| Many women prefer to own a gun. What advice | | | | bang when you pull the trigger. I think the Lady |
| people have for a first time handgun for a woman, | | | | Smiths are the same as the other "J" frames, with a |
| who is not a big fan of revolvers, so something in | | | | bit of extra engraving and for a bit more money, of |
| the semi-automatic category? | | | | course. Rossi makes good firearms too, which will |
| Be aware that some of the wannabe swat-types | | | | cost less the S&Ws, Rugers, Colts, etc. |
| and other video game playing types will tell you to | | | | Ruger Standard .22 auto is easy to learn on, next to |
| buy some artillery piece. Disregard them and do a | | | | no recoil, great accuracy, used from plinking to small |
| little homework. The .22LR cal. is the way to go for a | | | | game hunting, can be used in a pinch for |
| first gun. When and if woman gets comfortable with | | | | defense...which beats a phone call not made to 911. |
| it and can hit the target, then she could move up to | | | | If she is gun savvy at all, then a 1911A1. Recoil is not |
| a bigger caliber. | | | | excessive (my daughter regularly shoots mine, as do |
| Try searching for Smith & Wesson (or get a catalog | | | | the many thousands of female IPSC competitors). |
| at a local gun shop). Go to a local shooting range and | | | | Obviously, quite good for defense targets, small |
| rent or borrow a couple of different ones to get | | | | game hunting, plinking, and competition. However, |
| used to. The one near me let's you borrow their | | | | unless her hands are on the large side, a 1911A1 style |
| pistol if you buy a bag of their ammo. Start with .22 | | | | handgun may be a bit big. |
| cal, and then if the woman can handle it OK, try the | | | | Smith and Wesson .22 auto mag for the same |
| .38 Spcl. Ask one of the range guys to instruct you. | | | | reasons S&B noted but with more "knock down" |
| Try the revolver; it is still the most goof-proof | | | | power for self defense. Load it with hollow points |
| weapon. No decocking lever, safeties, no | | | | and it is the best home defense weapon for more |
| lost-the-magazine (when you need it the most), no | | | | petite people. The ammo is very cheap so it allows |
| "rack the slide" at 0300 when her palms are sweaty, | | | | for a lot of range time. |
| and it doesn't need to be kept as clean as a "self | | | | Look at the Taurus Model 85s. It is a very good |
| loader". | | | | pistol at about half the price of an S&W. |
| Avoid off-brand and chippo priced guns. Remember | | | | You will be able to put your eyes and hands on a lot |
| the saying: You get what you pay for. The | | | | of different makes, models, calibers, and sizes. You'll |
| suggestion is to stick with S&W, Colt or Ruger. If | | | | be able to eliminate some of them from consideration |
| you really need a handgun, you want one that goes | | | | pretty quick. |