? On a gun for my daughter

[onegoodshot]

Edit: Maybe I should have posted this in the lounge. Feel free to move it if desired.

My 21 yo daughter starts Medical school in July. She has been doing iron man triathlons the last couple years and did her first 140 miler in Tempe AZ back in November. I’ve repeatedly emphasized the dangers of training alone and being aware of her surroundings. The whole killing of the Georgia nursing school girl has really brought this back in focus.

I got her a shield 9mm when she started college and last summer I upgraded her to a Shield EZ 9mm. She says they aren’t that comfortable when running the longer distances. She ran 20 miles In the forest Monday with a friend and neither were carrying.

Now I’m looking at the Ruger 380 LCP II which seems to be one of the lightest and smallest pistols out there. It’s only 6 shots but if it is something that she will train with it is better than nothing.

What are you guys using or recommending for your family??

[hgunhtr]

get her something that she will shoot and carry. My daughter carries a 9mm Shield, but she isn't a marathon runner. I bought my wife a smith 49 bodyguard years ago. she mostly left it at home. she didn't like it but didn't want to tell me that. one day I stumbled across a beretta tomcat and she took a liking to it. needless to say, it is now hers. tip up barrel keeps from doing press checks and being able to load the first one in the chamber. I consider the .32 auto even with Corbon ammo to be dismal but better than nothing if screwed into your nose and given a headache. if you have the ability to take her to a range and rent all the guns she wants and shoot them, she will make the decision on what she likes and then she will carry it. maybe. being a legally armed citizen is a choice and it is inconvenient to be armed in situations that you describe. I applaud you for wanting to keep your daughter safe. Let us know what you and your daughter decide. it may help the rest of us as we help others.

[contender]

Having taught many, many ladies classes over the last 20 years,, (NRA Women on Target etc,) I have a little experience in this area.

You should not pick the gun for her. You can pay for it,, but she needs to pick the one SHE likes & feels the most comfortable with. It needs to fit HER hands,,, and feel good to HER!

You didn't share her abilities or experiences with regards to her shooting abilities. Is she a newbie or very experienced?

But one VERY BIG concern is the ability to use the gun, ONE HANDED,, and from a very awkward position. Think; "On the ground, trying to fight off an attacker, and her dominant hand unable to be used.
I use this scenario because it was exactly what my mother had to do when she was pepper sprayed in the face, then attacked in her store. She was NOT able to get her handgun into use because of fighting the attacker, being blinded by the PS, and was kicked, beat, and on the floor.

Back to your daughter's experience level. Is she an active shooting type? Enough to become "motor memory friendly" with a gun? That means the ability to get it out & use it w/o having to consciously thinking of doing it. Just like driving an automobile. Once you do the same things repetitively a few thousand times,, your mind develops motor memory skills of driving. Unless she is going to shoot it a LOT,,, and get very, very good at using it w/o thinking,, then we often recommend the KISS method of owning & using a handgun. A DA revolver is about the best in this area. It's pretty much a grab & use firearm. No safety, no magazine, no magazine release, no slide to rack. And it can be used with either hand, and from all kinds of body positions.

From that,, I teach the physics. A heavy gun,, easier to shoot, vs a lighter gun having more recoil. A lighter gun, easier to carry, vs a heavier gun for carry. Nothing is 100% perfect in this arena.

Lastly,, how to carry it. Nobody likes to carry a gun that is uncomfortable. Especially if running, or doing other physical stuff. Ladies also wear their clothing differently than men. For her activity,, I'd look HARD at "UnderTech Underwear." It's about the most comfortable for ladies, especially if doing physical stuff.

Just a small portion of the many things we cover in my classes.

[bula]

I wish you luck, keep trying, per Contenders advice. Women are fussy about adding bulk to their attire. I've been an endurance athlete, they are fussy about weight and bulk. You are trying to make both happy. If your choice stays at home you wasted your time and money and loved one still at risk. My wife can handle a G19 and such, she will never leave the house with more on her person than her S&W Air-Lite 22 and a Cold Steel Tuff-Lite. Split this into two battles..first get whatever she WILL carry. Then...

[markwell]

We gave our daughter a S&W Chief's Spcl. with a bobbed hammer when she wanted a carry gun. Also gave her a S&W Model 34 Kit gun to practice with. This combo has worked for her for close 15 years. She carries in a fanny pack or shoulder bag/purse; depends on what she's doing and where she's going.

