Handgun weight consideration for a woman's continuous carry

[Steal2B]

I am looking for experience and insights towards carry choices for my wife. Following a botched home invasion earlier this year, we have been keeping a home defense shotgun within her reach every minute of the day. Although she is proficient with the shotgun, she is highly motivated to start carrying a handgun for as many reasons as you all can imagine. It is a long, lengthy and frustrating process for New Yorkers (even victims and near victims) to exercise their rights clearly recognized in the foundation of our Republic.

This question specifically focuses on the weight of a weapon to be carried IWB or OWB sixteen hours a day by a healthy woman. Since she (like many women who carry) is likely a hundred pounds lighter than many of us guys on the forum, many insights concerning EDC weight may not be appropriate. We will certainly be finding a good belt (appropriate for casual woman’s clothing) and holster with cost not being an issue (yeah she is worth it). Personally, I believe the downside of focusing on light polymer subcompact guns is that the weapon she may shoot best may be a heavier larger compact or even a service weapon. In fact, of the handful of handguns she has shot (FUAC don’t even bother hunting us down since we leave New York for her to shoot handguns) the handgun gun she enjoyed the most was over 34oz unloaded.

Thanks to all in advance. We will likely try to milk your brains with all sorts of other questions but for now, from your experiences:

1) What would be the maximum handgun weight for your wife / mother / daughter / girlfriend to consider purchasing for continuous carry before you intervene with some loving advice? (NOTE: If you are a wife, mother, daughter, or girlfriend please help us out so I can stop guessing.)

2) Why do you feel that way?

 

[Bananabandit]

Whatever your wife can handle. Ive seen 100lb women carry 1911s. Depends on what she can shoot well, regardless of weight. A good belt will take care of that. If she can conceal a larger handgun, then that may be the way to go. Not helpful, but this is a preference question.

 

[Steal2B]

Whatever your wife can handle. Ive seen 100lb women carry 1911s. Depends on what she can shoot well, regardless of weight. A good belt will take care of that. If she can conceal a larger handgun, then that may be the way to go. Not helpful, but this is a preference question.

That is helpful Bananabandit. thanks. I'll figure out some way to have her shoot most any handgun she wants but I was wondering if some of the bigger beasts would be unreasonable for her to consider as a long hour carry optoin. Insight that a good belt and holster could make most any reasonable choice work in terms of weight is helpful.

 

[Bananabandit]

I would suggest, if possible, take a few days to carry different size around the house. Maybe thatll help decide how big she can (or cannot) handle. Best of luck!

 

[VietnamEraVet]

I know of a woman (5'6", about 150 lbs.) who carries a S&W Model 60, 5 shot, .357 (same size and profile as a Ruger SP101) in an OWB leather holster under an untucked shirt. The .357 loads are uncomfortable for her, so she shoots .38 specials from it with no discomfort. And there are a lot of good defensive ammo choices in that caliber.

Other possibilities: the S&W M&P Shield 9mm (I love mine, but have since upgraded to the M&P Shield .45). The 9mm packs a wallop, and can be easy to shoot accurately. If absolute concealment is a major consideration, there are of course smaller handguns, especially in .380 from SIG and countless others. The Colt Mustang and other similar copies come to mind.

Lastly, if she wants to carry something, but even smaller, there are guns like the NAA Guardian in .32 and other calibers. A woman I know asked me to sell her my NAA .32 with my 10 round extended magazine. It's a pocket sized gun that will even fit in those small pockets found on some women's clothes. In a close quarters situation, it could get the job done too. Even with a 10 round magazine, it is about the size of a pack of smokes. Attached is a picture of it next to a standard magazine. The extended one also allows a full 3 finger grip. The NAA website also has a very nice comparison of many different guns that also shows their sizes compared to NAA's gun choices.

 

[Greywolf224]

Don't rule out some of the older used fire arms. A Colt Chief Detective.38. Small frame and it loads 6 in the chamber. I carry one as a pocket gun when suited up.
I prefer the older without the under-lug because its lighter. I believe that the SW Model 36 is comparable but not sure about how many it holds in the chamber

 

[Bananabandit]

Ive been wanting a Guardian for a while. Cant get myself to buy 32 or 380 though since I ordered a CM9. Feel free to convince me that the 32 is worth getting.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Ive been wanting a Guardian for a while. Cant get myself to buy 32 or 380 though since I ordered a CM9. Feel free to convince me that the 32 is worth getting.

It's an amazing little blaster of a gun. There is HP ammo available for that caliber. No external safety, so the trigger pull is a lot (seriously). Put it in ANY pocket you want. In your hand, about all you see is the barrel sticking out at you, but it is almost not visible. And, it is stainless to boot. Also, you can find them used for a fair price. I paid about $250.00.

