Need Some Ideas

[TenDriver]

My wife has shown interest in her own handgun. She has shot many of mine through the years (SP-101, UltraStar 9mm, Glock 22, Smith 6906, Taurus Tracker - 44 Mag, and probably one or two others I can't remember). As we have gotten older, she has gotten a little more recoil sensitive and I do not believe she'd be comfortable shooting something snappy as she did when I first introduced her to shooting. Frame size will also be important to her.

I am unfamiliar with what's available these days. It needs to be something manageable with average to larger sized female hands, and something that isn't going to hurt sensitive wrists. Pretty much, no more felt recoil than what my 6906 produces.

This will not be a carry gun. It will reside in a safe to be used for target practice but also available for home defense should the need arise. My thoughts lead me to a Ruger LCR or possibly some sort of Smith. I think most smaller frame autoloaders are going to be a little too snappy unless we went 32ACP or smaller. If possible I'd like to handload for it which points me to the LCR. I figure a cast hollow point and a case full of Trailboss will make a home intruder think twice yet be comfortable for range shooting.

 

[JTQ]

Pretty much, no more felt recoil than what my 6906 produces.

My thoughts lead me to a Ruger LCR or possibly some sort of Smith. I think most smaller frame autoloaders are going to be a little too snappy unless we went 32ACP or smaller.

This will not be a carry gun. It will reside in a safe to be used for target practice but also available for home defense should the need arise.

These seem like the important parts from your post.

I don't want to shoot a little revolver. I find them unpleasant to shoot. If it is not a carry gun, there is practically no reason to get one of those little revolvers. An S&W K/L Frame, Ruger GP100, or similar would be a good choice if you want a revolver. Using .38 Special loads would keep recoil down.

Nearly any full size auto in 9MM will have similar recoil to your 6906. Most modern, service size 9MM would easier, and more comfortable to shoot than a little revolver.

The Gen 4 Glock 17/19, S&W M&P, Ruger SR9, Springfield XD series, etc., all would be a reasonable choice.

 

[TenDriver]

Good points. I didn't emphasize weight as an issue as well. She wants something light weight which is what pointed me in the LCR direction. She also doesn't understand that lighter weight firearms are going to be snappier than a heavier gun in the same caliber. Some things just need to be experienced I suppose. My preference would be a GP100 or Glock, but it isn't my decision to make.

We'll spend some time at the gun counter before we buy anything and she'll have a chance to test drive as few as well.

 

[BSA1]

I think this question is the third most commonly asked question on THR. The first being bear defense guns and debating Glocks.

There simply is not any substitute for going out to as many gun shops as possible and handling the different guns. Don't be afraid to look at used guns and 22 magnums.

Last year after 30 years we finally found the perfect gun for my wife, a Colt Police Positive Special in 38 Special. She didn't like the wood grips as her hands are soft so I put a set of rubber Hogue monogrips on it and she loves it. The P.P.S. is slighter smaller and lighter than the S&W Model 10 and the different action made all the difference to her.

For self-defense loads take a hard look at Hornady Critical Defense ammunition in standard pressure and +P.

Also consider the 22 Magnum. Speer, Hornady and Winchester all make ammunition especially designed for use in handguns.

 

[TenDriver]

I think this question is the third most commonly asked question on THR. The first being bear defense guns and debating Glocks.

So what would be a good bear defense Glock?

We'll absolutely be looking at the used counter and I'm glad you mentioned .22 Mag. Hadn't thought about that and wasn't aware of any handgun specific ammo.

I'm still hoping to avoid rimfire due to economics of the magnum and this never ending .22LR fustercluck.

 

[MedWheeler]

My preference would be a GP100 or Glock, but it isn't my decision to make.

You're right about that last part. Too many men who would not pick out their wives' sewing machines or hair dryers feel they must do so with their firearms.

The Ruger SR9 and SR9c come to mind (to mine, at least), as does the P95 and other P-series guns. The P-series has been discontinued, but should still be readily available.

My P-95 is very light-shooting, especially with the 115-grain ammo that seems to be the most-readily-available around these parts. I'd imagine the SR9 to be similar in felt recoil, if not in action.

 

[ky8]

I think you are certainly on the right track.
As said, it is her decision and sometimes women can surprise you.
The test drive and feel are her choice.

As for considerations, do not discount some of the older Smith semi-auto
pistols. The 915, 910, 39 models come to mind. These are sometimes available
and racking the slide is less of a problem for women. If a revolver is preferred
I would think about a 4’’ barrel. Easier to aim, control and in 38spc. a very reloadable round both up and down the scale.

In new pistols take a look at the Shield in the 9mm or the SR9c.
Just for range, don’t forget some of the great .22LRs that are available
Just some opinions and choices.
Good shooting and Good luck

 

[TenDriver]

Thanks y'all.

