My girlfriend is 5'1, like 100-110lbs. I want to get her an adequate pistol for self defense. She limp wrists my Glock 19 which results in a FTE nearly every shot. A Glock 19 is too big for her but that is just some info to consider when recommending me something. Thoughts?
SD Pistol Recommendation for Small Girl
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S&W 3913 Ladysmith for semi-auto
Colt Detective Special for wheel gun.
Have her shoot both of these and let her see what she thinks.
Colt Detective Special for wheel gun.
Have her shoot both of these and let her see what she thinks.
I second the 3913 for tiny hands.
Be warned that a revolver in .38 special has more felt recoil than 9mm. This means that the 9mm shoots "softer" in the hand.
Limp wristing can be overcome with practice and some weight exercises. Proper motivation is key.
Be warned that a revolver in .38 special has more felt recoil than 9mm. This means that the 9mm shoots "softer" in the hand.
Limp wristing can be overcome with practice and some weight exercises. Proper motivation is key.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Try a Kahr K9 or P9.
AKElroy
Member
+1 for the .38 snubby if she is not willing to try again with the G19. However; She CAN overcome the limp wristing on the Glock quickly; probably in ONE good practice session with the proper techique. Download proper Weaver stance (Grip high & tight, push with the right, pull with the left) and the jams will stop.
Desert Eagle 50 or a S&W 500 with a 6 inch barrel. Nothing is hotter than a lil woman with a big gun.
But seriously I think you need to let her handle the guns in a gunstore and possibly be able to shoot some at a range if they will let her to find the best fit.
But seriously I think you need to let her handle the guns in a gunstore and possibly be able to shoot some at a range if they will let her to find the best fit.
Quoheleth
Member
I just got done teaching two women to shoot. One had a Jiminez JA9 [shudder], one a Taurus PT111. Neither woman could shoot these smaller guns well. I gave them my Smith M&P9 to shoot. Both were shooting 70% bullseyes after just a few shots; all were in "center mass." One also enjoyed shooting my officer 1911 and my 6" GP100.
Point: take the young lady to a well-stocked gun store and let her handle as many guns as she can. What you/we think she can handle might be 180 degrees from what she likes.
Do NOT buy her the gun you *know* she needs. You don't buy her shoes, undergarments (
) or fingernail polish. Don't do it with a gun, either.
She could be limp-wristing because it doesn't feel good. Let her try an M&P, XD, some mid-sized revolvers (Smith Model 10, Ruger SP101), and maybe even a 1911 or a CZ75 -- you (and she) may be pleasantly surprised!
Q
Point: take the young lady to a well-stocked gun store and let her handle as many guns as she can. What you/we think she can handle might be 180 degrees from what she likes.
Do NOT buy her the gun you *know* she needs. You don't buy her shoes, undergarments (
) or fingernail polish. Don't do it with a gun, either.She could be limp-wristing because it doesn't feel good. Let her try an M&P, XD, some mid-sized revolvers (Smith Model 10, Ruger SP101), and maybe even a 1911 or a CZ75 -- you (and she) may be pleasantly surprised!
Q
bigfatdave
Member
Take her to a range with rentals and let her decide what features she likes.
10-Ring
Member
How about a G19 22lr conversion kit to build muscle memory and work on technique -- then work back up to the defensive rounds??
What does she like?
What does she like?
bigfatdave
Member
10-Ring makes a good point ... tossing her a full-power centerfire handgun and expecting her to master it in one range session isn't going to work.
Get her some .22 pistol practice (you DO have a .22 pistol to practice with, right?) before expecting her to make an informed decision on a defense gun ... THEN get her into your collection, your friend's collections, and the rental range to figure out what SHE wants in a defense handgun.
Remember, if you buy her something, and she doesn't practice with it, doesn't maintain it, and only accepts it to make you shut up ... it will do no good for defense.
Get her something that she enjoys shooting, and shoots well ... no matter how much you try to arm her with hardware, if the software isn't there you fail.
Get her some .22 pistol practice (you DO have a .22 pistol to practice with, right?) before expecting her to make an informed decision on a defense gun ... THEN get her into your collection, your friend's collections, and the rental range to figure out what SHE wants in a defense handgun.