 

[Steal2B]

Thanks VietnamEraVet. The Model 60 you mention gives us a benchmark. She shoots our son's SP101 (he takes his mom to the range when we visit) and his 3" weighs about 27oz.

With the SP101 3" she shoots fine (at 7 and 10 yards consistent tight groups 1" to left and 1" down) with both 38sp and .357 mags but she not crazy about the SP101 trigger or sights. She was frustrated with the SP101 since, even with optional Hogue grips she never had enough time to find a grip to keep from pulling slightly left with the heavy DA pull. She did not like the .357 Mag in the 27oz gun. Safe to say she hated it. She thought it was crazy to have that much more recoil than a .40 S&W in a same weight Walther PPX.

Just from forum reads, the S&W 9mm shield is on her list and I wanted her to try the Performance Center model also. It is good to hear it may be a viable choice for her. Some other ideas from forum reads include the Walther PPS M2, the HK P30sk, the SIG P225A1. (Hell, I whisper Wilson Combat and Dan Wesson in her ears when she sleeps but it hasn't worked).

She also likes my son's P238 Army Talo version. She shoots it well but again she is looking for the right grip. With the light gun and 7 lb trigger she consistently pulls just low to the left and does not understand why she is not driving tacks and why she starts over-aiming. She does not feel frustrated but wants to figure out how to fix her grip. She likes the thought of the P238 as a back up or deep conceal choice and i have no problem opening the wallet to get her multiple guns. I also wonder if we should get her to try a P938 for the bigger caliber but if it is for a back up or deep conceal option only maybe it does not matter.

With the guns discussed so far in the thread we are in the 16oz to 30oz range and we were wondering if the upper range is a viable long hour carry option. Thank You.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I have found that most women's hands fit Glock 19 size firearms very well. While the Glock 19 size isn't the smallest gun to carry it is very easy to shoot because the recoil isn't so bad, the sight radius is nice and is plenty of handle to grip. There is also plenty of firepower available.

Per the direpower idea: I have a customer that leaves his standard capacity magazines in his gun. And many 10 round magazines that are empty. His theory is if somebody's in his house he's going to litter the floor with empty 10 round magazine's (after empting the reg. Mag. ). Not sure if it's the best course of action but hey sounds a good plan.

For a smaller con that's very easy to carry something in the Glock 42 size pistol.

As noted above small revolvers ate also an option.

Like I said above, it's nice to be able to practice and carry a Glock 19 sized firearm and then we needed use the Glock 42 size firearm from discrete Carrie. Also they function identically so you don't have to abuse yourself practicing on the very small light firearm. Sometimes the recoil from light firearms chambered in 9 mm is uncomfortable for smaller women to use.

 

[Criticalt]

Could not agree more woth VAV.
Both my girlfriend and my 21 year old niece now carry a Ruger SP101 .357. My girl carries a 3 inch and niece carries 2.5 inch.
They both carry 357 loads and find them manageable. They do practice alot with 38 but also practice with 357.
These are both tough county girls but not brutes at 130 pounds.
They both went through a couple different guns before they settled on the SP101. They collectively have Kahr CW9, Walther PPQ 380, Shield 9, Taurus 709, and they each have a Glock 43.
They both carry the SP101 because of size and power. They mean bitches.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Thanks VietnamEraVet. The Model 60 you mention gives us a benchmark. She shoots our son's SP101 (he takes his mom to the range when we visit) and his 3" weighs about 27oz.

With the SP101 3" she shoots fine (at 7 and 10 yards consistent tight groups 1" to left and 1" down) with both 38sp and .357 mags but she not crazy about the SP101 trigger or sights. She was frustrated with the SP101 since, even with optional Hogue grips she never had enough time to find a grip to keep from pulling slightly left with the heavy DA pull. She did not like the .357 Mag in the 27oz gun. Safe to say she hated it. She thought it was crazy to have that much more recoil than a .40 S&W in a same weight Walther PPX.

Just from forum reads, the S&W 9mm shield is on her list and I wanted her to try the Performance Center model also. It is good to hear it may be a viable choice for her. Some other ideas from forum reads include the Walther PPS M2, the HK P30sk, the SIG P225A1. (Hell, I whisper Wilson Combat and Dan Wesson in her ears when she sleeps but it hasn't worked).

She also likes my son's P238 Army Talo version. She shoots it well but again she is looking for the right grip. With the light gun and 7 lb trigger she consistently pulls just low to the left and does not understand why she is not driving tacks and why she starts over-aiming. She does not feel frustrated but wants to figure out how to fix her grip. She likes the thought of the P238 as a back up or deep conceal choice and i have no problem opening the wallet to get her multiple guns. I also wonder if we should get her to try a P938 for the bigger caliber but if it is for a back up or deep conceal option only maybe it does not matter.

