Handgun for Honey

[Walter45Auto]

Just one more reason I love my girl!

Does she have a sister who's single and in the Dallas area by any chance???

[ellis4538]

Start out with a .22 revolver like they say, then add a .22 conversion unit to a Glock or 1911 or Beretta (I think) and then lite load 9 mm or 45.  If she doesn't like the 9 or 45 you still have it to plink with and can go a different direction.   

[Dougdubya]

Does she have a sister who's single and in the Dallas area by any chance???

*sigh* only child (as far as we know - we're both adopted).

[hawkeye1]

Man or woman, a 22 is definitely the way to start out a new shooter.  Low noise and recoil so they can concentrate on the important things like trigger squeeze and sight picture.  After that, they can move up to anything they can handle...at their own pace.  However, if honey is already accustomed to the  mechanics of shooting a handgun, as my wife was, I took her to a local gun show and let her handle all the guns in the show.  We were looking at a snub nose revolver.  She picked up all the snubbies in the show.  Not terribly interested, until she found the one that really fit her hand.  She lit up and said, "This is the one."  It turned out to be a Ruger SP101.  But it could have been anything.  The point is, she found the revolver that fit her hand.  She shoots very well.  As one of the guys said before, let her pick the one that works for her.  She will be more likely to carry it and shoot it if it is hers, not one of the ones we picked out for her.

[tombogan03884]

All good comments, but to get own 2 cents worth in, little guns, or rather guns with REAL small grips,(NAA revolvers Kel-Tec, Acu-Tec , wallet size guns) are notoriusly difficult to shoot, but many Novice ladies like them cuz thier "cute"
   If the lady wants something in that catagory Deffinitly make sure she has a chance to "try before you buy"
Of course make sure she understands that you're not pushing YOUR preference , just want to be sure SHE  has all the info to make a decision . otherwise it will be like trying to herd cats.

[Sponsor]

[bigbones]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  We live in a rural area so the options are somewhat limited in terms of trying different models at a range.  We will start with a couple of .22 handguns that I have on hand and work our way forward from there. 

I will let you know how things go.

Bones

[Bulldog39]

I would go with a 22 revolver, (as a lot have said already), then maybe a 357, shooting 38's. Once they get the safe handling part down, let them choose. My wife likes the 85UL and my girl like the 92F, but they started with a 22.

Just my 2 cents

[Teresa Heilevang]

I think all women ( and youngsters ) should start out with 22's.
All the reasons have already been stated.. but one key factor is also that you can generally hit your target and that makes shooting fun. Whether you cut your teeth on empty cans, snakes and river turtles like I did.. or you are at an indoor range shooting targets... a person likes to be able to hit what they're shooting at.
A 22 is a nice gentle way of concentrating on what you are shooting at instead of the recoil or the bang.

[2HOW]

My wife started with her S&W 649 after trying a Glock pistol at the range. My opinion is if money is no object start with a .22 and then you have a good plinker to keep after she moves up to another caliber. But I would start her off with a sub 9mm, simply because that is probably what she will end up with . My wife wants a 9mm sub compact now after shooting my PT 140.

[HAWKFISH]

I've taught a couple of women how to shoot handguns. One started with a .22. The other with a 9mm. Both, got good and like shooting. It is important to start with something smaller first and when they want move up or are ready..then let them shoot something bigger. I would not start with a magum..etc. Go slow and be patient. Then once they get the craving for it.. They will want to go shooting all the time..!