[Dumptruck]

I am looking at a bedside gun amongst the choices in the thread title. My main issues are recoil and grip size because I work a lot of overnight shifts.

The lady of the house has to be comfortable with the recoil and grip size or she might be SOL during a break in. I tried to talk her into the tried and true shotgun for home defense but she really likes handguns.

What is everyones take on each model and those concerns? Any input from the peanut gallery would be greatly appreciated.

[rellascout]

How big are your hands? How big are her hands?

[Col. Plink]

Had two ladies try to get their hands around my gun last night (hey! keep it clean out there!), and neither was well-equipped to hold and rack the slide of the XD45. Not that some practice might have made all the difference, but I think that would be the litmus test. Takes some strength and size apparently.

[gglass]

My advise would be to let the lady of the house shoot all three. Most ranges would have versions of those three brands. I'm confident that her choice of those three platforms would be the M&P45. With the adjustable backstraps for different sized hands and one of the best recoil reducing frames, the M&P wins most of these comparisons.

This is how the boys in blue have reviewed the M&P line of pistols:
http://www.policelink.com/products/products/368-smith-wesson-mp-40

[Dumptruck]

Rellascout, my hands are large thus I have no worries. The issue is with the lady.

Gglass, there is only one range around here and it is just a public range. No renting of guns possible.

I like the adjustable backstrap option on the M&P.

Anyone have experience with the Sig 220? I would think that it would have better grip area for a woman due to the single stack.

[Fumbler]

IMO the Sig 220 would fit a smaller hand better. It's a single stack and the grip is narrower from side to side. It's pretty close to the same size as a 1911's grip.
My wife can handle a 1911 and she has small hands (small for a woman, very small compared to a man) and she has held a 220 and said it felt good.

Having said that, why are you looking at getting such big guns if you wife might shoot it?

I don't know her experience level, but I think the better route for you would be to find something in 9mm. A 9mm will be much easier for someone less experienced to handle. If your wife might have to use the gun then she needs to learn to shoot it. A big gun that's hard to get a hold of plus a heavy recoiling caliber does not make it easy for someone to learn to shoot. If you can't hit your target then it doesn't matter what caliber it is.
Don't get hung up on the caliber. A 9mm loaded with high quality hollow points works just fine for self defense.

I've owned many calibers from 22 LR to 480 Ruger and everything in between.
One of my house guns was a Sig 228 (9mm) because my wife could shoot it easily.
Now I have a Sig 225 for home duty and she loves it even more. It's a single stacked version of the 228 and fits her perfectly. I have no doubt that she can put a mag full of bullets on a man size target at house distances. I also shoot it very well. That makes me feel real good ;)

A second option is to get whatever gun you like, then buy one just for her that fits her better in a caliber that she can handle. Maybe a single stacked 9mm (Kahr, Sig 225, Sig 239, Hi Power, etc) or even a 38 special. A revolver is always a good option for the inexperienced because they're so simple to operate.

[franconialocal]

I have small hands, and the Sig P-220 is my duty weapon.....and I couldn't be happier. It fits great.

[Dumptruck]

Fumbler, she prefers the recoil of 45, didn't like 40 at all (too snappy), and doesn't feel comfortable with 9mm as bringing enough gun haha.

The fiancee was raised on guns (her dad is a gun enthusiast). She is all for the 45 as a house gun for her.

[rellascout]

I would go Sig P220 with an external extractor or a Stamped slide P220. Great gun 8+1 is a lot of shooting in a self defense scenario. The grip is perfect with a nice meaty slide so you can teach her to properly clear it. She should not have any issues with it. Solid soft shooter with no safety but a DA/SA pull as good as it comes.

The next would be the XD. Some people love the single pull and the capacity of the XD.....

I have shot the M&P pistols. They are fine but they just don't do anything for me.

I too like the push of the 45 vs the snap of the 40. I can track the sight better on the 45.

[Mags]

Never tried a SIg they look ugly to me but from what I hear they shoot smooth and true. I like my XD45 and shot my bud's M&P45 the M&P was so smooth I decided to buy an M&P 9c for conceal carry.

[LoneStarWings]

M&P, adjustable grips for the win.

[CWL]

You won't really know until she tries out each handgun grip in her own hands.