With the guns discussed so far in the thread we are in the 16oz to 30oz range and we were wondering if the upper range is a viable long hour carry option. Thank You.

I can't speak to some of the others you mentioned as I neither own nor have shot some of them. Only other thing I wanted to mention re the SP101 is that I was not happy with the factory grips. I just wrote about this in another thread ("Revolver Grips"), but wanted to also mention that you may want to take note of the CTC LG303 extended laser sight available for it. I put it on mine, and really love it. Full three finger grip, and I shoot it accurately.

 

[Criticalt]

Ok, so the SP101 is out.
The Shield 9mm is what I carry and my girlfriend carries hers sometimes too. We both love the weight and feel and of course you know, they shoot very nice and accurate. There are 10 million positive reviews on youtube. Plus, at under 400 bucks, you cannot go wrong. The Shield fits a ladies hand great in most cases.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

For formal occasions I carry a Ruger LCP in 380..it's light and fits into a pocket without showing. With HP loads it's better than nothing
I normally carry a 357 on my ankle. It's a Taurus 6 round and is about the size of a colt detective special but has more whack.
If out on the woods...I carry a 40 on the hip. None are too cumbersome

 

[Criticalt]

One more thing im sure you already know. The few ladies in my life all assumed they needed to buy 38 calibers to start. If thats what is right for her than great, but many modern handguns in higher calibers are very easy to fire for "weaker" people. For instance, my Ruger SR1911 .45 has less felt recoil than my Shield 9mm. My girlfriend loves the SR1911 and will be buying one. She copies everything I do.

 

[Steal2B]

Don't rule out some of the older used fire arms. A Colt Chief Detective.38. Small frame and it loads 6 in the chamber. I carry one as a pocket gun when suited up.
I prefer the older without the under-lug because its lighter. I believe that the SW Model 36 is comparable but not sure about how many it holds in the chamber

Thanks for the suggestion! When my dad inherited service guns and BUGs from my uncle it included this Colt. He is sentimentally attached but we may be able to have my wife try it when we next get to visit. If my Aunt still has it I'm sure she would let us see it when we get back the Southern Tier.

 

[Acer-m14]

If you Wife does not have her PP .. maybe a lawsuit is needed .. how can i find what gun i like if i cant even touch one because I'm over XX of age
but allowed to test out and hold any dang rifle / shot gun on the market ..

 

[VietnamEraVet]

One more thing im sure you already know. The few ladies in my life all assumed they needed to buy 38 calibers to start. If thats what is right for her than great, but many modern handguns in higher calibers are very easy to fire for "weaker" people. For instance, my Ruger SR1911 .45 has less felt recoil than my Shield 9mm. My girlfriend loves the SR1911 and will be buying one. She copies everything I do.

I wasn't going to mention it, because it feels like a lot of weight to carry around 16 hrs. a day, and is not so easy to conceal (especially in warm, light clothes weather), but I agree, - the full size 1911's can be soft to shoot. My Remington 1911 R1S is a pleasure to shoot too. Very little recoil!

 

[Steal2B]

I have found that most women's hands fit Glock 19 size firearms very well. While the Glock 19 size isn't the smallest gun to carry it is very easy to shoot because the recoil isn't so bad, the sight radius is nice and is plenty of handle to grip. There is also plenty of firepower available.

Per the direpower idea: I have a customer that leaves his standard capacity magazines in his gun. And many 10 round magazines that are empty. His theory is if somebody's in his house he's going to litter the floor with empty 10 round magazine's (after empting the reg. Mag. ). Not sure if it's the best course of action but hey sounds a good plan.

For a smaller con that's very easy to carry something in the Glock 42 size pistol.

As noted above small revolvers ate also an option.

Like I said above, it's nice to be able to practice and carry a Glock 19 sized firearm and then we needed use the Glock 42 size firearm from discrete Carrie. Also they function identically so you don't have to abuse yourself practicing on the very small light firearm. Sometimes the recoil from light firearms chambered in 9 mm is uncomfortable for smaller women to use.

Thanks Bullet Guy. We will put Glock on the list. Don't hate me but I initially discouraged my wife from going down the Glock Trail solely based on comments from several friends who were issued Glock 17s (they wanted SIGs) and an Uncle who cursed the damn plastic guns decades ago (he also swears that when the NY changed all their cruisers from Black and White to Purple and Orange one of the new Purple Cruisers scratched his unmarked car and it got pregnant). You are right. They are good guns, easy to find and she should try them.

 

[Acer-m14]

 

[Steal2B]

If you Wife does not have her PP .. maybe a lawsuit is needed .. how can i find what gun i like if i cant even touch one because I'm over XX of age
but allowed to test out and hold any dang rifle / shot gun on the market ..

