A good handgun for wife ?

[Wanderling]

I am looking for a 2nd handgun that my wife could comfortably use. She is not going to carry - not yet anyway - but we've agreed that at the very least, she needs to know how to shoot one and have one around the house for self defence.

She's average height, neither large nor petite. She needs a gun that is reliable, simple and doesn't need much force or many steps to operate, yet has some basic safeties. No DA/SA which may be too confusing.

So, I am thinking of a polymer frame compact 9mm.

The only handgun I now have is Glock G17, which I outfitted with a Siderlock safety. I like the gun and I like the safety, may be because I am used to a rifle style safety the Siderlock feels intuitive.

So, my 1st choice would be to get either a G19 or G26 and outfit it with another Siderlock. This way we would have two guns that are identically operated and have the identical feel, and I could carry one and leave another at home.

An alternative would be to get a small frame revolver. This solves a potential problem with her limp wristing the gun in a high stress situation.

I ruled out leaving her a shotgun or a rifle for home defense as she would likely have problems with bulk / length and feel intimidated by the recoil. A handgun seems easier to handle and get used to.

What else would you suggest and why ?

 

[Schwing]

I would let her handle a few and pick it herself. Limp wristing is really a non issue with 9mm. I would lean towards a small frame revolver like an lcr. It is light, easy to carry and still fun at the range. Even so, ultimately, she is the one who needs to be comfortable with it.

I would also find a range that will let you rent one before you buy.

 

[Wanderling]

Thanks, we have a range near us, I just wanted to narrow down the choice first.

Unfortunately, they don't rent G26 with Pearce grips, so the feel of the gun will be different to what I'd end up getting.

 

[BigBL87]

I'd lean revolver as well. When we talked about getting another handgun, my wife liked the idea of a revolver because it is "simpler" to her.

That being said, a few of my wife's friends really liked my SAR B6P when I let them shoot it recently. I think it's a very good middle ground for hand sizes, weight, etc.. They also make a compact version, but they seem to be hard to find at the moment.

 

[N1vram]

Can she rack the slide on a semi-auto?

 

[Skyshot]

I bought an LCR , my wife hates it, but yet loves my 1911. I'm thinking along the mid size .380s. She doesn't mind recoil, she just doesn't like the snappy recoil of the lightweight pocket guns

 

[chaswea]

Beretta Nano

Take a good look at the Beretta Nano

 

[il.bill]

A S&W Model 10 or 15, used, but in nice shape.

My wife is very comfortable with ours. It is simple and dependable, and fairly easy to learn to shoot well. Then when your wife and you are ready to move on to a newer design handgun you would likely be able to sell it and get your money back. Or, keep it - a S&W .38 special revolver is always nice to have available.

 

[HexHead]

Ruger SP-101, and run .38 Specials in it. Remember, when it comes to recoil, weight is your friend.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Start her with a .22 and let her handle and shoot anything that she is interested in...rent, borrow, buy, shoot anything you can. Let her choose by experience. That said, my Wife went thru about 20 guns before she found her Soul Mate in the Glock 42 in .380.

She loved revolvers and gravitated to them first and her first love really was a Ruger LCR but until I hand loaded for her it beat her senseless with full house factory .38 Special. It's a 13.5 oz revolver....I'd just caution you to not let her scare herself right off the bat if she is inexperienced.

My Wife actually had to take analgesics and use ice after her first range session with her LCR in .38.

Good luck!! Bring her into the sport/gun fancy and teach her to defend herself with her choice!

VooDoo

 

[JohnBiltz]

I don't enjoy shooting small revolvers, I don't get why people think a woman who weighs 80 pounds less than me would enjoy shooting one.

 

[ugaarguy]

She needs a gun that is reliable, simple and doesn't need much force or many steps to operate, yet has some basic safeties. No DA/SA which may be too confusing.

If she's an adult who's competent to operate a firearm then those are decisions she needs to make, not you.

So, I am thinking of a polymer frame compact 9mm.

The only handgun I now have is Glock G17, which I outfitted with a Siderlock safety. I like the gun and I like the safety, may be because I am used to a rifle style safety the Siderlock feels intuitive.

So, my 1st choice would be to get either a G19 or G26 and outfit it with another Siderlock. This way we would have two guns that are identically operated and have the identical feel, and I could carry one and leave another at home.

If you want that as a second gun, get it for yourself as a second gun, and don't use your wife needing a gun as an excuse to get it. She's an adult, and she'll be the one using the gun, so she needs to decide what features she does or doesn't want.

