Gun for a new shooter

[Medley86]

My SO has been thinking about learning to shoot a pistol and getting her ltc, however she is scared of recoil. She is comfortable with rifles but not pistols. I have a 22 she can practice with but for a next step all mine have too much recoil for her. I have a 1911 45, XDm 4.5 40, and LCP. I'm considering buying a 9mm for her to practice with but unsure if something like a xdm 3.8 compact, 3.8 full size, or a xds would be a better bet. Anyone have any ideas?

[Bill O'Rights]

Heavier guns have less felt recoil, all other things being equal, but they require more strength to hold steady. Maybe shoot a 1911 off sandbags?

[crazy2medic]

Maybe take her to a range where 5she can shoot different pistols and different calibers, maybe she'll find one she likes!

[Medley86]

Maybe take her to a range where 5she can shoot different pistols and different calibers, maybe she'll find one she likes!

That would be great if there was a range anywhere close to where we live. Small town so it would be a couple hour drive to a real range.

[crazy2medic]

Any friends or family with different caliber guns? Borrow from them, try .32, 380, 9mm, 38, Etc....

[Medley86]

Any friends or family with different caliber guns? Borrow from them, try .32, 380, 9mm, 38, Etc....

That might be an option, have to ask around to see who has what. My original plan was to use my 1911 since the recoil isn't too bad, but I shot it some last weekend for the first time in a couple of years and was getting some pretty good hammer bite. I think she would as well so that wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

[crazy2medic]

My humble opinion, a 1911 isn't a good choice for a new shooter, they should get use to the recoil from a lighter round, then graduate to something heavier! But you know the person your teaching so I place that in your hands!

[LadyShooter]

I highly recommend a SW M&P Shield EZ. I just qualified for my Texas LTC with it. As a small woman, it is easy on recoil, easy to rack and easy to strip and clean. Low in price, too.

[Liberty]

Almost any 9MM compact to full size should feel like soft shooter to her. A CZ Berretta, or Glock have lots of options. 9MMS 1911s are pretty soft shooters.

[OlBill]

I taught a lot of female soldiers to shoot for the military.
Hundreds. Lots of conversations. It's probably not a fear of recoil. It's the noise and fear of not having grip strength to not drop the gun. They think they're going to have the same trouble they had racking the slide. They feel like the pistol is in their face. I asked them.

Try double hearing protection and starting off with one round in the gun until confidence is gained.

[Medley86]

My humble opinion, a 1911 isn't a good choice for a new shooter, they should get use to the recoil from a lighter round, then graduate to something heavier! But you know the person your teaching so I place that in your hands!

The 1911 wasn't really what I would want to use, but I do think it is the softest shooting "real" caliber I have. The LCP even I don't like shooting and the 40 is a little snappy for a new shooter.

[Medley86]

I highly recommend a SW M&P Shield EZ. I just qualified for my Texas LTC with it. As a small woman, it is easy on recoil, easy to rack and easy to strip and clean. Low in price, too.

I considered this option, i would imagine they are great to shoot.

[Medley86]

Almost any 9MM compact to full size should feel like soft shooter to her. A CZ Berretta, or Glock have lots of options. 9MMS 1911s are pretty soft shooters.

The only small 9 I have any experience with was an original lc9. That thing had crazy muzzle flip, but I think if I could ever get her confidence up she could handle a 44 mag of i put it in her hands.

[rotor]

I taught a lot of female soldiers to shoot for the military.
Hundreds. Lots of conversations. It's probably not a fear of recoil. It's the noise and fear of not having grip strength to not drop the gun. They think they're going to have the same trouble they had racking the slide. They feel like the pistol is in their face. I asked them.

Try double hearing protection and starting off with one round in the gun until confidence is gained.

Very good idea with double hearing protection. Also consider just having one round and not a full mag to see how it goes.
Best choice is...
An automatic over a revolver
Heavier gun over a lighter gun for any given cartridge.

This is not nuclear science, just plain old physics.

A small cartridge like a .380 in a mini-gun is snappier than a 9mm in a heavier gun so don't go by cartridge alone.

My wife took her LTC using a big Beretta 92FS and now easily shoots anything.

[Tex1961]

6 inch 357 loaded with 38 special...

Low recoil, No slide to worry about. And let her name it... When my wife names one of my guns they become her friend...