Help me pick a 'better' handgun for my wife

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Let her try a SIG P238: I have fired that with three women at the range and they all handled the gun without trouble and could make good hits with Blazer ammunition.
 
OK, hard suggestions. These come from the days when I was helping out as an RO on the always busy "Lady's Night" Fridays at the local rental range.

Top center fire guns in 9mm for the smaller ladies were the Ruger SR9, STI Trojan 1911 and the CZ Shadow. The primary reason these were more popular is the way that the guns fit the smaller ladies' hands well.

We also had a Lady Smith S&W that was nice and compact for a great fit for smaller hands. But the DAO trigger was so hard to pull that the gun was all but unshootable for the first timers. And the regulars didn't much care for it either.

A lot of them also really liked the K frame Model 10 revolver because it was polite enough to not throw hot brass down the front of their shirt. The last was not an uncommon occurrence since the range was a popular place to go before hitting the local clubs for some dancin' and drinkin'.

Shooting .38Spl from the Model 10 also found favour with the more recoil shy of the ladies. The ammo simply seemed to have a softer "thump" to the hand than the "SNAP" from the 9mm pistols.

You said she liked your 1911. So that seems like a great fit for her to shoot a gun she already likes but in the smaller caliber.

Of the lot the Shadow was found by the often recoil shy ladies to be their favourite due to the weight of the gun and having much of the extra forward in the dust cover and rail area to aid in soaking up recoil. And it's very true that the Shadow is one of, if not THE softest recoiling 9mm out there. It's not a compact gun though. But then neither is a 1911.
 
The wife of a friend of mine was looking for something for concealed carry as her work took her into some less than friendly neighborhoods. She wasn't really comfortable with how semi-autos operated but felt fine using a .38 Special revolver. Found her a S&W Model 638 with a 2.5" barrel. Started her out with mild wadcutter loads and gradually worked her up to 125 gr. +P Remington Golden Sabers.
 
We stopped by a gun shop on the way to the range today, and the wife was able to handle a few new pistols. She absolutely hated the stippling on the grips of the Sig P229, saying it felt like sandpaper on her hands. I don't really know how she would like it with different grips, because she couldn't get past how it felt to comment on how it actually fit.

One pistol she showed more than just a cursory interest in was a full sized 1911. She liked how it felt in her hands, and said it that although it was still a bit heavy, it seemed lighter than my P90 (which it's not). I figure that the slimmer grip allowed her to handle the added weight easier. So, I'm definitely going to pursue that - maybe in one of the smaller sizes.

Does anybody have any comments about the difference in felt recoil between the bigger and smaller framed 1911's, either in 45 or 9mm?
 
Again referencing my Defender, I find that the recoil (.45) is noticeably more stout in the small aluminum frame. I also have a Taurus PT1911 for comparison which I get tighter groups out of, largely due to the lack of recoil.
 
Thanks Havok. That's what I figured. Maybe a compact 1911-style pistol in 9mm is what we're looking for... Smaller (and lighter) than my P90, but still heavy enough to tame the recoil.
 
You might try the Glock 19 Gen4 9mm. You can adjust the size of the grip by changing the rear pad the controls to thickness of the grip. The recoil is much better than the S & W M&P or the Kahr And of course, you have the accuracy and flawless reliability of a Glock. Or you might hold out for the newly released Glock .380 compact, but it might be hard to gets for awhile since it is new.
 
Ok... one more time in case anybody missed it...

Thank you for taking the time to post a sugestion, but we're looking for an autoloading pistol, chambered in a more powerful cartridge than the .380, with smaller grips than a Ruger P90, and not plastic.

I'm sure the Glocks are fantastic pistols. I know plenty of people like them, they just don't meet our selection criteria.
 
ngnrd said:
Thanks Havok. That's what I figured. Maybe a compact 1911-style pistol in 9mm is what we're looking for... Smaller (and lighter) than my P90, but still heavy enough to tame the recoil.
Click to expand...
I originally wanted a Defender in 9mm. I will check the next time I am at the range to see if I can rent a small 9mm 1911 and compare it against my Defender. I will also second oneounceload's recommendation of a P7 if that is within your price range. I love mine and can recommend a great holster maker that specializes in P7 holsters.
 
I wish we had any shops up here that rented handguns. But, the last one I know of closed their doors years ago. ... Makes this kind of search a bit difficult. I basically have to find someone I know that has one I can borrow. Or I have to buy it, try it, and then sell it if I don't like it (like the aforementioned Bersa). It sucks...
 
My wife is a very experienced shooter. Once she shot a P238 it was all over. She loves that pistol like no other, and she has some really nice ones, but the 238 is "the one". It's her constant companion, and she shoots it very, very well. With the modern loadings I am not at all concerned about her being under powered (she uses Critical defense and PowrBall)...
 
oneounceload said:
WHO? And does he make LH versions?
Click to expand...
Heck yeah he does! I happen to also be left-handed and found him after an exhaustive search. I will add that I am in no way employed by or renumerated by him. The website is http://garritysgunleather.com/. I bought the Triskel, which can be worn IWB, OWB or can be used as a "tuckable". It costs $115 but I feel that it was worth the money.

End threadjack.
 
I sat for a week looking at measurements, capacity, finishes, and calibers to figure out what the wife might like. We went to a fun show and she handled about 50 different pistols (revolver and auto) and her first was a 1911 commander. Take her to shows and stores and let her pick out what feels good in her hand, what fits in her hand. Try ranges that rent firearms for ideas.
Good Luck
 
I know I made the promise already, but it looks like I will be going to the range tomorrow. My mom is here as well so I will see if 1) They have a small 1911 to rent, and 2) If I can get my mom to shoot it.
 
I bet she'd like a Sig P938 SAS. It's a lock-breach 9mm, which helps with recoil. Great sights, so it's fun to shoot. Easy to rack, which women like. It's similar to her Mustang, so familiarization would be a snap. And it has a factory "melt" job, so there'll be no sharp edges to offend her soft feminine physique. Oh.... and it's really, really, cute!
938_SAS-Detail-L.jpg
 
That's interesting Kernel. I had actually considered the P938 at one point. But then I read this from a Guns & Ammo article published in May of 2012:

This is not the gun to hand to your wife or girlfriend because “It’s light, small and easy to carry” and expect her to enjoy practicing with it. Especially if you give her a magazine filled with defensive ammo.
Click to expand...

So, I basically dismissed the 'cute' P938 based on my assumption of what the recoil would be like from a 9mm in a 16-ounce subcompact. Maybe I was wrong?? Could be worth further consideration...

Anybody out there have 1st hand experience with the P938, and can comment on its recoil compared to some of the other suggestions?
 
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