since he wants to get his wife to shoot I would have to say a single stack 9mm if he is dead set on an auto. however he will consider a wheelgun I would have to lean towards a ruger sp101 357. they are stainless and you can practice the 38 spec., not overly complicated and very reliable and durable.
One gun, under $500, Range & CCW.
- Thread starter GigaBuist
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Black Snowman
Member
I'm going to throw in with the CZ-75B and varients. Only issue I could see is long DA trigger pull, but if used SA or if they opt for a CZ-75 SA it's a non-issue. Many other guns listed are possibilities as well but I'd think a 9mm would be a good compromise cartridge and is about the smallest I would feel good with for defense.
I got a Glock for my 1st handgun of my own and the lack of manual saftey really ingrained safe gun handling into me since I knew I couldn't crutch on a manual safety. Depending on the atitudes of the couple in question this may or may not work for them. I too wouldn't recommend a Glock to someone not deticated to training their saftey skills.
As an alternative train of thought a handgun might not even be an ideal first firearm choice. Might try taking him clay bird shooting. Fun as heck and a shotgun makes a great home defense peice.
I got a Glock for my 1st handgun of my own and the lack of manual saftey really ingrained safe gun handling into me since I knew I couldn't crutch on a manual safety. Depending on the atitudes of the couple in question this may or may not work for them. I too wouldn't recommend a Glock to someone not deticated to training their saftey skills.
As an alternative train of thought a handgun might not even be an ideal first firearm choice. Might try taking him clay bird shooting. Fun as heck and a shotgun makes a great home defense peice.
38snapcaps
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- Joined
- Jan 16, 2003
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- 292
This one is easy-Bersa!!
In either .380 or the new ultra compact 9mm that's just becoming available.
My wife is small gal and we were looking over some of my handguns. I had her try the Bersa, a Model Smith, a Glock 19, and the P99 Walther.
She liked the Bersa the best. I'm not a big person myself and its been my carry gun for over a year, replacing the snub .38 that I couldn't hit anything with (and hurt my hand to shoot. The Bersa is deadly accurate, easy on recoil, and a fun range shooter).
We were on the topic because I'm going to upgrade to the Ultra Compact Thuner Nine Bersa. Its a full 9X19 but only a sixteenth of an inch larger in grip length and slide width. We have had the revolver for a bedroom gun and she said she liked the Bersa better. So the revolver might get replaced.
The .380's go for around $200 and the nine is around $350.
Why look any further?
In either .380 or the new ultra compact 9mm that's just becoming available.
My wife is small gal and we were looking over some of my handguns. I had her try the Bersa, a Model Smith, a Glock 19, and the P99 Walther.
She liked the Bersa the best. I'm not a big person myself and its been my carry gun for over a year, replacing the snub .38 that I couldn't hit anything with (and hurt my hand to shoot. The Bersa is deadly accurate, easy on recoil, and a fun range shooter).
We were on the topic because I'm going to upgrade to the Ultra Compact Thuner Nine Bersa. Its a full 9X19 but only a sixteenth of an inch larger in grip length and slide width. We have had the revolver for a bedroom gun and she said she liked the Bersa better. So the revolver might get replaced.
The .380's go for around $200 and the nine is around $350.
Why look any further?
dairycreek
Member
Dear GigaBuist!!
Given your selection criteria I would urge you to explore the various pistols found in the CZ line. I am particularly fond of the P-01 and suggest it as an excellent choice. Good shooting
Given your selection criteria I would urge you to explore the various pistols found in the CZ line. I am particularly fond of the P-01 and suggest it as an excellent choice. Good shooting
JaviFL
Member
How about the Glock 26? 9mm, reliable, and very concealable.
I'd really try to talk them into a revolver, then either go with a 38 snubbie, or a 4" 686 or something similar. Tons of ammo selection, easy to use and for most to shoot well, negligible recoil if using 38's, etc. If a semi auto is a must...
In my area, the Walther P99 sells for $499 if you really look, though $550 might be more common. A Sig Pro also sells for about $550 for the regular model. The Sig is nice because you have a decocker, but its also got a hammer and is DA/SA capable. I have both of these pistols and they have been absolutely reliable--not a single malfunction fo any kind.
