Handgun suggestions for female beginner (IPSC Production).

A

adrenaline681

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Hello, my girlfriend would like to get the black badge course and try IPSC shooting. I only have one 9mm handgun (Single action only) so we would like to get one for her where she can shoot Production.

What are good models (not too expensive since she is just starting), that would be good for a female to shoot?

Thanks in advance!
 
If she has small hands and short fingers, SP-01 may not work (or have to use slim grips). I'd even suggest Shadow2 - it is heavier and more comfortable to shoot.
But have you considered classic? A 9mm 1911 is very soft to shoot and allows more tweaking.

But seriously, what's your budget for this?
 
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Vladthepes said:
the best handgun to learn from is the most popular revolver in America. the S&W model 10 38 special
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Omg, please ignore that comment, I don't know if he's joking, but a revolver is a trash pistol overall, let alone to learn on. The backwards ergos of the grip, garbage trigger, and the stiff recoil will make for a wholly unpleasant experience. Honestly, you'd be hard to beat the S&W M&P 9mm. They are very reasonably priced second hand now that the 2.0 is out (2.0 is inferior if you ask me) an abundance of holsters and aftermarket stuff, and it has removable back straps for smaller hands.
 
I would suggest not buying anything until she has had the opportunity to handle and try a variety of different makes and models.
 
100%
The best handgun for her to compete with is a handgun that fits her and she likes.
With that, requires experience.
Can you get her to the range to try others? Very important.
 
snooze98k said:
100%
The best handgun for her to compete with is a handgun that fits her and she likes.
With that, requires experience.
Can you get her to the range to try others? Very important.
Click to expand...

She has tried my Sig 226 and she seems to enjoy it but since its SAO we cant use it for production, i think we will go try the Shadow 2 at the range first, if after some time she decides she doesnt like competing too much, I can use the shadow 2 to compete in production. I also would love to have a handgun where I can put a red dot, so I believe it could be a good option.
 
adrenaline681 said:
She has tried my Sig 226 and she seems to enjoy it but since its SAO we cant use it for production, i think we will go try the Shadow 2 at the range first, if after some time she decides she doesnt like competing too much, I can use the shadow 2 to compete in production. I also would love to have a handgun where I can put a red dot, so I believe it could be a good option.
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Shadow 2 is a good choice, not only is it one of the best for ipsc production but the thin grips and low bore axis make it a good fit for smaller hands and the all steel construction will be better for recoil management more so than a polymer that may fit the hand a slightly better, I picked one up on the EE last fall and with proper grip and practice the GF has become quite proficient with it, and in no time was shooting much tighter and faster groups with it over other firearms in my collection that she originally liked the feel of better.
 
lt.hicks@rogers.com said:
Omg, please ignore that comment, I don't know if he's joking, but a revolver is a trash pistol overall, let alone to learn on. The backwards ergos of the grip, garbage trigger, and the stiff recoil will make for a wholly unpleasant experience. Honestly, you'd be hard to beat the S&W M&P 9mm. They are very reasonably priced second hand now that the 2.0 is out (2.0 is inferior if you ask me) an abundance of holsters and aftermarket stuff, and it has removable back straps for smaller hands.
Click to expand...

Not true.

I taught my GF (now wife) to shoot a revolver and she did well. She used the 686 for a year and half, along with a G17. We got her a G34 and does very well. She's been shooting for 7 years now.
 
Someone mentioned the M&P Gen 1 which is a very good suggestion. The gun will fit her hand, the gun is dead nuts reliable and will let her learn how to shoot and experience the sport with relatively little capital outlay. If she enjoys the sport and wants to spend the time to get competitive the gun will do her well while she learns the game. The beauty of the M&P is the small. medium and large grip panels and it does not weigh close to 60 ounces fully loaded.

IPSC is the kind of sport that you can shoot and enjoy at any level. A used M&P will set you back no more than $500 with two mags. You should be able to get by with three additional mags, a couple of double mag pouches and a kydex holster for no more than $400. Starting out you don't even need the mag pouches. Have fun, see if she likes it and go from there. You can always unload the M&P at a later date for about what you paid for it IF she wants to spend more money on a "better" gun.

Point of this post is to say she doesn't have to spend her brains out to get in to the sport and enjoy herself.

Take Care

Bob
 
I just realized that the CZ Shadow doesn't have a decocker, so it would be harder for her to lower the hammer without accidentally having an AD. I guess thats something she will have to work on and practice a lot.
 
learning to decock safely takes about 2 minutes, a bit more practice and it will be even simpler to perform on demand. While it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd also recommend the CZ Shadow (used if you need to be thrifty), or the Shadow 2 if you have a larger budget, something like a Glock isn't a bad choice either. If she wants to try out a variety of different guns bring her out to Abbotsford on Steel night and we can let her try a few.
 
Nothing wrong with using the Sig Legion in SAO for Standard Minor - especially if you already have a holster and a few mags for it. Still makes holes in paper.

As others have mentioned, try a few options. Lowering the hammer is an absolute non issue. My wife (with small hands) could safely and comfortably do it with two minutes of instruction as mentioned above.

In my experience, the weight of all steel DA/SA pistols is more comfortable for new shooters as opposed to polymers, the downside of which can be reaching the DA trigger pull.
 
I have short fingers, and learned on a shadow 1.
Altough i am not a fan of CZ and have steered clear of them by now,
It’s hard to find better bang for the buck (with either the 1 or 2), with acceptable accuracy and trigger out of the box.
 
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