Gun Control & RKBA
Related: About this forumSix things women should consider when purchasing a firearm for self-defense
I don't really agree with the title, as I think most of this advice is universal regardless of sex. But with women getting into firearm ownership and the shooting sports at ever increasing rates, I felt this was a good article to share. I don't necessarily have a strong opinion on revolvers vs. semi-autos, but the author recommends semi-autos.
I often see women getting advice favoring smaller guns, but I think that is a mistake. Those small pocket guns can have a lot of snappy recoil, making it difficult to control and shoot effectively. I recommend to anyone, not only women, to go to a range and rent a few guns before making a purchase. Find one you shoot well with and you enjoy shooting. I recommend polymer framed, striker fired, semi-autos in general. Glock specifically. But S&W and Springfield both make similar guns that I think are worth trying out as you may prefer them.
http://www.adn.com/article/20151113/six-things-women-should-consider-when-purchasing-firearm-self-defense
Make sure you can reach the trigger comfortably with the middle of the first pad on your trigger finger. Too much or too little finger on the trigger will make you inaccurate.
Consider professional firearm training.
When I turned 21, I bought a revolver and threw it in my purse. It wasn't until I took my first firearms course that I realized I never could have used it for self-defense. Without a proper mindset, it won't make a difference what firearm you have. You won't be able to use it. Training can provide that mindset.
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Response to Kang Colby (Original post)
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ileus
(15,396 posts)Several years back.
She didn't like shooting any of my CC pistols, and liked the simple revolver concept.
She likes the crappy DAO trigger, and though I don't like it I suppose it's best since she mainly purse carries.
It can be kind of snappy to shoot, so I load extra light target loads (2.7gr titegroup) for her fun range time. She also throws a couple of cylinders of full power pills at the end of every session.
DW, 642, CC, DAO ?? WDTM? DYATIA?
Kang Colby
(1,941 posts)EDC = Everyday Carry
DW = Dear Wife
642 = Smith & Wesson 642, a .38 special revolver
CC = Concealed Carry
DAO = Double Action Only, meaning you can't cock the hammer for single action and the lighter trigger pull that goes along with that.
That's what those acronyms mean. I doubt he always talks like that.
Oh = oh
Thanks = thanks
ileus
(15,396 posts)DW was Darling Wife. 
Kang Colby
(1,941 posts)DonP
(6,185 posts)After multiple trips to the range, test firing about 20 guns, some mine, others rentals, she chose an older Charter Arms Undercover 38 I had. She liked it better than a comparable S&W Airweight in 38+P. Go figure?
She had me take the larger Hogue rubber grips off and put the small wooden grips back on. Fits her hand better, Federal reduced recoil, low flash loads make it manageable for her.
Fit, comfort level and ability to hit her target consistently are all that matter in choosing.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)And wanted something that was fully ambidextrous so went with a FNX 9MM. Highly recommended. Unfortunately S&W, Glock and the rest don't have a fully ambi 9MM. Only other option was H&K (and perhaps a few smaller manufacturers) but the H&K was about $400 more.
fpublic
(61 posts)The presence of a gun in your possession increases your chance of having it used against you or in a mishap by children.
Women and all potential gun owners need to rationally consider the risk when attracted by the safety they imagine a gun will provide.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)...is weapon retention training. Add to that making sure they understand proper gun security (that is, locked up if you're not using it) and gun safety. If people approach defensive firearms in a genuinely responsible manner, their risk from that choice is minimal. Unfortunately, too many people don't approach this decision with the gravitas it demands.
S_B_Jackson
(906 posts), when she decided to begin carrying, also took several basic-level and advanced gun courses as well as taking up IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) competitions. And in addition, also took up Krav Maga classes with an instructor recommended by the local temple AND by local law enforcement as an expert trainer. I suspect that her chances of her firearm being used against her are very slight.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)If I'm not able to take them to the range (where they can shoot a few different weapons and make a more-informed choice), I make the same points about weight, etc.
I tell them about the weight trade-off between carrying comfort and perceived recoil. It's intuitive to any shooter, but not necessarily something a non-shooter has given any thought. I also tell them:
About avoiding anything that doesn't comfortably fit their hand. Although I have pretty good sized hands for someone so small, in the greater scheme of things, they're still small hands. The true importance of fit is easier to get across once I also explain point shooting. It's easier to process when they realize that while correct ergos are critical to precise target shooting (competition-style), its actual importance in a defensive pistol is to make point shooting much more instinctive.
That a pistol with simpler operation is best to start with (and quite possibly stay with...and don't let my 1911 make them think otherwise). I also tend to suggest Glocks and other striker-fired pistols (as well as double-action revolvers when the pistol is strictly for home defense and the range).
And definitely about getting training. I was fortunate enough to get training for free (thanks, Dad...), but that it's worth paying for and is usually not very expensive.