Pistols-What would you recommend for a woman, caliber, brand, weight, barrel?

I am an NRA certified pistol instructor. I teach women how to shoot for a living. There is less difference in what you need versus a man than there is what you need based on how often you will practice and what you will do with it.

If you are committed to learning how your pistol works, you can handle anything. The carpal tunnel might be the only limiting factor, not your gender. I've a friend with carpal tunnel who started with a 9mm for that reason. He later learned that not only can he shoot a .45, he actually prefers its big push over the snap of the 9mm. A .40 is actually going to be worse than either.

If you will not be carrying the piece, than stay away from small compacts designed for concealing. Stay with something that fills your hand comfortably. All the pistols you mentioned are high quality so stay in that price point and test fire several at a local rental range. At least handle them at a well-stocked store. They will all shoot well enough to serve your needs, so focus more on which are more comfortable first.

If you have big hands, and want the most capability with the least recoil, I'd look at the Beretta Model 92, the same thing used by the US Armed Forces these days. It's a full size pistol in 9mm. It is extremely accurate and reliable.

What carpal tunnel may do more than affect your shooting, however, is affect your loading/unloading and clearance of malfunctions. Make sure you are very capable of cycling the slide on whatever you consider. The large pistols like the Beretta will have a big edge here, too.

Don't discount revolvers. I carry one more often than not. They will require very little strength to load and use and are more simple to learn all the details of shooting and maintaining. EDIT: But that does NOT mean a snubbie revolver. Stay with something full-size, with at least a 4" barrel, chambers in .357 Magnum, which still lets you shoot lighter .38 Special loads.

I will also show you what I consider to be one of the best deals out there on a fairly good-size 9mm. This is a Sig Sauer P6, the European police equivalent of the P225, a single-stack mid-size 9mm. There are surplus ones on the market that can be shipped to your dealer for less than $350. I have one and consider it an excellent value on an outstanding example of the breed. As a single-stack, it will only hold 9 rounds and be slimmer than the double-stack 9mm pistols. Just something to add to your knowledge base: http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/handguns/s...

Make sure your carpal tunnel is okay with a long, heavy double-action trigger pull. If it is not, you will either need to be prepared (and able) to cock the hammer first, or you will need a pistol that has a c0cked-and-locked capability like a 1911, CZ-75, or CZ-82 or similar designs. For that matter, a single-action revolver makes an excellent target and home defense handgun. They have a grip design that makes cocking them for each shot very comfortable.

EDIT: There is nothing wrong with a .22, and it is the best choice for recreation because it is cheap to shoot, much quieter, and is easy on the hands and wrists. HAVING a gun is best way to use one for home defense. If you decide that the benefits of a .22 outweigh the disadvantages of its stopping power, that is a decision only you can make and only you have to live with. A typical .22 pistol can fire 10 rounds. It would be an extremely rare home invader that is still a threat after the first two rounds of ANYTHING.

And I second Glacierwolf's recommendation to try out an FN Five-seveN pistol.

I always recommend double action revolvers for all novice shooters, both male and female. They are uncomplicated and allow you to concentrate on the fundamentals of hitting what you are aiming at. I also recommend learning to shoot double action--with practice you can learn to shoot just as accurately double action as you can single action.

As a novice you should shoot quite a lot and the most economical way to do that is to purchase a quality revolver in .22 LR with a 4 inch barrel. Ruger no longer makes a .22LR revolver though the SP101 in that caliber was a fine firearm. The Colt Diamondback in .22 LR is also a fine weapon that is no longer made but will be expensive. Smith and Wesson makes and has made some fine .22 LR revolvers the current models produced are the Model 18 and the Model 617 (my recommendation). A lot of people like Taurus firearms, but I have found their small caliber revolvers to be somewhat troublesome. There are a few other revolvers you might find used, but without being familiar with firearms it is difficult for you to judge their quality and condition.

