Recoil of 380 vs 9mm
- Thread starter redterror
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alaskagunner
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- Aug 18, 2007
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Training!!
Get her some training. My wife went to an all women's class put on by the NRA and loved it. She got to try out a lot of guns from 22-45 acp. THEY, not me, taught her proper grip, trigger control, sight alignment, etc. The information coming from another really helped her learn the basics.She also had a nice time learning with a bunch of her peers. Currently her favorite gun to shoot is our Wilson 1911 in 45 acp.
My guess is that your gf is flinching because of the recoil. Dry firing will help a lot, IMO.
kitsapcharly
Member
Go to a range where they rent guns and try her on different options. The best first gun for anybody has to be a 22 revolver holding about 9 shots. Shoot it a LOT and learn to shoot with it. Even for SD a 22 she can shoot would be better than anything she can't shoot.
expvideo
Member
There's your problem. There are a lot of really good .380s. The Bersa Thunder is a very good, very reliable .380. You are taking a gun that is known to be problematic and judging an entire class of guns by it. Try something else before you right off the .380 all together.
And yes, .380 has more felt recoil. It isn't the round itself, it is the fact that nearly all .380 pistols are blowback operated. I can shoot my 9mm all day, but after 50 rounds through my girlfriend's .380, my wrist starts to get sore.
You sound like a mall commando. .380 is adaquete for SD. The deterrent factor alone is considerable. I also carry a Beretta M85FS and am well armed. That doesn't mean I don't often carry .45 ACP or 9MM, bu I don't feel "exposed" with a .380.
jimk66
Member
380
If you can find one let her try a Beretta Cheetah in 380. They're a larger pistol (less noticable recoil) and very reliable.
Jimk
If you can find one let her try a Beretta Cheetah in 380. They're a larger pistol (less noticable recoil) and very reliable.
Jimk
expvideo
Member
+1 to that! Also, a very similar gun to look at is the Browning BDA 380. I used to have that gun, and it was probably my favorite of all time.
Hostile Amish
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You can start her off with .38 Special in a .357 and move to heavier loads gradually, or get a low-recoil 9mm (Smith and Wesson Sigma or M&P)
JohnBT
Member
My cousin, who has had surgery on her hands, prefers shooting her new Rohrbaugh to shooting her P3AT.
Go figure.
I've never shot a P3AT, but I think my R9 is a handful. I'll never shoot 101 rounds in a session again.
John
Go figure.
I've never shot a P3AT, but I think my R9 is a handful. I'll never shoot 101 rounds in a session again.
John
Davionmaximus
Member
I bought my wife a Bersa .380 Light weight worked for ease of carry but had a bit to much 'snap" for her. I stepped up to the heavier Glock 19 and she had less noticable recoil from the more powerful 9mm.
The trick was really SHE picked out the 9mm. Went to the gun show and she picked up every gun we could lay our hands on. The Glock fits her like a glove.
She shoots much more accurate and comfortably w/ the 9mm over the .380. That equates to more practice. I better not make her mad....
The trick was really SHE picked out the 9mm. Went to the gun show and she picked up every gun we could lay our hands on. The Glock fits her like a glove.
She shoots much more accurate and comfortably w/ the 9mm over the .380. That equates to more practice. I better not make her mad....
I had the same question...
I too just had the same question. My mom is/was looking for a carry gun. She couldn't decide between .380 and .9mm. So, we went to our local range. They allowed us to rent a Sig P232 and a P239. We both fired each first a mag of .9mm and then .380 then repeat. The interesting part is that neither of us could tell a difference in perceived recoil. Now, having said that I am used to a .45 and she is used to .38 special so neither of the above was a problem anyway. She ended up picking the .380 only because the P232 felt better in her little hands.
Oh, for what it's worth the range master who is a retired LEO reminded us that as long as the shots are well placed the difference in the .380 and .9mm really isn't going to make that much difference in the final outcome at the short ranges that would be used for defensive purposes...
Just my two cents...
I too just had the same question. My mom is/was looking for a carry gun. She couldn't decide between .380 and .9mm. So, we went to our local range. They allowed us to rent a Sig P232 and a P239. We both fired each first a mag of .9mm and then .380 then repeat. The interesting part is that neither of us could tell a difference in perceived recoil. Now, having said that I am used to a .45 and she is used to .38 special so neither of the above was a problem anyway. She ended up picking the .380 only because the P232 felt better in her little hands.
Oh, for what it's worth the range master who is a retired LEO reminded us that as long as the shots are well placed the difference in the .380 and .9mm really isn't going to make that much difference in the final outcome at the short ranges that would be used for defensive purposes...
Just my two cents...
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