What gun for wife who won't use it much?

I've recently caught the handgun bug and would like to give my wife a gun for the glovebox. I know she won't shoot it much, it'll probably be forgotten in said glovebox in six months. However, she has repeatedly stated that she wants a firearm to go out camping with her friends when I cannot, for security and peace of mind.

She does not like plinking the 45ACP, and says it has too much kick for her. And being her response has been lukewarm to cold, I don't want to get her something of great value just to watch it live it's life neglected in the glovebox. Trust me, I'd love to get her a real pretty pimp gun, but she won't appreciate it or value it, so low budget reliability is the path I want. So I'm thinking HiPoint. The rock bottom low prices have me thinking they fit the bill.

If you have anything to say, fire away. However, I don't entertain any hearsay, I want direct accounts why this is, or is not, a good gun. I don't want to listen to 'gunsnobs' bash on HiPoint for being ugly or cheap. I realize they are bricks. It's purpose will be a truck gun to bounce around with tools, tire chains and the like. And about 4 times a year, I'll drag her out to the range and make her put 100-200 rounds through it at at time.

She is 5'9" tall and about 150 lbs, and her hands are about size 7.5 gloves.

I'm leaning towards a .40 S&W because that what my friend got his wife, while he got a 45. That way the girls could head out to the range together and share ammo if they ever get the gumption. Plus, the .40 uses the same dies as a 10mm I plan on purchasing soon.

jeepmor

Sig mosquito....:uhoh:

I want a defense gun for her, not a 22. Plus, that would have to be for me, I can't justify a sig bouncing around the tool box and being neglected. She's got me for that....;)

jeepmor

you said she'll use it sparingly.:rolleyes: ..it's just a tool, not a museum piece...it'll be o.k. in the glovebox...you couls still make a soft pouch to holster it in. it's great as a campfire gun, cheap to fire a lot, learn the fundamentals without scaring her...plus it looks like a big ( as in caliber)weapon...still not convinced, i've yet to meet anyone who would welcome 10 .22LR bullets to their body...but people have been known to surprise me...also, the "cost" involved in getting one is relative too, so YMMV...:rolleyes:

I would avoid Hi-Point because of my own personal experience with their .380 - I had one a few years back and it would FTE or FTFeed at least 2-3 times per magazine, and the jams weren't always easy to clear. Not what I personally consider reliable. Of course, given your needs and reasons for wanting a gun for your wife, I can see why you wouldn't want to buy something really nice to leave in the glove box of a car. I might have to recommend a Bersa, but I admit I have never owned one. They're not as cheap as Hi-Point, but from everything I have heard they seem much more reliable than my Hi-Point was for me, which is more important than the cost of the gun, I'm sure :)

Get one of the Taurus 24/7 pistols. Inexpensive and reliable.

In no particular order;
Daewoo in .40 or 9mm- cheap and very reliable

Beretta 84- .380, but they are very easy to shoot. Female hand size friendly. Has a chromed barrel too.

KelTec-Cheap and small.

Taurus- 24/7

If it will stay in a car or truck then a stainless steel gun will hold up a little better.

What is your price range?

A heavyish .38 like the SP101, or maybe an SP101 in .32 mag. But, definitely a revolver for someone who doesn't practice much. Revolvers are simpler for non-gun folks and no slide to rack which can be good for women.

Makarov...

Used S&W model 10 .38

Cheap, simple, reliable, and fun to shoot.

I would not trust to keep a loaded Semi in a Glovebox. To many levers and buttons that could be moved by other junk in there, a good Revolver, SP101 or S&W mod 10 with some nice pacmeyer grips.

A .38 Spl Revolver. My wifes like her S&W 642, but if she's not concerned about weight something a little heavier would be fine.

A .38 Spl Revolver. My wifes like her S&W 642, but if she's not concerned about weight something a little heavier would be fine.

I only suggested "Heavyish" because it dampens recoil. A M10 would be great, or a lady smith, or whatever. I'd let her handle the gun, maybe dry fire a few times to make sure it fits her hand and she can handle the trigger in DA. The lady smiths are set up with light DA pulls for women.

