Concealable Handgun For My Wife?

S

samefly

New member
Looking for a concealable handgun for my spouse. I'm considering one of the three:

Walther PPK/S (she likes the look and that it has an external safety)
Kahr P380
Ruger LCP

However I was wondering if there was an option in a .40 S&W that is just as small as the .380 models? The reason I ask is because I have a Glock 23 and it would be great to be able to shoot the same rounds. Most of the 9mm/.40S&W subcompacts I've come across are all bigger than the .380s.

Any recommendations or feedback is much appreciated.
 
Nothing in .40 is going to be as small and light as an LCP... And I wouldn't want it to be... The LCP recoil is snappy enough with .380... .40 would be WAY over the top, especially for a woman.

The small single-stack polymer 9mm's which I usually rave about for carry are in the same ballpark size class as the Walther PPK .380... Kahr CW9, Ruger LC9, Walther PPS... and are 6 oz. lighter. The Kahr CW and the Walther PPS are also available in .40 but will be kinda snappy too.

The Kahr K9 OR K40 is also in the above size class but weighs about the same as the Walther PPK .380 (1 oz. heavier).

If the his 'n hers .40 thing is really important to you (both)... The Kahr K40 might be your best alternative though it doesn't have a safety. It's an attractive gun.

Has she fired .40? It's a lot (as in over the top) for many women.

Trying a variety at a range-rental is a good idea if you can... Guys often try to talk their significant others into more gun than they're comfortable with recoil-wise and that doesn't work out so good in the long run. SHE's got to like it!
 
Combat or concealed handguns for "new" or entry level females...

The "I want a new gun for my wife/daughter/girlfriend/etc" posts come up often on firearms/tactics forums.
First, I'd suggest you sit down & discuss the legal, moral & social ramifications of carrying a loaded firearm in public with the woman.
Guns are not props, toys or fashion statements. Before shooting or carrying any firearms, she(not you or any other family member) should learn & understand the gun/use of lethal force laws in your area.
Let her test fire different pistols & DA only small frame revolvers. Make sure she(not you showing her) can safely or quickly load, unload, take apart(field strip), holster/re-holster(one & weak handed too).
Make 100% sure she has the health, fitness level & strength to properly fire a semi auto pistol or DA only revolver.
Teach her to clean & oil the weapon and to check it often.
Finally teach her to use only factory, high quality rounds for defense, protection. No training rounds, blanks, reloads, or hand-loaded rounds.
As for firearms, I'd suggest a simple S&W 442/642 with a CT lasergrip, a Ruger LCR .357(with .38spl +P rounds), the HK P2000sk LEM in 9mm or .357sig, the SIG Sauer P239 SASII with night sights & CT lasergrip in 9mm or .357sig.
The .38spl +P or 9x19mm(9mmLuger) is good for new gun owners. The .357sig is ideal, but like the .357magnum 125gr JHP it may not be well suited for a entry level gunner.
ClydeFrog
www.eezox.com www.brownells.com www.sig-sauer.com www.gunvideo.com www.NRA.org www.weaponshield.com www.hk-USA.com www.gunlawguide.com www.paladin-press.com www.jgsales.com www.gunsamerica.com www.sgammo.com www.crimsontrace.com
 
Thanks for the replies. really appreciate the sound advice. She's signing up for a gun safety class very soon so I know that will help a lot. The reason I asked about options is to help narrow done the search. Sometimes having too many options can be overwhelming so I was hoping to find a few quality options to help out (I wouldn't force her to get anything she's not comfortable with... couldn't do it even if I wanted too, she's not that type of lady lol). As far as calibers go I think sticking in the .380 range might work out best.

Anyone have an opinion on the original options I listed?
 
Anyone have an opinion on the original options I listed?
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Yup, see to it she rents those first before buying. You'd be surprised what she may like. My GF happens to like a 45 the best.

Remember you are just a guide, not a decision maker. It's natural for the guy to take over in a department they are more familiar with, but in the end it's her gun and her life.
 
I spent a lot of money buying guns my wife didn't like. I stopped and let her pick was so much better and cheaper She shoots and cleans he own pistol now. You can't choose for her just like can't really buy her clothes or shoes.
 
Message definitely heard. We'll go to the range and see what they have to shoot. For al I know she may just end up wanting a revolver.
 
I tried a 40 in a small platform and it was too much for me. It wasn't comfortable enough to shoot that I would practice enough with it.
There are a lot of good revolver options out there if she doesn't find a semi she likes. I chose a S&W 642.
 
.380acp specs/street record...

You can buy or choose what you want, or what "she" wants but really, the specs(street record) for the 9mm(9x19mm) or the powerful .357sig caliber are FAR better than a .380acp.
The .380acp(9x18mm) is somewhat dated IMO for protection/carry uses.
The 9mm(9mmLuger or 9x19mm) has a much better street record. The Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P or a Ranger T 127gr +P+ JHP in 9x19mm can offer everything & more than the "best" .380acp round(a 85gr Silvertip JHP or maybe a Gold Dot or Corbon).
The 9mm feeds great has high vel & holds roughly the same # of rounds as a .380acp semi auto.
A recent NRA magazine article also showed how many "well made" .380acp pistols couldn't feed or work correctly.

For a self defense or home protection pistol, I highly suggest you research the 9mm or .357sig rounds before spending any $$$.

ClydeFrog
ps; the .357sig has been in service with the FAMS(air marshals) & US Secret Service for many years. State agencies in Texas, NM, DE and VA also issue the .357sig to sworn LE personnel.
 
every person needs to go through the process of picking out
a gun that works best for them,let her talk to anyone but you and
youll be fine...Any husband that buys his spouce a first gun is usually going to be upset when he finds out she hates it . . .and then has to buy it again...
I learned the hard way.......Let her try a few
 
Every single time someone posts "what kind of gun should I get for my son/daughter/wife/girlfriend/etc." the answer is always the same. Let them pick one themselves.

That being said, I'm a big James Bond fan. I might try and steer her towards the Walther PPK.
 
>Yup, see to it she rents those first before buying. You'd be surprised what she may like. My GF happens to like a 45 the best.<

QFT

Every lady I have ever taught to shoot has, after firing every caliber I own, wanted a 1911.

Most have also wanted to steal my Automag
 
if she is taking a gun class let her discuss her gun options with her instructor. then let her go shopping for her gun by herself while you stay home. she will choose something she wants instead of something you want.
 
Until she picks all your stuff and you're also picking her shoes and handbags, you don't pick her gun, especially her carry gun. Let HER do the choosing. There's also a big difference between "suggesting" and "pushing". during the shopping process. ;)
 
Until she picks all your stuff and you're also picking her shoes and handbags, you don't pick her gun, especially her carry gun.
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I had to chuckle at this. The idea of my fiancée buying shoes and handbags is absurd. I guess 2 brothers and no sisters will do that to a girl. :)
 
Thanks again. I'll work on being a bit more hands off. When someone is important to you you want the best for them... Guess I can get a bit "enthused" with things when it comes to her. First and foremost I want her to be safe so having her pick something she feels comfortable with sounds like the best move. I'm not a overbearing guy but I can see the wisdom in her picking out one without me (i guess just being around could make her feel more pressured to compromise). One of my concerns is that although the gunshops/ranges around here have some really great people working there they also have some of those pushy stereotypical salesman types that seem to put up sales above your needs. Those guys could definitely set things back a bit. The trainers are great guys though and my lady has amazing common sense so things should workout great.

Really appreciate the words of wisdom
 
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