[Kenpo]

I don't intend this to be a general "which is better" thread as I think the answer to that question is highly subjective. I am however interested in anecdotal evidence and personal experience with regard to functionality and reliability with the understanding that I am buying for my 120lb wife. The pistol is intended for SD and probably will be carried.

Anyhow, my wife’s birthday is coming up, she wants a new handgun (as well as a Saiga to convert). She has narrowed it down (based on feel and fit in the hand, and some very limited shooting) to the XD the M&P and the CZ (p-01 and p-06) in 9mm and .40.

We will be renting all of them at the range, and will make the decision based largely on what she is most comfortable with / shoots best.

I am interested in feedback from those who own one of these firearms, feedback related to how well it is suited to a woman for use (example; my wife likes the feel of the CZ in her hand the best - but hasn't shot that one yet. I have heard that because they have a small, narrow slide, that they can be hard to operate for people with less hand strength, especially with nervous sweaty hands, any experience?).

Any thoughts on how these compare, your experience, and which you would recommend for a female shooter as well as things to look for while testing at the range, would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

[doc2rn]

I think I wanna look at the new Ruger .380 that just came out at the Nevada shot show.

[Seven©]

FWIW, my wife is looking at a Ruger SR in 9mm. Slimmest grips I've ever seen on a double stack.

[Schwebel]

I own ( at least a variant of) all the guns you mentioned. I like the CZ the best. For carry I would suggest a CZ-2075 RAMI. My GF has been stealing mine and sticking me with her P239 lately...lol. The CZ's are heavier than the polymer XD's and M&P's, but they just seem to feel and shoot better, plus they come with standard night sights. The rubber grips make the gun easy to get a hold on. I've never had one issue with the CZ so far (in fact any CZ I own) and the polycoat finish doesn't scratch or really even seem to wear. My GF is about 5'1" and 110lbs and doesn't seem to have an issue carrying it.

[wally]

The multiple back straps of the S&W M&P offers three chances for a fit *she* likes. Make sure she tries them all before ruling it out. M&P is my favorite polymer pistol. XD would be my second choice. Can't go wrong with any of these three IMHO.

--wally.

[Rustynuts]

Don't the Rami's have a fairly long trigger reach? May not be good for small hands.

[brianr23]

I just went with the M&P 9mm subcompact. I love it. Feels great in the hand and is fully adjustable with three different grip sizes. I shoot it better than fullsized XD and Glocks. I did have an opportunity to fire it before I bought it and I strongly recommend that if you have a chance.

[JDGray]

If the CZ fits, get it! The new recurved trigger helps with the DA pull length. The only thing I disliked on my XD was the fact I couldn't buy and install parts myself. The M&P, I can't comment on, except it feels good to hold, but didn't care for the funky trigger. My CZs are very reliable, accurate, soft shooting guns.

[armoredman]

Here's my choices.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/CZfamily.jpg

The PO1 is my primary carry, with CrimsonTrace Lasergrips. Those ARE a factory option, BTW. The PCR, with Hakan Pek CFZ grips, is an excellent sidearm. Both are DA/SA decocker equipped. The PO1 is a forged alloy framed sidearm, has standard sights and the M3 rail. The PCR has a cast alloy frame, Novak style sights, no rail, and an easily used loaded chamber indicator.
The CZ-2075 RAMI in the pic IS my wifes carry sidearm, with Hakan Pak grips, and optional extended 14 round magazine. The standard is 10, but leaves my pinky hangin'. The CZ-2075 is an alloy framed, DA/SA subcompact with standard safety, not a decocker. She loves it.
Fit feel and function. I reccomend CZ, but have her pick all of them up eyes closed, then shoot the best feeling two.

[strat81]

My wife likes the feel of the CZ 75 Compact. However, the slide was easier to rack on a Taurus 24/7, so that's what we got. I think the spring is lighter, plus the slide on the Taurus was easier to grip and the hammer wasn't in the way. Personally, I preferred the CZ but sometimes you gotta keep momma happy.

If she is going to carry the gun, the M&P may be a better choice. Plus, they have the $50 rebate plus 2 free mags deal going on right now. If the M&P fits her, it's a compelling choice. I vote CZ or M&P, depending on fit.