I've had a couple customers order Hi-points through me. Here's the hearsay part: I've never shot one, but the couple that I've sold . . . the customers seem really happy with their reliability.

Since I transfered them, I had to pick them up, and before you buy your wife one (this applies not just to hi-points but to any firearm) please have her try it out first. It did not fit well in my hand.

I'll agree with some of the others: I'd take her into a store and have her pick up all of the stainless .38 revolvers. If they have rental guns let her shoot them. Then pick one of those for the glove box.

A heavyish .38 like the SP101, or maybe an SP101 in .32 mag. But, definitely a revolver for someone who doesn't practice much. Revolvers are simpler for non-gun folks and no slide to rack which can be good for women.
I agree with the above suggestion. Also the used S&W Mod 10 would be a good option or a Taurus 65B4 all would work without breaking the bank. You might want to go with a 357mag to give the option of the hotter heavier loads if she ever got to the point that the recoil was acceptable.

If she absolutely doesn't want a revolver, go with a 9mm for a bit less recoil. The 40 is pretty snappy in that dept and may be uncomfortable for her. In the autoloaders I would look at Taurus CZ and Glock as well as the one you first suggested.

Personally, I'd go with a stainless .38/.357 revolver for reliability and durability. If you want to go low-cost, I'd look into a new Taurus or Rossi or any number of used S&W, Rugers, and the like. A local dealer in our area has had New stainless Rossi .357s at $250 (blued at $220) and several different new Taurus 38s in the $220-$320 range. They have some old, beat-up S&W ex-cop Model 10's for $150.....I recently picked up a used, 1971 Colt Detective Special in 38 for $275. If you want an auto, the ex-cop S&W 5903/5906 and similar guns go for $300-$350 and are quite accurate and reliable. My wife's near mint, ex-cop 5903 is one of the most accurate 9mm pistols I've ever shot and is very reliable. This past Saturday, she picked up a used, but mint with box and all original paperwork, S&W 669 for only $290.

A Ruger Single-Six

Get a revolver. .38 is best, but a .32 H&R if she's real sensitive to recoil.

A 9mm Kel Tec or Kahr may work too.

Forget the Mak. When I had mine the three women who shot it said they didn't like the recoil or blast.

Blue Rossi = $229.88*, polished stainless = $259.88*~!:uhoh:

Gets my vote:), as my wife carries a Rossi stainless model 88 and NEVER
had a problem with it~!:cool:

*FootNote- .38 Special caliber only.

If she is unwilling to practice or to receive any training, a gun in a glovebox does her very little good. One's ability to use a tool effectively is just as important as having it in the first place. Just because she can hit a piece of paper at a range, does not mean she will perform well when the "excitement" begins.

IMHO, and I am sure to get flamed on this one, but if she wants a gun in the glove box, she if she would make herself available to a good defensive training course.

That said, I would absolutely shy away from .40S&W. If she dislikes .45, .40 will prove to be just as bad. I would advise a 9mm or .38 in the gun of HER CHOICE!!! Your comment on gunsnobery is interesting... take her to a gun store/range and let her pick what she likes. I tried to get my wife to like a Taurus 85 in .38spl. thinking that was what was best. How arrogant was I!!! When I relented and took a step back she settled on a SIG P225 that she absolutely loves and is very proficient with.

Good luck and enjoy the search!

Peter

Hi-Point.....NO no no no.

Reliable, inexpensive, quality = Makarov.

They are small, slim, failry lightwieght and very inexpensive. The 9x18 has plenty of killing power...but won't be too much bite for her to shoot.

Otherwise....find an inexpensive revolver.

If I were leaving a gun in the glove box for extended periods however, I would prefer a semi-auto with the clip loaded but nothing in the chamber.

I'm leaning towards a .40 S&W because that what my friend got his wife, while he got a 45. That way the girls could head out to the range together and share ammo if they ever get the gumption. Plus, the .40 uses the same dies as a 10mm I plan on purchasing soon.

