Women's self defense handgun

Para Black Ops Recon

My gf thinks the bodyguard is too small. In a car or purse, don't get a pocket pistol

Beretta is just now releasing the Pico, a 380 that has a purple frame. My wife wants one

A full size revolver with a 4" barrel in .357 magnum

Got my gf the S&W 442. Hammerless with no safety. Grip it and rip it. She's comfortable with it.

Oddly enough, when we're at the range, she likes the Glock 21 over the Kahr P380 and S&W 442. I thought she was going to love the Kahr. I guess she's gotten used to some girth in her hand...

WOW! Nearly 3 pages completed and no mention yet of the Judge!!


First of all, I'll admit it's better to have a 380 handgun for self defense than have no handgun. Nevertheless, personally, I'm not a big fan of the 380 ACP as a self defense handgun. In addition, I'm not a big fan of 380 "pocket guns" as a cc gun for women.

The two guns you mentioned are different guns. While the Bodyguard is a typical 380 "pocket gun," the LC380 is not. The LC380 is more like taking the Ruger LC9 and chambering it in 380; compared to the BG, the LC is heavier and bigger; both have really small external manual safeties.

Although the pocket 380's don't have heavy recoil, they are very "snappy" w/ a lot of muzzle flip. Most of the women I've shot w/ don't like the muzzle flip of the pocket 380. Depending on the gun, a pocket 380 may actually have more muzzle flip than many 9 mm's. For about the same size as the LC, she could have a small, single stack, semi-auto 9mm. I think the 9mm is more reliable fight stopper than the 380.

For concealed carry, I think a shrouded hammer, DAO revolver (like the LCR and many S&W 's) make a good choice for women for cc. I'd recommend 38 Spec +P though instead of 357 Mag. Such guns are probably easier for the novice to shoot, but still need practice to shoot WELL.

As far as semi-auto's, many women find it easier to handle and conceal a single stack mag gun (M&P Shied, SA XDS, Kel-Tec 9PF, Ruger LC9, Kimber Solo, Beretta Nano, Kahr CW9, Kahr CM9, Taurus 709 Slim and others) than a double stack mag (Springfield XD, nearly all Glocks, all S&W M&P's). Be sure the woman can reliably operate all the controls and rack the slide on a semi-auto. As far as the Bersa and Walther 380's, for the same size and weight, you can get a single stack gun chambered in 9mm.

dawg23's spot on recommending that she first learn her skills w/ a 22 LR in the same action as her self defense handgun.

Let her shoot and handle the 380's you're looking at, as well as a single stack 9mm. Encourage her to buy the largest gun she can reliably handle,shoot and carry well. Remember, though, the gun she ends up w/ must be HER choice, not YOUR choice. Regardless of the gun, she'll need a holster, even if she carries in a purse. If she carries in a purse, consider a getting one designed for cc.

Lots of self defense and cc info her that's specific for women here. The Cornered Cat

Could not go wrong with the hammerless S&w .38 special. keep it simple and easy to operate.