OC/CC Carry Gun---any ideas for a lady?

[MomTeacherFarmerHunter]

I have always been a firm believer in the right to keep and bear arms, but for me that always meant that I could go hunting and if others so chose they could carry with the possibility of myself carrying someday down the line. Well I think the time has come for that someday... I'm really not that up on handguns at the moment but would like to learn and get my own.

As far as what I'd like:
-something not terribly expensive (no more than 500 pref. much less)
-not sure exactly how small but def. something that I could conceal on myself not purse carrying here...
-no Pink other colors may be okay
-I think i'm leanign twds a revolver

I do like the S&W Air Weight but would like to give it a try first and am up for other suggestions as to guns to try and ways for women to easily conceal if need be or retention holsters for OC

Thanks in advance for any help you have to offer.[/B]

[falcn]

There goes a can of worms

I just went through the process of picking out my first carry gun.

People on here pointed out some things to consider:

1) try the guns out - as many as you can. Handle them, shoot them.
2) determine if good holsters exist for it

You will shortly be getting offers to shoot more guns than you knew existed

Myself I ended up getting a Kahr CW9 - very concealable.

[mojo]

For under $500 ... I think a good option is the Steyr M9. You can usually find them new for under $500.



For a little more you can start looking at the S&W M&P, Springfield Armory XDs, and Glocks.

I own a M&P9c which is a 9mm compact version. It's very easy to conceal and very reliable.

I'm not really into revolvers, so I don't have any good suggestions there.

Find out a few that you like, then ask people around here that own them. I'm sure they will bring them to a group shoot for you to try out.

[renegadephoenix]

i have a S&W model 60 in .357 mag. it's nice, small, easy to shoot and your dad loved the trigger.

i also have a Sig P232 in .380 acp, another nice little carry gun that is easy to shoot and conceal. it is also a Semi auto.

let me know when you want to shoot and i'll bring them up

[falcn]

i also have a Sig P232 in .380 acp, another nice little carry gun that is easy to shoot and conceal. it is also a Semi auto.

I looooove the feel of these guns.

[tlgpa]

Speaking on my wifes behalf...
She likes revolvers.
Revolvers are easy to operate and pretty fool proof.
.38 Special. Easy to CC, OC, stick in the purse.
Can easily be found for much under $500
Not too much kick for a lady to shoot.
Enough punch for the bad guy.


The only drawback I'd add is .38 Special ammo is sometimes hard to come by right now and a little on the pricey side to shoot. Althought I did just score a box of 100 at Walmart the other day for $29.

A .357 would be a good choice as well. You can shoot .357 or .38 special ammo.

[JavaProgrammer]

As far as what I'd like:
-something not terribly expensive (no more than 500 pref. much less)

Hi-Point.

Now watch the shitstorm that I just started.

[JoeWilliams]

Leaning towards a revolver? Excellent taste

The lightweight .38s are really nice to carry, not so nice to shoot. If you want to do both, I recommend a 3" Ruger SP101, which is why I bought and carry one. It's too heavy and big to be a pocket gun, but it's a wonderful little compact revolver with a lot of power available if you want it, and is just an absolute ton of fun to shoot with .38 Specials and .38 +Ps. Looks good on the hip, too

Here's a review I wrote on mine a while back:
http://forum.pafoa.org/pistols-41/26...el-review.html

[FMJ]

Probably best to do just like Falcn suggested. Go try all the guns that appeal to you. My wife has the Ruger LCR revolver and she isn't diggin' it. The small revolvers have a good amount of recoil. The semi's are great, but make sure you can rack the slide before you buy it.
Just find some you like, first hold it in your hand, take aim and see how it fits your hand. Right from that, you'll eliminate 50% of your choices. The other 50% you rent at the range and shoot them. Best way to find the gun you will love.

[Gi14]

My wife does not like to shoot her S&W 642 Centennial, but it's an incredibly easy gun for her to carry. Light, hammerless, small. She's not a weak woman, but the jarring energy of the Airweight hurts her hand/wrist enough to keep her from wanting to practice with it. I don't care for it much either. I have some junk WC from S&B that is easier to shoot with, but if you can't practice with what you're carrying...

She does like the Glock G26 and G27, but we haven't had a chance to get her hands on any other semi-auto subcompacts. We'll be changing her carry gun very soon. You may also want to consider round capacity. Think about worse case scenarios that are possible (if not probable) in your daily life and make sure your choice in firearm covers as many as possible. Do you fear pack-mentality violence from a group, or a single criminal looking to prey on a woman? That might or might not affect your decision between a semi-auto and a wheel gun, but it's another thing to consider.


#1 - Test fire everything you can get your hands on, it's the only way to know what you'll feel comfortable with. What my wife or another woman likes might not do you a lick of good if you end up with a gun you don't like to shoot/carry. Once you have a list of firearms that make you smile and are the 'right' size for you...look at price tags.

Good luck!