Need advice on a handgun for my girlfriend.?

Question

My girlfriend is going to grad school in what I would consider a fairly rough city. I want her to have a handgun for self defense, and it would make her feel more comfortable too. She isn't a wimpy girl, she is pretty athletic, but at the same time she has virtually no experience shooting. So, I'm looking for any advice or suggestions, mostly as to the caliber. I was looking at a baby Glock, probably either the 9 or 40. Would the reduced recoil and ease of firing in the 9 make up for the loss of power from the 40? Also, I would like any suggestions on ammo. I like the idea of cor-bon powrballs, since I have read they reduce jamming and still pack stopping power. And for what it is worth, I have taken her to the range once and she seems to be a natural. I have some experience with handguns, but am still a novice, so any advice on model, caliber, ammo, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm a big fan of both 9mm and .40 caliber handguns for self-defense.  I had one gun jump into my mind when I read your question and a couple of others a few seconds later.  Let me give you my thoughts:

1) H&K P2000 9mm.  Short barreled, 2lb weight, 7'' overall.  I'm a fan of H&K's hardware, so I'm a little biased but it has good concealability if she is getting a Concealed Weapons permit or even it it will just be kept in the home.  Pricewise it will run you between $750-$900 depending on the seller

2) Ruger M94 in 9mm and .40 caliber, it's a little more stout  being an ounce or two more than my above choice, also a bit more affordable being in the $500 range.  Ruger is a quality firearm for the price.  Also, again decent size, being a 4.25'' barrel.  

3) S&W MP95 - I do like "American" weapons as well.  With this beauty you have 3 choices in power: .40, 9mm, or .357.  Same characteristics as the above weapons and in the same price range, around $650.

I did not include Glocks as any of the choices as you seem to have some knowledge of them, I just sought to offer you some alternative choices to them.

I've dropped the links below and I hope this answer help you!

Answer 2

Revolver, not an automatic.  .38 caliber+P will be just fine.   And I am no gun nut, just an informed cop.

Answer 3

if you get your gf a gun, you are going to regret it.

Answer 4

I bought my wife a Taurus 2" 5-shot .357, fully concealable, with a ported barrel. Great little gun! It's a revolver so it's pretty foolproof. I liked it so much last year I bought myself a 4" Taurus 7-shot .357. I like mine better, but it doesn't fit in her purse. With jacketed rounds either gun is pretty lethal.

Answer 5

If you're determined that she's gonna have a gun.....

1. If she's had no experience shooting, then you want something simple - get a revolver... get one chambered for .357, but load it with .38 spl.

2. Train and practice

3. Train and practice

4. Train and practice

5. Repeat steps 2-4

Don't get the latest "wondergun" semiautomatic unless you/she can practice a lot. If you go w/ a semi, get a simple/small 9mm - not a lot of recoil... but then again, repeat steps 2-4 over and over.

If she's carrying concealed, she should consider a CCW.

Calif Deputy

Answer 6

Ok since you are getting mixed answers here I will give you mine since I was down the same road you are.  My gf and I  (she had no real experience before she got the gun) went to a few different stores and I had her "try on" a few different guns to see what she liked.  I already know a lot about guns, and so I knew what caliber to look for.  She found a Taurus Ultra Lite .38 snub nose 5 shot revolver that fit her well and so we got that.  I ran her through the fundamentals of shooting (which took about 20 min to explain and get her shooting) and by the end of the hour she was out shooting me.  I have been involved with firearms for many years and have countless hours of military training on the use of firearms.  I am also a police officer and getting a firearm for your gf is a great idea.  She may never use it but the fact that its there in case she needs it will make you and her feel better.  So, take her out and let her "try on" a few guns.  A "Lady Smith" .357 Mag snub nose revolver with .38+P loaded in it will make any perp hurt, and will still be manageable for any female to shoot.  Let her settle on a firearm, get her a concelaed weapons license, and buy a lot of bullets to shoot.  Also teach her about keeping the gun clean and always loaded.  Cause a dirty/unloaded gun is just a fancy looking club.

Answer 7

yea a 9mm would be a good choice. if loaded with JHP bullets from Magtech Guardian, i think it would stop a guy or what ever it may be. you might also consider a J-frame from s&w. in like .38 special. if you do go with the j-frame you might want to consider a hammerless model to reduce the chance of it getting caught on something.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/s...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/s...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/s...

Answer 8

Get a revolver.  In a high stress situation, someone who is inexperienced with using a pistol will panic if the handgun jams.  In most failure to fire situations, with a revolver you just keep pulling the trigger, whereas with a semi-auto you have to clear the jam (and this may include having to remove the mag and reload) then pull the trigger.

