.380 Semi Auto suggestions for female shooter?

[saltydude]

I believe modern .380 ammo is up to the task.

The only reason I would be aprehensive is typically pistols chambered in .380 tend to have stiff recoil springs.

My friend bought a Beretta Chetah? For his wife. She ended up never shooting it because it was too difficult to rack the slide. Now it collects dust.

 

[Speedway]

9mm compact... .380 is hard to find, expensive to train with and reliability of autos, (or lack) is near legendary. There's no good that can come from .380....

My 1934 Beretta .380 is as reliable as any gun you could find.

I shoot it constantly, and it never has any issues at all. (its a C&R fun gun, not a daily carry piece obviously).

 

[Taipan01]

I have a PPKS that is a very nice little auto. Very comfortable and elegant styling. Some people say they are a crap shoot by way of reliability but I've no problems with mine. I can get all in the black at 10 rapid fire. They do need a breaking in period of about 200-300 rounds as stated in other forums but mine has run fine from the box. I don't bother with hollow points with it as I don't believe there is enough to push for both decent expansion and penetration in the .380 class. I roll with S&B FMJs. You'll want to stay within 90-100 grains by way of bullet weight also as that was what the original designs called for. Hotter ammo (not burners) are better which are usually in the European brands, hence the S&B's. I could say that with it being only a home bound pistol she may be better of with a 642LS in .38+P (a very nice, refined revolver) but it is really up to her. If she gravitates to the .380 and will take the time to practice with it then go for it. It'll beat any others collecting dust with no range time. Let her make the selection as there are a number of new models available in the .380.

 

[Sinitron]

I love my .380, and the fact it's the size of my cell phone for carry. However, I would not consider it my one and only home defense unit. I'd consider a G19/G17 with mags full of Hornady Critical Defense for that. Even easier than fiddling with a semi-auto as many have posted here, is a tried and true revolver. .38/.357 model 60 S&W, 6xx-series .38+p's, 351PD in .22WMR.... whatever she likes

 

[M1911]

My first suggestion is to buy anything that isn't a .380. .380s suck. And if it's for HD, you might as well ramp it up to 9mm.

Agreed. Also, most .380s don't have a locked breech, and as a result have quite a bit of felt recoil. A full size, single-stack 9mm might be worth considering. But if you insist on a .380, Sig 230/232, Colt .380 Government Model/Mustang, or the Sig P238 (which is an updated Colt Mustang).

 

[M1911]

For home defense, I would definitely lean towards a 9mm at a minimum. even a smaller 9mm may be nice (see the Kahr PM9, I have yet to shoot one, but all of the reviews I have read have been generally positive, with exception to the price).

This is for home defense, not concealed carry, and his description suggests that she is recoil shy. As this gun is for home defense, a larger, heavier gun with a longer sight radius is far preferable to a pocket gun.

I have a Kahr PM9 -- it would be a really bad idea for her. First, the PM9 has noticeably more recoil than the MK9. The MK9 isn't bad, but it does have more recoil than the K9. The MK9 and PM9 have very stiff recoil springs. Many women can't lock them open to save their life. And yes, I know of what I speak. I own a K40, K9, MK9, and PM9. I've also let several women try them.

The point of a PM9 is that it is small enough and light enough to carry in your pocket. If you are not going to carry it in your pocket, then you can use something larger and heavier, with a longer sight radius, that is far easier to shoot.

 

[Youradolt]

what about a mak in .380?

 

[M1911]

what about a mak in .380?

It is blowback operated, so I would expect it to have more felt recoil. But I don't have any direct experience with them.