suggestions needed

[usmccpl]

i need help im looking for something for my wife to use on the nights that are often when i have to work late right now i have a ruger p95 an raven 25 a beretta 21 a redhawk an amt backup 380 a naa mini 22 and a cobray 45/410 derringer my wife being small framed with tiny hands cant handle the 9mm or the 44 the derringer recoils too much for her and i dont have faith enough in her shooting or stopping power of the others for them to make me feel safe knowing she is armed what would be a good choice for her a self defence hand gun also im new to the area im stationed in right now can anybody tell me if there are three gun competitions in southern missouri




one shot one kill

 

[hub]

i know you said pistol but if she cant handle 9mm cause of recoil and .22, .25, and .380 is too small that dont leave you with many options. i say get a 12ga pump and put some 00 buck in it and hopefully she would only need one shot. she could complain about the recoil later. i dont know of any three gun, but i was stationed at ft. leonardwood for a few months while i was in the marines 2001, i think they atleast have a range you can shoot on for practice.

 

[usmccpl]

the problem with the 9mm is the grip is too big for her hands she cant get a good hold and reach the trigger







one shot one kill

 

[MikeJ]

3 or 4 inch .357 or .38. I take it from your post that she is not overly familiar with handguns and a decent revolver should do the job.

 

[Rotorflyr]

A revolver (as mentioned) is a good option.
As for 9mm autos, there are a number on the market that have small grips (Kahr's for example) and others that have interchangable back straps (S&W M&P) that work well with those with small hands.

 

[bg226]

.38 Special +P, on a 4" barrel platform.

 

[usmccpl]

i have tried her with a kahr 40 not sure what model but it was a subcompact i think and it was still too big my beretta 21 is border line too big in the grip for her so i guess im stuck with getting her a da revolver thanks for the input if any more can be offered all will be greatful





one shot one kill

 

[hub]

have you looked at any kel-tec's in 9mm? p-11 i think

 

[ugaarguy]

I'd try a Kel-Tec P3AT; much better trigger than the P-11, chambered in .380 ACP. Otherwise a S&W J-Frame LadySmith, like the model 60, comes to mind as the best option. Best of luck in your search.

 

[usmccpl]

Hey everybody thanks for the replies. I guess Im stuck with getting her a da in 38 cuz she tried and failed with my buddies sp101 in 357. Again too much recoil. I wish somebody would make like a youth model in a hand gun for ppl with small hands cuz the girl can barly wrap her paws around a beretta 21 and amt backup 380. My raven she can handle fine but without something for ammo that will dig in deep and expand good i dont feel safe leaving her with just it. i also tried her with my 12 gauge semi auto and she has to shoot from the hip cuz she cant aim it from the shoulder and reach the trigger.





one shot one kill

 

[ugaarguy]

Usmccpl,

Would a youth model 20 ga pump shotgun work for her? Also, nothing wrong with a good 38 Sp. IMO, It's better than 357 for HD anyway because there is less blast and flash to hurt hearing and sight. A J or K frame S&W with a Hogue Monogrip, or the stock wood grips and a Tyler T-Grip insert, work well for many small handed shooters. I have smallish hands and the Monogrip is awesome for me. The S&W models 60 and 64 might be good places to start. Best of luck in your continued search.

 

[308nato]

Bersa 380

my daughter has small hands and has tryed several different models
the one she liked best was a Walther ppk in .380 but after a about
1000 rds it would jam ,tryed new mags different brands of ammo
nothing worked so we got rid of it and got a Bersa that is almost
like the Walther but works much better.
when she went for her CCL test she shot 295 out of 300 score
also the Bersa is a da/sa.

 

[BozemanMT]

My wife also has really small hands.
The first pistol she bought was a Glock 26 and she likes it, but it's hard to hold onto, even for her.

Then,she shot a 1911
She now has like 3 of them.
Full size to commander.

It's the thickness of the grip that makes it hard and the 1911 is SKINNY (and an STI Trojan is even skinnier than that)

You might be amazed, but it's worth a shot.

 

[TimboKhan]

As one former USMC Corporal to another, I would suggest that, in addition to the aforementioned .357/.38 revolver she learn to shoot accurately with what you have that she can handle. Sure enough, a .22 or a .380 isn't the best round in the world for self defense, but a .22 in the hands of someone that can shoot it is better than a .38 in the hands of someone who can't shoot any day of the week. Even if you do get her a new gun (and for gods sake, let her pick it out on her own) get her to start snapping in with the best option that she has available now...

Also, keep in mind that smaller doesn't always mean better (grip size aside). The Keltec is a fine pistol, and I plan on owning one soon, but I have big man-paws and a low sensitivity to recoil, and I think the Keltec is a bit hard to hold on too, and even in .32 its a bit snappy (relative to it's size). Additionally, I can almost guarantee that she will never learn to shoot accurately with the Keltec.

 

[usmccpl]

My dad has a commander she tried it cant hit the grip safty and the trigger at the same time. I do have her snap in with my raven (throw back to what i learned from the PMIs,range coaches,and drill instructors help and harrassement that i got in boot camp) she spends at least one hour every night that Im home doing that. I have tried her on the range with it and she can shoot it well even with a package of black cat fire crackers going off at her feet.She wanted to shoot me for that. Another marine i work with has a smith 640 i tried her with that and again she couldnt reach the trigger right.So far the only things she can handle that I have had her try are my raven,a ruger bearcat the somebody modified smaller grip frame and really thin grips, and an m4. i want her to have a hand gun because she is working nights and deals with a lot of cash so we are working on getting her a ccp and she also needs to be able to defend the house while im not home.If it was just for the house she would have the m4 like she has wanted as long as ive known her but she cant carry it under her shirt to stop somebody that tries to rob her on the street.This is my problem

 

[chipp]

I've been talking to my new wife about shooting for her first time. She weighs 95 lbs and isnt strong for her size.
I handed her my 10/22 and you'd think I handed her a bag of concrete. If I can get her comfortable with my walther p22 I'd be happy. i'd fill it with stingers. Its better than nothing. I wouldn't want to get hit with one let alone a few. Isn't there a range around where she can try different guns?
I shot a couple saftey slugs from my 25 they were suprizingly hot. cost 12 bucks till you decide.

 

[Lebben-B]

Have you considered a PPK? Stationed in southern Mo - I'm guessing you're at Fort Lost in the Woods. If that's so, try calling the Outdoor Rec/POW range; sometimes shooters post notices for upcoming shoots. Another place to check would be Springfield, Mo. Failing that, google "Places to shoot in Missouri" and start calling/e-mailing the ranges in your area. Good luck with finding a pistol for the wife.

Mike