Remember, if you buy her something, and she doesn't practice with it, doesn't maintain it, and only accepts it to make you shut up ... it will do no good for defense.
Get her something that she enjoys shooting, and shoots well ... no matter how much you try to arm her with hardware, if the software isn't there you fail.
gimlet1/21
Member
Set her up with a Kel-Tec .32, my wife is also a small lady, these will certainly discourage any unwanted Romeo's
sm
member
This has been discussed before...
Quoheleth, and 10 Ring speak true
For the new folks:
Back when...
I assisted on some private ranges, we had a slew of guns.
Gun fit to shooter is that important.
New shooters, I/we started them out on .22 revolvers, then went to a Model 10
We kept a minimum of six Model 10s, just alike, except for stocks. We had other stocks, and it only took a second to change out. It was easier to have a dozen or so Model 10, or Model 64 (same gun, just stainless) with different stocks.
Then we went to .22 semi-auto, by this time, gun fit was something the new folks had picked up on. So we had different semi auto .22's.
Then transitioned to Single Action center fire, such as 1911 and BHP. Then went to other center fire semi autos.
Overwhelmingly, the .40 cal was hated, especially by ladies.
The BHP and 1911 were well received by ladies.
I used a 185 gr load in the 1911s to start out.
3913s were well received, and at the time, good used Police trade ins were easy to come by, and affordable.
Folks actually handled, and shot a variety of guns.
I did a lot with ladies.
These gals not only had a lot of guns to choose from, also holsters and other gear, they could try as well.
Fun stuff too.
Let the gals shoot a 9x23 Race Gun, and "brrrrrp!" and huge grins.
Some gals, that had the monies, did go to a 1911 style, Commander size 9x23 , with the gold bead front sight for CCW.
Budgets varied, and we assisted with those that had a need.
We had some "inexpensive" and "little lady needs this" type guns. It just made sense to be responsible to show ladies, and guys in their lives these guns were NOT what a lady needs.
i.e a Jennings.
Cute, small, but the ladies right off figured out, one could not hit with it.
I made more than one guy ( especially macho "experts") shoot one. I mean if they are such an expert as to what a ladies needs, they should be able to shoot with expertise a "little gun for a lady" - correct?
WE did a lot of things at these ranges, from new shooters, kids, elderly, physically limited, CCW, Armored car guards ( where I drew short straw - wait I did not get a straw- to assist with PGO shotguns).
No kidding, 105 handguns were on tables one morning, from .22 cal to on up, both revolvers and semi auto, in all sorts of calibers.
We had five ladies that had never touched , much less fired a handgun.
One of the ladies was 15 years old, 4'11 1/2 (don't forget the "1/2" *lol*) and I asked if she had to dance in the shower to get wet. *grin*
Her mom was not much bigger.
They were broke, bad life circumstances, and we after all the lessons and hands on stuff, they shot a Model 64 3" really well, and the snub nose Model 10.
We gave them a Model 10 snub nose. This fit CCW and home use.
Later, they could afford a 3913, the gun they both shot...I kid you not, like an extension of them.
On down the road, they bought a .22 revolver we come up with for a good price.
Folks have to actually shoot before they buy, ladies, or gents. Just I get really irked by guys, that think because they stand up to tinkle they are experts in guns, cars, and whatever else.
Ladies make the best students, they really do.
Over the decades, my experience and observation has been, five guns fit 90% of all hands.
1911
BHP
Colt DS
S&W K frame
S&W J frame
When the 39 series came out, that became the sixth gun.
Guns that fit hands, and folks can shoot well.
Being the old fart I am, I have not kept up, nor really care about some newer offerings, what TEEM SEEL is using this week or what LAPD SWAT is using and you can forget any guns in the latest video game.
Quoheleth, and 10 Ring speak true
For the new folks:
Back when...
I assisted on some private ranges, we had a slew of guns.
Gun fit to shooter is that important.
New shooters, I/we started them out on .22 revolvers, then went to a Model 10
We kept a minimum of six Model 10s, just alike, except for stocks. We had other stocks, and it only took a second to change out. It was easier to have a dozen or so Model 10, or Model 64 (same gun, just stainless) with different stocks.
