I am a young woman, 5 foot 2 inches tall and 100 pounds and change. Recently, I found myself in a situation which could have very easily turned ugly. I always carry police-grade pepper spray and consider myself to fairly tough for my size, but this incident was the last straw. I'd thrown the idea of purchasing a handgun around in my head for a while, but I no longer wish to put it off. When the crazies come out to play, I won't be a victim.
So, I'm looking into what handgun would be best for me. I'm fairly comfortable around firearms in general. I have handled a variety of rifles through training with the military and have had exposure to handguns as well, as my father owns a Springfield 1911 EMP 9mm, which I am comfortable and accurate with.
I figure that a 9mm handgun would be sufficient because it packs solid stopping power with an easily manageable recoil. I would like a compact or subcompact design so that I could easily conceal it.
I have looked at the Glock 26, the Springfield XD, the S&W M&P Compact, the HK USP Compact and the HK P2000sk, though the last two are a little out of my price range. I am looking to spend between $500 and $800 US, though I am willing to scrape my pennies together if I feel that spending more would be worth it. I have also looked at the Beretta 92 Compact L because it would be very similar to the standard issue sidearm that I will use when I commission in the military. However, I'm having a hard time finding much information on them. As I understand it, the 92 Compact L is still in production but I am not sure.
Long story short, I am not looking for a "girly" weapon. None of those "ladies" edition pieces with pink handles. I just want a small, sturdy and reliable piece.
Any feedback, whether on the handguns I mentioned or on another weapon that you think might suit my needs, would be appreciated.
I'll second (or is it third or fourth?) the CZ line. If you want a gun with a decocker there's the P-01 or the PCR, or the CZ75 Compact if you want one with a manual safety.
One word of warning on CZ's. They tend to be addicting. I started out with a P-01, I now own 6.
If you like the Glock but find the grips too thick, you can either get the new Gen 4 version, or send an earlier version to one of many gun smiths who will do a grip reduction for you. If you can handle the M9, I think you can probably handle the Glock just fine.
1) If you're currently in the military (wasn't quite sure from the posts if that is present or future) you can get a $100 discount on a Glock by buying from a "LEO dealer" (you can call Glock for the nearest dealer)
2) CZ's reach to the trigger is long, and the double action pull is about 12 pounds. May be a bit much for smaller hands.
3) If you like the EMP, consider looking for a used STI rogue or LS9, very similar and a bit cheaper. (of course, as I've mentioned in other posts before, you could get two Glocks for that amount of coin)
4) If this is to be your only handgun (for now), get something versatile. G19 or G26 are the most versatile, with the 26 being slightly more, as you can put grip extensions (or a G19 mag with a "mag spacer" on it to simulate the grip feel of the 19, and the sight radius is only slightly less.
5)The most versatile would be to get one of the Glocks in .40, then you could get an aftermarket barrel in 9mm too.
sorry about your incident! glad you came out of it ok!
you can't go wrong with all the guns that you mentioned. my advice is you get one and be proficient with it @ 7 yrds the most!
also glad to hear that you are being proactive about your safety!
stay safe!!!
You posts indicates that you are NOT ignorant on the subject of guns. Personally, I prefer a gun without an external safety. I have forgotten to thumb off the safety on the range, I really wouldn't like to be arms distance from a BG's meat cleaver and forget the safety. Simple is good.
I usually recommend a small or medium framed 38/357 S&W or Ruger revolver in stainless steel due to; reliability, ease of operation, simplicity of the manual-of-arms, and ability to "grow" with the shooter i.e. graduating from 38's to 357 Magnum.
If the person is a shooter, in other words one who will practice and maintain the weapon, I usually recommend a Glock. I consider the Glock 19 superior to the G26 as far as shootability and the 19 is weapon light (Surefire TLR3)compatable. Oh yeah, don't forget Night Sights / Tritium.
Get PROFESSIONAL Instruction if at all possible, learn to combat shoot and learn night combat. You must operate within the local laws. Most shoots are in Low/Limited Light, at very short range, and of very short duration.
Include a Less Lethal option {OC Spray, Tee Ball Bat, etc.} in your plan, it's still illegal to shoot people for trespassing and such ya know
Learn how to FIGHT. Gunfighting is a form of Martial Art, you need skills to go with that gun.