While the .22 LR is an outstanding weapon for practice it is not the best choice for self defense. Once again I suggest a quality double action revolver, this time in .357 Magnum. Why .357 Magnum? Because you can practice with .38 Wadcutter ammunition that has very little recoil. This ammunition is relatively inexpensive (though considerably more expensive than .22 LR) and if you also take up reloading you can further reduce the cost. Colt and others made some outstanding revolvers, many people like Taurus; but as far as I am concerned the best choice is either a Ruger GP 100 or a Smith and Wesson 686. The Ruger is a larger and a bit heavier and that further tames the recoil; but the slightly smaller framed 686 is virtually the same revolver as the 617 in .22 LR. A good dealer can help you select after market grips to improve the feel if you believe it necessary.

Good luck and good shooting.

So, there has been a flurry of comment about this, and I'll summarize the parts I agree with:

1) 9mm, 38/.357 and .22 LR are the calibers that sound like they will make the most sense for you.

2) If you are concerned about being recoil sensitive, then stay away from smaller guns, and for that matter lighter guns.

Lets extend a bit on the physics of recoil. Felt recoil is two things, first it is simply the force of the bullet's energy pushing straight back down the barrel at you as the bullet accelerates out (equal and opposite reaction bit if you remember the School House Rock science Saturday morning cartoon) and the second is the torque of the barrel trying to rotate up and pull the pistol out of your hands, because the line of the force coming back at you down the barrel is above the line of your wrist.

So, heavier guns, with low barrel axes and more mass at the end of the barrel have the lowest felt recoil. However, for some people they feel like anvils in their hands, so it is a balance. Essentially, all of the pistols you listed, while fine weapons, are polymer guns and will generally have higher felt recoil than all metal pistols. Some examples of good quality all metal firearms are the CZ75, Beretta 92 and the Kahr K9. Others, like a SIG226 which is an excellent firearm, have high barrel to grip distance and so the felt recoil is higher than might normally be the case.

So the suggestion to try out some different guns is a good one. Most ranges, particularly indoor ones, have gun rentals. It's well worth it to try some out get a feel of what I am talking about. See how much your carpel tunnel matters.

Let's talk a bit more about platform for a second. Revolvers are popular mostly because the designs are incredibly proven. The most innovative thing to happen to a revolver in the last 20 years is Ruger finally figured out how to make part of the frame of a revolver out of polymer so it is lighter, without having the cost of some of the exotic metals approaches that other companies have taken.(Scandium, Titanium, etc.) The mechanics of how they work is extremely mature. Which also means they are really, really simple to operate, and maintain. Double action is point and shoot. Single action is hammer back, point and shoot. Reload is flip the cylinder open, dump the empties, put new bullets in and close the cylinder. I'd ignore the idea of a snub nose - my preference as either a 4" or 6" barrel for a general purpose revolver.

The benefit of .357 revolvers is you can also shoot the lower power .38 special rounds through them and a good revolver can be easily found for $500. Ruger GP100 or SP101 in a 4" barrel is a common, proven excellent example.

Revolvers also have the benefit that because there is no magazine going up the grip, they are not restricted in grip shape and for some people fit better. Again, any rental range will have some of these to try.

Now, let's talk semi - autos for a minute. Because more is happening there is more to learn. But you've already said you are willing to practice so I wouldn't be afraid of that. The real issue here comes back to your caliber point. For $300 - $700 you can certainly buy about any decent quality common semi - auto pistol. However, it is tough to buy 2 of them for that price, which generally is what you would need for both a 9mm and .22 LR.

So, my suggestion is to restrict your list of semi autos that also have ... a .22 conversion kit. This is a kit with generally a new slide, barrel, and magazine which has been designed to fit on a specific centerfire handgun. Of the guns you listed, I know the Springfield, Glock and S&W M&P have .22 conversion kits, and among some of the ones I listed, the CZ75, the Beretta 92, the Hi - Power and the Sig 226 all also have conversion kits. As do 1911 style 9mm pistols and several others. I haven't seen any yet for the 250 or the new Ruger semi - autos. Most conversion kits are $200 - $250 more or less, which allows you to still fit into your budget. This allows you to practice on the same gun you are going to shoot, but with .22 instead of 9mm.

