.380 for wife... not CCW
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Shadow 7D
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How Bout you try this
Take your wife to the range and gun store
Let her pick the gun,
SHE IS THE ONE WHO WILL HAVE TO SHOOT IT
Please read this thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564531
and if you don't want to follow the advice in the above thread
get her a .380 Hi-Point, it weighs like a brick, comes with a life time warranty and when she trades it out for something better you won't be out a huge chunk of cash.
Take your wife to the range and gun store
Let her pick the gun,
SHE IS THE ONE WHO WILL HAVE TO SHOOT IT
Please read this thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564531
and if you don't want to follow the advice in the above thread
get her a .380 Hi-Point, it weighs like a brick, comes with a life time warranty and when she trades it out for something better you won't be out a huge chunk of cash.
Fastcast
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The 84 is a slick weapon by any standard. In my hands they are extremely accurate. I really enjoy mine. They are also very good looking guns IMHO. They have an elegance and grace to them.
They sure do!.....Everyone that handles and/or shoots our 84 comments about how classy and beautiful it is.....They usually want to buy it but it's not for sale!.....If they didn't have the lawyer speak on them, they'd be a work of art!
I understand they're not cheap (new) but maybe look for a used one like rellascout linked to. The CZ-83 is so similar to the Beretta in size, function and shoot ability you just can't go wrong with either.
I don't have an 83 but do have this CZ-82....Same as the 83 but police/military issue, chambered in 9x18 Makarov.....The 83 probably has better fit and finish being commercial, than the 82. I absolutely love this 82 also and probably even shoot it a little better than the Beretta but the 84 is more refined......Wife shoots the 84 a little better.....If you're on a budget though the CZ is just about equal to the Beretta except for looks. They are both formidable weapons.....extremely accurate, fast shooting, high cap & uber reliable....They'll get the job done.
shootingthebreeze
Member
I have to disagree with some who have commented that the .380 is not a good defense caliber. The key is the ammo; like Cor Bon .380 ACP 90 grain Jacketed Hollow Point. It has a nice large hollow point which creates an adequate wound channel which is what you want. You don't want the bullet to create a channel which closes on itself.
Now the weapon: Ruger .380 LCP. It is a nice reliable .380 and I have read many positive reviews.
Also, considering that your engagement in a self defense situation will be less than 10 feet, that is an adequate caliber.
Most important, she should pick the firearm which best suits her.
Now the weapon: Ruger .380 LCP. It is a nice reliable .380 and I have read many positive reviews.
Also, considering that your engagement in a self defense situation will be less than 10 feet, that is an adequate caliber.
Most important, she should pick the firearm which best suits her.
As a female, I'll throw my 2 cents in for you...
I'll also vote for 9mm over 380. A more capable round for self defense, cheaper, and in most pistols, easier to shoot.
As several others have mentioned, most 380 pistols are blowback actions, and to me, have more felt recoil than most 9mm pistols.
Your budget is pretty low, but look for a clean used Glock 19, S&W 3913, 9mm 1911, ooooh-a high power. You won't find a Browning that cheap, but an Argentine will be just a skosh over $300, a great range gun.
Take your wife to a gun show or big store, and let her handle a million of them, she'll find one that speaks to her.
Good luck.
I'll also vote for 9mm over 380. A more capable round for self defense, cheaper, and in most pistols, easier to shoot.
As several others have mentioned, most 380 pistols are blowback actions, and to me, have more felt recoil than most 9mm pistols.
Your budget is pretty low, but look for a clean used Glock 19, S&W 3913, 9mm 1911, ooooh-a high power. You won't find a Browning that cheap, but an Argentine will be just a skosh over $300, a great range gun.
Take your wife to a gun show or big store, and let her handle a million of them, she'll find one that speaks to her.
Good luck.
harmon rabb
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beretta 84, cz-83, or pk380. all are "full size" (for a 380), very soft shooting, and reliable.
20 guage 870
I just noticed Rellascout's next choice of 20 guage shotgun and the fact that you only want to spend $300. One seems to go with the other....I saw an 870 20 guage at WallyWorld today for under $300. That's right in your price range and a fine HD tool.
