Wife's first Pistol Advice

[petroid]

So my wife is actually wanting to get a pistol for herself. She has done some shooting with me and some friends and she knows what she doesn't want. After shooting a 1911, a Glock 30SF, Glock 19, LC9, LCP 380, and LCR, as well as my XD 40 she doesn't like a large frame gun, doesn't like 40SW, doesn't like the snubby 38, and doesn't like tiny 9mms. She was ok with the LCP and the Glock 19. Now, I'm not particularly a fan of the .380 cartridge for self defense. Not to get into a debate but I would feel better if she was carrying a 9mm minimum. In that respect, I kind of steered her toward compact 9mm pistols. She handled several at LGS including a Glock 19 which she had shot before. Being able to rack the slide was important as her hand strength was a factor. Many were pretty heavy on the recoil spring which made it tough for her. I know that lighter springs can be used but I don't want to have to worry about reliability, not saying that they aren't reliable but it would ease my mind knowing I didn't change anything that could cause a malfunction. So after handling several pistols, she really liked the Ruger SR9C. She particularly liked the extended grip on the larger capacity magazine because it helped her hold the gun more securely. This is not something that she would be carrying concealed often, if ever. It would likely accompany her in her vehicle and in the house when I am away. Another reason, in my mind anyway, not to get a subcompact. As well, I think she would be more comfortable and be able to shoot better and thus be more likely to practice more with a compact sized gun. Being a handloader and caster I can work up lighter practice loads that are comfortable to shoot so that recoil and blast aren't bothersome to her. What are your thoughts about her choice as well as my line of thinking, insights into this particular firearm, and whether I should load practice ammo light or the same as defensive rounds? Thanks, Pete

[William Yanda]

A gun she likes and will practice with wins hands down over one she dislikes using.

[trails4u]

Walther PK380.... My wife has one....loves it, is willing to shoot it, a lot...which to me is more important than anything else. Comfort trumps performance in my book when you're talking about a defense weapon. I think it's of critical importance that there be NO hesitation about pulling the trigger...over and over again, if necessary.

[junkpile]

Let her get whatever she wants. If she wants a 380, let her get it. If you steer her to the 9mm, and she doesn't like shooting the 9mm, or just doesn't like her options in 9mm, and therefore stops carrying, you've lost out. Speaking from experience, whatever she wants, whatever color she wants, and whatever accessories she wants. It's got to be something she really loves, and really loves to shoot.

I won't push for any particular gun for her. There are lots of options available now, and can fit any personality out there. The first gun I bought for my wife was a purple SR-22. She loved it. I made the mistake of showing her how accurate it could be when she was having trouble staying on target. I really should have just told her that she was an amazing shot and made me feel very romantic <nudge, nudge, wink, wink>. And then she got ahold of my 1911... Not a good scenario. I still haven't found a replacement for that.

Bottom line is, if she's happy with it, she'll carry it and shoot it. And if she's happy, you're happy. At the early stages, don't worry about the ballistics and everything else. I would much rather see my wife carry a 22 rimfire than nothing at all. After she carries for a while and gets used to it, encourage her to step up to something more. But let her decide. Talk about her decision, encourage her, and let her be the decider. If she can carry it all day, and she enjoys shooting it, you've got the right one.

[Piedmont]

Larger autos tend to lighter recoil springs so are easier to rack as well as being easier and more comfortable to shoot.

I agree with the others that she should pick. For me how it feels in her hand should have very high priority. I would go 9 Luger in whatever you pick.

Maybe she could handle a Kahr K or T9? The Kahr K9 feels much better than the Kahr polymer guns, is a bit smaller than a Glock 19, but heavier and has been reliable for me. The T9 is a slightly larger version of the same. It has a DAO trigger and no safety. Ergonomic and simple. Takes single stack mags which is part of the reason why they feel so good in the hand.

The S&W M&P line of polymer autos feel good in my hand too. They are double stack, except for the Shield, but in 9 and .40 are well contoured in the grip and small enough to probably be acceptable to her. This is from a guy with fairly small hands.

[BigAl52]

I like the other replys would let her pick no matter what caliber it is. I had a hangup with 380 also till a buddie of mine asked me if I would want to be shot with a 380. Never gave it much thought untill he asked me that. I was always hung up on the ballistics part of it. I dont even want to be shot with a 22. Al

[Bonz]

Let my wife pick out her first handgun, a S&W 642 snubby with some custom 'action' work. Then she took my S&W 9mm Shield. Then one day at the range, a fellow shooter offered her the chance to shoot his fathers 1911 from the army. And that was it, 1911 45's are her pistol of choice, her favorite being the Kimber Super Carry Pro. I have to admit that the Kimber Super Carry Pro is the best shooting 1911 I have ever tried.

