Security Advantage - what is the best gun for a woman to purchase for personal safety?

what is the best gun for a woman to purchase for personal safety?

I have personal safety issues lately. This is the perfect time for me to purchase my own gun.

Public Comments

Maybe you should try some Mace before you blow your own leg off.
Maybe instead you should try a tazer, i have one, or pepper spray. Maybe even both! They tend to be smaller than a gun. Good luck! A pistol would be good if you need one.
a pistol is by far your best option. if i were you i would buy a taurus PT9 9mm pistol. it is small, acurate, holds 10 rounds, AND you vcan get pink grips for it (optional). there are lots of good pistols out there, just look at a local gun shop and they can give you lots of information or let you try a gun to see what fits you best. also make sure you're trained in the use of that gun, because self defense is a tough subject to learn. good luck, be safe, and shoot only if you have no other option, but shoot to kill.
For home use I would recommend a shotgun with the short barrel, such as the Mossberg "defender", and 00 buckshot. For carry, it depends on what you can handle, but nothing smaller than a 9mm (semiauto) or .38 special (revolver). A handgun needs much practice to become a safe, proficient user; preferably with someone to teach you the basics if you do not yet shoot. Try a local shooting range or club for an adviser.
This question comes up very often. Its hard to say to just buy a Glock, a Colt, etc. I can't personally tell you what gun to buy. The only way to find out is to go to the local gun shop and try out a few guns. Find a shop that has a range or find a friend that has a few guns, try them out, hold them, fire them, etc, and see what you like best and what's comfortable to you. Don't just buy a certain gun because your friend has one. It may not fit you properly, or you may not be comfortable using it. If that's the case when the time comes that you actually might need to use that gun, you probably won't use it because your not comfortable with it. Also, after you do buy a gun, don't just put it in your purse, take it to the range and fire it every few weeks, or at least once a month so that you can be as used to the gun as possible.
Well, you need to give us more information. Do you intend to use it for home defense, or concealed cary? For home defense, a plain old 12 gauge with some buckshot is a great option. For concealed carry, I'd take a revolver over a pistol any day. A revolver can't jam, and you can shoot it from the inside of a coat pocket repeatedly. One shot in a pocket with a pistol, and you're gonna be pretty tangled up. As for size and caliber, that depends. How big of a woman are you? I've seen some ladies that can kick my ass :p. I'd suggest some kind of double action revolver in a .357magnum caliber with a really short barrel. If you're especially small, you can always shoot .38spec ammo out of it, which kicks much less, but it has less knockdown power. Smith and Wesson, Ruger, and Taurus are good names when it comes to revolvers. I don't see how a pistol is the best option... Since when do you need to fire 10 shots in a self defense situation? 6, 7, or 8 is definitely enough for me, and 6 shots that all fire is better than 1 shot and a jam. And please, don't buy a gun because it's pink. Go try out some different calibers, see if you like polymer or metal, etc. Lovinglife's advice is great too.
A revolver would be the easiest and quickest to learn to use. You can get a Taurus or Rossi 357/38 special at Academy Sports for around $300. No special buttons to mash or leavers to pull... all you have to do is just pull the trigger. An automatic would be better, maybe a little heavier....but you would have to learn how to use it ( if you don't already know how). A Sig p-232 in 380 caliber in alloy frame would be an excellent pistol. But its a little pricey maybe around $600. Next up would be 9mm. It has about 2x the power as the 380. Go to this website for a look at some small 9mm pistols- http://www.best9mm.com/compact9mm.html Near the bottom of the page is the Taurus PT-111 Pro, this is the gun I carry every day. Fully loaded with 12 rounds it weighs about 29 oz. If 380 caliber is better for you - look here- http://www.best9mm.com/380acp.html What ever you decide on....take it to the range and practice with it -often. You may even want to see if self defense courses are available in your area. A standard pistol course here where I live (Mobile) is just $150. Again...if you are no used to handling guns...you should try a revolver first. Good luck.