Get the 9. 40 is just as bad if not worse then 45 on recoil. Personlly I would get her a model 10 or a snubnose.

If I were leaving a gun in the glove box for extended periods however, I would prefer a semi-auto with the clip loaded but nothing in the chamber.

Good idea.

-Bill

How bout' a police trade in Glock 17/19, like a 2nd gen. They're durable, can stand up to a LOT of abuse, and I doubt just leaving it in the glovebox will do any harm to it. Just oil the gun before she throws it into the box.

That way, it'll also be something you can "borrow" and shoot and enjoy :)

Also, theres a lot of great deals in the CDNN catalog. If you're willing to step up a lil', a CDNN hi-power would be awesome :D

a .357 magnum revolver in a midsize frame 4 or 6" barrel stainless steel.

Good for target shooting, hunting and self defense.

Lots of different power level ammo without reloading. Ammo is inexpensive and availible everywhere.

You can leave it in a drawer for 20 years and it will go bang when you pull the trigger.

Manual of arms is simple.

Lots of good suggestions. I was hoping to surprise her for Xmas, but the overriding sentiment I'm getting is that "she" will have to be happy with it, not me.

It's looking more like a 9mm or .38 than anything. I like the 22lr idea too, not quite sure, she might want something a lil bigger than that, but I'll have to let her decide after looking at some. I think we'll take a visit to the gunshop tomorrow. It is obviously my hobby, not hers. However, she did state a while ago that she wanted a camping gun for security. So once I get it, it'll just become another thing she packs with the gear and it will become blaise after she gets over the initial feeling of responsibility that comes with the "first" handgun.

Any suggestions on ranges with rentals in the Portland, OR area?

When I say a glove box gun, I do mean it will spend most of its time there and sleeping under her pillow with her in the woods at night. However, she will probably only be taking it on camping trips, not daily.

jeepmor

For someone that is not going to spend a lot of time learning to shoot it, a revolver is really the only choice. It has no levers, safeties, ect. All you ever have to do is pull the trigger. She will not be able to reload it in a SD situation but she wouldn't be able to reload anything most likely. It seems the only choice to me.

I would get something larger than a snubby if you could because it she is not going to be packing it so might as well dampen some recoil. I think a .38spl is the ticket. Maybe a nice used SP-101 or 3" SS K-frame would be the ticket. You can load it with light loads so recoil should not be an issue. I say SS because it is less likely to rust in the car.

If you want to go even cheaper, get a Rossi or Taurus, I have seen some sell for as little as $100 in decent used shape. They are not the equal of S&W or Ruger but they do work. She is not going to be able to tell the difference in accuacy between a Ruger and a Rossi anyway.

I would go with a used 3" barreled Ruger SP-101 in SS and load it with light .38s. The SP-101 has good grips that soak up almost all the recoil so she should be fine.

Used S&W model 10 .38

Cheap, simple, reliable, and fun to shoot.


That is EXACTLY what I was going to say. ;)
You can probably find one for about $150-$200:D

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=172170

Just a few thoughts ...

pax

+1 on a Glock or a revolver. Both take a lot of abuse and a simply to use w/out alot of practice. I'm just jealous that your wife wants to have her own gun!!

Here we go again...

:rolleyes:

What is it about shooters that makes us attract helpless women?

She needs to choose her own weapon, or she doesn't need a weapon.

You needing her to have one doesn't count.

She CERTAINLY doesn't need the weapon YOU think she should have.

The glove box is a terrible choice. You should check out why that is.

I purchased her a new Taurus PT111 9mm in stainless from the area gunshop. Funny story, spent about an hour having the guy graciously show me about 10 different models I wanted my meaty grubs on while up on the wall were some 200 different handguns, and rifles galore around to freely inspect. I looked at a couple that I've been eyeing on the net too, just to see how they fit the hand. I may end up a revolver guy soon from my looking.

