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Risasi

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I'm shopping around a bit. She has used one of my single stack 1911's off and on for a few years. But she wants her "own gun".

We stopped by one of the local gun shops on the way home from the chiropractors the other day. I knew they had a SIG Mosquito and Walther P22 in stock.

Mosquito; "Grip is okay, but it's kind of heavy. I don't like the trigger. Points well."

Walther; "I like the weight, but the grip is too small and I don't like the front (had the 5" barrel)." It also pointed fairly well.

Bersa in .380; Liked everything except the hammer spur.

GSG 1911 (BTW, I didn't know it existed); A little heavy, grip not bad, liked the safety.

----

At Home:

Phoenix HP22; Likes it. Just about perfect. (But I don't like the double safety, and am concerned about the durability)

Springer GI 1911; "Heavy", with Kimber 22 kit "it's okay".

SP101; Loves the grip and balance, hates the D/A action. Doesn't want a revolver (hates messing with a hammer on S/A, hates DA trigger pull...fair enough)

Browning Hi-Power; Pachmayr grips; "I hate it". w/o any grips; "It's not bad, but feels top heavy".
-----------------

What I've learned;

  • Goal; Target shooting, defensive pistol.
  • Likes a mid-size grip. This is subjective though, single vs double stack doesn't seem to be part of the equation. Just total circumference. I'm still trying to pinpoint exactly what it is about certain grips...
  • Absolutely NO D/A trigger. This pretty much reduces me to slide-action S/A.
  • Ideal weight somewhere around 20 oz, COG should be right at the front of the web of her hand.
  • The Phoenix is right on the edge of small, the 1911's are a bit large. Something in between that can also pack CCW if needed.
  • Still needs to stick with .22lr caliber for now (A pistol with a .22 kit might be ideal).

Yeah, yeah. Lay off the ".22lr is not a defensive round" bit. I already know the limitations. This is more about having something is better than having nothing. But because of this I am seriously considering a pistol that has a fully functioning kit or the ability to be set up to shoot light handloads. First of all it's important to have something she can consistently shoot well and get much practice with. I don't think she will ever handle anything larger than 9mm, and it's probably going to take a long while to get her comfortable shooting in a larger caliber.

Right now I think I'm going to stick to training with the Phoenix and a 1911 w/ .22 kit. So I have some time. I don't mind spending a little bit of money either. I'm still cleaning out inventory and have a double-stack BUL Transmark M-5 1911 I'll probably use to fund this project.


What I want is suggestions for other pistols I'm not thinking of. Remember it has to fit the criteria above.
I want to know about experiences with .22 Hi-Power kit suggestions. And she has familiarity with 1911's. Another option would be a smaller, well balanced 1911 in .22, with the ability to change the caliber later.
I also want her to handle a Glock, but I'm guessing she won't like the trigger.

So how about it? Any suggestions for other smaller .22 handguns or handguns in other calibers that also have durable, fully functional .22 kits, that still meet the intended use and criteria stated above?
 
Wife
I'm shopping around a bit.
Click to expand...

Well that's about half of us, statistically. :neener:

She has used my single stack off and on for a few years. But she wants her "own gun".
Click to expand...

Now we know why you're shopping. :p


OK, Joking aside.

Browning is coming out with a 1911 that is 80% of the size a normal, real 1911. 15.5 ounces I believe? It's a .22lr. There are some threads here about it. Find them and read them if you're interested.
 
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I didn't see a Ruger standard or 22/45 in that group she handled. That might be worth a try. The polymer frame of the 22/45 will help with weight and the mag release is a-la-1911.
Let her keep shooting with you. She'll just take the one she likes and tells you to use the others. Ask me how I know.
 
Sig P238 .... Nice .380 !

Have her take a look at the new Sig P238, this thing comes in alot of attractive finishes and grip options.

It is a clone of a 1911....miniaturized! It is actually built on old colt mustang platform...even heard they purchased the equipment and rights to do so.

May need to check on different variations or with sig custom shop in regards to the spurred hammer!
This is picture of my pick! Love the grips.

here is link to check em out! www.sigsauer.com there is also a new P290 in 9mm, but I just love this P238
 

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Marshall,

I'll check it out. That might fit the bill. Stuck to .22 only would be a bit of a bummer, but hey, a person has to know their limitations. Still having a gun is better than nothing. And that gun would probably last a couple lifetimes.

---

Seedtick,

I'll check out the PMR. I haven't seen it before today.

---
Jim K,

That's on the short list. I aim to find one around town so she can see how it fits her.

---
Magnumite,

Actually we did try a 22/45, and also a couple MK's. But she definitely didn't like them. Sorry, I omitted them. I got such a negatory I completely erased them from the equation. She couldn't really pinpoint what it was. I think it had to do with grip angle and a perceived weight imbalance issue. Std and bull barrels garnered the same response.
---


As for the last three, they aren't available in .22lr caliber. That is a big problem. It took a few months for her just to handle .22 and she's too chicken to try to move up in caliber. Ain't gonna happen for at least a couple years of consistent practice.