Then we went to .22 semi-auto, by this time, gun fit was something the new folks had picked up on. So we had different semi auto .22's.
Then transitioned to Single Action center fire, such as 1911 and BHP. Then went to other center fire semi autos.
Overwhelmingly, the .40 cal was hated, especially by ladies.
The BHP and 1911 were well received by ladies.
I used a 185 gr load in the 1911s to start out.
3913s were well received, and at the time, good used Police trade ins were easy to come by, and affordable.
Folks actually handled, and shot a variety of guns.
I did a lot with ladies.
These gals not only had a lot of guns to choose from, also holsters and other gear, they could try as well.
Fun stuff too.
Let the gals shoot a 9x23 Race Gun, and "brrrrrp!" and huge grins.
Some gals, that had the monies, did go to a 1911 style, Commander size 9x23 , with the gold bead front sight for CCW.
Budgets varied, and we assisted with those that had a need.
We had some "inexpensive" and "little lady needs this" type guns. It just made sense to be responsible to show ladies, and guys in their lives these guns were NOT what a lady needs.
i.e a Jennings.
Cute, small, but the ladies right off figured out, one could not hit with it.
I made more than one guy ( especially macho "experts") shoot one. I mean if they are such an expert as to what a ladies needs, they should be able to shoot with expertise a "little gun for a lady" - correct?
WE did a lot of things at these ranges, from new shooters, kids, elderly, physically limited, CCW, Armored car guards ( where I drew short straw - wait I did not get a straw- to assist with PGO shotguns).
No kidding, 105 handguns were on tables one morning, from .22 cal to on up, both revolvers and semi auto, in all sorts of calibers.
We had five ladies that had never touched , much less fired a handgun.
One of the ladies was 15 years old, 4'11 1/2 (don't forget the "1/2" *lol*) and I asked if she had to dance in the shower to get wet. *grin*
Her mom was not much bigger.
They were broke, bad life circumstances, and we after all the lessons and hands on stuff, they shot a Model 64 3" really well, and the snub nose Model 10.
We gave them a Model 10 snub nose. This fit CCW and home use.
Later, they could afford a 3913, the gun they both shot...I kid you not, like an extension of them.
On down the road, they bought a .22 revolver we come up with for a good price.
Folks have to actually shoot before they buy, ladies, or gents. Just I get really irked by guys, that think because they stand up to tinkle they are experts in guns, cars, and whatever else.
Ladies make the best students, they really do.
Over the decades, my experience and observation has been, five guns fit 90% of all hands.
1911
BHP
Colt DS
S&W K frame
S&W J frame
When the 39 series came out, that became the sixth gun.
Guns that fit hands, and folks can shoot well.
Being the old fart I am, I have not kept up, nor really care about some newer offerings, what TEEM SEEL is using this week or what LAPD SWAT is using and you can forget any guns in the latest video game.
David E
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 7,459
We often hear, "Let HER decide," while overlooking the fact that she probably doesn't know enough (at that point) to make an intelligent decision.
WE who are assisting these folks need to understand their needs and accommodate them, not push our requirements onto them if those requirements are not helpful to them.
To answer the question, the Kahr 9mm's would be possible choices, if they are not too much gun for her.
Often, the .380's kick more than a 9mm due to the straight blowback vs. locked breech.
Simple is better. A DAO Kahr or a .38 J-frame/ Colt DS (with proper grips and loads) should fit most folks with small hands.
I like the 3913, but would instead suggest the DAO version, the 3953 for the simplicity.
WE who are assisting these folks need to understand their needs and accommodate them, not push our requirements onto them if those requirements are not helpful to them.
To answer the question, the Kahr 9mm's would be possible choices, if they are not too much gun for her.
Often, the .380's kick more than a 9mm due to the straight blowback vs. locked breech.
Simple is better. A DAO Kahr or a .38 J-frame/ Colt DS (with proper grips and loads) should fit most folks with small hands.
