What is a good handgun for a petite female?

Consider a Glock 26.

Is's small, easily concealed, fires 9mm, and has a 10 round mag. Way better than any snub nose revolver and in a smaller package.

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g26

Whoa, way off track with some of these. A straight forward answer would be Smith and Wesson bodyguard 380, or xrc 9 , or something small like that. A better answer would be go to your local range and see what they have that you can try and put some lead downrange. My fiancé Carries a FNH FNx-40 and she's around your size 5'6" 115 lbs and a ballet instructor now so it really comes down to the individual. And to the douches before I am a pro fighter and teach Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai at my gym but that has nothing to do with carrying. When my home was being broken into I didn't think to grab my gi or boxing gloves but my kimber 1911 from my nightstand

the best answer is your cell phone to call 911, and to not get into the situation in the first place, after that obvious stuff, do you plan to carry it on your person? I wouldn't carry it in your purse because if you are getting robbed they are taking that, or is it for home protection? If you have a CCW and you want to carry it, a lighter polymer handgun is best, you want a good capacity magazine. if you are carrying it in your purse you need a good safety, if on your person I will give you a list. You also need to be dedicated to going to the range at least once a month. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO SHOOT THEM IF YOU PULL IT OUT. Biggest thing because if you have any doubt the only person getting shot is you, Now lol 1. Glock 19, Sig Sauer 229, these are 9mm's, good caliber, if you are in an apartment you don't want to shoot your neighbor. are you in USA? a good snub nosed revolver is also good, make sure it is hammerless if carrying in your purse. If you give more info I can help you out. I know a lot about this stuff

.22 cal

.380 cal

and lastly, 9mm...

Many have recommended the 9mm for its man stopping ability and considerably manageable to very low felt-recoil. One pistol chambered in 9mm is the Glock 19. Reliability of the gun is top notch and ease of use is next to nothing. Assuming the chamber is loaded, just point and shoot.

However, highest pre-requisite (in my >> opinion <<, but nothing harmful with having additional education) is go take a Basic Handgun Safety Course. Trigger finger discipline is priority for Glock owners. After the course and assuming you already purchased this gun, go out and take considerable practice. There is a lot to experience with the target range. High-stress situations are no joke and having a gun doesn't mean it will be easy to counter them. One of the things you want to master or eliminate is the "anticipation of recoil" and the "tendency of closing ones eyes from muzzle blast". Both are brought about by the fear of an individual using ones gun for the first time.

---

Two jerks before us are obviously numb-nuts of anti-gun folks. They may have a point, BUT IT DIDN'T ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION.

Sounds like you are able to handle a 38. For self defense I would not get any smaller caliber. They make several lightweight models - check out smith & wesson.

I would recommend a makarov it is large enough to be easy to handle small enough to conceal. Uses 9mm makarov ammo, but in a pinch you can use .380. .380 is 1 mm shorter than makarov ammo, but 2mm shorter than 9mm para. It is simple to use, safe, and was standard issue for communist bloc countries. So, it has been tried and true. Plus, Pssst, they're cheap.

I will include a link to a pic below you may have to copy and paste it into your browser

http://markgreaneybooks.com/books/the-gray-man/wea...

how about getting into martial arts and mastering your body?