Looking for Firearm suggestions from the experts here

[Jenny Lynn]

Hello all,
I signed up for a program that is put on in our area by local law enforcement for the community, civilians. One of the weeks they'll be showing markmanship, I believe it's a demonstration not an exercise, heck put a firearm in my hands and everyone be running for cover. Then they'd send in SWAT to take me down to the ground just kidding

My reason for posting is I've been putting off going to get firearm training, instruction since I've been a bit intimidated having only shot a Desert Eagle twice about 10 years ago. I did not like the sense of helplessness when I couldn't control the recoil; yes I know not a gun to start a novice on. Long story short, my ex husband wouldn't listen and refused to teach me on any other gun.

Now I've decided I'd like to be more in the know for when the markmanship presentation is provided and would like to go take some lessons before hand.

Can anyone suggest firearms that beginners, especially female novices like to use?

Some that have been recommended are: Glock 9MM, Lady Wesson, 1911?, Spitfire?

I appreciate any information, suggestions provided an educated firearm user is a good firearm user I believe.

Thanks, Jenny

[Trigger]

A lot of this decision will have to do with what fits your hands (if you have particularly small hands, you will be more limited in choices) and what you feel comfortable with. I will tell you this to start off with:

1. Avoid sub-compact weapons. For some reason, every gun store commando in America wants to give every woman a sub-compact. The smaller and lighter the weapon, the more perceived recoil and muzzle rise.

2. If your hands are big enough and you feel comfortable with it, a double stack weapon (meaning the rounds in the magazine are staggered) will give you much greater capacity, an important feature in a defensive firearm.

3. You CAN handle any caliber out there. Don't let some gun store commando tell you otherwise. I shoot IPSC (action/movement based handgun shooting) with a twelve year old girl. She shoots a .40 Glock 22 (which is a full size). She's shooting full power (Major power factor) ammunition and she beats a good 1/3 of the men there.

4. Stick with 9mm, .40, or .45ACP. Again, for some reason some individuals feel a "mouse gun/caliber" is always the best choice for a woman. They are wrong.

I would personally suggest 9mm, it has the tamest recoil of the three in addition to have widely available, cheap practice ammo. Keep it loaded with quality self defense ammunition (My personal choice is Hornady TAP) and it will be a very capable man stopper.


The Glock 19 (9mm) is an excellent overall defensive weapon, for anyone. If I could only have one handgun, it would be a Glock 19. It's a mid-sized weapon that allows you to get a solid grip, is not super light such that recoil becomes an issue, but is well suited for concealed carry as well. It is equally at home on the range, in your bedside drawer, or in an inside the waistband holster.

Night sights and a weapon's mounted light would round out the package and make it an excellent home defense firearm.

1911's are nice as well and are available in 9mm, .40, and .45 as well, although .45 is by far the predominant caliber. They are more expensive and can be more finicky than Glocks; but they are generally more accurate and many consider them safer due to the presence of an external safety and grip safety.

In short, I recommend a Glock 19. Have a set of night sights installed on it, mount a quality weapon's light (such as a Surefire X200, Surefire X300, Insight XTi, or many others) on it and you will have a very capable and well rounded self defense firearm.

[K.Ingraham]

Practice, practice, practice.
Go slow, develop good form and the rest will follow.
Trigger gave good advice.
Get the firearm you're most comfortable with. The calibre might not satisfy all us "experts" but the best ballistics, knock down power etc in the world are worth exactly nothing if you don't hit the target.
Self defense aside, plinking can be just plain cathartic and relaxing.
Enjoy.

[panthersix]

Get you an air pistol! Then get you some fun target for shooting in your back yard! A sweet pellet gun with blown up pix of the ex can be a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Then when you're ready, move up to a real gun.

Have fun! Maybe try paintball or laser tag too. When I was a kid my first person shooter game was a Daisey BB air rifle! Not a Red Ryder but pretty darn close! Got an expert in basic and only missed two targets.

[Horned Toad]

Make a short list of weapons you may be interested in and then find a gun range that rents them and go shoot them.

Glock
Springfield XD
H&K USP

Are about the big three semi autos out there, I would not recommend a 1911 unless you plan on getting some good instruction and want to spend some real money on a gun. My wife’s Glock was 400.00 for a G23. I got her a Glock because they do work but it’s not my favorite gun, if the XD would have been out longer I would have gotten one of those. I don’t like anything smaller than a .40 S&W.

Last don’t overlook a good revolver in 357 and up.

