[Revolver Ocelot]

that I can use to buy a carry gun for my finance, but I'm having trouble deciding what to get her, the only prerequisites are that it have:

a barrel 3" or shorter

weigh 25 ounces or less

and it can't be a caliber larger .357 so that should give you a decent amount of room to work with.

preferably no keltecs (nothing against them she just seems to dislike them for some reason) and no ruger lcps, I would love to get one (and give her one of my old carry guns) but they cannot be found at the moment.

Any suggestions?

[loneviking]

CZ 82 in 9mm Makarov. Gun is all steel, weighs about 28 oz's, very ergonomic type grips. Holds 12 + 1, is totally ambidextrous with magazine release and safety accessible with either hand. Very accurate, feeds reliably anything you can find. Very easy to field strip and clean. Can be fired single or double action, so it can be carried in 'condition one'. You can pick them up on the gun auction sites for around $200 to $240.

I picked up one of these about a month ago as a backup gun or gun for the wife. After a month of shooting and carrying I've become quite fond of this little gun. I carry it more often than my big magnum.

[VirgilCaine]

Is this her first carry gun or is this a present?

[Ala Dan]

You did not specify a revolver, or a semi-auto (:confused:)~? If your
wife is carrying for the first time, I suggest a small, lightweight, used
but not abused S&W J-frame revolver in .38 Special. Avoid the "big
time" chain type (so called discount :eek:) stores; and seek out one
of the old "Mom & Pop" gunshops near you, as often times a good ole'
S&W model 36 (19 ozs) or model 37 (15 ozs) can be found at really
good prices. Sometimes, even the old (original) S&W model 60's can
be had for a'round $300. ;)

FootNote: Yes, I'm aware of the "new breed" of women shooters who
prefer "those cute little automatics"; or "I don't want no ugly revolver"
types, but unless they are very familiar with the TAP-RACK- and BANG
drill they should avoid the semi-auto's at all cost~! :scrutiny: :uhoh: :)

[Snowdog]

I would have to give Ala Dan's suggestions my nod. If is wasn't for my wife's rather strong dislike of revolvers, I would have bought her a S&W model 36 or model 40 "lemon squeezer" for this very purpose.

BTW, I see CDNN is now offering the .460 S&W magnum X-frame in a 2.75" barrel... oh wait, the "can't be bigger than .357 magnum" criteria. Oops, sorry. :D

[kirkcdl]

Taurus Millenium Pro,or a Bulgarian Makarov.If she's looking for a really small and concealable gun,find one of the FEG SMC-918 pistols,pocket sized and chambered in 9mm Mak...They run about $200 or so,which leaves enough or a case of ammo to practice with...

[Dismantler]

First, does she want to carry? Are you sure?

I shot at the sandpit last summer with a young couple that was practicing. There seemed to be a communication problem. She enjoyed shooting, but did not want to carry. He thought that the lessons were to familiarize her to carry. He put money down on a pocket pistol for her. He later told me that she was surprised by this, and she then expressed no desire to carry. He was a regular customer of the gun shop, and the owner refunded him his deposit.

Just be sure... My wife shoots with me, but would not be bothered to carry a gun.

[Old Fuff]

I'll give you a hint.... :cool:


If you let the lady make her own choice after getting some constructive suggestions from you, your future together will be a lot happier. Women today have this strange idea thay can do their own thinking without being told what is right for them. Keep in mind that she's a big girl now... ;)

[deputy tom]

I'll second Old Fuff's comments.tom.:cool:

[GearHead_1]

This gun may fit your bill. If my wife would have liked it I would have it sitting in my vault right now.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=358640

[Claude Clay]

a revolver 642 style can be fired from inside a purse or pocket repeatedly. big advantage over a semi.

[BlkHawk73]

LET HER CHOOSE! If it's for her let her choose which fits HER best. If it's for her, let HER choose which she's more confortable with. She doesn't choose your firearms, why choose hers?
$350...Isn't she worth a bit better than that?:uhoh:

[chris in va]

that I can use to buy a carry gun for my finance, but I'm having trouble deciding what to get her

She needs to decide.

[Snowdog]

Folks, I thinks it's fair advice to suggest the wife decide, though I believe Revolver Ocelot knows his wife better than us and has chosen to seek advice for a reason.

For example: When I suggested to my wife she choose her own handgun to carry, it boiled down to a toss up between a stainless .357magnum derringer and a nickel or chrome .25acp.
They were both small, shiny and pretty.
We settled on her using my previous carry piece (an electroless nickel K9) that she found both pleasing to the eye and in the hand.
I provided the options and she made her decision. She's now quite skilled with the K9 and I'm confident this was an excellent move.

In some cases, it is indeed wise to allow someone who's knowledgeable to decide for those less experienced and/or indifferent. This may very well be one of those cases. ;)

[S&Wfan]

Take her out and let her shoot a lot of different guns . . . then let her decide.

