Need Help With Gun Selection for Slim Woman

Braden · 06-27-2011, 10:44

No, I am not slim and I am not a woman, but I am trying to help a slim/petite friend of mine find a small gun that she can use for concealed carry. Guns that come to mind are the following:

Kahr PM9
Kahr CW9
S&W Bodyguard
Ruger LCP
Glock 36 or 26 (either of these might be too thick for her to conceal in her waistband)

What good, reliable, small guns (preferably 9mm but maybe .380) am I missing? She wants to keep it in the $500 range or lower.

P.S. She has a S&W .38 revolver but wants a semi-auto so let's leave the J frames out of this discussion.

bklynpete · 06-27-2011, 10:49

Walther PPS and PK380!

Seraph · 06-27-2011, 10:59

She can conceal the Glock 26. Since she's likely to use a cover garment one way or the other, it doesn't have to be an IWB holster, so there's no worry about the comfort of it inside her waistband. A close riding OWB will do it just fine, considering the short length of the G26. I don't think there is a more reliable subcompact 9mm auto.

highfructosecornsyrp · 06-27-2011, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seraph

She can conceal the Glock 26. Since she's likely to use a cover garment one way or the other, it doesn't have to be an IWB holster, so there's no worry about the comfort of it inside her waistband. A close riding OWB will do it just fine, considering the short length of the G26. I don't think there is a more reliable subcompact 9mm auto.

sig p238

My vote is for the LCP though. There is a lot of quality and reliability for the money there...I would say Glock 26, but then the search for the perfect holster begins...with an LCP and a desantis pocket holster, you're good to go.

Braden · 06-27-2011, 11:13

I should have also said she'd like to keep it around or below $500.

BailRecoveryAgent · 06-27-2011, 11:48

Ruger LC9. Much better gun than the LCP with a ballistically superior caliber. $369.99 at the local fun store I visited on saturday.

G-30Jet · 07-04-2011, 13:53

Womens holsters are more about their curves than the actual weapon. There are holster makers that know about building nice practical holsters for our femenin better half.

I beleive Jim Mernack at Fist can help if needed. Check his site for pictures of women with holsters.

BroncoAZ · 07-04-2011, 15:12

There are some options, all have their pros and cons:

9mm
Kahr CM9 - (CW9 cut down to PM9 size, new to market, $450) is the one I'd choose. It is the smallest of the single stack 9mm but is stainless steel and has one of the better triggers.
Kahr CW9 - Bigger version of the CM9, 7+1 and the same size as the LC9 and PF9. I recently purchased another one of these for my spouse to use as a range gun, her hands are tiny and she shoots my PM9 well.
Ruger LC9 - same size as a CW9 or PF9, terrible trigger
Kel Tec PF9 - I had a couple of these, they were completely reliable but the trigger and ergonomics weren't great. I sold them when I got my first Kahr CW9
Diamondback DB9 - If it has that legendary DB reliability I'll run away screaming
Kimber Solo - Looks nice, but hard to find and $750
Sig 290 - I haven't shot one, but looks bulkier than it needs to be and expensive at $600+

.380
Ruger LCP - Tiny, but with a terrible trigger, my last one wouldn't feed hollow point rounds
Kel Tec P3AT - Same as a ruger LCP minus the slide lock button. I never had good luck with the three of these I owned. Their P-32 was much better.
Walther PK380 - the largest .380 on the market recently, might as well get a 9mm
S&W Bodyguard - I don't know enough about these to have an opinion
Kahr P380 - expensive at $520 online/$649 locally, but the best tiny .380 out there in my opinion
Sig 232 - Who wants a 1911

Disclaimer: I have three Kahr pistols now, a PM9, P380, and a CW9. I have owned the Kel Tec P-32, P3AT, PF9, P11, Ruger LCP.

ncglock19 · 07-06-2011, 20:51

We're going to need to see a lot of pictures to adequately provide feedback on this question.

nc19

***RWBlue*** · 07-06-2011, 22:33

I have a G26. I love it. It is not slim.

I have a PM9. It is slim. So far I can NOT recommend it.

And BTW,

I am thinking bikini photo so we know how thin she really is.

MightyTygart · 07-06-2011, 22:42

I wondered how long before it went down hill......

