CCW pistol for wife

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I'm looking to get my wife a concealable pistol for her birthday (not til April, but I'm starting research early). Of the pistols in my collection, her favorite is my Kimber, followed by my Sig 220. For carry, I'm looking for something smaller-so the various compact 1911 offerings from Kimber and SA are in the running, along with the Sig 239 in 40. She also hasn't fired, but does like the feel of the compact version of the SW99.

I've read good things about the Para CCW in a couple of gun mags. Is it worth putting into the shoot-off? Also, does anyone know anything about STI's compact offerings? Yes, I'm planning on taking her to the range to shoot the pistols we're looking at.

Any other pistols I may be overlooking? Thanks.
 
My wife has a Kimber (first series) Ultra Carry as her purse gun and keeps a Kimber Compact Stainless Covert in her vehicle.

My 61 year old sister carries a Colt 1911A1 Commander but is picking up a Series 80 Lightweight Officer's ACP today to make carry in her purse a little easier.

Neither of these women is particularly athletic but with proper training, and I might add the proper attitude, they easily handle the 1911 and the 45 ACP cartridge. The both switched back to the 1911 after several years of carrying Glock 40s. The both feel the superior trigger and general fit of the 1911 makes it a better choice than the hi-tech
polymer wonders from Austria.

My point is, if you wife likes your Kimber, don't let others convince you "the little woman can't handle a 45" so you better get her a 9mm or better yet a 2" 38 Special.
 
I know she can handle the 45-as I said her two favorites are the Kimber (45) and the Sig P220 (also 45). The common theme is single stack-fits small hands better. She does anticipate recoil some when she shoots, but that just means she needs more range time-and when she goes shooting, that means I get to shoot too. :D

I'd also love to get her some time with an actual, certified instructor to go with her new gun.
 
If the Kimbers are what she likes, I recommend staying with that. People only shoot what they like and if she's going to carry, she'll definitely need range time. She won't do that if she's not comfortable or happy with the firearm.

I might add that purse carry is extremely difficult for anything other than an alloy revolver, even if the purse is made for carry. The weight of the firearm plus the ammunition wreaks havoc on the construction of the purse. The other drawback to purse carry is the difficulty in accessing the firearm when needed. It's an absolute must that the purse has a dedicated pocket, pouch, compartment for the firearm and only the firearm.

How is she planning on carrying the firearm?
 
Right now, the assumption is purse carry. Yet another reason I'd like to get her some instruction/pistol tryout time with someone more experienced in this area than me.
 
Disclaimer: I am not a woman, and have never carried a gun in a purse.

I am currently working with a friend's wife who wants to begin carrying. I advised her against carrying in a purse. The reasons: #1: If robbed, the first and possibly the only thing they want is the purse. You are placing your gun in the object of their attention, you are possibly providing a felon with a gun, and if caught in condition white you purse could be snatched off your arm before you knew what was happening. #2: Difficulty in quickly drawing the weapon. By it's very nature a handgun is something that if needed, is needed right now or preferably two minutes ago. In a defensive situation there is no time at all to spare. In most places it is illegal to brandish a firearm. If you are drawing a firearm, it must be in defense of your life to counter a threat of deadly force. This means that you will never need to leisurely draw a gun. Any time you are drawing the gun, it is to counter an IMMEDIATE threat to your life. Along the same line, unless you have a purse designed to carry a gun, the gun is going to be loose in the purse; if you reach for it you have no idea where it is or what position it will be in. There is also the possibility of the safety being wiped off or the trigger being pressed by other stuff in the purse. #3: Unless you have the purse with you at A L L times, you won't have your gun with you at all times. You come home, you toss your purse on your bed, you are out in the living room watching TV and some guy busts down the front door: with your gun in the purse in the other room. #4: You don't have control of the gun at all times. You are driving with the purse sitting on the seat or on the floor. The young kids start going through your purse when you are trying to drive. Or you put your purse down just for a second while you answer the phone, or put groceries away or whatever and your gun is there for anyone to take.
I believe that one of our members here by the name of PAX made the statement that if she is dressed, she is wearing her gun. This eliminates all the above problems and more. Carrying a gun is a big responsibility. It is not to be made a matter of convenience.
 
