Lots of great ideas already mentioned here. My other half used a Buckmark Camper to learn on. Her favorite was a SP101 in 3" then switched to a Glock 43, due to weight and racking the slide. We went through several "small" 9mm's. Until she could actually "rack" the slide safely and without any issue. She does use a NEF single shot 410 for grouse hunting, in which she can load pretty fast considering the one shot shotgun.

First I have not read all the replies BUT an Airweight revolver is NOT a good idea. I am 6' and 275lbs and hated the recoil on my Airweight J Frame so much I hated to practice with it so I replaced it with a Kahr PM9 which still had the recoil of a small handgun but easier to handle. The Kahr was replaced with the Sig P365 which EVERYONE has trouble loading the mags. Uplula has sold millions just for the Sig.

As for the AR pistol, maybe in 9mm but I have the Springfield Edge and I love it BUT would not recommend it for a small person. A CZ Scorpion or CMMG Banshee would be great.

Lastly in handguns after you start with .22's there are some nice ones that are easy to handle. Small women are not always delicate. Keeping in mind your choices are limited now I like the H&K P30sk, a 9mm 1911 4", or a Sig P365. The recoil is manageable on all of them, racking the slide is manageable, and loading all except the Sig (think Uplula) is OK.

A 9MM pistol caliber carbine. CZ and Ruger PC carbine come to mind. Forget the pump shotguns, they are experts weapons and she likely wont get the required training.

A 4 inch steel frame revolver .38 special for the night stand.

Just gonna be honest here....a tiny woman that has not really shot guns/interested in guns/comfortable with guns is not going to do well with any AR/shotgun/PCC/small revolver for home defense. Some suggestions here are coming from gun guys that are trying to think what would work for them, not a 100lb chick that isn’t into guns.

She’s not going to be tactical walking around with an AR. She won’t understand it’s function, remember to flip the safety off, be able to chamber a round in time, etc. Same for the shotgun, it would be an unwieldy tool that she won’t remember to pump and will be extremely awkward inside of a house with a gun that long. She won’t be loading bullets in a mag often or be able to actually reload the gun.

She needs the largest capacity 9mm pistol that she can comfortable hold and shoot. She’d be way better off with 11 bangs from a Glock 48/19 or similar that is loaded and ready to go than any other option at her size and current skill level.

I disagree. My ex-wife was petite, and didn't want to spend much time on firearms training. She liked and did significantly better with an AR than any handgun, and it was her choice for home defense.

ARs are easier to teach than handguns IMO, and with a red dot for easier aiming and third point of contact for extra stability and recoil control, they're easier than a handgun for someone with minimal training to get hits with.

Home defense, like an onion has many layers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

Took my girlfriend shooting a few years ago - she had never shot a pistol before.

I started out with a Sig Mosquito, then a P239, a P226, and a Smith revolver ( so she understood the difference ). By change I had literally just got a G19.

She shot them all, and without question, loved the Glock. She now owns one ( bought one for her birthday ).

MDS

9mm. start with a midsized/smaller but easy controlled handgun.

For rifle think cheap to start. My wife and daughters wouldn’t touch a rifle and I bought after watching Hickock45 video a high point 9mm carbine. Cheap red dot sight and her and any of my daughters can on the first try eat the center out of a target it was a big confidence booster They now have their own AR but when we hit the range that cheap highpoint is the one they fight over every time.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:
very good read here. tons of data to digest.

bottom line -- the answer may surprise you.

https://www.americanrifleman.o...dies-pistol-project/

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Not surprised at all. My wife pretty much stole my P238 the day she shot it. We had to practice the safety a bit but that is the only hiccup we had.

quote:

She could try the S&W M&P Shield EZ, either in .380 or 9mm.

A friend who owns a shop showed me one. I was impressed.

quote:

Originally posted by MagnumU:
. I'd add the Browning 1911-380 to that list, light, very manageable recoil.

.

I think that's a very good idea. Maybe the perfect size.

It's a beautiful gun to boot.

.30 cal Carbine . Load it with Hornady Critical Defense rounds . Light , next to no recoil .

Four pages and I don’t think I’ve completely agreed with anyone yet. The original post said a gun for home defense. Nothing was said about concealed carry. A long gun is much easier to shoot well than a handgun, so my strong recommendation would be a carbine in a pistol caliber, or even a rimfire. Maybe even a lever action in a youth size.

The Shield .380EZ is a wonderful handgun for carry, but I can guarantee that she would be more effective at home with a 10/22.

We could use more information as well. Is she a frail older woman? Or a fit younger woman who happens to be petite? Also, is budget a concern? If so, state a budget, and we can give a better recommendation.

As for learning to shoot, with options listed by the OP, start with the 10/22. It’s fun and easy to shoot well and will build confidence and enthusiasm.

As all gun stores, we have seen a substantial influx of this type of new shooter. Unfamiliar with handguns and lower hand strength. A popular option and I believe a good one is the S&W 351C .22 WMR. 7 round capacity, light and easy to manipulate. The .380 EZ would be another good choice.

S&W 642/442 - great for home defense or carry, simple to operate and the long trigger pull is an added safety for new shooters.

quote:

Originally posted by 4x5:
S&W 642/442

with wadcutter ammo

My new student is in her mid-20’s probably 5’2”

It’s good to hear all the opinions and options. For now, I just want to expose her to shooting fundamentals with small handguns and light rifles. We’ll see how far down the rabbit hole she wants to go from there.

There’s also a place called threat dynamics that has a 300 degree virtual shooting gallery with fake life-like guns that she can practice with. She seemed really interested in trying that. They also have a live fire range and gun rentals.

I have some friends with a PS90 and a scorpion.

Tony.

I don't like a carbine or shotgun for someone that's frail. It's far too easy for a robber to stand off to the side of a doorway and grab one by the barrel and wrestle it away from the person as they're walking through doorways in their house.

I would say take her to the range, get her started on .22 and if comfortable, rent a 9mm and possibly a revolver and see what she likes and how she does with them. I don't think 1 range session is enough for a brand new shooter to really figure out what they like.

I'd let her know if she can handle a basic M4 type that's the way to go if you want to stop a meth using linebacker busting your door down at 3AM with 3 of his homeys, and every scenario under that.

Step down would be the PCC thing. Plenty of good options there too I'm mostly ignorant of but get the expensive killing ammo for sure.

Don't like handguns unless it's carry. When dangerous men are in her house and the only thing between her and them is a 380,,,,,,,? (yeah, better than nothing probably.)

Meth guy or 2 scenario with an AR and she gets some much needed confidence I think, which is what it's all about. And shot placement. Also all about shot placement which she can achieve so much easier than with a handgun. No contest, which we all know.

I mean, after a Tonyben training session she'll be deciding which eyeball the methy blm enthusiast gets to keep.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I don't like a carbine or shotgun for someone that's frail. It's far too easy for a robber to stand off to the side of a doorway and grab one by the barrel and wrestle it away from the person as they're walking through doorways in their house.
...

Not to pick on you, but the OP just said in the post above yours that his new shooter is in her mid-20s, and he said nothing about frail. And she ABSOLUTELY WOULD HAVE NO BUSINESS WALKING DOWN A HALLWAY! If there is an intruder in the house, she should call 911 and stay in one place, preferably with some cover. Almost no one reading this has any business going out after an intruder in the house, unless you have to in order to protect other occupants in the house. OP said she lives alone.

The Shield 380EZ is a wonderful handgun for a weaker shooter. But for home defense, regardless of the skill level, a long gun is much easier to shoot accurately and with faster hits on target.