bill in IN
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I have an M&P but I got my wife an XDsc9 and she likes it. It's a good gun
S&W M&P or Glock (Gun for Wife's Bday)
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Strykervet
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And try to find one with a rental range so she can try them out. That is what my wife wanted to do. Keep in mind my wife purse carries with a nylon haversack, so the size of the pistol isn't as much an issue. She is also real recoil sensitive regarding handguns in particular, and when we first started to outfit her, her idea of the ideal weapon was light, small, with no recoil and in a sufficient defense cailbre. It took awhile, but I finally convinced her no such weapon exists. Getting that out of the way and getting her to accept a heavier piece that she was comfortable and good with was the hardest part.
As far as Glock vs. M&P, well, again she needs to feel them out, better yet, shoot them both. They are both fine pistols, but I like Glocks. The tennifer treatment can't be beat, they work very reliably, 3 safeties --none of which you have to fumble with, it is just a no-nonsense pistol. I like the polygonal forged barrel too. I don't shoot lead, and those barrels are seriously underestimated.
But I have a lot of Glocks. Some would call me a "Glock Guy". I do like my Smiths, but they are all/have been revolvers or 3rd gen. autos. So I had a lot to let my wife try the Glocks. The speed with which the weapon can be put into action is a great plus, as is the consistent trigger. Maybe not the best trigger, but it always feels the same. So I let her try mine, a G17, G27, G29, G17L, and she hasn't shot the G20 or G21 yet (out for repair and no ammo loaded yet respectively). Believe it or not, out of all of those, she thought the G27 followed by the G17 with 115gr.+P to be most offensive. She actually liked the G29 with 200gr. XTP @ 1050fps! Go figure. Larger pistol with a "light" load though... Kind of expected. She did not like the 155gr. or 180gr. XTP at any loadings. She likes firing the Beretta 92, but dislikes the trigger. Doesn't like enough to carry.
So she will most likely end up going with the Smith 10mm auto. Big and heavy, but she likes the recoil and the round is sufficient (200gr. XTP @ 1050fps). She is accurate with it too. Keep in mind any polymer frame pistol will change how the recoil is perceived. Feels more "snappy" to some. The heavier slower bullets "shove", have a lower impulse, so the recoil isn't as brash.
The other candidate ended up being the Sig P239 (I think). The one with the single stack .45ACP. Standard model. Again, big heavy slow bullet with a large metal frame and heavy slide.
I would have sworn the 9mm would have been the way to go with her, but she only likes shooting 9mm practice loads that I make, 124gr. plated @ 1100fps. from the G17L.
When shopping for your wife's pistol, make sure to let her fire a few candidates. Her likes might surprise you. Oh yeah, and don't discount the stainless .357 revolver, say a snub 686+. My wife LOVES our 686+, but it has a 6"bbl. No doodads either, just pull and shoot.
Another fellow on here said that everytime when shopping for a weapon for a woman, they will surprise you at some point along the way. My wife obviously surprised me, choosing 10mm over 9mm. But I've seen a 16yo girl, my buddy's daughter, do the same thing --said the G27 was too brash but she shot all my 10mm loads! Then again, 9mm is popular amongst women too...
The absolute worst thing you can do is saddle her with something she won't use. Some women will abdicate the decision to the husband in order to please him and end up with something like this... My wife is prone to that so I have to make sure it is exactly what she wants and will use.
Skylerbone
Member
Surprises are great, just ask my wife. I surprised her with an M&P 9c that is now my carry. Biggest problem for her was the slide. After shooting my 40 S&W full size with some downloaded ammo WE opted for ordering her a 9L which is easier for her to manipulate. A set of Dawson Precision sights also aids in sighting.
Honestly her favorite is a Ruger GP100, not what I expected. Get her flowers. Take her out dancing. Buy her a card with an IOU inside but please don't remove her from the decision process. I really is that important if you want her to learn and enjoy shooting.
Honestly her favorite is a Ruger GP100, not what I expected. Get her flowers. Take her out dancing. Buy her a card with an IOU inside but please don't remove her from the decision process. I really is that important if you want her to learn and enjoy shooting.
w1mnk
Member
Add EFKFiredragon to the list of ones to get!!
That is exactly why I suggested a revolver! My wife is exactly the same and even though I bought her one..I still won't let her put it in her car until she practices a TON more. She's NOT committed to the practice part..so no gun!...and your going to buy her a firearm?!?!
easyg
Member
Considering this statement above, I recommend this...
Still, if it simply must be an autoloader, then whichever fits her hand best.
Also consider the Ruger SR9c.
snooperman
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Take the advice of Voyager 4520....
Take her to the store and let her run through the gun's mechanics, slide, trigger etc and let her make the decision. Let them explain all the options , and after some careful thought, she will make the best decision and will probably surprise you. If she can somehow shoot one that would be a big plus . Many years ago , I did that with my wife and she picked the S&W 3913 ladysmith and she still carries that gun and is very good with it.
