Concealed Carry for Women

[jeepnik]

My wife's been carrying 2" (or thereabouts) .38 spl revolvers for decades. She pointed out that when you looking at the business end revolver, there is no question that it's loaded. And, with the laser sights she adopted when they first became available, they leave no doubt where those hollow points are going to end up.

Yet, she's smart enough to know that while intimidation may work on some critters, for those not so cowed, her ability to place those hollow points where she wants, when she wants is due to her familiarity with said revolvers.

 

[Bobson]

If your wife doesn't like the Glock 19, might find a rental range that has the Ruger SR9 and/or SR9c. My wife wasn't crazy about the grip on my G19, but she really likes everything about the SR9, including the manual safety.

I'm not saying to push your wife toward the SR9, but it's worth having her take a look at it.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

My wife carries a S&W 296 .44 special loaded with Buffalo Bore 200 grain anti-personnel hardcast lead flat wad-cutters, most often in a purse, in a fanny pack, or OWB, in that order (although I wish it was in reverse order).

 

[critter]

I once owned a Ruger LCR .38 special-for a VERY short time. Wife saw it and it took her about 30 sec to declare it "HER GUN". Shoots it well and carries it a lot. She's happy with it.

 

[Fleetman]

Mine carries a S&W 360....she has a few autos but has trouble with slides so the revolver was her choice and works well for her.

 

[k_dawg]

The only guidance I gave my wife was to show her how to shoot properly, how to operate the various firearms, and choosing a quality firearm.

We went to several rental places and let her decide which she was most comfortable with.

She was just naturally is better with a DA revolver, and chose the S&W 642 in .38SP.

 

[warhwkbb]

My wife is also a home health nurse and often has to travel to unsavory neighborhoods. I stayed out of the decision as much as possible. She settled on a Ruger LCR with the Crimson Trace laser after trying dozens of others. This is not a gun I shoot particularly well, but it is HER gun and she handles it with aplomb.

 

[340PD]

Carry options.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogGBPVk5GQk&list=UUNn90bficsQbycHvrMBFdfw&index=52&feature=plcp

 

[silicosys4]

Here are some options for concealed holsters for her.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=708871

 

[Certaindeaf]

I know a couple career male nurses that carry fairly large "utility purses" or whatever you want to call them. Lord knows what they got shoved in there but they carry them at all times.

 

[BSA1]

Don't be afraid to look at smaller calibers

Selecting the right handgun for a woman can be a touchy issue on this forum. I asked for suggestions once for my wife who has recoil issues and ended up getting called a liar.

I think if most of the posters here that carry concealed handguns are honest will admit to trying several different weapons and more $$$$ than we care to admit (and may still be) in the quest for the perfect CCW. It should not come as any surprise for the same process to occur for her.

Searching for the perfect handgun for my wife is a challenge as she isn’t a “gun person” and has no interest in concealed carry as her job will not allow it. She also has weak wrists from carpel tunnel. Recently I was at the LGS where my daughter works and we choose (well I paid for it anyway) a Taurus 22 Magnum revolver as a gift for my wife. Hopefully she will be able to handle the recoil of the 22 Magnum. “Internet experts” be danged 8 rounds of 22 Magnum is far from a “mouse gun” caliber. If not well the quest will continue and I will have a nice compact 8 shot revolver for use here on the farm or if she does like it who knows I just might get a second one for myself!

My daughter on the other hand has become a big gun fan and wants to get her concealed carry permit. She can safely handle firearms and has no problems with powerful semi-automatic handguns. In fact the next handgun she wants is a lightweight small frame 38 revolver. (If things work out right I hope to buy her a S&W 442 for her birthday also).

So in my case the two ladies in my life are at total opposite ends of what they can handle and their interest level.