Home Defense Firearm For A Woman

[DetBrowning]

A couple of women in my community asked me about having a gun for protection, they live alone. (neither had any experience at all with firearms)
I had them over and spent the first 45 minutes on safety, proper handling and storage. One was fine with my P365, the other couldn't rack the slide on
the P365 or even my tiny KelTec .32, I've suggested a .38 Spl revolver for her. She asked about a shotgun because she was able to use the slide without difficulty, however, I explained the recoil may be a problem for her. I suggested she go to a range and take an introductory course and try both a revolver and perhaps the S&W MP EZ. Thoughts?

 

[Telekinesis]

For pistols, a larger gun is going to have less recoil and more capacity, but will also be easier for someone with less hand strength to cycle the slide because the slide is larger (easier to grab) and the recoil springs are usually softer. If concealment is not a concern, I would try something in the Glock 19 size range. Or maybe the Walther PDP-F.

There’s also a technique that’s useful for cycling the slide on difficult guns. Grab the whole slide over the top with 4 fingers on one side and the palm of the hand on the other, then use a push pull with both hands opposing each other. Lots of people just starting out try to just pinch the slide at the very back. This technique makes it a lot easier. Not sure if that’s what you were showing them, but thought I’d mention it.

Finally, if we’re talking normal home defense and carry is not a factor, I’d recommend an AR over a pistol. Lots of advantages - easier to aim/shoot, less recoil, faster follow up shots, easy to add optics and lights, but also higher capacity, lower over-penetration, and significantly improved terminal performance. For someone who in all likelihood isn’t going to train that often, I think a rifle makes more sense.

 

[HKGuns]

Winchester 20 Gauge pump.

 

[epags]

A couple of women in my community asked me about having a gun for protection, they live alone. (neither had any experience at all with firearms)
......... and perhaps the S&W MP EZ. Thoughts?

The S&W MP EZ, if available in your State, is an excellent firearm for persons with limited hand/arm strength!

 

[Roverguy]

9mm carbine. Minimal recoil, easier aiming than a pistol, no slide racking.

 

[horsey300]

Ar15 or Smith ez.

 

[Lefty38-55]

For a pistol, one of the newer 'tip up' barrel ones (in 380?) would at least eliminate the racking of the slide as an issue ... too bad I forget the brand!

 

[GEM]

Check this out: https://www.corneredcat.com/contents/ from an expert.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Revolver is much better than a semi-auto for a new shooter. No slide to rack, happily fires regardless of how you hold it, does not have to be disassembled to clean, shoots just fine if you have to stick it right into BG's torso...

But if this is for home defense, hardening the house is at least as important as getting a firearm.

 

[alfsauve]

I'm with the old lady. Add in that these persons may not seek out the necessary training and practice, a revolver fills the bill nicely.

 

[Old Dog]

Winchester 20 Gauge pump.

One firearm I strongly disagree with recommending to a female buyer for their first ever gun, with no gun experience is a pump-action shotgun. It's not always about recoil, even in 20 ga or .410, it's the size and manual of arms.

My experience comes with thirteen years as a firearms instructor/trainer, having taught academy initial training and in-service qualification. Teaching novices how to effectively train with a pump-action shotgun is an enlightening experience, especially when we're talking about smaller-statured persons.

A handgun I will never recommend to a new shooter, male or female, is a J-frame revolver, another gun not for novices.

@GEM started a good thread with an excellent link this morning:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/giving-gun-advice.924541/

For a pistol, one of the newer 'tip up' barrel ones (in 380?)

I have found that the Beretta 86 is an ideal pistol to start new females shooters off with. It's not a real small pistol, but that tip-up barrel is a great feature.

 

[drobs]

A 9mm Ruger PC Carbine is what I gave my sister for home defense.

Ruger® PC Carbine™ Autoloading Rifle Models

ruger.com

Otherwise a 20 gauge or 410 pump shotgun would work.

590 7-Shot

The Mighty 590. With decades of military and law enforcement duty and countless performance and success stories under its belt, it’s no surprise that the 590 chosen for duty around the globe is also the ideal choice for home defense needs.

www.mossberg.com

590 7-Shot

The Mighty 590. With decades of military and law enforcement duty and countless performance and success stories under its belt, it’s no surprise that the 590 chosen for duty around the globe is also the ideal choice for home defense needs.

www.mossberg.com

Last a 12 gauge with a Mini-Shell Adapter installed - probably the least expensive.

Maverick 88 – Security

Maverick 88: the utility player of pump-action shotguns. Affordable and reliable, these diverse models are equally up to task, from combing through the woods to handling home security duty.

www.mossberg.com

Universal Minishell Adapter/Mag Follower Kit for Mossberg Pump Shotgun

This kit essentially provides a 590S conversion for your favorite Mossberg Pump-Action in a more robust design. It contains our patent-pending Universal Cartridge Adapter and low-drag no-snag Magazine Follower which allows smooth cycling of 1-3/4" Minishells up to 3" Magnum cartridges in the...

defendertactical.com

Best to have a new person get instruction on all types of firearms to include shotguns, if they buy one.

