wife wants a 9mm

There are so many good pistols available, If you pick from the respected brands, its hard to go wrong.

Its going to be down to what she likes really.



I am not a big fan of glock pistols, mostly for ergonomic reasons... But I have to give glock credit, they designed a elegantly simple pistol, that is very mechanically safe.

For example, for the striker to be released to go forward, the trigger bar (in which the rear portion also serves as the equivalent of a sear) must move downward... But at rest, and even during much of the pull rearward, until just before the mechanism needs to be able to move to release the striker... The trigger bar sits on top of a shelf... Meaning the trigger bar is physically blocked and incapable of moving downward and releasing the striker until the moment it is needed.

Then the striker block, that prevents the striker from moving fully forward unless the trigger bar has moved sufficiently rearward during the trigger pull.

The striker at rest does not have enough energy to initiate ignition of the primer either, so a full trigger pull is required.


So... in short... A glock in the highly unlikely (nigh impossible) event that the trigger bar should manage to move downward when the trigger is not pulled... The striker block will prevent the striker from hitting the primer... AND in the also unlikely event that the striker block is faulty and stuck in the deactivated position, the striker still does not have the energy to cause the pistol to fire.

Mechanically, its very safe... Other pistols that do not have manual safeties also have similar features built in to prevent a mechanical cause for the pistol to fire unintentionally.

Beyond that, safety is down to the user... And no manual safety can prevent all user error.


So have fun picking a new pistol, and hopefully she will no longer worry about lack of manual safety, so she has a broader selection to choose from.
 
Doc Holliday1950:

If by chance she isn't tired of watching gun Youtube Channels, just an idea.

A young lady who covers part of her face goes by 'Faliaphotography', and even though your wife might be seasoned with handguns, one of her videos is "Selecting A First Handgun" for women, or such.

At least one deals with concealed carry options for women, and the slender lady seems to be quite familiar with various choices, and attends The Shot Show etc.
 
The Walther PPS is a great little gun. It's ergonomic and reliable. It has a nice trigger right out of the box. It also handles surprisingly well (in 9mm) for its size. Being able to quickly change the grip with different magazines/extensions makes it pretty versatile too.

Just a thought but it might be worth trying the Walther P99 as well. It's in the same ballpark as the Glock 19 but has a much more svelte profile. Felt weight is a little bit like felt recoil in that distribution matters. Get some different grip shapes into her hand, even if it's just dry handling at the local gun store.
 
Beretta? There you go, sounds like a 92 even the "compact" which it really isn't, might be to big but how about a Cheetah? Yes, I know you said 9mm but man the Cheetah is worth going .380. Very nice guns. As for the Storms? Don't know, haven't messed with one.
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She has deemed a G19 to be too heavy. The 92 Compact L is an absolute boat anchor by comparison.

I'm a big fan of the 81 Series (aka Cheetah) but I'll be honest about some of the gun's potential drawbacks.
  • The double-stack 84 (and the less-common but once again available .32 ACP 81) have almost the exact same dimensions and loaded weight as an M&P9c. The single-stack 85 is lighter and slightly slimmer but you sacrifice capacity; it's larger than the more potent Shield.
  • The newer F and FS versions require being comfortable with DA/SA operation.* The earlier BB, B, and no-suffix versions can be carried "cocked and locked" but have been discontinued for 25 years. There are currently a bunch of early but ugly police-surplus 84s on the market for cheap, but nice ones command collector prices.
  • Many shooters seem to find the recoil quite snappy.
  • The slide is hard to operate due to a combination of a stiff recoil spring (straight blowback operation) and limited grasping surface.
*FOOTNOTE: The F versions have a false detent between the SAFE/DECOCK position and the FIRE position of the thumb safety. This position disengages the trigger, but it's NOT meant as a "cocked and locked" option, and the pistol should NEVER be carried in this mode because the safety can spontaneously snap back to the FIRE position. The FS version was introduced to eliminate this "feature."
 
As far as Beretta, The px4 storm subcompact is pretty modest albeit a little think. My sister loved the one she shot. I believe the barrel twists or something as well to help reduce felt recoil. I thought it was a decent firearm. My sister ended up with the sig 938 because she loved the look and compact package. Was not as big of a fan shooting it though. It has a fair amount of kick in 9mm with such a small lightweight frame.

She probably should have got the storm, but I dont think she would ever carry it.
 
