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Which is the better handgun for a woman.

Better handgun for a woman

  • Ruger LC9s

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • Glock 19Gen4

    Votes: 4 80.0%

  • Total voters
    5
  • Poll closed .

holbritter

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I've narrowed it down to 2 I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance!
 
A small frame D/A revolver would be the safest for an inexperienced woman to learn with. Maybe auto's later.

.38 special for the none sensitive to recoil types.

One of the .32's like the hot little .327 S&W if she doesn't like some recoil.

JMHO
 
The one you can most easily carry and operate.

Caliber and capacity are important but not as important as being able to get a round on target first. Make sure it fits your hand, has sights you can pick up right away and a trigger you're comfortable with.
 
Whatever fits your paw best, has decent sights and, nowadays, complies with state magazine capacity restrictions. Personally, I think a .380 is plenty of bang and its size/weight may be better suited for concealed carry.
 
I've narrowed it down to 2 I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance!

One of my sidearms is a GLOCK-34/Gen4 (9x19). The grip can be instantly customized to fit virtually any hand size.

The Ruger LC9s is smaller and would more easily fit into a woman's purse/handbag. You may also like the Ruger LCP (9mm).
 
I've narrowed it down to 2 I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance!

Glock

better quality
higher capacity
higher hit capability
easier to shoot accurately
more accessories-holsters-after market sights etc
more gunsmiths are familiar with it
more versatile-its great for target shooting, IDPA and other competitions
Less perceived recoil

Ruger

more compact
easier to conceal with certain clothing
lighter to carry
good quality-Ruger has good reputation for standing behind their products
 
my wife has been carrying for 13 years. she has tried tons of guns. She likes the SIG 238 and the almost the same KIMBER micro 380. The mini Glocks in 380 and 9mm (42/43) are really popular and quite accurate. I carry either a SIG 938 (the 9mm version of the 238) or a Beretta 84 (13 shot 380) and sometimes a Smith and Wesson Shield or the Bodyguard. Depends on the season and what I am wearing.

the SIGS and the Beretta are pricey. The small Glocks are better priced.

other brands to consider are a new offering called "HONOR GUARD"-well made USA stuff.
 
Glock

better quality
higher capacity
higher hit capability
easier to shoot accurately
more accessories-holsters-after market sights etc
more gunsmiths are familiar with it
more versatile-its great for target shooting, IDPA and other competitions
Less perceived recoil

Ruger

more compact
easier to conceal with certain clothing
lighter to carry
good quality-Ruger has good reputation for standing behind their products

Glock for these reasons.
 
How will you carry? How much recoil can you handle? Revolver or semi auto?

Lots of votes for Glock people swear by them, but I can't stand them myself.
 
I've narrowed it down to 2 I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance!

My wife carries a Sig 238 Army. Very easy for her to charge and fire. Like it so much I am considering getting the SAS model for times I cannot carry a G19. Regardless, best thing to do is take her to a range that lets her try before she buys. Bet she would not like the trigger of the Lc9. I wanted to know for sure she got one she liked to shoot. Have fun!
 
How will you carry? How much recoil can you handle? Revolver or semi auto?

Lots of votes for Glock people swear by them, but I can't stand them myself.

The only time I really plan to carry is to the range and back. I'm interested in recreational shooting at the range and home defense. I have never fired a handgun, only long guns, so I don't know about recoil. I originally thought I wanted semi auto, but now I'm unsure about that.

I just found a range nearby that will 'rent' guns, so I can do that to try different guns, however, I'm embarrassed that I don't even know how to load a gun yet, or handle it. So....I'm looking for a course for the basics that doesn't require you own your own handgun, but it's not as easy as I thought. :)
 
Both are fine but I would suggest checking whether or not you can pull the slide all the way back on either, many women simply do not have the hand strength to do it and trying to teach technique in those cases is usually a waste of time. If you cannot, then I would highly suggest a .38 or even a 9mm DA Revolver, reloading is slower but few people ever have to do so in a shooting situation, there are some good S&W and Rugers that will fit the Bill.
 
Ok good start.

Sounds like it will be a range gun, so I would avoid some of the smaller concealed carry options. Their skinner and shorter design tends to make the recoil more pronounced.

If you have gun shows in your area go to one. Not to buy but to look and feel. Just picking up and holding a gun goes a long way. Grip texture, angle, length, width etc can eliminate ones you do or don't like without spending a lot to rent different guns.

No matter if it's a revolver or semi I would recomend something with a 3+ inch barrel. Look at the mid size range. Revolver I would say go .32 semi auto go with 9mm. Both rounds can stop bad guys are pretty common and sold most anyplace that sells bullets and not to expensive.

But untimely enjoy what you get
 
Both are fine but I would suggest checking whether or not you can pull the slide all the way back on either, many women simply do not have the hand strength to do it and trying to teach technique in those cases is usually a waste of time. If you cannot, then I would highly suggest a .38 or even a 9mm DA Revolver, reloading is slower but few people ever have to do so in a shooting situation, there are some good S&W and Rugers that will fit the Bill.

Exactly why I was still considering a revolver :) When I see if I can, that will help make my decision.
 
Exactly why I was still considering a revolver :) When I see if I can, that will help make my decision.

