Autoloader(s) for wife?

[CZ52GUY]

Hi,

My wife is a good shooter who has taken an extended "sabbatical" for medical reasons. She should be able to get back into shooting (at her discretion) within the next few months.

She has a Browning BDA-380 she is fairly proficient with (when she has the opportunity to practice), but it has been some time since she has used it.

I'd like to get some ideas on some other handguns (preferably 9mm or larger) that she might enjoy.

Weight is an issue for her, as is hand size (they are small). Recoil management will be important also.

Interested in any and all ideas.

Thanks in advance,

CZ52'

 

[Ky Larry]

If there are any shooting ranges near you, she might be able to try out a variety of pistols and calibers. Visit a gunshop and see if anything strikes her fancy. Since she will be the person shooting it, she should be the one who chooses. Good luck and shoot well.

 

[10-Ring]

That's a good idea (to go out & check out the guns herself). Recoil management will also depend not only on the size & weight of the gun she choses, but the round she shoots too. If she likes the BDA, it really shouldn't be a problem finding a 9mm or 45 acp she likes too.

 

[Berg01]

I'd let her try a Sig P225, P228, P239 (9mm), a CZ P-01, and a Smith & Wesson 3913, and then downselect from there. The P239 9mm is the one you are probably most likely to see available for rental at your local range.

 

[pogo2]

For small hands and recoil sensitivity, I would recommend the Sig P239 in 9mm for your wife. The grip on this gun is small, as the magazine is single stack. And even though the gun is modest in size, it has more weight than you might imagine, due to all metal construction, and handles recoil very well because of this weight (about 27 ounces, I believe). The magazine capacity in 9mm is 8 rounds. and the gun is absolutely reliable in operation.

 

[Sean Smith]

Let her pick, just steer her towards good brands and away from outrageous calibers.

A Kahr T9 comes to mind off the top of my head.

 

[longeyes]

All good choices. A Glock 19 is easy to like.

 

[Selfdfenz]

All good suggestions but more than that hope she gets totally well soon.
S-

 

[CZ52GUY]

Thanks!

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions...

She is recovering from the miracle of giving birth to our daughter which put a damper on her shooting activities (didn't want to risk ANY lead exposure) which I can't blame her. She's getting stronger every day (lifting a growing infant will do that to you).

She held my G23 last night (which I had added a Hogue slip-on grip) and found the weight to be okay, but the palm swell from the Hogue made her uncomfortable...too big for her.

I'm probably leaning most toward the P-01 because I already have a CZ-75B with MANY mag's (as I understand it from the CZ-FORUM, the full-size mag's only protrude about 3/8 of an inch). The P-01 would be physically similar to many of my other handguns and might provide the opportunity for her to "grow into" a comfort level with the others. The metal vs. polymer frame provides some extra weight (still only 27 oz. empty), should absorb some recoil and help limit muzzle flip. As I read the spec's, and look at the photo's, the grip doesn't seem that big. The ability to add an M3 light is also a plus (I've done some twighlight shooting at my brother-in-law's backyard range that she hasn't had a chance to participate in).

As several of you suggested, the ideal circumstance would be to get her someplace where she can not only handle, but test fire which is something I'll have to investigate at my local range. I was looking to narrow the search a little bit...appreciate all the good ideas.

She's got her eye on my Bulgarian Makarov (with custom checkered Walnut grip) which she is welcome to try, but she can't have it...

Best wishes and thanks again,

CZ52'

 

[Spackler]

Recoil is a relative thing. My wife enjoys shooting my 4013TSW much more than her Taurus 85UL. She finds the Taurus snappy and uncomfortable.

You might check out the S&W 3913 and CS9. My wife also likes my P225. It's relatively lightweight and recoil is very light.

Another good check would be to make sure your wife can lock the slide back - a friend of mine bought his girlfriend a Walther P99 and she didn't have the strength to rack the slide.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Racking the slide...

Good point,

When I picked up my SigPro 2009, I invited her to try handling that which didn't seem too bad. She was able to successfully rack and load a snap cap. She had to BOTH push and pull simultaneously, but found that she felt more comfortable holding the grip with her left hand, pushing with the left, and pulling the slide with the right (she does the same thing with her BDA-380 now that I think of it), then transfers to her right hand to fire (or in this case, simulate fire with inert snap) which is less than ideal...another vote for having the opportunity to actually test fire (which would allow for racking) because most dealers in my area frown upon rack and load and snap cap testing of trigger...with trigger pull being another discriminator that I hadn't thought of...

Thanks again,

CZ52'

 

[CZF]

The P-01 has an alloy frame.ut recoil seems quite Light as compared to my
other CZ 9mms. Maybe it was my ammo.

The P-01 does aloow for an M3 type light. The guns is also very safe
for new shooters who are shy of cocked and locked or easing the
hammer down for DA on a CZ.

The decocker works very well (unlike some other brands) has proven very safe.

OF course, if she doesn't like it, then you have a new Cee-Zee

email me for P-01 pics is you want.

 

[Arts]

Check out the S&W CS9 in 9MM. Weighs 23 oz. with a 3" barrel. Rubber grips reduce the recoil significantly. My wife has small hands and she enjoys shooting this pistol.