My final suggestion is to look into an "Intro to Pistols" class. The NRA has several, and most ranges have a certified instructor either teaching such a class or willing to do a couple of hours of private instruction. If you explain what you are doing and want to learn there should be no problem in you being able to spend a couple of hours and coming away with a much better idea of what will work for you. A couple of hours will probably cost you $50 - $100 but what you learn will make a huge difference.

For reference, I'm among the group of answers that lays claim to teach alot of first timers, and alot of women to shoot. Because they've all been different I'm not going down the path of being too specific, other than from a hardware standpoint try and help guide you to stuff that seems to fit your interests.

Thinkingblade

Go with the .40 or 9mm if you can handle them. .The 380 is a little weak as a home defense caliber in my opinion. But it's better than nothing. And might be a good choice if you find you have trouble with the .40 or the 9mm.

Of course, for recreation, keep in mind the cost of centerfire pistol ammo. A day at the range can set you back $100 or more in ammo. So for recreation. I prefer a .22 pistol. It will pay for itself quickly in the amount of money you save by not firing hundreds of rounds of far more expensive center-fire pistol ammo.

For barrel length, I'd go with four inches if you aren't going to do concealed carry. The four inch barrel will give you somewhat less recoil, and make the gun a bit more controllable in a rapid fire scenario.

I don't agree with the person who told you to go with a revolver, even though I am a revolver man myself. And the reason is because you specifically mentioned you have carpel tunnel syndrome. Double action revolvers have a heavier trigger pull than semi-autos do. And if you have any weakness in your fingers from the carpel tunnel, than a semi-auto might be a better choice.

Update:

A .22 would definitely be worth it for you if you will need a lot of practice. It's just too expensive to practice that much with centerfire pistol rounds.

For semi-autos, Ruger makes several good .22s The Ruger Mark III standard is nice. For revolvers, the Taurus 941 is nice.

I would not get a snub nose revolver if you aren't going to do concealed carry. Because you are right, accuracy is a problem. And the snub noses kick pretty hard as well.

I also would be hesitant to recommend a .357 Magnum in your case. I'd be concerned about your ability to handle it. The .357 Magnum does have the benefit that if you cannot handle it, you can switch to .38 Special ammo and fire it through the same gun. But that is only true with revolvers (there aren't many semi-autos chambered for the .357 Magnum anyway. It's mostly a revolver cartridge)

If you did want a revolver, a .38 Special that is +P rated would make a reasonable home defense weapon. As far as benefts of the revolver over the semi-auto (and I am not suggesting you should automatically get a revolver. just listing the benefits because you asked)

1) They are simpler to operate than semi-automatics

2) They are potentially more reliable because in the unlikely event of a primer failure, you simply pull the trigger again.

Those are the two primary advantages. The first one is basically not an advantage at all really as long as you take the time to learn about your gun--whatever type it is.

Well everything is a give and take. I have a glock 23 .40 as my primary carry and home defense weapon. If you want it more for some range/target time, I'd go with the 9mm just because of the price and availability of ammunition. If revolvers are how you want to go, you might consider a .357. With a .357 you can go to the range and shoot. 38 special and once you get home put the .357 loads in for the home. And contrary to what you may hear, the 9mm is more than adequate in taking down an attacker. Its really a hard decision if you just have to choose just one. But if I were to pick one for you as a "final answer", id go with a glock 17. Best of both worlds. Good luck.

Q: "Pistols-What would you recommend for a woman, caliber, brand, weight, barrel?

Looking to purchase my first pistol, going to the range to try things out. Modest budget. I've got large hands, am strong, but have mild carpel tunnel. I was thinking .380, 9mm, or 40? ..."

A: The recoil from the .40S&W cartridge is too "snappy" and harsh in my opinion.

