Joint use weapon: CCW and wife use...

[arizonaguide]

I am thinking of buying a CCW weapon, that can also be used as a nightime gun by my wife. I know similar questions have been asked, but I need to ask you all in my own way, if that's okay?

Thinking out loud:
1. would like small profile for CCW.
2. wife has very small hands.
3. KAHR micro's fit well, but would like higher cap. mags
4. Hoping for something better(9mm+) than .380, but .380 is Minimum.
5. small hands don't seem to go with HiCap magazine option.
6 maybe Ruger LCP, but any advice on something small/dependable in 9mm+better.
Small, Small hands.

Thanks folks.

 

[Agent-J]

Give the Sig P239 a look. Or if you mean like really small, check out the Glock 26.

 

[arizonaguide]

Looked at both, and the overall size is okay, but the grip circumference is too big for her small hands.
Even the Walther PPK is kinda big for her hands. Something like a KAHR micro, or an LCP.
Just curious if there was anything else I hadn't thought of.


I guess what's really strange is that the Taurus Mellenium series all fits her hand, and WITH their HiCap mag's...so I know it can be done.
I just heard some negatives about the Millenium series, and was leaning elsewhere. I guess it's the LCP?




(that IS a pretty SIG though.)

 

[basicblur]

Try some of the Taurus stuff-got a PT145 Millenium PRO, but I know they make 'em with smaller grips than the one I have.

 

[lives4huntin]

Is this just for her?

My wife has a Kimber Ultra Carry II 45 ACP. She has small hands, and has no problems shooting it. The only problem she has is lowering the hammer with one hand. It is best to use two hands anyway. I have a full size Kimber 1911 for shoulder and "clip-on" carry. It may be a little large for most, but works for me. There are several revolver options also. Lady Smith in 357? Double action is my preference for protection. The best bedside protection in my mind is a tactial shotgun. It may be hard to fill both of your needs with just one gun.

 

[Agent-J]

the springfield EMP 9mm is pretty damn tiny.

 

[innerpiece]

check out a Kahr CW9 or a taurus PT111SSP MilPro.

the taurus has a 12 rd capacity, and is still nice and thin. Ive got 10k thru mine with NO problems at all..

the Kahr I got primarily for my better half, she loves it, it does punch a tiny bit, but is easy to handle, and dang accurate, decent price too. only a 7rd clip, but we have 2 of'em... so no worries here..

I dont know much about them, but mabey look into Kel-Tec... Ive heard some good stuff about them guns..

most importantly, more than capacity etc.. make shure she can hit with it, only hits count...

ip.

 

[arizonaguide]

Does anyone know what the difference is between the Kahr CW series and the rest of the Kahrs...I notice the CW line is substantially cheaper.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Well, if the grip circumference is going to be a deal breaker, then you are going to have to pretty much stick to "single stack" mag weapons, which is going to cut your round capacity in half. 1/2 the rounds is better than no rounds at all!

Looked at both, and the overall size is okay, but the grip circumference is too big for her small hands.

 

[boomana]

Try the S&W M&P 9c. The small backstrap might work fine with her hands, and you could switch up, if you liked, to fit yours best. Also try the Walther PPS, Sig 239, Kahr PM9, and, if you can find one, the SA EMP. I've tried them all. The M&P ended up fitting my hand best of all guns, but I have what might be considered a medium-sized hand for a woman. The EMP I tried belonged to a woman who had really really small hands. It worked well for her.

 

[sagebrushjim]

Take a look at the Kel-Tec P11 or P9 ...

 

[Great Scot]

One suggestion..

Have you looked at the Browning Hi Power? It has a great grip for small hands, it has the capacity you're looking for, and it's actually fairly compact for carrying concealed. It's particularly thin, which makes it ride comfortably in an IWB holster. I always thought the the Hi Power was a big gun, but I recently saw a picture of the Browning next to the sub-compact Glock 26, and the size difference wasn't that much. Good luck with your search.

 

[Deanimator]

If it doesn't HAVE to be a semi-auto, a 3" S&W Model 65.

I carry one IWB on a regular basis. It's both a great CCW and home defense firearm.

It's durable, accurate, and easy to shoot. You have incredible flexibility in ammunition, from 148gr. wadcutters that many women prefer, to 158gr. .357 +Ps.

 

[chris in va]

Keltec P11. Thin, small, 9mm and with the optional magazine holds 12+1. There's even a way to lighten the trigger pull.

Barring that, look at a J-frame.

 

[innerpiece]

arizonaguide, the CW series of the Kahr is basicaly the "economy" version of the "P" series of Kahr models.
I believe the CW models have a normal Button Rifled barrel, and the engravings are roll stamped... check out the Kahr website, all the info is there.

but I can tell ya, its a great pistol, accurate, reliable and verry concealable.

ip.

 

[arizonaguide]

Thanks Innerpiece. That's what I'm leaning toward. I was just wondering if the CW was poor metal, or something. It's almost half of what the other Kahr's are going for...and I'm gonna put some serious rounds thru it. I couldn't find a discussion of what makes it so much less in the specifications on the Kahr site...so was very curious.

GScot,

Have you looked at the Browning Hi Power? It has a great grip for small hands, it has the capacity you're looking for, and it's actually fairly compact for carrying concealed. It's particularly thin, which makes it ride comfortably in an IWB holster.