While alot of people have been recommending CZ's, and while they are fine guns (mine always went bang and was relatively accurate) they do have largish grips and don't fit everyone's hand well. The full size is also a pretty big gun. Still, they are decent for the money.
I'd really try to get them to go revolver though if possible...
In my area, the Walther P99 sells for $499 if you really look, though $550 might be more common. A Sig Pro also sells for about $550 for the regular model. The Sig is nice because you have a decocker, but its also got a hammer and is DA/SA capable. I have both of these pistols and they have been absolutely reliable--not a single malfunction fo any kind.
While alot of people have been recommending CZ's, and while they are fine guns (mine always went bang and was relatively accurate) they do have largish grips and don't fit everyone's hand well. The full size is also a pretty big gun. Still, they are decent for the money.
I'd really try to get them to go revolver though if possible...
Sean Smith
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I'd suggest that total gun newbies probably shouldn't choose their first gun based on how well it conceals. Because they probably shouldn't CCW before they know what they are doing or how to hit anything, and smaller guns are harder to learn on generally.
Based on that, I'd suggest a medium to full sized 9x19 gun with a steel frame for an auto, or a 4" steel revolver in .38 Special/.357 Magnum as generic starter gun suggestions.
The traditional suggestions, especially for women, of wee blowback .380s or snub-nosed revolvers are generally terrible choices for starter guns. Blowback guns have nasty, abrupt recoil and overly heavy recoil springs. Little guns in general have harsh recoil due to their light weight, and are hard to hit with courtesy of their short sight radius. Also, most out-of-the-box DA revolver triggers are heavy as hell.
With that in mind, I can make some general suggestions on the autoloader
front...
CZ-75B & derivatives (if the grip isn't too fat for her)
BHP
Kahr T9
All in 9x19 for moderate recoil & cheap ammo.
Based on that, I'd suggest a medium to full sized 9x19 gun with a steel frame for an auto, or a 4" steel revolver in .38 Special/.357 Magnum as generic starter gun suggestions.
The traditional suggestions, especially for women, of wee blowback .380s or snub-nosed revolvers are generally terrible choices for starter guns. Blowback guns have nasty, abrupt recoil and overly heavy recoil springs. Little guns in general have harsh recoil due to their light weight, and are hard to hit with courtesy of their short sight radius. Also, most out-of-the-box DA revolver triggers are heavy as hell.
With that in mind, I can make some general suggestions on the autoloader
front...
CZ-75B & derivatives (if the grip isn't too fat for her)
BHP
Kahr T9
All in 9x19 for moderate recoil & cheap ammo.
cratz2
Member
The three guns I've recommended the most to folks wanting to get into pistol shooting and home defense are the Taurus PT92/PT99, the CZ75s and the EAA Witnesses and I tend to push the PT92s for guys with bigger hands and the CZs for guys with less than huge hands and to women.
For folks that are planning on actively carrying, I usually suggest either the P32 (or the newer P3AT) or if funds allow, a Kahr. Keep in mind, I've rarely recommended the KelTecs as a first gun for anyone. The Glocks and XDs are solid choices but are certainly larger - esp wider - than the Kahrs and I'm a believer in going with a realistic choice of a gun that you will consistantly have on your person.
I would stick with the 9mm cartridge over the 380. Standard pressure ammo should be managable for almost anyone and is plenty cheap. I don't see blowback 380s having any less recoil than locked 9mms so I don't see a serious reason to go with them, personally. I would strongly suggest having the wife handle and rack the slide on any gun being considered. Other than those pieces of advice, there are plenty of good guns out there for less than $500 but my honest best advice is for a G19/XD/PT92/CZ (in 9mm) or 4" 686-sized gun (in 38 or 357) that is very comfortable and should be easy to rack the slide on as the first gun. Then when they are both very comfortable with whichever gun they initially go with, a smaller, more CCW-oriented gun should be purchased for each person wanting to carry.
