I am getting ready to purchase my first handgun and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice.

I am a female. small framed. not weak but not a power-lifter either ;)
I probably won't carry the gun with me, but I want one that I can have the option to do so...so nothing too big.

Also, does anyone know of a store that will allow me to test out a couple different guns before purchasing? 

I have an H&K 40, which is way to big to carry and I don't like it. I bought the Ruger LC380 and absolutely love it. You can rent guns at Athena Gun Club I believe.

Check out this gun, just make sure it's not the LCP 380, it's a subcompact and way to small. 

I bought my wife a Walther PK380.
It's accurate, easy to load, easy to use.

The only difficulty comes when field stripping it. It's EASY to break down and clean (though it does require a "key" which means you have to keep track of a loose part - I have a dedicated tackle box for my cleaning supplies) but putting it back together...well...The slide spring can be a real beyotch to get back in right. Takes some practice and finesse.

Loaded with Hornady Critical Defense ammo, it's more than enough for just about every situation.

I carry it on occasion when I need a backup. (which since I'm doing investigations any more hasn't happened in a while)



Actually a picture of a P22, but they're almost identical guts wise. That spring is a pain in both.

I wouldn't want to go into combat with it as a primary, but you shouldn't be going into combat anyway. 

that walther PK380 is a real nice gun, small and handy....

you may consider a .38 spl revolver for ease of use, simplicity and reliability..and plenty of punch.. 

P.S. I tried many guns before I bought my Ruger. I'm 5"3 and weigh 125 pds, I can easily conceal this gun with an inside the pants gun holster. Easy to load, fire and clean. 

The good thing about revolvers is that they almost never fail. The bad thing about revolvers is you only have so many rounds.

They're also, in my opinion, harder to conceal, and harder to carry extra ammo for. May not be a problem for a woman who will probably be carrying in some sort appliance (a purse, or pack or something), but for me, I prefer a flat Semi-Auto.

My daily carry is a Sig P238 and I can recommend it with reservations. I had to have mine sent back to SIG so they could polish the slide. It didn't want to load the Hornady ammo I carry, kept catching the ammo on the lip and jamming up.

That's fixed, but it's a common problem with the weapon, and I suspect, most sub-compacts.

And it is a TINY gun. The only thing I've had smaller was a Ruger LCP and I didn't even really like it as a back up because it was so inaccurate.


Sig P238 

Call the local gun ranges and ask if they rent guns. Hold them and fire them, you need to find what is comfortable for you. 

Call the local gun ranges and ask if they rent guns. Hold them and fire them

Always good advise. 

There's a lady that teaches a women's only class at Thunder Gun Range named Donna Vandermolen. You can rent guns from her or Thunder for the class to see what you like.
I have taken private classes with her and have found them to be extremely informative. She's very no nonsense (which is much appreciated around loaded firearms!) and very good at what she does. Her bio and class info is at this link:
http://www.thundergunrange.com/training.htmlTraining at thunder 

my wife had the same issue with the hornady ammo in her Springfield XDM when it was new...worked itself out as the gun wore in....

i recently bought a canik 55 9mm (imported under the tri-star label in the US)...awesome gun, cz75 clone...crazy accurate, flawless firing and ejection..for only $340 at academy..i actually like it better than my S&W and my wife's XDM, which cost considerably more... 

I just got the S&W SDE9 - good solid gun around $300. 

And ladies, never let your husband pick your gun out for you. That's how I ended up with that dreaded 40 cal. and I hate it for everyday.

I also find that men want the women to carry revolvers, I'm sorry but revolvers suck. Why do some men recommend revolvers for women?

I think men want to have a hand in gun selections for women because it has always been a man thing. I don't want my husband picking out my vacuum any more than I want him picking out my gun.

We shoot guns a lot as a family but I have no problem going to the range and shooting alone. 

I haven't heard much about the Walther PK380.I want to look into that one.

The .38 spl revolver I've read is good for women too.


I'm 5'6" and about 120lb....so I want something powerful enough to stop someone, but not so powerful I can't handle/hold it.
I guess I won't know until I can try a few different guns.

Call the local gun ranges and ask if they rent guns. Hold them and fire them, you need to find what is comfortable for you.?

I will definitely be doing this, thank you!

Thank you all for your suggestions!! 

I'm thinking about a .380, our S&W 9mm is a bit heavy for me. I would love just a little .22, but a cop friend of mine said that if I shot someone with it, it would only make them mad. 

ya ruger .380 LCP, small-compact, u can buy at carters country with a crimson trace laser already on it for a great price.... 

i just recommend the laser because its so small its harder to aim for most people, granted you'll be pretty close, but that little red dot on someone's chest makes a pretty big impression 

MoretoLife, is this the one you have?

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Ruger-LC380-Handgun&i=725772 

Donna Vandermolen

Donna's great. One of my NRA instructors. HIGHLY recommend her.

Why do some men recommend revolvers for women?

There's this chauvinistic attitude that revolvers are simpler for you simple little girls. It depends on the man. I'd rather TEACH my wife how to use a firearm properly than HOPE she can figure out a revolver.

As to vacuums... I'd pick you out a bad-@ss vacuum... Kirby, old school!

And Ebegirl, there's nothing WRONG with .38 for self defense or general shooting. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. MoreToLife doesn't like her .40, but I would probably find it tolerable (if a bit small - I do prefer my .45 if I'm carrying big bore).