Take her to the store and let her run through the gun's mechanics, slide, trigger etc and let her make the decision. Let them explain all the options , and after some careful thought, she will make the best decision and will probably surprise you. If she can somehow shoot one that would be a big plus . Many years ago , I did that with my wife and she picked the S&W 3913 ladysmith and she still carries that gun and is very good with it.
jibbs
Member
+1 Strykervet
You are just going to have to take her to the range and find out what gun she shoots best. I wanted to like a M&P so bad but couldn't shoot it worth a you know what.
Either way I think you are looking at a M&P9c or a Gen 4 Glock 26. I shoot a Glock 33 and it is very accurate for me and I love the way it feels. Id go for the Glock but would concede to what ever gun SHE shoots best.
Not that it is on your list and this is just a FWIW comment, but when I walk out the door, I either throw a Ruger LCP or a Diamondback DB9 in my pocket because they are so small and will get me out of a jam if I need it. I forget I am carrying them most of the time because they weigh next to nothing compared to the above mentioned guns.
You are just going to have to take her to the range and find out what gun she shoots best. I wanted to like a M&P so bad but couldn't shoot it worth a you know what.
Either way I think you are looking at a M&P9c or a Gen 4 Glock 26. I shoot a Glock 33 and it is very accurate for me and I love the way it feels. Id go for the Glock but would concede to what ever gun SHE shoots best.
Not that it is on your list and this is just a FWIW comment, but when I walk out the door, I either throw a Ruger LCP or a Diamondback DB9 in my pocket because they are so small and will get me out of a jam if I need it. I forget I am carrying them most of the time because they weigh next to nothing compared to the above mentioned guns.
jackpinesavages
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Absolutely, agree 100%.
Hangingrock
Member
In a lot of social situations what did your husband get you for your birthday and the reply is a gun ends the conversation. If one gets her a diamond then it’s good to go for a chat with her female acquaintances. Save the acquirement of the firearm for a non occasion.
As for handling under stress an S&W M640 Centennial is extremely simplistic and is always a good addition to ones collection.
As for handling under stress an S&W M640 Centennial is extremely simplistic and is always a good addition to ones collection.
FWIW, I've read in a couple of places online (as I've been looking into a G19/19C, being a fan of swept-handle designs), that the Gen4's and even late-model Gen 3's have been having some technical issues - apparently Glock is now living off their name, not their game, and the QC is lacking...just AFAIK.
That said, I've talked to many who have owned/carried the M&P as both service and personal weapons, and I have yet to hear a worthwhile complaint - and many LE agencies are switching out Glock-series for M&P-pistols...that says something too.
However, as stated repeatedly: pistol choice is all in personal feel/preference.
Also, with all respect, I must agree with another comment stated here - if she gets "flustered" easily and cannot perform moderately simple tasks during a stressful situation, she is the LAST person I'd equip with a firearm - WITHOUT TRAINING.
First of all, get her into a Basic Defensive Pistol course, i.e. SigArms Academy, S&W Academy...also, possibly an advanced, THEN look into a pistol. She'll KNOW what to look for, what SHE will want out of it, and most of all, respect and FULLY understand what she's now carrying, both in power and responsibility.
<rant>
People get too caught up with "Holstered-ego" that they often forget the simple act of SHOWING your weapon raises the current conflict and potential for harm about 10-fold. What if the person you're up against deals drugs, has cash and time to kill, and spends it on ammo/backyard and range-time? Are you going to be faster and more accurate?
Do you want her to gamble that situation if she's easily flustered under stress as it is?
Just some thoughts on the situation...
</rant>
Cheers!
That said, I've talked to many who have owned/carried the M&P as both service and personal weapons, and I have yet to hear a worthwhile complaint - and many LE agencies are switching out Glock-series for M&P-pistols...that says something too.
However, as stated repeatedly: pistol choice is all in personal feel/preference.
Also, with all respect, I must agree with another comment stated here - if she gets "flustered" easily and cannot perform moderately simple tasks during a stressful situation, she is the LAST person I'd equip with a firearm - WITHOUT TRAINING.
First of all, get her into a Basic Defensive Pistol course, i.e. SigArms Academy, S&W Academy...also, possibly an advanced, THEN look into a pistol. She'll KNOW what to look for, what SHE will want out of it, and most of all, respect and FULLY understand what she's now carrying, both in power and responsibility.
<rant>
People get too caught up with "Holstered-ego" that they often forget the simple act of SHOWING your weapon raises the current conflict and potential for harm about 10-fold. What if the person you're up against deals drugs, has cash and time to kill, and spends it on ammo/backyard and range-time? Are you going to be faster and more accurate?
Do you want her to gamble that situation if she's easily flustered under stress as it is?
Just some thoughts on the situation...
</rant>
Cheers!
Well for what its worth, I took a lot of advice in a lot of different areas, I guess not all of it though. Gave her the gun a month before her birthday. Get her something else for that. She loves the gun, so it works out. As I said before she doesn't handle well under stress. Do to that, unless we are going to the range it's in the safe until she takes a class or two. Thats our agreement. So far so good. She handles it well, with much better accuracy than my stuff.
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