What is a good concealed carry pistol for a lady? 9mm or .40

No expert, but the one that she is comfy with and can shoot. Would rather her hit her target with a .22 than miss with a .357 Mag. Know what I mean.

I carry a 9mm Ruger LC9 and my wife has a .38 snubbie that she is practicing with. Does not keep it in car yet, but started shooting it to get to that point.

Mike

I have an LCP (.380) that is surprising in it's recoil and a PF-9 that is easier although it's 9MM. Weight counters recoil, but many won't carry a heavy gun. There is no perfect gun or caliber, what you need to do is find her best fit. If she wants pink or gold plated that's great. First she needs to be comfortable shooting it, then she needs to want to carry it. You have some work ahead of you, it is worth every bit of your time. I hope she never needs to use it and this ends up being shot only at the range.

I'm going another way this time and gonna recommend a Desert eagle in 50AE.
They have a gold one

If she's like my wife, she carries a purse that weighs about the same as a bag of concrete mix so weight shouldn't be a problem. I told mine that in a pinch she could hit the bad guy in the head with her purse.....

(The dog and I are getting along fine as long as I stay on my side.....)

I can recommend the p238 in 380 without reservation.
I also would recommend the bersa thunder plus 380 with
15+1 capacity (double stacked fairly heavy 380, lots of shots
and lower recoil). The sig is the "nicer" of the two, unless
getting lots of shots is nice to you and that would be understandable.

mine has a 38 snub which will never jam and she also carries the 380

Mine carries a DB9 but she wont practice drawing from the purse so I think she has a false sence of confidence carrying it. She is switching back to pepper spray on her key ring until she becomes more confident in her ability to draw the pistol under stress.

Thanks yall.

Taurus TCP

So many variables come into play. Method of carry. Experience. Most importantly.

What is she comfortable with.

Just need to make sure what ever you get she's comfortable. She may not like the feel of the recoil with the .40, and a compact 9mm may not be much better.

Shot a Kel Tec Pf-9 at the range. Nice compact pistol but not enjoyable to take to the range and shoot.

I took my wife to the range and she shot just about every 380 they had. I know its not 9 or 40 but, my buddy let us borrow his m&p 340 and we shot it last. We had shot primarily semi autos and this was the first revolver. This was by far her favorite as it had the least amount of moving parts and she wore the brain out on the zombie target. We shot more revolvers to see if she liked anything else and in the end she went with the 340 shooting 38 specials. No we didn't even try the 357 through it. Hope it helps.

My wife has a Sig P238 she loves and also a S&W .38 airweight.

My wife has a Sig 938 and loves it.

+1 on the P238

Sig P238 has vote. Great little gun easy to work the slide. Both is my sisters use them.

Do the same for her that we all do. Let her handle them, shoot them, and choose the one she likes.

Mine is a S&W 638 .38 Airweight. Very compact, light weight, and hammerless so it doesn't get caught on things. I love it but my only concern is it's a 5 round. Shouldn't need any more than 5 but ya never know.

I hope you never need one. Unless you want a gunfight you have to think five will give you enough time to leave. I worry over round counts also, but my wife told me flat out if I ever have to use it it's because I need to get home to her. I pray none of us ever need to use a gun in self defense.
Paul

Very well said. 5 beats none, and as long as your confident and proficient with that weapon, it shouldn't be a concern.

I hope and pray I am never in a bad situation to need it. I was thinking of several bad guys with many good people to protect

I know a lady that carries a Taurus PT 709 slim. Very thin 9mm, but enough frame to feel natural in the hand. Light enough to carry, 19oz empty.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/UserImages/103842/977605212/wm_4920473.jpg

She let me shoot it and it was much more pleasant and controllable than the sub compact .380s or lightweight snubby .38s I've tested.

If it is going into a purse or otherwise has the potential to accumulate a lot of lint, I would suggest a S&W J-frame (or equivalent-sized competitor's model) in .38 Special.

lc9 ruger