[TexasEd]

If it is a 45 that she needs then check out the M&P 45. 3 grip inserts and the pistol has three different sizes. Full-size - Mid-size. & Compact. The Sig is good however the axis to bore ratio is tall and will not point as well as a Glock, XD or M&P. The poly pistols come with a rail for a light if needed. I can say the my work place put around 300 +/- M&P 45 pistols into service with little to no problems. Go to a gun shop and get her hands on a few pistols and see what feels good to her. Good Luck

[David E]

The 220 is out. Single stack or not, it has a long trigger reach, followed by a long, hard trigger pull.

Either the M&P or the XD are better choices.

[rellascout]

Maybe my Sig P220 is different. Single stack makes the reach of pull short enough for every shooter I have encountered?

[distra]

Don't limit her choices if you can. My wife has shot all three (yes, I have a .45 addiction :D), but shoots her G19 the best. That's the gun she will go for when the SHTF. While I love 45ACP, a 9mm will take care of business during a HD situation.

[rellascout]

Maybe a Sig P245.... :)

[Fumbler]

Fumbler, she prefers the recoil of 45, didn't like 40 at all (too snappy), and doesn't feel comfortable with 9mm as bringing enough gun haha.

The fiancee was raised on guns (her dad is a gun enthusiast). She is all for the 45 as a house gun for her.
if that's the case then get the 220.
The trigger reach isn't too far for my wife.

Sig has a short trigger option if the reach is too far:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=534058

[christcorp]

For bedside guns; where different people will possibly use it; and your brain ISN'T working properly because you have woken up at 3am; I ALWAYS SUGGEST A DA Revolver. A semi-auto or gun that requires mechanical thinking; is NOT a good option. It can be discussed as much as wanted, but that won't change the fact when your brain isn't 100%; Point and Click of a revolver is ALWAYS better than a weapon that might need the user to interact with; other than just pulling the trigger. A misfire in a revolver requires just pulling the trigger again. For a semi-auto; it could require racking the slide, reseating the magazine, or other issues. No thanks. I use my semi-autos for carry and I use the revolver when I'm sleeping.

[Butter]

I have to agree with Dave as a short handed, stubby finger aflicted person: Sigs of all colors except the P239 and P225/P6 iterations do not allow for a good trigger reach on the first double action shot. I like Sigs, but don't own any because of that reason. If you want, you can see if the 220 has a short trigger option to replace the standard, but let the gal try first. The 220 is still too far for my index finger to reach easily. I have handled them before.

On the other hand, the XD .45ACP works for me. I also own an M&P 9mm and with the small backstrap that works for me as well. And, if nothing else a nice 1911 in .45 works for just about all comers. :)

[LancerMW]

Sig P220 is an easy gun to shoot, feels great and is a .45, i love my 220.

[JTQ]

I don't own any of the three, but have handled all of them. To me the Sig is as chunky as the other two and I agree with the previous posts that the trigger reach with the standard trigger is a little long and probably more of a reach than the other two.

In my experience, the best .45 Auto's for the "small handed" are either a 1911 or Ruger P345.

[John Parker]

You know, all three of these pistols are outstanding guns and you won't be sorry purchasing any of them. Be a man and make a decision and stop asking internet weenies for advice! :what: :evil: :p

[The Lone Haranguer]

The SIG does have a narrower grip, being a 7- or 8-round single stack, but a long reach to the DA trigger. The Springfields I've handled are OK in my medium-gloved-sized male hands but might not fit a smaller hand. The M&P has, IMO, a better shaped grip than either as well as a short reach to the trigger, which also has a short and light stroke. I would seriously look at that one, letting her handle it.

[memsu]

I have a Sig P220 and a Springfield XD. I also have small hands, so I can give you a good opinion on this.

The Sig has a longer trigger reach than the XD. However the trigger pull is so much nicer on the Sig than the XD.

Overall the XD fits my hand better and it holds 14 rds. So, to me the choice is clear. Get the XD.

[benderx4]

Of the guns you mentioned, I'm a big fan of the XD45. Having said that, and having shot all the guns mentioned other than the M&P, you simply MUST throw a HK45 into your mix.
By far, of the guns your looking at, it has the best ergonomics, build quality, reliability, and accuracy. Moreover, with its reduced recoil techonology, it is the SOFTEST shooting 45 on the market.
It may cost you a couple bucks more, but in the end, I know your wife will LOVE this gun. And when wifey is happy, you're happy - right? (And if this gun is to be sitting on the bedside table providing protection, why would you NOT buy the best?)

Good luck and happy shooting!