Self Defense Gun recomendation with a long list of caveats

[KLR]

Okay folks, looking for some recommendations for a self defense weapon. The person is:
Left Handed
Somewhat Recoil Sensitive (thinks the Glock G-26 is trying to buck out of her hands with 115grain Winchester FMJs.
Has rather short fingers but average sized hands.
The G-26 is as much recoil spring as she can handle- couldn't open a Makarov.

Has handled and rejected the grip of:
Browning HP
Walther P-99, PPK
Sig 230 (too big)
SW-99 compact (Pinky sticking out)
Beretta 86, 92, Tomcat
Sig 228, 229, 225

Likes:
Walther P-22 (a sub-minimal self defense gun)

You get the picture. Personally, I think a revolver would suit her best but as a lefty the manual of arms is a little on the complicated side. I think most blowbacks are going to have too herky a recoil spring. I suppose an option would be a revolver (.32 H&R?) with the expectation that she wouldn't be able to re-load all that quickly.

Any recommendations? Please!???

 

[ny32182]

Kel-Tec in .380?

 

[cslinger]

My first choice is a revolver in .38 as the likelyhood of the reload is probably not all the great and with practice any handicaps can be overcome. I know we all would like to carry the most ammo and the biggest bullets possible but a .38 revolver has a lot going for it.

My second suggestion would be a Beretta Tomcat or 86 Cheetah. The Tomcat is only a .32 but easy to carry and easy to load with the tip up barrel. The Cheeta is big for a .380 IMO, but soaks up recoil well and has the afore mentioned tip up barrel so one does not have to rack the slide.

That is the best I can do.

http://www.beretta.com/home_2002.asp

http://www.internetarmory.com/Merch...=IAL&Product_Code=BR+86B210&Category_Code=BHG

For the revolver the Ruger SP101 has a lot going for it because it is a pretty heavy tough little beast. It should soak up most .38s recoil nicely.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5720&return=Y

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Not an autoloader, but would a Dan Wesson .357 with the cylinder release in front of the cylinder help a lefty at all? You can reach under and engage with your right pointer finger and thumb the cylinder open with your right thumb. You would still have to switch hands to reload, though.

Also -- used Dan Wessons are fairly inexpensive, you can change barrels and there are .22 and .44mag versions if she ever wants to plink or hunt with the same platform.

 

[KLR]

TTBadboy - She didn't like the P-32 they had, I don' t think she would like the P3AT.

cslinger - Last week the shop had a model 86. I would have LOVED to have bought it. She didn't like the grip or (strangely enough) the tip-up barrel. What a fantastic weapon, though.

 

[PO2Hammer]

How about a SIG P239? Easy to rack the slide, metal frame single stack, easy to reach trigger, less recoil than a small frame revolver. high quality 'sexy' gun with no safety to forget in a panic.
Or mabey a Kahr K-9?-very small but heavy, easy to reach trigger.
How about a Ruger mark II .22 lr as a trainer? get her used to firing a pistol without recoil and muzzle blast. They're fun to shoot, which builds enthusiasm about practice, then gradually move to a 9mm or .38.

 

[KLR]

PO2 Hammer - I like your thinking. A lot. I'll try to get her to handle one. That might be the ticket. I have recommended the 239 to several female co-workers upset with the grip size on our high-cap autos.

 

[1911Tuner]

Gun For the lady

I suggest a Taurus DA revolver in .22 Long Rifle. 9 rounds of high-velocity
solids would be a helluva deterrent at close quarters. Low noise/recoil,
and cheap practice ammo. Before anybody snickers, I know a petite
little teenager whose father gave one to her, and taught her to shoot it.
She practices twice a week. She can knock a gnat's eyelashes off at
20 paces with it, and she can empty the little revolver into the 9-ring
in two seconds flat. I for sure wouldn't want to make her nervous.

Her older sister shoots a 1911 in our IDPA and Plate Matches, and she
shuts several of the guys down on a regular basis. She started out with
a Ruger .22 when she was 12.

Just food for thought, but .22s have filled up a lotta graveyards, and if used
skillfully, are surprisingly effective for close-range emergency defense.

Tuner

 

[KLR]

Right now, the Walther P-22 is going to be her house gun. Trying to upgrade from a .22 to something a little bigger.

