So you’ve decided it’s time to get your girlfriend, wife or daughter her first gun. What should it be? Or you’re a lady who has decided to take responsibility for your own protection. Which gun is right for you? At MCC we always recommend that someone’s first handgun be a 22 long rifle. Why? Because it is the lightest recoiling gun available cheap to shoot, and will teach to shoot properly.
Please don’t go out and buy your wife some kind of titanium 38 special or357 magnum for her first gun. Not only will she be done shooting after her first shot, she will probably never learn to shoot well because she will be afraid of the gun. You want to make sure that shooting is an enjoyable, safe experience for your loved one.
A great gun to consider would be a Taurus revolver in 22lr. You won’t have to spend a lot to get a solid little gun, and when your loved one becomes proficient you can sell it easily or keep it for plinking. In addition, you simply the process of using a gun. A semi auto as a present without training is worthless.
I realize that 22lr is not the preferred caliber for defense, but it is better than nothing. As your new shooter progresses, you can always move up to something in 38 special or 9mm. Just make sure you give her every opportunity to enjoy shooting and it will take care of itself.
For more info, check out this article from our articles page.
The wife has had a pistol for as long as I’ve known her, but recently I gave her my Ruger P345. She use to shoot my Colt Gov Model 45 without any problems (usually a better group than mine!) She’s never been scared to shoot anything we’ve had – even the Mossberg persuader / pistol-grip with 3″ mag. Had to kind of trick her into it; but no problems though..
That’s great! If guys would go about this in the right way the more women would be shooters, but handing your wife your Ruger Blackhawk in 44mag makes no sense whatsoever if she has never shot. Women are capable of handling anything that I shoot if someone will help them get started the right way.