Handgun for female shooters.

[ClearSightTactical]

I just wanted to throw this out there to possibly save anyone the time, expense, and frustration that we went through in finding a concealed handgun for my fiancee.

Backstory:
She expressed interest in shooting a few months ago, so she accompanied me to the range, and had a good time. I showed her what I knew and she became a pretty good shot. She expressed interest in a CCW License so she signed up for a course and qualified with a 100% :biggrin:

She started looking at choosing a weapon system, having learned on my Glock 17 & 26 she thought the 26 would be a good option. She loves the G26 but after trying on several holsters she can't find any that allow her to actually conceal the firearm. She wears business type attire, slacks, a tight-ish shirt but no blazer, or any garment that would allow her to conceal a larger/thick type firearm like the G26.

She became frustrated, and started looking at ankle holsters. Not really liking the idea of carrying in an ankle rig I started looking at other firearms. I found a Kahr PM9 that she was able to conceal on a waist rig. We rented it and she hated it. It was very snappy, due to its light weight of 14oz, and since its a 'micro' gun it was very hard to keep a hold of. She dismissed the idea.

I started researching and found a Kahr MK9 which is the same size as the PM9 except it weighs an impressive 22oz. I figured the added weight would make a difference in felt recoil so I ordered it form a gun store and purchased it for her- an $800 wager on whether or not she'd like the way it shot paid off to my relief.

Link Removed

Range Report:

Very accurate shots, and a smooth double-action trigger. Reliable through 200 rounds and best of all she can carry it comfortably without having to alter her wardrobe, and without having to carry in an impractical ankle system. (If I had to choose between an ankle holster and no gun I'd choose the ankle but i'd avoid carrying that way if at all possible).

The Kahr MK. 9 is a viable option for female shooters looking for a 'micro' sized weapon in a full size caliber. It's an attractive weapon system and shoots and handles quite nice for such a small firearm.

The only negative that comes with this firearm is the price tag- my cost was $760 + tax.

 

[Glock Fan]

Kind of on the high side. Great that she found something she liked.



gf

 

[ClearSightTactical]

Kind of on the high side. Great that she found something she liked.



gf

I agree, they're VERY proud of their product, I could have bought 2 glocks at that price lol. She's not interested in owning a ton of firearms so $800 for the rest of her life isn't bad.

 

[Ga9mm]

... so $800 for the rest of her life isn't bad.

Oh if only it were that easy for me!!!

 

[JJFlash]

I'm having somewhat the same problem; the wife did very well at Frontsight shooting an XD 9 from strong side OWB (concealed by a sweatshirt). While she'll carry that way with me on the way to the range, she is reluctant to carry such a bulky weapon day-to-day. She, too, is quite trim, and wears business attire with usually no jacket or vest.

So...maybe I missed it, CST, but how is your lady concealing this new weapon?

 

[ClearSightTactical]

I'm having somewhat the same problem; the wife did very well at Frontsight shooting an XD 9 from strong side OWB (concealed by a sweatshirt). While she'll carry that way with me on the way to the range, she is reluctant to carry such a bulky weapon day-to-day. She, too, is quite trim, and wears business attire with usually no jacket or vest.

So...maybe I missed it, CST, but how is your lady concealing this new weapon?

Im going to put some pics up in a few minutes, but it's just right of small of back so around 4:00ish

 

[Rocketgeezer]

CST, did you give any thought to the Taurus 709 slim ? nice little gun with very low felt recoil, and one of the smallist 9mm I have seen, wife and I both have one 3000 rds between the two, any ammo no hiccups

 

[ClearSightTactical]

CST, did you give any thought to the Taurus 709 slim ? nice little gun with very low felt recoil, and one of the smallist 9mm I have seen, wife and I both have one 3000 rds between the two, any ammo no hiccups

She wasn't to keen to Taurus after the gun shop commando told her they were unreliable and people return taurus almost immediately after purchase for repair....

I think Taurus makes some decent stuff, but she wasn't interested....