I would agree with checking out the M&P Shield and Kahrs, especially if an external safety is important. Kahr has some nice, compact 9mm Massachusetts compliant models with an external safety and a loaded chamber indicator. The Kahr has a nice smooth, but relatively long trigger pull which many people feel reduces the likelihood of an accidental discharge.

If your wife is willing to consider a hammer-fired, traditional double action pistol, the Beretta PX4 Storms are certainly worth a look. A traditional double action pistol will have a longer, heavier double action first trigger pull and shorter, lighter subsequent single action trigger pulls. With a DA/SA pistol you will need to be sure that your wife can comfortably reach the trigger in DA and has sufficient finger strength to deal with the heavier DA first pull. The PX4 Storm is an excellent pistol but the subcompact version does not have the rotary barrel lockup mechanism that the full size and compact Storms have.

I haven't shot a lot of .380 auto pistols but I don't much care for them and don't recommend them to most people unless a very small subcompact pistol is desired. There are two reasons. One is the somewhat limited capability of the .380 round for self-defense. The second is that many .380 pistols are direct blow back designs that do not have any locking breach mechanism. The only thing that holds the breach of a direct blow back pistol closed is the force of the recoil spring. As a result a lot of small .380 pistols have slides that are surprising difficult to rack and the stiff spring makes for harsh recoil, even though the .380 cartridge has intrinsically less recoil than 9mm. There are larger .380 pistols that are much better in this regard, but then you might as well go with 9mm. Try shooting a Walther PPK .380 and you will know what I mean.

If you are willing to consider a striker-fired pistol that does not have an external safety, you might look at the SIG P320 subcompact.
 
Don't think you'll find one that weigh less than the 23.65 oz. your 19 weighs. That won't also have significantly increased muzzle blast. Even a Sub-compact Model 26 at 21.71 oz. is only 2 ounces less. The 3.42" barrel will have more blast and flash too.
Best take her shopping. Like Snyper says, the fit to her hand is the most important thing.
 
let me clear one thing up. My Glock 19 is a tad too heavy fully loaded for her but that's not what bothers her. She said that "your Glock 19 isn't balanced correctly for her hands/grip". Fully loaded or half a magazine. That I understood.

So, from what I gather that as the semi gets smaller the coil gets harder to compress as Marine 6680 stated. Not sure if that only applies to Glocks.

This is her choice not mine for acquiring her semi. So she will look/touch/handle/
then fire at least 5 of the semis that she considers are best for her.

You all have come up with some very strong reasons to look at a particular semi.
Question. What's the difference between the 380 and the 9mm? Again, I have no bloody idea what the diiference is.

Yes, she saw the u-tube with the masked lady shooting. We both are watching u-tubes about ladies semi picks. There's a ton out there. Also saw 3 ladies trying out 5 semis. Thanks Snyper & Fitasc

Please keep the comments coming.
On this purchase, I want her to really like what she picks after finally firing it before she buys anything.
 
Doc Holliday 1950 said:
Question. What's the difference between the 380 and the 9mm?
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.380 Auto aka .380 ACP or 9mm Browning Short* is also a 9mm caliber cartridge, but it is substantially less powerful than 9mm Luger aka 9mm Parabellum, and is generally loaded with lighter bullets. The cartridges are also slightly smaller; between this and the reduced power, it fits into smaller pistols, and all else being equal (which it rarely is), it's more comfortable to fire. That said, understand that firing a little bitty featherweight .380 pocket pistol will often feel abusive compared to a big and heavy full-size 9mm service pistol. It's just better than it would be if the little gun were also 9mm. :)

The ammunition—despite its smaller size—is somewhat more expensive and less widely available than 9mm Luger. Most big-box sporting goods discounters do carry it, but often with a skimpier selection of brands and types than 9mm.

Just to be clear: despite both being nominally 9mm, the two cartridges are NOT interchangeable. 9mm Luger will not chamber in .380 Auto firearms. .380 will chamber in some 9mm firearms, but will not function properly.

*FOOTNOTE: If you buy European-made ammunition or pistols, the word "Short" is often translated into the local language—Kurz (pronounced "kirts") in German, Court in French, Corto in Spanish or Italian.
 
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My hunch is its more about the size that fits her hands as opposed to how heavy it is ....

I would suggest a Springfield Range Officer model in 9mm or even the EMP..../ some of the young shooters in my family really like the single stack design and grip of a 1911... ( Kimber makes an alloy frame, 4", in 9mm also Tac Pro II model, and its what I have for them to shoot ).... and the Sig 239 in 9mm is a good option as well - the model I have for them to shoot is the standard alloy frame, DA-SA trigger. They also like the 2 1/2" and 4" barrels in K frame S&W revolvers ...( model 66's ) with .38 spl in it.
 
