New gun for wife?

Make sure she gets to shoot the guns, rather than just handling it - a gun that feels good in the hand won't necessarily feel good to shoot. This is especially true with those blowback micro .380's you've been trying out - they are notorious for being extremely hard to shoot.

The Glock 42 is definitely worth trying, as it was designed to be easier to shoot than its competitors. It's slightly larger than the 238, but not so much that it's hard to conceal, and the locked breach operation and slightly larger grip helps tame the recoil.
 
Someone posted a video recently which showed three women testing out various small handguns. At the end, they all chose the Glock 42. My wife and daughter actuall seem to have fun shooting it while it seems like a chore to shoot my other weapons.
 
American Rifleman Magazine has an article on a feminized TZ-75 for women. Purdy colors and reduced size for them. Frankly, I'd go with a CZ-75 Compact.
 
Have her check out the Sig 290. It a hammer fired gun with a DAO trigger. They have shorter flush fit 6 round magazines or extended 8 rounders. The other would be the Walther CCP. It's a pretty good size for most smaller hands but, works pretty well with bigger ones as well.
 
I was approached by a similar situation this summer when my father and I thought that my mother (his wife) needed a CCW and HD pistol for when he is not home which is often because he travels the country with his job. So she came around to the idea also so then we set out on what to get her. She is 51 years old stands 5'9 and weighs about 130 lbs. So we went to the gun store and the range at the gun store quite a bit and did a lot of testing to see what she was comfortable with and I did some very extensive research on pistols and calibers. So the gun she ended up getting is a Glock 33 in 357 sig. She absolutely loves it and carries it all the time. She is very comfortable shooting and handling it, and she shoots it very accurately even more accurately than I am with a pistol. I know that a G33 would probably be the last choice of most people for the women in their life but my mother loves it. But I know not everybody is the same and for your wife just get her whatever she is the most comfortable with and is the most accurate with.
 
This is an excellent article on how to pick a handgun that fits you regardless of gender.

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/choosing-firearms/trying-on-a-handgun/

In order to help you we need a bit more information. You and your wife seem to be focusing on smaller guns. What is the intended use of the gun? Is it for concealed carry, home defense, target shooting or a combination of tasks.

It looks like you looked mainly at 380 autos. Is that the caliber of choice? Are other calibers options? Larger caliber does not always equal harsher recoil.

Are larger guns something she would consider? As others have pointed out larger guns tend to recoil less than smaller ones regardless of caliber.

The more info you can give us the better our recommendations will be.
 
new gun for wife

if your looking at getting a 380 auto you might look at the bersa thunder 380 also, good gun for the price
 
WVsig. We're open to anything. We've been looking at 380's because that was what was suggested smaller caliber lighter recoil so I was told. I know that is not always the case. Its going to be an all around gun but mainly CC. I think the best thing is to find the biggest one that she is comfortable holding with the lightest recoil. I have a Ruger SR40 and its a little to big for her hands.
 
My wife has small hands, too.
When we were getting a pistol for her we narrowed choices down to an Xdm and Kahr K9.
We never considered a .380 because of ammo cost.
My wife pick the K9 first.
A while after that, we got the Xdm 3.8 in 9mm with the full size grip.
My wife does not shoots as often as she did 3 years ago. When she goes shooting, the two guns ("her guns") she shoots are a STI 1911 9mm (with short trigger and thin girps) and the Kahr K9.... mainly the 1911.
She does not like the Xdm anymore but she keeps familiar with it by shooting it every so often (it mostly sits in the safe with a loaded mag beside it).

if the Xdm is an option, I would go compact or 5.25 competition.
Have fun shopping.
 
When me and my wife went to several gun stores and handled many firearms for her to carry she picked the S&W Shield in 9mm. She shoots it very well and loves it. She also wanted something smaller when she wants to pocket carry and we have a Ruger LCP 380 on order, should be here today but with the weather maybe it will be delayed.
 
WVsig. We're open to anything. We've been looking at 380's because that was what was suggested smaller caliber lighter recoil so I was told. I know that is not always the case. Its going to be an all around gun but mainly CC. I think the best thing is to find the biggest one that she is comfortable holding with the lightest recoil. I have a Ruger SR40 and its a little to big for her hands.
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In my experience most 380 autos are blow back guns which tend to have more felt recoil than lock breech recoil actions. I almost never recommend them for new shooters. As far as recoil I normally describe recoil of the most common caliber guns as the following.