 

[Russ57]

I have found this series informative. I trust the source as being less biased. It only covers handguns for women and not long guns. Starting at series one and reading in order is best IMHO. That approach showed the bias a lot of men might unwittingly fall into, such as suggesting a revolver to a lady that knows nothing about a handgun. PS, most of them didn't like revolvers at all.

NRA Women | Results: NRA Women Ladies Pistol Project 4—Houston Edition

Our latest handgun survey proved that “right for you“ is not a motto but a maxim, one that every woman should carry with her into her next firearm purchase.

www.nrawomen.com

 

[.38 Special]

I am another who believes a standard revolver - neither a tiny snub nor a giant hunting gun, but something like a 4" K frame in .38 or .357 - is a great answer to that question.

I also have argued that a shotgun is often a better answer than any handgun - but I have to defer to more experienced men like @Old Dog: I have rarely helped teach a female how to use a pump gun. (I will note that I have taught several to use a hammer double, which appears to be instantly understandable by nearly anyone. Whether such a thing is an adequate defensive piece is, of course, subject to debate...)

 

[drobs]

I no longer recommend revolvers for new shooters. During the Hunter Safety course I took 5 years ago, not a single new shooter / hunter could lower the hammer on a lever action the 1st time, after being instructed on how to do it.

 

[herrwalther]

Whatever they shoot best. I have had students that could not operate a revolver, but be fine with a full size 1911. Thought a PCC AR in 9mm was too complicated but handle a 12ga pump Mossberg easily. Find what works most naturally and have them stick with it.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

If there is a range nearby with a good selection of rental guns take them there and let them try various options to see how they handle them. What any of us thinks doesn't matter if the women can't handle it.

 

[TonyAngel]

I think the S&W EZ is a good choice, assuming that the person takes the time to train with it to some degree. A long gun, especially for someone living alone, takes 2 hands to handle and increases the chances of having it taken away.

 

[hso]

Good discussion here -https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/giving-gun-advice.924541/unread

First, find what fits the individual so they point it naturally and then train with it.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Semiautomatics require training to learn how to quickly clear stoppages and these techniques must be practiced to maintain competency. A first-timer that's getting a gun for protection needs to be honest with oneself with regard to how often he/she intends to practice the full range of skills needed to maintain competency with a semiauto.

For non-gun folks that want a gun for "just in case" home defense I suggest a Rossi Circuit Judge 18" revolver-shotgun loaded with Federal 000 buck .410 shotshells. Being a long gun it's easier to shoot more accurately than a revolver, and it doesn't require much practice to maintain competency under life or death stress.

 

[old lady new shooter]

A handgun I will never recommend to a new shooter, male or female, is a J-frame revolver, another gun not for novices.

1000%. Very difficult to shoot accurately and unbelievably hard on the hand.

 

[Anchorite]

Get them signed up in a class. Heck, *sponsor* them.

Getting a new shooter involved is a great feeling. Watching them develop is doing our part to perpetuate the respect and devotion to firearms, personal liberty, and self reliance. Watch them learn and participate in what they find that *they* like.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Revolver is much better than a semi-auto for a new shooter. No slide to rack, happily fires regardless of how you hold it, does not have to be disassembled to clean, shoots just fine if you have to stick it right into BG's torso...

But if this is for home defense, hardening the house is at least as important as getting a firearm.

I've been conducting firearms training for darn near 10 years and have found revolvers to be a far worse option than a semi for new shooters or those without hand strength.

Shooting a revolver in a hurry requires way more strength than racking the slide on a standard sized semi

 

[chicharrones]

A couple of women in my community asked me about having a gun for protection, they live alone. (neither had any experience at all with firearms)
I had them over and spent the first 45 minutes on safety, proper handling and storage. One was fine with my P365, the other couldn't rack the slide on
the P365 or even my tiny KelTec .32, I've suggested a .38 Spl revolver for her. She asked about a shotgun because she was able to use the slide without difficulty, however, I explained the recoil may be a problem for her. I suggested she go to a range and take an introductory course and try both a revolver and perhaps the S&W MP EZ. Thoughts?

My wife is not a gun person. She has tried and doesn't like operating slides, safety levers, or dealing with magazines. At this point in her life (52), she prefers DA/SA revolvers.

What she has is a Ruger LCRx in .327 Magnum, but only shoots .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum out of it. As you can imagine, the .32 Long is mostly used for practice with minimal shots fired of .32 H&R per session.

She can pull the LCRx trigger through easily in double action. The laser is a great dry fire training aid and is usable in low light conditions. This gun is her home defense gun while I'm out of town for work.

She has the option of firing .38s out of my 2.5" S&W 66, but she prefers the 20 oz. loaded weight of the LCRx over the 70% heavier 66. Not to mention that the LCRx fits her hands better for trigger reach.

 

[erazor55]

Ruger Security 380 Lite Rack. My wife loved my 43X but had difficulty racking the slide. She picked up the Ruger, and really liked how she could easily rack the slide. It's loaded with Underwood Xtreme Defender - 15 rounds.