Kahr MK9 with AA batteries for size comparing...
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[Red Hat]

You made a good choice. $800 seems a lot but you get what you pay for. Great quality and one of the best customer services available. I have an arsenal of handguns to choose from but I keep carrying my Kahr's.

 

[MightyPirate]

MK9 is also my concealed choice. It's the first compact gun I've ever owned, and fired extensively but I don't find the weight to be that bad. It's probably a bit to heavy for pocket carry, but other than that I see no downside to it being a bit heftier than most, reduces the snap back and I enjoy the feel of a solid handgun. I should probably mention that I'm not a female, and would recommend this gun for any gender. For such a small gun it's a joy to shoot.

It is expensive, but like someone said you get what you pay for. Also if you shop around, and are willing to go used you can knock off a lot of money. I picked mine up for $600 with two extra mags. The only issue were the grips were fairly worn. I think knocking $200+ off the price is worth grabbing a 6 month old gun. And as a fan of 1911's I view $600 as chump change compared to what I've paid for other pistols in the past.

 

[ClearSightTactical]

You made a good choice. $800 seems a lot but you get what you pay for. Great quality and one of the best customer services available. I have an arsenal of handguns to choose from but I keep carrying my Kahr's.

I have a friend who has a Kahr P9 - and couldn't say enough about it. I've also read about the reliability and durability of these weapons.

MK9 is also my concealed choice. It's the first compact gun I've ever owned, and fired extensively but I don't find the weight to be that bad. It's probably a bit to heavy for pocket carry, but other than that I see no downside to it being a bit heftier than most, reduces the snap back and I enjoy the feel of a solid handgun. I should probably mention that I'm not a female, and would recommend this gun for any gender. For such a small gun it's a joy to shoot.

It is expensive, but like someone said you get what you pay for. Also if you shop around, and are willing to go used you can knock off a lot of money. I picked mine up for $600 with two extra mags. The only issue were the grips were fairly worn. I think knocking $200+ off the price is worth grabbing a 6 month old gun. And as a fan of 1911's I view $600 as chump change compared to what I've paid for other pistols in the past.

I wasn't implying that is a 'woman's gun' by any means. I think its an excellent design, and feel for anyone. $800 isn't much in the comparison to even entry level 1911's - I've had 1911's but keep coming back to Glock - so $800 compared to a Glock gives some sticker shock.

 

[CapGun]

Hey clearsight >> That thing isn't even pink!:no:
Just kidding. When I started to read what you wrote I was thinking of mentioning the MK9 for exactly the reason you picked it. ( I realized that as I read on)
I have a Springfield EMP and chose the .40 instead of the 9mm. Not just for the bigger bang but because the frame is stainless steel and therefore a bit heavier.
Kahr makes fine guns. My wife has a Kahr p380. Good luck

 

[MightyPirate]

Eh I should clarify, I didn't mean to come off as sexist. When I first got my .454 I was dating a girl that was almost as tall as I am, 6'2". She wanted to fire it, and I'd been there when she fired my .41 mag so I thought she would be able to handle it. Needless to say she broke her nose and I felt awful.

Now I'm dating a girl that's all of 5'4" and she handles the Raging Bull like she's Dirty Harriet. So I really don't think there's anything as a 'chick gun'. I just get a little bit overly defensive about my baby, so I apologize.

 

[Glockster20]

Nothing like a slieek Kahr if you can spare the extra cash. Nice gun!!

 

[tpd223]

My wife uses a CW9 and a PM9 as her carry guns, depending on the situation, what she's wearing, etc.

She started out with my Glock 26 at first, but once she shot the CW9 and found out how much better that gun fits her hands I was out $350 for a new Kahr 9mm. Then, we ran in to a PM9, and it was so much smaller and easier to carry.....

 

[hopnpop]

She wasn't to keen to Taurus after the gun shop commando told her they were unreliable and people return taurus almost immediately after purchase for repair....

I think Taurus makes some decent stuff, but she wasn't interested....