[Rock Island Ranger]

Or, come to the Ranch. On site weapons, instruction, and 2 days of solid good time. Jes sayin.....

[Trigger]

Get you an air pistol! Then get you some fun target for shooting in your back yard! A sweet pellet gun with blown up pix of the ex can be a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Then when you're ready, move up to a real gun.

Have fun! Maybe try paintball or laser tag too. When I was a kid my first person shooter game was a Daisey BB air rifle! Not a Red Ryder but pretty darn close! Got an expert in basic and only missed two targets.

In fact, she could even pick up an exact replica of whatever weapon she chooses in the form of a gas blowback airsoft pistol for about $100. They can be pretty exacting replicas; I have a picture of my Glock 19 next to my friend's airsoft Glock 19 and you can't tell the difference. The slide cycles and everything on his airsoft Glock.

[Rangerguru]

My woman has small hands like a carnie and she carries a Springfield XD 40 compact. It's the same size as a Glock 19, but they don't cost as much and in my opinion, they are a way better shooting weapon and they also have a grip safety. The H&K has a slightly larger grip, but it too is a better shooting weapon compared to the Glock.

[rgrpuck]

Get you an air pistol! Then get you some fun target for shooting in your back yard! A sweet pellet gun with blown up pix of the ex can be a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Then when you're ready, move up to a real gun.

Have fun! Maybe try paintball or laser tag too. When I was a kid my first person shooter game was a Daisey BB air rifle! Not a Red Ryder but pretty darn close! Got an expert in basic and only missed two targets.

In fact, she could even pick up an exact replica of whatever weapon she chooses in the form of a gas blowback airsoft pistol for about $100. They can be pretty exacting replicas; I have a picture of my Glock 19 next to my friend's airsoft Glock 19 and you can't tell the difference. The slide cycles and everything on his airsoft Glock.

you were doing ok till you said airsoft.......

[panthersix]

Get you an air pistol! Then get you some fun target for shooting in your back yard! A sweet pellet gun with blown up pix of the ex can be a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Then when you're ready, move up to a real gun.

Have fun! Maybe try paintball or laser tag too. When I was a kid my first person shooter game was a Daisey BB air rifle! Not a Red Ryder but pretty darn close! Got an expert in basic and only missed two targets.

In fact, she could even pick up an exact replica of whatever weapon she chooses in the form of a gas blowback airsoft pistol for about $100. They can be pretty exacting replicas; I have a picture of my Glock 19 next to my friend's airsoft Glock 19 and you can't tell the difference. The slide cycles and everything on his airsoft Glock.

you were doing ok till you said airsoft.......

I don't get the "airsoft" thing either. WTF, OVER?

[Trigger]

Ranger Rgrpuck,

I don't play airsoft, and I definitely laugh at a lot of airsofters too (although I do know of a few Rangers who play).

The gas operated airsoft guns, however, do have actual training value for a person with little to no firearm's experience. Their operation is identical, such that the individual can learn the manual of arms in their living room; and actually "fire" the "weapon" there as well. They are also excellent, cheap tools to teach a person basic tactics in their home. Simunitions is definitely a better platform for that, but it also costs significantly more and requires a dedicated training environment to use them in; unless the person is okay with marking up their walls. If the individual is unwilling or incapable of getting to the range as often as they should, it can be a decent supplement.

- Trigger

[Jenny Lynn]

Trigger, Ranger K. Ingraham, Ranger panthersix, Ranger Horned Toad, Ranger Rangerguru and TC204,
I appreciate the posts and information you all provided on firearms.

Ranger rgrpuck, I now understand what Trigger was getting at with the airsoft suggestion. I was lost at first also but got it now.

Ranger panthersix, I' ve played Laser Tag a few times and have had a great time with it, even kicked some butt too!

Ranger Rock Island Ranger, So you haver any airsoft to try out down at the Ranch? LOL. I am seriously planning on making it down there for the Chica Bash 2009. Who knows maybe have my very own firearm to bring down.

TC204, So you like purses do you, just kidding!

Take care all and Thanks, Jenny

[Jenny Lynn]

A Barrett M82, an HK 91, a Ruger Alaskan .44mag, Remington 870 Express(synthetic, 7-rd), a Para Ordnance Covert Carry .45, a Springfield M21, a...






Oh wait, those are the guns that I want. Sorry...!

Ranger Hung Low,
Sounds like a small arsenal, probably have to sell all my assets to acquire these..... oh wait, good thing this is your firearm want list. A Para Ordnance (didn't spell it as Ordinance ) Carry have no idea what this is?

Thanks, Jenny