Recommendation needed for small light trigger CCW

[stogiegila]

I am looking for a small, light pistol for my wife. She has very weak hands with arthritis so trigger pull is an issue. She couldn't pull the trigger (DA) on the Bersa Thunder I picked up and the idea of her cocking the hammer back to go SA isn't something either of us would want to rely on.

I would appreciate some recommendations on small, light trigger low caliber choices. She didn't care for the kick of my G26 and felt it too big.

I'm thinking .22 or another .380 choice, as they are both better than nothing, but is something available with no more than a 5lbs trigger?

Thanks

 

[MT GUNNY]

I'm thinking of getting a Kahr CW9. I was debating on putting one on layaway with my next Check. As I was handling one the trigger pull was easy. The overall weight was light also. The slide was not at all difficult to pull back. I had a Walther PPK/S Very heavy Trigger pull, Very difficult to work the Slide. Don't get me wrong I was able to work it, you just have to be very Aggressive with it. If you have handled a glock you know how rough the trigger pull can be, This Kahr was 50% smother. Get this, they Wanted $399 for it.

 

[David E]

Even my gunshy MIL can, and will, shoot my Keltec .32.

ANY gun with you beats any gun not.

.

 

[Norinco982lover]

I was going to suggest a small Keltec as well. You could possibly lighten up the trigger pull.

 

[P90shooter]

I would think maybe a revolver. That way she doesnt have to worry about racking the slide.

 

[Zundfolge]

You need something that can be carried Cocked and Locked, that way she just has to thumb down the safety and she's good to go.

Look at an officer size 1911.

Its been my experience that folk that are recoil sensitive will prefer the push of the .45 over the snap of the 9mm anyway.


A Kahr with an Elite trigger would be a good choice as well (although the trigger is a rather long pull).

Another option would be one of the many modern polymer pistols, the Springfield XD and Steyr M9 are both poly pistols with excellent triggers.


If she's going to have problems racking the slide, first try The Cornered Cat Slide Racking Method before giving up on autos.

If a revolver would be a better choice, you can have pretty much any S&W tuned up pretty nicely.

 

[wrxguyusa]

I have been looking similarly for my gf. She likes my G19, but is looking for a smaller grip. After looking through many guns she picked the XD9 and the P225, but we haven't actually tried either out at the range yet.

Another one to look into is the P7, small grip, light trigger, thin, and compact. My gf was not confident with the grip cocking or the stiff slide spring, but I think that is correctable with some exercise.

The DA on a Bersa is fairly light in my opinion, I would think some finger exercise might be an option unless it's a matter of reach.

 

[TIMC]

The Para LDA pistols have the lightest and nicest trigger I have seen on a DAO pistol but they are kind of pricey.
I love my little C-645.

 

[TT]

Try to find a Colt Government Model .380. Low recoil, light trigger.

 

[stogiegila]

Thanks for the input everyone. We will look into the choices mentioned. Its always fun shopping for something new!

 

[svxapeal]

Why ask here? Why not take her to a gun shop to see what she can actually work? I mean...all the input in the world does nothing, since people perceive what is a light and a heavy trigger differently. Is she going to be having to rack the slide? If so you may want to go a larger frame...as I recall when shopping, the recoil spring on the Bersa .380 was MUCH harder for me to rack the slide than with a full size 1911 or my compact 1911.
As for revolvers the trigger pull can be worked to make it a lighter pull in DA so she doesn't have to worry about cocking the hammer, my husband did it for my Ruger.
But again..my advice...and mine only, take her to a gun shop and let her handle a bunch of different weapons until she finds what works best for her.

Caryn