Recoil of 380 vs 9mm

depends on the weight of the gun. MyP3AT kicks harder than my Glock 19.

Is she really short and skinny? I didn't think the recoil on my SR9 9mm was bad at all, it was more than I expected, but not problematic in the least.

yes

The recoil of my Mauser HSc; blowback at 24 ounce weight is more abrupt and forcefull than any of my 9 mm locked breach and heavier weight pistols.

Enough so that my guess is that most women would prefer the 9mm's.

Have you tried finding any of the former Colt Mustang pistols? Locked breach, medium sizes and weights. And tried and true condition one; single action.

I have my lady on a revolver/shotgun for home defense. Gp100 4 inch.

She is not carrying, but she always liked my small ruger revolver with the 38 + p. She is a recoil light weight and managed to shoot it quite well. 357 gun gives you plenty of cash in your wallet when shooting the 38s compared to other shells.
You might want to check out a ruger sp101-- easy to conceal, hogue grips made it a dream to shoot, and more than enough if you can do your part behind the hammer.
Consider ctc laser grips as a SUPPLEMENT once she becomes proficient enough with its open sights. They can be useful with speed and firing from awkward positions where aiming is not really an option.

You might want to check out a ruger sp101-- easy to conceal, hogue grips made it a dream to shoot, and more than enough if you can do your part behind the hammer.

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Big plus 1 here, Sp101 or model 60 Smith with +p 38s either Speer SBGDs or 158 LSWCHP.

Anyone shot both the PPK/S and the Kel Tec PF9?
Looks like the PF9 weighs only 18 oz. loaded!

Rent some...

I did not know that the 9mm or .380 had recoil..... My 9mm's don't even make much noise let alone much muzzle flip.

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+1 the R word shouldn't be used on anything less than.357mag.

Both my women shoot my .380's and like it.

For a carry gun go with the SIG-232 you can get cheaper but none better.

If she finds 9mm to be painful, she probably won't like 380 either. Or 38 Special for that matter. My mother is extremely recoil sensitive, so her house gun is a 22LR Hi Standard Citation. Better to hit your target with a 22 than miss with a 380 or 9mm. An all steel NAA or Secamp in 32 ACP may be an option, but ammo is not cheap.

If her aim is all over the place due to the kick of the 9mm then I'd suggest she needs more trigger time. Has she shot much 22? Maybe get her some range time and when she's getting nice groups with a .22 step up to a 38 Special revolver. The .38's I've shot have a softer sort of kick than the really short and sharp crack of the 9mm. If she's happy with 38 Spl then maybe that's where she could stop and find one of those. Lots of nice smaller options there. And the grip on most of the 38 special revolvers is quite small to the point that if I had one I'd be looking for the big Hogue grips. But for your wife I suspect that it would be just right given what I'm reading here so far.

If she adapts to the 38 Spl in a short time then try her on the 9mm again.

The key seems to be comfy enough with both the grip size AND the noise and kick it is going to make so that her aim isn't dependent on how much she flinches, pulls or otherwise reacts to the coming "BANG".

Your wife might benefit from a visit to this site.

http://www.corneredcat.com/

Recoil can be handled with a properly fit gun, training and practice. At least that's what my wife and daughters say.

Corneredcat

Way to go Furncliff. I was going to suggest that site. If I'd gone there first with my (then) non-shooting wife, it would have saved me some money, and considerbly more grief. (Payback is a bi****lateral problem)

Cat has it covered.

... corneredcat...

That's an excellent site. Thanks for the link.

The Sig 232 i used to have kicked worse than my Glock.

Recoil

My wife shot the Sig 232 (17oz), CZ 83, Beretta 84 380's -a11 barrels less than 4", she thought they all were snappy, and flippy, and sharp!

She thought the XDM 9mm, 32 oz, 4.5" barrel, balanced frame. heavy slide seemed to recoil slower and softer.

But I agree with catcorner, recoil feels different to everyone, shoot 'em and pick.

Get her a heavy 9 mm but if you must have a 380 look at the CZ 83 its a very nice gun

I can tell you my Glock 26 recoils less than my friends Ruger LCP that I shot. I think aside from a .22, 9mm has to be one of the easiest calibers to shoot.

Depends a lot on the pistol,I think. My wife can handle her Bersa fine. She can also handle my buddy's 9mm 1911 fine, but can barely even hold on to my beretta 92.

how has no one suggested an HK p7?

very little recoil, fits smaller hands well, safe to carry, very accurate, 9mm. what more can you want (other than night sights)?

If you really loved her, you'd get her a Mustang to ride....My wife carries this little pony...

I can tell you my Glock 26 recoils less than my friends Ruger LCP that I shot

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Not surprising--it weighs almost three times as much.

I shoot a lot of .380 and 9mm. IMO they are close enough in recoil to not count. Many .380s are pretty small and light and these feel the same to me compared to 9mms of similar size and weight.

When you have a full grip and get up to about 24 ounces or more, recoil begins to lessen and the comfort zone is approached.

The most comfortable .380 I have are the Beretta 84 and 85, followed by a Stainless Sig P232.

The most comfortable smaller 9mm pistols I have are a HK USPc, HK P2000SK and Kahr T9. Although small, these are a joy to shoot for extended range sessions.

The percieved recoil of my Bersa .380 is much less than my Kel-Tec P-11 9mm.

My carry gun is a Beretta 85FS.It's recoil is less than a 9MM. I carry FMJ,preferably the Winchester flat point in their USA brand. The debate over better cartridges for personel defense is legitimate. I just feel the Beretta 85 is a good balance. Byron