I just noticed Rellascout's next choice of 20 guage shotgun and the fact that you only want to spend $300. One seems to go with the other....I saw an 870 20 guage at WallyWorld today for under $300. That's right in your price range and a fine HD tool.
shootingthebreeze
Member
http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2008/12/informal-tests-hornady-critical-defense.html
As more demand for smaller weapons for CCW was fielded, more research in effective .380 ammunition was done, weakening the myth that the .380 is not an effective self defense round.
Of course, one cannot argue against a 9mm which has superior power than the .380. But as I stated earlier, the key is the type of .380 ammunition one selects. Engagement will be typically 10 feet or less. The chances of overpenetration that a high caliber round presents in a dwelling (.357, .45) through walls to the outside environment is also a consideration. Selecting the right .380 ammunition will do the job and decrease potential collateral harm as the .380 round will quickly decelerate as it travels through walls.
I am a fan of the .45; it is my favorite handgun. Yet, I have started to study the potential of the .380 and I'm pleased that ammunition has kept pace with the demand of .380s because of its ability to be concealed. Though the post is not about CCW, the .380, provided the right ammunition is selected will be adequate.
As more demand for smaller weapons for CCW was fielded, more research in effective .380 ammunition was done, weakening the myth that the .380 is not an effective self defense round.
Of course, one cannot argue against a 9mm which has superior power than the .380. But as I stated earlier, the key is the type of .380 ammunition one selects. Engagement will be typically 10 feet or less. The chances of overpenetration that a high caliber round presents in a dwelling (.357, .45) through walls to the outside environment is also a consideration. Selecting the right .380 ammunition will do the job and decrease potential collateral harm as the .380 round will quickly decelerate as it travels through walls.
I am a fan of the .45; it is my favorite handgun. Yet, I have started to study the potential of the .380 and I'm pleased that ammunition has kept pace with the demand of .380s because of its ability to be concealed. Though the post is not about CCW, the .380, provided the right ammunition is selected will be adequate.
gc70
Member
Let your wife try some different guns and see what she wants.
People typically choose a .380 over a 9mm because: (1) the .380 is often better suited to concealed carry because it is smaller and lighter, or; (2) a locked-breech .380 normally has a lighter recoil spring, making the slide is easier to manipulate.
If concealed carry is not a goal, there are a lot of full-size 9mm pistols, particularly all-steel models, that have minimal recoil - less IMO than the average small .380. It is fairly easy to find S&W 5906 or Beretta 92FS police trade-in guns in decent condition in the $300 range.
Shadow 7D
Member
and take into account the more difficult to manipulate slide that a blowback .380 has, vs. lighter springs on a locked breech 9mm
rellascout
member
He stated that she already has a 20 gauge. Which might prompt one to ask why she need a pistol that is not for concealed carry. If she feels she needs as pistol too I thing she should get one.
PS Took my 84FS for a spin today. I cannot recommend this 380 enough. It is a dream to shoot. At self defense ranges the bullets go where I point them with very little recoil. One of the best $300 I have ever spent on a gun.
notjustanothermini
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bersa also makes a full size 17 shot 9mm caled the thinder pro, it is usually in the 299 range, for the stainless it is 329. looks alot like a cz 75b crossd with a browning hipower.
the .380 is not a good choice for a "nightstand" gun. i mean it will not be carried, and you are stacking the deck in favor of a bad guy taking 2 indirect hits and pulling his piece out and murdering your wife in a home invasion.
i hope it never happens to you or your wife (home invasion) but sometimes one needs to be blunt to let others see the light., the gun at home with my wife (5'4" and 115lbs) while im at work, is a eaa witness steel frame setup for 10mm with buffalo bore 200 grain HP's they make just under 800 lbs of Muzzle energy, and the other gun at home with her is a ruger SR 40, and a mini-14
i love her to death and i make sure she has the caliber of guns that a good hit on the upper torso will knock a BG down for the count.
if you must have a .380 for her, in the 300 range, id say for sure, get her a bersa thinder "plus" it is the same style walther .380 bersa with a 15 shot mag. decock and all that and youd be suprised on how accurate and smoother the trigger is than most
now you could finda a sigma , or i have atl east for 200-215 used like new in box. the local gun store had 5 of them, 3 .40s and 2 9's the .40s were the 215 dollar ones and the 9's were 200
they say there is no better grip design for a woman than the cz guns, they have a .32 that holds 15, and nest would be the beretta 84's and the BDA'a.
