New gun for wife?

C

coyotewsm

New member
I'm looking a gun to buy my wife. Last Saturday we went to one shop and she held a Ruger LCP in 380 and a Sig P238. She didn't really care for the LCP can't say I blame her but she loved the way the Sig handled. Today we went to another shop and she held a S&W mp body gaurd 380 which she said she liked but not as much as the Sig. She also held a number solo carry 380 which we both hated for the simple fact that the slide tension is what you would expect on a full size gun. The she help a Ruger LC380 which I really liked because of its bigger size but she wasn't keen on it. Then for laughs and giggles I told her to try the glock 26 9mm, she said the grip hurt her hand. We do plan to shoot before we buy. Any thoughts?
 
What's the purpose? Carry? Home? I had the same feeling about the Glock 19 but after a couple of range sessions, it doesn't bother me near as much. And there are after market options like the Talon rubberized grip that can help. If you're looking at .380s don't discount the Glock 42 (but I haven't tried one)
 
Smaller means more recoil... A woman does not needna small gun, she needs one that fits her hands well. Only go smaller when necessary due to the factors involved.

So... Unless you need the pistol to be small, then get bigger.

Is this for concealed carry?

Single stack... The M&P shield in 9mm is nice, so long as she can rack the slide well. They have safety or no safety.

There are other glock 26 size pistols that she may like better. M&P, XD... She may like one better.

On the glock, was it a gen 3 or gen 4 version? That may make a difference to her. She may find one feels better than the one she felt already.

Range use and home defence? Go bigger for lower recoil and more capacity.

If the gen 3/gen 4 makes a difference, the glock 19 is good.

The M&P full size

XD/XDm

Sig 320 carry

Then there are pistols like the Sig 226 and Beretta 92, which are all metal and a little large, but good soft shooters if they fit your hand.

Edit:
I see you want carry... Look at the different double stack sub compacts and find one she likes the feel of. The Sig 320 will be in sub compact size soon as well I believe.

How she plans to carry will matter too.
 
I would recommend the Sig P238 and/or Glock 42. My wife has very small (weak) wrists but she can operate/control and like both the P238 and Glock 42. Rather than pick one, I bought both for her.

Yg
 
I have quite a few different 32's and 380's. In the end my daughter prefers the 32 H&R magnum revolvers. My MiL really likes her Sig 250.
 
Just remember the objective it to find a handgun for her meaning one she likes. You do not need to obtain one we like or you like.
 
Just don't want to buy a peice of junk. I was informed the solo carry would only fire a certain size bullet due the spring strength.
 
Any thoughts?
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Let her choose, as long as it's a good brand.

It doesn't matter too much if you don't like how it feels if it's really her gun

Have her shoot as many as possible before choosing
 
The first and most important question is:

What is her shooting experience?

How a gun feels in hand is certainly important. However, an experienced hand is a much better judge. If she isn't familiar with shooting, take care of that before dropping cash on something. Help her gain some familiarity with the feeling, preferably on a couple different platforms. If she hasn't already, consider getting her some lessons. The point is that it will help her decide what gun she really wants. "Owning it", on an emotional level, goes a long way towards promoting practice and regular carry.
 
Consider a Kahr K9 9mm DAO for CC or HD (if it fits her hand). It is on the small side for a range gun. Recoil is mild for the size. Trigger pull is long but smooth. Reliable and accurate. Minimal controls (slide stop/release and mag release only).
I got a used K9 for my GF a while back. Now, she is my wife. When she CCs, she CCs the Kahr. Otherwise, I carry it.
 
My wife did everything on her own when it come to getting her CHP. I had little input on the gun she picked besides the fact she'd shot everything I had at the time.

She ended up picking a 642 with the CT grip that makes shooting the 38 a little more comfortable for her.

I'd hoped she'd like my shield but she hates shooting it.
 
I have a ss p238 and the slightly lighter desert tan one to carry when need really small option. So easy in crossbreed microclip (single clip iwb holster). The p238's are outstanding. Night sites, accurate, lightweight, and does have a very positive safety if she would like one. Very fun to practice using them as the recoil isn't much more than .22lr in this model. I practice shooting one-handed, with either hand a lot. Not the case for lcp (I own one of them also). LCP has its place but no fun to shoot, IMO.

I'm sure glock 42 is cool too but p238 is a tough package to beat.
 
And now a look at the humorous side...how about buying a new handgun
and finding a new wife to fit it. Again, the possibilities would be endless.
 
My wife likes the P238 for the same reasons mentioned by others. It is accurate low recoil and no failures in over 200 rounds of various ammo.
 
I've got the 238 and I carry it when the need arises and it is one gun that will never leave my collection. It's just that great of a gun for me. I can conceal it (which is hard to do on my frame) and it shoots beautifully.
I also have the 938, and while I like it, it doesn't make it into my carry rotation that much anymore.
When not on duty (carry a Beretta M9 in a thigh rig), I carry a Glock 26, Gen 4 in an OWB holster and dress around it to keep it concealed. While I prefer the feel of my 238, I like the extra rounds I get with my 26 and the fact it is more combat effective, IMO, than my 238. Just my personal opinion.
One of my Bibles has always been The Cornered Cat. To this day, Kathy's book is next to my bed for reference.
With all that said, let her pick her gun. The ones I didn't pick on my own aren't around anymore, everything I own now, I've picked.
 
I have the SIG p232, .380, which is a nice gun, that I carry in a "man purse"/messenger bag. Also have a Kimber Solo 9mm which I switch off carrying with the SIG. The Solo 9mm might have more recoil than she would like. The SIG p232 has a softer recoil. The Solo is particular about the ammo used; needs HP premium ammo.

I assume the lady will carry in a purse/hand bag. If so, my suggestion is get the largest, heaviest handgun she can handle and that will fit. Fit includes entry and exit.

I'd look at the H&K guns in 9mm. The HK USP Compact 9mm and the HK 9mm Compact are great guns. An HK USP 9mm Tactical is another great choice, if it fits in the purse. It fits my purse/messenger bag. As does a Dan Wesson Guardian 9mm, or a SIG p239 SAS Gen 2 9mm which are about the same size as the HK USP Tactical 9mm.

Just some guns to think about. Main concern is that she likes it.
 
I would say your wife hasn't handled enough guns to make a decision just yet. She doesn't have to shoot them, but she does have to know how they feel in her hands.

Two years ago I purchased a CZ75 P01 for my wife. We were fortunate because the person behind the counter was a woman and had been through this exercise many times. Our expert forced my wife to handle no less than 12 different guns. My wife boiled it down to two guns and both went straight to the range for testing. From there a purchase decision was made. (I didn't buy right then and there, went home, did research and purchased on line.)

So, take your time in the decision process. Handle more guns for fit and comfort and do your research before you invest your hard earned money.

PS - I also echo the sentiments of Cosmodragoon.

Good luck.
 
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