What would be a good handgun for a small lady?

Question

I am going to get a conceled handgun permit because I will be living completely on my own during my last semester in college. I am 5'3" and I have a smaller frame (I will NEVER tell my weight! lol). I have been to a shooting range before and I have pretty accurate aim but I don't want a huge gun like the ones I have fired. Any suggestions please? Thanks!

p.s. I'm sorry if all you hunters get mad at this posting. This is where Yahoo suggested I post this. :/

Answer 1

Check out the Ruger LCP. It is just as advertised lightweight compact pistol.

http://www.ruger.com/LCP/

Answer 2

Lots of opinions on here and I didn't read them all so if I repeat I apologize.

Look into a Walther .380  or the Lady Smith Line from Smith & Wesson.

My wife owns the Walther .380  and a Lady Smith .38

and she loves them both.

Just remember this is a personal decision that only you can make. I am not sure about where you live but around here there are guns stores with ranges that will let you try before you buy.

If it is available to you, I highly recommend trying several before you decide on one.

PS. Nobody is going to get mad...You came to the right place

Answer 3

I agree with mr h a Ruger Elsie P 380 is the perfect fit for a lady's hand and it is easy to conceal.

have one as a back up and it conceals nice.

Answer 4

Your at the right place. There are actually lots of small frame handguns you might like. I think it's best to go to a well stocked Gun Shop and loot at the counter guns. The salesmen are always happy to let you grip, feel check the weight of a handgun.

Ruger LCP, Walther PPK, Smith & Wesson Ladysmith

please look around. Take someone (preferably a female) who completed the Concealed Carry Course with you to the Gun Shop.

Answer 5

akluis is right about small guns.  I had a PPK/S in .380 ACP and it had a snap to it that made it uncomfortable to shoot, especially wih the gun's sharp edges.  Straight blow back guns just aren't good at absorbing recoil.  My .44 Mag is more comfortable to shoot imo.

I would recommend either a snub nose .38 special revolver or a Glock 19.

Answer 6

Ashley, I'm not mad at you.  Have you considered the new Ruger Elsie P (LCP)?  That's a .380 acp that is super compact.  That or a Ruger SP-101 .38 Special.

Be sure and take the gun safety course and get your CCw.

Good luck.

H

Answer 7

A nice .380 or 22. would work fine.

Answer 8

You might want to look at, if you can find one, Smith & Wesson LadySmith 3913.

Don't laugh at the name that's what it's called.

Its a single stack 9mm and I know quite a few LEO's that carry them as off duty firearms

here is a company that says they have 5

http://sgcusa.com/product_info.php?cPath...

Answer 9

Welcome to the world of firearms.

I hope your concealed carry permit process goes smoothly.

Here are some of my thoughts...

-A firearm should fit a persons' hand like a proverbial glove.

-All of its' controls and functions should be user-friendly, easy to reach and to operate.

-The firearm should meet or exceed all the performance requirements a person expects it to fulfill.

Given your situation, some cartridge/chambering suggestions are ...

.38 Special

.380 ACP

9x19mm Parabellum

There are several handguns available chambered for one of the aforementioned cartridges.  Here are some suggestions...

- Smith & Wesson Revolver, Model 36 or Model 60 (or variations thereof) chambered for .38 Special cartridges.  

- Taurus Model 85 Revolver (or variations thereof) chambered for .38 Special cartridges.

- Ruger SP101 Revolver chambered for .38 Special cartridges.

There are several manufacturers of semi-automatic pistols.  Those I'd reccomend you research, handle and evaluate in person are...

-H&K

-Springfield Armory

-Kahr Arms

-SIG Arms / Sig Sauer

-Ruger

-Glock

I agree with another person's suggestion of the Makarov pistol, preferably chambered for .380ACP cartridges.  

Also, used examples of the smaller Colt "Government Model" or "Mustang" pocket pistols (chambered for .380ACP) may be worthy of consideration if available in your area.

Also worth mentioning is this website...

http://www.corneredcat.com

May you journey safely.

Answer 10

Like a few have said I'd look at some 380s then hit the range. A woman into guns I know your parents have to be proud of you. I know if i'd had a daughter and she wanted to learn about guns and carry one for her defense I'd be proud as h**l to

Answer 11

You came to the right place for this question, and don't worry about people being upset.  I have found that most people who post in the hunting category are courteous, respectful, and helpful.  Please report anyone who is otherwise.

