Help selecting an auto for a small frame female

[1SOW]

My suggestion is to 1st: Buy a gun that fits your grip and feels natural/points well. If you have hand or arm-strength issues, don't buy a large frame pistol; and if possible, shoot it before buying it. This is probably THE most important step in buying a new gun. There are many small frame semi-autos available.

Many ranges offer to 'rent' guns you can try out. If you have a 'gunshow' near your location that's a good place to get to 'touchy-feely' , work the action and maybe try the trigger on a many small frame semi-autos.

2nd: If it fits your grip and feels natural, you CAN learn to rack the slide and use the slide lock. It's a matter of proper technique and practice, just as rcmodel and rellascout said.

hope this helps.

 

[John Wayne]

2nd: If it fits your grip and feels natural, you CAN learn to rack the slide and use the slide lock. It's a matter of proper technique and practice, just as rcmodel and rellascout said.

I respectfully disagree. Many people naturally do not have the hand/wrist/arm strength to properly rack the slide on some models of semiautomatic pistols. Telling someone to buy a gun before they are sure that they can reliably operate its basic functions can result in an individual wasting money or injuring themself.

Do not buy a gun thinking that because you did you will automatically be able to develop the strength and technique to operate it some day. Go to the range with friends, strengthen your grip, do whatever you need to do to be able to operate the gun, and then buy it. Waiting until you are sure of your technique may also open up other possibilities you would have overlooked.

 

[1SOW]

John W:

If you have hand or arm-strength issues, don't buy a large frame pistol; and if possible, shoot it before buying it.

Many ranges offer to 'rent' guns you can try out. If you have a 'gunshow' near your location that's a good place to get to 'touchy-feely' , work the action and maybe try the trigger on a many small frame semi-autos.

I've acted as RO for kids that didn't weigh 80lbs and not 5' tall shooting .22 to 9mm successfully, safely and pretty darn accurately.

 

[mljdeckard]

John Wayne,

If a person has normal body strength to bone a chicken, they can rack a slide. The only exception I have ever found to this is my mother, who had an injury in her left wrist that healed incorrectly. If someone is entirely able-bodied, they can rack a slide.