imported post
I guess this is kind of late, but some questions really need to be asked...
- What will be this gun's primary role? OC, CC or HD? There are guns that do well at all three (Glock compacts/sub-compacts, officers' 1911s, etc) but in general if she wants to OC or keep it in her nightstand, I would recommend a full-size pistol, not a "pocket pistol" like a .380. If she wants to CC, size/weight become a consideration. Regardless, remember that you will want your daughter to practice with it; if it has too much recoil or isn't ergonomic, it won't be fun on the firing line. Sounds like you're in the market for a good all-around; that means slim, decent weight, good capacity, yet full-frame and good ergos.
- How much experience with firearms does your daughter have? If taking her out to figure out what she can handle was her first time firing a handgun, you're underestimating her ability to learn to control a defense-caliber handgun.A .380 is a great little gun for deep concealment, but to hear you tell it, she may awaken in the middle of the night to find a druggie looting her apartment. In that situation (any really, but especially when your assailant has an increased threshold of pain) she will need a round that will immediately incapacitate the bad guy with a COM shot, and that means a 9mm at least.
I would recommend you find or rent the following guns for her to shoot:
- Glock 19SF - Glocks are Glocks; if you like the way they hold, draw and shoot, there's really no other option. This one's a full-frame compact with a slightly slimmer frame making concealment a touch easier. 9mm, I believe factory cap is 18 rounds so she'll have plenty of lead available.
- CZ 97 SP01 - This is a reasonably priced full-size pistol that is well-liked for its ergonomics and accuracy. It is a TDA, and the SP01 has a decocker (other variants usually do not). The grip is slim enough for small hands while still large enough for a double-stack mag; I think it's 17 rounds.
-Ruger P95 - Inexpensive FFC,15-round magcapacity, accurate, and rock-solid reliable out of the box. Conceals like a brick though, and the grip may be a bit big for delicate hands.
- Ruger SR9 - They had a recall on these, but the problem has been fixed. Find one with the trigger latch much like a Glock; SR9s that have the recalled problem do not have this trigger. This is a slim, easy-to-hold, easy-to-fire FFC 9mm that still holds 17 rounds factory.
- S&W M&P 9mm Compact - This is a concealable gun for most, an easy-to-handle gun for all but the most bear-pawed of us, and provides excellent ergos in an affordable package.
If you go through these, and she absolutely cannot control a 9mm, then get her the Bersa, a Walther PPk, or a Smith& Wesson compact .38. I would advise against a Kel-Tec or other mousegun as her only weapon; those are designed as backups, and are not comfortable to shoot, have limited capacity, and are not very powerful. But I beg you to have her get a little more trigger time behind a 9mm or better. A .380 is a weak 9mm; same size, hole, less depth of wound. If she shoots an overweight guy COM I would fully expect the guy to be able to continue on his way, and that means he could overpower your daughter despite being shot.
All that said, anything is better than nothing. Get your daughter a gun she's comfortable with and can quickly put lead on target with.