Softest Shooting Pistols for Self Defense?

[Penn Patriot]

I need some advice. My friend has her LTCF and is pro 2A; however she is pretty recoil sensitive. If possible, I'd like to see her carry something bigger than a 22 for self defense.

So here's the question: Which guns in a larger caliber are the softest shooters?
We're going to an indoor range this week and I'd like some advice on which guns we should rent.

Thanks.

[lemko]

I have a Bersa Thunder .380 that has a pretty light recoil. One you might want to avoid, however, is the Kel-Tec PF9. My hand was stinging after 57 rounds.

[amnesia]

You could also consider an lcr chambered in 22wmr. Soft shooting... look on YouTube for ballistics tests. Also be wary of some pocket guns like the lcp. I've been in a few shops where women have a hard time racking the slide.

[olderguy]

Go heavier. Got my wife a Sig P230 because it was light and fit her hand well; now when we go to the range, she would rather shoot my G19. She says the felt recoil is much lighter.

[normanvin]

It seems to me that a smaller caliber in a larger framed, full metal gun will give less felt recoil. Of course a bigger framed pistol is also less concealable.

[PocketProtector]

Recoil sensitivity is usually because you're not shooting enough....Buy more ammo.

[RockIsland]

She could check out a Kel-Tec p32. It's one of the smallest autoloaders out there and doesn't have much kick. Yes, it is only a .32 but it's better than harsh language. Maybe a 1911 style compact in 9mm. The more compact the pistol, the more felt recoil it will have. If you're recoil sensitive, it kind of limits your options for an effective round.

[300zx_tt]

9mm 1911, depending on her price point there are some great options.

[QuackXP]

Recoil sensitivity is largely a mental/training issue there is no reason that any able bodied adult cannot handle any mainstream handgun on the market today.

However I enjoy shooting my Kahr CW9 more than my Ruger LCP. Even though the Kahr is a 9mm its larger slide absorbs more energy and I can get a full grip vs the two finger grip of the LCP.

I have a Bersa Thunder .380 that has a pretty light recoil. One you might want to avoid, however, is the Kel-Tec PF9. My hand was stinging after 57 rounds.

I beg to differ. I have shot my friends Bersa enough and my Kahr CW9 of similar size but in 9mm has much less felt recoil. If your looking for less recoil a blow-back style of operation is not going to be a good fit.

It seems to me that a smaller caliber in a larger framed, full metal gun will give less felt recoil. Of course a bigger framed pistol is also less concealable.

This is very true. The more mass that can absorb the energy the less energy is going to be transferred to the shooter at the expense of size and or weight.

[arjohnson]

G26 is best in its class, soft shooting, accurate and most important, reliable.