I like every thing the First SGT said. Including welcome to DC and thank you for your service to our country. The Glock 19 or 26 should be given a hard look. I will add that if either of those pistols are not acceptable for your needs also look at the CW9. I have found it to be a very capable carry pistol.
Enjoy your research, borrow or rent and shoot your choices before you buy!
you already have some great inputs!
i have a kimber ultra aegis II (kimber version of the emp).
Certainly if you can get ur dad to cough it up or find the money to get one do so! Otherwise, I would next reccomnd the XD9sc (or XDm 9 3.8").
Im not a huge glock fan simply b/c they dont point naturally for me. I hate the grip angle. I simply like the XD a whole lot more.
Single stacked guns are far more easy to conceal (1911s, kahr, kel tech, cz, etc).
What action are you looking for? Do you want single action cocked and locked or a double action with no manual safety?
My wife is about 5'3", 95 lbs. She tried quite a few 9mm handguns before taking my Kimber Ultra Tactical 2 (.45). She now daily body carries this. So, unless you are stuck on the 9mm platform for the cheaper ammo or higher capacity, don't count yourself out of the subcompact .45 market. Try them before you decide. Of course, we love our Glock 9mm's, too. Wife would daily carry the Glock 17 if she can find a good way to conceal it
Bottom line: try them before you decide. Like other things, carry guns are a very individualistic choice.
Any of the pistols that you've listed are good ones. Go shooting and see what fits your hand best. Top quality holster and training are just as important, so don't skimp on those :wave:
I’ve been fooling around with guns all my life and worked extensively in the defense industry and in the military. In fact, after the Vietnam era I became a LEO but didn’t much care for it. In my 35+ years since then, I've used revolvers but mostly, semi-autos.
Today I’m a bit slower and I no longer have that razor sharp wit and reflexes to match. Last year I sold off my last auto-loader and reverted back to wheel guns. Now, somewhere in this tangled web of history is a message. I don’t advocate any particular platform over another like I use to, but I personally like revolvers more these days for a number of reasons. Instead of pushing an unwelcome agenda, I’ll just include this link that may explain a few things better than I can.
I think you'd find the G-26 to be a very utilitarian pistol in your price range which has a reliability second to none. Likewise for the XD9sc.
Either of those would be very decent hi-capacity 9mm's in a sub compact package with manageable recoil.
Likewise the G-19 or XD9 compact are small yet a little larger than the sub compacts. They are both still pretty concealable but you may want to look closely if they will work for your petite size.
Snub nose revolvers are excellent options as well but some people find the 5 or 6 round limitations to be not in line with their requirements. If looking into a snub nose revolver, I would recommend one in the .357 magnum caliber as you are certainly able to shoot .38 Spl. loads in it for practice and drills, and use magnum loads for defensive carry. If magnum loads are too punishing, you can still use .38 +p or +p+ loads for defensive carry.
As you are well aware there is about as many choices out there as there are days in a year so do some homework and get something that will work for you and one that you will carry.
I will just say that the G-26 is wildly popular for a reason. However you may find it's not for you.
One other I will mention is the Sig P250. It is a modular, polymer frame pistol. By switching the trigger group, you can change calibers and frame size from a full size down to a sub-compact. You are probably well aware of Sig's reputation and reliability, so no need to go further there.
Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions. The more specific you can be in your inquiries, the better response you'll likely get.
Well I think a M&P Compact, a Ruger SR9c or a Walther PPS(should be around $575-585 and NO MORE) would be great. I also think Glock makes a nice gun BUT they have big thick grips and you need to be sure they fit your hand well before you get one. The XD is also nice in their SC gun. I like tis grips a lot better than the Glocks but like the M&P's better still...also why not try to swing a deal or look for a used EMP?? they(used) would be near the top if your price range..I saw a used one locally go for $775.... it had a scratch on the slide but I want it for SD/cc/HD not for its cosmetics
Oh and Sig 239 is right in your price range and a great gun with good ergonomics and a good grip..light years ahead of the Glock grip wise.. that said the M&P compact and the Rugersr9c had the best grip for me
First, thanks for your future service.
I have a Beretta 92SBC which is the compact version of the military Beretta originally adopted. I like this pistol---I have small hands and this feels good to me. I could never get comfortable with the 1911--heresy to most.
Last week, my wife-60 year old non shooter- and I took a beginner, defensive pistol course. She used the 92 and was quite comfortable with it. And she did very well.
