Which of these guns for girlfriend?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yes, yes, I know, there's a million threads on this, and yes I know, the answer is always "let her decide", and I will let her shoot them all and decide. BUT, *until* she decides, and just for starting informational purposes, which of these would you lean toward recommending:

1. Bersa Thunder 9 full-sized, 9x19mm

2. Dan Wesson 15 w/ 4" bbl, loaded with .38 spl

3. Dan Wesson 15 w/ 6" bbl, loaded with .38 spl

4. Makarov, 9x18mm

I'm thinking the Makarov as the perfect girlfriend gun, since the Bersa has a large grip, and when I showed her a revolver the other day, she said "Where's the safety?". I said "There ain't one". Her: puzzled & concerned look.

Whaddya think?

P.S. This is a nightstand/house gun for her.

[searcher451]

Well now. After reading your intro a second time, let me be the first to say the obvious here: Let her decide.

Every choice you have listed here is, at minimum, at least a potential good one. But let her decide.

They wouldn't be my first choices, but again, let her decide.

There are at least a half-dozen other good choices out there, but let her decide.

Despite all temptation to the contrary, there's only one bottom line here -- and it's one that you already know: Let her decide.

It's really that simple.

[MK11]

Can she handle the triggers, especially on the DA autos? My wife can't even pull the triggers on my Sigs, let alone hit the target in double action.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK, fair enough.

These are the reasonable choices available to me at present. I think the snubbie .38 is a bit too hot to handle (jumps in the hand), but maybe I should let her try that one, too.

[mgkdrgn]

she said "Where's the safety?". I said "There ain't one". Her: puzzled & concerned look.


Correct answer: Between your ears. It won't go BANG until you tell it to go BANG.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Thank you; I shall make that correction to my response next time.

[Delaware_Dan]

My girlfriend likes the heavy GP100 4 inch revolver w/ .38s. She will shoot me broke with that thing given the chance.

[sagebrushjim]

Have a Mak and Bersa ... I'll trade both for your girlfriend !!!:)

[ArmedBear]

Dan Wessons are for wives not girlfriends!:D

That leaves the Bersa and the Mak.

I'd say the Bersa. It's a modern gun with an acceptable DA trigger. Should be easy to use.

I wouldn't expect someone who isn't a firearms hobbyist to mess around with a Mak (or to properly care for a Dan Wesson).

[dat2]

I'ld say don't buy her a gun unless you get married

[hardluk1]

I to would say the dan Wesson but not for a girl friend ,you do want this gun back when is gets pissed and leaves. Other than that ether one, anyone. Both DW's and hide them away for yourself. Never have better revolvers been made if producted in monson or palmer

[bigfatdave]

I'd say don't buy her a gun unless you get married
I'll second that.
Help her pick a gun - yes
Take her to the shop/range - yes
Let her shoot anything you own to find out what she likes - yes
Gun as gift without 100% trust (both safety and liability)- nope

[Zak Smith]

My recommendation would be the 4" revolver. I think it strikes the best balance - of the pistols listed - of shootability, compactness, and low recoil.

ETA: I don't see any issue with gifting a pistol to someone you trust. A lot of people have been given firearms by people they weren't married to.

[TheVirginian]

You mean, like Dick Cheney... ;)

[Isher]

Jeez.....another gf thread.

The way to permanently solve this one is,

If you pick the gun for her,

Then she gets to pick the gun for you.

Quien sabe?

Any takers?

isher

[searcher451]

THW: The good thing here -- the very excellent thing, in fact -- is that you are getting her out and getting her interested in shooting. A big +1 to that, and to whatever she decides on eventually. :)

[Shireman]

I think instead of telling him to let her decide, we should make it more fun. :)

I say, post a picture of her with each and we'll tell you what looks best with her accesories!

/end joke

[bang_bang]

I would say she can handle the Dan Wesson with ease. Even shooting full power .357 mag out of my DW with the 4 inch barrel produces hardly any recoil. The .38 specials are a breeze.

I dunno though, my little lady has smaller hands too. My .45 autos are a bit too large for her to hang onto, but she can shoot a Glock 26 with ease.

I vote Dan Wesson, just be sure to make it clear that if anything happens between you two that the gun must come back unharmed. :D

[stanmo]

http://www.corneredcat.com/Men/buywifegun.aspx


Then let her decide

[Tamlin]

I just got my wife a S&W Model 15 (.38 Special) revolver with a 4" bbl - it's nickel plated, and I put some white Pearlite grips on it - it's really pretty! First thing she asked was, Where's the safety? I gave her a quick lesson in Revolvers vs. Autoloaders. She was excited to learn that she wouldn't be hit in the face anymore from flying brass (She had shot my Ruger P89 in the past). We haven't been to the range yet, but I think she's really going to like this gun. (If she doesn't, well, guess I'll have to keep it for myself!) Just my opinion, but I think it is a perfect caliber and style for ladies who aren't as into guns as their guys are.