[Geraldo]

Nothing wrong with an SR9c if that's what she likes. The best advice I can give is to let her pick the gun, then pay for some good training for her. In other words, somebody other than you.

[44MAG#1]

Sounds like a typical woman alright.

[petroid]

Thanks for the advice guys. She was ok with the 9mm in a larger gun just didn't like the lc9. I think the sr9 will be a good fit. She likes the feel and can operate it easily. Gonna have to lok for a good deal on one

[Bonz]

When I'm looking for a new gun, I watch slickguns.com and watch for it to go on sale. See that they have the Ruger SR9 Compact on sale for $369.99

[Bohica793]

I would suggest you put a S&W Shield 9mm in her hand and see how she likes it. Larger than an LCP but not as big and heavy as an SR9C.

[Cornbread]

Whatever she likes and will shoot / whatever is fun for her to shoot. For my wife the key was finding something fun to shoot and after she found that she'll shoot just about anything now. For her what broke the ice was a 2.5" Casull that I had made a bunch of plinker loads for. She stole all my plinker loads after she found out how fun they were to shoot and now she'll shoot anything I hand her. She has an XD-40 sub compact for her carry gun.

[DLCTEX]

My wife loves her S&W M&P Shield. She had problems operating the slide on others she tried. her's is 9mm and she shoots it very well.

[petroid]

I would suggest you put a S&W Shield 9mm in her hand and see how she likes it. Larger than an LCP but not as big and heavy as an SR9C.
She handled one but had trouble racking the slide

[wrench]

Lots of women have trouble racking the slide on semi autos, until I show them how to do it properly. If you haven't found this site yet, let your wife have a look around, and this link shows a method to rack the slide that 98% of women can do.
Good luck.
http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/

[Bonz]

Lots of women have trouble racking the slide on semi autos, until I show them how to do it properly. If you haven't found this site yet, let your wife have a look around, and this link shows a method to rack the slide that 98% of women can do.
Good luck.
http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/

Excellent, thanks for sharing !

[HeavyMetal]

Has she looked at the CZ 75?


I have found those to be a real eye opener as to handling and comfortable grip area.

[doc1876]

My 5' tall girlfriend got a Ruger LC9. Now she is a real good shot, however, she can't hit the broad side of a barn with this thing. The long and hard double action trigger pull just make it only good for a rock.

[petroid]

No CZ75s at LGS.

[nola jack]

If she isn't going to be carrying it, glock 17. If she is, glock 19.

Inability to operate the slide is almost certainly a technique issue, not a strength issue. Only exceptions being rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc. Healthy people can overcome a 15# spring.

[Brett Ross]

My wife picked out an STI Electra in 9mm and loves it. Its a officers size 1911 , fits her well and she shoots it ,very well.

[Scout800a]

My wife doesn't like auto's. But if I can get her to the range she'll run me out of bullets in my GP 100. I traded for a nice smith model 60 with a 3 inch barrel. Nice mix of size and weight. I need to get her out to try it with some decent 357 loads. Ideally some nice 125's going 1200 fps would be nice for when she carries, and 38's for the range.

[HeavyMetal]

No CZ 75's at LGS??

Heck I even have them here in California! You need to freqent a better class of gun shop, LOL!


Seriously you need to find one for her to look at before you by one of those Plastic guns I hate and won't shoot lead

[W.R.Buchanan]

Sounds to me like she likes the Ruger. However I would disagree With HM above and push her towards the Glock 19. Glocks are simply the easiest gun to learn to shoot and run there is. There is also more aftermarket stuff for Glocks, and that will become an issue with the Ruger. Holsters extra Mags etc are far easier to find for the Glock.

I started with a CZ 40P which is a Decocker version of the CZ75B in .40 S&W. It was a great gun but way too complicated to learn on. It got turned into a Glock 35.

AS far as plastic goes, My G35 has over 9000 rounds thru it and it still hasn't rusted. They shoot lead just fine. Numerous threads here on the subject.

Randy

[Love Life]

If you shoot lead in a Glock, it will blow up.

[freebullet]

SIG P238

Super easy slide racking. Comes with night sights. Very light weight. Small frame that will fit jer hand. Not as snappy as the lcp. Metal frame. Can be had for not much more than the plastic throw aways. It will perforate a large deer easily.

SIG P238- Check it out. While your at it look at the p938 also a great gun. They shoot cast very well.