The cartridges offering a more manageable recoil are: .380ACP, .38 Special, 9x19mm and .45ACP (when fired from a full sized M-1911 pistol).

As for your carpal tunnel syndrome, I suggest working with your physician and beginning a weight-training and muscle strengthening exercise program. Lifting weights and squeezing tennis-balls or hand-exercisers can help overcome the limitations of carpal tunnel syndrome, in my experience.

If this is not feasible, then a revolver may offer some ease-of-use advantages.

Revolvers are easier to load/unload, are available in various sizes & weights and have several aftermarket grips available to make them more comfortable to hold in your hand.

You seem devoted to learning and improving your ability to enjoy firearms for recreation and for home defense. So, a semi-automatic pistol is a viable option.

Please consider the following...

~A larger/heavier handgun soaks up recoil better than a smaller/lighter handgun.

~A full-sized handgun [Colt M-1911, Beretta 92, H&K USP & etc...] is likely to be comfortable and ergonomic for a person with large hands and its longer sight-radius helps with aiming at a target.

~A semi-automatic pistol may have a strong spring which exerts a force that must be overcome in order to load the pistol. This spring-force criteria may eliminate several pistols from your consideration. The phrase, "try before you buy" applies here.

~Large capacity magazines may have strong springs whose force must be overcome in order to load cartridges into the magazine. (A device known as the Up-LULA solves this problem in most situations http://maglula.tripod.com/ )

As for .22LR handguns, there are several available, but the most popular are Ruger semi-automatics, Smith & Wesson revolvers and/or Taurus revolvers.

If you purchase an M-1911 type handgun, then there are .22LR conversion kits that would let you temporarily swap a few parts and let you practice with economical and low-recoil .22LR ammunition.

As for the guns you specifically listed? They all enjoy a reputation for reliable function, but I'd be most interested in the Springfield Armory XD.

A handgun must fit your hands like a proverbial glove and must meet your other criteria for ergonomics, reliability and cartridge performance. It's a very personal decision.

It may be wise to attend a firearm training course (or two) before you purchase a handgun.

That way you'll have had the opportunity to handle and shoot several firearms to learn which types suit you best. When you go shopping for your own handgun(s), you'll be able to make informed decisions.

Q: "What about .357's?"

A: This cartridge generates too much recoil. But revolvers chambered for .357 Magnum's can safely fire the more user-friendly .38 Special cartridge. So, for home defense it's okay to consider a .357 Magnum revolver, such as a Ruger model GP-100, but it may be more cost-effective to purchase a used S&W Model 10 which is only available in .38 Special.

Q: "a snub nose revolver? Really? Concern about..."

A: The snub-nosed revolver is more useful for concealed carry and/or for people with small hands. The shorter barrel creates a shorter sight-radius and makes it more difficult to aim precisely. At distances of 25 feet or less, the snubby is mechanically just as accurate as a larger revolver. It's the ability of the shooter to aim the smaller pistol that becomes a factor.

Good luck and enjoy your new firearm. :-)

The Bersa that was suggested by nighthawk is a fine gun. I bought one for my dad for Christmas a few years back and have "borrowed" it quite a few times since. While many people will tell you that a 380 is not sufficient for defense, it will definitely be better to have a gun that you can handle and manage as far as recoil than have a larger caliber that you can't. I have put ~250 rounds through my/his Bersa without a single hiccup. Many of the others you have suggested would do well too, but at under $300, the Bersa is hard to beat on value. My only complaint is that even in the fairly thick and long grip, they could only find room for a seven round magazine. The gun does come with a second magazine if I remember correctly, though, and 15 rounds should be enough to get you out of most threatening situations. Hope this helps, always glad to see new gun owners.

Well, your budget will allow you to pick up a quality firearm. You can pick up a good one off the used gun rack as well.

For new shooters, I like to recommend a Smith & Wesson Model 10, with the 4 inch heavy barrel, in .38 caliber. Used this gun sells for about $300. It has fixed sights, nothing to knock out of adjustment. It is a good solid, reliable gun. Load with 125 grain lead bullets to practice with. Load with 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Points for home defense.