Definitely verify your ability with any semiauto, they vary a lot in slide pull. I would also add if you are planning on conceal carry now or in the future look at a revolver that has no hammer sticking up, one less thing to snag at the worst time. Also, a reminder, many gun shops also have a range and various firearms available that can be tested to see what works best for you, you would hate to buy something that feels good in the hand but hate firing it, especially considering that you are about to pay good money for the firearm. Oh, and once you purchase one ensure that you buy plenty of ammo, you will need to spend time on the range even if it is only once a week that is going to run 50-100 rounds minimum each practice session.
Good Luck and if you run into any questions you always know that there are more than a few posters here that know their way around firearms and their proper and safe use, and believe me they like talking about their tools, so ask away, the only stupid questions are those you fail to ask.
 
Oh, one final thought, I own both guns you mentioned, other than the LC9 is the Pro version, both are fine guns. The G19 holds more rounds but is heavier and larger, and the wife had bought the LC9 Pro for herself but preferred my Bersa 9CC (another option in the semiauto category, looks like a Glock and is dependable has heck) when it came to actual shooting, so we traded.
 
The only time I really plan to carry is to the range and back. I'm interested in recreational shooting at the range and home defense. :)




For that reason --- a high capacity
9 mm handgun . If you want to shoot - then shoot ; no sense reloading frequently with a five or six shot revolver. And 9mm ammo is affordable to shoot.

I don't know your budget - but here we go.

Low end - but good guns :

Glock 19 ( mid sized 9mm - 15 shot )

Glock 17 ( large sized 9mm - 17 shot )

Sig - Sauer = Sig Pro ( 9mm - midsized : 15 shot )

^ the above can be had for around the $550 mark ; but cheaper on some internet gun sites. Sig Pros were a little over the $400 mark this past November .


High end :

H&K USP compact ( 13 shot 9mm compact ) ; a good purse gun. Sharp ace looking pistola .

Sig P229 ( 15 shot 9mm compact - fits your hand like a glove ) DONT GET the E2 model --- do not ! Sig
P229 is a great purse gun. Feds carry these guns.

Sig P226 ( full sized 9mm - 15 shot ).


^ H&K ; P229 and P226 --- in must places cost $900.00 to a full $1000 dollars . Don't pay more than that. Again..... Internet sites could have them cheaper. A P229 in my area is about $725 dollars..... Which is a darn good buy. The H&K compact ( 13 shot ... " Great "for purse or drawer) in my area..... Is about $890.00.


Hope I helped. Again the H&K compact would make an excellent purse - range - target gun with the
P229 coming in second.


Major Lambda
 
A small frame D/A revolver would be the safest for an inexperienced woman to learn with. Maybe auto's later.

.38 special for the none sensitive to recoil types.

One of the .32's like the hot little .327 S&W if she doesn't like some recoil.

JMHO

An auto-loader is a serious mistake for many women, a weak grip will often result in a mis-feed and jamb. In addition if the gun is not cocked many women do not have the strength to rack the slide. Some auto-loaders have as many as 4 levers to operate (besides the trigger) A small revolver is usually a much better option They always work and they are simple to operate.
 
An auto-loader is a serious mistake for many women, a weak grip will often result in a mis-feed and jamb. In addition if the gun is not cocked many women do not have the strength to rack the slide. Some auto-loaders have as many as 4 levers to operate (besides the trigger) A small revolver is usually a much better option They always work and they are simple to operate.

I have found that my girlfriend’s biggest problem has nothing to do with strength or ability to work the weapon. It is all about fear of the beginner bite. :shrug:

She out shoots me with a revolver so why change?


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The only time I really plan to carry is to the range and back. I'm interested in recreational shooting at the range and home defense. I have never fired a handgun, only long guns, so I don't know about recoil. I originally thought I wanted semi auto, but now I'm unsure about that.

I just found a range nearby that will 'rent' guns, so I can do that to try different guns, however, I'm embarrassed that I don't even know how to load a gun yet, or handle it. So....I'm looking for a course for the basics that doesn't require you own your own handgun, but it's not as easy as I thought. :)

I don’t know if it has been addressed yet (probably). The semi auto takes less skill to reload. It is also lighter on recoil in a smaller size (with the right caliber). So that being said...

1) How strong is your grip/wrists? Because that will tell you how easy you will learn to manipulate the slide (part that moves??) under pressure. That being said...

2) You do NOT have to be strong to pull the slide back. Anyone who says this...is probably a man who does not use the proper form to manipulate the slide BECAUSE they don’t have to. I’m guilty of it myself. My cousin’s wife broke her wrists in a car accident, but once we discovered the proper form...she has no issues pulling the slide back. It just takes practice.

You are right to rent a few guns. Look for something that fits your hand and has as many bullets as you can handle. You said you aren’t concealed carrying...so don’t bother worrying about concealing. Unless you think you may start. And take a class. Always a good idea.

If you go for a semi automatic get one of these:

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Magazine loader. Saves your spring in the magazine and saves time reloading and your thumb/fingers on new magazines. :)



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What do you like about each of them?

So far, the price and what reviews I've read. I haven't handled either one yet. Working on finding a basics class where I don't have to own a handgun already.
 
I've narrowed it down to 2 I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance!

Ruger no question.
I have large hands, and the 19 feels bulky and unstable to me.
Ruger will be much easier to conceal.
Kahr has some new 9mm guns at a lower price, and their triggers are stellar.
I've carried a Kahr PM45 for years and love the gun.
 
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