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Subject: Female needs advice on buying a handgun
NavyGator    9/9/2007 11:56:14 PM
I'm a 23 year old female, in college and the military who needs some advice on purchasing a handgun. I've had experience with a wide range of weapons, .50 cals, shotguns, sniper rifles, an old German luger, and some old loud heavy handguns. I want this gun for personal safety as well as target practice. I don't want anything that will make me too deaf to call 911 if I have to, and I don't want a big kick either. I already know that a .22 or a .25 is too small for me. Everytime I go to look at purchasing a firearm they try to push those two on me and I don't like them. I have a very small grip but I'm stromg enough to handle a gun safely and accurately. I want something reliable, accurate, and comfortable. It will get use. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
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smitty237       9/17/2007 8:28:17 PM
I would highly recommend the Glock.  It's an idiot proof gun (just so long as you keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire), and it is very accurate and controllable.  For a female shooter I would recommend a 9mm version, but the .40 cal version isn't too much of a handful at all.  I would recommend the Glock 19, but you might want to take a look at the compact Glock 26, which is very concealable yet still packs a punch.  Trijicon or tritium sights arent' a bad idea, either.  A brand new Glock with night sights will cost you around $500.00, and a good holster will cost you around $60.00 or so.  As far as holsters go, I would highly recommend Galco holsters.
 
 Most important of all is that with whatever pistol you buy you need to get some proper training and practice, practice, practice!  I would rather someone not buy a handgun at all than to buy some high speed, low drag hunk of metal they don't know how to use safely. 
 
Good luck. 
 
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YelliChink       9/18/2007 12:10:41 PM
 
I love women who shoot well.
 
As for personal protection weapon, guns are very personal and situational.
 
If you need a bedroom gun, then get something 9mm, .40S&W or even .45ACP. Size is not the matter here, the bullets are rather critical. You don't want over penetration, so JHP, HP or other shattering or deforming bullets are the choice. There are just too many choices in the market, so the best way is to visit your local gunshop and find a gun that fits your hand and shoots well. Make sure you also get a gunlock and storage box so nobody can get access to your gun when you're not at present.
 
If you're applying a CHL, then you are probably considering carry. No matter what you choose, don't get a purse gun. You need a holster that strap your handgun to you and only allows you the access of the weapon. Concealment is the primary goal, so that leaves not many choices out there. I suggest that you may want to take a look at Kel Tec guns or snub revolvers. BUT, you still need pepper spray and probably a taser in your purse. Make sure that you have the training (I mean real self-defense handgun training by good instructors) and practice (not only on the range, but also practice draw in different position). When you draw, you mean to shoot and probably kill, so make sure you also have nonlethal means of protection as alternative. Last advice is DON'T COME TO CHICAGO!
 
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GOP       9/19/2007 7:02:16 AM

I would highly recommend the Glock.  It's an idiot proof gun (just so long as you keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire), and it is very accurate and controllable.  For a female shooter I would recommend a 9mm version, but the .40 cal version isn't too much of a handful at all.  I would recommend the Glock 19, but you might want to take a look at the compact Glock 26, which is very concealable yet still packs a punch.  Trijicon or tritium sights arent' a bad idea, either.  A brand new Glock with night sights will cost you around $500.00, and a good holster will cost you around $60.00 or so.  As far as holsters go, I would highly recommend Galco holsters.

 

 Most important of all is that with whatever pistol you buy you need to get some proper training and practice, practice, practice!  I would rather someone not buy a handgun at all than to buy some high speed, low drag hunk of metal they don't know how to use safely. 

 

Good luck. 


I agree totally with Smitty, and he knows his stuff for sure. I love Glocks. They are idiot proof, very reliable, fairly accurate, and ergonomic, The G19 has almost no kick whatsoever. Also, while slightly heavier, a Sig P229 is an awesome gun and may have better ergo's..
 
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ChdNorm       9/19/2007 12:58:59 PM
I have to disagree. Which I think is pretty much irrelevant at this point, as NavyGator doesn't seem to be paying attention anymore anyway. But, Glocks are good at what they're intended for, but that isn't beginners. As a platform for actually learning to shoot they have horrible triggers and piss poor accuracy. Those two things individually can be overcome, but only after gaining at least some level of proficiency.
 
On a scale of learning to walk before you can run, Glocks are about like jogging. As a second or third level of progression, Glocks are a fine choice as a purely defensive hand gun. To a beginner wanting to learn the fundementals, I still say it's tough to beat something like a S&W K-frame to learn to actually walk. Even more so if spending time at the range for the purpose of target shooting is a consideration. Nothing builds confidence like accuracy.
 