[murph50]

Just last week a lady friend of mine was asking for my help in purchasing a new gun. I let her check out a bunch of mine including XD 9SC,BHP, KT P11 and others including the CZ 75P01. No matter what gun she checked out she kept coming back to the CZ P01. She called me from the GS on Fri afternoon and was filling out the paperwork for her NIB CZP01. That's the one that felt the best to her.
BTW--the P01 has become my favorite CC gun in the last year or so. The gun feels good and I like the SA/DA thing a lot

[Kenpo]

Thanks for the help and info.

Right now she likes the CZ, followed by the M&P and then the XD. She likes those better than the others she has tried in the past. She likes the feel of the CZ in her hand the best, followed closely by the M&P. Will be interesting to see how she shoots each. I am a little concerned about the ease of operation of the CZ with the small slide.

She hasn't tried the Ruger that was mentioned. If the range has one, I will rent one. Not familiar with Ruger semi autos. I like my Gp 100. How are the autos?

It's ladies night at the range tomorrow, so we will be shooting and deciding then.

Thanks again for the info!

[Gary G23]

I own all three brands. Since you are unsure of caliber I will make the following suggestions:
If you want a 40cal get the M&P.
I would only get a CZ in 9mm.
I have owned every caliber XD (except for 45gap) and in my experience the 9mm and 45acp have been the only ones I can get 100% reliability out of.

[Kenpo]

Thanks Gary.

So, just to clarify, you would prefer/suggest the M&P if she decides on a .40 but if she decides on a 9mm you prefer/suggest the CZ, right? The XD then comes in behind the M&P and the CZ in either caliber.

[wrench]

Sounds like you're taking the best course, let her shoot a bunch of them, then buy the one she likes the best. I'm female, 5'2", relatively small hands, here's my ideas....
I don't have the M&P, I've held one, doesn't feel right in my hands.
I love my XD9s, I have the 3" and the 4", fit me very well.
CZs are great guns, feel very nice in my hands, but their double action trigger pull is sooooo long, they just don't work for me. The single action ones are fine, if your wife would carry it cocked and locked.
Also check out the very fine S&W single stack 9mm-the 3913. Super gun.

[cskelly]

I just bought a M&P 9mm Compact for my girlfriend (Around the same weight). She has exceptionally small finger reach. The M&P fits it very well.

They only downsides I have: The trigger pull out of the box is fairly heavy. I am use to DA/SA and have to concentrate on my pull way more with the M&P. I do know they wear in very well and are also very easy to lighten. The Slide release is also very, very tough when new. I can not reliably release the slide with the slide release. There have also been some FTF with hollowpoints on some M&Ps (mine does not have an issue). It generally relates to the finish work on the feed ramp, it should be smooth.

Other than that, it shoots where you point it, and fits our needs well. I would consider it over the XD. I have not had any experience with the CZ.

[CZF]

The decocker RAMI will open a lot of doors. Those people that like the chunky munky, but not DA/SA will finally get their carry gun.

I've never shot a XD or M&P, nor handled the smaller XDs, but think that
the M&Ps trigger would remind me of a SIGMA.

[Johnny B]

I (or my wife) have or have had all three. Of the three, two were chambered in 9mm; I had the CZ P-01 and my wife has the M&P 9. The XD is a .45 and is therefore a different beast. But what a beast! Ergonomically, the XD is the most comfortable non-1911 handgun I have shot, and it is my favorite non-1911.

Of the other two, my preference is decisively with the CZ. They're magnificent little guns; unerringly reliable, they're tightly fit, stone-dead accurate, and once worn in the triggers aren't too shabby. They're not without faults, however. Many say the trigger reach is too long for small hands and, on account of their being essentially full-sized pistols, don't conceal all that easily. Also, the finish on the inside can be rough, to say the least. But they're great shooters and I highly recommend them.

As for the M&P, it works great but just isn't my cup of tea. It's hard for me to shoot because the trigger feels wrong to me, and I find it distracting. That doesn't matter, though, because it's my wife's, and she likes it fine. Take all this with a grain of salt; it's just my opinion.

[Rayden]

I am interested in feedback from those who own one of these firearms, feedback related to how well it is suited to a woman for use (example; my wife likes the feel of the CZ in her hand the best - but hasn't shot that one yet. I have heard that because they have a small, narrow slide, that they can be hard to operate for people with less hand strength, especially with nervous sweaty hands, any experience?).


