My Wife wants a pistol

[dogmush]

I believe I mentioned on here that since I've been in the sandbox my wife has developed a desire to have a handgun and go shooting more. So far sh'e been using my XD 45, but she'd like a handgun of her own. I'm going to be home on leave soon and she wants to go gun shopping then. So yes, it yet another "what gun for my Significant other" thread. But:

I'm not so insuferablly arrogent to think *I* need to pick a gun for her. We're going shopping, and she is going to try out pistols. I'd like to walk the fine line between pointing out some pistols that I think might fit her, and shoving choices on to her.

I've already provided her www.corneredcat.com, and based on the articles contained therein she thinks my XD is too big for her hand, while my 1911's are a pretty good fit. She likes .45's, has shot my USP .40 and likes it and would consider 9mm, but no smaller. She's going for her CCW, but that's in the future, so this weapon would be a nightstand gun, and maybe car gun after the permit. If she decideds to carry daily we can get a different, smaller gun for that. She does not like revolvers, or DA triggers. (to be fair the only DA she's played with is my GP-100, a DA/SA auto might go over OK)

So I think we're looking for a single stack, midsize, auto, 9mm, .40 or .45, reliable, combat accurate weight not real important.

Given the above I'm tring to come up with a list of 5 or 6 pistols she should check out. I (obviously) want quality, and am prepared to drop $500-$1000 if she finds one she likes.

So far I have:

1911, (duh) She likes mine, so if she wants we'll just by another. She seems to think the 4" balances best.

Sig, I know nothing about these as I'm a lefty and they aren't real lefty friendly but do they have a model that fits the specifications? A surplus P6 won't do unless we find one in a store. This'll have to be a "paws on" purchase.

Glock, *sigh* If it fits her and she likes it, it's a good gun. It'll probably strain our marrage though.

HK, something like the HK45 or P2000?

Walther P99. I've heard good things about this one.

M&P. Likewise, I've heard good things, never held one though.

That's what I got so far. She's asking me for advice prior to the trip, and I'm trying very hard not to impose my preferences on her gun. Are there any others we should be taking a look at? Keeping in mind she's not exactly a "gunnie" yet so more then 2-3 hours driving around shopping will probably try her patience. I already checked, and there won't be a gun show in the right time frame.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Treo]

I think CZ might offer her something W/ a 75B she'd have the option of Condition 1 carry or DA/SA & 2075 RAMI might fit her hands well & is certainly concealable ( also Cond. 1 V. DA/SA). The PCR is kinda the best of both worlds and all of the above are available in 9mm or .40

Something to think about.

 

[rj112275]

curious if you've thought about the 9mm in the 1911 platform? kimber has some in the 4" commander size, as well as para ordinance, and others. the 9mm is very easy on recoil in the 1911 and if the shoe fits...

 

[Loomis]

STI single stack, model LS9. MSRP 789 bucks american.

Good for smaller hands. Good for concealed carry too.

http://www.stiguns.com/

click on "complete guns".

 

[hso]

That's a pretty good list of what I call the "families" of handguns based on grip angle and reach.

1911, CZ 75, BHP, Glock, Sig, H&K

One of those "families" will have the angle and reach that points naturally for her. Within that "family" she'll be able to find the closest to perfect gun for her.

If she already likes the feel of a single stack 4" 1911 she has a jump on what might work well for her, but don't neglect the opportunity to handle as many different guns as possible.

The only unfortunate choice might be a BHP since there aren't to many guns outside Browning or FN that are in the BHP "family" and your caliber choices are limited to 9mm and .40 (nothing inadequate about either [especially since my best carry gun is a BHP 9mm with a 4"upper]).

She is in luck these days since manufacturers have realized that offering handguns with user alterable grip angles they can reach more potential gun buyers. Just as 1911 folks have changed from flat to hump-back to tune their grip, now users can easily change out the back section on gips/frames to make the grip angle fit their hand.

 

[Harley Man]

Just holding a gun is only part of knowing what you really want. I suggest go to a gun range and rent several guns to shoot...then let her make the decision.

 

[J Lambs]

EMP is perfect, as it could also be that carry gun later.

 

[Slappy McGee]

I'm real happy with my M&P (points better than glocks for me and adjustable grips) but it seems the key is to let her fondle/shoot everything she can get her paws on until she finds something that fits her.

I'm going through the same process and didn't think a revolver was the way to go, but my wife likes the feel and is reasonably able to shoot a J-frame after several rentals, so that may be the ticket although we have yet to buy.

Good luck in the search!

 

[mattk]

Browning HiPower. My wife has one on her bedstand.
The way she went about it choosing was the same way you would. We went to the shop and she held darn near every gun and then shot everything I had plus a few we borrowed from friends, family, etc.
She carries a Colt Mustang and keeps the Hipower close when in the house.
All the handguns we have for defense are SAO with frame mounted safety.
That systems works well for us.

 

[skinewmexico]

My wife thought the Glock fit her best. It didn't leave any scars on us. Easy to use, goes bang every time.

 

[MechAg94]

IMO, find a place that lets you rent guns and spend some money renting and trying out some pistols. It might be worth the money and trouble and help make sure you get the right one the first time.

