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Need Your Help

GF

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Aug 24, 2009
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Peoria, AZ, ,
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Okay so I have been wanting to get my girlfriend her first handgun now, but the problem is I am not sure what exactly I should be getting her. I want it to be something that she will be comfortable carrying in her purse and whatnot, and being that she seems to have a difficult time putting one in the chamber (can't pull back slide well enough)I am definitely leaning towards a revolver. I was looking at some .38s but would that be too much of a kick? I really want to get a hold of one to have her shoot, but I do not know anyone that has one. I know that she has to be able to choose one that she is going to be comfortable with, butI was wondering if any of you had any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.
 

lostone1413

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GF wrote:
Okay so I have been wanting to get my girlfriend her first handgun now, but the problem is I am not sure what exactly I should be getting her. I want it to be something that she will be comfortable carrying in her purse and whatnot, and being that she seems to have a difficult time putting one in the chamber (can't pull back slide well enough)I am definitely leaning towards a revolver. I was looking at some .38s but would that be too much of a kick? I really want to get a hold of one to have her shoot, but I do not know anyone that has one. I know that she has to be able to choose one that she is going to be comfortable with, butI was wondering if any of you had any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.
Like you said you will be getting the gun for her. My best advice is take her to a shooting range were she can rent some different guns and get the feel of them. As far as caliber don't get hung up on that. Did you know with the modern ammo their is very little difference in the ballistics between a 45ACP and a 9MM? I carry a 9MM but I have 4 45APCs in the gun safe. The best think you can do is get her what she feels comfortable shooting. That will be the gun she will shoot that will be the gun she might have to someday bet her life on. Remember the gun is hers If you like the gun or not it is her choice but whatever gun that she gets get her out shooting allot so she can handle it with ease. Let us know what she picks
 

GF

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Thanks for your help. I think that I am going to have to rent some different ones for her and see what she feels more comfortable with. Revolvers are something that I would really like for her being that like I said, she has a difficult time with the slide and I don't have to worry about the gun jamming up on her or anything like that.
 

*1911_man*

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the ruger LCR is a great pistol, rated for +P, and very smooth trigger, and lightweight. I got my girlfriend one, and she loves it, she didnt like any of my other guns, only that one.
Hope you fine a good one for her that she likes and will be comfortable with
 

mFonz77

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Nov 7, 2009
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Sierra Vista, AZ
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If you want her to think carrying it is a chore and leave it at home most of the time, just go buy one for her ;)

No, sounds like you've gotten some good advice already. Rent a bunch, let HER pick one out that fits well in her hand, has recoil she can control, and stand her about 10 feet back from a silhouette and let her see that she "hit" it. Don't try to outshoot her or impress her with your marksmanship, make the day all about her (this will get ya points in other areas too ;). Once she's found one she likes, time to get out the plastic :)
 

Snakemathis

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Prescott Valley, Arizona, USA
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mFonz77 wrote:
If you want her to think carrying it is a chore and leave it at home most of the time, just go buy one for her ;)

No, sounds like you've gotten some good advice already. Rent a bunch, let HER pick one out that fits well in her hand, has recoil she can control, and stand her about 10 feet back from a silhouette and let her see that she "hit" it. Don't try to outshoot her or impress her with your marksmanship, make the day all about her (this will get ya points in other areas too ;). Once she's found one she likes, time to get out the plastic :)
+1

However, I can give a little advice on what to have her try. First off, let her try anything she wants. You don't wanna have that argument surrounded by loaded handguns.:p Then if she cant seem to decide, I would suggest a Charter Arms .38 Spl. to get her testing started. Its a nice small revolver, light enough to carry consistently, easy to use and clean, and no "racking" required. My mom carries one everyday and let me tell you, she is religious about that gun. Hope that helps a little.
 

PavePusher

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Also keep in mind, the smaller the gun, in a given caliber, the harsher the recoil. It may well be better to start with a larger gun (i.e., full size 9mm), and work down (to a compact CC 9mm), then to start small and work up. Or full-size .38 revolver working down to a compact .38 revolver. Or whatever.

Last spring, my ex-girlfriends then-11-year old daughter (tall for her age, butskinny) had no problems with a 1911.45. In fact, she said the .22 conversion was fun, but "too wimpy".

Yes, I am a pimp for calibre whores. (No disrespect intended, my ex- laughed her ass off at that...):celebrate
 

mzbk2l

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Mar 13, 2007
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Superstition Mountain, Arizona, USA
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I don't know what ranges you have on that side of town, but at Caswell's in Mesa, you pay an hourly gun rental fee. You can return that gun to the counter and trade it for another one as many times as you want during that hour; the only stipulation is that you have to buy their ammo to use in their guns. Two hours of that should give you the chance to try out 4-5 or more guns, depending on how much you shoot each one.

I think they also have (or used to have) instruction and classes geared specifically toward women. Something like that would really give her the chance to get comfortable with her selection before you spend a lot of money on it.
 

