The latest NSSF “Pull The Trigger” newsletter contained a link to a video discussing concealed carry choices for women
I’m mixed on the advice it gives.
Maybe it’s just a short video with limited time and they can’t touch on all the points. But given the video is geared towards women (and even produced by women), I was surprised the first thing they talked about was semi-auto vs. revolver and not the issue of gun fit. Most guns tend to be made for larger people and let’s be honest, most women aren’t of the larger variety, especially when it comes to hands. It’s far more important for a woman to find a gun that fits her and that she can shoot well, that she then enjoys to shoot, which then will enable her to seek training or try practical shooting matches. If the gun doesn’t fit, if she can’t shoot it well, if it hurts, if it’s difficult, the shooter will get frustrated and give up and won’t seek the help and education they need.
Here’s a good guide for “how to choose a gun”.
Kay comments how revolvers are simpler and semi-autos a little more complex. This is true. She then says “with the semi-automatic you’re going to have to do a little more training with it.” Well… yes and no. Yes because actions such as fixing a malfunction are more involved with a semi-automatic than a revolver; you will have to learn how to do those things. No, because that long, heavy trigger pull on a revolver is hard to shoot well. Again, if we’re talking people with small hands, with weaker hands (honestly, how many of you pull 10-15# weights with your index finger), the revolver will be harder to shoot and shoot well so that aspect is going to require more training and practice as well. Both styles of handguns will require training, a lot common to both, but certainly they each have their own unique aspects that must be trained so you can be proficient with the tool.
I do like how they suggest women try out practical shooting. No, it’s not tactical and defensive or anything — it’s a game. However, you do learn useful skills and it may be the only way you can practice skills like shooting and moving, shooting moving targets, shooting multiple targets, etc. (all depending what’s available to you at ranges in your area).
Stuff From Hsoi 
Don’t forget that practical shooting (whether you choose USPSA or IDPA – or both) also exposes you to gun handling skills under pressure. Possibly the best aspect of competition as it applies back to more “real world” type stuff 🙂
Also, FWIW…. the Apex Tactical spring kit for J-frames makes a pretty big difference in the trigger pull on those little monsters, especially if you spend some time cleaning up all the rough surfaces on the internals, too. Still not a short trigger pull, but it gets you down in the 8-9# range instead of 12-15#… So, better, but not “best”, perhaps…
I’ve been curious to try out that new Apex kit. I had my 442 worked on by Verne Trester and it’s got a fantastic trigger now (Claude Werner was impressed with how she shot), but even still, it’s not as easy to work that trigger as say a 1911 or Glock/XD/M&P trigger (even their factory triggers). It’s still long, it’s still heavy.
But either way, the greater point is: gun fit is one of the most important things (if not THE most) to consider, yet it’s rarely discussed by people when the topic of “choosing a gun” comes up.
I should also add that one thing that affects a lot of women is felt recoil. Kay probably isn’t phased by recoil much any more. But many beginning shooters, especially women, are. When we run Basic Pistol 1 classes at KR Training, I like bringing out my 442 because all too often that’s what the gun counter guy is going to say the “little lady” needs to carry… then I let students shoot it with just plain old .38 Special loads (i.e. not +P) and few people can manage the small feel of the gun, the inability to get a good grip, inability to get the pinky on there, and then how it smacks the daylights out of your palm and wrist… and most people are done after less than 5 shots, well convinced that it’s not the gun for them… and they all then migrate back to more full-sized and heavier guns. Again, they fit, they can shoot them, they can shoot them well, they are more fun to shoot, and that’s what will keep people coming back for more.
I love my snubs, but they are really ‘advanced’ guns, not beginner guns.
From a female: I used to carry an off-duty 45 (small, fit well in my small hand) however, due to my lack of upper body strength/arm strength/recoil control, I switched back to a 9mm for concealed carry. The 45 (with the big hole in the barrel:) is very intimidating however, bad guys don’t tend to be big thinkers and now I opt for more 9mm hollowpoints and true accuracy. The 45 ammo is heavy to lug around too. Thanks for the link to the interesting video.