Going gun shopping with wife want feedback/advice

[browningguy]

I would also have her look at the EAA Witness line if you can find one locally for her to try on. I have a PS model in 9mm with several thousand rounds through it and a Elite Match in .40. I know people won't like to hear it but I prefer the cheapo ($279) Witness PS trigger to my CZ75B, both are completely stock but the Witness is better.

The Witness Elite Match way outclasses either of the above. You can get them from Schramms in Texas for $399, but they are a large framed gun, I know they had them in 9mm at the Houston show this weekend.

 

[flashman70]

You might find a Walther P99 in your price range. It's military looking and has interchangeable backstraps to accommodate different hand sizes. Maybe a used Sig P228 or H&K P2000. The H&K also has interchangeable backstraps. If she's going to carry it, weight is a factor. The Walther and H&K have polymer frames.

 

[Detritus]

SM said in 9x23

Hey steve, doesn't that defeat the cheap factory ammo requirement?

seriously i might go the direction you mention at a later date, possibly for myself. reading about 9x23 (had to go look it up after you posted) has gotten me kinda interested in the possibilites.

 

[Vitamin G]

Sign me up for both the EAA witness (especially if you can shoot it first) or BHP list. I got a pair of cocobolos from woodgrips.com and after minor fitting, I'm super pleased. Could have been presentation grade, and for $60.

 

[condoor]

Well if a Glock 19/26 is completely out of the question my next choice would be a nice CPO (certified preowned) Sig. Look at the p228/229 or 225. I recently ordered a CPO p226 and had it delievered to my local FFL for right at $550, and it looks like a brand new gun. Sigforums.com and are great places for sig info.

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/industrynews/sig5_3_04.html

 

[Delfine]

First why don't you concentrate on looking at what you want and let her shop for what she wants. It sounds like she knows what she wants and she just has to see what fills her specs.

First of all, thank you, sincerely, for all of the wonderful suggestions, even sm's strange concoction (you are so sweet ) and especially Majic for your very insightful comment, because, after all, what does a woman want? She wants to be in charge of her own life and make her own decisions.

The reason I ask for hubby's input to my list of what I want in a hand gun for conceal carry is that I know for absolute certain that he knows more about armory than I will ever care to know in lifetime of study. He can't figure out how to pick up his underwear off the bathroom floor by himself, but you ask him about firearms and he is an effing genious. But he also knows that other firearms experts (yourselves. of course) will have more examples that you have handled or your significant others had handled that would help him with his suggestions for me.

Basically I've shot a Ruger Vaquero, a Springfield 1911 mil spec .45 and a Bersa .380. The Ruger was great, but I don't want to use a revolver - personal taste -, the Bersa had a nasty double click that always seemed to mess up my first shot and the 1911 was nice but had me heeling. Hubby says that I am anticipating the kick and overcontrolling (SOB had the nerve to tell me that is a faulty personality trait on my part, but we won't go there).

That is when he had me give him the "wish list" and we are going from there. I like the description of the BHP, also the 9mm 1911, but we are going shopping for the next few weeks and I intend to try out as many of your suggestions as possible.

Thank you all, again and if you think of anything else, let me know. Suggestions are always welcome as long as I get to choose .

 

[PoPo22]

Selection

I took my wife out pistol shopping last year for the same reasons. She had a Sig P230 ss that shot very good, but she hated the bottom mag. release button. I took her to rent some guns at a local firing range and she decided on a S&W 908, 9mm, single stack, blue, SA/DA. This gun seems to fit most of the criteria you name, but was a few $$$'s more (but in the ball park). She loves this pistol and is very accurate with it. Lots of good suggestions here, but she is very happy with the Smith.
Good Luck

 

[Confederate]

One problems with questions posed like this is that your individual abilities are not known. Are you and your wife proficient in the use of today's autoloaders? What are your ages? Do you suffer from arthritis? Do you practice shooting reguarly?

Given just what you've said, I believe the Beretta 92 may be the best overall compromise. It's easy to operate, easy to assemble and disassemble and has very good pointing characteristics. Reliability also is excellent.

For home use, I usually recommend revolvers, but if you have the ability to load and shoot an automatic, choose the gun that fits your hand and inspires the greatest confidence. I only would advise against new generation autoloaders like Glocks, which have high rates of accidental discharges. Remember, also, with the Beretta that you'll have a fairly long, hard double action pull for the first shot (and firing single action in self defense may cause legal woes).