It's sort of like buying a car, she'll know it when she shoots and operates it.

I wouldn't want my wife choosing my next gun, and I can surely understand why she'd want to choose her own.

Also, I could no better choose a comfortable, great looking and fitting pair of shoes for her either. Ya gotta let the girls do their own thing with guns . . . and the benefit is that they become attached to THEIR choice and are more apt to become shooting enthusiasts!!!

I took this advice myself and was pleasantly surprised when she decided that she did NOT like the complexity and slide racking of any of my automatics. She prefered the simplicity of the revolver. Smart girl!

Then she spent a LOT of time on trigger pulls and grips that fit HER hand best . . . and then shot 'em and discovered what felt best and shot best for her.

Her choice? My Model 65-3 S&W .357 with a 3" barrel. She did her best shooting with this gun too! Thus, that's what she got!

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/246/246167/folders/233364/210304565-3.jpg

Unfortunately, it is too heavy for her to take with her sometimes when she leaves her car,:rolleyes: so I recently found another 3" barreled revolver that will shoot well for her that is very lightweight . . . a 1971 Model 37 J-frame Airweight. I gave it to her for her birthday.

She likes it a lot. A gun is no help if it ain't around when you need it!!!

BTW, a nice, used Model 37 IS in your proposed price range too.


T.

PS: I liked its weight so much that I just got myself a snubbie version of the Model 37 Airweight . . . also a '71 model! It has replaced my Model 36 as my "always" gun.


VERY IMPORTANT: Check out this website, written by a woman FOR other women and the men who love them. It opened MY old 56 year-old eyes. BTW, the author is also a Moderator Emeritus on THIS website. It is a wonderful resource:

The Cornered Cat - READ IT! You'll be glad you did, and let your fiancee read it too. You'll learn some important things about your sweetheart that you didn't know or understand!

Best wishes on a wonderful life together!

http://www.corneredcat.com/

Tom

[Autolycus]

Check out www.corneredcat.com

I would let her ultimately decide in what gun she should carry. I recommend a Sig P225 (P6 is another name adn they are being imported right now). The Glock 26, the P2000sk, and the Kahr all come to mind. In the end let her decide.

[Brian Williams]

Let her find what she wants.
Take her to a range that rents and have her shoot as many as she can.
Then take her to the counter and tell the clerk to "listen to her" and if he looks or talks to you, point to her and say again "listen to her".

Then pull out your wallet and buy everything she needs to carry comfortably including holsters, belts, purses and just about everything you have tried for a carry method. (Remember she has a different shape and grip than you do so it will be different)

And have her check out www.corneredcat.com

[19-3Ben]

Women today have this strange idea thay can do their own thinking without being told what is right for them.

Sweet Jeebus.

Next thing you'll tell me they want the right to vote or go out in public!

[woad_yurt]

Try a Makarov in 9X18. Smallish, flat, easy to shoot and aim and as reliable as a revolver.

[doc2rn]

Let her pick. You will save yourself a world of grief.

[trickyasafox]

I'd say let her pick- but my mom really likes my pa-63. she stole it from my dad- who stole it from me. . . .

light- carries well, and doesn't have controls that are too difficult to manipulate.

If your by syracuse NY I could let you try my pa-63, cz-82, short ruger security six (2-3/4 in) and a g23 next week. I'll pay for ammo and we can go to my range.

I'll only be home from college for a short time though. long shot on you being from the same area but the offer stands.

[RyanM]

Let her pick, but I'd suggest a Kahr K9. Barrel is just barely longer and weight is just barely heavier, but it's a great piece.

[rustyrodder_7]

I would say take her with and let her handle and have a say, but I would strongly suggest a revolver. It is less intimidating for some people to learn to shoot a revolver because there is less going on. Just my opinion, but whatever you decide is better than nothing. I would get a Taurus, you can get one for 350. I know other people have their own strong opinions about 'cheap' guns, but I like Taurus's revolvers. Good Luck!

[young hunter]

I agree with RyanM but a KAHR P40 instead of the K9 . It shaves a pound off of the weight at only 3 lbs . A little heavy compaired to what you wanted . Also like a lot of people have said you should let her decide but we can help give you ideas on firearms to look for and at . Good luck

[DWARREN123]

Let her choose her own. Do show her a Bersa 380 ACP.

[Revolver Ocelot]

First, does she want to carry? Are you sure?
yes

Is this her first carry gun or is this a present?
present

She actually finds the old snub nose revolvers more attractive then the small frame autos, we're just having a tough time deciding which one, I have my eye on a 10-5 but I'm tryin to see what other options we may have, she says if she gets a semi auto she wants a seacamp but she also doesn't realize how much those are.

she has really taken to shooting and frequently takes my guns to the range for a day of fun, at the rate shes goin she may end up visiting the local range more then I do. She really is getting good at it.