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Post by zentesukenVII on Sept 26, 2012 6:29:59 GMT
I never thought the day would come that my girlfriend would want a gun. She's barely shot one! We went up north with her dad (who is a big shooter, mostly shotguns, but some pistols too) and we shot a few guns. She fired many rounds out of a .22 LR revolver and enjoyed that. Her shooting stance was awful, but her aim wasn't terrible. Then her dad handed her the .38 special revolver. She shot it once, and it jumped out of her hand a tiny bit. She yelped and did not want to shoot it again. I told her she just wasn't holding it tight enough, and she agreed that the recoil wasn't really bad, she just wasn't expecting it. She said she'd like to shoot it again and see if its manageable. This was actually my first time shooting a pistol as well, and I loved the .38, great feel and the recoil was very manageable.
Now, I'm only 19. A pistol is on my list of things to get when I can buy one legally from a shop. I have a few pistols in my pending inheritance from my grandfather, so I'll own those eventually. She will be 21 this coming year and really wants a pistol for shooting, and for conceal carry if she decided to get it. I'd like her to take firearms safety and respect classes first. I am trying to think of a good gun for her to have. I think something relatively small, since shes a little thing, but with enough Umph to do what it's supposed to do. I am leaning towards a .380 auto caliber. I have never shot one, but I have handled all three of my grandfathers Walther PPK .380 pistols, and they seem like they wouldn't kick harder than a .38. Please chime in on this if you have experience with both. I also really would like to carry a .380 PPK when I get my CC permit.
Please let me know what you think in terms of caliber for her. she wants to shoot whatever round shes getting before getting it, but I'm sure a 380 will be the choice she picks. I am looking at Sig P238, Walther PPK (how much do those go for?) and the Bersa Thunder 380 plus.
Any info would be helpful, thanks guys.
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Post by ineffableone on Sept 26, 2012 6:37:58 GMT
Just a little note on women shooters vs men. This is generalized but women often make more accurate shots than men. So don't be surprised if your GF gets better accuracy quicker than you do.
There is probably some scientific answer to why, but I don't know it. I just have seen beginner women have the tendency to out shoot beginner men on an average.
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Post by ineffableone on Sept 26, 2012 6:51:30 GMT
As for what cal, there is a lot of hype out there. People seem to think bigger more powerful ammo will be more effective but the actual stats don't back up this belief. I recently saw a nice article showing real world shooting stats for different ammo types. .22 and .25 performed at a similar level as 9mm and .45. This came from actual shootings, not tests but real life moments when a gun was drawn and fired against a real human. I can't remember where I found the link to this article but if I find it again I will link it for you. The crux of this info though is your GF does not have to worry about getting a high power caliber, the lower cal guns can be just as effective. *edit to add, here is the link www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866
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Post by KentsOkay on Sept 26, 2012 15:28:04 GMT
I would check your local Armslist listing, or buy a ruger 10-22.
Check your local laws, but most states you can own a pistol at 18, you just can't buy one at a FFL
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Post by Dr. Whom on Sept 26, 2012 15:43:02 GMT
I think it is because of the waist to hip ratio...What we admire about women also makes them deadly shots
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Post by zentesukenVII on Sept 26, 2012 15:50:50 GMT
Well she doesn't like rifles, she really wants a pistol. I'm thinking I'm going to take her to check out my Walther PPK and see how she likes the size of that to compare it to other guns.
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Post by KentsOkay on Sept 26, 2012 15:53:30 GMT
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Post by zentesukenVII on Sept 26, 2012 16:03:58 GMT
I never said anything about an AR. She likes pistols. I don't know why, she just does. I plan on getting a Ruger 10/22 for myself in the future anyways.
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Post by zentesukenVII on Sept 26, 2012 16:03:59 GMT
I never said anything about an AR. She likes pistols. I don't know why, she just does. I plan on getting a Ruger 10/22 for myself in the future anyways.
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Post by KentsOkay on Sept 26, 2012 16:09:11 GMT
My apologies, I semprini you not I was looking at two different "buying a gun blah blah" threads on two different forums, looks like got my wires crossed :?
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Post by zentesukenVII on Sept 26, 2012 16:54:00 GMT
Lol, I had a feeling that's what may have happened...
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Post by ShooterMike on Sept 26, 2012 20:20:58 GMT
My suggestions for her are as follows:
1. A 9mm semi-auto of compact size, like a Glock 19. They are reliable and 9mm is the least expensive and most readily available centerfire pistol ammo in the U.S. now.
2. A .38 Special revolver of medium size with a 3" or 4" barrel. They are reliable and controllable for women, and .38 special ammo is reasonably affordable, though not inexpensive, and readily available.
3. A .22LR caliber revolver or reliable semi-auto pistol of a moderate size. The price of ammo is the main drawing point here. And the more practice and enjoyment she gets from her first pistol, the better.
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Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
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Post by Sam H on Sept 26, 2012 22:02:19 GMT
I agree with both Mike and Findlithui.
