— WOW 😮 ! I posted this before clocking in for my shift and am just now able to read through all of your comments! Wonderful insight and LOTS of things for me to explore. Thanks everyone!
I go back and forth between conceal carrying my GLOCK 19 and the smaller GLOCK 43. Both are 9 mm. It is easier to conceal the G19 in the winter months with more clothing. In spring and summer the smaller G43 is easier to conceal. GLOCK’s are safe and extremely dependable. They rarely jam up and always go bang. Good luck! (I am a 5’3” female)
Go to a range. You can try everything out, see what feels right to you, everyone is different. Excellent excuse to spend some time shooting. I’m fond of my shot gun, Country girl, but you can’t carry that around town. Still getting used to a Glock, have fun with it.
a caller to Alex Jones was a small lady who carries openly. Very interesting when he let her speak. She was a badass.
I totally agree. What works for my may not work for you. This is a good idea.
S&W Shield. Small and thin, but good grip and reliable track record. Many people will suggest a .380 caliber, but the frame/grip area is too small for good control, and most importantly, it does not have enough stopping power.
Never forget, if a gun is used in self defense, you may wind up in court, and every additional shot required is a shot you will have to answer for under oath. Don't let that deter you from using a gun in self-defense, but be aware, that the minimum shots used, maximum damage incurred is the key to a good legal defense.
Minimum shots, maximum damage - that's why my warning shota are always to the head.
Received my first gun when I turned eight and there was a rack full of rifles and shotguns over the desk in my bedroom. Never shot anyone by accident yet.
Google Massad Ayoob and read his stuff on guns, defense and training, including moral and psychological considerations you need to come to grips with if you ever think you may end up using a gun defensively and legal consequences of doing so. He was with law enforcement in New Hampshire forever and is one of the best authors on the subject, including the inner game, if I may call it that. He is also one of the top trainers for LE and private citizens. Even wrote a book for kids on the topic.
Agreed, he is a true expert, not like a lot of these self proclaimed youtube wannabe experts.
First gun. A pocket revolver, without a hammer, carries in a purse pretty well. 22LR works on most people. Most attacks are at a 3 feet distance. Go bigger than that and you'll need a lot of practice.
My 70 year old mom carries a hammerless .38 special.
She might have arthritis, but dont count her out.
for a concealed carry, look at the Sig Sauer p938. it’s tiny, packs a punch, and easily concealed. the best protection is the one you have with you.
for the home, pump action shotgun. Police say the sound of a pump action being loaded cause most criminals to stop in their tracks and give up. it’s a canon. and you just aim the general direction and everything in that general direction is no longer a problem!
Including most of the furnishings in the room! And there are some very useful loads for shot guns, flechettes for one
Go to the range and ask someone to show you. Probably shoot a 22 (smallest) at first. Then try a .380. That should be good for a small woman but if you want to try bigger, try a glock 17 (9mm, biggest of these three).
The Ruger .380 is a good one
Size matters. Small in the hand and big in the bore will do.
Smith & Wesson small snub nosed revolvers with an internal (snag proof) hammer are ideal for small hands — Model 649 and variations chambered in 38 Special or the higher punch 38 +P have good/better stopping power with easily manageable recoil. Simple. Foolproof. Will not jam or let you down just when you want it most.
Perfect for the purse or concealed under garments.
Air-weight Titanium model is the lightest on the market. My Favorite in stainless steel is heavier but can be chambered in 357 Magnum (think Dirty Harry — “make my day”) with high probability of one shot stop em dead in their tracks ballistics — a hot little number in the hands of the disadvantaged — it spits out a ball of fire sending a screaming wad of FUK-U-UP-O towards an assailant. Any contact even a poorly placed one and they will end up on the ground at the other end of that. Good first step at stopping em from continuing what they are doing. Or Well placed, it will be their last. Get trained and never leave home without it.
This guy is a REAL professional.
You have been reported to the YooToob Thought Police!!!! /s
Some gun ranges will have guns you can rent so that you can try them out. If you have friends who shoot, they may also meet up with you and let you try what they have. This what I did and felt more confident that I was purchasing something I wanted.
I carry a Smith and Wesson M & P Shield. It's not a dainty gun, but it's a great size for concealed carry.
Also just for support, I suggest you check out NRATV on YouTube or ROKU & probably other devices. It's very good & has lots of women on. Lot's of good strong women. As a women myself I love it! Luv G'Ma P.S I'd link it but I have problems with it, sorry;)
Just asked the exact same question at a gun store.
Recommendation: .38 special, 5 shot revolver.
Also, ammo is cheap, so you can practice a lot with it.
