Sidearm for a lady

B

buzz_knox

New member
I'm slowly indoctrinating my fiance in firearms and I'm looking for the perfect training/self defense weapon. She finds my Glock 26 and Sig 229 a bit chunky but enjoys the feel of a 1911. I am, however, a bit reluctant to turn her loose with a 1911 or a .45 (she's still a little recoil sensitive). So, what about a single stack 9mm? I was thinking of a Walther P5, a Sig 225 or 239, or a 3913? Each of these is available at a very reasonable cost and would seem to fit her criteria. Any suggestions?
 
buzz,
If she likes the feel of the 1911, consider getting a Kimber Ultra Carry. It's lightweight (25 oz), with a 3" barrel, little recoil.

My girlfriend who is very petite fired my Kimber Ultra Elite and loves it! Now she wants one too. The Ultra Carry goes for about $600-650. The Ultra Elite goes for $850-1000. I am not quite sure what your price range is.

If both are too high, maybe the Kel-Tec P32. It's a .32 caliber. Very lightweight and the cost is roughly $200-250.

A decent 9 mm is the Kahr MK9. It's small and easy to conceal. Has a very nice trigger but only draw back is, the trigger is the lone safety. If she has good training, it's a great carry 9 mm.

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Svt
Son's Place

Rangers Lead the Way
 
If she likes the feel of a 1911 and you don't want her to have a 45acp why not get a 1911 in 9mm. I have a old Series 70 Colt Combat Commander that my wife handles real well, and in the steel frame recoil in nil. :cool: :cool:

[This message has been edited by 6mm (edited February 03, 2000).]
 
Don't rule out a revolver. My wife and I bought a S&W model 66 for our first gun, and it's still her favorite gun to shoot. The reasons:

-Reliability. The strongest revolver argument. In case of fire, break glass and extinguish with six quick bangs.

-Ease of use. No heavy slide to rack, easy manual of arms.

-Versatility. Like your fiance, she was recoil shy at first--but with a .357/.38 combo, she can start on lite .38s and work her way up to hot .357s.

-Affordability. A buyers market of police trade-ins, a 1000 rounds of .38 wadcutter costs $90.

The key is to listen to what she wants, and not try to steer her towards what you like. The worst thing that can happen is for her to get scared off by the whole experience. You can always move to an autoloader later.

--Mercator

[This message has been edited by Mercator (edited February 03, 2000).]
 
I agree with the revolver suggestion. I'd been thinking about a J or K frame for myself so this might blend in nicely. My brother in law and I are taking her to the range tonight so she can try out several items.
 
Buzz, my wife carries the Walther P5. I don't think I could ever get her to switch guns - nor would I want to.

That is one magnificent pistol. Great for women because of:

1. ease of racking the slide
2. very ergonomic grip
3. ergonomic and ease of use for the dual function decocker/slide release (which also makes the pistol less complicated with fewer controls)

If I had the money, I'd buy another P5 in a snap. Email me if you have any questions.

CMOS

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GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!
 
Buzz, if you're looking for the perfect carry j-frame, try S&W's 342 titanium (internal hammer). It's no fun to shoot, but it can't be beat for concealed carry. Plus, it's just too cool. I've had mine for 3 months.

--Mercator
 
Another possibility is the Kahr 9mm, and the Sig 230, 232 .380's or the Walther .380. Really take her down to the gun shop or show and let her handle as many as she likes. That should help her narrow down what she likes and does not like. Do not rule out .22's for learning the basics before moving on to something with more bang.

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John
(formerly johnboy)
 
My wife has a Lady Smith.38 and my concealed gun is a SW 3913 TSW. There is A LOT of bad feelings towards the Smith autos but if you do a 'search' on them on this site, and others, I think you'll find a ton of fans out here.
The 3913 is availabe in several configuration, but the TSW is tight and shoots even tighter.
REGARDS,
..dewey..
 
Buzz, you couldn't go wrong on the P5 it is one fine pistol.


Happy Shooting :)

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Help Stamp Out Gun Ignorance.
 
Remember, as a rule go with what feels right. Irregardless of sex. If she like the 1911, get her one. They can be had in all of the serious defensive calibers. Also, .45 aren't the bears to handle that people think they are.

Erik
 
Buzz, my wife sounds like she has about the same size hands as your fiance. She says my Sig228 is a little too wide for her and she absolutely loves her Sig225 in 9mm. The recoil is "nothing" in her opinion, and she has no problem racking the slide.
 
My advice is to rent enough guns so that she can fire them all and see which she likes best. My bought my girlfriend a Sig P232 in .380 and she likes it alot. She's pretty tiny. But then again I went shooting with another petite girl that handed the Smith 686 six inch .357 magnum revolver...better than I did!
 
I say go with what feels best in her hand.

If a 1911 feels best in her hand, and she has no problem manipulating the slide, then whats the problem? The .45ACP caliber? Please.

Firearms instructor Cathy Schlegel carries a Colt Officers model in .45ACP and shoots extremely well with it. And she's a tiny little woman.

.45ACP kicks too much for the "little lady" ?

Talk to Cathy... or Gila May-Hayes.

Get her what she wants, and dont let your opinions influence her handgun purchase.

[This message has been edited by dvc (edited February 03, 2000).]
 
I taught my daughter, second and third wife and one sister to shoot with S&W model 19 pistols. They all loved the fit and feel of the pistols and enjoyed using .38 for most target practice. And buying four model 19s was easier on the pocket than getting the equal in an auto pistol.
 
buzz,

I'd be happy to let her try my P239 in 9mm over at Guncraft. She could do a lot worse than the 239...I have shot the P5, and they shoot about similar, with the SIG being a little more top-heavy. I have the Hogue grips on it..the rental at Guncraft has the stock plastic grips, which give the gun a different feel.

Either the 239 or the P5 are excellent choices, high quality handguns that are fun to shoot and great to own. The SIG is a tad more affordable, good P5s are hard to find.
 
If she likes the "feel" of a 1911 - but is still a shade recoil sensitive - then why not try a .22 conversion kit. (The colt with the floating chamber - which has a "midway" recoil between a regular .22 and a .45)?

Although the .22 recoil isn't quite as pronounced (as I understand it) with the Ciener conversion kits - those are availbale in the Commander and Officers frames (in case one of those is that which she favors).

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Jim Fox
 
Has she tried the 1911 and shot it enough to be sure she does not get any limp wirst malfunctions.I feel the 1911 type of handgun is more for the dedicated shooter. A negative is that even in the light weight model (26 oz) it is still heavy which might mean she will not carry it as much. Compare that to the 342Ti at 9 or 10 oz.
I once was dating a lady who bought a S&W 36 and found she did not have the strenght to pull the trigger double action. It seems that the 342Ti trigger are much better and that is my recommendation. It is so light you really forget you are carrying it. Practice with mild loads and carry with +P. In a life threatening situation you will never notice the extra recoil.
 
If it is really for carry, I would also recommend one of the fine S&W Centennials, either the aluminum framed Airweight, or the Titanium framed 342. They are really nice for concealed carry and once you know how to "pull through" on the double action trigger, they are surprisingly accurate.

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I raised my hand to eye level, like pointing a finger, and fired. Wild Bill Hickok
If you have to shoot a man, shoot him in the guts... Wild Bill Hickok
45 ACP: Give 'em a new navel! BigG
It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. Justice Robert H. Jackson
It is error alone that needs government support; truth can stand by itself. Tom Jefferson
When you attempt to rationalize two inconsistent positions, you risk drowning as your own sewage backs up. BigG
 
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