The problem with 380 auto IMHO is that so many of them are blow back actions which increase perceived recoil. Others like the LCP are so small that even the 380 auto round is not an all day shooter out of those little guns. People carry them because they are small and convenient not because they are fun to shoot or that they perform as well as a 9mm. I have one in my pocket as I type. ;)

1. There have been a lot of good suggestions so far but I will add one I have not seen mentioned yet. If you do not mind used I would look for a S&W Gen 3 3913 or 3914. It is a small relatively light and well balanced firearm. It is a single stack alum framed 9mm that is ideal for concealed carry. The only problem with them is that they are discontinued. You will see them pop up LNIB or in excellent condition from time to time. They have an excellent DA/SA trigger with a very nice reset. The Gen 3 S&W guns were the Glocks of their day. They dominated the LEO market but in todays world of tactical plastic they were too costly to produce compared to a poly gun like the Glock or the M&P.

It fits nicely in the hand. It has enough weight to absorb the recoil of the 9mm but it does not feel like you are lugging a brick around with you. Its decocker also functions as a manual safety. They have a mag disconnect installed but it can be removed by drifting the sight IIRC. They are just a great all around gun. They came in Silver and in Black. The 3914 has more of slant to the front of the frame which I prefer.

Here is my well loved 3914.

3914-ls6.gif


2. If it were my choice this is the one I would get. A Dan Wesson Eco in 9mm. It is a 1911 style gun in 9mm. Has an external safety and is a SA gun so the slide is easy to rack. It is a single stack 9mm with a trigger most guns can only dream about having. Its build quality is very high. DWs are the gateway drug to high end 1911s. It will balance well in the hand and will be a soft smooth shooter! It is however pricey. :eek:

Dan-Wesson-ECO-17.jpg


Great article about the gun. https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/dan-wesson-eco/

3. I would also recommend the P9 from Kahr. You can get one with a manual safety and LCI. It is a very nice package. Slim in the grip with a very long but very smooth revolver like trigger. I carry at times its cheaper sibling the CW9.

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4. The Sig P239 is a nice tweener 9mm but it does not have a manual safety. Its long DA pull is its safety.

5. Next up the CZ Rami which is an alloy gun so it is heavier than the Glock where it needs to be IMHO. It is a slim 9m double stack that hold 10 rounds. It has a manual safety and would make a nice carry gun.

cz-usa-cz-2075-rami.png



The need for a manual safety is really limiting your choices IMHO. I know people get hung up on them but if you do not shoot a lot and build the muscle memory to disengage the safety they are more of a liability than and asset IMHO. YMMV
 
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I'm with SocialAnarchist, you should check out the Taurus P111G2. Great size, weight, and ergo's. Very reliable, recoil isn't bad at all, and accurate at SD ranges. It's a heck of a buy.
 
The difference between 380 and 9mm has been explained pretty well. I will skip that.

I will also agree with Sig, that unless you train regularly, specifically training with properly drawing the pistol while disengaging the safety... Then a safety is a liability. You will fail to use the safety properly, and that can be bad when there is a bad guy and even when there isn't.

As far as the strength of the recoil spring... in general, as the pistol shrinks but the ammo stays the same... The recoil impulse from the ammo stats the same, but the slide has less mass... Which means less inertia, so the spring has to be stronger to make up for the reduced inertial forces.

I will say that the balance issue she mentioned is more likely due to being less familiar with the pistol, possible issues with her grip, and possibly the size and feel of the grip in her hand.

A little familiarity with the pistol can go a long way. I would suggest that you encourage her to shoot it more. While ergonomics can't be changed, grip and familiarity go a long way.

I have experienced similar with my fiancé, when we were looking to buy her first pistol. She wanted to try a Walther PPQ because she liked how it felt when she held it. Then she shot it and hated it. (I really liked it) She said that it felt too slick when she was shooting, like she didn't have a good grip or control on the gun.

Fast forward a few years and I really want a Walther for myself, so I get one. We go to the range and she tries it out... Apparently it's her pistol now...

Now that she has more experience, her initial issues are gone.


But if the ergonomics still do not agree with her, maybe look into similarly sized pistols from other manufacturers, they may fit her better.

The CZ P07 and their upcoming P10c... I find CZ pistols to be very comfortable in the hand and excellent shooters. They can be a little rough around the edges at first, but after a couple hundred rounds, the parts settle in and the trigger improves and things seem to move slicker.

