Mom wants a handgun, looking for additional suggestions.

[Lawdawg45]

Congratulations on your new convert! Keep in mind though that you'd be hard pressed to find a Firearms Instructor that would recommend a semi auto for a new shooter. Personally, I would look at a K Frame in .357/.38, lot's of versatility in that weapon. Good luck!

LD

 

[btg3]

...you'd be hard pressed to find a Firearms Instructor that would recommend a semi auto for a new shooter.

Oh, I see... new shooters need a "training wheel" on their handgun

 

[Tcruse]

Maybe in your area a "training wheel" is recommended, but not in my experience. I see many many more start with something like a Glock or Ruger SR or P95 with good sucess. If you think that hand or wrist strain will be an issue, try Ruger P95. One of my family members have wrist issues and tried numerous guns and shoots the P95 with the least problems.

 

[Zeke/PA]

If home defence is a consideration, I would recommend a revolver in the
.38/.357 offerings mainly because in a semi-auto, chambering,de-cocking,safties etc. tend to be cumbersome in an emergency situation.
I have been a shooter for quite some time and own several handguns but my daily carries and home defence weapons are all revolvers.
Big plus with the wheel guns though, if you reload, it's easy to save your empties.

 

[Fotno]

I agree that taking her to try the guns is the main thing.

That said, MAKE her try the plastic guns. A lot of people, especially older people, have an unfounded prejudice against the polymer framed guns. Most that I know have changed their minds after having actually shot them.

You've listed the mainstream metal-framed autos. You could see if she would prefer a revolver...

My wife learned to shoot with revolvers, qualifying for her CCP with a Colt's Det. Special, and had ZERO interest in semi-auto polymer guns till she fired one. A few trips to the range with a variety of firearms, and she came home with a Glock 19.

Point being, is that you never know what gun will fit a person best, so try as many as you can.

 

[btg3]

... in a semi-auto, chambering,de-cocking,safties etc. tend to be cumbersome

Not so with Glock, M&P.
What can be cumbersome to a new shooter is the revolver DA trigger.

 

[Zeke/PA]

btg3
Cumbersome DA trigger ?
Not so, all Ya' gotta' do is pull it!

 

[btg3]

Not so, all Ya' gotta' do is pull it!

Tell it to the little lady that ain't got yer bear paws hangin' offn her arms.

Seriously, a trigger job for any gun can help reduce pull force, but out of the box, my wife has a much easier time with point-n-shoot polymer pistols than trying to out-muscle a revolver trigger in DA mode.

 

[goon]

I personally like revolvers but some new shooters really take to semi-autos. I guess in the case of your "mom" depending on how old she is and what her personality is, that may or may not be the case. But think of your average cell phone - it's got way more features and apps than most of us need and people learn to manage them just fine. Decocking a semi-auto or dropping the magazine just isn't that big of a thing to learn.