Generally speaking, it's my observation that people tend to think that just having the latest greatest Model-X pistol means they know how to use it. Having a tricked out Kimber 1911 no more makes someone a competent handgunner, than having a Delta Unisaw would make them Norm Abrahms. In my opinion, maybe 20% (and I'm probably being generous) of the people that go out and buy a pistol actually gain anything you could even remotely call proficiency.
 
A S&W .38 is the K.I.S.S. principle perfected. And if there was ever a place for that ... it's your typical handgun owner.
 
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RockyMTNClimber    Counter to the culture   9/19/2007 6:41:27 PM

I have to disagree. Which I think is pretty much irrelevant at this point, as NavyGator doesn't seem to be paying attention anymore anyway. But, Glocks are good at what they're intended for, but that isn't beginners. As a platform for actually learning to shoot they have horrible triggers and piss poor accuracy. Those two things individually can be overcome, but only after gaining at least some level of proficiency.

 

On a scale of learning to walk before you can run, Glocks are about like jogging. As a second or third level of progression, Glocks are a fine choice as a purely defensive hand gun. To a beginner wanting to learn the fundementals, I still say it's tough to beat something like a S&W K-frame to learn to actually walk. Even more so if spending time at the range for the purpose of target shooting is a consideration. Nothing builds confidence like accuracy.

 

Generally speaking, it's my observation that people tend to think that just having the latest greatest Model-X pistol means they know how to use it. Having a tricked out Kimber 1911 no more makes someone a competent handgunner, than having a Delta Unisaw would make them Norm Abrahms. In my opinion, maybe 20% (and I'm probably being generous) of the people that go out and buy a pistol actually gain anything you could even remotely call proficiency.

 

A S&W .38 is the K.I.S.S. principle perfected. And if there was ever a place for that ... it's your typical handgun owner.


Your opinion seems to run counter to the current culture. I hear almost no-body promote simple double action revolvers today. One problem is that most of the revolvers built new today have D-A triggers that are way to stiff to start with for a beginner, either male or female IMV. That is a problem for gun design and manufacture. Am I wrong about that? A gun that needs a trigger job before you can use it for practice and defense just isn't built right IMHO.
 
I do not disagree with your sentiment about the K frame S & W but you seem to be a lone cry in the wilderness with even the mfg's abandoning your call for the wheel gun's simple utility and reliability.
 
Check Six
 
Rocky
 
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ChdNorm       9/20/2007 12:03:26 AM
I don't deny my thoughts on the matter run counter to the current trends. But, the current trends tend to give us things of little to no real value. Like light rails, laser grips, and Paris Hilton ... not all trends are good. Extended mag releases were a big trend at one point too... till people realized that's why their magazines were inexplicably falling out all the time.

Without a doubt the revolvers that left the S&W factory this afternoon don't compare favorably with a 60's era Python or 50's K-38 Masterpiece. In fact, I would say that since S&W went to the lock the fit and finish and overall quality has been hit or miss all the way around. Just about every Colt revolver since the MKIII Troopers have pretty much sucked all the way around. That's not much of a problem when considering something like a good used 15-5 or 686-4 for a beginner though.
 
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dwightlooi       9/29/2007 11:39:56 AM

I'm a 23 year old female, in college and the military who needs some advice on purchasing a handgun. I've had experience with a wide range of weapons, .50 cals, shotguns, sniper rifles, an old German luger, and some old loud heavy handguns. I want this gun for personal safety as well as target practice. I don't want anything that will make me too deaf to call 911 if I have to, and I don't want a big kick either. I already know that a .22 or a .25 is too small for me. Everytime I go to look at purchasing a firearm they try to push those two on me and I don't like them. I have a very small grip but I'm stromg enough to handle a gun safely and accurately. I want something reliable, accurate, and comfortable. It will get use.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

The way I look at it, the 9x19mm (9mm para) is the mininum chambering for a good self-defense weapon. The round was originally designed so 13~17 can be double stacked into a handgun, but the 10 round capacity limit has pretty much removed that advantage. However, I find that the round attractive in that it allows about 7~9 rounds to be packed (single stack) into a handgun with very slender grips. With good ammunition like the Cor-Bon 115 grain +P JHP the 9mm is around 90% effective at dropping an adversary with the first shot into the upper torso. That is good enough. Just remember that the 9mm ammunition is key -- its a +P JHP or nothing, the FMJs are worthless. The good news is that no center fire practice ammo is cheaper than 9mm ammo so you will be able to shoot the weapon without breaking the bank.