The PPQ may be an option, as well as the VP9, but they are larger than the g19.

The p320 compact is very close in size to the g19 and is also a good option.

The FNS is also a nice pistol, the barrel is g19 sized, but the grip is g17 sized... so it may not work. There is a compact model with is smaller than the 19, but a little bit bigger than a g26.

The M&P is similar in that the compact is a just a little bigger than a g26. Not much but it can make a little difference.

There are so many choices, it can be overwhelming.
 
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Not sure by your original post if she's going to ccw it or not. My wife is 56 and not a gun person at all. She will shoot a Ruger SR22 and likes it, she will shoot my Sig 239 as well as my CZ P07 and is ok with them. I have every modern 9mm made in the last 30 years and those are the only ones she tolerates.
While most people will argue against a .22 rimfire I say if it functions flawlessly and she shoots it well it beats the hell out of a rock. I've pretty much given in to the fact that my wife of 33 years will carry and shoot a SR22 or simply not carry, I can live with that.
 
I am a 58 year old woman...in the FWIW department....

My first carry gun was a S&W 442 revolver. Still carry on occasion, no racking involved LOL.

My second was a Kahr PM9. No trigger problem for me since i shoot revolvers with regularity and double action does not bother me at all, my arthritic trigger finger handles it fine. As expected in a small, light gun, recoil can be on the stout side, but manageable.

I shoot 1911s in several flavors with regularity, and my most common carry gun is a Sig 938. I am quite comfortable with a single action firearm with mandatory safety use. I love this gun, but would NOT recommend for anyone who will not commit to maintaining proficiency with a single action semi auto. Recoil is less stout to me than the PM9.

As an aside, i have 4 or 5 1911s and my very favorite is the S&W 1911sc. Yes it's a 45, but commander size so a tad smaller. The scandium frame is lighter and the bobtail grip fits PERFECTLY in the hand. It is very well balanced and the recoil of the 45 is a non-issue to me, comparable to a small plastic 9. If this is a home defense gun rather than a carry, it would be a nice choice :) I can carry it, but only in winter with bulkier clothing, its much bigger than the rest of my walkaround guns.

I have the S&W 3913. VERY nice gun. Recoil is a non-issue, and accuracy is nice. Love me some 3rd genny S&W semi-autos, have the 5903, 5906 and 4566 as well. A conversation piece in addition to being a useful carry tool.

If you can find one, the S&W 39-2 is a terrific choice. The bobtail grip, very well balanced, alloy frame, very accurate the first time i shot it. Very easy to rack single stack.

I have the S&W ported shield. Absolutely love that little booger, it's like a little fire breathing dragon. Great fun, no recoil, easy to rack, great sights, better trigger than the regular shield. Highly recommended.

Not a Glock fangirl at all. Have shot em. Don't like the way they fit in my hand. I own from tiny 22s to the 50AE Desert Eagle and S&W 500. Glocks are the only guns I have not cottoned to, at all. Most guys like em, some women do, but I have run across a number of women who are like me, we just don't. In fact, i have shared my shield with several, and all loved them and handed the glocks, even 43s back to the guys. In my very unscientific experience, I think it's just the difference in the way our hands are built. On the other hand, the women i know who like glocks started their shooting careers with them, and that is what they learned. My first gun was a S&W 627PC revolver. Not similar to glock handle at all LOL. YMMV.

Any of the above can be harder to rack when new, just put rounds through the tube to get it to flex easier.

My old, female, arthritic opinion :)
 
As far as Beretta, The px4 storm subcompact is pretty modest albeit a little think. My sister loved the one she shot. I believe the barrel twists or something as well to help reduce felt recoil. I thought it was a decent firearm.
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The PX4 barrel stays in plane and rotates instead of tilting up. This changes how some of the recoil energy is distributed and it seems to reduce snappiness or muzzle rise. Coincidentally, I'm not sure that the subcompact version uses this mechanism.

I've noticed that the PX4 feels thicker than it actually is because of the ambidextrous safety levers. Luckily, they can be replaced with low-profile levers that fit almost flush with the slide. It makes the gun feel a lot thinner and I think it looks nicer too.
 
I've noticed that the PX4 feels thicker than it actually is because of the ambidextrous safety levers. Luckily, they can be replaced with low-profile levers that fit almost flush with the slide. It makes the gun feel a lot thinner and I think it looks nicer too.
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I think that would make them harder to operate, which is no big deal on a range toy, but unacceptable on a self-defense pistol.
 
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