Semi-Auto for a Lady

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ezypikns

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Well, here we go again. My wife has developed a mild interest in shooting (handguns), and is contemplating a concealed carry license. She's been shooting a S&W Model 36 (.38 sp) revolver with a 3" barrel, and really likes it.
There's no problem with that except that in Texas if you qualify for a concealed carry license with a revolver, you're only allowed to carry a revolver with your license. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either with your license.
Is there a small (she has small hands), fairly light, relatively soft recoiling semi-auto pistol that anyone could recommend? I'm fairly familiar with what's available but wonder if I've overlooked something. I'd also prefer a manual safety on the pistol, so that kind of leaves out Glocks. I was wondering about a semi auto from S&W. I've got a 6906 (9mm,DA/SA), but it's a double stack so the grips are a little on the large size.

Thanks
 
Have you looked at the Bersa 380?

I have one and it's a great Lady gun. I know cause I have 2 Ladies use it and both times I've almost had to wrestle it away from them. :p
I just wait until they are out of ammo and hide the rest. :p

Great price for a pistol. I've put over 500 rounds (when I get to use it) through it and not a single hicup.

One Lady was hitting the 8 and 9 rings on a 8 inch target at 15 yards.
 
Springfield Armory XD-9 has a grip safety and since it's polymer it's a double stack thats about the same width as a single stack. The Browning Hi-Power fits my small hands quite well despite it being a double stack. There are also plenty of single stack 9mm 3rd generation S&W semi autos similar to your 6906. The SIG P239 single stack in 9mm is also very nice. For the money the little single stack Bersa Thunder in 380 is well liked and $200 or so is the normal price on those. I like my little Kel-Tec P-3AT in 380. Recoil isn't bad at all since it's a locked breech design (not blowback), but takes adjusting to get a good grip on such a small piece. Impact in Boise has them new w/ blued slides for $240. Hope that gives you some ideas.
 
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My daughter has very small, slender hands and wears children's sized gloves. She has no problems shooting a 1911 or a BHP. I believe that the individual has to determine what fits them best and, at times, that may well be somewhat surprising.
 
I have the RAMI pictured above in 9 mm and just purchased a Bersa Thunder 380. For concealed carry, the Bersa wins hands down, IMHO. You can get a 9-rd magazine for the Bersa to overcome the capacity issue (10/14 vs. 7/9). The new Bersa Concealed Carry comes with an 8-rd mag, but the sights are almost non-existent compared to the standard T380.

Bersa... lighter, thinner, less expensive ($259 vs. $400, if you can find that price), better trigger out of the box. Put some Corbon DPX in it and it will do the job and then some.
 
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Smith single stack 39xx or 908 series guns are perfect for smaller hands and very mild shooters.

Give them a look.
 
Let her try a bunch. You'll be surprised at what she picks. My wife limp wrists all polymer sem's and even my alloy Sig P228. She's fine with my BHP, HK P7, CZ-75B and CZ-75D PCR. She likes the PCR a lot, but carries a S&W 642 (we don't have your silly qualification rule in CO). She's taken two handgun courses, and used the PCR.
 
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I would second her idea of testing with a semi-auto then carrying a revolver, not only does she get the SA qualification if a pistol catches her eye later, but it saves her having to reload in the middle of a 10-shot string, though I think for that they had us shoot 6, pause for a revolver shooter to reload then shoot the remaining 4.

Weight and size aren't considerations for the test, just a mininum caliber, so I would suggest finding a full sized 9mm or .380 that she is comfortable shooting to qualify with during her class, then carry the .38 when she gets the license. I took the test with my full-sized FM High Power and had no problem. In my class there was one person qualifying with a 2" revolver and they passed, but definately had more trouble than the rest of us.

I've got big hands so I don't really have any idea what would fit her best, but your best bet is to take her to a gun store and have her hold a selection to see what fits her best.

Tex
 
My wife has three favorites, the BHP, Colt Commander and the Glock Model 37. She has a framed silhouette target with the X ring shot out with the Commander she keeps in her office to keep the complaints down to a minimum.
 
ezypikns,

Your concern seems to be about maintaining flexibility for your wife's concealed carry license. If that is your only objective, let your wife try a variety of rental guns and qualify for her CCL with the semiauto of her choosing (it does not even have to be one that she would really consider carrying) and then let her carry her Model 36.

If you are also looking for another gun purchase, check out the advice from the other posters. :D
 
The wife and I are scheduled to do the Texas CHL renewal thing next Saturday. Academy for Firearms Training, in Grand Prairie provides everything including guns and ammo. All students qualify with their Glock 17s, so no worry of a restriction. As of four years ago, they claimed no student had failed to qualify, which I believe. My wife had never shot a gun in her life (BB gun at age 10 excepted) and qualified with a Glock 17 the first time out.

For carry, she has now accumulated several guns. The latest is “Lady 380” the P-3AT below.
lady380.gif
 
All I can say is my wife favors. She carries a Sig 239 in 9mm. However she loves to shoot her commander size Nighthawk. She would carry it except that she does'nt like to carry C&L. I wll go along with having your wife shoot every thing she can get her hands on, that's what we did and both of these were her choices. Only took about 6 to 8 months.

Jack
 
Wife has a Colt Defender and a S&W 3913 LS she loves both of them. She does complain every once and a while about the recoil in the Lightweight frame of the Defender though.:evil:
 
from a woman's perspective, i would say let her try as many as possible - either rent at a range or borrow from friends. at the very least, take her to a gun show or nice gun shop and have her fondle every gun in there. she'll not only want to make sure that it's comfy in her hand, but that she can also easily access the safety and the magazine release, as well as pull back the slide. i would guess she may prefer to carry the semi auto as well, if she gets the right one. they're light, thin, easier to conceal, and carry many rounds.

i would suggest she look at:

springfield compact 1911 in 9mm or .45
taurus millenium pro in 9mm
walther p99 / compact - super ergonomics
s & w 3913
colt defender or kimber ultra with hogue grips for comfort (can be a little stout for small hands, though)
bersa thunder .380
colt mustang .380 if you can find one

happy shopping!
 
My wife likes to shoot my (now HER) Springfield P9 Ultra in 40s&w.
A coworker likes to shoot my Gov 380.
A female family friend likes to shoot a Les Baer 45 PII (she is only 5' 2", go figure?)
Another coworker likes to shoot the Sig 229 Sport in 357 sig.
My neighbor used to like shooting my Sig 210-6 9mm.


My conclusion to this is "to each her own". You will have to let her try them out and find out what she likes. Some ladies do not seem to mind recoil others are petrified of it. On retrospect this seems to be the same for most guys.
 
Not that I am an expert, but the S&W 3913TSW has worked out very well for my wife as a CCW weapon. She has really small hands.
 
Ezy, take your wife over to the Bullet Trap in Plano. Let her handle a LOT of the rental pistols, and rent those she likes to try out. You can probably find something there for her that she enjoys. OR you can just get her a fullsized or Cmdr sized 1911 and call it good! The fullsize is very recoil friendly IMHO. I personally carry a CCO sized 1911 as my primary pistol. And yes, I'm a gunchick. ;)
 
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