Handgun for my wife...suggestions...

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saturno_v

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My other half has had no interests whatsoever in firearms....she shot firearms few times in the past and she may go to the range with me some other time...not holding my breath.

She does not want to carry.

I would like some suggestions for a handgun (semi or revolver does not matter) to put in her nightstand drawer (she is fine with the idea) when I'm not home with the following specs.

- Foolproof trigger pull (in a semi-auto a DA or DA/SA setup is preferable)
- Reliable, point and shoot
- A powerful enough cartridge for SD but with the most manageable recoil for a person totally untrained and that does not want to be trained.
- It can be full size, carry is not a requirement.

Some ideas I got....I thought my Beretta 92 could be a good candidate (big and heavy, easily absorb the 9mm recoil) but it is just a bit too big for her hands (she is 5.4).

I'm afraid the typical compact 380 semiauto (think bersa Thunder 380) may actually have a worse recoil than a Beretta 92 (I haven't shot a 380 in a while, memory is foggy)
So, maybe a full size 380?? Are they around??
 
The Beretta PX4 is light recoiling, has an easy to rack slide, and comes with three different sizes of backstraps. It is available as a full size and compact that both should allow all fingers to fit on the grip. Over the past couple of years Ernest Langdon has done a lot of work with the PX4 full size and the compact version. You should be able to find some of his work on line. If you can't, I can find some links for you.

Here's a Lucky Gunner review of the PX4 Compact https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/review-beretta-px4-compact-part-1/

The HK P30 is another that has a size adjustable grip with both backstrap and side panels. The LEM trigger versions give you a hammer and a consistent trigger pull.

Here's an article by Darryl Bolke on why he likes the LEM trigger.

https://pistol-training.com/archives/8549

Don't forget, we have a bunch of "What gun should I get for my wife/girlfriend/daughter" threads, and one is a "sticky"

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/so-you-want-to-buy-your-girlfriend-wife-a-gun.564531/
 
The two lightest recoiling options I can think of are both 4-inch revolvers. The first and easiest is the 38 special. Loaded with standard velocity hollow points, they are light recoiling; and more than capable of stopping most threats. If that's still too much, the 4-inch Ruger SP101 in 327 Federal magnum can be loaded with .32 H&R magnum for a truly light recoiling revolver. Loaded with Critical Defense or Federal 32 H&R hollow points, they have nearly the same stopping power as the .38 special, but much less recoil.

38 special is easier to find ammunition for, but the .32 has lighter recoil. Both in steel frames weigh in at about two pounds, so recoil will be much less than most polymer or alloy semi-autos, but neither are quite as powerful as 9mm-45 ACP pistols. Still, though, they are both capable options.
 
If she's not interested in firing it at the range I'm not sure I would even get her one...forcing a pistol on her might not be the best idea.
Now it does sound like a good excuse to buy another gun "for her" that somehow always ends up in your range bag...

Read this study, women clearly as a group disliked the revolvers presented to them:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...es-pistol-project-ii-concealed-carry-pistols/

The study has some flaws in that I don't think they actually made any of the women try to integrate any of these pistols into their wardrobe but that doesn't matter for your use case.
 
Over 2,600 posts here and you don't know about the sticky, the eleventy-billion other threads, and www.corneredcat.com?

My wife is the same way, though she has shot some of my guns. She will not shoot anything larger than .22LR after having tried bigger guns in .38 and .380 (the latter not being a pocket-sized gun.) The only one she liked was a Taurus PT22, so it became her "leave-out" gun, though it was switched with one in .25 for a while.

Now, her "leave-out" gun is still one in .22LR, but it's a Taurus 94 revolver. If I had a six-shooter in .32 or .38 with a small-enough grip frame, that would be considered. In .38, even Cowboy Action loads could be used with someone who is extremely recoil-shy if it came down to it.
 
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The direct blowback 380s are kind of snappy but the 380s that use Short Recoil operation are pretty soft shooters. The Girsan MC14 and Pavona both use locked breech and are pretty soft shooters.
 
IMG_0038.JPG I think she would be better off picking out HER firearm....bought my wife plenty (all autos including a Tomcat) but in the end she purchased a S&W 360 revolver and shoots .38 Spcl.
 
Started my wife with .38spl revolver. She eventually passed on it. I like it and now it’s sometimes a bug for me. Several pistols later and she has settled on the Sig Sauer P938. Fits her hands well and soaks up recoil. It was trial and error till she found “the one”. Good luck to her on her search. Best part of her searching meant more handguns for me. Not a bad thing. Any ranges around you to rent guns?

Thanks, Mn Fats. I agree.
 
Smith and Wesson SD9 VE. Striker fired but with a stout trigger- no DA transition. Inexpensive, full-sized, reliable, sufficient power, capable of mounting a light.
 
There are a number of great choices, but whatever you guys go with, SHE needs to handle it and make the ultimate choice, and I'd stick with a full size gun.

The PX4 is a good choice, but there are many to choose from. HK makes the P30 and VP series with interchangeable side panels on the grip. this may help you get a good fit for her. They also tend to be very reliable, but there are many reliable makers out there.

However, this
saturno_v said:
A powerful enough cartridge for SD but with the most manageable recoil for a person totally untrained and that does not want to be trained.
Click to expand...
makes me wonder if you are better off with a revolver like a 686+. If an auto loader malfunctions, and she doesn't want to practice or be trained, what is she going to do? She won't know how to clear the gun. A revolver seems a good choice for someone refusing to put in the needed time for real practice on malfunction clearing.

