A problem getting a gun for the wife.

[AFJailor]

Well, now that I have my 1911 my wife is getting ansy to get hers, which is pretty awesome, because I really want to go shoot IPSC with her. But, when we went to the range she was having trouble with the .45 (although she wouldnt admit to it) she has stated that she wants a .45 just like mine, but she was shooting much better with a 9mm 1911 that someone lent us.

My question is; should I attempt to get her to shoot other calibers and figure out what she wants, or just keep having her shoot the .45 until she gets used to it?

Another thing is that she has pretty tiny hands and with slim grips on a 1911 she does ok, but still the recoil causes her to shift her grip around and shot placement is all over the place.
The whole night she was on target but no two consecutive shots were grouped, I'm not the most experienced of shooters but I really want to help her out because I can see that it agitates her that she cant shoot better. I know that practice makes perfect, but what can I do to help?

[carlson1]

Take her some place that rents the handguns. Let her try every one of them until she is comfortable. My wife is not a frequent shooter, but she likes the 9mm best. She has small hands and against all my complaining she likes GloXXs.

[dukalmighty]

I think if she learns proper gun handling like grip sight picture trigger squeze shooting a 22 she will use those skills as she shots larger calibre handguns.A 22 is cheap to shoot has very little recoil which means more practice and no flinching or ntimidation from recoil.

[Crossfire]

If she is having trouble controlling the recoil, then she really needs to move down to a smaller caliber until she builds up some strength in her hands and wrists. I wouldn't recommend anyone start out on a .45, particularly a lady with small hands. If she continues, she may develop a flinch, and that can be very difficult to overcome.

A couple of things that might help - check her grip. A lot of ladies like the "cup and saucer" grip - which is fine, if it works for you, but does nothing to help control recoil. Try to get her to wrap the weak hand around the strong hand, pushing forward with the strong hand and pulling back with the weak hand. This is easier to demonstrate than describe, but it really helps to control the muzzle.

Also, to build up hand strength, get a couple of squishy rubber balls. She can sit and squeeze them while she watches TV. You will be surprised at how much strength you gain just doing this for 30 minutes a day.

And last, if you can find an instructor in your area, a short amount of time spent in training can save a whole lot of hours of frustration.

[Charles L. Cotton]

If she has small hands, you should also consider installing a short trigger. This along with thin grips will help her get the correct grip. I too think she should consider a 9mm, or perhaps a 38 Super. She could always have a 9mm barrel fitted to give her a dual caliber pistol and allow her to shoot cheaper 9mm for practice. Hot .38 Supers are just fine for self-defense.

If you reload, an alternative would be to load light .45 ACP's and use a lighter recoil spring.

Chas.

[AFJailor]

I was thinking of maybe getting her the STI Trojan in 9mm, maybe getting a .22 conversion kit and thanks Chas i think a short trigger would help a lot. I thought about loading some .45 a little lighter and seeing if it will help, I will probably try it, but i think 9mm would work better.

[flintknapper]

If she is having trouble controlling the recoil, then she really needs to move down to a smaller caliber until she builds up some strength in her hands and wrists. I wouldn't recommend anyone start out on a .45, particularly a lady with small hands. If she continues, she may develop a flinch, and that can be very difficult to overcome.

A couple of things that might help - check her grip. A lot of ladies like the "cup and saucer" grip - which is fine, if it works for you, but does nothing to help control recoil. Try to get her to wrap the weak hand around the strong hand, pushing forward with the strong hand and pulling back with the weak hand. This is easier to demonstrate than describe, but it really helps to control the muzzle.

Also, to build up hand strength, get a couple of squishy rubber balls. She can sit and squeeze them while she watches TV. You will be surprised at how much strength you gain just doing this for 30 minutes a day.

And last, if you can find an instructor in your area, a short amount of time spent in training can save a whole lot of hours of frustration.

With all of the above.

[CompVest]

I have found that all the above are part of shooting a 45 for small people but stance and your upper body platform are at the very least just as important if not more so. PM sent

[Jeremae]

You may also try lighter weight bullets (I think I saw you say you reload). The felt recoil on 185gr is noticably lighter than the 230grn even when it is loaded hotter to make major power factor.

Best advice (as given previously by several of our resident training experts) would be a combination of training/practice to develop the grip that works best for her and working up to the 45, either with a conversion kit to shoot 22s with your existing 1911 or maybe getting a ruger 22/45 to start out with and then graduate to larger calibres.

[shootthesheet]

I say to get her what she wants and a load of ammo. Let her learn how to shoot the gun she wants. I think she will either do well or change her mind. Either way, she is happy and gets to learn. you can always trade for a 9mm.

[Target1911]

I went through the same thing with my GF. She thinks she has to have the biggest and the best. I shoot IDPA with a full size 1911. She has recently started IDPA too. Her first match was with my Kimber.....a 45acp. She to was all over the place. Everyone in there suggested that she get a 9mm 1911 to start.

Well.......(read above comment about what she thinks)....she ended up with a Springfield Champion....a 4 incher.....more recoil to handle. Her justification was.....Oh well, I will get used to it....MY justification was.....Cool, I am about to have ME another 1911 because she will want the 9mm after a few matches with that 45.

Hmmm NOT SO MUCH.

In just 3 matches, 1 range day, and lots of coaching (from me and our friends a Cross Timbers) and dry fire, she has greatly improved. We spent 2hrs one night practicing grip, draw, and trigger control.

So yes, with practice, PROPER instruction, and more practice you wife MAY be able to get used to it. BUT I will still agree with all of the above posters, she really needs to start small. I wouldnt say a 22, but at the most start her with a 9mm. Look at it this way.....When she gets to where she is ready to step up from that 9mm to a 45, it will give you darn good excuse to buy yet ANOTHER gun.

[AFJailor]

I COULD go to 9mm, but then I would have to get rid of my purdy new Les Baer. I think that may be why she wants a .45, because I shoot it and she doesnt want to shoot what in her mind is probably a "lesser" or girly round. Not saying that there is anything wrong with the 9mm but Im pretty sure she just doesnt want to feel like I need to coddle her.

[NcongruNt]

I COULD go to 9mm, but then I would have to get rid of my purdy new Les Baer. I think that may be why she wants a .45, because I shoot it and she doesnt want to shoot what in her mind is probably a "lesser" or girly round. Not saying that there is anything wrong with the 9mm but Im pretty sure she just doesnt want to feel like I need to coddle her.

Start shooting an Ultralite .44 Mag and see how far she wants to go to keep up. Of course, then you might be the one that starts to develop a flinch.

For the record, I carry a 9mm, and have no concerns as to whether my bullets are grown up and manly enough to take down a BG.

[CompVest]

"lesser" or girly round.

Tell her there is absolutely nothing "lesser or girly" about a 9mm. It is cheap (compared to a 45), fun to shoot, and a legitimate carry caliber.