***RWBlue*** · 07-06-2011, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyTygart

I wondered how long before it went down hill......

You know it is coming and I am not anticipating any bikini shots.

dregotglock · 07-07-2011, 06:31

If she is comfortable shooting a 45acp - the g36 is thin compared to all other glocks (36 = 1.13" vs 26 = 1.18")

reniram · 07-07-2011, 08:20

A lot of women I know really like the looks of a stainless Sig 232.

***RWBlue*** · 07-07-2011, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by reniram

A lot of women I know really like the looks of a stainless Sig 232.

Black guns go with everything.

Cgrubb1 · 07-07-2011, 13:34

What about a M&p 9c? With the small
Backstrap, it would probably be very comfortable for her. There are some videos on YouTube from a woman reviewing holsters for the 9c and other guns that work well for her.

Two Guns · 07-07-2011, 13:45

What about a Keltec PF9

OD Green Glock 19 · 07-07-2011, 22:42

Walther PPK. The girl I'm seeing loves shooting mine. It's easy to shoot, accurate, and it looks good doing it!. I carry it as a BUG and sometimes as primary in a High Noon Split Decision during the summer months.

Braden · 07-08-2011, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncglock19

We're going to need to see a lot of pictures to adequately provide feedback on this question.

nc19

I figured that request would come up sooner or later, but I'm not able to honor it. Actually I'm plenty able. Just not willing. She's a friend. I still appreciate the feedback though.

Braden · 07-08-2011, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by dregotglock

If she is comfortable shooting a 45acp - the g36 is thin compared to all other glocks (36 = 1.13" vs 26 = 1.18")

I let her mess around with my 36 a few days ago and we both came to the same conclusion that, while slimmer than the 26 she looked at, it was probably too much gun for her to hide on her body. She's about 5'5" and probably weighs 115 soaking wet if that gives you an idea of her size. The closest she came to being able to conceal the 36 was SOB and she said that was too uncomfortable.

I really think something like the Kahr PM9 or CM9 is going to be her best option. Maybe the CW9. Glocks are just too thick for her to conceal. Anyway, I gave her a list of reliable and quality guns I thought might work for her. She's planning/hoping to pick one this weekend, so I'll let y'all know what she decides on.

***RWBlue*** · 07-08-2011, 17:07

There is another option for a woman.

Women can carry a purse with then at all times and no one thinks anything about it. They make special bags for CCW. I have also played with the idea of using non-special bags.

When I stopped using a franklin planner, it became a gun carrier. No one looked at me strangely as I carried it around a work location.

Braden · 07-08-2011, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWBlue

There is another option for a woman.

Women can carry a purse with then at all times and no one thinks anything about it. They make special bags for CCW. I have also played with the idea of using non-special bags.

When I stopped using a franklin planner, it became a gun carrier. No one looked at me strangely as I carried it around a work location.

She probably will purse carry some, but she wants to carry on body as much as possible.

***RWBlue*** · 07-08-2011, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braden

She probably will purse carry some, but she wants to carry on body as much as possible.

Understood. I am just going through all the options I can think of.

You are leaning toward the Kahr PM9, CM9 and my PM9 was sent back to Kahr because of a QC\QA issue. And it had issue with some mags and I was not able to shoot it as well as my G26. So .....

I assume I will get my PM9 back and I will practice until I can shoot it as well as my Glocks, but until then.......

Braden · 07-08-2011, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWBlue

Understood. I am just going through all the options I can think of.

You are leaning toward the Kahr PM9, CM9 and my PM9 was sent back to Kahr because of a QC\QA issue. And it had issue with some mags and I was not able to shoot it as well as my G26. So .....

I assume I will get my PM9 back and I will practice until I can shoot it as well as my Glocks, but until then.......

I'm not really leaning toward anything. I'm just trying to help her find a quality gun that will work well for her. Of the options I'm aware of I thought Kahr might be her best bet, but ultimately it will be whatever works best for her.

txbirddog · 07-09-2011, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braden

I'm not really leaning toward anything. I'm just trying to help her find a quality gun that will work well for her. Of the options I'm aware of I thought Kahr might be her best bet, but ultimately it will be whatever works best for her.

I would agree with the G26 or M&P 9c. I have both and both conceal well and while neither a lady or slim, I do wear form fitting clothes and NOONE knows.