For folks that are planning on actively carrying, I usually suggest either the P32 (or the newer P3AT) or if funds allow, a Kahr. Keep in mind, I've rarely recommended the KelTecs as a first gun for anyone. The Glocks and XDs are solid choices but are certainly larger - esp wider - than the Kahrs and I'm a believer in going with a realistic choice of a gun that you will consistantly have on your person.
I would stick with the 9mm cartridge over the 380. Standard pressure ammo should be managable for almost anyone and is plenty cheap. I don't see blowback 380s having any less recoil than locked 9mms so I don't see a serious reason to go with them, personally. I would strongly suggest having the wife handle and rack the slide on any gun being considered. Other than those pieces of advice, there are plenty of good guns out there for less than $500 but my honest best advice is for a G19/XD/PT92/CZ (in 9mm) or 4" 686-sized gun (in 38 or 357) that is very comfortable and should be easy to rack the slide on as the first gun. Then when they are both very comfortable with whichever gun they initially go with, a smaller, more CCW-oriented gun should be purchased for each person wanting to carry.
Zundfolge
Member
I've seen several guys recommending a .380 over a 9x19 because of recoil.
I think you'll find that a .380 has more felt recoil then a 9x19 because most .380s are blowback action guns. In addition, .380s tend to have real heavy recoil springs (because of the blowback design) and are harder to rack then a 9x19.
My wife prefers the recoil from my Steyr M40 (thats in .40S&W ... known for its harsh recoil) over my Makarov (9x18 ... slightly more power then a .380).
I think you'll find that a .380 has more felt recoil then a 9x19 because most .380s are blowback action guns. In addition, .380s tend to have real heavy recoil springs (because of the blowback design) and are harder to rack then a 9x19.
My wife prefers the recoil from my Steyr M40 (thats in .40S&W ... known for its harsh recoil) over my Makarov (9x18 ... slightly more power then a .380).
Agree small .380s and 9mmMak guns are going to bite a little UNLESS they are locked breech guns like the Colt Government .380 and the Colt Mustang & Pocketlite pistols. The locked breech makes these guns real easy on the hands even though they're pretty small.
The other option is to go with a BIG .380 like the Browning, the CZ or even one of the model 8X Beretta .380s
The other option is to go with a BIG .380 like the Browning, the CZ or even one of the model 8X Beretta .380s
Brass Balls
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- Oct 24, 2003
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- 419
As I was reading through your post I kept thinking Glock 19 and then saw that you're unsure about recommending it. Maybe just maybe, and I mean no disrespect, your prejedice about the G19 shouldn't be such a factor for your friend?
The gun fits the budget, should ergonomically fit both man and wife, won't break the bank to practice with, it's very reliable, it's simple to clean and maintain. Being experienced with Glocks you could change out the connector to a 3.5# and/or polish the internals to improve the trigger. Anyway that's my 2 cents.
The gun fits the budget, should ergonomically fit both man and wife, won't break the bank to practice with, it's very reliable, it's simple to clean and maintain. Being experienced with Glocks you could change out the connector to a 3.5# and/or polish the internals to improve the trigger. Anyway that's my 2 cents.
CZ-75B in 9mm. If he's willing to go as high as $600, he can get the base 9mm gun AND the .22 Kadet kit and have two guns in one. They can learn on the .22 and used the 9mm top end for defense. The standard 75B is a little large for CCW, but doable with a GOOD holser (I like the Milt Sparks VM II) and a good, stiff belt.
The PCR or P 01 are a little smaller and lighter and would probably be a little easier to carry, but you generally can't get as good of a price for the smaller guns as you can for the full size pistol.
I'd also reccomend the Makarov, as long he puts a set of Pearce Grips on to tame the "snappy" recoil.
Other possibilities:
Used S&W .38/.357 K frame revolver.
Sig 239 or 225 or 228
S&W 3913
The PCR or P 01 are a little smaller and lighter and would probably be a little easier to carry, but you generally can't get as good of a price for the smaller guns as you can for the full size pistol.
I'd also reccomend the Makarov, as long he puts a set of Pearce Grips on to tame the "snappy" recoil.
Other possibilities:
Used S&W .38/.357 K frame revolver.
Sig 239 or 225 or 228
S&W 3913
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