Kenpo, the narrow slide of the P-01 does require getting used to as far as chambering is concerned, and my wife did not like it being that narrow since she can't rack or slingshot the slide as good as she does with the XD-9. With that, she'll need to see for herself to see if the narrow slide will be a problem for her.

[Gary G23]

To clarify my previous post, in 9mm I think any of them would be fine. Keep in mind the M&P and XD are striker fired, and the P-01 would be DA for the first shot and SA for subsequent shots. To some that is a good thing, to others it isn't. It can be argued that the DA is safer to carry, but harder to fire accurately on the first shot. It is not an issue to me.

I don't understand the idea that the small slide is a problem. All my carry and home defense guns have a round in the chamber so why would that be a problem? If you think you will have time to chamber a round when you are attacked you probably think you will have time to fasten your seat belt just before your car crashes right?

[Rayden]

Gary, even though you are right in that in a real situation it is unlikely you will need to rack the slide when it is already chambered, but if you want a woman to be comfortable with her firearm, she NEEDS to feel confident about every operation of it.

Just because you don't have a problem with the narrow slide and might not need to mess with it in a real situation, it doesn't mean that it won't prevent his wife from comfortably practice with it. Bottom line, she will have to feel comfortable with it to begin with.

[stevemis]

My wife is about the same size as yours. She absolutely loves her P01. As others have said, the slide rides INSIDE the frame, so there isn't as much metal to grab when racking. My wife developed an unusual (but safe) technique to rack the slide.

[Gary G23]

Okay. Here's a question for you CZ slide rackers. You cock the hammer before you rack the slide, right?

[tinygnat219]

First,
I have to say that your wife is a blessing!
Second,
I have to say that you are doing well in letting HER choose the pistol that she wants.
Third,
I think you are lucky in having a facility that allows you to rent the pistols she wants to purchase.

I own a CZ-75, and I had an XD-40. I like both, but think the XD and more likely the M&P are going to be easier to carry concealed.

[springmom]

When I bought my own first handgun it was a Springfield XD. The grip fit my hand very well, it was accurate, it never jammed, and was fun to shoot. HOWEVER, I found it difficult to conceal. The same double stack that gives the shooter more rounds also makes that grip much fatter. I'm certainly no 120 lb (not since I was 25, anyway) and I found it impossible to conceal it hot weather.

I'd recommend not just shooting all of them, but trying them on for concealment while wearing summer-type tops. I could conceal my husband's Springfield Gi 1911 in the winter, but what about July? If she's going to buy now, just remember to check for how it'll work for concealment this summer.

Congrats and happy birthday to your wife!

Springmom

[1200 meters]

I took my boss out to shoot some pistols and she very much liked the Walther P-99 in 40cal best. She is about the size you indicate. Walther or S&W 99,have three Backstraps to fit most grips. hope this is not too late Blitz

[tegemu]

Before doing anything else, go to www.corneredcat.com . You will find your answers there.

[cskelly]

I have stopped referring women to cornered cat. After my girlfriend (who I am trying to introduce to shooting) decided she wanted to participate in the sport, I gave her that link based on others referring women there. Her response: That website makes me not want to shoot.

Her explanation was it was to overpowering. I have read it and can see what she means. It does have great information, but its by no means the end all for women. My gf found this site: http://www.io.com/~cortese/firearms/index.html#holster

Ive read through it, and it seems to be correct. She felt it was a better fit and easier to read.

[easyg]

I would recommend the XD9 or XD40 over the others.
As much as I like my CZ, my wife is not that fond of it because the slide is not as easy to rack (yep, because it rides inside the frame and gives her less to grap hold of).
My wife much prefers my Glock.

In fact, you might want to advise her to check out a Glock 19.
It's very popular with both guys and gals.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n165/allenXdog/Glock2008/2.jpg

Not my picture; borrowed from the net.

[happy g]

They are all good guns. Let her pick the one that she likes, then smile and tell her that she made a great choice. Trust me on this one.

[Kenpo]

Thanks for the suggestions, advice, links etc...

We spent a couple of hours at the range last night, and so far my wife likes the M&P best, and is shooting it pretty well. The range didn't have the CZ like they said, so we will have to round one up somewhere else to shoot.