Left Handed Ladies Gun under $250

[SpurGuy]

I am looking for suggestions for a fun to shoot, possible CCW semi auto for my left handed better half. She enjoys shooting, but both of us have limited experience with pistols. I used to have a 38 revolver she liked but dont have it any more. We don't have a big budget to work with, so am looking for something in the $250 price range that is relatively inexpensive to shoot. We have a 22LR rough rider revolver. I am looking for something a bit more substantial than that. I hand load 357 mag so something in a 38 would be a plus. I have a 357 SSA revolver but am interested in a semi-auto for her.

I am considering a CZ-82 or CZ-83 or maybe a PA-63. Any other suggestions?

*****
Thanks for all the great input and suggestions. Don't know that I am much closer to a decision, but I am better informed. Especially good point not to surprise her... Duh! why didn't I think of that? )

 

[WinThePennant]

Easy.

Kel-Tec P-3AT.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The P3AT is a fine weapon, but not for the novice shooter, and not for most ladies -- it has very unpleasant recoil.

Any .38 Special revolver would be a good choice, and in your general price range. (And you know she'll shoot it.) You can probably find a used Rossi (a good copy of the S&W guns) for around $250.

The CZ-82 is a fall-back choice, as recoil will be more noticeable than the .38 revolver. (It would be nice if she could shoot one before you buy.)

I've had all of the guns mentioned here, and speak from experience.

 

[Sean Smith]

Bear in mind that small and light means nasty recoil, which should be avoided for a novice shooter. Blowback pistols also have worse recoil than locked breech weapons, all else being equal. That makes the P3AT (ultra-light) and PA-63 (lightweight frame, blowback design) really bad ideas. The CZ82/3 isn't much better but at least has some weight to it to mitigate the recoil.

At that price point and for the use you've described a used 4" steel frame .38 special is a much better choice IMO. There are 9x19 autoloaders that are pretty good "beginner" self-defense weapons but they cost at least 2x your budget.

The fact that she liked the old .38 revolver is also a REALLY BIG hint that you should get her something similar.

 

[WinThePennant]

...but am interested in a semi-auto for her.

I took this to mean that a .38 Special was out of the running (and this is in the autoloader segment)?

Recoil is relative to the shooter. Personally, I don't think a .380 is out of the question for most women. If the wife is a big woman, then a .380 will work just fine.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

save up another 250. pick up one of the many 9mm mid size/ full size semi-autos.

 

[rellascout]

Save up another $150 to $200 and look at the Kahr budget guns. The CW9 would be my first choice. If you want to step up to a full/mid sized 9mm look at the Sig SP2022 which comes in under $400 OTD.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Theirs a limited run on the 32 Bersa thunder if 380 to much. My wife likes the 32 keltec she has 2 of them .

 

[wow6599]

Add a $100 more and this would work - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/362/products_id/48449

 

[desidog]

I think you're right on with a Cz82; also, AIM has Radom P64's for 179 right now too....at 179 you can definitely get your money out if she doesn't like it.

 

[macadore]

The CZ 82 has ambidextrous safeties and magazine releases. The finish may be rough, but they are extremely reliable and the ergonomics are excellent. They are natural pointers. It shoots a 9x18 that has the same energy as the 38 Special. Ammo may be hard to find, but you can always order it on line. As with any semi auto, you need to become familiar with it and find ammo that works reliably. So far, I haven't found any ammo that doesn't work reliably. It is by far the best deal on the market today.

The P64 is too brutal for a novice. It's more brutal than a 4 inch 44 Magnum.

 

[harmon rabb]

The cz-82 is softer shooting than small 38 specials. You guys are nuts.

 

[Nushif]

Save up money and let her pick the gun she wants. I wouldn't be flattered if my wife gave me a 250 buck budget for my first gun. Would you?

Easy:
Save up some more money
Take her to the gunstore and let her do her own shopping

8)

 

[NMBrian]

Rossi or Charter Arms in .38 would be my recommendation. I have owned both and are fine pistols.

 

[MedWheeler]

Is this to be a carry piece, or for home defense? My Bersa Thunder in 380 has very mild recoil, and is quite enjoyable to shoot for extended periods. If it's to be a carry piece, both the P3-AT and P-32 Kel-Tecs come in under that price. The former can be a handful for some people in perceived recoil. The latter trades out an edge in energy for an extra round, and less recoil (I carry that one on occasion when I need deep concealment.)
I don't get this quote:

in a 38 would be a plus. I have a 357 SSA revolver but am interested in a semi-auto for her.

Not likely you're gonna find a semi-auto in 38 for that price.

 

[oneounceload]

Agree with the poster wo said

LET HER PICK OUT HER OWN GUN

This is NOT rocket science and you are not the expert - SHE knows what is best for her ans what she likes