Do not get us going. You are right. Since the home invasion team had at least 2 entrants, 1 look-out, and a driver we feel we should have 30 round magazines available like the rest of the country to sleep a little better at night. When visiting our son, my wife shot a silenced Colt AR15 with sub sonic rounds and Schmidt & Bender Optics, that is what she wants to feel safe in her own home. Not in NY FUAC!!!!!!!!!!!! To top it off the process to get a handgun, so that I do not have to move out of one of the statistically safest neighborhood in New York State, has us livid. We will travel out of State to handle and shoot the guns she is interested in. We also have to travel out of state to get basic handgun training including do not be a victim training. Again FUAC. I hated your dad too but it least he could be charming. We like our Sheriff but we are reluctant to approach him to speed things up. The process needs to get fixed. It looks like it is going to take more than a year for us to potentially get a handgun in the house.

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't think weight is the limiting concern here since most compact polymer guns such as the glock 19 ect all weigh less than a pound and a half which isn't much. The bulk would probably be the larger concern. The problem is the catch 22 trade off she has to make. Would she rather sacrifice shootability for carry comfort or vice versa. I am just getting back into handguns after a long reprieve so its like starting over again. I have a Shield 9mm and a PPQ 9mm. The Shield as you know is very pleasent to carry but not especially easy to shoot whereas the PPQ shoots wonderfully but does not conceal as easily. I wouldn't consider a small single stack 9mm to be ideal for a newer shooter, a .380 might fit the bill for a small gun.

 

[Acer-m14]

Oh i know how you feel .. wen in was 12 to 16 dad would let me shoot his pistols all the time .. but i liked shooting rifle more so never got into pistols ..
now 30+ yrs later i cant legally touch one unless i buck up to the FUAC system ..

 

[Steal2B]

One more thing im sure you already know. The few ladies in my life all assumed they needed to buy 38 calibers to start. If thats what is right for her than great, but many modern handguns in higher calibers are very easy to fire for "weaker" people. For instance, my Ruger SR1911 .45 has less felt recoil than my Shield 9mm. My girlfriend loves the SR1911 and will be buying one. She copies everything I do.

Thanks guys. Multiple calls for the Ruger SR1911! We see good reviews and also have friends recommending Ruger SR1911 with the Talo night sight versions. Around the house we do not care if it prints some, I just want her to feel safe and she is willing to train and she is not timid of trying larger options. In hindsight, a 1911 is still lighter than the shot gun she keeps around. I never encouraged her to go down the 1911 route since most of my early life experience was with 1911s and I thought I was fooling myself to steer her that way. I got to get her to shoot 1911s in full size, and commander if she suggests it be just a tad smaller, and then 9mm if she suggests it should just sound a little different.

 

[Podmonkey]

Also don't fall intonthe trap of a "Women's gun". I think its based on experince level not gender, I'm a big ol honking dude but I had some trouble shooting that Shield all the same, Trigger time will fix that. Too many women pigeon hole themselves into thinking that a small gun in a light caliber is all they will ever be able to handle.

 

[Podmonkey]

Thanks guys. Multiple calls for the Ruger SR1911! We see good reviews and also have friends recommending Ruger SR1911 with the Talo night sight versions. Around the house we do not care if it prints some, I just want her to feel safe and she is willing to train and she is not timid of trying larger options. In hindsight, a 1911 is still lighter than the shot gun she keeps around. I never encouraged her to go down the 1911 route since most of my early life experience was with 1911s and I thought I was fooling myself to steer her that way. I got to get her to shoot 1911s in full size, and commander if she suggests it be just a tad smaller, and then 9mm if she suggests it should just sound a little different.

I don't think a 1911 is a first choice defensive gun these days BUT my cousin in Winsconsin purchased a commander sized 1911 as her first ever gun forbdefense against her psycho ex. I understand she is pretty handy with it and carries it everywhere too.

 

[Acer-m14]

Like in the video .. first time shooter .. same model of gun .. 22 to 40 and i think she did better with the 40 ..

 

[Mk44]

It depends on what she feels comfortable in shooting (caliber/ type of handgun). Best is go to a range that rents guns & let her try a few.
The SR1911 cmd will be lighter & easier for her to conceal.
How about Kimber Micro 9?

 

[Acer-m14]

a idea on weight .. say if you strapped on 2 lbs ankle weights and started walking .. sure its a drag at first .. but after a few week u don't even notice ..

 

[Saltwater60]

I would look at the Springfield xdm 3.8" compact. Just about the right size 27 oz so it's heavy enough, but not too heavy and I like the trigger much better than the glocks. It also looks much nicer. Parts are readily available and cheap. Also a very well built gun. Glad she made it through the home invasion well. Have her take some classes and get proficient with the gun. Also make sure you research the ammo for short barreled guns if she chooses one.
Also you could look at some of the compact 9 mm 1911. STI Electra is a beauty. One day I'll get one.