Plus, if you choose a S&W, there are a whole host of after market grips to be had to customize her grip as needed.
 
saturno_v said:
My other half has had no interests whatsoever in firearms....she shot firearms few times in the past and she may go to the range with me some other time...not holding my breath.

She does not want to carry.
Click to expand...

I would get her more comfortable with firearms in general, before I make her choose a firearm(and it should be her choosing it). Nothing is going to be "the right gun" if she is afraid to use it, or unfamiliar with it because of lack of practice. In that scenario, she may be better off with a shotgun beside the bed. When she is comfortable enough with firearms to want to go to the LGS to get her own, she's ready for her own.
 
460Shooter said:
There are a number of great choices, but whatever you guys go with, SHE needs to handle it and make the ultimate choice, and I'd stick with a full size gun.

The PX4 is a good choice, but there are many to choose from. HK makes the P30 and VP series with interchangeable side panels on the grip. this may help you get a good fit for her. They also tend to be very reliable, but there are many reliable makers out there.

However, this

makes me wonder if you are better off with a revolver like a 686+. If an auto loader malfunctions, and she doesn't want to practice or be trained, what is she going to do? She won't know how to clear the gun. A revolver seems a good choice for someone refusing to put in the needed time for real practice on malfunction clearing.

Plus, if you choose a S&W, there are a whole host of after market grips to be had to customize her grip as needed.
Click to expand...
I have a 4" 686 Plus. It is very accurate for me, as part of making my decision I did a range session alternating between it and a Ruger GP100 on two different targets, the Smith was WAY more accurate. Also the trigger is nicer. The factory grip is actually a little small for me (I have large palms although woman-length fingers), thanks to a recommendation here I got Hogue grooveless ones for it, makes a big difference. Shooting .38 spl it has practically no recoil. Personally I don't mind recoil from the comfort POV, but the less recoil, the faster you can get a subsequent shot on target. I wanted a revolver for my first gun to Keep It Simple Stupid -- a revolver doesn't jam, you don't have to deal with stuffing rounds into a magazine, no worries about racking the slide, does not require disassembly to clean, and HIGHLY unlikely to go off by itself if dropped or whatever.

All that said, personally I would now like to get something for carry, being that I am moving to AZ where I will legally be able to do so. I'm more willing to consider a semi-auto now that I'm more experienced. I'm wishing there was some kind of chart comparing different types of handguns on points like different types of action (with an explanation of each type with pros and cons as I guess an addendum to the chart or maybe needs to be a separate chart), typical weight of gun, typical trigger weight, difficulty of cleaning, dirt sensitivity, etc. It would be great to have a sticky like this, hint hint...
 
saturno_v said:
My other half has had no interests whatsoever in firearms....she shot firearms few times in the past and she may go to the range with me some other time...not holding my breath.

She does not want to carry.

I would like some suggestions for a handgun (semi or revolver does not matter) to put in her nightstand drawer (she is fine with the idea) when I'm not home with the following specs.

- Foolproof trigger pull (in a semi-auto a DA or DA/SA setup is preferable)
- Reliable, point and shoot
- A powerful enough cartridge for SD but with the most manageable recoil for a person totally untrained and that does not want to be trained.
- It can be full size, carry is not a requirement.

Some ideas I got....I thought my Beretta 92 could be a good candidate (big and heavy, easily absorb the 9mm recoil) but it is just a bit too big for her hands (she is 5.4).

I'm afraid the typical compact 380 semiauto (think bersa Thunder 380) may actually have a worse recoil than a Beretta 92 (I haven't shot a 380 in a while, memory is foggy)
So, maybe a full size 380?? Are they around??
Click to expand...

She is not interested in guns, therefore, it is pointless to buy her one.
 
old lady new shooter said:
I'm wishing there was some kind of chart comparing different types of handguns on points like different types of action (with an explanation of each type with pros and cons as I guess an addendum to the chart or maybe needs to be a separate chart), ...
Click to expand...
Here's our "Trigger Mechanisms" sticky https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/trigger-mechanisms-a-guide-to-whats-what.248556/

Here's another explanation of trigger types https://pistol-training.com/archives/8549
 
I would look at full size 9mm's. Big and heavy means less felt recoil.

I must STRONGLY advise against a j frame (or similar sized) revolver.

I run a free ladies night every week and popular guns include:
CZ 75 family
Sig P226/229
Sig 2022
Springfield Armory 9mm 1911
Glock 19/17
Springfield XD Full or "Tactical"
HK P2000


Your Beretta 92 is a decent candidate, but it does feel pretty fat in the hand. Her finger length and hand size may not allow her to shoot DA comfortably.
Ran into that one last week. The poor lady wanted to like the DA/SA Sig 2022, but her fingers simply were not long enough for the rental she was using.

We are going to try her on a P239 next week.
 
If you want a revolver, look at Armscor .38's since she'll probably never put many rounds through it.

I agree with the PX4 idea... but I'd change it to the heavier and cheaper Stoeger Cougar that is the Beretta 800 that is the granddaddy of the PX4.

My 5'0" 105 pound girlfriend shoots a polymer CZ75 compact clone: the SAR B6p compact. Similar to the EAA Witness Pavona. She loves it and isn't a huge shooter, but it's just hard to rack the slide.
 
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