM9 and the revolver is my backup. I also carry a Sig 239 on occasion, and my primary bedside gun is usually my Sig 226.
One more thing. I have never carried in a purse! One of the most common thing a BG is after is a purse! If he has my gun, how do I defend myself!

[itsthelaw]

Definitely start out with the smaller calibers, and over time have her shot as many different guns as possible. And if she likes a revolver have her try ones with great grips.
For instance one of my carry guns is a Ruger LCR 357 and it's great. But I don't think I would like it without the Hogue grips. My primary carry is the Kahr PM9 and the revolver is my backup. I also carry a Sig 239 on occasion, and my primary bedside gun is usually my Sig 226.
One more thing. I have never carried in a purse! One of the most common thing a BG is after is a purse! If he has my gun, how do I defend myself!

Thanks for the comment! The purse is almost always the target and no great loss letting it go. A close friend was just knocked down at 2pm to get her purse.

It is great to hear from the girls who have gone through the process and fear to show that ladies are not too "fragile" to be fierce! :19:

[BroncoAZ]

My wife carries the Ruger LCR .357 in a CCW specific purse (separate gun pocket/holster in the middle). She has carried a G26, Ruger SP101 .357, Kel Tec PF9, my Kahr PM9, the Ruger LCR .38, and now the LCR .357. The revolver definitely works best for her to draw and get lead on paper. The LCR in .357 is about 3.5 oz heavier than the .38 model, and those extra ounces really tame a .38 +p round. She usually carries the Federal hydrashock low recoil 110 gr. bullets, they are significantly less punishing than a .38 +p.

[BroncoAZ]

Plus, what works for one person isn't necessarily going to be a good fit for someone else. I know the handgun my hubby thought would be the "perfect" one for me, didn't even fit in my hand. Let her handle as many different kinds until she finds the one she likes. JMO

Us hubbys buying the wife the "perfect gun for you" is a ploy for us to get more guns for ourselves I'm guilty of it several times over, the worst of which was a Yugo SKS that I presented her one valentine's day. I have made a few very good selections on her behalf that she was thrilled with (S&W Model 60 performance center .357, Walther P22, Ruger SR22, Kahr CW9, Remington 1187 Youth 20 ga, Spike's Tactical AR-15 with 14.5" barrel). The last couple that were purchased for her were her choice, the Ruger LCR .357 and her new Kahr T9.

[Planedude]

Look at a S&W Model 60 shooting 327 Federal. I watch a young lady trainning on one last year and she was shooting pretty good within 50 rounds.
327 Fed is basicly a 32magnum magnum. its a small bullit but it is hauling arse. The nice thing about the Model 60 would be its ability to shoot any 32 round except 32acp. You could start a lady out on a 32mag load that would be like a .38 compaired to a .357mag. There are other light 32 loads that will shoot thru the gun but I can't recall all of them right now (on my first coffee of the day).
Only down side would be 327 Fed is harder to find and thus a little pricey is some shops. I live in a place where it can be had at any gun shop, but the local sporting goods stores have never heard of it.
My wife is enough of a shooter she demands an auto loader, but thats her choice. Nothing wrong with a revolver for a new shooter.

[jlottmc]

My wife carries a Kahr CW45 in a holster purse. She may be along before too long. Let her make the choice as to carry or not, and what to use though.

[jocko]

yup

Us hubbys buying the wife the "perfect gun for you" is a ploy for us to get more guns for ourselves I'm guilty of it several times over, the worst of which was a Yugo SKS that I presented her one valentine's day. I have made a few very good selections on her behalf that she was thrilled with (S&W Model 60 performance center .357, Walther P22, Ruger SR22, Kahr CW9, Remington 1187 Youth 20 ga, Spike's Tactical AR-15 with 14.5" barrel). The last couple that were purchased for her were her choice, the Ruger LCR .357 and her new Kahr T9.

I bought my wife on our 1st anniversary a trash compacter. Needless to say I got nothing that night and the next night and the next night. Women are just so insensitive

I divoreced her later on downt he road and I got the compacter..

[MW surveyor]

You may have got the better of the deal. In fact it was probably a win win.