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My 17 year old daughter will be 18 in December . I would like to get her a 'lifetime' handgun from dad . One that will be a keeper . I think a 9mm is the right caliber , she will never be over 5' tall , her hands are small . She will shoot anything you place in her hand , I started teaching her to shoot at 6 years old with an old Remington single shot 22 I have had since childhood . She will shoulder a Mossin as quick as a 22 . Fear is not a factor .
I have been looking at a Springfield Range officer compact feeling that for her size it would be a practical choice for her build and could be a carry or just a good handgun for the future .

To be honest .
I have hunted and shot all my life but at an 'advanced' age (64) I have lost interest in new guns about 18 years ago . My knowledge lies in the old older models . I normally carry a Ruger LCP for comfort but at times carry a CZ82 Soviet cast off or Colt 1903 pocket model , yea I
I'm an old guy .

At this time a good sidearm is a major investment for us , would like to get it right , kind of a one shot deal . Any suggestions ?
Thank you for any input you may have .
chuck j

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

Take her to a range and rent a few different types of guns, or ask her what type of gun she might like.

My 16 year old daughter can shoot anything I own, but prefers something with a lower recoil. Like you, I have been considering what gun I might give her for her 18th birthday. Instead of buying her a new gun, I may give her a gun that has sentimental value of some type, like my Glock 19 that is the first gun I carried, or maybe something that ties ion to my military service like a Springfield Armory 1911 with crossed cannon grips (I was in the artillery) or something along those lines.

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

She 'likes' em all , lol . I have 4 CZ 82's and she is more proficient with them that others but only because she uses them on a regular basis . She is young and can adapt to any gun .

Soccerdad1995 wrote:Take her to a range and rent a few different types of guns, or ask her what type of gun she might like.

My 16 year old daughter can shoot anything I own, but prefers something with a lower recoil. Like you, I have been considering what gun I might give her for her 18th birthday. Instead of buying her a new gun, I may give her a gun that has sentimental value of some type, like my Glock 19 that is the first gun I carried, or maybe something that ties ion to my military service like a Springfield Armory 1911 with crossed cannon grips (I was in the artillery) or something along those lines.

That's a good suggestion but we go to a 'redneck' range , no rentals . Just a big gully in the middle of nowhere . Really no option to experience different handguns except what we own . We live in a small community .

She will inherit a lot of handguns back to her great grandfather. Looking for a modern sidearm that might benefit her . ?

Glock 19

Ruger American Compact Pistol

Check out the Springfield EMP. Comes in 9mm and 40. Several different models and is certainly a life time gun.

I'd like to weigh in here. That is very awesome that your doing this for her birthday. She will remember any gun you get her but I do see the logic on get her her a good gun that will fit her. Might I suggest a good all around "jack of all trades" type? If your going that route and a glock fits her hand the 19 would be excellent. The Springfield you suggested would be excellent as well!!!! I have eyeballed them before and pretty much made my mind up the next 1911 I buy will be 9mm. Talk about a soft shooter in that platform. My favorite pistol and almost my favorite gun is my sig P226 in 9mm. You can check them out as well as the 229 is the glock 19 size. goodluck on your search my friend!

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.

I guess the budget is determining factor here. If you wanted to give her a piece of art with custom engraving, custom grips, ect. from a Texas firm I would say "Republic Forge." Their an outfit in the north east part of the panhandle and I know that some of their finish work (Color Case Hardening at least) is done by a personal friend of mine. For less money and still keeping it in Texas I would point you towards STI.

I would recommend the Beretta Storm PX4. It's a nice modern looking gun, the adjustable back strap. Great shooter and easy to disable and clean.

I've developed an appreciation for Walther recently. The PPS M2 might be one to consider.

http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/pps/pps-m2/

Also, might be worth a day trip to a range that offers a good selection of rentals.

Congratulations Dad! Happy birthday.....

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. At 18 she won't be able to carry it all the time for a few years, but she will want to take that into consideration, when deciding. Since you said you don't live near a place that has rentals, or test shooting, I would suggest a day trip to somewhere that does, and let her handle, manipulate, and shoot as many guns as possible, then she can narrow down her choices. If that is not an option, reach out to friends, family, or even forum members, who may have multiple guns, to see about meeting somewhere, to allow her to handle as many as possible. You are correct that it is a decision you want to "get right the first time".

Just to throw another suggestion out there, my wife, who also has small hands, loves her S&W full size M&P.

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

Also have her join the forum, so that she can share her experiences, and viewpoints.