 

[DeepSouth]

HOW TO BUY A GUN FOR A WOMAN:

Step:1
Take said woman to gun store.

Step:2
Give said woman credit card.

Step:3
Back away from counter.

Step:4
Send her to www.corneredcat.com

Step:5
Buy another gun for yourself while you have an excuse

The end.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I don't enjoy shooting small revolvers, I don't get why people think a woman who weighs 80 pounds less than me would enjoy shooting one.

I tend to agree *but* have friends and personal acquaintances at the range who get along just fine with tiny air weight revolvers and full house .38 Special. Felt recoil and proficiency with the snubbies seems to be a highly personal thing and I have heard over and over again that folks who don't get along with taking a beating while shooting such things are overly sensitive and need to train more.

Which is ridiculous. But it's true that some folks just "feel" recoil differently than others. I know several folks whose smallish women folks (including a 15 year old) enjoy shooting small revolvers in .38 and even .357 just fine.

The key here is to give new shooters options and information and let them choose. There's lot's of choices and many fine options for all sizes and experience/training levels to experience.

VooDoo

 

[DeepSouth]

Which is ridiculous. But it's true that some folks just "feel" recoil differently than others. I know several folks whose smallish women folks (including a 15 year old) enjoy shooting small revolvers in .38 and even .357 just fine.

I once saw a 30 something year old man bust a blood vessel in his hand with my brothers 454 Cassule. I also saw 13-14 year old girl that probably weighed under 100 lbs shoot the same gun, all six rounds, then turn around and say "I don't see the big deal, but it's loud as hell!" Almost fell out laughing thinking about the guy twice her age that didn't make it through a full cylinder. In full disclosure it was premium defense ammo he was shooting and she was shooting regular target loads but still....

 

[j1]

S & W Ladysmith Titanium in 22.

 

[Wanderling]

Many opinions... Thanks !

I'll start with G26 and may be a G19 which can be easily rented. I still think there's value in having basically the same gun in different sizes, as long as she likes it.

I will also look at a small frame .380 SPL revolver, I'm sure some of the local ranges are renting them.

She can rack the slide on G17, although she said it was harder than she expected, which surprised me as she's not weak by any mean. But then, the pull on a revolver trigger is probably even harder.

 

[Artym]

I would get the Ruger SP101, Ruger LCR in 357, or a Smith model 60. Use mild 38s for practice and +ps for self defense. If possible, try out a Smith K frame with a 2 1/2" or 3" barrel. I wouldn't go lighter than the LCR.
Recoil is nasty with a small 380, and a beginner is much better off with the simplicity of a revolver. A full size 9 is easier to shoot than a small 380, but I think a beginner is better off with a revolver. For home use, you can even think of a full size 4" revolver, on the lighter side, like a Smith or a compact 3" Ruger SP 101, if you can find one.
You won't need to put lots of rounds through the revolver to break it in, it won't jam if there is a poor grip, and it is easier for a beginner to learn to use. Of course, the best way to find out what will work is to try them out at a range.

 

[Jim Watson]

What is her opinion of your G17?
What is the advantage of a smaller gun that is not to be carried concealed?

A 3rd generation Glock 17 or 19 will be easier to rack than a 4th.
But if she will read The Cornered Cat she can handle any of them.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

Have her try a Sig P238 in .380 . Just be prepared to buy one for yourself too.

 

[KenW.]

When my wife got her CCW I gave her an SW 36 Chief's Special. The first thing she wanted to do with it was to strip the nickel off and make it (gasp) PURPLE! I got her to give it back to me and we got her an LCP.

 

[NGIB]

My wife recently shot my daughter's M&P9 compact and really liked it. I expect I'll have to get her one soon...

 

[dprice3844444]

she's a noob to firearms.start them off with a revolver to be safe.less chance of accidental d/c.if you could locate a model 65 3 inch hb,you'd be in good shape.enroll her in some local firearms safety classes.see if your state has hunter education safety classes.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

A Steel framed revolver in .38 Special.
or
A Ruger LCR in .22 Magnum.

Simple, reliable, easy to shoot well, minimal recoil.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Unless she has experience you have not told us about, and you are looking for a gun she can learn on and yet have something most would consider of adequate power for self-defense, it is very hard to go wrong with a S&W .38 Special steel K-frame with a 3" or 4" barrel.