New pistol owner seeks education.....

I assume that you purchased XD40 for you and Kahr for your wife??

They are perfectly fine, but 40 is somewhat of a snappy round if you aren't used to it, so make sure to shoot shoot shoot and that you and your wife feel comfortable with the firearm and that you can shoot well with them.

They should be able to take any good SD ammo, but some guns are a little finicky with some hollow points, so make sure to shoot plenty with the SD ammo that you will be using to make sure that they function well with those particular ammo.....if you can find them in this day and age, that is.

I Might as well post here and upset someone. This subject has been asked a lot. There will be many different opinions. My opinion is, was, and always will be: If the person who will be shooting the gun in the defense of theirs or someone else's LIFE isn't an experienced gun owner/shooter; then they should purchase a double action revolver. I don't recommend ANY semi-auto for personal/self/home defense unless the person is experienced. There are too many what ifs with a semi-auto. And when your brain is racing, and your heart is pumping faster than ever, and your adrenaline is through the roof; the last thing you want is to pull the trigger on a semi-auto pistol and it doesn't do anything. Especially if your life is at risk. Maybe a round isn't in the chamber. Maybe you didn't chamber it because you have kids in the house. Maybe it didn't chamber properly. Maybe the safety is on. With a traditional double action revolver; e.g. S&W or Ruger; it is simply POINT - AND - CLICK. And for the person who is only going to be shooting it a couple times a year, remembering how to use a semi-auto can be dangerous. Anyway, that's my suggestion and opinion.

I can't find a single point of argument with cristcorp. I would only add that if a particular gun is going to be "issued" to your wife she should be the one to pick it out.

Agreed Rockwell that she should pick it out. There's a big difference between a small Ruger 101 and a 44 magnum Python. Even if I was recommending a semi-auto; which I'm not; and the two the OP mentioned were my recommendations; his wife should be the one who picks it out. And not JUST at the store. She, and he, need to go shoot them and make sure it's what they want. Sometimes a Walther 32auto is the right answer. Sometimes a S&W 4" 357 magnum. Sometimes it's 1911A1 45acp. Each person is different.

First off, welcome,

I can't speak to the Kahr but as for the XD it is a fine gun.

As far as ammo XDs won't feed SWC and many have reported trouble with Federal HST - but this is hit or miss, you may or may not have trouble.

I personally haven't had any trouble with Federal HST but I settled on Speer Gold Dot - they just shoot well in my XD-45. Other than that any quality HD ammo should be ok, just make sure you test it well to make sure it feeds well in your gun.

As far as all the what-ifs christcorp mentioned, they can all be overcome with training. No matter what type of gun you chose become very familiar with it and train until you are proficient with it.

I agree that you and your wife should pick your guns based on shooting several different types before deciding.

In any other thread I'd tease you that .40 is a wimpy girly cartridge and I fully expect the pro .40 folks to chime in and pile on me for this post.......

Now that was out of the way, the two guns are both good choices. Make sure you don't limp wrist the Kahr (really any autoloader, but the Kahrs are light and easy to do).

I had a Kahr in 9mm. I traded it for a .357 Mag J-Frame clone because I really didn't want to buy the $40 mags as the aftermarket pro-mags didn't lock back the slide. The followers were slightly different.

I had a XD in .45 ACP but sold it to fund the purchase of another 1911. The XD worked flawlessly for a couple of thousand rounds, it was easy to shoot, easy to clean....all around great gun. My brother has it now.

Why not take an advanced pistol course somewhere? Not only are they fun, but you will pick up invaluable information, and learn some nifty stuff. After all, it is about protecting your life. This may be something you might value.

I agree with christcorp in that autoloaders are a little more difficult. By difficult, I mean that there are more functions. There's usually a magazine release, a safety, a slide lock/release, and sometimes a decocker. Getting used to using these different things takes a decent amount of practice and familiarity. Especially to do so efficiently enough to save your life in a real life situation. Whereas a good old double action revolver is much simpler. Point and shoot. Not too many buttons and releases on a revolver.

So, if you're going with the auto's, I reccommend lot's of practice. Not just standing there popping rounds at targets, but practicing the function of your weapons.

For instance:

1) Have your wife load a magazine and put a snap cap (plastic inert round) somewhere in the middle. When firing and you experience the dud, practice quickly chambering another round. Do the same for her.