The first thing you should do no matter what kind of firearm you buy is to take a safety class. The NRA offers many classes, and local DNRs offer some too. I don't care which one you take, but please take one. Recommending a firearms is a lot like recommending shoes. You have to try it on first, and the kind of shoe you get (dress shoes, sneakers, flip flops) totally depends on what situation you will be using it in. Once you have a general purpose for your gun (self defense) you need to think about experience levels and calibers. If you are fairly new you'll need to start off with a smaller caliber (.22 is a great beginner caliber) so you don't develop bad habits like flinching and expecting recoil. For self defense anything at least 9mm, and no more than .45 is perfectly fine. Stick with what works for you, not what works for the salesman or your buddy. After you know what you want and what caliber you should start thinking about what kind of features you like. So you like single actions, double actions, revolvers, autoloaders? You can find out what kind you like by going to your local range (do a google map search to look for a range in your area) and renting a few different guns. See what feels the most comfortable and what you like the best, then write up a list of what you want and how important it is to you. For example the list might look like the following (this is just an example, not necessarily what you would want): 1. 9mm 2. autoloader 3. double action 4. frame mounted safety 5. 10 + 1 capacity 6. single stack magazine 7. long trigger pull 8. polymer Take this list to a few gun shops. The staff there will be able to narrow down the selection to a couple of things that you might like. I usually try not to buy one right there and then, I sleep on it and think about it for a while to avoid making a rash decision. Once you have it narrowed down to 3 choices or so, try renting those particular guns at the range and giving them all a try. See what feels natural and comfortable to you. Once you know which gun you want look around for the best pricing. Check the internet (gunbroker and other gun shops), but keep in mind that you will need an FFL transfer and shipping if it is out of state. Check local gun shops, pawn shops (often times overprices), and gun shows (you really have to know what you're doing at a gun show). After all that the only thing left to do is to go and buy your new firearm, always operate and store it safely, and be a responsible gun owner. Make sure you practice too. A firearm isn't of any use if you can't operate it well.
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Then do so, assuming that you're at least 21 years old, a US citizen, and have no disqualifying criminal history. For starters, in a handgun, I'll suggest a ..38 Special revolver. One good thing about revolvers is that the grips can be customized to fit your hands. This is a good thing, as a good grip will make the gun easier to use well. Colt, Charter Arms, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Taurus are all good choices. They will typically hold five or six shots. That should cover your walking-around needs, provided you live in a jurisdiction in which you can get a concealed-carry permit. If you live in Alaska or Vermont, it's even better, for in those two states, no permit is required to carry concealed. In Illinois, Wisconsin, and DC, by comparison, no permit is available. For the house, get a 12 or 20-gauge pump shotgun. Remington and Mossberg are the most widely used, and recommended, by police agencies around the US. Keep it loaded with #4 or #6 shot loads. This will give you good burglar-stopping ability without much risk of shooting through walls and nailing your kids or neighbors. Also, have a good lawyer's phone number available in case you do have to shoot someone. It can come in mighty handy.
RDG good advice, except bird shot is not a self defense round, it won't penetrate a bad guy any more than a wall. Unfortunately sheetrock and 2x4s are pretty weak so anything useful will easily penetrate several walls worth of them. 00 buck is really the smallest shot you should load for home defense.
S&W chiefs special .38
what is the best gun could and most definately would lead to great discussions about quality and improvements...really it would be like discussing how many spirits can dance on the head of a pin... The best advise anyone could give you is ....find one that your comfortable with, both in your hand and firing... lets face it if your seriously thinking protection...your only talking about across the room being your longest shot...the important things would be does it fit your hand, is it enough power to stop an intruder in their tracks cold,and can you point and shoot it instinctively at the 12-25ft range and hit your target. recoil may be a issue for you also(not a put down) Iam 150 lbs soaking wet and to shoot a gun that is uncomfortable to shoot lends itself to inaccurate shooting by most of us...however in the heat of the moment when life is at risk you probably wont know the gun went off till its over. I recently was hunting one for my girlfriend who lives with me...she is petite and her hands are small. that being said I decided on a small frame 9mm semi auto. ease of reloading(clip fed) lightweight,minimum recoil(recoil operation reduces recoil to the hand),and a 9mm is easy to get ammo for,plenty enough power to stop an intruder at close range(in your home or point blank on the street) its a very user friendly choice for female or a new shooter. several makers produce smaller framed semi's that would probably feel comfortable in your hand and a competant knowelagable sales person could help you with finding one that suits your needs. Please take this decision very seriously...owning a firearm can be rewarding and dangerous also. It is very important to know your weapon intimately. I recommend plenty of range time, and taking a safety course. usually a local gun club or police barracks will have courses for handguns and are more than willing to help someone like yourself to protect yourself by showing you the do's and dont's. whatever you decide to do or what weapon you choose realize this above all else.......dont get it out unless you intend to squeeze the trigger! it could just as easy be used on you......................good luck, and be SAFE!!!