and then there are the kel tec's the p-11 (10+1) and the p-9 (7 or 8 +1 depending onthe flush floor plate or finger rest floor plate)
also there is a company called i forget but they make a kel tec clone thing in 9mm
then the best bet would be to get her a millenium pro, or a taurus 709 slim
the mill pro can be had in .32, .380, 9mm, .40, .45acp. the .380 and 9mm millpro's (taurus) hold 12 and can take extended mags from the 24/7 line giving 17+1 and you can get the mag extension sleeve for them and it makes it a long legged full size grip like the 24/7 line, and then the 709 slim with its 9mm holding 7+1 this is also a taurus gun.
and one more thing, is a 1911 is built as a 9mm it will work just fine , as it was supposed to be a 9mm and is set up accordingly
the .380 is not a good choice for a "nightstand" gun. i mean it will not be carried, and you are stacking the deck in favor of a bad guy taking 2 indirect hits and pulling his piece out and murdering your wife in a home invasion.
i hope it never happens to you or your wife (home invasion) but sometimes one needs to be blunt to let others see the light., the gun at home with my wife (5'4" and 115lbs) while im at work, is a eaa witness steel frame setup for 10mm with buffalo bore 200 grain HP's they make just under 800 lbs of Muzzle energy, and the other gun at home with her is a ruger SR 40, and a mini-14
i love her to death and i make sure she has the caliber of guns that a good hit on the upper torso will knock a BG down for the count.
if you must have a .380 for her, in the 300 range, id say for sure, get her a bersa thinder "plus" it is the same style walther .380 bersa with a 15 shot mag. decock and all that and youd be suprised on how accurate and smoother the trigger is than most
now you could finda a sigma , or i have atl east for 200-215 used like new in box. the local gun store had 5 of them, 3 .40s and 2 9's the .40s were the 215 dollar ones and the 9's were 200
they say there is no better grip design for a woman than the cz guns, they have a .32 that holds 15, and nest would be the beretta 84's and the BDA'a.
and then there are the kel tec's the p-11 (10+1) and the p-9 (7 or 8 +1 depending onthe flush floor plate or finger rest floor plate)
also there is a company called i forget but they make a kel tec clone thing in 9mm
then the best bet would be to get her a millenium pro, or a taurus 709 slim
the mill pro can be had in .32, .380, 9mm, .40, .45acp. the .380 and 9mm millpro's (taurus) hold 12 and can take extended mags from the 24/7 line giving 17+1 and you can get the mag extension sleeve for them and it makes it a long legged full size grip like the 24/7 line, and then the 709 slim with its 9mm holding 7+1 this is also a taurus gun.
and one more thing, is a 1911 is built as a 9mm it will work just fine , as it was supposed to be a 9mm and is set up accordingly
Proud Southern Son
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I've got an older Bersa .380. Reliable as a hammer. Impressively accurate. Low recoil, but good fit for smaller hands.
superscribe
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i'll try not to push my own agenda here by giving you more information than you wanted or cared for. Of the guns you listed, I own a walther pk380. Some very particular attributes of this gun that might interest people who've never fired one: It's fairly light. The recoil is ridiculously easy to handle. The grip is very comfortable (the new walther ergo's are great, but this is also personal preference). It's DA/SA so you can carry/store in condition 1 with less worry. It's easy to rack, so you (or your wife) can carry/store in condition 3 and still feel confident. It's a longer barrel, so you'll have more energy in the gun than a more common 2" pocket gun.
What walther did here is make a gun specifically designed for your situation. They made a shootable, moderately sized gun that's doesn't require a lot of strength to use. It's also small enough that it's concealable, so you'll probably like the gun as well. That's what I use it for, anyway. I'm also very comfortable with what I'm packing, because in the reactive metal range, i can put down 3 and acquire a fourth target in the time it takes most people to shoot 2 and aim for the third. I could argue all day about who was the better shot, blah blah blah, but at the end of the day, the nature of the pk380 just makes it get on the trigger and empty the magazine.
