The continual question

[JShirley]

Okay, so I know this is a question that gets kicked around a lot.

My girlfriend turns 21 Monday. She, of her own volition, wants to get her CCL and a carry gun. The constraints we're facing follow:
Firearm should be small enough to always be carried, but large enough to be controllable; the piece should be reasonably powerful; the arm should be less than $300 (I know, I'm a cheapskate, but I *am* back in college and poor).
Yes, before anyone pipes up with this comment, letting her try handguns out is a *capital* idea. Unfortunately, the local range w/ guns for rent tends to have mostly multiples of a few types. Jordy says she would prefer an autoloader, but doesn't currently have the grip strength to work the slide of my P-3AT, and a Kahr will be outside our price range.
So- what's reasonably powerful but can be controlled, small enough to always have, and can be found in Augusta, Georgia for $300? Something like a Makarov meets 3 out of 4, but is too large for her to always have with her.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

John

 

[Oleg Volk]

Colt Govt.380 or Mustang would work, but prices and reliabilty vary wildly. Betty has a Mustang which works great, I had a Govt380 which worked as poorly as anything else Govt.

I would not recommend KT P11. PA63 and similar blowback guns are too rough and stiff, Sig 230 in .32 or .380 is too much $$ and big, PPK is $$ and, in my experience, uncomfortable and unreliable in either .32 or .380

 

[TMM]

how about a Bersa Thunder .380 auto? i think those go for around $250...

~TMM

 

[Chipperman]

Kel-Tec?
Small, light,controllable, inexpensive. Low on the power rating though.

 

[JShirley]

Yeah, the P-11 wouldn't be the piece for her. I've had firearms instructors- big, strapping men who carried .45s- call the KelTec's recoil "vicious".

It occurs to me that one of the old AMT .380 Backups would be appropriate power, reasonably priced, and (I think?) controllable enough, but I seem to recall hearing about quality issues on those, too.

Wheelgun suggestions?

John

 

[JShirley]

The Bersa Thunder we saw at the store was a little too big. Jordy cannot currently reliably work the slide on my P-3AT.

 

[cslinger]

If she has a hard time working slides than most of the small semi-autos will be pretty difficult for her to work.

I like the Beretta Tomcat due to the tip up barrel and the fact that it is small enough to carry all the time without any hassel at all but it is only a .32.

Bersa Thunder is a great gun for the money but have her try the slide out.

 

[JShirley]

Well, the 3AT doesn't have a whole lot of slide to grasp, admittedly. If it wasn't quite so large, a Makarov would be about perfect.

 

[Chupacabra]

Glock 26

Steyr S9

Kahr PM9

The Steyr can probably be had for less than $300 NIB. You may have to look at a used Glock 26 if you want one for less than $300 though. Not sure about the Kahr.

 

[MLH]

Slide problem

If the gun has a safety (like the Bersa Thunder) put the safety on and cock the gun, then rack the slide. It is usually much easier to rack if the hammer is already cocked. Then simply decock the gun and your good to go. (the Bersa has a decocker) I can't believe that the thunder is to big for her!

 

[JShirley]

Ah- hadn't considered the Steyr. Is it double stack? I'll look for range reports on these.

The Thunder is a good size, as is the Makarov. Carrying it concealed, on the other hand...

 

[Chupacabra]

Ah- hadn't considered the Steyr. Is it double stack? I'll look for range reports on these.

Yes. The magazine holds 10 shots.

I know a guy who has the S40 (.40S&W model) and he likes it quite a bit.

 

[Mugsy90/10]

Seems to me that grip strength is a big limiting factor, how about bringing up her grip strength in order to widen your selection of pistols.

When I introduced my wife to shooting 10+ years ago she could barely operate a double action revolver! Now she can double tap a 1911 and get groups that will fit on a playing card!

 

[JShirley]

The P-32 isn't the easiest slide to work- not a lot to grip- and the 3AT has a stiffer spring. Point taken, though.

 

[P95Carry]

John, Bonnie got her CCW early this year. She does not manage well with any semi - it's that slide/springs/operation deal. She is no whimp physically but just doesn't get to reliably deal with it - not yet anyways (range trip due - overdue).

Her forte is revo's - and whilst maybe a tad bulky - she finds her (my old) M85 snub ideal. For her it has to be a purse gun and this fits the mould well. She prefers for comfort my 4" M66 but that is just too large, but she shoots that very well.

We have to go get some more snub time in but she will I know manage very capably - and have thus, 5 pretty useful shots available - better than perhaps 7 or 8 of less controllability (for her).

Leaving aside lightweights - I'd reckon that you'll pick up a snub like the M85 used, for a song. Perhaps $150 to $200 - depending on variables. It would IMO make a good start - worth considering.

 

[sm]

Agree with Chris's suggestion.

- The ability to dryfire a wheelgun, setting a dime on bbl and dryfiring to get physical dexterity, muscle control, ...etc. I still contend learning to shoot a Revolver DA will make one a better shooter no matter what other platform they may choose later on.

The ability to shoot wadcutters,mild loads, and then work up to better loads.

NOT dependent on mags, NOT dependent on ammo...learning curve to get the basics has enough stuff without adding mag and ammo sensitivity.

What about police- trade-ins in your area?

Down the road - always great to have a snubby wheel gun for backup.

Oh - it has to have really nice wood stocks. Spring for some good ones...you cannot expect her to accessorize with the cheap and cheesy rubber ones, now can you?

 

[1911 guy]

Sig P232

might be something to look into. My wife is on the small side (5' 1", 120lb) and has really taken to her little pistol. Chambered in .380, relatively light, decent sights, decent trigger. Recoil isn't soft as a feather pillow, but easily managed with a proper grip. Picked it up new for about $350.

 

[trickyasafox]

pick up the cdnn catalog and look. they have some 38 sp snw trade ins that are 240ish i think. might be just what yoru lookin for. they were all snubs and pretty nice lookin

 

[paul45]

Rent and shoot several...then SHE chooses. Dont push her towards what you like

 

[JShirley]

Of course...like I said, though, the range doesn't really have much variety. They mostly have various calibs and configs of stuff like Ruger Mark IIs, Glocks, etc.

 

[GEM]

If money is a problem - I suggest a Taurus 38 SPL revolver. Around here the SS ones are going for $259. Compact, cheap and reasonable power.

My standard rant is for the woman in question to get training, blah, blah. However, I will stay in the bounds of the original post.

 

[Hypnogator]

Add my vote for a 5-shot .38 Spl or .357 Mag revolver. Taurus, or a used Smith or Ruger should fill the bill. Small enough to be concealed readily, 'though not really an "always" gun. I'd get a .357 version, as you don't have to worry about heavy loads in it, and as stated earlier, you can start out with light loads, moving up to the more powerful stuff as she becomes more experienced. BTW, don't disregard .38 target wadcutters as a defensive round. Wouldn't want a .357" diameter hole poked in me under any circumstances.

 

[Zach S]

Another vote for a small wheelgun, such as the Taurus 85.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

JShirley,
Is there anyone who could help chip in on the firearm for your girlfriend, a parent etc? Shoot, maybe you could give her the $300 to put towards the firearm of her choice and holster.

My wife doesn't like to shoot my PPK/S in .380ACP. The slide gives her slide bite and the recoil is a bit on the 'snappy' side.

I'm biased towards revolvers so I'd suggest a S&W J Frame. worries about pressing a magazine release by accident and dropping the magazine, generally easier manual of arms etc.

Good luck.

-Jim

 

[JShirley]

Well, I just told Kim Breed tonight that I won't be getting that fighter from him anytime soon after all- , so I'll have more funds for this.

John