What to buy?

D

dantheman212

Inactive
I currently have a glock 23 for ccw and I am looking for a good home defense handgun that my wife can handle. I am thinking about a sprinfield xd. any thoughts or suggestions? gun show is in two weeks so I am planning on picking something up then.
 
Get a list of decent quality handguns that are likely to be suitable from the forum and then take her with you to see what fits her and what she likes from the list. It would be even better if you could let her shoot some of them before buying.

My wife doesn't like my Glocks (even the 9mm ones) because she says they recoil too much. On the other hand she loves her (formerly my :( ) Beretta PX4. I can't feel the difference in the recoil.

She has no complaints in terms of recoil or operation of controls when shooting a Ruger P95 but doesn't like the gun because she says it's not very pretty.

The point being that people (even non-gunny people) have personal preferences and fit issues with firearms that will not be easy for someone else to assess for them.
 
Oooh, loaded question. Are we talking a gun that will be hers, or just another gun of yours that she would be able to use?

Frankly, in both cases, its probably going to end up becoming hers, so I would recommend giving her a specific caliber (probably 9mm or 38spl) to focus the search and then let her decide what she likes best. I realize it means you have no choice in the matter, but... hey, marriage :rolleyes: happy wife happy life
 
My plan is for it to be another one of "my" guns, but the idea of her having something other than my assault rifles in the house when i'm gone is the only reason she is letting me buy another one. she isn't big into guns but wants the protection when home with the kids.
 
I would suggest that you let her pick the gun she is comfortable with! In my VERY limited expereince with women and guns (my wife, my mother in law plus 2 close female friends) all of them prefer revolvers (or shotguns) over pistols for HD. My wifes fav revolver is a .357 ruger security six, my mother-in-law prefers a youth 20ga, one friend has a 4" S&W 686 and the other a 3" S&W J frame .38.

This site has GREAT articles about this topic http://www.corneredcat.com/toc.aspx#FirstGun
 
The less knowledge and skills that she has the harder it will be to make a choice.

Some say that it is easier to become a competent defensive shooter with a revolver rather than a semi-auto pistol. Some say that the extra things that may malfunction while shooting a semi-auto are balanced by the extra capacity for ammunition in a semi-auto.

Don't be hasty. If she is to use the gun, then let her choose the gun after trying out the guns that interest her. It is a very personal decision. The time spent trying different guns is all to the good; as it will be valuable learning.

Also please get her some training in the law, shooting skills and developing a plan of where to protect the kids while mama (choose you preferred animal and insert here) is in protective shooting mode.
 
Shotgun

16 Gauge if she is recoil-shy, or 20 gauge if she is very shy. 12 gauge if she can handle it.

A long arm is much easier to hit with. Much.

If (this is the handgun forum, after all) she is willing to put the practice in to become proficient, then a handgun will do. Since it is not likely to be carried much, the heavier it is (to a point) the better (to absorb recoil). A revolver is easier to manipulate (though any semi-automatic is well within the mechanical abilities of any male or female capable of reading). The revolver is just more obvious in its operation.

But since it will be her "go to" gun if a firearm is needed in your absence, she should pick it out. You can just provide the research. Start on this website.

http://www.corneredcat.com/

You should read it first. Or read it together. The advice is largely gender-neutral. And universally good.

Lost Sheep
 
Mello

She has gone through the cc class as well as a defensive firearms class so she has had training. I think we will go shoot a few before the show
 
What doesn't she like about your Glock? If she has no issues with it, then why not get another one? If she has a dislike about it, then go gun shopping and find one that she likes the ergonomics of, and then see if there's any way she can rent one at a local range to "test-drive" it.
 
dantheman212:

I currently have a glock 23 for ccw and I am looking for a good home defense handgun that my wife can handle. I am thinking about a sprinfield xd. any thoughts or suggestions? gun show is in two weeks so I am planning on picking something up then.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I did't know what a Glock "23" was.

After taking more time to research what a Glock "23" is (40cal) than it did to read your "OP" (original post)

I'd say take your time, and not rush do get her a "gun" so quickly
 
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