My wife and I recently took the concealed carry class I have a gun already and am very comfortable with it however we have been looking for a gun for her. She wants one that is small enough that she can carry it on person with out having to make a huge wardrobe change we have looked at the ruger lcp put what other options are out there that would be good.
what should a woman carry
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My wife finally settled on the Kel-Tec P3AT. We agreed that since she was not interested in drawing-down on a BG at a distance in a mall-shoot-up situation and was really just interested in SELF-defense at close-ranges, she really didn't NEED more firepower than that and her inability to conceal much more than that made packing something larger fairly impractical.
My wife is in corporate sales and wears fairly well-fitting business clothes. Mostly slacks but occasionally a skirt.
So she purchased a Galco ankle-holster for slacks/jeans days (90% of the time) that she loves so much I'm considering trying one with my gun.
She also is getting a Thigh Holster for dress/skirt days.
She also has a cheap Uncle Mike's IWB for random other days that either holster for whatever reason doesn't work (but she usually uses it as pocket-carry not IWB).
She likes her P3AT quite a bit for it's size. She only shoots a box of ammo every time we hit the range, though, b/c it DOES hurt her hand after a few rounds. For better target practice she then resorts to shooting my 9.
Hope that helps! The P3AT is also pretty affordable, as is the ammo.
My wife is in corporate sales and wears fairly well-fitting business clothes. Mostly slacks but occasionally a skirt.
So she purchased a Galco ankle-holster for slacks/jeans days (90% of the time) that she loves so much I'm considering trying one with my gun.
She also is getting a Thigh Holster for dress/skirt days.
She also has a cheap Uncle Mike's IWB for random other days that either holster for whatever reason doesn't work (but she usually uses it as pocket-carry not IWB).
She likes her P3AT quite a bit for it's size. She only shoots a box of ammo every time we hit the range, though, b/c it DOES hurt her hand after a few rounds. For better target practice she then resorts to shooting my 9.
Hope that helps! The P3AT is also pretty affordable, as is the ammo.
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1,191 Posts
there isn't a lot of info on the LCP, so I can't suggest it yet. The Kel-tec's have a lot of good for the price. Also some small revolvers (S&W Air-weight .38) are good.
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163 Posts
I have been looking at getting the Bersa Thunder .380 for my wife. I had originally looked at some revolvers for her, but this seemed like a great fit. I should mention that she didn't feel good about a gun with no safeties like the Kel-Tec.
Doe anyone have any first hand experiences with this gun?
Doe anyone have any first hand experiences with this gun?
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505 Posts
I have a Berasa .380 and it runs fine, I've never had problem and they cost less than $300. I have heard they malfunction when using JHP. I can't say if mine does because I have yet to try any in it. There are companies who make self defense ammo that has a rounded nose on it to fix the JHP problem. Find one with rubber grips, the other kind of grips chew on the hands a little. A friend of mine shot my Bersa, then went out and got one.
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3,725 Posts
KelTec P3AT (.380) would be my recommendation. I have one and love it. It has eaten every type of ammo I have fed it and never so much as hiccupped. It also hurts my wifes hand to shoot but hey when you need it I doubt you will feel it. It is small and VERY easy to conceal.
I also have a KelTec P32 (.32 auto) and it shoots great also but it is pretty expensive to shoot so it mostly does safe time.
I also have a KelTec P32 (.32 auto) and it shoots great also but it is pretty expensive to shoot so it mostly does safe time.
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3,079 Posts
If she wants something in a little larger caliber than a .380 (not recommended as a primary carry gun) - I would recommend a Kahr. They have many different styles and are built from the ground up to be used as concealed carry guns (they are very slim). Their new slogan for 2008 is: Thin is Sexy.
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You can visit their website here: Kahr Arms or see their 8 page color 2008 Brochure.
You can visit their website here: Kahr Arms or see their 8 page color 2008 Brochure.
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1,083 Posts
Ruger has a .380 coming out by the end of this month. It's called the Ruger LCP. It's about the same size as the KT P3AT.
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This is the smallest and slimmest Kahr, the PM series. This seems to be a favorite amongst women I talk to. It's only 0.9 inches thick!
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My husband says "women should carry their weight for a change" Hummm. guess he'll be using HIS weight to hold the couch down tonight. :ROFL: just kidding he knows we carry our own and theirs too. But since I am logged in as me .. I will tell you that I have tried a few different ones and I have finally found the S&W 360PD (titanium) to be my favorite. Nice, lightweight and very easy to conceal. The wheel gun is much easier for me to use. I have never been able to pull the slide. My dad taught me to push forward on the frame while pulling on the slide and not try and just pull, but I have found that I am more comfortable with the wheel. If recoil is an issue you can use the 38 special or lighter loads instead of the 357 mag in the same gun.
My wife loves her S&W 642 air-weight in 38special. I wanted her to get a semi to be able to carry more rounds, but she doesn't like having to worry about racking the slide as some slides can be really stiff. The Bersa 380 is a great gun also. My Dad has one & it is a dream to shoot.
I like the Bersa for the money it is a good gun. I wonder if she might like the 9mm Bersa its just a bit more bite for the buck.
The 380 is better than throwing rocks though.
Oh for the record I have fed about anything I could get through my Bersa and it hasn't had a problem.
The 380 is better than throwing rocks though.
Oh for the record I have fed about anything I could get through my Bersa and it hasn't had a problem.
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19 Posts
Like some of the above posts. The Kahr is very nice. Actually that is what I carry. The MK9. For a woman probably the PM9 since it is 8 oz. lighter. I carry it in a desantis tuck-this holster, plus it carries a spare clip. The kick is totally manageable. I will have to repost once I take my wife out to shoot it.
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350 Posts
that a woman should carry what SHE feels comfortable with EVEN if she OUTCARRIES your BB shooter :ROFL: . ****...look at SGTJensen...he once upon a time carried a Jennings .22 and his wife a G-26 :ROFL:
I don't believe a "woman" gun Vs. "man" gun. I just believe that we guys don't wanna carry anything "smaller" than our women due to our egos. I'm sad to say.
Rent some guns and have her shot and decide
TJ
I don't believe a "woman" gun Vs. "man" gun. I just believe that we guys don't wanna carry anything "smaller" than our women due to our egos. I'm sad to say.
Rent some guns and have her shot and decide
TJ
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