To answer your question, I would recommend something small in a .380 caliber a.k.a. (9mm short).  There should far less "kick" or recoil felt than with other handguns.  They are nice and compact as well.  If your state has right to carry laws, then you could carry this on your person for safety as well.

Please practice shooting your new gun, so you will be confident should you ever need to use it.

Answer 12

go with a 32.

Answer 13

.380  ruger , bersa , beretta ,  and taurus all make good .380 guns.

Answer 14

Hey, my wife is a small built lady at 5'4" & she has always carried a 32 snub nose revolver.  She has never had any problems with it will not jam easy to clean and very compact. She has very good aime with it as well. Does not do any good to buy a weapon for selfdefense if your not going to practice with it.  Be sure and go to the firing range regular it helps with being comfortable with it.

Answer 15

You've come to the right place to post your question. I've seen some good answers and some not so good.

The best idea is to try them all out and see what you like best. Rent or borrow as many as you can and try them all before you buy one.

The Ruger LCP is a good suggestion, as is a .38 or .327 revolver. The Ruger is smaller and flatter than the revolvers but uses a considerably less powerful cartridge. Because of its smaller size it will be harder to shoot accurately and will have more recoil (kick).

There are compromises in every gun. Only you can determine what limitations you will accept in return for the convenience of a small, light, easy-to-carry gun.

Answer 16

What you need to remember is this: the smaller the gun, the bigger the kick.

Think about taking two fire-crackers, and lighting them, and putting them on the ground.  On top of one you put an empty soup can, on top of the other you put a big heavy cast-iron skillet.

Which 'cover' is going to jump the highest? Yup, the light soup can.

Don't let the gunstore talk you into a snub-nose revolver, ESPECIALLY one labeled 'ultralight, feather-light, air-weight' or similar terms.  Those are great for carry, but terrible to shoot.

If you DO want a small revolver, the Ruger SP101 with a 3 inch barrel is a wonderful gun built like a tank, it is small enough to conceal well, but heavy enough to not kick all that much, plus you can get it in 327 magnum. 327 is about hte same power as 38 special, buy you get one more shot becaue the bullets are smaller, plus, you can load 32 H&R magnums in it for less recoil, and 38 longs for even less recoil still.  Or, you can get a 357 magnum, and shoot 38 specials in it.

The other option would be to get a slim semiauto.  I'd suggest the Sig 239, the Smith and Wesson 3913 'ladysmith' (the other ladysmiths are all revolvers) or what is really taking off with women for concealed carry is the new Walther PPS

http://www.walther-pps.com/  (not to be confused with the PPK like Sean Connory carried as James Bond) it is slim, but it also has 3 different magazines so you can find the one that fits your hand best.  Further, you also get 2 interchangable backstraps to even better get a custom fit to your hand

check out www.corneredcat.com

Answer 17

A Smith and Wesson Lady Smith is a very popular gun at the sporting goods store I work at.  The Ruger LCP also becoming very popular, but we have special orders over 80 and are only getting 4 or 5 guns every couple of weeks.

Ruger anticipates they will take 4 to 5 years to complete the orders they have.  Some stores have them sitting in a show case to sell, but for the most part, you'll be on a waiting list.

The Firestorm .380 is a good gun, but is a semi auto.  The above mentioned Lady Smith is a revolver, in .38 Special.

Federal makes a low recoil .38 special hollow point that sells good for us for all the women getting involved in personal protection and CPL holders (conceal carry).

We also sell a few 9mm Lugers to women who want a bit more gun than the .380.  

My opinion, the .380 will suffice in stopping an attack and protecting you and your family.

Answer 18

hey I know I'm a guy, but I don't like recoil that much etheir, it wears out your arm after a while. For a conceled deadly weapons permit I would recomonned a .380 bersa automatic pistol. It's low on recoil, and very accuarte. I have one with a hair trigger, you may or may not want that opinion.

a small .22 cal pistol is good to, check your local pawn shops, and bass pro shops.

Answer 19

Supposedly the 38 w/ 2in barrel and shrouded hammer is the best.

Personally I would suggest a compact 45

Answer 20

Makarov.accurate,not a lot of recoil,small but fits in your hand nicely,and even a college student can afford one (no offense,I'm starting grad school).