Wife and CCW

A

ammo.crafter

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Since escaping from New Jersey and landing in Pennsylvania, my wife, who just got her CCW is interested in carrying.

She has been shooting for many years... 22s to 45s and has no issues with handgun recoil.

She thought my Hi Standard 22 mag O/U was "cute" until she tried (and failed) to pull the trigger (empty gun, of course).

Obviously she will have to handle many, many guns until she feels comfortable.

Looks like a semi-auto is where she is leaning. My concern is racking the slide with a DAO.striker fired weapon.

I would appreciate suggestions for a hammer fired SA/DA semi auto perhaps in .380 since she is leaning towards a small frame weapon.

Thanks for the input.
 
Congrats on getting the wife her permit, high five.

I'm going to recommend a Shield in 9mm. Granted, it's not 380 and it's not hammer fired, but it's the most controllable small gun I've ever shot. It's seriously a dream to shoot and holds 8 rounds of capable 9mm.

As far as racking the slide, my wife is on the small side (5'3" and 125 lbs) has no problem.
 
Couple options

Walther PK380 - decent caliber, easy to rack slide, decent capacity. However, I don't know about reliability.

Remington r51 - very easy to manipulate slide, good caliber, good sights. However, historical reliability and workmanship issues.

Beretta Tomcat - .32 is a marginal caliber, pop up barrel is easy to load, frame issues have been addressed. However, sights are pretty basis and it's pricey.

Just some models to chew on.
 
Among daughter in laws and granddaughters in my family...9mm 1911 in an alloy frame and 4" barrel is a good option ( Kimber, Wilson, etc have options -- guns like the Kimber Tactical Pro II ...) --- or a Sig 239 DA/SA in 9mm...

slim, single stack ...are your best options.
 
My wife went for the Sig P238 in .380. Similar to the 239, but an aluminum frame instead of polymer. It soaks up recoil better, but it is noticeably heavier. I'm a big fan of it and pocket carry it when she can't. I usually carry a Colt New Agent with a 3" barrel and an officer frame, and the P238 is markedly smaller.
 
My wife who is 63 and has Arthritis can rack and shoot a G26. My wife does not like the Micro .380 semi autos. She does like a good .38 Revolver, but has trouble hitting target with it. A lot of women feel the smaller firearms are better for shooting (Maybe for concealing). Id have her look at Glocks G26, G43, Beretta Px4 Storm compact or sub compact, Sig P320 Compact or subcompact and of course the M&P Shield.
 
Walther PK380. Wife likes hers and can handle racking the slide with ease. She can shoot my 9 mil shield no problem but cannot rack the slide.
 
My wife and daughter prefer snubnose revolvers in 32 H&R magnum.

As far as semiautomatics go, I like my Ruger LC9 in 9mm quite well. They say that the newer model, the LC9s, has a better trigger. This is also available in the "LC9s pro" version, which doesn't have a manual safety. Whenever my friend at the LGS gets one of those, I intend to trade my LC9 in towards it. They are good guns and quite popular.
 
Glock 19 Gen 3 or S&W M&P9 with the smallest grip insert. Both are easy to manipulate. She needs a weapon with enough mass to abate the recoil. I am a strong proponent of high cap mags for any one.
 
For what you are asking, look at the Sig p238 for .380 or even the p938 9mm. Hardly tell any difference in size and your wife would mostly likely enjoy and be able to manipulate both of them.

Other options, the Glock 42 for .380 or the Glock 43 for 9mm. Again, both are two she should have no issues with. When I am not on duty and carrying my duty weapon, my EDC is a G43.

All the guns conceal easily on the female body (AIWB) and IMO, don't aggravate carpal tunnel, arthritis, etc that women tend to deal with. I find the two 9mm's are softer shooters.

On another thought, depending on how she plans to carry, the Sig p239 and Sig 225-A1 are also worthy contenders for her to try. Both 9mm's but total dreams in your hand.

The www.corneredcat.com is a great resource as well and I even got the book several years ago.
 
The Walther P5 is a single stack 9mm that is very accurate, has a good trigger and is easy to rack a round into the chamber. Find a clean one and let her try it out. I think she'd like it.
 
Walther PPS M2 or CCP both 9mm single stacks with excellent ergonomics. The CCP has a unique gas delayed blowback design that requires a lighter recoil spring making it easier to rack and softer on recoil. The PPS is a higher quality pistol and beats out the G43 and even Performance Center Shield in every comparison I've seen.


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I'm surprised there are no recommendations for the Bersa Thunder .380. DA/SA with a good trigger and metal frame to help take recoil. I'd definitely be taking a look at it.

When I finally convinced my girlfriend to get her carry permit, she ended up picking a 9mm shield. She loves the gun, but after only a few weeks, she realized its too big for her to carry concealed without crazy amounts of printing. She then decided she wanted a gun that she could keep on her instead of in her purse, so we went shopping again. She ended up choosing the LCP after shooting it, along with lots of other pocket/micro .380s. At around $220 online these days, the LCP is a great deal. Very small, but recoil is not too bad, surprisingly.
 
If she is determined to carry the underpowered .380 then select a high quality round with excellent stopping qualities. Federal P380 HST is excellent.
 
I'd try to go 9MM but check out the Kahr CT-380.

Also, check out ' The Cornered Cat " Good info there for her!
 
Look at the Ruger LCP also, its a high quality affordable option. I just got the LCP custom and am thrilled with it so far. I plan to carry it with one in the chamber which leaves a 7 pound DA style pull. Its not a full DA which is why the pull isn't 10-11 pounds but it is hammer fired.
 
1911

Among daughter in laws and granddaughters in my family...9mm 1911 in an alloy frame and 4" barrel is a good option ( Kimber, Wilson, etc have options -- guns like the Kimber Tactical Pro II ...) --- or a Sig 239 DA/SA in 9mm...

slim, single stack ...are your best options.
Click to expand...

What he said. All the women in my family shoot 9mm or larger. All have been trainable on a semi auto’s. All have been able to rack the slide after being taught the proper method.

I’m really fond of my Kimber Aegis.

kimber-pro-aegis-II.gif


And my Wilson Combat Professional in 45 ACP

eliteproright.jpg
 
Have her try the honor guard by Honor defense. My fiance (a new shooter) loves it. She bought it. She tried the shield glock 19 and 43. Ergo is outstanding. Sig quality at shield price
 
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