Help me pick out a pistol for the Girlfriend.

Zerodefect said:

Browning .380

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I really wanted a Browning 1911-380 but they have issues...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...roubleshooting-progress.825942/#post-10635683

See if a range has a Sig 238 that you can rent. It always scores very high with women in gun test surveys. It comes in a huge variety of finishes and grip designs.

Dr.Mall Ninja said:

No I do not have a 22. We have been looking at different stuff and she likes the looks of the SR22. That’s the direction I’m strongly leaning now.

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That was my first thought, the SR22, and they come in different colors. The 22/45 will be more accurate though, but she may still like the SR22 better.

Dr. Ninga today I hope you are busy going from shop to shop observing that lady as she handles the wares. I agree that the light recoil of the 22 pistol would be a much better platform for a beginner to learn the basics on. If she finds the joy I did as a boy, fun will turn into love as far as firearms goes and then she will show you a sport that shopping in malls is inexpensive in comparison with.
It could be the the ember of a flame that will only flame out with leaving life.
That said it can be for her a beautiful thing, as it is for us here at THR

Sticking with 9mm is just going to be the most practical. I don't know why 380 is still so expensive. The pavona is a good choice, cocking the hammer helps make the slide pull easier. Also it's very easy to manually decock one by sticking your index finger in front of the hammer, pulling the trigger and rolling the finger out. The manual safety is very easy to sweep as well.

Another cz clone like the sar b6p works as well:

The Ruger SR-22 is a great choice. My wife & 6 year old daughter love theirs. Great for practice, target shooting, varmints, and HD.

JohnKSa said:

The Browning Buckmark is a nice little pistol. They don't make a purple one, but they do have some attractive grip options in a variety of colors.

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/pistols/buck-mark-pistols.html

My wife has an SR22 that she likes a lot. They are offered with some colored frames.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/sr22Pistol/specSheets/3606.html

And it's hard to go wrong with the Ruger MKIV. Here's one with a purple receiver/barrel shroud.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/markIV2245Lite/specSheets/43915.html

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I heartily cosign this post. Let her handle all three of these, and see which one she prefers. Move up to 9mm when she is ready (if she ever wants to). Getting her comfortable and enjoying .22 is better, in my book, than forcing her to choose centerfire and not really enjoying it as a result.

My wife has the Ruger SR-22 and loves it, but I got her the Ruger SR-9C first for Valentine's Day a few years ago which she also loves. She wanted a similar 22 to practice with. I'd say you could let her handle one and if she likes it, tell her she can move up to the 9mm when she is ready.

If you really want your GF to enjoy and get into shooting you will let her pick her own. Take her to a range and rent a whole bunch. If that isn't an option see what she likes out of your collection and maybe have a couple buddies bring a few for her to check out. Then let her pick.

There is a good article on this over on the American rifleman website. I believe it was called ladies pistol project.

I shoot with a lot a women because for us it' a family affair and both my family and my in-laws shoot. A quick list of their favorites:

My wife - Kimber micro .380 / Browning buckmark / SA XDM 9mm
My daughter - Sr9e full size
My mom - sr22 / lc380
My sister - fns 9mm
Sister in law - colt mustang / sr22
Sister in law - kimber micro 380
Niece - Sig p238
Wife's cousin - Glock 19
My cousin Sig p238

Hopefully this is helpful but I can't stress enough to let her pick her own.

Try one of these it's a purple pinto,Sccy CPX-2 9mm.

C0untZer0 said:

I really wanted a Browning 1911-380 but they have issues...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...roubleshooting-progress.825942/#post-10635683

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Take a look at the RIA Baby Rock. It has a number of good reviews. I've handled one and would have bought it except I just can't make myself want a .380. Sig also has a nice one in this configueration.

If1HitU said:

Try one of these it's a purple pinto,Sccy CPX-2 9mm.