 

[bannockburn]

TenDriver

How about a Beretta Model 84/Browning BDA? Fairly lightweight, easy to shoot, great ergonomics, and a large capacity magazine if needed for home defense.

 

[zerobarrier]

My wife is recoil sensitive and I recently got her a Charter Arms 38spl and she really like it. She shoots it with 125gr bullets no problem. Also they come in pretty colors for the girls, my wife has the pink one, but they also have purple, blue, white, black, and stainless.

 

[BullRunBear]

You are going about this the right way by letting her decide. Some suggestions based on my wife's preferences (snappy recoil bothers her) and other women we've introduced to shooting. They all like the CZ 75b 9mm and it's my wife's favorite centerfire. For something lighter but still comfortable, check out a full size S&W M&P 9mm. Both were better received than the comparable Glock They didn't like the Glock grip or trigger.

Another possibility is a S&W K-frame with 6" barrel in 38 special or 357 mag. Wonderfully accurate and used ones are affordable. Since you handload, make her some 38 special wadcutters. She'll have target potential out to 50 yards and recoil is very light.

Enjoy the hunt and please let us know what she decides.

Jeff

 

[BCRider]

I was going to suggest a model 10 S&W with a 4 inch barrel. And it might still be a possible winner since it's not TOO heavy and the barrel length would make it balance and feel like a lighter gun. And .38Spl is just about as nice a recoil as she'll find short of a .22

 

[TenDriver]

I'll keep y'all posted. It will be a while before we buy anything for her but this has given me some great ideas.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I would look for something made of metal to add weight. I would want it to be a full size firearm more weight so less recoil. Because of recoil, I'd go with 9 mm or 38 special calibers as less recoil and still viable for home defense. If you remove home defense as a requirement there are all kinds of nice 22 LR things to choose from.

 

[aarondhgraham]

S&W Model 12,,,

It's a K-frame revolver,,,
Almost identical to the Model 10,,,
But it has an lightweight aluminum alloy frame.



I bought it on a whim,,,
But when I'm on my motorcycle,,,
I often wear this in a nylon shoulder holster,,,
When I wear that rig it's like the gun isn't even there.

The light weight increased felt recoil by just a little bit,,,
But Pachmayr Gripper galoshes tamed the recoil.

Here is one on Gunbroker for a mere $400.00,,,
Easily found in snubby length as well.

Just a thought,,,

Aarond

.

 

[murf]

a grip that fits her hand is very important to reducing felt recoil. when she decides what to get, you may want to play around with different grips that fit her hand rather than every hand.

murf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There are a lot of contradictions in your posts.

The gun will not be a carry gun but for some reason it has to be light. Why?

Your wife is recoil sensitive yet wants a light gun.
Those 2 positions are opposed to each other. An LCR will not be to anyone's liking who is recoil sensitive.

The gun will be used for home defense yet you say it will be in the safe.
No HD gun should be locked in the safe, that will get you killed.

There is one gun that might fill everything you are looking for. The Sig P238 might do it. It looks like a shrunken 1911 that shoots 380 ACP ammo. The slide is remarkable easy to rack and the gun is all steel which aids in recoil control but without being too heavy. (15.2 oz. which is the same as a S&W J frame) My son's girlfriend doesn't like recoil and has difficulty racking the slide on smaller semi-autos but has no problem with this pistol at all. One of my shooting buddies has arthritis in his hands and it's one of the few small semi-autos he can rack and pull the trigger on. (SA 1911 style trigger) It's also very accurate and comes with night-sights.
http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p238.aspx

 

[1911 guy]

Your wife needs to first learn what proper handgun fit is. Then she needs to be turned loose in a gunshop, without your interference, to choose something for herself. Just remember the checkbook.

Sorry to sound so blunt, but that's the truth. It's like teaching a spouse to drive a stick shift. Explain it, then watch as they stall and bunny hop across a parking lot. Without you yelling from the passenger seat.

There's even a sticky here in the suggested reading links about buying your wife a gun. The general consensus is "don't". Let them pick it.

 

[oneounceload]

My thoughts lead me to a Ruger LCR or possibly some sort of Smith

Why does everyone assume that the only guns a woman can handle are the hardest ones to shoot well - small revolvers?

OP - you AND your wife need to read www.thecorneredcat.com - written by a woman for women (and their husbands)

If you don't pick out her shoes to buy, don't pick out her gun

 

[tommy.duncan]

My wife is recoil sensitive and I recently got her a Charter Arms 38spl and she really like it. She shoots it with 125gr bullets no problem. Also they come in pretty colors for the girls, my wife has the pink one, but they also have purple, blue, white, black, and stainless.

My wife started with a commander 1911a and now she has 9 pistols (5 different calibers). She picked out her own Charter Arms "Lady Chic". I tried to get her to handle the Lady Smith she liked the C.A. better.
Go to a range and rent or shoot other friends pistols, but let her pick out her own by feel. I would help with the caliber but let her pick the one that fits her hands.