[Piraticalbob]

I'd recommend one of the revolvers, especially since you say the gun will be a nightstand weapon. When startled out of a sound sleep you want your weapon to be as simple to operate as possible, and a revolver fits that description.

[Confederate]

My sister took her first handgun course last night and I went with her. She chose a revolver and I chose a Glock (having never fired one of the recent ones). I was struck by two very obvious points. First, that a revolver requires quite a bit of prior instruction and, especially finding the "clutch" point; and second, that Glocks require extraordinary skill in safe handling.

My preference has always been a revolver. The main reason is that most people can walk up to a revolver lying on a table and, without touching it, can tell whether it's loaded and, if so, how many rounds are in the gun. Another, that any revolver can be learned quickly by dry firing. My sister didn't do well because she had never found that clutch point on the loaner gun. She was discouraged afterwards, but after dry snapping a revolver a few hundred times, her performance would have drastically improved.

Clearing malfunctions is something that one really needs to practice in autoloaders. Not so much with revolvers. It's also much easier and safer to practice speed loading with a good revolver. And finally, a revolver with a 3- or 4-inch barrel has outstanding pointing characteristics. In autoloaders, going from DA to SA is a pain for most people. Or, thumbing a safety off (just one more thing to remember in a stressful situation).

Having said all this, she'll really have to decide for herself in the long run. But after steering women to revolvers since the early 80s, most women do very well with them. My mother chose a Ruger Security-Six in a 2.75-inch barrel and later got a Ruger stainless Mark II Standard .22LR (which also was an excellent choice). But that was her second handgun, not a replacement for the first.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Thanks everyone. BTW, this is a loaner, not a gift**, and we're going to hit the range and try some out soon. She wouldn't attempt to use it until she practiced on it, and until that time its purpose in life would just be for ME to have at her house when I'm over there, should something go horribly awry. Which is why the higher capacity Bersa is somewhat appealing. But for her, I'm leaning toward the 4" Dan Wesson advice now over the Makarov. Simplicity.

I think I may just link her to this thread. She's a pretty sharp gal, and she may just register to ask further questions (hopefully).

**I sure as HECK ain't giftin' my Dan Wesson absent marriage, and even then probably not! :D

I think instead of telling him to let her decide, we should make it more fun.

I say, post a picture of her with each and we'll tell you what looks best with her accesories!

Have a Mak and Bersa ... I'll trade both for your girlfriend !!!

You velly funny, Dr. Jones(es)! [/shortround] :D

[ArmedBear]

Thanks everyone. BTW, this is a loaner, not a gift**

Man, if I had a nickel for every CD someone has lost that way...:D

[007BondJamesBond007]

The Makarov, 9x18mm I looked at had a real heavy trigger pull in DA. SA pull was ok. I would let her decide. Remember use the KISS system for home defence gun.

[David E]

Simple is best, especially for beginners.

4" Dan Wesson.

If you don't take your own gun with you when you go over :eek: then keep a speedloader or two of 125 grain JHP's to load it with for when you'll be the one checking out the noise. Just remember to swap back to the .38's before you leave.

.

[deacon8]

Yeah, I'd say either one of the .38's.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

But no love for the revo with 6" barrel from anyone? How come? :)

[KarenTOC]

she said "Where's the safety?". I said "There ain't one". Her: puzzled & concerned look.

Sometimes folks who have been shooting for years forget that people aren't born with full knowledge of how all guns work.

So she's learning a little later in life than you did. You can take pleasure in teaching her. And if it turns out she's a better shot that you, you can always take full credit for your excellent teaching :)

[ArmedBear]

I like shooting 6" revolvers, but they are easier for an assailant to grab from her hand.

That's another reason to go with the Bersa, IMO.

[bang_bang]

But no love for the revo with 6" barrel from anyone? How come?

How comfortable would she be with the 6 inch over the 4 inch?

Let her try both barrels out, that is if she likes the gun.
Even though she might be worried about the safety, it is a home defense weapon and for someone trying to fiddle with a safety in the dark (I'm not aware of her current familiarity with handguns) might be too risky in a tight situation.

If need be, hammer down on an empty cylinder. But I would definitely trust the Dan Wesson over the other options.

[UKJ]

Get her the 4 inch and tell her it's the 6 inch - I've been doing that with my girlfriend for years.:)

[alistaire]

If her first thought was 'where's the safety', my first suggestion is 'Colt Series 80'. It has three safeties. :-)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Get her the 4 inch and tell her it's the 6 inch - I've been doing that with my girlfriend for years.

Hmmm, you've got a point; that would not be without precedent, at least.

:eek: :eek: :D :D

[bang_bang]

Get her the 4 inch and tell her it's the 6 inch - I've been doing that with my girlfriend for years.