Sonora Rebel

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My wife has the same problem with slides (and thumb safety's too). I got her a Charter Arms .38 spl (same as a J-frame S&W). Put some decent grips on it 'n she's happy as a clam. Point and click... Nothing to mess with. It's only 5 shot, but she's not gettin' into any gun battles. For concealed carry (purses 'n pockets) there's the hammerless variety... no hammer spur to hang up or get caught on anything. I think they're ugly... but effective.
 

mFonz77

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Sierra Vista, AZ
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Sonora Rebel wrote:
My wife has the same problem with slides (and thumb safety's too). I got her a Charter Arms .38 spl (same as a J-frame S&W). Put some decent grips on it 'n she's happy as a clam. Point and click... Nothing to mess with. It's only 5 shot, but she's not gettin' into any gun battles. For concealed carry (purses 'n pockets) there's the hammerless variety... no hammer spur to hang up or get caught on anything. I think they're ugly... but effective.
Love the J-frames...got a little 442. Perfect size and not sure if it's just me but I find my natural point of aim almost perfectly. They do kick a little more though, but something to work up to I guess...
 

Thoreau

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Mar 31, 2009
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Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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GF wrote:
Thanks for your help. I think that I am going to have to rent some different ones for her and see what she feels more comfortable with.


+11111111111111111

Get a membership at a decent gun range and use the rental pool until she finds what she is comfortable with. Even if it means signing up for a year, she should be spending time at the range practicing regularly anyway.

Not necessarily endorsing SGC, but it's only $5/mo extra to get unlimited rentals (and you can take that option off of the membership at any time once you're done needing it) and they have quite an extensive collection. That's how I picked my first handgun out.

The important thing is that people on here can give advice and ieas, but none of it means anything until SHE has shot the gun and can be comfortable with it. This isn't a decision for us, or even you, to make for her. She has to make the final decision herself for it to be done right. All anyone else can do is guide her and give her ideas to try out. =)

PS: Congrats on having a g/f who is open to the whole carrying thing. You've found a keeper!
 

vanman80

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Feb 18, 2010
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This is a question I have personal experiance at. My wife is 4' 11'', and has very small hands. We had a devil of a time trying to find a good weapon that fit her hand and she was able to chamber, activate safeties, and release magazines all with one hand. Most guns are not set up for people with small hands and or minimal power to chamber a round. However after much searching we discover the SIG P245 compact. The SIG fits her hand perfectly, the slide release is far enough back that she can hit it with her thumb and the slide spring is light and easy for her to chamber, and the decocking lever is a great safety feature. I know this is a .45 cal weapon but it has little recoil and if my wife finds it comfortable and controlable to shoot then I know most other women would as well.
 

brokenbarrel

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Mar 19, 2009
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206
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blowing dust, Arizona, USA
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GF wrote:
Okay so I have been wanting to get my girlfriend her first handgun now, but the problem is I am not sure what exactly I should be getting her. I want it to be something that she will be comfortable carrying in her purse and whatnot, and being that she seems to have a difficult time putting one in the chamber (can't pull back slide well enough)I am definitely leaning towards a revolver. I was looking at some .38s but would that be too much of a kick? I really want to get a hold of one to have her shoot, but I do not know anyone that has one. I know that she has to be able to choose one that she is going to be comfortable with, butI was wondering if any of you had any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.
I too think a charter arms(pinklady or lavender lady)would be great no jams,slides or safety....BUT make sure it what she will carry on her person,dont wanna get purse snatched or forget it and some little kid or big idiot get it and hurt themselves or someone with your gun..Traced back via your ID that was also in said purse..just a good point my ccw instructer brought up!
 

matt35

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Dec 14, 2009
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Scottsdale Gun Club lets you rent a variety of guns to shoot, I suggest you take her there and let her try a few and also talk to the employees, they are very knowledgable and should help her make the right choice. Take the 101(Pima) North exit on Raintree, make a right on Northsight, it's on the left.

Good Luck
 

Chico&Zeus

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Apr 22, 2010
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I think that I remember Shooters World off of I-17 and Indian School has "Ladies Night" on Fridays. I think that it's free range time, gun rental and instruction for women.
 

GF

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Aug 24, 2009
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Peoria, AZ, ,
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Oh yeah, I almost forget about Shooter's World because they are too expensive lol. But now that you reminded me about ladie's night I'm going to have to go there and rent them there.
 

March Hare

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Dec 31, 2009
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Hi,
I highly recommend this site, http://www.corneredcat.com/.
It's an excellent site, written from the female perspective and full of really good information for everyone.
It covers just about every aspect of gun ownership and responsibility.
There are training tips and sections on gun and holster selection.

I love her humor!

Don't let the pink color scheme on the site fool you, this lady means business!

-MH
 

GF

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Aug 24, 2009
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Peoria, AZ, ,
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Wow, thank you very much for that site itis actually really cool with great information. I have to make sure that she gives it a visit later today.
 

March Hare

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Dec 31, 2009
Messages
351
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Arridzona - Flatlander
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Always glad to help!

When it comes to firearms, there's no such thing as too much information!

Also check out http://www.youtube.com/user/limalife, this lady has many very educational videos, well worth watching, no matter who you are!

I hope she finds just the right gun and has an awesome time learning all about it.

-MH
 
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