One step up will be the 40 S&W or the 357 SIG (if you don't mind spotty ammo availability and high ammo cost). The guns are a little bulkier, the rounds recoil a little more and you lose a round in capacity. The 45ACP is another cheap to shoot chamber, and the round is big and heavy enough that choosing a particular ammunition brand or type isn't that important. The problem of course is that even the single stack 45s are a tad on the bulky side if you have small hands.

I don't know about your budget for the handgun, but if price is not a big concern you may want to look at the H&K P7M8. This handgun is interesting in that it has very slim grip and is cocked when you grip the weapon and depressing the front strap. Relax the grip and the gun is safe. The gun fires with a single action trigger so the trigger pull is light and short. Upon emptying a magazine the slide locks open and when you eject and insert a magazine, simply relaxing the grip on the front strap and reasserting the grip releases the slide. The gun does not have tilting or locking barrel of any sort, instead it operates by retarding the recoil of the slide with forward gas pressure exerted on piston under the barrel. The stationary barrel makes it very accurate. Out of the box, the gun typically prints 2~2.5" groups at 25 yards which is nearly custom race gun standard. In addition, the chamber is fluted such that the high pressure gases are channeled back on the exterior of the cartridge case (about 2/3s the way) floating the case off the wall instead of allowing the high pressure gases to compress the cartridge case against the chamber walls. This makes the extraction of a spent case effortless and in fact the gun will extract a case even with the extractor claw removed! This makes it a very reliable weapon functionally. I have owned and shot a P7M8 since 1995 and I can say that I have never have it jam for a non-ammunition related cause.

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9859/personaldefence9wn.jpg">

My P7M8
 
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towgunner1960    I agree with chdnorm   10/1/2007 2:41:30 PM
 
  A revolver is as simple as it gets, especially for a beginning shooter. Most people couldn't master the malfunction drills for an auto without extensive practice. If you're going to practice a lot then get an auto, if not you are much better served with something as simple as pull the trigger. No safeties to worry about, no jams, very few malfunctions. The only downside is 5-9 shots so don't miss. Laser grips would be a huge plus for a revolver. If you can't handle most situations with 6 shots you should get a bigger gun, or more friends withbigger guns.
 
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towgunner1960    I agree with chdnorm   10/1/2007 4:23:42 PM
 
  A revolver is as simple as it gets, especially for a beginning shooter. Most people couldn't master the malfunction drills for an auto without extensive practice. If you're going to practice a lot then get an auto, if not you are much better served with something as simple as pull the trigger. No safeties to worry about, no jams, very few malfunctions. The only downside is 5-9 shots so don't miss. Laser grips would be a huge plus for a revolver. If you can't handle most situations with 6 shots you should get a bigger gun, or more friends withbigger guns.
 
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dwightlooi       10/2/2007 12:28:13 AM

 

  A revolver is as simple as it gets, especially for a beginning shooter. Most people couldn't master the malfunction drills for an auto without extensive practice. If you're going to practice a lot then get an auto, if not you are much better served with something as simple as pull the trigger. No safeties to worry about, no jams, very few malfunctions. The only downside is 5-9 shots so don't miss. Laser grips would be a huge plus for a revolver. If you can't handle most situations with 6 shots you should get a bigger gun, or more friends withbigger guns.


A revolver is also far more difficult to shoot accurately, and even more difficult to shoot accurately and quickly. Most modern revolvers are double action for every shot. This means the trigger pull is long, heavy and non-linear. The easiest guns to shoot accurately are those with single action triggers.

A revolver also presents more felt recoil for any given round. This is because there is no spring and reciprocating slide to soak up the recoil.

A revolver is also awefully awkward to carry if you have to carry it because of the thickness and shape of the weapon due to the cylinder.

Lastly, a revolver is not significantly (if at all) more reliable than a properly functioning semi-automatic handgun. In fact, semi-autos in general do not jam and when they do a simple rack of the slide tends to fix the problem. In fact, most of the malfunctions you are ever going to run into are going to be dead primers. And with halfway decent ammo it only happens once is a long while. If you think that revolvers are jam proof, think again. A common failure mode is the bullet backing out of the case and catching on the sides of the gun as the cylinder rotates. This is why is often crimp the lips, but not all ammo receive such treatment and not all crimps work as they should.

My personal experience is that a semi-automatic is no less reliable or more difficult to deal with in a malfunction than a revolver. As far as handguns go, shoot a Kimber 1911A1, a H&K P7M8, a Benelli MP95SE and an Ruger SP101.
 
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