What walther did here is make a gun specifically designed for your situation. They made a shootable, moderately sized gun that's doesn't require a lot of strength to use. It's also small enough that it's concealable, so you'll probably like the gun as well. That's what I use it for, anyway. I'm also very comfortable with what I'm packing, because in the reactive metal range, i can put down 3 and acquire a fourth target in the time it takes most people to shoot 2 and aim for the third. I could argue all day about who was the better shot, blah blah blah, but at the end of the day, the nature of the pk380 just makes it get on the trigger and empty the magazine.
Another vote for the PK380.
If low felt-recoil is a must and being easy to rack and shoot are your top priorites you'll be hard pressed to find a better pistol in .380.
The PK is a lot easier to rack and softer shooting than any of the blowback style .380s like the Bersa or even the Berettas. I had a Browning BDA and the PK has noticeably less recoil and is much easier to rack the slide on.
Plus the styling seems to be especially appealing to most of the women I know. My PK is a favorite with my wife and daughter at the range. If you're serious about getting your wife a gun she will actually like and not just doing the getting mom a catchers mitt thing and getting her a gun you secretly want, then give the PK some serious consideration.
If low felt-recoil is a must and being easy to rack and shoot are your top priorites you'll be hard pressed to find a better pistol in .380.
The PK is a lot easier to rack and softer shooting than any of the blowback style .380s like the Bersa or even the Berettas. I had a Browning BDA and the PK has noticeably less recoil and is much easier to rack the slide on.
Plus the styling seems to be especially appealing to most of the women I know. My PK is a favorite with my wife and daughter at the range. If you're serious about getting your wife a gun she will actually like and not just doing the getting mom a catchers mitt thing and getting her a gun you secretly want, then give the PK some serious consideration.
Tomcat47
Member
I love My Taurus PT58 HC
I have also owned Beretta and Bersa
The Taurus and Beretta are awesome.... I think the Beretta and Taurus 58 are beautiful guns... I do not like the Taurus factory grips on the newer HC models,not bad.... they are not pretty wood, but easily fixed!
The Newer PT58 HC (High Capacity) Holds 19 + 1
I got two of these...The wife wanted one after I got mine. She wanted Blue and I got SS.
Recoil no problem and just as accurate as possible out of the box.
Good Luck
I have also owned Beretta and Bersa
The Taurus and Beretta are awesome.... I think the Beretta and Taurus 58 are beautiful guns... I do not like the Taurus factory grips on the newer HC models,not bad.... they are not pretty wood, but easily fixed!
The Newer PT58 HC (High Capacity) Holds 19 + 1
I got two of these...The wife wanted one after I got mine. She wanted Blue and I got SS.
Recoil no problem and just as accurate as possible out of the box.
Good Luck
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rkammer
Member
I also like the PK380 or the Bersa Thunder 380 but, she can have a 9mm in just s slightly larger pistol with the Smith M&P Compact 9mm. With the small grip insert she should be able to control this one easily and with 12 +1 rounds of 9mm she would be well prepared in most any situation. And, this pistol is so easy to operate. Just pick it up and pull the trigger.
joe_security
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I am going to vote with rellascout on the 20 ga. pump for the wife. Let the "home alone" wife have the hi cap .380 in a holster in case someone gets in before she gets to the shotgun. If the PK380 is affordable and works good for her then go for it !
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rkammer
Member
Remove the slide from the frame. If the barrel is attached to the frame, it's a blow back. If the barrel is loose in the slide, it's locked breech.
Fastcast
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Not necessarily always true....The Beretta 84's barrel is not attached to the frame and comes off with the slide but is still blow back.
Fastcast
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The simplest way would be, when you rack the slide, if the barrel tilts upwards, not parallel with the frame anymore, it's locked breech.....If the barrel doesn't move and stays parallel with the frame it's most likely blow back or some other fancy system like roller locking block.
Any of the locking systems delay for a split second the backwards movement of the slide....Which in turn helps reduce the recoil of the larger caliber, higher pressure rounds......Blow backs only have larger, heavier recoil springs and don't really delay the slide but soak up recoil with the stiff spring but in turn makes the slide harder to rack.
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rkammer
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Never to old to learn. Thanks.
Ledgehammer
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Great going guys! Now I'm looking for a Berreta Cheetah - I knew there was a reason I kept that box of .380 ammo in my gunsafe. lol There are sweet looking little guns and feel great in the hand. It's about time I got something stylish anyway - glocks make up most of my gunsafe ATM.
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