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One of the women in my immediate family has one of these. It's recoil is fairly nasty and she can't shoot it decently at all. On the other hand she's a good shot with my Mk III 22/45 lite. I certainly wouldn't recommend the SCCY for a new shooter to learn on or as a good range gun.

If you’re gonna get her something, get her something nice…

http://www.kimberamerica.com/amethyst-ultra-iii

Trust me on this, you do not want to get her something for $300. You are better off getting her nothing at all.

railroader said:

How about a purple witness compact. https://grabagun.com/eaa-corp-witness-pl-pavona-9mm-bfs.html

View attachment 767264

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Seconds the call for pavona

doubleh said:

Take a look at the RIA Baby Rock. It has a number of good reviews. I've handled one and would have bought it except I just can't make myself want a .380. Sig also has a nice one in this configueration.

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No, I wanted a full-size 380.

The thing I like about the Browning is that it has a 4¼ " barrel.

What I really really want is the Tanfoglio FT 9. A full-sized, 8-inch long, 28 oz handgun, with a 4.6" barrel, chambered in 380 ACP.



But unfortunately Tanfoglio doesn't export the FT 9 to the United States.

Don't. Take her shopping. A handgun must fit her hand, not your's. You don't get any say either.
Having a firearm coloured purple is neither difficult nor terribly expensive. Any of the assorted ceramic coatings or anodising on Al or SS can be done. Just remember that you cannot point and laugh.

Local dealer told me that I would be surprised to know how many pink (purple) guns are sold. A lady friend of mine has the SCCY 9mm in purple. She has the version with the safety. Show her many and let her pick.

Dr.Mall Ninja said:

Found a gun range in St Louis that has about a dozen 9mms for rent. We are going to go there and see what she likes the best and if I have to I’ll just buy one and have it cerakoted if I have to. I’ll keep everyone updated.

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IMO if your wife is learning and does not like recoil you might want to take the advice of the many who gave suggested buying a .22LR chambered gun. If the recoil us unpleasant she will not practice. If she develops a flinch it will be difficult to break. Add the fact that .22s are just plain fun to shoot, its a great idea.

I have handguns in 38/357, 9mm, 45 ACP, 45 Colt and a few others and my .22s are still my favorite to shoot. I own more .22 handguns and rifles than any other cartridge.

C0untZer0 said:

No, I wanted a full-size 380.

The thing I like about the Browning is that it has a 4¼ " barrel.

What I really really want is the Tanfoglio FT 9. A full-sized, 8-inch long, 28 oz handgun, with a 4.6" barrel, chambered in 380 ACP.

View attachment 767612

But unfortunately Tanfoglio doesn't export the FT 9 to the United States.

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The Sig P250 is nearly full size and can be had as a 15-rnd .380. I know they were just recently discontinued, but you should be able to scrounge one up with a little searching. My daughter loves hers and I liked it so much I got one too (though a 9mm).
The Beretta Cheetah 84 and Browning BDA .380 are first class largish .380s too, though pricey- excellent guns, though, worth the $$ IMHO.

Get it in your head now, that anything you suggest will be wrong. And there is nothing you can do about it. Show her options. Know the brands and models. But don't suggest anything, because you will be wrong.

My wife is incredibly hard to shop for on firearms. I recommended she try a Walther PPK/s. Said she hated it. One of the few guns she fell in love with is a Bersa Thunder 380 which is almost an exact clone of the PPK/s. Always wrong.

Next step in narrowing down her choice is take her to a range that does rentals. Let her try whatever she wants if you have the cash. Know which firearms come in purple if that will influence her decision greatly.

C0untZer0 said:

No, I wanted a full-size 380.

The thing I like about the Browning is that it has a 4¼ " barrel.

What I really really want is the Tanfoglio FT 9. A full-sized, 8-inch long, 28 oz handgun, with a 4.6" barrel, chambered in 380 ACP.

View attachment 767612

But unfortunately Tanfoglio doesn't export the FT 9 to the United States.

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But that's a pu-pu-pu-pu-plastic (finally got it said) gun. The ones I mentioned are good old steel.