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You will get many different preferences on here, mine included. I would get her the EMP or even better, a Colt Defender. Both are excellent heirloom type guns that shoot straight, hold value and would be a welcome addition to any collection. Out of all of my guns, these are the only 2 that my 15 year old grand daughter wants. Although she is tall, 5'11", she is very petite but shoots both of these quite well. Truth be known, these 2 were purchased with her in mind because most of my guns are .45

SewTexas wrote:has she ever shot anything and said "hey, I like that?"

She likes to shoot any handgun , she probably cares for the Ruger LCP the least because of the recoil .

SewTexas wrote:Since she "likes 'em all". I guess consider what you want this gun to eventually be. will this be her "bedside" gun? or do you hope this to eventually be her carry gun? ....or do you hope to give her another for her 21st or whenever she ultimately gets her ltc? depending on that answer you don't have to worry about size and ability to conceal.

That's why I was looking at the Range Officer compact . Would be a well built/good size suitable for just about any situation . I had her handle one at a gun shop last summer , fit her hand well and she liked it .

Sounds like you might have a winner there Chuck J - I might suggest taking her to a gun show - theres one typically going on somewhere in Texas every weekend. That would be a good way to let her handle a bunch of different handguns. This would give you an idea of what styles/types of guns she likes and what feels comfortable in the hand.

I bought mine a Walther 22 to start then moved to a PK380 same grip next will be the 9mm she likes them and is used to they way they work
But she likes the feel of the Glock 43

I just went thru this with my wife. she's 5'2", has small hands and wrists. Not only did she want low recoil, she needed to be able to pull the slide easily. We went to the local gun show and tried a lot of different Semi-automatic pistols. The one she liked the best was the Walther PPQ. She liked the way it felt in her hand, it was easy to pull the slide and is designed for low recoil. She loves the way it shoots too.

Jusme wrote:chuck j,
you will get more suggestions than you will have time to go through, but since your daughter will be the recipient, I would do everything I could to allow her to be the main decision maker.

It may not result in the same "Oh my gosh!" reaction the day of her birthday, but I think Jusme's advice may be the best. For the right gift from her father that will be expected to last a lifetime, the exact day it's presented is less important than making it perfect.

One option may be something like this: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... ?a=1762372. Keeps the gift a surprise, gives her something to unwrap (and even eat), and the search for the right gun can start then.

Jusme wrote:Good luck, and may I say I think it is awesome that you are helping pass along the love of firearms to your daughter.

I'll echo that, too!

Skiprr wrote:

Jusme wrote:chuck j,
you will get more suggestions than you will have time to go through, but since your daughter will be the recipient, I would do everything I could to allow her to be the main decision maker.

It may not result in the same "Oh my gosh!" reaction the day of her birthday, but I think Jusme's advice may be the best. For the right gift from her father that will be expected to last a lifetime, the exact day it's presented is less important than making it perfect.

One option may be something like this: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... ?a=1762372. Keeps the gift a surprise, gives her something to unwrap (and even eat), and the search for the right gun can start then.

Jusme wrote:Good luck, and may I say I think it is awesome that you are helping pass along the love of firearms to your daughter.

I'll echo that, too!

Letting her make the decision has much merit . I like the chocolate gun...notice they also have chocolate ammo too .

chuck j wrote:

SewTexas wrote:Since she "likes 'em all". I guess consider what you want this gun to eventually be. will this be her "bedside" gun? or do you hope this to eventually be her carry gun? ....or do you hope to give her another for her 21st or whenever she ultimately gets her ltc? depending on that answer you don't have to worry about size and ability to conceal.

That's why I was looking at the Range Officer compact . Would be a well built/good size suitable for just about any situation . I had her handle one at a gun shop last summer , fit her hand well and she liked it .

sounds like you know which one to get then.

You should tell her what you want to do. Then shop for the gun that fits her and she likes best, TOGETHER. For your stated purpose, the shopping together part of this may be the best memory of all for her, and may make this her most cherished firearm. Either way, that ensures you buy what she likes, fits her and fits her intended purpose for the gun.

Raising a daughter that is a 1911 fan, makes you a future Father-in-law of the year!

Ya'll have me thinking now ...................much to be said for including her in the process . I was looking forward to the 'surprise' factor at the time but a shared experience is big competition for surprise .

I think that you're on the right track with the springfield 1911. You want to get her something that is a classic. A high quality firearm that she will want to keep and become a family heirloom. It will make a great home defense weapon for her as she grows. It will be a great range gun, big enough to be accurate and heavy enough to absorb the recoil. If she wants to get an LTC when she turns 21 then you can worry about getting her something that she will carry. As for now a teeny tiny gun serves her very little purpose except to be harder to aim and snappier recoil.

allisji wrote:I think that you're on the right track with the springfield 1911. You want to get her something that is a classic. A high quality firearm that she will want to keep and become a family heirloom. It will make a great home defense weapon for her as she grows. It will be a great range gun, big enough to be accurate and heavy enough to absorb the recoil. If she wants to get an LTC when she turns 21 then you can worry about getting her something that she will carry. As for now a teeny tiny gun serves her very little purpose except to be harder to aim and snappier recoil.

I assure you she will have an LTC , in the meantime at 18 she can at least carry in her car (except in the school parking lot.) . Many good choices have been recommended here , already researching them to narrow the field . I think I'll let her decide . It should be fun (and an excuse) to cruise the shops and shows for the right gun . Thank you ! Good recommendations and even wisdom on the process to achieve the ultimate choice by letting her make it I thank all who helped . ( Made a list of recommended guns....will research and guide her in that way )

Thank you . May our Lord bless and keep you . Chuck j.

A friend of mine chose a Ruger Security Six when she was 17 some 40 years ago. She was able to practice with .38 Wad Cutters, move to .38spls and the to be come competent with full house .357 load. By the time she was 18 and off to school she had a car and home defense weapon. The Ruger remains a bed side pistol while she chose a Glock 19 for her LTC.