Try the trigger pulls on whichever gun you decide on and take notice of its pointing characteristics, then buy a good brand of ammunition and run a few boxes through it to ensure reliabilty.

 

[tanksoldier]

Sigs all the way.

I carry a full-size 226 in 9mm as my daily CCW.

Want a bit smaller? P229 or 228 in 9mm.

Want a bit smaller than that? P239 in 9mm.

All are excellent quality, should be able to find used/ CPO for well under $600, and are "serious looking" as a heart attack.

Having said all that, as most people say, take her to a range that rents a wide selection of guns and let her go at it. We can advice what has worked for us, and what feels right to us... but she has to decide what feels right for her.

 

[Detritus]

as most people say, take her to a range that rents a wide selection of guns and let her go at it.

this is in the plans, but has to wait untill we have the opportunity to go up to houston at a time when we have the time etc to spend an extended time at a range with rentals.

as a side note on this, do any of the Houston area members have suggestions of ranges that have a decent range of rental guns? the only one i am sure of that rents in houston is Top Gun over on Beverly Hill rd. so i'd kinda like to know if i have otehr options etc.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

From years of successful experience in taking SWMBO shopping for firearms, I have a few unqualified criteria which guarantee success.

1). Drive with her to the best equipped rental range.

2). Let her discuss the good and bad points with the most knowledgeable employee there. Bonus points if that person is also female. She is to arrange to shoot what she likes and that which feels good in her hand.

3). Keep your comments to yourself and your mouth devoid of any utterances. Same for gestures.

4). Cheerfully pay for any purchases she makes. Follow up and review Item 3. except for any positive comments.


Marital bliss continues unabated.

That's how SWMBO purchases all her firearms, except when she goes shopping by herself. Yes, she does come away with very nice things. She's happy, I'm happy.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[sm]

Detritus.

I was messing with you.

Delfine, ma'am , it ain't a strange concoction. I was being somewhat serious about the 9x23.
I did say I was in one my biased modes...

My experiences - ladies are sharp, they are into fit, function and looking good ( cute, pretty, lovely...).

Fact is, dad-burned Single Action triggers like on a 1911 and BHP feels good to ladies and the grip size and angle and all - fits a bunch of hands, including ladies.

I never ever suggest a 1911 smaller than Commander size, besides, the mags on Commander and full fit each other.

Commander and Full sized-Grips the same , and the only difference is barrel length b/t the two and the lightweight Commander, being steel and alloy weighs less.

Ladies are built different, while perhaps a male does not really note any difference in the concelment of the Commander and Full - a lady will. Just how ladies are built. One of the LtWt in 9mm ( regular old 9mm) - a real nice gun! Ammo is priced such, you will shoot it alot.

My experiences again-

- Let a lady pick her own gun.already
- A lady will always find a gun a guy has, and want "that one".
Of course this is usually the nice gun, expensive one, or the one the guy really does not want to part with.

Delfine and Detritus, hope you both are doing well, do take care and good luck.

Steve

 

[Geronimo45]

A CZ 75-P01 would be a good choice. I'd say to get a CZ 83 in .380... or 9x18 Makarov (pretty cheap for Mak ammo). It's cheap and high-capacity, reliable, accurate, leaves lots of money for more ammo.
The P-01 from CZ is a very good 9mm. Concealable and reliable, comes with an accessory rail, and it's accurate.

I think everybody should own a CZ 83, whether they be male or female. Such a fine thing for such a low price.

 

[gwhall57]

Look at the XD 9 Sub-Compact for your wife - a very good CCW pistol (my carry weapon, by the way).

You might want to look at the XD 45.

 

[saltydog452]

Give the windlass a few more turns, hand her the crossbow, and step back.


The Kahr K-9 is a reasonable, handy size. The grip angle is second to the BHP but w/o the double wide mag.

salty.

 

[tanksoldier]

ROTFLMAO!!

The question of a firearm may still be up in the air, but a knife would obviously be redundant... with a tongue and wit that sharp.

He can't figure out how to pick up his underwear off the bathroom floor by himself, but you ask him about firearms and he is an effing genious.

(SOB had the nerve to tell me that is a faulty personality trait on my part, but we won't go there).