-9mm is small mild and is like a pop.

-45 ACP is big round but it is a push and in large guns is very manageable.

-40 S&W is a flip and has a punch to it.

Is there a budget that you are looking to stay within. I forgot to ask about that. You mentioned that CC was a primary usage. How does she intend to carry? On the belt in a purse?

If you are looking for a soft shooter look for a 9mm. If her hands are smaller I would look at single stack 9mms. They will be soft shooting and handle well. The single stack will allow her to get a proper grip on the pistol. Most double stacks will be too big if she has smaller hands.

Are you opposed to a single action gun? If not look at a 1911 in 9mm or maybe even a Browning Hi Power. The 1911 is all steel single stack gun. The Browning Hi Power is one of the slimmest double stacks ever made. These will be heavy but that helps with recoil. The RIA 1911 in 9mm is under $500 the BHP will be expensive. $950 new or about $500-$750 used. The issue with these is they are big so CC might not work.



You can also look at the Kahr line of guns are also nice. They have a few single stacks like the CW9, PM9, T9, K9 & TP9. Some have had quality issues but my CW9 has always run well. They have good clean DAO triggers. Long pulls but smooth. The CW9 is a bargain at just over $300 but it is polymer. Great CC gun.



If you don't mind used look for a S&W 3193/3914. They are discontinued but the gen 3 S&Ws were the Glocks of their day and there are a ton of them out there. Slim single stack with a nice DA trigger and a fantastic reset on the SA. Alum frame so heavier than the poly guns. They can be had for $400 to $500. Another winner for CC.


Also take a look at the Sig P239. It is a slim single stack which is a bit of a tweener but the alum frame will soak up enough of the recoil that it is still a soft shooter. They can be had for around $800 new but used under $500. Good CC gun.

239-9-BSS-LARGE.jpg


I would also look at the CZ P01/PCR. These are double stacks but they have short trigger reach due to their grip and trigger curve. You can add slim grips to them which helps. All my CZs wear them. The P01 & PCR are alloy frames. The alloys will run $500-$550. These are getting a little bigger but can still be CC.



The last one is a Sig P225. These are a single stack Sig which has been discontinued. You will also find the German LEO version called the P6. Again a single stack 9mm with an alloy frame. Slim in the hand with classic Sig lines. The P225 can be had for $500+ the P6 because it is surplus can be had for less. Some just went through Dans Ammo for $419 with 2 mags. One downside to the P6 is they have a very heavy trigger spring which makes the DA pull heavy. I recommend replacing it with a 19 -22 lbs spring. It can be done at home and the spring costs about $5. These will require belt carry.

 
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My wife likes her Walther PPK/S 380.
She also has a LCP, s&w model 637, and a Colt Detective Special.
But the Walther gets used the most.
I kinda like it myself, was thinking about getting me one, or a Bersa Thunder.
 
WVsig. I would spend as much as $600 but would like to keep it under $500. Does the 380 have recoil because their all smaller guns because the way the gun is designed or is it just the round?
 
WVsig. I would spend as much as $600 but would like to keep it under $500. Does the 380 have recoil because their all smaller guns because the way the gun is designed or is it just the round?
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Often it is the design of the gun. They are blow back action which tends to send the recoil impulse directly into the shooters hand.

In that price point definitely look at the Kahr lineup. The CW9 and CM9.

They are both under $400 NIB OTD. Perfect sizes for CC. I carry the CW9 in the summer.

If you really want a 380 auto take a look at the Sig P238 as well. I am not a huge fan but people love them and they are a locked breach action which makes them softer shooters. They can be had for just under $600 but they are single action guns so you have to be comfortable with SAO cocked and locked.
 
Have her handle a lc9s and a m&p shield as well. But if she does really like the Sig, gotta make momma happy or no one is happy.
 
We're expecting right now an she is 20 weeks in so the doctor has to clear her to shoot. We're going Friday to find out the sex so going to check that then. If she is cleared one of the local gun ranges has ladies night on Thursdays where you can rent 5 guns for $20 I don't think that's to bad of a deal. So pending what the doctor says we may be going there shortly.
 
We're expecting right now an she is 20 weeks in so the doctor has to clear her to shoot. We're going Friday to find out the sex so going to check that then. If she is cleared one of the local gun ranges has ladies night on Thursdays where you can rent 5 guns for $20 I don't think that's to bad of a deal. So pending what the doctor says we may be going there shortly.
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That is an excellent idea! Also congrats on the expecting!
 
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