Go with a .38 Special.  You could also get a .357 magnum since they also fire .38 Specials but the magnum presents over-penetration issues in most urban self defense situations.  So if you get a .357, load it with .38 Specials.  Save the .357s for rural areas or self defense against animals.

Good revolvers are made by Ruger, S&W, and Taurus (I like Ruger best).  Try to stick with a 3 to 4 inch barrel (preferably 4 inch for a new shooter).  And make sure your girlfriend likes the feel of the pistol.  And make sure you get a double action trigger...it can fire both single action and double action.  Finally, get a strong lock box or small safe to lock it up when immature "adults" or children are around.

Hopefully nothing will ever happen and your girlfriend will learn to enjoy shooting as a hobby.

If she decides that a handgun is not right for her...then some alternatives are:

baseball bat

baton (like the asp)

taser

mace or pepper spray

stun gun

Answer 9

I agree with Kelsey. You gun nuts crack me up.  

What city are you talking about anyway?

Odds are she will never need it, and the odds that she will are about the same as those of it being used against her --attacked from behind, by a gang etc.

Not to mention if someone pulls a gun on her , she's more likely to get shot if shes tries to pull hers, than if she hands over the money -- and same deal in a sexual assault.



It's a lot safer just to use common sense.

I live in New York an have for 15 years and have never been in a situation where I needed a gun for self defence, nor do I know anybody else male or female who has.

Attackers don't act like sitting ducks on a pistol range

Ps A .357 LOL!

PPS Dude, you may think you NEED a gun. I don't NEED one

and I really don't think a grad student needs one. Some people need guns -- cops and people who carry a lot of cash, work in jewerly stores etc. And surely you understand the gun is a last resort?

Also, FYI here's how  a typical Urban University deals with safety issues. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/facets/0708_s...

Answer 10

Best advise, let her pick it out at the gun store after firing a couple. Nothing wrong with a wheel gun, never fails and just enough ammo to get out of a jam.

Answer 11

As far as the glock goes, I believe you can get a slimline model that would fit a female's hands better.  I think you can get the nine in a ported model too that should reduce recoil.  If she is just going to keep it in her apt then she wouldn't have too worry about a smaller size for concealment.  I think it's a good idea for you to get her one, there are a lot of sick idiots running around this world today, and I saw that link about the columbia student who was tortured, that animal ended up getting over 400 years for that.  That poor woman is in no way shape or form to blame for that, but after I heard about that I got my wife and daughter a handgun, and we have been to the range every weekend so they can get more comfortable with them.  My daughter can't keep hers on campus, but she is going to take it with her when she gets an apt this fall.  For now, I bought her a taser, they have pink models now.  It's a shame, but in our society you never know what is going to come through your door.  It's one thing if I don't want to carry a gun, but when you have a family or loved ones it isn't about you anymore, and you do whatever it takes to keep them safe.  I always hated guns since my brother committed suicide when with one when he was 26.  I still don't like them to be honest, they scare me a little, and I hope I never have to use mine.  But if a situation comes up, I hope I can keep calm and use my head and I don't hesitate to protect my family.  I'd look into the slimline glock for your girlfriend, 9mm, and see if they have the model.

Answer 12

You are totally stupid to even think about getting a gun for someone who has no experience dealing with one.  It takes years of experience, safety training, and practice to be able to keep a gun at home safely.  Being "athletic" means nothing.  She has no experience, like you said, and giving her a gun is something you are totally going to regret if anything happens.  Even in the most dangerous cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, the probability of having an accident with a handgun is far higher than the probability of needing it for self defense.  And that's assuming that you know how to use it.

Answer 13

I hate the glock.  I find that it's too light thus the recoil is more severe.  I like a heavier gun.

Another problem is the fit.  I cannot comfortably hold the colt 1911, whatever glock we have- 45 caliber.  The Baretta 9mm fits in my hand but the 9 mm doesn't really have stopping power.

I currently own a Kimber 1911.  The magazine is a single stack so it's not wide or uncomfortable.

You're correct about a revolver.  It takes a lot of hand strength.

I haven't noticed a difference with jamming and different brands of ammo.  My gun jams every 4th round.  Gun smith told me I needed to put more rounds thru it and that it should stop.

Regardless of what you buy, lessons for the both of you are needed.  Untrained and gun toting- not a good combo.  

Recently I read that women with cell phones are more likely to venture into areas they normally would not..... I cannot imagine what a woman with a gun might do.  The most important self defense is simply not to be in the area if possible.

Answer 14

I would recommend a titanium hammer less .38 special for any lady to carry in their purse---once they get a license to carry and are adequately trained at a firing range.

I personally got a 6 inch, stainless, .357 for my fiance and taught her how to use it for her birthday---that was long before they came out with the titanium hammer less .38 though.