Need Help Choosing a 9mm for Wife

[Welding Rod]

I want to buy the wife a 9mm handgun.

I want a full sized gun, ie not a shortened barrel or grip frame. But I want a single stack for her small hands. I also prefer a striker fired pistol without a safety, like a Glock. In fact a Glock would be perfect, however unless I have overlooked something they don't make a single stack full size 9mm. Striker fired isn't essential but What I don't want is a double action first shot followed by single action subsequent shots.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

[jbeltz7]

My wife has small hands and she likes the Glock 19. Fact is I never cared for large frame Glocks until I shot this model. It feels like a compact pistol to me and is a natural pointer. If she hasn't tried one out I would try and find a friend or rental to let her try the midsize 19 before you go another direction. Best Regards

 

[g.willikers]

Most 9mm pistols seem to be double stack, high capacities.
But they aren't all big and fat.
Have you tried the Ruger SR9, either the full sized or compact?
The grip doesn't seem to be much thicker than a 1911.
Also the more pricier FNS.
All the above do have safeties, but it doesn't have to be used if she knows what she's doing.

 

[tarosean]

I see a whole lot of "I" and not a single thing about her....


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564531


Do yourself a favor and let her choose the gun.

Unless of course, your ulterior motive was just adding another gun to YOUR collection..

 

[wally]

Let her try as many as you have or can rent or borrow and choose for herself.

 

[Fork]

I'm not sure if that gun exists. The closest thing might be the newer 4" barrel version of the Springfield XDs 9mm. Its almost full size, single stack, striker fired. No thumb safety but it does have a 1911 style grip safety.

The Walter CCP might also be a good option. Its about the size of a Glock 19 but with only a 3.5" barrel. Its single stack, striker fired but does have a thumb safety. Its a delayed gas blowback pistol which is reported to be easier to rack the slide than a browning breach lock design. This is something that some woman have trouble with.

 

[TomJ]

Have her try the Springfield XDM. While it's not single stack, it does come with 3 different grip sizes and has one of the smaller grips among the 9's I own.

 

[Welding Rod]

Taro - your point is well taken, but I am simply not up for funding her to make all the same mistakes I did. Took me almost 30 years, dozens of pistols, and 10s of thousands of dollars to figure out what I am convinced are the best attributes in a defensive pistol.

The wife shoots from time to time. Over the years she has shot most of my guns. Double/single action definitely out. Small guns out. A couple of days ago she was shooting my full size XDm 9mm. She did great with it except the grip frame was definitely bigger in diameter than optimum so she was constAntly struggling with her grip.

She loved my FN5.7, again except the grip size.

 

[Welding Rod]

Tom - good point on the XDM. When she shot mine it had the standard blackstrap installed... Whatever was on it when I bought it. I forgot those things were changeable.

My hands are enormous compared to hers, and I consider the XDm grip perfect for me. Don't know how much change a blackstrap can make, but it is worth checking out.

I will check out those other tips above too. Thanks.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Take a look at the XDs 4.0, but let her choose.

 

[1KPerDay]

Kahr?

Let her choose. Rent/Shoot a few if you can. holding a gun in the shop and shooting one are two different things. The latter is much more useful and informative.

 

[tz99]

Kahr CW

 

[gotime242]

Kahr CT9 (8+1) Can be had for 300 bucks...



Or CW9 (7+1) is great as well and slightly smaller.

 

[F-111 John]

Have her try a Glock Gen 4 without any back strap. That's a pretty small diameter grip.

 

[Spats McGee]

The Cornered Cat, for starters. Either take her to gun shops, or let her go to them, and let her handle a whole bunch of pistols. She'll know what feels right in her hands.

 

[leadcounsel]

I want to buy the wife a 9mm handgun.

I want a full sized gun, ie not a shortened barrel or grip frame. But I want a single stack for her small hands. I also prefer a striker fired pistol without a safety, like a Glock. In fact a Glock would be perfect, however unless I have overlooked something they don't make a single stack full size 9mm. Striker fired isn't essential but What I don't want is a double action first shot followed by single action subsequent shots.

Any ideas? Thanks

Guns are quite personal to most people, especially novices. You say a lot about what YOU want - but what about what SHE wants?

I wouldn't try to buy someone else a pair of shoes or a gun. I can make a handful of recommendations but ultimately it's the end user to pick.

Be aware that people with small and weak hands, typically women, have trouble cycling the slide and clearing malfunctions. A revolver may be a better choice for such a person.

But if she can operate a pistol, I'd look at Glock 19/17, Sig Sauer P series (P6/225 is single stack), Springfield XD series, CZ 75 series, Beretta 92FS, Smith and Wesson M&P or Generation 3 for starters. Kahr P9 or similar is a good choice. A variety of hammer and striker fired guns that will suit the majority of people (I read that hammer fired is definitely out, but it's unclear why). These double stack guns are thin enough for most adult women. Some have adjustable back straps to accommodate a very small hand.

 

[shlike]

Kahr CT9 (8+1) Can be had for 300 bucks...



Or CW9 (7+1) is great as well and slightly smaller.

+1 on the Kahrs. Based on the criteria you mentioned the CW9 or the CT9 would be perfect. I have a CW9 as part of my CC rotation. I also have a CW380 and a CW45. I really like Kahrs..

 

[stchman]

I want to buy the wife a 9mm handgun.

I want a full sized gun, ie not a shortened barrel or grip frame. But I want a single stack for her small hands. I also prefer a striker fired pistol without a safety, like a Glock. In fact a Glock would be perfect, however unless I have overlooked something they don't make a single stack full size 9mm. Striker fired isn't essential but What I don't want is a double action first shot followed by single action subsequent shots.

Any ideas? Thanks

I thought the gun was for your wife. What I got out of it were the things that YOU want.

Why not ask her what she wants.

 

[JERRY]

I thought the gun was for your wife. What I got out of it were the things that YOU want.

Why not ask her what she wants.

and if she wants what you want for her, I'd suggest the Walther PPS.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I understand you wanting to save money but choosing your wife's handgun will not save you money. Take her shopping and be sure no one takes advantage of her but let her shop. If she chooses a gun you know for sure is not of high quality tell her but let her pick which is best for her, not what you want or think is best for her.

You said she likes the Glock but for the grip. The Gen4 Glock 19 would probably make her happy since you can change the grip insert.

As for the XD, Springfield has an XD-S whereas the "S" is for single stack and slim. They are making 3.3" and 4" barrel versions in both 9mm and 45 ACP.

Like said above, has she considered a revolver?

 

[ritepath]

I know "you want" and "you don't" but don't overlook the M&P with the small palm insert. Don't be afraid because it's not a glock.

 

[BigBore45]

Springfield Xds with an extended grip would fit the bill.

 

[Standin]

The first time I read this I thought it said "9mm or wife...

 

[Frank44]

I would bet that the Springfield XDS, 4in barrel, 9mm single stack along with the included full size grip would be just about perfect for her. It really feels like a full size gun but with a very slim grip.

 

[el Godfather]

A snub nose titanium revolver in .357 that is 7 shot like Taurus 617T. I am sure SW may have something similar. This is where she can chose go with .38 special loads in case she feel .357 recoil is too much.

If you must stay with pistol then take a look at these:
1. KelTec 30PMR
2. H&K P30 with small side panels and grip
3. A 1911 in 9mm.

Good luck.