Small semi-auto .380/9mm $400 or less

The tiny mouse guns in 380 or 9mm are not for the recoil shy. The smaller and lighter the gun, the more pop it will have.

If they haven't dried up, you can get a Beretta 84 Israeli Police buyback for less than 400. I have one. Don't use it much, but it's very ergo friendly, it's high cap (13 rounds of 380), easy to carry, and very recoil friendly. I have fired maybe 3-400 rounds through it and it has been flawless.

EDIT: A quick look on Gunsamerica, and I find 3 or 4 in the 400 range, some just under, some just over.
 
Another "Have her look at the Ruger LC9s." Normally I'm a D/A revolver guy, but my LGS had the Ruger (with a raspberry/pink frame) on sale for $250.00 last week. I couldn't pass that up (regular price $400.00). Normally I don't even look at "new" guns, but a buddy at the shop told me about them. Great trigger, and after 100 rounds (no malfunctions) I'm really impressed with it. I got a Galco IWB holster for it, and suddenly I'm in the 21st century for a carry gun.

It's a little snappy recoil wise, but most any small 380/9mm/38 is going to be. I assume she/you know that.
 
Charter Arms Undercoverette? That is the one my wife prefers. The recoil is nothing, the manual of arms is dead simple, and 32 H&R magnum is a very effective round.

Also, if she likes the CZ75, what about the CZ83? It is a medium-small 380 with a double-stack magazine, similar to the Beretta 84. They are both good guns. The CZ is steel and the Beretta is alloy. Either one can be found in good condition (surplus) for $300 or less. I have the Beretta and my FiL has the CZ. The Beretta is easier to carry and the CZ is easier to shoot - due to the CZ being a little heavier.
 
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There are some really fine small 9mms and .380s out there. Personal preference, to me, is the key since there are so many good offerings out right now.

Every time I take my family out to shoot, I have to DRAG them out there to do it. The first time I did with my G42, they actually had a fun time shooting it. It is a fun little gun, and with the right ammo like Hornady 90 gr FTX, you and your GF can have some peace of mind that it can take care of business.
 
If indeed .380 is included, I'd also support the notion of a Mak' in 9x17 or x18.

Alternatives would also include the Sig 232/230, Astra Constable and A60 (single and double stack, respectively) and the Astra A70: SA, single stack 9mm.

All these would be second hand, but good solid guns from what I've read.
 
If she showed interest in the LCP let her handle the Ruger LC380.

It has the weight of the LC9, but shoots the 380. round, so it handles the recoil a little better than the LCP.

It also has a thumb safety she can use, or not, and a loaded chamber indicator which is good for someone not that familiar with firearms.
And the loaded chamber indicator is not new, my DWM 1917 P08 Luger has one as do my two Walther P-38's and PP, and PPK/S

Of course all this depends on how she plans on carrying her firearm.
 
I'll jump in for the Bersa brand again,,,

I own a Thunder 22, a thunder 380, and a Thunder 9 UC,,,
Mine have been absolutely reliable for years now.

I know they have that "2nd tier" reputation,,,
But my experience is that they are fine fiery-arms.

My favorite feature is the DA/SA action with a decocker,,,
In my not-so-humble-opinion it's the perfect action.

Aarond

.
 
Small priced guns

There are many guns on the market under the price you want to spend. We can give you a great price on any of the guns for Christmas.

1. Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm ($385)

2. Ruger LCP .380 ($215)

3. Many other guns check out our site www.tftpa.com and we do negotiate on price. If you don't see what your looking for, send us a message we have many distributors that are not on our site.
 
www.corneredcat.com - read it.

The little guns are not easy to shoot. If you can afford it, find a rental range and try some out. A J frame, a LCP or Shield for examples.

Buying a little gun for someone without trying it, training it or practicing with it is seen all the time but not optimal.
 
How small do you need to go? If she likes your CZ she would most likely love a SAR B6PC. 3.8 inch barrel and pretty light weight. It's only a tiny bit bigger than a Bersa Thunder and carries 13+1 rounds of 9mm in a very thin grip. Bud's has the pink one for 240.00 right now. There are also violet and black that are 270.00.

Oh, and by the way. I wouldn't buy a used gun for my girlfriend as a Christmas gift unless it was a high dollar collector piece. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Recently got me a pocket pistol after looking at & shooting most of the guns listed here. I'm not recoil shy but I got little hands cause well, I'm a little dude.

It came down to three finalists: G43, Sheild & LC9s Pro

The glock had by far the worst trigger, the smallest magazine & highest price. Really dissapointing.

The Shield seemed much nicer than the Glock but I wanted a gun without safties. I learned later on they make a no safety Shield.... whoops

The Ruger cost the least, had the best trigger (Shield wasn't far behind) & with the extended mag holds an even 10 rounds.

So I got the Ruger. Now the funny thing is this... I've bashed 9mm my whole life. Always been a 45 & 357 guy. Blue & steel, etc. Black plastic tupperware junk! I had to eat my words on this one. Bad. My other pistols hardly get shot now. The shots I can make with this thing is incredible. My friends have nicknamed it my 'sniper rifle'

If the 9mm is too snappy in the LC9 have her try the LC380. Thats my mom's edc. She is recoil shy plus has a gimped up wrist from an accident & is perfectly fine using it competently.
 
Every woman I have had shoot my LC9s pro had said that they really like it. 2 have made purchases. Small and easy to conceal, but big enough to shoot well. What's not to like.
 
For the wife

I carry, at different times, a Shield 9mm and a Kahr cw380. That being said, I offered my daughter a pistol last Christmas. After trying my Shield on the range, I took her into the front of the shop, waited on one of the 'good' guys to get free, then left her to work with him.

After about an hour and another round on the range, she chose a SR9c. She loves it. Plus, it's her choice, not mine.

Turned out being an expensive trip. While waiting for her, I discovered I really needed a Springfield XDm 45c, and added daughter to my range membership. Oh well. Need to get the wife over there this year.
 
Here is another vote for the Bersa Thunder .380. It fits smaller female hands pretty well, and the slide is very easy to work. Most importantly, it is what fits her first and foremost. Give the Bersa a try if possible.
 
The Ruger cost the least, had the best trigger
Click to expand...

I second that. I don't own one, but I have shot the first gen LC9 and recalled how AWFUL that trigger pull was. It took a couple of days to get it pulled all the way back for it to fire.

A friend bought a newer one with the newer trigger, and MY OH MY was I impressed at the strides the little gun had made. It's by FAR the best trigger of any of the small, plastic guns, and some of the bigger, more expensive ones for that fact.
 
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