For home defense? Shotgun.. Not a shotgun guy so I can't get into deeper details, but another answer made a good suggestion. For personal protection (Concealed carry), it is COMPLETELY dependant on what fits YOU best. The only way to know that is to go to your local gun store, explain what you need, and feel the gun in your hand. As with all stores, some people are jerks, but generally, gun store employees will glady take the time to match the perfect gun to you for your needs! When selecting a gun, try not to fall for glamor too much... It snares the best of us. The blued, heavy, hardy-feeling .357 magnum is pretty to look at and is great for the range, but an aluminum-framed, snubnose .38sp revolver will serve you better for carry usage.. There is only 1 thing I must stress to you endlessly... Please.. PLEASE... PRACTICE with your gun. It doesn't have to be hardcore, shooting grapes at 25 yards.. Just a nice tight grouping at 5 yards is fine.
Anyone who tries to tell you which gun to get should not be listened to. Choosing a self defense gun is a very personal process. That being said, here are a few guidelines to help you along the way. First, if you only have one gun, it should be a handgun. If you want to be armed outside of your home, it is the only option. If you only plan to use it in your home, it can be kept hidden until needed, is much easier to maneuver, and is harder to take away than any long gun. There are three main things to consider when choosing a handgun: shootability, concealability, and cartridge. I will address each of these individually. Shootability encompasses how the gun feels in your hand, barrel length, weight, recoil (kick). First of all many men will recommend that a woman buy a short light-weight gun in a small caliber. Resist this. All of these traits make a weapon less effective. First, the gun must feel good in your hand and point naturally. The other three traits will be trade offs. Increased barrel length will make the gun easier to shoot, but will decrease concealability. Increased weight will reduce recoil but will hurt concealability and may make it more difficult to hold steady. More effective cartridges will typically kick more. Concealability's importance will depend on whether you intend to get a concealed carry license and how you intend to conceal it. Basically, you should carry as much gun as you can comfortably conceal. As far as caliber is concerned, I'm going to say that 9mm or 40 S&W are going to be your best choices in an auto. I would recommend 357 mag in a revolver. 357 recoil can be harsh, but a 357 can also shoot 38 specials, which are effective, but have much less recoil. That would give you the option to move up in power at a future date without buying a new gun. This brings up the choice between revolvers and autos. The main advantages of a revolver are simplicity and almost perfect reliability. The advantages of an auto are greater ammunition capacity, easier concealability, and quick reloads. Again, a personal decision. So, the specifics I can recommend... A handgun in one of the caliber mentioned above with a 3 or 4 inch barrel that feels good in your hands. From my personal experience I can recommend autos by Kahr, Springfield, Glock, and Sig Sauer. Revolvers from Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, and Taurus are of good quality. There are many more, but I don't think you would go wrong with any of these, but there are many good makers out there. One final thing... Whatever you choose, get some training and PRACTICE. Sorry for going so long, but I hope I've helped.
home defense: nothing beats the shotgun self defense: nothing is more portable than the handgun shotguns: any reliable, popular model pump action 12 gauge will do. either ask for a open choke or modified choke. get about 100 shells 3 buck or larger buckshot but not larger than 00 buck. handguns: selection is much harder. first try out every handgun there is to rent in your local area's ranges. you need to find what caliber you like the most and most comfortable with, as well as what pistol fits you best. From there you select what gun you'd like by taking to self defense experts comparing recoil, stopping power, the handguns' size, weight, reliability, stuff like that.