I like the 3913, but would instead suggest the DAO version, the 3953 for the simplicity.
onlymeself
Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2009
- Messages
- 48
I'm not big woman, 5'4" 125 I like my XDM 9 over my hubby XD 9. Why? I can change out my backstraps to make the grip fit better. His XD is much harder to rack than my XDM. Mine has a little less kick than his, and it's more ergo as well. Just the nature movement of bringing his up I have to adjust back down. I don't have to do this with mine. It also doesn't pop up as much as his, not that his pops up a lot to begin with.
SA makes a fine weapon. Look up the torture test for the XD. Out of the thousand of rounds I've fired I've never had a jam, FTF or a stove pipe. And neither has hubby. My sons girl shoots his kimber 1911 45 acp and loves it.
Plus I read an article here recently about the kimber fitting woman's hands better. I think it's the seattle pd that is adopting them cuz the women LEO hands fit better.
SA makes a fine weapon. Look up the torture test for the XD. Out of the thousand of rounds I've fired I've never had a jam, FTF or a stove pipe. And neither has hubby. My sons girl shoots his kimber 1911 45 acp and loves it.
Plus I read an article here recently about the kimber fitting woman's hands better. I think it's the seattle pd that is adopting them cuz the women LEO hands fit better.
i'll echo it:
take her to a range with rentals
Bersa, XD, P32, a 380. The Glock dosen't fit small hands well.
Plus you have to factor in the concealment on her body. If she has it in a purse on on her small sounding frame.
Good luck, and by all means LET HER CHOOSE!
take her to a range with rentals
Bersa, XD, P32, a 380. The Glock dosen't fit small hands well.
Plus you have to factor in the concealment on her body. If she has it in a purse on on her small sounding frame.
Good luck, and by all means LET HER CHOOSE!
I thought Glocks were perfect? It jams? No way dude! Seriously let her try some medium size revolvers in .38/357. No magazines. No safeties. The final decision is hers as long as she understands what is important for a carry gun. (i.e. "this one has prettier grips" or "this one matches my shoes"..)
Madcap_Magician
Member
The limp-wristing could be a result of lack of knowledge/training/experience combined with a pistol whose grip is too fat for her palm size.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Teach her how to hit you in the face with her fist, if she already doesn't know how. Most folks learn how to do that at a very young age.
The same technique & muscles used to punch you in the face without breaking her wrest is the same used to stop limp-wresting a handgun.
But with that said, if she can't shoot an auto, and has no will to learn how, then a small revolver is the best & safest gun for her.
rc
The same technique & muscles used to punch you in the face without breaking her wrest is the same used to stop limp-wresting a handgun.
But with that said, if she can't shoot an auto, and has no will to learn how, then a small revolver is the best & safest gun for her.
rc
searcher451
Member
Lots and lots of threds on this topic, which might help. But the bottom line: Don't select something for her, and don't let others on a gun forum select soemthing for her. Let her select a gun herself, one that she can handle and likes and that fits her hand and eye. Everything else is a waste of time and effort and, ultimately, money.
Just One Shot
Member
Maybe you should wait until she reaches puberty before getting her a handgun!
Seriously, My wife is 5' nothing and she has shot both my full size 9mm Rugers over the years and I have no doubt she could handle either of my XD's if she was so inclined.
Take her to a range that rents handguns and let her try out a few different types and calibers, you may be surprised at what she can handle.
JWF III
Member
I think it is impossible to give an answer to your question, without pics.
But to answer the question. Let her shoot as many handguns as possible, and let her decide.
Wyman
christcorp
Member
If she isn't going to practice with the gun often; e.g. once a month or at least once every 2 months; then don't make ANY SEMI-AUTO pistol an option. Stay with a revolver. The revolver recommendations were good choices. Inexperienced shooter and those that don't practice and mainly have a gun for self defense, really need to stick with a revolver. So much less to go wrong, and so much less for the shooter to screw up. What good is a semi-auto 10-15 round pistol if it doesn't chamber when needed, she forgets to turn off the safety, can't remember how to handle that bad ejection, etc... A revolver as long as it's loaded is Point and Click. This is a very SIMPLE choice.
indiandave
Member
If she is not going to conceal carry, have her look at K/L frame revolvers. J frame revolvers can kick like a mule. not a good idea. The big thing is to let her pick out what she is comfortable with.
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