good handgun for home defense for wife on a budget.

My recommendation is a good used S&W 5906. I focused in on the following: Wife, gun shy, willing to learn (i.e. not experienced), home defense, and 9mm. So, based on this, I'd lean toward a heavier gun to absorb recoil - 5906 is all stainless. Home defense - means it doesn't need to be small or concealable. These guns are rugged, reliable, recoil friendly, easy to manage and fairly accurate. Also, if you/she doesn't like it, you can get your money back out of it, so long as it's not a beater. Here's one for $415+ http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=512271910

Also, CZ 75B used, preferably in brushed stainless. Harder to find used, but you can find them in the $400 range. I purchased a mint Glossy blue CZ for about $400 used. Here's a black one going for about $350 + shipping/transfer http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=511990935
 
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Do you know for chance if the mag release can be switched she's a leftie if not the good ol trigger finger will probably work
Click to expand...

The PPX has the ability to move the magazine release from the left side of the frame to the right.

No gunsmith required.
 
thanks everyone

Thanks everyone for the positive responses and help first thread here and I feel happy with what I heard. I will have to try to get her to hold the guns you all recommended or do a little more research and look for a rental place in my area
 
SHE needs training. She needs training from a professional, not you. Men training their wives usually doesn't work out well, and I doubt your experience will be an exception.
 
As others have said... Training classes will go a long way to helping her out. The women only classes are awesome, because they focus on the unique problems that women may experience when new to firearms.

As far as what pistol... Any full size or compact (think glock 19 size) pistol that fits her hands well, made by a respected company, will work well.

I can't stress "fits her hands well" enough. Also a pistol with sufficient grip texture, so it does not slide around under recoil.

When my fiance was first learning, she loved the PPQ feel in the hand, hated the slick feel under recoil... She has gained experience now, and does not have this issue any longer, but it was important to her then, and to this day, that the gun feel secure in her hand.


Price is where you have to look around a bit, as there are many good pistols in the $500 and up range, $400 and less is harder.


The S&W SDVE series works well, but the trigger not great. It's long and heavy... Which reeks havoc on new shooters and those who do not practice often.

I hear good things about the Walther PPX... Despite its questionable looks.

Neither of those have adjustable grips though.


I am a fan of CZ... And hear great things about the P-07 gen 2... (gen 1 is good, but some improvements in gen 2 are nice)

The only issue with CZ is the short slide can be problematic for some people. My fiance can use her CZ at the range, but I would not trust her ability to clear a malfunction quickly during an emergency situation.

If your wife can not easily and quickly manipulate the slide on the CZ... Or any pistol... Then search for another.

I wouldn't worry about mag release and slide stop position too much... As I can't reach the mag release on almost all pistols, without adjusting my grip... And that is fine.

I actually started moving my mag releases to the opposite side, due to my love of the paddle mag release on the new German guns... I use my trigger finger to drop the mag, with no adjustment to my grip for reach.


I have seen S&W M&Ps on sale for around $400... Not a hammer pistol, but the trigger will not be overly light or short.

SIG 2022... Can be had for around $400,but only one mag in the box... And extras at near $50 each.

The Canik TP9 is DA/SA... Very Walther P99 like. They just made an updated version gen 2 that improves the pistol.

The TP9SA is a lighter trigger, and may not be a good bet at first.

Thinking about it... The TP9 may be the best way to go...
 
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As others have said...she is gun shy so she really needs to shoot a few. If she hates gun and doesn't want to practice, I would recommend a revolver. Pull the trigger and it goes bang. I have one for that exact reason - my wife hates guns, wont shoot, etc. If it came down to life or death, she could pull the trigger.
 
For $400, IMHO the best buy is the Stoeger Cougar 8000 9mm. Stoeger is owned by Beretta, gun in manufactured on original Beretta machinery. I own on in 9mm and .45acp. The 9mm is soft recoiling, slide is easy to rack, gun is very accurate. My wife has small hands and has no problem reaching the trigger in single action. The double action reach is a little longer.
 
I have found that "hates guns" can be worked out of someone who is willing to give it an honest try... And is taught properly from the start.