A .22 Magnum is powerful enough to stop someone IF you know how to use it. My brother in law took down a White tail this year with one. It can surely take out a human assailant. YOUR SKILL is more important than the size of the bullet. If you carry a .500 Magnum, but can't shoot it worth a squat, it's no good.

It's better to get a smaller, easier to handle weapon than it is to get a bruiser that you're afraid to shoot!

So get TRAINING on whatever you get. Whether it's a .22 cal derringer or a .500 Smith & Wesson. 

and carters country is a great store, they will go out thier way to help u before and after u buy something from them... 

a cop friend of mine said that if I shot someone with it, it would only make them mad.

Your cop friend is wrong.

IF I put six rounds of .22 long or .22 magnum into some dirtbag, he's going to be going to the hospital if not the morgue.

AGAIN, SKILL is much more critical than Caliber. 

very true Ogre13....

revolvers are dangerous for alot of people, for one reason, if they half cock a lever or full, people can panick because they dont know how to uncock it... 

people can panick because they dont know how to uncock it...

Thus, three words... Training, training, training.

And remember, the ONLY real safety device on your firearm...is YOUR FINGER. 

you'd be surprised, i spend alot of time at different ranges, and i hear even people teaching thier wives and kids, once you pull that back, you have to fire...I cringe everytime, and often give my advice with unwelcome attitude...but it happens 

Naw, MRD, you can't surprise me...there's some real "special" people out there with guns. 

Yes it's the LC380. I love it. Bought my daughter one for Christmas and she loves it.

Does Kirby still make vacuum's? Lol I'm a hoover girl Ogre. 

you'd be surprised, i spend alot of time at different ranges,

What range would you suggest for learning/practicing? Are most ranges female friendly/welcoming? 

a cop friend of mine said that if I shot someone with it, it would only make them mad.

Your cop friend is wrong.

IF I put six rounds of .22 long or .22 magnum into some dirtbag, he's going to be going to the hospital if not the morgue.

AGAIN, SKILL is much more critical than Caliber.

Well that's what I thought. I really like a .22 (borrowed a friend's) and can get some nice groupings when I go to the gun range 

Kahr P380 would be my first choice. 

Naw, MRD, you can't surprise me...there's some real "special" people out there with guns.

given the recent surge in gun sales, any saturday or sunday at the range is an onslaught of stupidity and machismo...saw a guy at carters recently "teaching" some asian chick to shoot a .45...kid you not, she was in some micro skirt/dress thing that hid NOTHING and wearing stiletto heals like the strippers wear, i mean like 8" tall ones..and wobbling/staggering all over the place with every recoil...it was cringe-worthy but i couldn't stop watching! 

LOL... bring your stripper to the range day!

Does Kirby still make vacuum's?
Oh yes! They ain't cheap. But they rock.

And Hoover sucks (or doesn't as the case may be!) :-P

Kahr P380 would be my first choice.

I have a friend who loves her Kahr. I have no experience with them.

can get some nice groupings when I go to the gun range

But can you do the same under pressure? With your off hand? While blinded by something (maybe even blood) in your eyes?

If we're talking plinking..that calls for one level of training. If we're talking self defense, that requires another.

Try this next time you're at the range. Do as many push ups as you can, or run in place for five minutes (Don't worry about the looks you get), THEN shoot and see what happens. It's a good basic simulation for firing under stress. 

What range would you suggest for learning/practicing? Are most ranges female friendly/welcoming?

I live on the other side of town now but i used to go to the one on 1960 in humble, forgot the name, it was indoor...carters country is good too, but like ericb said, check your surroundings, i watch people shoot for a little while before setting up next to them! if you dont have someone that knows about guns to go with, get an instructor first and foremost... 

those guys at the humble location on 1960 will literally walk in and remove people if they arent being safe, i've seen it..and i like that... 

Sportsmans in Humble has a handgun class for $75.00 in which you get to shoot a 45, 380 and 9mm as well as a revolver. Well worth the $$. Big Thunder allows you to rent guns to what you like best. Not all that expensive. Personally I prefer my S&W MP Shield 9MM 

sportsmans..thats the place 

sportsman's outlet in humble on 1960...decent folks and range...they are pretty professional there for sure... 

dont know if he still does it but there was an hispanic man with glasses that taught the CHL class, he was great, he removed two people from our class on the range because they continued after being warned to quit pointing thier weapon sideways...he was a great guy to learn from, because he doesnt mess around with safety 

class on the range because they continued after being warned to quit pointing thier weapon sideways

??? you mean gangster/thug MTV style...that's plain stupid.....i would be laughing at someone i saw doing that.. 

no i mean when they were loading or had a loaded weapon, they would basically aim thier weapon to the person next to them instead of pointing it down..or would turn around to talk to him and move thier weapon with them, things like that...but he warned the class a few times, do not point your gun sideways when reloading or unloading, and people continued to do it.. 

gotcha... 

but ebegirl, if u go there, just get a few lessons or take someone you trust if you are getting a CHL beforehand...they are big there on loading, unloading, and knowing what to do if it jams, things like that...they are one of the few places that safety and "know how" are a priority...

he will tell you to load 5, shoot 4, then unload 1 and place your weapon on the tray...stuff like that