For a purse carry look at the Coronado Leather offerings. www.coronadoleather.com

For on-body carry, you might have her look at a Smart Carry holster. They look funny before you put 'em on, but they are super comfortable and totally concealed under anything except skin-tight clothing. www.smartcarry.com

I have both, of the above, btw. Yes, I am female too. I also have a nice Tucker paddle holster, and am looking at an IWB for occasions too.

Oh, and I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP I daily. Sometimes a Taurus 605 too.
 
Well, she likes the 1911...and that is a great start!!

The LDA's from Para are nice.....but I would suggest putting a little more into the purchase of a Kimber CDP handgun that fits her.
It is lighter, theedges have been rounded, and night sights are standard.
My vote would be for the Compact...an Officer's frame(better for IWB and fits my large hand fine, should be fine in her smaller hand) with a 4inc barrel/slide. This gives a nice balance, useable For IWB, Purse, fun to shoot, and very accurate.
A friend has the CDP Ultra Carry(3 inch) and he loves his! No problems. the other Kimbers I have tried, have given me no problems either.
Colt once made the CCO which is the same format at the Kimber Compact and CCW, but they might be found used for around 5-6 bills. It too has an alloy frame...which makes it a tad easier to tote.
I have a Custom LW Colt Officer's and a ParaOrd LDA Companion that I carry about...the steel is alittle heavier(but I got it as a duty gun), but still packable.
I do suggest a really good IWB and belt, cut for a woman's body from one of the better maker's(Milt Sparks, Rosen, Kramer, Tucker, Rafters, the list goes one!).....purse carry mean you can get seperated from the weapon.
Though if you go that route.....Coronado Leather makes excellant products! I have one of their Fanny packs, that is mainly used as a catch all for international travel. Seldom for carrying firearms.
Have her take a look at the Sig 245 too! That was my runner up when I bought the LDA(I had to get a DAO or DA w/decocker for a security commission). Felt real nice in my hand!
So.... Kimber CDP...Officer frame
Para CCW(heavy, but doable)
Colt CCO
Sig 245
Can't go wrong with any of these!
Jercamp45
PS: if you do run into a 'lemon' Kimber...replace the MIM parts and have a 1911 'smith tune it up.......it'll give you/her a lifetime of service!
 
Since your wife likes your Kimber, I'd recommend a commander sized 1911 (in frame material of her choice), so that you can still use the mags you've already got collected.
 
OK...great notes here...hope I got it all

-add Sig 245 to list (also 239 in 357Sig)
-Commander size Kimber/SA/Colt, or possibly smaller
-www.smartcarry.com
-Coronado leather

now I just have to find a range/shop that will let her play with all those :D

BTW Sirvette-she's shot my one DAO (Kahr K40) and doesn't like it much-and she's in the Guard and has enough experience and common sense to handle a single action

we've got a little one on the way, so this will probably be out gun buy for the year...thanks guys
 
If it doesn't have to be a .45, what about a classy PPK? It sounds like she is adept enough to be able to place a shot well and rely less on a larger caliber to compensate for poor shot placement. The PPK is small enough to be concealed well whether in purse or on body. Hey- it works for Her Majesty's Secret Service!
 
I'm a fan of the SIG P239. It is highly reliable and fun to shoot. You can get the optional "short" trigger, I would call it a "thin", trigger. It's for people with a shorter reach when it comes to getting their finger on to the trigger. It can help with the DA pull.

I have 1911s, I like them, but the P239 is just a very easy handgun to get along with. If nothing eles it is really easy to field strip.

You also have the option of easily switching to a .357SIG barrel for the P239 should your wife want something different now and then from the .40S&W. I suggest also swithing to SIG P239 .357 magazines when you make the simple drop in barrel switch. The P239 shooting .357SIG is amazingly accurate.

Good luck,
Rich
 
For my two cents, I've learned (the hard way) to let them shoot different pistols first and decide for themselves. That, and training & equipment are essential. That said, I'd add the Hi Power (either classic 9mm or .40) and the S&W 3913/908 series. Both of these work well for women (and men) all over the world. FWIW, my Mom began with an old Speed Six & .38's. Eventually she gave up CCWing, Dad showed her a Mini-14, and that became her gun of choice. Best.
 
Don't make up her mind let her pick, took me five guns to say "DUH" let her pick her gun.
Wouldn't have bought the other five if I had been smart.
I am a littlt slow on the uptake, but am getting smarter.
 
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