First introduced in 1970 as an adaptation of the Model 10, Smith & Wesson's Model 64 stainless steel revolver dutifully served law enforcement with a prolonged lifespan until the 1990s when trade-in programs initiated around the globe. And today, collectors can find these well-loved and once-used examples on the commercial market for enjoyment and protection.
According to the Gear Check at A Girl & A Gun National Conference, several standout models and brands that emerged as favorites among women shooters, as well as preferences when it came to aftermarket products.
One of the world's first successful semi-automatic handguns, the C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser pistol is often associated with Germany and other Western users, but huge numbers of Broomhandle Mausers were bought and copied by the Chinese during the country's Warlord period.