[handgunhuntingafield]

I am not a marathon runner. But I do run 20-25 miles a week to stay in elk shape.

The only thing I found I could actually carry while running was a SW lightweight 22mag revolver.

Essentially the same gun….in 38 bounced way too much.

The 22 mag can just go in my running shorts pocket.

When you add running into the mix it’s all about keeping the mass down. I doubt anyone is going to want any kind of holster in running cloths.

[potatojudge]

I'll second keeping the weight an profile down, but I'd start by talking to her about an acceptable system for carry while running and that's a very individualized thing. Picking a gun and chambering shouldn't be too hard if she figures out a comfortable way to carry.

I like an LCP with clip in my waistband, but if she said the gun poked her sometimes she'd be right.

For running, she might consider non-pants waist options as more comfortable, like an arm or ankle or midriff band or necklace or fanny pack. I think some trial and error is in order.

If she's doing 20 miles at a time she'll definitely have a pack for water and snacks. Integrate a holster into that and I think she'll find something acceptable, just needs to be quick access.

[kevshell]

I agree with contender. A trip to the range where you let her try numerous platforms would probably work really well. That said every time I've put my 642 in a lady's hand they seem to like it. It's easy to manipulate, yank it and pull the trigger, no slide to manipulate, etc.

[bigmuddy]

I agree she should try first, but I believe the LCP II would be a great choice. They are easier to carry than a cell phone. If she trains in tight spandex type pants most of those have cell phone pockets that would hold the gun tightly to her leg.

The reason I’m not a runner is it’s too hard to carry a gun…. Yeah that’s the reason 😂

Dan

[onegoodshot]

Thanks for the responses. Appreciate the input so far.

I’m guessing she probably shoots as much as 50% of the members here. We are fortunate in that we can shoot off the back porch at the farm. She shot her first Turkey at 10 yrs old. She is pretty good with the long guns and outshoots me on clays. Has shot my mp5 and uzi full autos.

2013. A few yrs ago. Lol


Last fall.



Finish line November 19, 2023 AZ 140 mile Ironman
2.4 swim , 112 bike, 26.2 Run in 12 hours 10 min

She’s a 5ft 100 lb beast, but we live in a crazy, crazy world.

[JM]

www.sheequipsherself.com
www.youtube.com/@sheequipsherself
www.youtube.com/@sheequipsherself/search?query=running

Maybe consider the Keltec P32
www.keltecweapons.com/firearm/pistols/p32/
www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=132

There is also the 380 or 9mm by Diamondback.
diamondbackfirearms.com/handguns/

Can't think of smaller, flatter, lighter weight, platforms to launch a 32, or .356 caliber projectile. Might work with a belly band type of carry method. The lightweight running clothing is a challenge. Plus the activity level.

They had teething problems when first introduced. Supposed to be more reliable now. They are not fun to shoot & require a firm grip.

[Fowler]

I know a couple people who carry those little NAA 22mag revolvers.

Yes they are tiny and hard to shoot well but we are talking about draw and stick it in a assailants ribs sort of distance and accuracy and they work for that!

Just a thought,

The problem is for many runners they just dont wear much, when I ran in cross country and track in college typically it was a pair of running shoes and my shorts and that was it, the women wore the same with an athletic bra top on. We struggled to carry a little zip lock with some toilet paper and few dollars in it for long runs (often would run to a store, buy a bottle of water and run home). Packing a gun was the farthest thing from our mindset. Honestly mindset is the biggest part, be smart, stay out of dumb areas, learn to fight with your hands and mind before a gun but that is true even if you have a gun.

Hopefully she sorts out something that works for her, a lot of runners wear those little vests now that have a hydration blatter on the back and few pocket on the front and that would certainly give one more options. Or we would sometimes carry a small fanny pack for our Walkmans of the day, might work something with that.

Again this little NAA single actions sure are small and offer a lot of options of how they can be discreetly carried...

[bula]

Not often mentioned here, but Beretta has some little , light pistols . Picos, Nanos. They are FLAT, THIN, and need to be considered. 

[parallaxbill]

I bought my daughter a S&W 442 38+p revolver for her first centerfire.
Gave her my Ruger MkII P4 22 for practice.
She shoots both very well.

She shoots rifles well too even when her safety glasses fog up.

youtu.be/9oGwdGPGN5k?si=QFFRM3eucVEC1SoV

[bigbore5]

An NAA in 32naa will carry small but do the job. The little mini revolver in 22mag will definitely make some perv let her go and carries small and convenient in the folding grip