:angry:

Ooh that pisses me off! A gun store lost my business because a clerk with an opinion and a big mouth told me it was "irresponsible to carry an unreliable gun", referring to my Taurus PT140 Pro. Not all of us can afford Sigs, XDs, Glocks, Kahrs, Smiths... Taurus makes a good gun for the money. I had a 1st generation PT140 and after a couple hundred rounds, it fired without a problem. I sold it, later missed it, and got another, but this time a 2nd generation "Pro" model. From the first shot to the now 3000-ish shots, not a single functionality problem. Not ONE. Not the most accurate gun but plenty enough for SD. My only complaint was with the smoothness of the trigger pull and the long trigger reset.

I finally got some money together and am now carrying an XD full-time but still carry the PT140Pro from time to time. Great concealability.

 

[hopnpop]

for my wife's tiny hands

I've carried a Taurus PT140Pro for a few years, now an XD. My wife enjoys shooting, but she's got VERY small hands, even by female standards. Very small. All my handguns are between "too big" and "way too big" for her. She handles the calibers just fine, it's the FIT that's the problem.

We'd shopped around and "tried on" several guns. The only autos that fit her well were Kahrs, but we couldn't swing Kahr's prices, especially since, without a CPL, she won't be carrying it. We're just talking recreational and home defense use. We ended up having to get her a revolver, a Taurus 851 CIA, .38Spl.

Unfortunately we almost immediately found that the trigger pull was too stiff for her to continuously shoot. After about 5 shots, her fingers were too weak to keep shooting. Fine, another $50 for a trigger job, no biggy. Well, they backed off the trigger only to find that the hammer wouldn't drop hard enough to ignite the primers. Ultimately I don't think they were even able to take a full pound out without creating FTFs.

Back to the drawing board.

We now have found the perfect auto for her. We're sold on the Taurus 709 "slim". We tested it at the range and she loves it! Hell, I liked it a lot, too. It's quite concealable, controllable, accurate, and IT FITS! Fits her hand(s) great, has a short, crisp trigger pull, packs enough punch, and she had no problem loading her own mags.

Taurus has only improved with each passing year. I think you'll find that their new(er) models are better made than their predecessors. Not to mention, all Taurus' are rated for unlimited (+P) shooting and have lifetime warranties. For those who are looking for a decent handgun for less than the $600 standard, I'll always point them to Taurus.

 

[tcox4freedom]

I haven't got anything against Kahrs but "price". The Taurus 24/7 ProC; 40sw or 45acp are excellent choices for CC; and I can buy them BOTH for the price of one Kahr.

My wife is a professional executive herself. Most of the time she CC's (appendix position) the 24/7 ProC 40 in a cheap Uncle Mikes and you honestly can't tell she's carrying. When she wears "tighter" clothes, she carries her Bersa 380 with it's slimmer profile.

 

[hopnpop]

Yeah, Taurus' 24/7 Pro and the PT1911 are their "flagships" right now - their best pistols, IMO. The "709" is making its mark, tho.

 

[texasnative46]

to all,

my daughter, when she decided to CCW didn't want A PISTOL, she wanted MY PISTOL - a "lightly custiomized" MAKAROV, which she says is "PURR-fectly grrl-size".
(so i gave her the MAK & bought a P6.)

she carries it in one of several washable "custom-made" thigh holsters (in different colors), for wearing under long wrap skirts, which looks like a garter belt with pistol attached. - comes out from under that skirt, FAST & in ONE motion.

YEP, she had to use it to defend herself in TX last year = attempted mugging; mugger ran out of luck!
(AmerIndian girls are COLD-bloodied & self-reliant, as a rule, in an emergency.)

note to all: in my experience, it is NOT a good idea to try to train a woman, if you are a BF/relative, as women will NOT typically "take correction" from you HAPPILY- invest in PROFESSIONAL lessons. = the 450.oo that i paid for my daughter's lessons was CHEAP at twice the price, especially when weighed against a visit to the ER or a funeral.

yours, TN46