Need Recommendations for My Daughter’s 1st Handgun.

[The Saint]

I'm gonna say a .500 S&W Magnum with absolutely no porting and 2.5" barrel is the perfect choice...just make sure you use 700gr hard cast loads only! Absolutely NO recoil at all, nope. That, or a short-barreled 4bore shotgun with a pistol grip for those recoil shy folks, otherwise 2bore is the winner. If you can't find either of those, something like a .75cal smoothbore musket will do.

No, really though....we can't pick out a pair of shoes for you...it's no different with guns. There's so many convoluted suggestions in the comments it's likely created you more confusion than given you answers.

 

[Dma967]

I would go to a good shop (I user 2A Sales) and let her get a feel for a bunch of stuff and ask questions. Once she narrows down to a short list go to a range and rent a few on the short list ad see how she likes the fit and feel. This is what I did when teaching my daughter to shoot. 2A was fantastic and very patient

 

[jC3]

This. Any other recommendation is kind of ridiculous, not because they are bad guns but because they may be bad for her. She needs to find what she’s comfortable with and shoots well. Rent or try as many different ones as possible and go from there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You, sir, are sooooo spot-on.

 

[jC3]

I'm gonna say a .500 S&W Magnum with absolutely no porting and 2.5" barrel is the perfect choice...just make sure you use 700gr hard cast loads only! Absolutely NO recoil at all, nope. That, or a short-barreled 4bore shotgun with a pistol grip for those recoil shy folks, otherwise 2bore is the winner. If you can't find either of those, something like a .75cal smoothbore musket will do.

No, really though....we can't pick out a pair of shoes for you...it's no different with guns. There's so many convoluted suggestions in the comments it's likely created you more confusion than given you answers.

Too funny! Great satirical opening.

 

[trickg]

Revolvers suck as fun range guns. It's a great way to have someone lose interest in shooting, real fast.

That's an interesting idea, but I actually enjoy shooting revolvers more, and for a multitude of reasons.

 

[Hecktor Peabody]

My adult daughter just completed the NRA Basic Pistol class and now has her HQL. She is looking to buy a handgun. She will not likely get a W&C but who knows with the SCOTUS decision looming. She thinks revolver might be the way to go.

I’m gonna take her to the range to check out my S&W 686 and 617.

She is not sure what caliber she wants.

Mostly this will be a home protection firearm, but she wants to do range stuff too.

I’m thinking 4” 686 type which would allow her to shoot .38. She has tried my 9mm P38 and seems ok with 9mm but probably nothing bigger.

Curious about your recommendation!!

Thanks

686 is a great first gun for her. I got my wife the 4" 686+ for christmas several years ago. She started out loading it with .38spl like you said. She actually prefers it to a standard .38 revolver, because the mass of the 686 handles the recoil better in her hands.

Since then, she has set her sights on my Bulgarian Makarov, and Beretta Cheetah 85f (.380) she seems to prefer heavier steel frames with smaller ammo like the 38spl, 9x18, and .380

 

[Blaster229]

That's an interesting idea, but I actually enjoy shooting revolvers more, and for a multitude of reasons.

Yeah. You're not new to the game tho.

 

[Bonanza]

Federal 327?

 

[Michigander08]

Federal 327?

Very difficult to find ammo for it.

 

[Bornwinner]

Not sure if anyone has said it but no one can pick the best firearm for her only she can. With that being said go to a local range that does rentals and shoot as much as possible of each firearm in caliber of choice then pick what you like and shoot it some more

 

[Michigander08]

Did someone mention a hand cannon?

S&W 500 Magnum

In store only $1375.00 4” Barrel Gun Shop Hours Wed - Sat: 1 - 6 1573 Theodore Road Rising Sun MD 21911 My online store is at JLowesGuns.com If you are in need of firearms training see my business partner Tactical Shepherd at TacticalShepherd.com

www.mdshooters.com

 

[LaddyBoy]

My adult daughter just completed the NRA Basic Pistol class and now has her HQL. She is looking to buy a handgun. She will not likely get a W&C but who knows with the SCOTUS decision looming. She thinks revolver might be the way to go.

I’m gonna take her to the range to check out my S&W 686 and 617.

She is not sure what caliber she wants.

Mostly this will be a home protection firearm, but she wants to do range stuff too.

I’m thinking 4” 686 type which would allow her to shoot .38. She has tried my 9mm P38 and seems ok with 9mm but probably nothing bigger.

Curious about your recommendation!!

Thanks

Take her to a gun-range where guns are rented. Try various pieces till she finds one that is comfortable to shoot and control.

 

[python]

Since you live in Towson, you might want to try the range at Continental Arms. They have a lot of range gun to rent.

 

[Crosseye Dominant]

I would go to a good shop (I user 2A Sales) and let her get a feel for a bunch of stuff and ask questions. Once she narrows down to a short list go to a range and rent a few on the short list ad see how she likes the fit and feel. This is what I did when teaching my daughter to shoot. 2A was fantastic and very patient

IMHO sometimes better to go to the range first and shoot a wide selection. In the store some new women shooters get caught up on "cute" smaller guns and dismiss the full size guns that actually are much easier for them to shoot.

 

[DonCornelius1914]

My adult daughter just completed the NRA Basic Pistol class and now has her HQL. She is looking to buy a handgun. She will not likely get a W&C but who knows with the SCOTUS decision looming. She thinks revolver might be the way to go.

I’m gonna take her to the range to check out my S&W 686 and 617.

She is not sure what caliber she wants.

Mostly this will be a home protection firearm, but she wants to do range stuff too.

I’m thinking 4” 686 type which would allow her to shoot .38. She has tried my 9mm P38 and seems ok with 9mm but probably nothing bigger.

Curious about your recommendation!!

Thanks

Shield EZ PC is a great option! Another good option, in my opinion, is the Ruger SR 22. I just purchased one for my teenage daughter and she loves it.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Too funny! Great satirical opening.

HAHA the Saint beat me to it as I was going to say, " I guess a 454 Casull is out of the question, huh?"

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

I do concur with all of the folks in here that suggested going to ranges to try out various handguns they rent. It seems logical to see which type or models she shoots best with and can operate easily without the chance of getting her one that is not a good fit/performer. Lots of other good food for thought for anyone of small stature, hands, low strength too. Metal framed vs polymer, small caliber with enough ammo inventory etc.

 

[Pinecone]

As always, my advice is to take her shopping and let HER choose.

Would you want her to choose for you?

Renting at ranges is good to let her try out various ones.

 

[winch]

Looks like she wants a revolver in .22. Zeroing in on a S&W model 63.

.38, .357, 9mm are too much for her. Plus I’m giving her a 10/22 so the ammo will fit both.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback.

 

[Baccusboy]

OP, we do hope for a full accounting of the range trial.