My advice would be to find a compact 92, if you are comfortable with it, since the larger version will be your future side weapon. Makes things less complicated, IMO.
M&P 9, 40, 357sig calibers fit on the same frame either full or compact. The 40 compact that I carry is interchangeable with a 357sig barrel (mags good for either caliber) and has a 10-round capacity for either caliber.
The mag well does not support 9mm - you have to get a dedicated S&W M&P 9mm. The Full size 9mm capacity is 17 rounds. The compact is 12 rounds.
Thumb safety is optional.
Dimensions for the compacts are 1.2 x 4.3 x 6.7 (wxhxl in inches) and
1.2 x 5.5 x 7.5 for the Fulls.
The grips are optional between small, medium, and large, but I don't find a lot of difference, and the grip is a little large for my small hands. But I live with it.
By comparison, the Glock 26 is 1.18 inches wide, 4.17 inches tall and 6.29 inches long. It has a barrel length of 3.46 - about the same as the M&P compact. It's capacity is 10 rounds.
If I were to carry a 9mm, it would be the G26. But my next handgun is a wheelie in 357mag, probably S&W.
I note quite a lot of support for the Glocks. They are indeed fabulous guns but even for me 6'2", 195 lb. male the Glock grips are chunky and don't feel quite right in the hand. For a 5' 2" 100 lb. female I would definitely suggest a single stack 9mm such as the Sig 239 or the excellent Walther PPS. You'll like the slim profile and ease of concealment.
My sister has small hands and likes my G26.
She may decide she likes a something else better later, true. However, you catcher's mitt sized paw may not favor the Glock for reason's only an ergonomics engineer could understand or explain.(don't take it personal)
I've found the way I position my hand on the grip effects my accuracy.
I say let the lady decide for herself.
after 6 yrs of conceal carry...... i do find myself carrying a revolver 80% of the time. and if i carry my P250, (which is a DAO by the way) i always pocket carry a revolver as a bug. i just can't leave home without it.
I took my CZ 75BD, CZ P-01 and the M&P9c. Of the three he liked the M&P best, said it had the lightest/easiest recoil, was the easiest to shoot well and liked all the additional design features. He really liked everything being stainless, how the grip could be switched to full size but also how concealable it could be with the 12 round mags. When it comes to concealed carry, it weighing less than 22 oz empty was also a big plus. What pretty much sold him on the pistol was how the polymer "softened" the recoil. I gave him the pistol as a gift after we cleaned it. It's his first semi-auto, first polymer and yesterday was his first time shooting a semi as well. After yesterday's range session, he sees why we practice.
From the link provided above, there's one pic for comparison of a snubnose revolver compared to the M&P. The M&P is thicker, but also packs many more rounds so it makes an excellent carry option rather than a snub.
So while I personally prefer CZs, in this case, I have to concede that the M&P9c was a better fit.
Welcome! I am going to have to agree with Lewis128 on +1'ing the Glock 26. I carry a G27 (same size but in .40) with one in the pipe and have never experienced or feared an accidental discharge. Keep your finger STRAIGHT until you are ready to fire, with a little training this can be mastered. no fiddling with a safety, nothing to remember, when the oh s*** critical inncident occurs, you draw point and shoot. that easy. The Glocks are simple, durable and concealable. You simply cannot go wrong with them. In over 4,000rds I've put through mine, I have never had a problem with it. I trust my life to my Glock everyday and couldn't be happier with my firearm.
I agree try to shoot every gun you can get your hands on and hold all of the others before you choose. My wife who is roughly your size intially purchased a Rossi 38. It was what she wanted. Later found out she really like my S&W 3913. I bought a Glock 26 which she also fell in love with. I guess the moral of the story is shoot as many as you can and then go home and think about it hopefully come back and shoot again. If you dont think you will carry it buy something else. Its better to have something small that you will carry than a 50 BMG at home. Dont forget to also budget for ammo,training, holster,belt etc. Whatever you choose practive as often as you can.
Lots of good advice... I won't repeat all the same models and companies over and over, but just do a lot of research on any possible choice. You don't want to buy one, have a problem, and have the internet reveal that dozens of other people had the same problem.
My g/f and I love my XD9sc... if you can handle the size and weight, I'd recommend it.
I paid $429
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