Preferably starting with something like a 22lr.


Me and a friend would shoot regular on his property, but his new lady, and later wife... Was raised in a family that hated guns.

One day she asked to try shooting a pistol. My friend stood behind her to help her line up and hold it properly... She pulled the trigger... Almost dropped the pistol... Then sat on the ground and cried.

She later wandered in the house after a few minutes.

A week later she asked to try again.

A few weeks after that... She bought herself a pistol.
 
For my wife we went with a Taurus Revolver in 327 magnum.

For a number of reasons, The two main ones were.

Revolver= Simple, easy to operate. If its loaded, just point and pull. No mag to worry about -no slide.

The Caliber I chose because it is the perfect wife training caliber/ Gun combo.
The Gun will shoot from 32 S&W, 32 L, 32 H&R mag, to 327 magnum.
Started with the low power 32's to get her used to the gun and its operation with out scaring her with a super powerful loading. The 32 short load is just a pop and zero recoil.
As she became efficient ( as much as I could get given her low to moderate interest level) we moved up the caliber chain until she could fire the full power 327 mag loads.

If I am lucky I can get her out once a year for a refresher. And that's if I push and prod.. So it was the right choice given the conditions.
 
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I wouldn't worry about where the mag release is.......She isn't going to be making a Hollywood movie firing 29 shots, ejecting the mag while rolling over and slam another one in and keep firing. 1 or 2 shots will probably be it.
In all honesty I would suggest picking a small cal. that the recoil doesn't scare her. I'd pick a .22 and in a revolver or very reliable auto.
 
thanks again guys

Just curious to the guy saying the canik might be good do you own one or have you shot a few or just reviews? Just curious as I feel if it can take a beating it's good at 280 at my local gun store
 
I have not shot the TP9... only held it.

There have been several positive reviews from owners and youtube gun channels.


I think the new version TP9v2 is the way to go, but the original is good as well.


The price and reported quality make it a good option.


But this is all contingent on the gun being comfortable for her... She needs to like it and be comfortable with it.
 
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The first investment should be in training.

When SHE has had enough exposure and is ready, SHE should choose the gun that is best for her.

As to other guns to consider in the <$400 category, the Ruger SR9e is a full-size, medium-weight, striker-fired pistol with a manual safety that is priced in the low-$300 range.
 
2" - 3" .357 / .38 revolver. Extremely Reliable, very low learning curve, deadly / incapacitating at actual self defense distance/range. Affordable. If she wishes to carry, perhaps in a purse, I would give consideration to a hammerless / shrouded hammer version.
 
If you are looking for a 9mm, DA/SA with an ambidextrous safety, that is also affordable, consider the Bersa Thunder 9.

They are available in a 13-round mag compact and a 17-round full-size. They come in at right around $400 or a little more, out the door including taxes (I would pay $412 out the door for a new one purchased through Davidson's online).

I have a Bersa Thunder 45 UC Pro which I have put probably a thousand rounds through without any problems, which is the same gun design but a larger caliber.

The Bersa design is based on the Walther P88 that was discontinued about 10 years ago.

Note that this is not the same as the single-stack BP9CC, which is a striker-fired gun similar to a Glock. The Thunder 9 is an alloy frame, external hammer, DA/SA.
 
I have always advocated a revolver for the newbie, preferably in .38 Special. No buttons to push, slides to rack, just point the thing at close range and pull the trigger. That however is just my opinion.
 
Some of your advice is excellent. However, two things should be done first. A good, reliable oreintration class for you both -- together. You need to get to trust each other and understand each ones' preferences and limitations. Then, some time at a range firing rented pistols for familiarization. Only then shop for your pistol. That way you are most likely to be satisfied.
willr
 
Training and practice are important.

A revolver is way easier for a beginner.

38 is good for most folks. For someone who is very recoil sensitive, I would agree with COZ: 327 magnum or 32 H&R magnum are effective rounds, not so much recoil, and you can use extremely low recoil ammo (32 s&w or 32 s&w long) for practice.

My wife and daughter are proficient with 32 magnum revolvers. Between that and the dogs I don't worry about them if I have to be out of town for a few days.
 
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