 

[LegalAlien]

I see the M&P family is on your list. In this case I think you should consider the Beretta PX4 family as well. For me it was a toss-up between the M&P 9mm and the PX4. I handled both of them and both felt very comfortable in my hands, but I finally decided on the PX4, mainly due to ergonomics (looks) of the gun.

Another option to consider is the Ruger SR9. It is an amazingly slimline semi that they are able to fit 17+1 into. I don't know how they achieved this. I am seriously considering this as my next purchase, provided that the safety recall resolved the AD problem. The SR9 is about as thin as a regular single stack

 

[skinewmexico]

ergonomics (looks)

Ergonomics is fit and feel. Aesthetics is looks.

 

[chriso]

KAHR Great handguns. If it fits her hand i would say glocks the way to go maybe one of the smaller single stack 45 ACP versions not to expensive great firearm.
why not a m9??? great gun ergonomic too!!!

 

[Defensory]

How well does your wife do when she actually fires your XD?

There's some good info at sites like The Cornered Cat, but if she can currently handle your full-size XD reasonably well in "real life", she shouldn't let internet articles cause her to second guess herself.

If she does have a bit of trouble with a full-size XD, she can always go with the XD subcompact in 9mm.

 

[SuperNaut]

It looks like all your selections are polymer. So in that spirit I also recommend the PX4 .45. Soft-shooter, accurate, mid-size, adjustable backstraps, cool lookin', what else do you want?

Those are all the reason why I got one.

 

[LegalAlien]

Quote:
ergonomics (looks)

Ergonomics is fit and feel. Aesthetics is looks.

I stand corrected. Thank you grammar nazi

 

[pistolero6869]

Have he try the Waltherp99 avaible in 9MM and 40S&W she can change the back strap to suite her hand size my sister and grirl fried bith have the 9MM after firing my 40 S&W they are a very safe pistoltoo! decocker loaded chamber indicater niw they even have a compat model good luck take care of mamma and mamma will take care of you!!!!!!!

 

[gripper]

If you can find one ; years ago I was pleasantly suprised both the Star Firestar in 9mm;and the UltraStar...they are out of business;but you may turn one up in the used gun racks at retailers....
The Firestar was a bit heavy for its size ( steel frame ) but that made it very well behaved( even with the armer loadings)...Wish I still had mine.

 

[Aka Zero]

My wife like our CZ75B-SA. More than she thought.

She was afraid of guns a few months ago. Grew up in a no guns family. Had her shoot a .22 rifle some. 30-30 rifle. Then bought a pistol.

A full frame is good to shoot, since you take less of the recoil. More fun to shoot.

Now we are deciding the next gun to buy together..... Great marriage here.

 

[wyocarp]

I have a safe full of guns and have a hard time saying which is my favorite, so I don't know how I would expect my wife to pick a gun, buy it, and shoot it.

 

[lloveless]

My wife is ex-military. Loved her m-16, but hasn't expressed a desire to own an AR-15. She did appropriate my Charter arms .38 off duty. I can't get her to the range often, but when I do, I better have lot's of ammo.

 

[Smaug]

Your choices are all good guns of course. Here are some that appealed to my own wife.

Hi-Power (seems to fit everyone's hand, is accurate, and a classic)
CZ-75 (ditto)
Beretta 92FS (is a bit big, but is dead sexy)
Beretta PX4 (ergonomic dream)
Walther P99 (ditto, and has the best of the Glock triggers)

After holding all of them, she preferred the Hi-Power & CZ75. She couldn't rack the slide on the CZ75, so Hi-Power it is! She likes a longer barrel in proportion to the grip.

Remember that for women, looks are more important than for us. Don't be hurt if she rejects her perfect gun because it "isn't cute." or something.

Good luck and let us know what she ends up with!

 

[357wheelgunner]

Have her hold the following:

- Glock 17
- Glock 19 (different grip from 17, same weapon otherwise)
- Sig P226
- CZ-75 (single action or double, safety if you want)
- Browning Hi-Power
- Kahr K-9 or T-9
- S&W K-frame with 3-4" barrel
- Ruger GP 100 with 3" barrel

All shoot cheap ammunition that is powerful enough for self defense, all are under your budget. All shoot well for most beginners. All feel wonderful in the right hand. All are reliable. None will "get old" anytime soon, forcing you to lose money trading.

I wouldn't get her a 1911 for her first gun, I've never seen a new shooter get one and not have problems with it.

 

[HIcarry]

My GF is relatively new to shooting, is small framed (5'2"), and after trying a lot of different guns, choose the M&P 9mm as her first handgun. At the time, she liked the fact that she could operate the slide relatively well, and that the backstrap came in 3 different sizes, of which she chose to use the smallest one. She did not like my Glock at all. After using the M&P for a while, she tried a Sig at the range and now owns both the P239 and P225. Now, after using someone's Kimber 1911 at the range, she wants a full size, single stack 1911 in .45...Please note that she had tried the Sig and 1911 on the first go-around but went for the M&P initially. After getting more comfortable with firearms (she had never really seen or used them before), her preferences changed a little. Now, after initially refusing to ever shoot my Officer's model, she often fondly eyes it up in the safe....