Handgun weight consideration for a woman's continuous carry

[Marine Cpl]

I have to echo Bulletguy's opinion on the Glocks for a number of reasons.

A Glock is chosen by the majority of large police departments for its simplicity and ability to be handled by a diverse number of people of various sizes. There are no safeties to fumble with and the trigger pull is light.

My fiance weighs about 125 to 135 depending. She has fired a Colt 1911, Springfield Xd Subcompact, Xds, Ruger LC9, Kahr CW9, Rossi .357 with .38 Special rounds, a Glock 19, and a 26.

Of all the above, she was the most accurate with the Glocks.

For me of all the above, I handled the Glocks recoil better and was more accurate with them as well for rapid fire.

I would recommend the 19 for home and either the 42 or the 43 for carry. Keep it simple with the same operations.

For a beginner, a 1911 is complicated. My fiance had an extremely difficult time to disassemble one and couldn't pull back the slide as easily as she can with the Glock.

Something to think about.

 

[Tinman]

My wife carries a Ruger LCR in .38+P. She loves it. It is very light to carry in her purse or in her waistband. Easy to fire and she does not worry about any jamming from a revolver. No worries about a safety, just pull the trigger.

 

[Glenn B]

My son weighs at least as much as me and I am no lightweight at about 220. Here in NY he does not have a permit so does not carry. However, when we visited Alaska, he carried a 1911 each and every day, over 8 days. He opted for the 45 instead of our 44 Magnum, because he thought the 44 magnum was better off in my hands should we encounter a pissed grizzly and the bear spray failed. He told me about it being uncomfortable and I think he wondered how I had done that for 32 plus years while in federal service and continue to do it in retirement. After we got home, I heard him mention to my wife how uncomfortable it was to carry it. Of course, he also carried a fairly heavy day pack when we went hiking. He is younger and stronger than me and he works at a job with a lot of physical labor but it bothered him. Had he carried it longer, such as each and every day since, he would have gotten used to it. I am not saying it would not still bother him just that he would be accustomed to it by now and probably not notice all that much. I have been carrying on a virtually daily basis since 1980 and it is still uncomfortable at times for me, at other times, I do not notice (bothers me more when my hips or back or both ache then again that may be the reason that they ache). The thing is, I still carry.

Your wife can get used to carrying just about anything up to and including a large 45. If comfort will be an issue then go with a small to medium sized 9mm. A Glock 26 or 19 could be the perfect size and is not that heavy. (I am not advocating for Glock pistols over other brands of pistols, I use them only as an example because I am familiar with them.) She can become very proficient, even an excellent shooter with those lighter guns, at least as good a shot with them as with the 34 ounce unloaded weight gun you say she shoots best, with practice. Heavier handguns, within any given caliber, often are the ones with which shooters, especially new shooters, shoot best because they help reduce the felt recoil better than lighter guns. Of course tough, heavier guns do not help the hips or back when carrying them.

As far as carrying all day long goes, you may want to consider having her carry in different fashions other than merely in a strong side hip holster. Other choices would include such types of carry as a cross draw, a shoulder rig, a drop-leg holster or an ankle holster. Of course, that means a lot of practice with each type holster but if discomfort, or pain, is an issue she could consider them. I much prefer carrying in the same place almost each and every time I carry so that going for my weapon is imbedded in my muscle memory and thus a natural action for me and thus I don't grab for it on my strong side hip where it was yesterday instead of in a shoulder holster where it is today. Why take such a chance of confusing yourself in a stressful situation and believe me if you shoot from the hip at the range, there is a good chance that under stress you are going to go your hip first for the gun whether it is there or not.

Anyway, when it comes down to it, she is the one who has to make the decision. She can wear one type of holster for a month, then try another type or types in successive months and then go with what feels the best and that offers the best accessibility for her and that has the best potential for pistol retention as well. In my estimation, that is a strong side hip holster. As to the weight and comfort thing, she just needs get used to it without giving herself an aching back in the process so don't start too heavy, go for a lighter gun, in a reasonable caliber (no smaller than 9mm Luger) with which she has become proficient. Exercise can help there to strengthen the muscles that take the weight.

All the best,
GB

 

[Shadow2]

it's pretty simple, what ever feels good for her. the same trade offs for a man translate to women, heavier guns less fun too carry but offer better control.