[Prey_Chaser]

I finally got my wife to agree with me about her needing a pistol with all the crazy stuff going on in the city. This pistol will be carried her car and at times in her purse and yes she will be taking the CCW class and getting her permit. She has shot my rifles and pistol and handles them in a safe manner.
So here's my question what pistol/caliber do I get her? Auto or revolver? Something in price range of 400-500 bucks.

[Edited on 12-20-2009 by RC#1]

 

[Vector]

I say a S&W airweight .38. At least put it on the list to look at.

You could always get her a mini Glock for that price range too, but it won't fit her hand well more than likely.

Both of those guns will run with very minimal chance of malfunction, and that means a lot to me personally. :bowing:

Parker

[Edited on 12-20-2009 by Parker]

 

[Cburrows_tx]

I CARRY A SPRINGFIELD XD-SA 9. LITTLE BIG FOR CCW, BUT I LOVE IT!

 

[Vector]

I'll add one more comment. That S&W won't weigh down her purse as much, so she would be more likely to carry it.

Parker

 

[Poor Valley]

If revolvers are being considered I'd like to suggest a Ruger Sp101 for your consideration. 38 spl/357.

I bought one a few months back mainly because of its size which is rather small for a pistol of this cal. My hands are a little on the small size for a man. The down side is that there is not much room for the ring finger between the grip and trigger guard. With the 38's not a problem. With repeated fireing of the 357 rds there is some discomfort. It's also SA/DA. and hits where I point it.

 

[Boogan1]

Here is my suggestion, take her somewhere that has several different types/calibers of pistols that she can shoot and let her try them and see what she is most comfortable with. Some women are nervous about semi-auto's because they don't know how they work and think they are more difficult to load and operate and are intimidated by them. To them a revolver looks simpler. If you are wanting her to carry a semi-auto then expose her to them and she will become comfortable with it. As for caliber, the biggest that she can shoot comfortably and accurately. With the wide variety of self defense ammo available you can find ammo that performs well in almost any caliber. My advice on caliber is to stick with the common ones, its cheaper, easier to come by and she is going to need to shoot quite a bit to get comfortable with the gun. As for size of gun, that is going to depend on the size of your wife! lol! Someone mentioned a mini glock but said it would be too big for her hands, well my wife carries a mini glock and loves it. She also has a little rossi .38 that looks just like the lady smiths. She shoots them both really well. So like i said in the beginning, take her somewhere that she can shoot and handle several different types and calibers and let her decide. Boog

 

[Squatter]

A pistol for your wife? I'd take that trade in a minute.
Oh sorry, didn't read it thoroughly. Never mind

 

[Big_Bullseye]

[rquote=1517837&tid=105828&author=Parker]I say a S&W airweight .38. At least put it on the list to look at.

You could always get her a mini Glock for that price range too, but it won't fit her hand well more than likely.

Both of those guns will run with very minimal chance of malfunction, and that means a lot to me personally. :bowing:

Parker

[Edited on 12-20-2009 by Parker][/rquote]

Airweight. Great gun

 

[ALMOST NORMAL]

44 Magnum all the way. :claphands::claphands:

 

[Jeremy]

Bersa 380, or bersa compact 9mm, both reliable and great shootin guns

 

[Prey_Chaser]

Thanks for all the advice. :2thumbsup:

 

[RAGENTHECAGE]

KEL TEC 9MM

 

[FiremanBrad]

Reread Boogans advice, it's good!!! Then, enroll her in a higher level class than the CCW-1....it's money well spent!!!!:cheers::wave:

 

[leemozoid]

And be sure that the caliber is one that won't defeat YOUR own personal body armor.

 

[BigJake]

[rquote=1517837&tid=105828&author=Parker]I say a S&W airweight .38. At least put it on the list to look at.

You could always get her a mini Glock for that price range too, but it won't fit her hand well more than likely.

Both of those guns will run with very minimal chance of malfunction, and that means a lot to me personally. :bowing:

Parker

[Edited on 12-20-2009 by Parker][/rquote]

+1 :cheers:

 

[Ozarkian]

Some good reading, things to consider, etc.

Could always go with ther Judge.

http://www.besafeguntraining.com/womens-first-handgun-buy/index.html

 

[glennasher1]

I think Boogan gave some excellent advice. Whatever you buy, make sure SHE picks it out. She's the one who'll carry it, shoot it, etc. and it should be something SHE'S comfortable with, NOT what us internet commandos would pick for her.

That said, when I worked in a gun shop, most ladies who bought their own gun usually picked out a snubby .38 Special, or a K-frame Smith and Wesson, which fits most hands pretty darned good. Most of them bought revolvers, too.
They aren't 'into' guns much, they just want something that works, and makes them feel secure. They don't much care about 9mm or .40 or whatever, they just want a solid uncomplicated gun.

 

[beanpile]

[rquote=1520542&tid=105828&author=glennasher1] I think Boogan gave some excellent advice. Whatever you buy, make sure SHE picks it out. She's the one who'll carry it, shoot it, etc. and it should be something SHE'S comfortable with, NOT what us internet commandos would pick for her.

.[/rquote]
My wife went by her self and went through a gob of pistols & she picked out the S&W 642 .. heck I did not even know what one was when she called me but thats what she has now & she loves it!

 

[callaojoe]

Agree with all that has been said, ain't no way to pick one out for her based upon any opinions given here. Take her somewhere with a nice selection, and try em out..... I bought my wife a Kimber 1911 9mm.... But, it ain't for every woman that's for sure....

 

[Longbow26]

Have her take the CCW class first. They provide a virioty of guns and dif calibers. cheapest way to deside on gun and caliber taht way.