[Mack g17]

What's the best handgun for self defense for an 18 year old lady?

[rifleman1]

thats a very broad question,you have to consider alot of variables what purpose of selfdefense at home or to conceal,what level shooter is she how big is she for caliber size of gun.really the list goes on and on maybe more detail in your question will provoke better more informed responses.

[Mack g17]

Thanks for your answer, she's a college student who will be living off campus next year. Plus she really wants to learn how to shoot and one day get her CHL. I own a glock 19 myself, but for her I believe a revolver would be best.

[rifleman1]

my wife likes guns but is not a nut about them i bought her a taurus model 85 38 spl. a few years back and shes likes it like i said though she really has no intrest in shooting anything else really but she does keep up on her shooting enough to be profecient.take her with you to the gun shop have her hold a couple diffrent ones see what feels good also if your able to rent the gun befor you buy is always a plus so she can get a fill for what she likes.

[CHLChris]

Is the fact that she is 18 matter? What I mean by that is...are you implying that she is slight, or has small hands, or is generally frail? Or is she athletic and as physically capable as the average guy?

Would a revolver be "best" because she cannot figure out the awesome complexity of a semi-automatic pistol?

I'm just wondering if you are bowing to some stereotypes of women shooters or know something about her that we should know to better answer your question.

[nickel1911]

I would take her to the range and have her shoot a few different calibers to find out which one she would be most comfortable shooting. Then, I would take her to the gun counter and have her hold different firearms in her chosen caliber to find out which one would fit her best. Also as stated before, you'd have to figure out whether it's for home defense or/and conceal carry. Good luck to her in her choice and her collage career

[hiwall]

Without knowing the lady I would suggest maybe a 38 special revolver. and start with the lowest power loads you can find for it(lighter bullet weight helps). In autos maybe a Ruger sr22 or the similar Walther model. Make sure she has ear protection when shooting. Those guns are fun for anyone to shoot. With low recoil and low noise it is much easier to learn shooting basics. They are much better than no for defense and she is much more likely to be comfortable handling and carrying those guns. I have no doubt that she could shoot a 1911 or some such but start small and go from there.

[ScottA]

Check out this thread...

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f14/handgun-selection-women-mike-seeklander-58567/

[therewolf]

I would say it depends on the individual female involved.

IF she can handle the recoil, I'd say any brand-name

hammerless 38 snub-nose.

If recoil is an issue, then the Glock 9 of her personal preference.

Smaller for EDC only, larger for CCW and range use...

[HockaLouis]

I too would suggest a revolver. Not hammerless however. A .38+P would be max if not ideal.