Dilema: what gun my wife needs?

[Divided Attention]

Be thankful she is willing to try. My wife is too tiny to master a handgun. I really think going to a range and trying the guns is the way to go. A revolver is a good choice but shoot single action only.

I am confused by this statement, and I don't mean to be disrespectful or rude in any way shape or form, just trying to understand. I have been shooting handguns since I was 6 or 7 - granted a 22, but it wasn't long before I was shooting 357 and 38's, in high school I shot metal silhouettes with Dads 357 loaded pretty hot. I know I am not your typical girly girl, but back then I was less than 100 pounds and about 5'2".

JMPHO, If there is a desire to shoot/own and learn to use a gun I think it is just a matter of finding one that works with you.

To the OP while pink is not my thing, what's wrong with pink if she wants it she might use it more - more practice is a good thing! Again, JMPHO

[fickman]

OP: Is this for concealed carry, vehicle carry, or home defense?

If just for home defense, I agree that a full size 1911 .45 ACP might be the right choice - the heaviness of the gun reduces the recoil, it's a great self-defense round, and the trigger pull is very light if she practices enough to be comfortable with a single-action.

For carry, I'd probably recommend a 9mm subcompact in either S&W M&P, Springfield XD, or Glock. . . (my personal favorite out of those is the M&P, but YMMV).

If you don't find an outright pink gun, you can almost always find pink grips to alter the looks of a black or silver gun.

[michael e]

My girl likes my Beretta 92 out off all my guns. If its for just home defense its a good choose, not something thats easy to concel.

[40khammer]

My GF likes DA/SA semi autos. The long trigger pull for the first round keeps her form accidentally shooting if she's too excited, and after the first show the rest are an easy pull.

[gwashorn]

My GF likes DA/SA semi autos. The long trigger pull for the first round keeps her form accidentally shooting if she's too excited, and after the first show the rest are an easy pull.

For this type of pistol, my wife loves her S&W 3913. DA/SA, light weight, easy to shoot. Might be a model to consider.

[40khammer]

My GF likes DA/SA semi autos. The long trigger pull for the first round keeps her form accidentally shooting if she's too excited, and after the first show the rest are an easy pull.

For this type of pistol, my wife loves her S&W 3913. DA/SA, light weight, easy to shoot. Might be a model to consider.

I was just offering up a suggestion for the OP. MY lady had some dumb days about a year ago and can't get a CHL for another 4 years, but when I take her to the range with me she enjoys shooting my Walther PK380 for that reason.

[tbrown]

Smaller, lighter guns are more difficult to shoot well than full size guns, everything else being equal. They're also less pleasant unless you enjoy recoil, like Tim the Toolman grunting "MORE POWER!"

If it's for home defense, I suggest a full size gun in 9mm or 45ACP. The recoil from 45 isn't hard to control, especially in a polymer frame gun. No worse than playing tennis.

[CJATE]

let her pick, that is all i can say.

my wife recently did a women only safety class, there is a shooting section. my wife was the only one who did not own her own gun(yet). cliff notes: not one of her class mates likes the gun there husband picked for them.

and, after the class my wife picked something total different from what I would have picked for her.


i would have picked the ppk or bersa in 380, but she picked a M&Pc in 9mm,

[Divided Attention]

@CJ - she has good taste! I love mine!

[TexasGal]

I have carried a 642 with CT for a long time. I shoot it regularly but not for fun..ouch! I too, have arthritis in my hands. I just bought a Ruger LC9 for concealed carry. I have not shot it yet, but have been told by several people who have revolvers like mine that the LC9 is kinder.
The best thing is the trigger has a long travel , but much lighter pull than the revolver. It will shoot more accurately for her. It is a single stack making the grip size very nice for a woman. The slide locks back with the last round and it has a mag disconnect. With the pinky rest magazine in place, It feels like it was made for my hand. It does have a safety, but it is easily disengaged one handed even with my smaller hands. It is easy to conceal. Being a 9mm round is preferable to me over a .380.

If she just wants a gun to have at home for self defense, try the XDm9. It shoots much easier than the revolver or the usual smaller concealed carry guns and the grip is adjustable. It has lots of ammo too. I love mine with the small backstrap in place.It is fun to shoot. If you guys live anywhere near Fort Worth, I would not mind letting her shoot both of these to see if she likes them.