Funny you should mention that...
My "full size" carry gun is the Browning HiPower in .40, and I'm still thinking of getting a 9mm barrel for it, to share ammo with whatever I get for the wife. That's another reason I'm leaning toward the Kahr 9mm rather than the LCP in .380.
.380's NOT cheap from what I've seen...not to mention the power difference.
I could get the Kahr .40, but the wife might be better with practiceing with 9mm, and not .40.
The S&W Model 65, and the Kel-Tec's are valid options also.

Good stuff, folks. Thanks.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

KAHR micro's fit well, but would like higher cap. mags

I would rather see her with a smaller-capacity gun that fits her hand, than a larger-capacity one that does not. The sheer number of rounds will make no difference if they miss. A Kahr K- or P-series holds eight rounds topped up. That should be enough for just about anything short of a protracted siege or something. Still, I suggest trying out a Smith & Wesson M&P compact with the small size grip fitted. It holds 13 rounds topped up.

 

[mljdeckard]

You are correct in your thinking, that all people who know you and are close to you may need to use your guns. My friends and family have made a concerted effort to familiarize with all of our weapons.

Here's the thing. Even if your wife has small hands, you may be surprised by some of the weapons she can handle just fine. Remember that when the 1911 was first used by American soldiers, the average height of the American male was 5'4" -5'5". They had smaller hands than we do now. I carry a full-size 1911. (I still grumble about people who are convinced that they have to carry a compact gun.) Remember that the smaller the gun is, the less it will weigh, and the more recoil it will have. The shorter the gun is, it will have a smaller sight radius, and is more difficult to shoot accurately.

I would recommend, (And I know I may be in the minority here,) go to a rental range and shoot a variety of guns and calibers. Start with the biggest, and work your way DOWN. Remember there are modifications you can do to some guns for size, you can switch out the backstraps on some guns, including M&Ps and 1911s. I'm going to bet both of you will like something like a mid-size Glock, XD, or M&P. 9mm recoils less than .40, and has better capacity. If you'll be shooting it in the dark, I would recommend night sights.

 

[innerpiece]

thats good advice mljdeckard. working yer way down in size would be a good way of finding a nice inbetween for size and capacity.

arizonaguide, the CW series by no means is poor quality in any way. I wouldnt have gotten it if it was, specially for my better half! personally, I like how the slide is taperd in comparison to the P series, makes for less potential snage on draws and easier to holster aswell.
Im pretty shure it would be great for what yer after. but it shure dosent hurt to look around a bit!

and like I said in my first post, only hits count... so practice practice practice for the wife!

take care, ip.

 

[rfwobbly]

I carry a CZ P-01 and women seem to like the ergonomics of it just fine. It comes in 9mm and 40S&W. It's sized between a "compact" and a full size CZ 75, sort of a "3/4 size". In 9mm, it comes with 14 round mags but will accept the 16 round mags from the larger CZs. The 9mm version is rated for +P loads, so there's plenty of power there.

For around $500 it comes with 2 mags, night sights, case and are well finished.

 

[arizonaguide]

Excellent advise folks, and you are ALL right where I'm at on this.

We tried the XDc and the MPc (cuz I wanted either, BAD!)
But, alas...still to big for her hands, even with the smaller backstraps.

We like the 1911 compacts (with flat mainspring housing and short trigger) but sort of out of our (less than $500) pricerange since I want to get this before the inaugeration!!!

We'll check out the CZ P-01. Is it MUCH smaller than the CZ75? (which is roughly the same as my HiPower, and is a good gun.)
And still have to try out the Kel-Tec and revolvers in her hands.

So far it's looking like the CW9 being the best compromise, and if it's just springs/rods that are "cheaper" then they can be replaced later with the good stuff. She'll be shooting (3000rds!) mostly low pressure target stuff anyway. Then just carry Corbons.

I guess what ticks me off is that the Mellenium Pro DOES fit her hand with a double stack magazine, so I know it's possible. But the overall size of the mellenium is right on the border of larger than we wanted for complete CCW (prefer "pocket size") carry.
(lot's of shorts/t-shirt wear in Arizona.)

Left the old collection in Alaska (in good hands) and just rebuilding here:

Now, just need CCW/Wife gun..... (and PS: the 30-06 now has a 3-9X50 illuminated scope!)

 

[oneounceload]

sounds to me that maybe you should consider getting TWO guns - one for you for ccw, and one for her for nightstand/ccw

It was mentioned about putting a lot of rounds through it - that would be very painful in a pocket, or mousegun and would require trips to the smith for repairs, which would then leave you without.

IMO, any gun meant for SD/CCW/HD should have a twin, (or at least a good first cousin like glock 19 and 26), so that familiarity is there and you're not without while one might need to be fixed.....YMMV

 

[Isher]

Arizona -

The REAL reason I own two P01's.

Got the first one, and am out in the back of the house running

A few clips. My significant other comes round the corner

And requests to shoot. No prob.

She immediately likes the gun, though she has not done any shooting for years.

So that pistol became HER pistol, and the house pistol,

And I went and bought another one,

Which is my pistol.

BTW, she has small hands and is light-boned. Didn't have a problem

With either the grip or the recoil.

Her only complaint was that the gun's report

Was "goddam loud."

So there you go.

Isher



124 grain Federals

 

[arizonaguide]

Good points Oneounce!
Probably was adding above picture when you posted.
Thank you , though.
Good thoughts...limited timeframe/$$$ with upcoming inaugeration.

 

[Ky Larry]

If Glocks work for you, try the Glock 33 in .357 S.I.G.My neice loves hers.