I start buying the gun, then find out my licensed has expired:eek: , so it still sits in the shop, but is paid for.:banghead: DMV is open tomorrow. The guy next to me was picking up a youth model 22 for his son with a rifle bag that says "My first Gun":) :p on it, looked over and said, "Ouch, that sucks." while we smiled and shared that 'oh well':o look.

I know I was taking a bit of a leap as many of you pointed out. She may not like it, it might not fit her hand, or she may, truly, not want one and not be comfortable with it. However, since it's Christmas, the shop owner stated I could trade it in for credit on something else and have her shop for herself, but no refund. So she's stuck with it or one that fits her hand, she might like a revolver.

We'll see when she opens it. She has been on board with hunting rifle purchases for each of us next year to begin hunting. I think she'll like it, but as some folks have said, I may be WAY off base. But her girlfriends all have pistols too, so I see that she'll talk to them for a few minutes and quickly understand. Actually, her best friends are gun people, she'll be fine.

I see a multifamily can plinking session coming.

jeepmor

You could go to 'The Place To Shoot' at Delta Park in North Portland. They have rental guns and friendly help.

Scott

I took my wife to the range two or three different times, and rented several different types of handguns in several calibers.

She decided on the SP101 with .38 ammo, though we bought the .357 model.

It's loaded with Remingtons .38+p all lead hollowpoints.


Wouldn't want to argue with that. ;)


*and she doesn't practice much so the revolvers simplicity was a major plus in the decision.

All,

She opened the pistol present today and was elated that she got a gun. She saw the pistol case case and said, "Is it a gun?":) and was really excited, She's all stoked now to go shooting. Cool, I was kinda nervous about her reception to it. She likes the grip too. I told her we can go to the gunshop and look at others before we fire this one because she could trade it in for credit towards another in case she likes revolvers or another model better. But she seems tickled with it and does not want to try any other out...woohoo.

Her friend came over for a bit and she drug it out and bragged to her friend about it. She's all excited about being able to camp out with just the girls and not have that paranoid feeling of dread that women get out in the wilderness settings all alone. You know how they like to worry. I know the gun won't substitute training and practice, so please don't skew the thread that way, but it will make her feel more secure in remote settings, which is important to her. And she grew up on a farm plinking squeaks, so she knows gun safety.

We'll be plinking this week so she can put at least 100 rounds through it to get the break in started. We field stripped it together and showed her how to clean it and put it back together. The spring is a bit stiff for her, but she can cycle my pistol, the same model, but in .45acp, so once it's broken in I think she'll be fine.

jeepmor

I'd get her a Taurus M85 in stainless. These are pretty cheap (< $300 new) and tough little guns (+P rated). The ported model might be best.

These are small enough to carry (bit too heavy for pocket carry, IMHO) and quite reliable...with one caveat: if you buy one of these guns, piut a couple hundred rounds through it before you stash it in that glove box. Some of the M85's (especially if you buy a used one) had a problem with light strikes. Taurus will put a heavier spring in it with no problem.

Personally, I wouldn't but an auto-loader for the purpose you describe.

I thought of the Hi-Point when I first read the post. Little investment, will go bang when asked, not being carried except in a glovebox or camping trip bag. All those things say Hi-Point. They also say .38 revolver.

Since she dislikes recoil, avoid the Kel-tec 9mm. The recoil of my P11 is far snappier than my Hi-Point .45. A Hi-Point 9mm or 9mm comp. would fit the bill nicely.

As one poster stated, have her hold the gun first. My hands like the grip on a H-P, to others it feels worse than a Glock.

I won't comment on the recommendation of a Mak other than my hands did not appreciate my selecting a Mak to hold at a gunshow.

If you can find an inexpensive .38 revolver and a Hi-Point 9mm (possibly a .380) for her to shoot and choose, you'll be a good
husband.

Silly me, I just reread the thread and noticed you already purchased a Tauras 9mm for her. Very good, and it sounds like she's happy and proud of it.

You did well. You won't have to sleep alone tonight.