[500MAG]

When my wife and I got engaged back in 87, I gave her a ring she gave me a Colt 45 Commander. I then purchased her a Colt Mustang 380. Actually, I just tell her it's hers.

[bannor]

I'm 50-50 on her carrying the .22 (or .25, or .32 in the small ones, US loads) rather than nothing. IF she is really tough minded and can and WILL empty the gun into a man's face in 2 seconds, at distances where she's splashing blood and brains onto her own face, ok. But how many women does that include, hmm?

[Love Life]

I wouldn't feel under armed carrying a 22lr. People really assign more effort to killing than is really necessary. Not just killing, but the shock of holes suddenly appearing in the body and internal organs. Real life is not TV.

[Piedmont]

I wouldn't feel under armed carrying a 22lr. People really assign more effort to killing than is really necessary. Not just killing, but the shock of holes suddenly appearing in the body and internal organs. Real life is not TV.

Says the guy who just bought a .45 caliber double stack Glock.

[Love Life]

That's the beauty of choice. I still carry my model 28 loaded with 38 specials 90% of the time. The Glock is a range toy for now.

However; if all I had was a 22lr, I still wouldn't feel under armed. Beats the heck out of a keychain thing of mace or a sharp stick.

To the OP: The 9mm is a solid caliber and fun to shoot!! My nod would go to the Glock 19. I owned one for many years and it was a solid platform for the 9mm. Good size compromise for concealing better and handling the 9mm. I'm sure the SR9C will be solid platform as well. The most important thing is that SHE chooses the gun, is comfortable with it, and practices with it to build proficiency. I'd even look at getting a set of CT laser grips put on it if they make it or that model.

A full sized 9mm is a ***** cat to shoot, and loaded with some premium 124 gr bullets will be plenty of medicine for bad things!

[petroid]

She handled a p250 compact and didn't like how it felt to her. The more I think about it the more I like her decision. The sr9c has ambi controls and I'm a lefty so I can use it just as easily and will probably shoot it more than her. All in the name of load development and testing of course

[Love Life]

Oh, and for racking the slide. Have her get a firm grip on the...grip. Pinch/grab the rear of the slide at the serrations. At the same time, push forward with the hand holding the grip, while pulling back on the slide with the hand grabbing the slide (ensure hand is clear of muzzle, not sure what the thinking is behind sticking a hand infront of a muzzle to rack a slide). That should aid in working the slide. Then, I would just have her practice at working the slide on the unloaded firearm.

[kungfustyle]

don't care what the gun costs....If the wife likes shooting it, get it and your life is bliss. If not you will just have to sell it later and get what she wants anyway.

[lefty o]

Oh, and for racking the slide. Have her get a firm grip on the...grip. Pinch/grab the rear of the slide at the serrations. At the same time, push forward with the hand holding the grip, while pulling back on the slide with the hand grabbing the slide (ensure hand is clear of muzzle, not sure what the thinking is behind sticking a hand infront of a muzzle to rack a slide). That should aid in working the slide. Then, I would just have her practice at working the slide on the unloaded firearm.
ill disagree with you here. most folks with limited handsterength, have problems doing like you want. one hand on the grip frame, and one completely over the entire slide, is way easier, and 100% more effective than pinching the rear of the slide.

[Minerat]

My wife had slide racking problems too. She finally settled on a Walther PPKS. It works for her and that is all that matters.:grin:

[bannor]

A guy who makes you shoot him (instead of stopping at the mere sight of your gun) is already a VERY special, unusual case. Many of them pay no attention at all to being shot, multiple times in the chest, cause they are so full of adrenalin, dope, booze, or whatever that they don't feel the hits at all. This is a documented fact, gents.

[nola jack]

I wouldn't feel under armed carrying a 22lr. People really assign more effort to killing than is really necessary. Not just killing, but the shock of holes suddenly appearing in the body and internal organs. Real life is not TV.

How many shootings have you been involved in?

[AnnieOakley]

:popcorn:

[Love Life]

How many shootings have you been involved in?

Depends what the definition of "Shootings" is.

[Love Life]

ill disagree with you here. most folks with limited handsterength, have problems doing like you want. one hand on the grip frame, and one completely over the entire slide, is way easier, and 100% more effective than pinching the rear of the slide.

I'll get a picture up. You are correct in that there is no pinching.

[petroid]

Hey guys thanks for the advice but lets try to keep the thread on course.