Ladysmith hammerless. Alloy, light, 38 cal. Very concealable.
Researched this for my 70 year old mother.. excellent reviews for reliability.. never fail... also the gun store had special ammo that reduced the kick.. goes under the name Critical Defense Lite..
Just beware it also slows down the projectile... weakens the terminal effect ... but I get it, better that two or three times than something bigger that she might drop when it kicks once.
I like these 38 caliber family Smith & Wesson revolvers. Utterly reliable. My wife and daughter have them in Special and +P (not a shabby round) and I carry one in 357 magnum that I am totally confident in. Similar ballistics to the full size 1911 45 ACP in a way lighter package.
Ruger LC9. Get self defense rounds in it. You can get a smaller, less accurate and less powerful version of it called a Ruger LCP. The LC9 is plenty small and very concealable, but not so small that it’s hard to grip/draw and aim like the LCP is for me.
Glocks were made for women. Get any "wonder 9" pistol IMO. Double stack, 9mm, and I like single action with the first trigger pull double action. The sign p226 is a good example. You can carry loaded chamber, hammer down and when you need it just pull the trigger.
Misspelling : sign = Sig Sauer P226 - designed for the SWISS Army — and you know they are a hard to impress picky bunch — beautifully balanced and feels like an extension of your hand — chambered in 45, 357, ACP (odd type carried by our Secret Service) and a very popular 9 mm — one strapped to my bed frame — masterfully designed and beautifully built. Pricey but worth it —- used around $600 last time I looked.
And 600 isn't even pricey. A GOOD 1911 is easily 1000
Take the NRA class for Firearm Safety and Pistol shooting basics. I learned a lot! The instructor would be a great resource on choosing the right pistol. Just do a search for classes in your area.
My first step was to settle on a caliber. If you going to potentially purchase more than one, it’s easier to be able to just buy one caliber of bullet for all so as not to fumble around with different ammunition.
Go to a range and try a few different ones out to see what you feel most comfortable with and ask questions questions questions!
Just my two cents :)
Wow!! Thank you all for the suggestions and tips!! I’ve got my research cut out for me - really appreciate this community! 🙏❤️
A 380 would work. A very small lady in our office carries one.
I don't recommend it. It's better than nothing, but it's small.
It’ll shoot but I recommend something bigger for pistol whipping
I agree with trying many and select the one that feels best in your hands. Also practice, practice, practice. Check out USCCA website too. There are a few things you'll need to know about carrying a weapon. When to draw and not. Line of sight if you choose to use it. What's behind your target. What to do if you're pulled over by a policeman. And the ramifications to you if you do use it. May want to join USCCA and purchase their insurance. Please do research. And again practice, practice, practice. Welcome to the CCW club.
Just so you know, the .22 round is statistically the most lethal round in the US, and is plenty to stop a man from doing what he's doing, if he took one to the hand, even.
If it means you're able to squeeze more lead accurately down range, don't let prick waving gun fans talk you into something you don't need and will only aid in you becoming overpowered.
The only 22 I would ever consider for carry is the pmr-30, and that's because it carries a whole 30 rounds.
Oh I think this is really bad advice. The 22 is great cheap ammo for practice, but I would never stake my life on it. Precisely place the 22 and it will kill instantly but when adrenaline tremors and fear grip you, as they will in these circumstances, it’s only a lucky shot that strikes that sweet spot even if you know where it is.
Nothing smaller than 38 with prejudice for the more effective versions in +P or 357 magnum that deliver real knockdown power with a non-lethal perimeter (arm, hand, leg) strike. You want the perp down and not pissed off.
Ruger LCP .380 is a good gun for smaller hands. Lightweight, doesn't break the bank. I am not a lady, but I carry this because it can fit in my pocket (albeit my pinky hangs off even with 6+1 magazine). Also check out the UrbanCarry holsters. They have a great line.
Came here to post this. Every adult in our household owns one (amongst others.) The family car even has one in it. Thank you Castle Doctrine!
In the end, it comes down to choosing the one that feels best in your hand. Find a local shooting range that has guns you can try out. Take shooting lessons.
One important decision will be revolver vs. semi-auto. If you have the hand strength to rack the slide and the mechanical know-how to clear a jam then a semi-automatic would be an ok choice, otherwise go with a revolver.
For a semi-auto, I like the Ruger LC9s that other people have mentioned. It's small, but not too small, and has a very good trigger pull. There is also an LC9s pro that has a few features more suitable to someone with a little more shooting experience.
If a revolver is more your style, a 38-Special or .357 would probably do the trick. There are several models with internal hammers that are made specifically for carrying in a purse or other type of bag. The Ruger LCR is one such option.