Of the semi automatics you listed, I would recommend the Ruger SR9. A buddy of mine bought one of these and just loves it. His 9mm is very accurate and easy to handle. One of the problems I noticed with women shooters is difficulty pulling the slide to the rear of the gun. If this is going to be a problem for you, then the revolver is your best bet.

My first wife chose my Smith & Wesson, model 28, as her gun. This a very large framed .357 magnum gun. She could barely get her finger to the trigger, but just loved the gun. She could not work the slide on any of my semi autos, even the 9mm guns.

My second wife was a small woman. Her gun was a Ruger SP101, in .357 mag. She never loaded the magnum rounds in the gun, always used a 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Point, .38 cal. round. The woman is evil accurate with the snubbie gun. She used the gun to drive off two thugs who tried to attack her at a roadside rest area. She also had problems with working a slide on a semi auto.

The current wife selected my old S&W model 411, a .40 cal. semi auto gun. She had no problem working the slide. She opted for the 155 grain Jacketed Hollow Point round for the gun. She does not like recoil and this bullet is a nice compromise between power and kick.

My wife, a nurse, has brought several of her co-workers to check out my guns to see what they would be comfortable with. Almost all of them liked my little Bersa .380, because of the size; but none of them could work the slide. Small guns like this have heavy springs, making the slide hard to work. Many of them gravitated to my S&W model 10 because it was a simple gun to use and a nice compromise between power and size. Some went for the 9mm semi auto. They could work the slide easily and liked the idea of a 15 round magazine.

Hope that helps.

Recoil is all laws of physics. The power of the bullet going out the barrel - gives an equal and opposite amount of power in recoil. Two identical 9mm bullets will have very different recoil amounts when fired from a 22ounce pistol and a 30ounce pistol.

In the battle of recoil - pistol weight is your friend.

With the carpel tunnel - you need a 22 semi-auto to practice with. No doubts about that. What you learn from shooting a 22 pistol will directly help your marksmanship skills on a bigger pistol.

I like the XD. It has the loaded chamber indicator and a second indicator the internal hammer is back - these two features are hugely important for a CCW pistol you will unload when around the family. People who have accidental discharges - usually have that accident with a semi-auto pistol.

As to caliber - bring a couple of thermos's of coffee and snacks to the range and camp out. I have never seen a shooter deny someone a few rounds to try out a different gun! You see something new - ask to fire a few rounds. Give them cookies for their troubles. The more different calibers and guns you shoot - the better off you will be. Since you will have your new 22 pistol - at least you will have a good excuse to be at the range!

Something to consider - the FN FiveSeveN pistol. I have one. It has no recoil. Fully loaded with 20rds it weights half what my loaded 45 XD does. It shoots the new 5.7x28mm ammo - it sends a tiny 40gr bullet out at rifle like speeds. You can actually hunt fox and coyote with one out to 200 yards. Lots of farmers and ranchers use them. The bad news - they cost about $1100 new. Still - you need to try one!

Consider this. Yes, the 380 and 40 S&W are somewhat underpowered. However - it is better to hit something dead on with a less than perfect gun/caliber - than to miss with the worlds most perfect gun everyone recommends. And they do not make one gun that does it all - if they did, I can assure you - my wife would have bought me one and sold the other dozens in the safe. Me - I have 4 different pistols I use for CCW - all depends on the time of year - and how I dress.

That is a fine selection of pistols. There is one more you might think about and it will be a little smaller than anything you have listed here and that is a Bersa 380 auto. I know Bersa does not have the name recognition of the manufacturers you mentioned but the one I have is accurate at defensive ranges, it is not quite as spendy as the pistols you mentioned and it has a really nice trigger on it that would rival pistols costing 3 times as much. You won't go wrong with any of the ones you mentioned but you might consider just giving the Bersa a look.