Suggestions for handgun 4 my wife

[45fanatic]

My wife has been reluctant to even going to the range to learn how to operate/shoot in the event I was not around. Now she is softening just a bit and has agreed to go to an outdoor range & possibly learn the basics. I have several 45acp pistols, a 357 S&W 19, Beretta 9000s 9mm,a PPKS 380, NAA 380 all of which would probably scare her off with one shot. I understand that a 22 is far better than nothing but would like something with a bit more clout that she could manage when/if needed - Any "serious" suggestions? Phil

 

[Sewerman]

get some .38 rounds for your .357
my wife has a ruger single six in .22 that she adores, she also has a glock 22 .40 and has a .22 conversion kit for it, its sweet.

 

[mitchshrader]

yup,

some 38 wadcutters would be a treat to shoot.

good hearing protection from the get go. let her stay at the close (7 yard) range for a while. build confidence.
teach safety.

Pachmayers. plenty easy on her.

 

[Shorts]

My wife has been reluctant to even going to the range to learn how to operate/shoot in the event I was not around.....I understand that a 22 is far better than nothing but would like something with a bit more clout that she could manage when/if needed - Any "serious" suggestions? Phil

You need to start her off an on .22. Let her get familiar with the mechanics of shooting. As she gets use to a report and gets technique down, you can slowly move her up calibers.

If there is ever a time where she needed to use a pistol when you weren't home, she at least knows how to shoot and she'll have the confidence to use whatever pistol she got her hands on. Teach her how to use all the pistols or at the very least, the one that is on 'night stand duty' or HD.

Sure, you want her to use something more than a .22, but you have to start somewhere appropriate.

An option is the .357 with light 38sp loads. Double up on her ears. That will help to reduce the flinch from a loud report, yet the actual recoil will be very manageable which will allow her to become comfortable shooting...."oh, that wasn't so bad"

 

[f4t9r]

How about a lite revolver in 38
I think they even make one spec for the female shooters

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

The 442 scared me first starting out - the type M Beretta (9mm) was much more fun. All in all, I'd go with the .22 or wadcutters in a .38 from a 3" or 4" barrel.

 

[Shorts]

As a "female shooter" I'd stay away from light framed revolvers for the simple fact of less weight to take recoil, regardless of the load. Light revolvers are uncomfortable to shoot, they bruise the hands, especially if it only has the factory stock grip. Stay with a standard revoler. They aren't that heavy and will aid a new shooter. Regardless of how "light" any pistol is, it will still be more weight than the new shooter is use to, therefore will still be work to maintain a good shooting stance and position to aim the pistol. Might as well make the actually shooting part as comfortable as possible.

 

[Jake]

Start her off small, a .22 would be a good start, and then let her work her way up to whatever larger caliber she can become comfortable with. She may end up surprising you with what she'll end up liking in the end.

My wife hated guns and was afraid to shoot when I got her started. I started her out small thinking she wouldn't be able handle anything big. Now she utterly refuses to shoot anything other than a .45 ACP. She'll even light a few off in a .44 Mag every now and then.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

A pistol isn't necessarily a bad start for a newbie, provided it's a 9mm which has very little recoil. It should have some weight to it but then I didn't find the Glock 19 to be unpleasant at all, but I agree, lightweight revolvers will be a turn off. I learned that the hard way...

 

[Shorts]

Yeah, a good 9mm is a nice start. The first handgun I shot was a 9mm Witness and I had a great time. I was raised on longguns, so I had some idea of what would happen when I pulled the trigger