 

[mete]

Much of recoil is BS. Back in the 30s it was common to see in books the statement that women have a more sensitive nervous system and shouldn't even attempt to shoot anything more powerfull than a 22. I laugh at that when I think of the 5' 2" woman who shot a 44 mag as well as the average man in metallic silhouette matches. And I've known a number of women who did very well with a 45. And I've seen many new shooters taught to be afraid of recoil by the "instructor" constantly repeating "that has tremendous recoil" Finding a gun that fits the hand is important. But handling recoil is learned by gradually increasing the power.

 

[Lochaber]

Another vote for the SIG 239 in 9mm. My wife is 4'11" with tiny hands and after a long search for a handgun that fits her, she now loves her Sig. Recoil is easy to handle (it feels even less then my full size CZ-75) and the slide is large and easy to cycle by hand. In contrast she simply can not rack my CZ without first manualy cocking the hammer.

A pleasent surprise, the Sig 239 is also quite inexpensive compared with the rest of the Sig line. I payed $530 for ours (including tax and $15 NJ NICS)

Loch

 

[tbeb]

I've never held one and I do not know anyone who owns one. I'm talking about the Beretta Cougar 8000D. It is a compact model. Empty weight is about 27 ozs. It does not have the open slide like a model 92. The "D" is double action only. (A DA/SA model is available too.) The D model has trigger pull weight of approx. 9 lbs. I doubt if there's any stock DA revolver or DA semi-auto that can top that. The grip is smaller and trigger reach is shorter than model 92. I read that recoil is not bad. It was designed for people who found that the full size model 92 did not fit them. I've heard that Beretta slides are as easy to rack as any. I just saw one on an online auction for $399. If anyone owns one then I'd love to hear your comments.

 

[CZ52GUY]

I think I found something...

...in my safe.

She tried handling my Ruger P95-DC this morning.

...did well racking snap cap and was able to manipulate slide fine for snap cap removal. First try she didn't pull hard enough on slide to get clean ejection of snap cap, but she did a GREAT JOB of keeping muzzle pointed away, and clearing cap (similar to clearing a FTE scenario).

Even with Handall Slide-on grips, it seemed comfortable for her.

Weight didn't seem to be a problem (she was simulating fire with one hand...kind of unusual for her actually), and the P95-DC does have some small "portholes", two on each side of front site which I think will help manage recoil. I actually like the trigger quite a bit on the P95-DC, and expect she will find it quite easy to manage.

The only issue is I'm not thrilled with her using something without a manual safety her first time out...we'll probably start with her BDA-380, and then move on to the P95-DC once she reacquires her familiarity with range safety rules and safe handling...also expect some snap cap handling sessions in house ahead of any range time...something that I think is underemphasized in the training of new shooters...

Thanks for the good advice, and I'll certainly keep all your suggestions in mind as her progress unfolds over time.

Best wishes,

CZ52'

 

[happyguy]

How about a Colt Lightweight Commander or similar clone. With a straight backstrap, a set of slimline grips, and a short trigger it is suitable for even the smallest hands. And if she has a difficult time racking the slide you can even drop the recoil spring a pound or four.

Regards,
Happyguy

 

[happyguy]

>>>Much of recoil is BS. Back in the 30s it was common to see in books the statement that women have a more sensitive nervous system and shouldn't even attempt to shoot anything more powerfull than a 22. I laugh at that when I think of the 5' 2" woman who shot a 44 mag as well as the average man in metallic silhouette matches. And I've known a number of women who did very well with a 45. And I've seen many new shooters taught to be afraid of recoil by the "instructor" constantly repeating "that has tremendous recoil" Finding a gun that fits the hand is important. But handling recoil is learned by gradually increasing the power.<<<

There was a husband and wife team back in the '30s that traveled across Africa hunting big game. The wife was the hunter and her husband was the camera man. I remember one film where she was hunting rhino with a double rifle.

Her first shot knocked her a step backwards and impacted the rhino in the heart/lung area, as near as I could tell. The second shot was taken as the animal began its charge and it too knocked her back a step. She reloaded as the animal bore down on her, brought the weapon up and put the last round through the forehead of the beast. It dropped dead about fifteen feet in front of her. It was truly inspirational watching that little woman stand her ground.

As I recall she was a petite woman of about 5'2" , my point being that she handled some of the heaviest recoiling rifles ever produced. I just wish I could remember their names. They were the sort that should have been named to a hall of fame somewhere.

Regards,
Happyguy

 

[QB]

WOW, what an inspiring film that would be to see. Gotta try to find out about that. Thanks for the story.

 

[Aleko]

My wife enjoys my XD-9 tactical (4") a lot. As a matter of fact, it's HER XD-9 now. Very comfortable, easy to shoot, recoil is very light, and weight is not an issue. Then you/she can always "upgrade" to .40 or .357Sig if recoil is not too much of a concern. There is also a sub-compact model (3" & smaller frame) if she has small hands.

 

[Coronach]

Someone already said it already, but the answer to your question is "the one she likes" and not the one you think she should like. For instance, I'd feel better if my wife really took to the Browning Hi-Power, but she has instead taken to the Sig P232. *shrug* Her choice, not mine.

Sean Smith said it pretty well. Inappropriate calibers and substandard makes are to be avoided, but other than that...

That said, if she can shoot the Browning BDA, have her try the HP. They have startlingly good hand feel.

Mike