2) Have your wife load an incomplete magazine for you with an unknown number of rounds. When it stops firing, practice reloading quickly. Do the same for her.

These are some things that will help you become more proficient with an auto loader's functioning.

If you are a new shooter to handguns. You should consider purchasing a double action revolver in .22 LR for the purpose of gaining skills with handguns. All new shooters should be learning by shooting as much and offend as they can afford. A 22lr handgun and a couple cases of ammo. (case of ammo is 5000 rounds). Become profecit (spelling) and comfortable with the 22 and then move onto the centerfire calibers. Also shoot both right and left handed. Slow fire, not just dumping rounds down range. (blasting)

I really think your wife should choose what she wants to shoot. But my friend LOVES to shoot my Kahr K9, just unfortunate you picked the 40cal version.

40's have a lot of snap, especially in polymer. Any way you can put a stop to the buy and maybe rent a few instead?

Go to http://www.corneredcat.com/ and start doing some reading there. Ask your wife to read it too.

Point her to http://www.womenshooters.com/ as well.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp will get you course descriptions and a class locator for NRA classes that are widely available.

There's more, of course, but this will do for starters...

Stay Safe,

lpl

Semiautos are just as reliable as revolvers. I've had two new revolvers lock up completely so don't think they are the answer to everything. The two weapons you have, the XD and the Kahr, are extremely reliable. I have a Kahr CW9 that has always worked perfectly. I have carried it extensively and consider it an ideal gun for a lady. I am now carrying a Sigma 40ve, very similar to your XD and also a CZ75B. The CZ is a different animal. Kind of like a really big Kahr. Your biggest problem is going to be deciding what guns you want to add to you collection going forward. Isn't life wonderful.

40's have a lot of snap, especially in polymer. Any way you can put a stop to the buy and maybe rent a few instead?

Click to expand...

I agree. That .40 Kahr is going to have quite a bit of recoil and flash. I understand buying a smaller gun for your wife as she may be petite but compact guns firing full sized service rounds are not usually for small framed beginners. Anyways both are fine guns and I wish you well with your purchases. The great thing about this country is that you can always buy your next gun if the first doesn't work out.

Welcome aboard. I'm a fan of all guns, but not a fan of shooter's with an unhappy gun.

So since you've already bought the guns without test firing them, have your wife and yourself take a basic handgun class and use the guns you've purchased. You'll be more than a novice after taking a course.

So since you've already bought the guns without test firing them, have your wife and yourself take a basic handgun class and use the guns you've purchased. You'll be more than a novice after taking a course.

Click to expand...

Excellent advise, training offers an excellent return on your investment.

First off and welcome. Ive always been late to new threads.

I cannot add to what others have said. I would hate to see wife unhappy with a gun. Let her try and pick her "OWN" gun. Women tend to be extremely loyal to something THEY picked or adopt as thier own. Not particularly towards those that might be ISSUED by the hubby (That will be me...)

I see that in my spouse. Sure she wants to learn my handgun, but you betcha she will either want a specific handgun for herself or none at all.

I definitely wouldn't knowingly pick a gun that is under recall (says the lady whose SP 101 in .327 Federal is currently being replaced by Ruger...)

Take your time. Right now, as a "new gun guy", you're going to likely find most guns interesting and inviting to own. The LCP wouldn't be my choice, no, and not just because of the recall. Accuracy is assisted greatly by a longer sight picture, which means a longer barrel. You had a pretty decent beginner gun in the Kahr. Some folks find the .40 to be "snappy" but my first CCW was a XD-40 service model and I *loved it*. It was a bit big to conceal, and eventually I ended up with a Kimber Ultra Carry II which is perfect for me. If you and your wife don't mind the recoil, stick with the Kahr.

I'd especially emphasize this, given that your wife picked the Kahr to begin with. If you're happy with that also, it's your better choice.

Jan

I have an XD-40 service with around 2000 rounds through it. It is an excellent pistol. Never has malfunctioned. I haven't shot the Kahr or LCP so I can't comment on that. You seem to have already gotten a lot of good suggestions. Oh also-Welcome to The High Road

LCP 380. Great gun, but only if the person carrying it has a 9mm or larger caliber primary weapon. Please don't carry a 380 as your primary weapon unless you are wearing swimwear.