A .38 is always a good choice easy to use little kick and some are very light weight
If I do eventually get a gun for protection I have no idea what kind I should get. My arms are really weak. Years ago my husband had me shoot this shotgun and it about knocked me down. On one of his guns I can't even pull the trigger and I'm not joking. Thanks!
Lynn
Very light weight and "little kick" rarely go together when you get beyond a .22. I've got a small S&W j frame .38 that will make wish you had a new hand after 50 rounds using the stock grip.
Try as many as possible. A gun is a very personal choice, if you get something someone else tells you is right, you'll probably be disappointed. Ultimately, the one you buy doesn't have to be what you are stuck with- you'll probably learn a lot, and your preferences will change over time. I did some trading today, and ended up with a Springfield XDS 45 ACP. I used to find 45s very harsh to shoot, but every time i went to the range with hubby, i'd shoot his, and i got used to it. I've bought and traded quite a bit since getting back into shooting about 18 months ago. I liked all the guns I had, for different reasons, I just can't afford to keep them all! Right now, I have 2 handguns- a 45 and 9mm, and a 12 GA O/U shotgun for clay targets. I would also like a good quality .38 revolver sometime, and a high-capacity 9mm.
'I highly recommend you taking a basics class with an instructor who will allow you to try several different types of their firearms. An alternative would be to try to find someone in your area to make a range trip or two via this website. Many here would be willing to spend some time with you to help you make an appropriate selection. My wife and I would offer if you were closer, but I'm sure there are others who are closer to you.
Anyhow, like others have stated fit and comfort are important. With proper technique it is RARE that anyone is unable to work the slide of some pistols such as a Glock 19. Hold, feel, and SHOOT as MANY as you possibly can before you buy as well as soak up all the training/information you can in the mean time.
EDIT: I forgot that you mentioned a shotgun and "weak arms." Typically, a shotgun for home defense is an excellent choice provided you need not move room to room (which is not recommended unless necessary.) However, assuming you may have kids which require such movement a pistol can be a much better choice by not only allowing you to move room to room easily, but also allowing for the use of a free hand if need be. A free hand which can move a child out of the way, block an attacking movement, close/open/hold closed doors, hold a flashlight, and last but not least...call the police. A pistol may very well be the better choice for your needs.
It's important to point out however, that a pistol does require a bit of training and/or a lot of practice to GET and MAINTAIN proficiency/accuracy with it. So the ability to do so will be an important consideration, both in time to dedicate and money for ammo. Hope this helps.
Wow! I didn't expect to get so much good advice! Thanks
My husband and I had a great experience at Openrange just outside of Louisville this weekend. The sales guy was awesome! He was very patient and let me handle a bunch of different guns.
I have got so much to learn! I'm not in a big hurry. My husband (Mackey) really wants me to get my permit, so I might as well work on that now.
Below is a pic of me trying a 22 revolver. The sales guy was letting me try the trigger pull (I'm so weak!).
He also tried me on a 38. I could pull the trigger but it was a little hard. He said I could get a trigger job by a gunsmith but he thought I'd be better off with a semi-automatic. Either way he encouraged me to get some training too.
Thanks again!!!