----


Thanks so far. Still waiting on .22 kit suggestions.
 
risasi, stay out of her way and let her shop. Actually, it would be better if she shopped alone and got help from various gun stores.

It's a decision she has to make herself. Guns are very individual and an objective person in this situation is best.

My wife has not shown any desire to try out my .38 and qualify at the firing range. She has never fired a gun. I have a few times gently approached her on this but she has refused. Her choice. With women, I think she will resent a weapon if it was 60% your choice 40% hers. Regarding firing a handgun, or shopping for one, it has to be her choice, 100%.
 
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Yeah, only she won't shop them unless I go with her.
Which is why still after two years she doesn't have her "own gun". Lately I've been hearing from her more about how she doesn't have one.
If it's not clear from what I've said above that she is very involved in this process, I don't know what else to say.

Anyway, I have plenty of options to check out. We'll keep shopping.
 
A few nurses I know (women) own the .380 Micro Desert Eagle and love it. Another women involved in safety also owns one, again, with high reviews.
I have read reviews on this weapon and they are good.
 
With your criteria there really is no gun out there that fits the bill. The 22lr, no DA trigger and packable CCW kills the deal. I personally would not use any gun with a conversion kit as a defensive weapon. I have never heard of one being 99.999% reliable and that IMHO is what you need a defensive weapon to be.

If you are willing to go to 380 auto there are some options but the 380 cartridge is normally sot out of a blow back gun which is not the nicest round to shoot. I owned a Bersa 380 and found its kick back to the hand harder than most 9mms. It is not unmanageable but it is stiff IMHO.

I would be careful with the Sig P238... they are not Sig reliable and require a lot of maintenance. You need to really watch the round count on the recoil springs. This little gun really eats them up.
 
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rellascout,

You have a point. It would have to be the right .22 kit. My Kimber kit is pretty good, I get about 1-3 rds FTF out of 600. And slide lock back doesn't work. After that it needs cleaning. So it's good for practice, but that's it.

If I went the M1911 route I would build it as a dedicated .22, but still allow for upgrading it later. I was leaning toward a Marvel kit until I discovered they too don't allow for the slide lock to work.

I've pretty much eliminated the Hi-Power from the equation. She just doesn't care for it enough to bother seeing if I can mod it to make it work.

---

I have plenty of time to find something she likes. You guys have given me plenty of options to check out. I ran across .380 Baby Eagle earlier this morning. I'll also add it to the list to find for her to try.
I think I also need to revisit why she didn't like the 22/45. It may be she handled one of the MK's first and just considered the 22/45 to be the same without giving it a fair shake.

I'm also going to see if I can find a Thunder/Firestorm in .22 somewhere around town. Considering the price it might be we just focus on something in .22 only and then upgrade by buying a second similar pistol in a larger caliber later. The Bersa was a really close fit. We'll see.

Like I said, we have time. I don't think we'll start getting to the range regularly until it warms up again. I'll try to get her into more shops and get more feedback from her.

Thanks for the help so far.
 
Dude, your wife WANTS her own gun? This doesn't sound like a problem to me... :D:D As far as .22's go, I have always have liked my Browning Buckmark. That is one fine pistol. Has she looked at any revolvers? Charter Arms makes some nice "ladies guns" that might serve her very well. I wish I had your problem, though...
 
How about having her attend a NRA or NSSF women only course for new shooters? That or a NRA accreditted course and all of these courses locally.

This way she gets immersed more into the shooting culture in a relaxed atmoshphere. This also exposes here to more types of firearms. When she's got a more good rounded education and experience then she can make a better choices as to what she wants.

My wife and grown daughter went to the women only classes and are now excellnt shooter in their own right.

The .22lrf pistols are a good way to start as already stated. Just that a good education is also needed.
 
One comment...I noticed she thought the BHP was top heavy. Have her handle one with a full mag. That should improve balance considerably. In fact, have her handle ALL potential candidates with full mags, if possible.



M
 
How about a single six? Single action revolvers are way easier to cock.

Some ladies might like the old west style, some not, just another idea.

My wife really enjoys light .38s out of a full size steel .357, they don't recoil much more than a lightweight .22. A full size revolver also has a much better trigger. Lighter and smoother, and it has more weight to push against.
 
I read your whole post.

If I understand your question correctly now, you are asking what .22 pistol to buy for your wife.

My vote is for the Smith and Wesson revolver.
Goes by various names and model numbers.
Small frame six-shot revolver. Very well made. Very reliable. Very accurate.

kitgun.jpg
 
I read your whole post.

If I understand your question correctly now, you are asking what .22 pistol to buy for your wife.

My vote is for the Smith and Wesson revolver.
Goes by various names and model numbers.
Small frame six-shot revolver. Very well made. Very reliable. Very accurate.
Click to expand...

Great choice had DA not been a qualifier I would have suggested a revolver too.
 
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