Amen

[BillyBA]

i agree with searcher , your woman needs to chose for herself , she should go with what feels right for her , maybe she can shoot several of them as rentals froma gun range as rentals to get a feel for them and then decide ?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

She chose the Bersa Thunder 9 (full sized). And she's smart enough to understand the concept of "disengage safety" and she WANTED a safety. :)

She found that it recoiled less and she shot more accurately than with the others - it was an easy decision for her and me watching her shoot both. No failures of any kind.

Oddly, she thought the DW 15 4" revo with .38 specials had a lot of felt recoil and didn't like it, though it was accurate for her. :shrug: I didn't put the 6" barrel on and let her shoot it.

PS. She shot my Marlin 60 at least as good as me after we were done with handguns!

PPS. She also tried my CZ 75 compact PCR, and I'll be damned if it didn't FTF a couple of times, with the new round hanging up halfway in - odd and a bit frustrating. Time for a detail cleaning. :(

[harmon rabb]

make sure she can rack the slide of any semi-auto you're considering ;) i don't have a makarov, but i have a cz-82, and your average woman would NOT be able to rack that slide. it's hard to grasp properly and takes a decent amount of force.

[woad_yurt]

The Makarov is great but there's a really stiff racking involved. My girlfriend loves shooting mine but hates racking the slide; it's almost too difficult for her.

A 4" barreled .38 revolver is a great choice, though. Way simpler for the shooter. I don't know anything about Dan Wesson products but, if they're as functional as a K-frame, they should be a perfect bedside gun. I have a 4" .38 revolver next to my bed, btw.

[BikerRN]

Since you have the title of Dr. in front of your name and asking about a handgun for your "girlfriend" that your wife has the Dan Wesson. :D

OK, I'm done. I just had to get that little zing in there. :neener:

BikerRN

[Glockman17366]

These are the reasonable choices available to me at present. I think the snubbie .38 is a bit too hot to handle (jumps in the hand), but maybe I should let her try that one, too.

She's the one to decide which gun she wants to try. Gotta change your attitude, brother.

[10-Ring]

Kinda depends on her stature & her skill level. I normally recommend mid size wheelguns for beginners and petite women. specifically something w/ at least a 4" barrel in 38 special. Smaller guns seem to amplify perceived recoil so I wouldn't go too compact -- shorter barrels are tougher to shoot accurately w/o practice (due to shorter sight radius) and there are some that have a tough time racking a round w/ a semi auto
good luck

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Bersa looks good. shoot just regular 115gr slugs.
Mak ( I use this one) is good also but 'hot' cartridge does have some 'buck'.
the 2 of my 5 sisters that like to shoot I got .380acp's for after I trained with 4" bbl .22LR revolver. one that's not fond of shooting but will has a Charter Arms .32 S&W Long. (she shot my .22LR revolver about 3-400 rounds before settling on this round - says 'it's got some 'whack to it')

[remington79]

I just went through this with my wife. We had been going off and on to different gun shops to let her feel how the pistol fits in her hands. I let her hold some revolvers and she hated the way they fit in her hand. Plus they have heavier triggers and will recoil more than an autoloader.
One day we finally got a chance to go to the range that has rentals. I let her shoot my HK USP 40C, XD45C and G30SF. She thought they were all right but not for her. I rented a G19 and she loved it. She could rack the slide, it fit her hand, and she enjoyed shooting it. So when our anniversary came around I went and bought her a G19 with Trijicons.
She enjoyed that rip to the range shooting the G19 so much that she cant wait to go again.

[Deanimator]

4" Dan Wesson. It is BY FAR the most versatile of the guns listed.

Not only are the barrels interchangeable, but so are the grips. If you had to you could fabricate a grip customized to her hand.

I used to have a 15VH. I wish I still had it.

[Madcap_Magician]

First find out which one(s) she can operate.

[Deaf Smith]

Dr. Winslow,

Is she going to go around with this concealed? Are you going to spend time teaching her how to manipulate the weapon?

I suggest she shoot all of them. If it's for packing, either the Bersa or the Mak. House gun, the Dan Wesson as bulk will not matter.

Let her bust some caps and see what she likes.

[Green Dragoon]

Makarov hands down, it is a simle design, it fits the nad well and the cartridge is decent. Plus for the price it is hard to beat.

[NG VI]

2. Dan Wesson 15 w/ 4" bbl, loaded with .38 spl

My wife only likes shooting my 4" S&W 28 with .38 loads. Won't touch my 6" 586, too heavy and unwieldy for her, won't touch my autos, thinks my PCR with coco bolo grips is ugly (?) and my Glocks are space guns, just doesn't like them.

I also think the 4" revolver has some amazing pointing characteristics, the model 28 she likes so much is the handgun I shoot best too.

[HammerheadSSN663]

My standard answer is always heavy 357 loaded with 38s (not 38 +Ps).

[Norinco982lover]

Bersa. My wife really likes her XD9SC...and I didn't have her pick it out...she just stole it from me:)

~Norinco