What gun for wife who won't use it much?

[albanian]

For someone that is not going to spend a lot of time learning to shoot it, a revolver is really the only choice. It has no levers, safeties, ect. All you ever have to do is pull the trigger. She will not be able to reload it in a SD situation but she wouldn't be able to reload anything most likely. It seems the only choice to me.

I would get something larger than a snubby if you could because it she is not going to be packing it so might as well dampen some recoil. I think a .38spl is the ticket. Maybe a nice used SP-101 or 3" SS K-frame would be the ticket. You can load it with light loads so recoil should not be an issue. I say SS because it is less likely to rust in the car.

If you want to go even cheaper, get a Rossi or Taurus, I have seen some sell for as little as $100 in decent used shape. They are not the equal of S&W or Ruger but they do work. She is not going to be able to tell the difference in accuacy between a Ruger and a Rossi anyway.

I would go with a used 3" barreled Ruger SP-101 in SS and load it with light .38s. The SP-101 has good grips that soak up almost all the recoil so she should be fine.

 

[Gonzoinc]

Used S&W model 10 .38

Cheap, simple, reliable, and fun to shoot.

That is EXACTLY what I was going to say.
You can probably find one for about $150-$200

 

[pax]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=172170

Just a few thoughts ...

pax

 

[bulbboy]

+1 on a Glock or a revolver. Both take a lot of abuse and a simply to use w/out alot of practice. I'm just jealous that your wife wants to have her own gun!!

 

[Jammer Six]

Here we go again...



What is it about shooters that makes us attract helpless women?

She needs to choose her own weapon, or she doesn't need a weapon.

You needing her to have one doesn't count.

She CERTAINLY doesn't need the weapon YOU think she should have.

The glove box is a terrible choice. You should check out why that is.

 

[jeepmor]

Okay, this is what I did for my wife.

I purchased her a new Taurus PT111 9mm in stainless from the area gunshop. Funny story, spent about an hour having the guy graciously show me about 10 different models I wanted my meaty grubs on while up on the wall were some 200 different handguns, and rifles galore around to freely inspect. I looked at a couple that I've been eyeing on the net too, just to see how they fit the hand. I may end up a revolver guy soon from my looking.

I start buying the gun, then find out my licensed has expired , so it still sits in the shop, but is paid for.:banghead: DMV is open tomorrow. The guy next to me was picking up a youth model 22 for his son with a rifle bag that says "My first Gun" on it, looked over and said, "Ouch, that sucks." while we smiled and shared that 'oh well' look.

I know I was taking a bit of a leap as many of you pointed out. She may not like it, it might not fit her hand, or she may, truly, not want one and not be comfortable with it. However, since it's Christmas, the shop owner stated I could trade it in for credit on something else and have her shop for herself, but no refund. So she's stuck with it or one that fits her hand, she might like a revolver.

We'll see when she opens it. She has been on board with hunting rifle purchases for each of us next year to begin hunting. I think she'll like it, but as some folks have said, I may be WAY off base. But her girlfriends all have pistols too, so I see that she'll talk to them for a few minutes and quickly understand. Actually, her best friends are gun people, she'll be fine.

I see a multifamily can plinking session coming.

jeepmor

 

[gunfan]

Well...

You could go to 'The Place To Shoot' at Delta Park in North Portland. They have rental guns and friendly help.

Scott

 

[_N4Z_]

*

I took my wife to the range two or three different times, and rented several different types of handguns in several calibers.

She decided on the SP101 with .38 ammo, though we bought the .357 model.

It's loaded with Remingtons .38+p all lead hollowpoints.


Wouldn't want to argue with that.


*and she doesn't practice much so the revolvers simplicity was a major plus in the decision.

 

[jeepmor]

Xmas gift out, she loves it

All,

She opened the pistol present today and was elated that she got a gun. She saw the pistol case case and said, "Is it a gun?" and was really excited, She's all stoked now to go shooting. Cool, I was kinda nervous about her reception to it. She likes the grip too. I told her we can go to the gunshop and look at others before we fire this one because she could trade it in for credit towards another in case she likes revolvers or another model better. But she seems tickled with it and does not want to try any other out...woohoo.

Her friend came over for a bit and she drug it out and bragged to her friend about it. She's all excited about being able to camp out with just the girls and not have that paranoid feeling of dread that women get out in the wilderness settings all alone. You know how they like to worry. I know the gun won't substitute training and practice, so please don't skew the thread that way, but it will make her feel more secure in remote settings, which is important to her. And she grew up on a farm plinking squeaks, so she knows gun safety.

We'll be plinking this week so she can put at least 100 rounds through it to get the break in started. We field stripped it together and showed her how to clean it and put it back together. The spring is a bit stiff for her, but she can cycle my pistol, the same model, but in .45acp, so once it's broken in I think she'll be fine.

jeepmor

 

[Glockman17366]

I'd get her a Taurus M85 in stainless. These are pretty cheap (< $300 new) and tough little guns (+P rated). The ported model might be best.

These are small enough to carry (bit too heavy for pocket carry, IMHO) and quite reliable...with one caveat: if you buy one of these guns, piut a couple hundred rounds through it before you stash it in that glove box. Some of the M85's (especially if you buy a used one) had a problem with light strikes. Taurus will put a heavier spring in it with no problem.

Personally, I wouldn't but an auto-loader for the purpose you describe.

 

[Javelin Man]

pick

I thought of the Hi-Point when I first read the post. Little investment, will go bang when asked, not being carried except in a glovebox or camping trip bag. All those things say Hi-Point. They also say .38 revolver.

Since she dislikes recoil, avoid the Kel-tec 9mm. The recoil of my P11 is far snappier than my Hi-Point .45. A Hi-Point 9mm or 9mm comp. would fit the bill nicely.

As one poster stated, have her hold the gun first. My hands like the grip on a H-P, to others it feels worse than a Glock.

I won't comment on the recommendation of a Mak other than my hands did not appreciate my selecting a Mak to hold at a gunshow.

If you can find an inexpensive .38 revolver and a Hi-Point 9mm (possibly a .380) for her to shoot and choose, you'll be a good
husband.

Silly me, I just reread the thread and noticed you already purchased a Tauras 9mm for her. Very good, and it sounds like she's happy and proud of it.

You did well. You won't have to sleep alone tonight.