Springfield XD 40

I just went through this process with my wife two weeks ago after one of her friends was robbed.

I took my wife to a range that has pistols for demo along with as many as I could borrow of the likely suitable models. I let her shoot them and see what SHE liked and shot the most comfortably and accurately. I tried to not offer comments other than making sure she knew how the controls worked and how to aim different sights.

She ended up with a Glock 19 by her choice with no encouragement from me. She shot it amazingly well even under time pressure. Others that she seriously considered were the S&W M&P 4" in 9mm, and Ruger SR9 in 9mm.

The Ruger would have been her first choice except that the mags were too hard for her to load. So, let her load the mags. If she cannot quickly and easily load the mags without assistance, then it needs to come off the list.

Others considered which did not make the short list were HK, Glock 17, Sig 226 and 229, and revolvers of any kind.

ETA - Those that are suggesting revolvers, try shooting and reloading them under time pressure. They are more difficult to fire accurately under time pressure and way slower to reload than most semi-autos. Women are intelligent and quite capable of understanding how to run a pistol and shoot it accurately, often better than many men I see at public ranges.

Make sure to try a rapid fire sequence for control and accuracy as well as the ability to make a quick reload.

Don't give her anything that you would not carry yourself. If you cannot hit reliably with it under time pressure, then she probably cannot either. If you think it is cheap junk, she will too. If you cannot reload it quickly under pressure, she will not be able to either.

Last, sign her up for a pistol class, not a CHL class, but a basic multi-day pistol skills and tactics class. A good class is invaluable. If the SHTF and you are counting on her to come through and pop a bad guy in your bedroom or while carrying concealed, it is a whole 'nother level than shooting paper at the range.

>38 revolver. Easy to shoot no jams. Keep it simple.

I do not know where you are located but there are gun ranges in many places that rent guns, good way for her to try several out. Bullet Trap in Plano has large selection. We have taken several ladies there to select their gun. Like Txtrophy85 said some with smaller hands do require a smaller pistol / grip.

Take her to a gun store or range that has rentals and get her to handle some different ones. like one friend said after we shopped for her gun, "this is mre fun that shopping for shoes"


Several ladies I have helped find their first gun wound up choosing a 38 revolver. One had trouble with the autos cycling, not enough resistance for reliable cycling.

Here you go buddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuyBqm3wGII

Easy to hold, easy to conceal, easy to shoot, not a lot of recoil and simple to operate.

The 38 Special is just a good old reliable round that will server her well for many, many years.