 

[artherd]

Sig 239 with Houage screw-on grips. Sublime.

And a very fine piece.

 

[1911Tuner]

Bigger is Gooder

The Beretta M-84/M-85 Series are nice little pistols in .380 ACP. Ultra
reliable with any in-spec ammo I've stuffed into'em. If she likes a
decocker, the Browning BDA is a near carbon copy of the Beretta.

 

[Zundfolge]

Kahr K9 Elite 98

easy to rack, good for small hands, heavier then the P9 so recoil isn't bad, Elite98 trigger 'cause it's butter

 

[KLR]

I would really like to find one of the now-extinct Lady K-9s. Yes, they weren't rated for +P but still. Does anyone make a modified recoil spring for a K-9? I have one that needs to go back to Kahr (ugly range incident during our stress course). I might be able to fix it up.

 

[JohnKSa]

Low recoil pistols with small grips...

Buy a Ruger SP101 in .32 H&R Mag and have the trigger reworked by a good smith.

The other option is a Colt Government .380 if you can find one--they're no longer made.

The Kel-Tec P32 is pretty low on the recoil scale. Why didn't she like it?

That's about as good as it gets for small size and low recoil. If she doesn't like those, she's going to have to stick with .22.

It sounds to me like she is satisfied with the .22 and doesn't see a need to go up in caliber. Maybe you could figure out how to give her an object lesson on why .22 isn't high on the list of self-defense cartridges...

 

[KLR]

JohnKSa-
She didn't like the feel of the grip on the P-32. Did not get a chance to fire it, though. She realizes the shortcomings of the .22 LR. The P-22 will be set up as "her" house gun, but my PM-9 will also be available to her in the same touchpad pistol safe.

 

[Richard]

See if you can find a Bersa Thunderer 45acp for her to try. This is a jewel of a pistol for a very low price. It's controls are ambidextrous, it is light, accurate, and handles recoil well. Regards, Richard

 

[lee n. field]

Personally, I think a revolver would suit her best but as a lefty the manual of arms is a little on the complicated side.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23374&highlight=wheelguns+for+lefties .

 

[ksnecktieman]

She can not miss fast enough to win a gunfight, or defend herself. I think get her the ruger mark 2 .22, or if she has too, maybe the walther. I know that the ruger will shoot every time she pulls the trigger, and will be easy for a beginner to hit with. I do not have any experience with the walther. I like the looks of the walther .22 and I have one on my list of guns to buy, but I KNOW about the ruger.

The first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun,,, it sounds to me like she is ready.

Good luck with your selection, and hang on to her.

 

[PCRCCW]

I agree with the Kahr K9........better grip for small hands than the Glock, longer grip allows full finger grip, heaver for better recoil absorption, great quality gun, reliable, accurate and they freaking shoot......................

Thats the best I can do............Shoot well.

 

[BJG]

H&K P7M8

The H&K P7M8 in 9mm could be a possibility, however it is very expensive. It's totally ambidextrious. The recoil is not bad because of the very low bore axis in relation to the hand.

 

[Sox]

Look for a used colt pocketlite government model in .380. This thing has enough for a full grip, the slide is easy to pull back, it is VERY thin, single action, very tame recoil, weighs about 13 oz! These are great guns. They make them in all steel as well which are a little heavier. They also made alot of different models of the same basic design. Like the mustang-smaller in height and length, mustang plus which has a full size grip but is shorter. Do a search on Gunsamerica and look around. Best bet is a gunshow. I recently saw a good condition government for 375.00 at a local show. Good luck.

 

[Brigrat]

How about a Taurus PT138??? I have never heard any complaints fromthose who own them, with the extended magazines, they fit even my large hands, they are compact enough to carry easily, and since they fire 380, they will buck alot less that the Glock 26 she tried.

 

[azrael]

One that I think might work is a SP101 in 9mm....I dont know if Ruger still makes one but I have tried one and it worked nice...Low recoil with good accuracy...Anyways...Keep her away from the KT P3AT...It needs a good strong grip to work properly...

 

[KLR]

Ruger's website is coming up as an all black screen.

 

[mete]

BJG, the low recoil of the P7 is due to the delayed recoil system. Most people say it feels like a 380. A good choice ,expensive though there are some very reasonable ,and in good condition police trade ins available.