She didn't really care for the ergos of the glock 19 or 26 or the looks of the walthers. I'm not a ruger auto fanboy but don't really have anything against them if its what she wants and it works. I like the fact that she just picked it up, liked it, and was operating it easily without special instruction. That makes me feel good that she will like it well enough to want to shoot it which she will need to do. I haven't looked yet but will be in the market for a threaded barrel since I have a 9mm suppressor coming.

[Para82]

My wife has a Ruger LC9 and a Sig 938 and picked both out herself. What she likes and will shoot well is what's important to me. The LC9 will surprise you accuracy wise, once you learn to stage that awful LONG trigger pull. It also has loaded and fired everything I have put though it, factory and my reloads. The 938 is really nice but we really haven't put a lot though it yet but no problems so far. Been married 24 yrs and like other posters said I would let her decide.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Nothing wrong with the Ruger if that's what she wants then that's what she should get. Any of the guns mentioned will fulfill the intended purpose.

They are all guns! and guns by definition,,, shoot.

The idea is for her to make this gun her own and embrace shooting and practicing with it. The fact that she actually wants to pursue this is 3/4 the battle, she has already made up her mind to do it. All that remains is for her to pick a suitable gun, and it sounds like she's made her choice.

I talk about my cat "Feeps" a lot here. Maybe you've seen his picture?

Well Cats are a lot like Women. In order to get a Cat to do anything,,, it has to be HIS idea.

Women are pretty much the same way, and anyone who thinks they can make a woman "DO ANYTHING" is a fool. They hold all the cards, they make the choice.

That's not to say that they can't be guided in a direction, but the final decision of "doing something" or not rests with them.

Keep this in mind and you'll have a lot less problems.

Randy

[Lefty Red]

My thoughts are find a weapon she likes and CAN shoot accurately. Caliber is secondary. A 38 Special wad cutter in the eye is WAY better than a 357 Magnum Death Ray Killer Hollow Point in the foot. Same goes for a 380 ACP or even the lowly 22lr.

Jerry

[Uncle R.]

Depends what the definition of "Shootings" is.

:popcorn:

Aw - c'mon - admit it.
You'd probably faint at the sight of blood.
Why don't you just hush up and listen to the guys with experience?
<
:bigsmyl2:
<
Uncle R.

[Bonz]

One of the LGS's by me has been recommending the Ruger LCR 22 WMR

[cabezaverde]

My wife has the same problem with the slide. She loves her Beretta Nano and it is a 9MM.

[Lefty Red]

One of the LGS's by me has been recommending the Ruger LCR 22 WMR

Yep, has my vote!
Too bad noone has the 32 H&R Mag in a j frame anywhere.
Jerry

[Mik]

Go with the Ruger SR9c, I'll bet you won't regret it. If memory serves me correctly, its comparable in size to a glock 19. That makes it big enough to shoot and manipulate and small enough to carry.

If she ever does have trouble working the slide, have her roll the gun 90 degrees so the ejection port is facing straight up. From there, she can grab the slide between her thumb and index finger (like you pinch your nose) or, if that isn't enough purchase, she can grab the serrations with the meat of her palm at the base of her thumb and her three largest fingers.

Everyone tries to make a big deal about manipulating the slide by holding the gun straight up and down and grabbing the slide over the top like an ape because its "a gross motor skill". OK, but its not that much more gross than rolling the gun and pinching the thing and your hands are in a weaker position. Plus, you run the risk of covering the ejection port or grabbing the frame. If I asked you to pull a nail out of a tree using only one hand, how would you grab the nail? I can promise it wouldn't be the overhand "ape" grip.

[Moonie]

One of my sons got an LC9 for a girl friend of his, she is gone but the pistol isn't. I shot it a couple of months ago and yes, it has a very long trigger. Reminded me of a double action trigger, I actually shot it very well. I didn't like the pull, but years of shooting bowling pin competition with a DW model 15 evidently came back to the muscles involved. So while the trigger is not what most auto's are, it is a good trigger for self defense as it is very revolver like but is capable of good accuracy if practiced.

[rintinglen]

109332

I recommend that you have her try a Kahr CW-9. I would steer clear of the ultra-compacts, but the CW-9 is relatively light yet easy to operate. It takes far less strength to operate than a couple of 380's I have tried. Felt recoil is subjective, but I find mine to be no worse than my much heavier and larger S&W 39.

[.45Cole]

What about a ruger Mk? The ammo is a little expensive (never though I would say that:| ). That will teach her to shoot, bullet trajectory, and is just plain fun. If she does mess something up, as in shoot it, it's just a .22. I think you should start her as you were started, so she can fall in love with the sport.