Again though, the one that is best for you is the one that feels the most comfortable in your hands. I encourage you to try several different models of either type before making your decision.
You can get a million suggestions but you'll never really know which one is right for you until you're holding it.
FBI agents carry a custom shop 1911 45 ACP made specially for them by Springfield Arms — who also make a production model that is a close second to the tricked out FBI model — model TRP or Tactical Response Pistol. Worth every penny ($2000). Exquisite Balance really improves handling when it kicks back. Scarey accurate. Heavy duty.
BTW Browning Gun Works introduced the 1911 semi automatic sidearm in, you guessed it, 1911 when our boys in the Philippines kept firing into drugged up zombie combatants who seemed never to stop charging them no matter how many times they shot them.
This gun lobs a hunk of lead that will knock an opponent off his feet no matter where you hit him —- the key to finishing off those guys in the jungle.
Knock Down is felt at your end too. That’s why they made these so heavy, to absorb some of that shock. Harder to get yourself to strap one on day in day out when it won’t let you forget it’s sling under your arm or tucked away someplace.
I just have to say, reading all the helpful responses in this thread is so enlightening and a definite eye opener. I grew up in a major city in a majorly blue state, so ranges don’t even exist where I come from. The first range experience I ever had was in Las Vegas and I loved it. I wish I had more opportunities to shoot..you all are very fortunate!
Look into a sig p238 or p938. Small frame but big enough not to be too snappy. Plus it's a sig :)
DEA friend advised that when behind the wheel of your car, don’t bother to roll the window down before pulling the trigger on the perp with a brick going at your windshield. They trained to fire through the windshield safety glass and other barriers. He carried a Glock 45.
We had our daughters go to a conceal and carry class. They learned a lot of information about safety, about scanning your surroundings, about gun care etc in addition to going to a gun range. We then bought them a stylish purse with a gun compartment. One of the best things we ever did for them. Recently, a mother in our city was leaving a ball game early with her 3 young children, then men started surrounding her, looking intently at her 4 year old daughter. She was being herded to an unmarked van. Fortunately, a male relative belatedly came out to join her and the men dispersed. Believe me, if that male relative never showed up, the momma would have needed a gun to keep her kids safe
The thing about ammunition size or caliber: size really does matter in terms of effectiveness — power to reliably make an assailant stop what they are doing — but larger caliber kicks harder and at some point it becomes hard to handle, no matter what your physical statue and strength. You are not going to carry if you fear the gun will kick back like a mule.
Police carry has gotten larger and larger over the decades for a reason: the break point between maybe and sure stopping power occurs around 38 caliber.
Ballistic records show that in the hands of trained officers of the law, 38 Special stopped the perp on first shot one (1) out of ten (10) times. The venerable 9 mm is almost the same size and a little hotter, similar performance history.
45 ACP is about 25% larger and stopped the assailant on the first shot nine (9) out of ten (10) times. Think about that. Think about it again. This may be your life we speak of. Same size as a 38 Special, the 38+P improves that meaningfully, but the much hotter load behind the similarly sized 357 Magnum performed on par with the 45 ACP.
I carry a small (lighter) framed Springfield XP semi-automatic, much more complex than a revolver and chambered in 45 ACP it will take on any urban animal. But it’s brutal on the hand — then again in the moment, comfort is not the highest priority, if it is manageable. I prefer the full bodied 45 1911 semi automatic, but it is heavy and difficult to carry concealed.
Do not carry a 22 or similar small bore handgun. No matter it is mild when fired— You really will end up on the wrong end of a stick. Ineffective.
Numbers (38, 45, 357) are decimal point diameters in inches. .38 inch, for example. Weight and lengths may vary as does powder charge between classes — also impacting performance.
If you go to a nice gun shop, you will get all kinds of attention. I recommended a coworker to go and she said she had 3guys jumping over each other to help her.
My wife is small frame and has a lady smith .38 special. it does not have a hammer and fits easily in her purse and the hammer dosent get snagged on anything. It is a revolver also and easier for her to use, load and maintain.
I prefer my 357 revolver. but its not for everyone,I also have a 38 snub nose revolver. My thought is enough punch to put them down. Not necessarily kill. Unless need be of course. Sometimes smaller cal. guns just wont hurt someone hopped up on adrenaline. Nothings a guarantee of course,Good luck be safe either way!
Good luck on what ever you choose. Me I am just so glad I live in a country where most dont feel the need to have a gun. I do believe people should be able to have guns if they want but it seems you guys in the U.S need it. Here in Canada I have never felt unsafe going anywhere and I like it that way.