g'day mate get a black powder cannon.lol be safe,cheers mate
That is not a simple question and there is no simple answer. A personal firearm is a very personal item indeed. It has to fit in with your lifestyle, your clothing, your physical build, your local laws and its intended use. There is no one best answer for everyone. My advice is to treat this as you would any major purchase. Do your homework. Research what's available. After you've done that, go to a shooting range that rents guns (probably an indoor range) and try out the ones you think might work for you to see what fits you best. Keep in mind that the fact that someone is standing behind the counter at a gun store does not necessarily mean they know anything about guns or their use. Some of them will be very knowledgeable and helpful. A few will cheerfully spout utter nonsense. All of them are salespersons. That's one reason you have to do your homework. That said, here's some guidelines: Stay away from off brands and cheap junk. If you're a beginner, buy new from a reputable dealer. A good quality firearm, properly maintained and cared for, will last a lifetime, so amortize the price over a few decades to reduce sticker shock. Remember, you're going to bet your life on this gun. The middle of a gun fight is a bad place to realize you should have spent the extra hundred dollars or so. The minimum defensive caliber for semiautomatics is 9x19mm, aka 9mm Parabellum, aka 9mm Luger, aka 9mm NATO. (If you have a physical limitation that makes 9x19mm too much to handle, 9x17mm, aka .380, may have to do, but certainly nothing less.) The minimum for revolvers is .38 Special. Anything over .45 ACP for semiautos or .357 Magnum for revolvers will likely overpenetrate the target, wasting some of its energy and endangering who or what is beyond, so they're not recommended. These days I recommend against revolvers for defensive purposes. Their capacity is too restricted and they're too slow to reload. It's true that revolvers have fewer stoppage modes than semiautos. However, most semiauto stoppages can be cleared in a matter of seconds with a little training. When a revolver jams, it's out of the fight and may require a gunsmith to get it going again. When in doubt, you generally won't go far wrong with a Glock, but some people just don't like them. Nearly all ranges that rent guns rent Glocks, so it's easy to find out if you get along with them. Tritium night sights are worth the extra expense. Most other bells and whistles aren't. Re: Accessories: Yes, you're going to need some. You need eye and ear protection for practice at the range. A baseball style cap is also recommended. You need a safe, secure place to store your gun when necessary. There are many options for quick access lock boxes and gun safes. (Caution: Guns left alone in safes have been known to breed and multiply.) Beware of trigger locks. They are accidents waiting to happen and do nothing to prevent theft. There are few things more embarrassing than going to your local police station to report a stolen gun. One of those things is coming home to find someone pointing your gun at you. You need a cleaning kit. There are many on the market and they all pretty much work. Follow the instructions that come with them for gun cleaning and maintenance. You'll need a holster. Sooner or later, there will come a time when you want to have your gun with you for a while. The middle of a riot or natural disaster is a bad time to go shopping for holsters. A holster should be designed to fit your make and model of gun. Its mouth should be stiff enough to remain open when the gun is drawn in order to facilitate safe reholstering. It needs to hold the gun and itself firmly in place, so it will be where you expect it to be when you reach for it. Military style cover flaps are counterproductive. Thumb break straps will slow you down. A good quality concealed carry rig can cost $50-100. A simple Kydex or other plastic paddle holster will be much less, but won't be as stealthy. For semiautos, you'll need a spare magazine carrier or two. The doubles are often uncomfortable to wear and some point one magazine in the wrong direction. For revolvers, you need speed loaders and carriers for them. Above all, get training in safe gun handling and defensive use of firearms. That is absolutely critical. Without training, you're kidding yourself and endangering those around you. Don't let it slide.
You are going to get a variety of answers here. Before you jump on anyone band wagon, you need to ask your self a few questions. 1. how much can you afford to spend 2. do you know how to use the gun you can afford. 3. is the gun you are looking at comfortable for you to use. Some one may tell you to get a S&W 500mag. Could you actually accurately use this firearm in a defense situation? Probably not. That's a pretty big gun! A .40 a .38 or a 9mm may be your best bet. These guns have manageable recoil in most varieties of factory defense ammunition. AND they make them small enough to easily fit a female hand, so you can maintain good control of the firearm. These suggestions are however just my opinion. You are not going to know what will work for you until you get out to a range and try a few out. Many gun ranges will happily rent a gun to you so that you can test it before you buy it. Good Luck!!!
A 38 caliber+P Mfg by Smith an Wesson or Ruger.* Use 125 grain jacketed hollow points for self-defense ammo.* A Revolver not a semi-auto.*
Two questions: 1. Is this for home defense only, or will you need it with you at times when out and about? 2. How much time are you willing to become proficient and knowledgeable with it and about it? On the assumption that you may need something to take out and about, and also that you prefer simplicity, I would recommend a .357 Magnum or .38 Special revolver with a short barrel. There are many out that hold 5 shots that are fairly concealable and something you could easily carry in a purse. The reason I recommend a revolver is that they are utterly simple and reliable. They never jam. They don't fling empty cases about. If a round doesn't fire, a new round is brought into position with the next trigger pull. A .357 Magnum revolver has the virtue of firing less powerful and less expensive .38 Special ammo. It makes it easier to practice with and if the .357 is too powerful, you just stick with .38 Special for self-defense. Ruger has one right now that seems to be very well designed. It's called the LCR. I've linked to it below.