 

[Will Fennell]

1911's and BHP

My significant other has settled on- after MUCH trial and error- either a BHP or a 9mm STI Trojan. So, of course I purchased both . She shoots the 1911 slightly better, but REALLY loves how the BHP feels, and its slightly smaller size. This difference in size wieght is slight, but meaningful to her, and that is what counts.

Good news is that I get to keep the TROJAN for my range use

Other good news is that with a mag full of Corbon DPX in a BHP, she has enough ammo on tap to handle the bad guys, and any of their friends

 

[rellascout]

Here is my $.02

My list of 9mm guns that would fit this criteria listed in order of preference.

Browning Hi-Power The best 9mm in the world as long as your hand is not so big that the hammer bites you. Look around for FN marked gun. They are the exact same gun but can be found for $450 to $500.

Sig P228/P229 CPO (Certified used Sigs) I am surprised that more people have not suggested this setup. They can be had for $450 to $500 These are a great setup. Not a true compact but can be concealed. Holds up to 17 +1 with an x-grip. The gun is more accurate then most shooters. A true combat pistol.

CZ75B This gun is the real deal. It is too big for my hands so I sold mine but you will not find a better gun out there. Triggers can be stiff right out of the box but after about 500 rounds or some dry firing the smooth out to butter.



Like other have said let her pick her own gun.

 

[Delfine]

ROTFLMAO!!

The question of a firearm may still be up in the air, but a knife would obviously be redundant... with a tongue and wit that sharp.

Detritus says that you have no idea! He calls it razor wit, I call it heaping coals of kindness.

BTW we did get to look at a CZ, a 1911 Commander and a . The buff blond 20-something behind the counter who was more interested in his phone call than his customer teed me off enough to make me smile and walk out. His boss got a coals of kindess email. We will have to head out of town to continue shopping.

 

[lawyerboyleslie]

If you have not decided yet, I'll tell you what my girl outshoots me with evey time: A walther P99 in A/S trigger configuration and my Taurus 909. Both of these are 9mm, comfortable for larger female hands, good control placement, easy to clean, conceal and look "military issue" in all blue. The walther even has adjustible back straps to further customize the fit to the owner. She likes my Kimber too, but thats beyond your self imposed cost ceiling.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Colt is still listing a 38 Super in the Commander model. It has the same size breechface and barrel as a 9mm. One option is to get one of these, and have a 9mm barrel fitted. It will use the same mags as the 38 Super, all you'll have to do is swap out a recoil spring.


The 9mm Commanders aren't made any longer and have become hard to find. When you do they range from $750 - $1000 depending on condition.


I really like the Commander in 9mm. And yes Steve, the 9x23 Commander is awesome.

 

[pax]

The buff blond 20-something behind the counter who was more interested in his phone call than his customer teed me off enough to make me smile and walk out. His boss got a coals of kindess email. We will have to head out of town to continue shopping.

Arrrrrgh, that's really annoying. I hope the shop owner makes it right!

pax

 

[Detritus]

Arrrrrgh, that's really annoying. I hope the shop owner makes it right!

I wouldn't put money on it... Owner of that shop does not have very much regard for business at his storefront; has stated that his REAL business is at teh shows and through GB and similar auction sites, and that if he could he'd close the storefront and be done with dealing with walk-ins (some beleive the college age airheads are to allow him to stay in teh office and not lose business through being a ). i could go on but that's not what we're here for.

to be absolutely clear, we entered that shop for one reason and one reason only.. they have the largest selection of pistols to browse and handle that is available to us without driving an hour or so into Houston (lousy store 5min drive from house, next nearest store with close or better selection 45mins to an hour, up in sugarland) and we're truthfully still in the planning/browsing stages not the "gonna/gotta buy it NOW" stage.

even if we'd happened upon THE PERFECT pistol, we'd have ordered or otherwise accquired it elsewhere, most likely from the small (and unfortunately understocked on autos) mom and pop shop about 20mins north of us. under no circumstances will i buy so much as a cleaning brush from the store we went to last week.

 

[Ala Dan]

Wifey Woe's-

Greeting's All-

I'm not sure this is where this enters the picture, but when the wifey turns
her head to view something less expensive be sure that you look at a NIB
Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911; as they seem to grow on you. Soon,
she might decide to buy you one for a gift; afterall Christmas '06 is just
a'round the corner~!

 

[10-Ring]

Well, this one is relatively easy - matching BHPs
9mm, mid sized platform and a great shooting gun to boot!