I suggest getting her started with a .22lr revolver of some sort. Once she gets a good shooting stance and is consistent with her shooting then you can move her to something a bit larger. I personally suggest a Ruger Single Six. There is also the option of going with a .22lr auto pistol like the Beretta Neos or Walther P22. These are good reliable guns and the cost of .22lr makes them VERY inexpensive to shoot a lot.
.380acp is appealing to many people because of size but most .380acp pistols will have almost as much recoil as a compact or 9mm and will not be as effective. Add on to that the cost of shooting the pistol - .380acp ammo is twice as expensive as 9mm ammo and is less effective. I like the .380acp round but I personally refrain from shooting .380acp simply because of cost. The 9mm is a good choice for a service caliber pistol. In this category I can't argue about a Glock either even if I don't like them personally. They're reliable guns and for the price are quite the bargain. Personally I'd find a 1911 chambered in 9mm...
I would probably not go with a .38spl revolver simply because of the reason behind not shooting a .380acp. Again the 9mm is less expensive and also has greater energy. The .38spl is definitely effective but I think that for cost vs. effectiveness you're better off with a 9mm.
Don't worry about your girlfriend not liking rifles/shotguns and preferring pistols. My wife will take my 1911 .45acp over ANY of my long arms any day. In fact she'll go on the range, blow away 400+ rounds and come ask for more ammo and targets.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Sept 27, 2012 0:14:11 GMT
Ruger produce some great 22 pistols, I would suggest an auto pistol to begin with since you are likely to carry an auto later.
The 380 ACP cartridge is only slightly behind the 9mm, Winchester silvertips are said to be good defensive rounds in real world tests, no idea about costs of ammo where you are but the more common the round the cheaper it is likely to be, so 9mm will likely win there.
As you are likely to inherit a couple of 380's you could look into reloading as well.
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Post by Reaver on Oct 23, 2012 23:55:35 GMT
as a general rule, avoid anything built along the lines of the Walther PPK. I worked in a gunsmithing shop for a while and the craftsmanship and materials used in their construction are usually far below par. I would personally recommend a 1911, simply because it's my favorite design, but Glocks, Springfield XDs, or Sig Sauer are good choices for the "black handgun" category. Now, I'm less familiar with revolvers, but if you have any questions on semi-autos let me know.
P.S- I suggest something a bit more substantial than .380 if this is to be a defensive gun.
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Post by zentesukenVII on Oct 24, 2012 5:58:24 GMT
If I were to stay around the lines of a .380 could you say a Bersa Thunder is a better gun than the ppk?
And I appreciate the info mate. Thanks.
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Post by Jakeonthekob on Oct 24, 2012 6:39:50 GMT
I have a Ruger SR9 and it's a pretty decent platform. I like the feel of it more compared to the Glock and the recoil dampening/absorption system is pretty nice too. Doesn't really feel like you're shooting a 9mm.
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Post by StevenJ on Oct 24, 2012 6:59:48 GMT
The only semi auto pistol I've ever owned is my Beretta 92 FS. I've had nothing but good fortune with it, blued with wood grips. Is this a training gun or for self defense? I'd look at 357 magnum J frame Smith and Wesson revolver and load it with 38 plus + for a woman if it were me or a Ruger Sp101 in 357 magnum. The extra weight will help in recoil, trust me . That's just me though. I don't have an SP101 but i do have a Smith J Frame in 357, forget the number, and it kicks some serious and isn't too bad to shoot with 357 magnum loads. I have owned several Ruger GP 100s, took me a while before I found the right sized one in blue I wanted, and I loved all the ones I have owned including the one I still own. if the Sp101 is half as good as a GP 100, which it is and more from what I hear, I'd strongly consider it too. Semi auto requires more practice to use in a defensive scenario. Revolvers, you just load them, keep two speed loaders on you preferably safari land, and you're ready to go. I personally carry the Beretta with me because I am proficient with it but for a newer shooter a revolver might be better.
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Post by Reaver on Oct 24, 2012 15:22:38 GMT
If you're going to stick with a .380 I've heard good things about the Bersa. Walther doesn't seem as trustworthy at this point since it was discovered they were outsourcing some of their guns to an outside company that was using pot metal for the slides and other substandard craftsmanship methods. Many of those guns jam incessantly or fall apart (literally) after a few thousand rounds.
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Post by zentesukenVII on Oct 24, 2012 18:45:14 GMT
I have the one (there may actually be three total) in my inheritance. My grandpa seemed to like them, but I think he mostly collected. They are for sure much older though. I'm guessing he bought them some time in the 70s. When I look at them next I'll check out the paperwork to learn more about them.
I just feel a .380 round with an fmj would do the trick enough to stop someone from attempting to harm her. But one of my new found mottos as far as ammunition choice goes: "If you are worried about to much recoil or over penetration, you will most likely under-penetrate in turn."
I'd feel safer if she packed something like an xdm .45, but shes got small arms and I doubt she'd be able to control the shot placement well.
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