How to try a bunch of guns w/o breaking the bank

[Corpral_Agarn]

Sorry, but if the OP is having a hard time renting due to cost, buying Les Baer or a custom-shop Kimber is NOT in his or his wife's immediate future.

That's kinda the point I was trying to make. I should have said that. I am suggesting that he hold off on the 1911 until he can afford to get a good one.

Perhaps his wife should also take a class/lesson where she can try several guns and get some great instruction (as in a female instructor) so she can make up her mind as to what will work best for her.

This is sound advice and something I forgot to touch on earlier. She would benefit from a class. Especially with a good female instructor.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I'll take a look at the CZ's also as someone suggested.

As for the light pull on the Sig, i read a lot about people wanting a lighter trigger or modifying for that. Honestly, it scared me a little bit. I don't remember if the first pull was harder than the subsequent ones I just know as I was shooting through a clip it seemed like the trigger was just too easy for me to pull. Maybe as I get more experience that would be something I liked and help w/ accuracy. I was just worried that it would be too easy to accidentally fire. I guess the initial long pull stops that.

Again, that first pull is one of the safest actions out there IMO. Once you have fired the gun the first time, its 'go time' anyway. Having the lighter, shorter pull will increase accuracy and effective fireing speed.

Also, you have to - have to - get your finger off the trigger when you are not actively firing. I am not belittling you (seriously), but no matter what action type you choose, you want to start that practice right now. "Keep yer bugger hooker off the bang switch."

I think you are on the right track, in all honesty. There is a good chance that your wife will like something other than what you like. Its natural and more fun!

 

[sequins]

I love my sig p226. The first DA shot is nice and heavy, no way it'll ever just go off... Of course, once I decide to shoot I plan to shoot. Lighter is better for accuracy and once you commit you want optimal shooting. I feel DA/SA is the optimal safety configuration.

I recommend a gun with adjustable back and/or side straps for your situation. Maybe a P30? You can adjust both left, right, and rear palmswells with any combination of small medium or large. This would allow you the best likelihood of being able to use the same gun. Bigger grips on it for you, smaller ones for her.

 

[love4god]

Corporal Agarn - I never put my finger in there until we're ready to fire but my wife is driving me crazy. Every time she picks up a gun I have to tell her. FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER! Um, I mean finger off the trigger, please, sweetheart :0

I liked having an extra safety like the grip safety on the XDM or the thumb safety on the older 1911 gun I shot at my class a couple times. It's probably just my inexperience and not being around guns my whole life but I keep thinking about someone dropping or grabbing for the gun in a heightened situation and accidentally pulling that trigger.

 

[sequins]

Personally I'd be more worried about forgetting to disengage the safety under pressure, failing to fire, and losing my life than trigger discipline.

 

[old lady new shooter]

I do plan on eventually getting my wife her own gun but it will be a little while so I was trying to find something that I really like and that she is comfortable shooting. Not the perfect gun for her but something she at least feels comfortable using. Then after her class and some shooting I'll probably get her something for Christmas or her birthday in the winter.

Getting her a present is very nice, but LET HER PICK OUT WHAT SHE WANTS, DON'T PICK FOR HER.

 

[oneounceload]

Perhaps it is time to bring up Kathy's site.

OP, you and your GF need to both read this site from beginning to end. While written by a woman mainly for women, she covers a lot of good stuff, especially for new shooters.

http://www.corneredcat.com/

start with the table of contents:

http://www.corneredcat.com/contents/

 

[Dr. Sandman]

I suggest getting a part time job (if possible), and saving the money for your new gun/ammo. Try to save about $2k. Then READ THIS WEBSITE with regard to threads like "which gun should I buy?" "I want a gun for my wife/girlfriend." Etc.

Then jump in the pool, my friend, and buy something.

 

[usfan]

Here's my advice:
1. Buy a cheap, compact 9mm.. a keltec, taurus, or better yet, a sccy. Under $300 in it, & you can see if you enjoy shooting.
2. buy some ammo, & learn to shoot it.
3. If you are bit by the bug, you will want to get another. THEN you can get a glock or xd, or M&P or revolver.
4. But before you get another pistol, get a shotgun & a decent rifle.
5. Add calibers. get a decent 1911, so you can call yourself a real American..

Good luck with your decision. All the advice here is worth every penny of what it cost you!

 

[Ed Ames]

My advice, and this is the same advice I'd give my mom if she had the same dillema:

Flip a coin. Heads Glock, tails Springfield, in both cases whatever model you liked best.

If it lands on heads and you are happy, buy the Glock. If you start to think to yourself "best two out of three", get the Springfield. Same in reverse if it lands on tails.

Then go out and shoot that gun as often as you can for at least a year. Carry it. Use it.

The reality is that you don't know enough to make a great decision yet. You can make a good decision because your choices are all good, but for great you need to learn more, and the only school available is BTDTU. You need to try it out for yourself.

 

[IlikeSA]

I agree with others in the fact you just need to get one. Just jump in. Stick with a name brand and use it for a year. After year, decide whether you like it enough or not. The 3 big polymer pistols (XD, Glock and M&P) are all good guns. Most 1911's are good guns, but you may want to wait on them, as they are a bit more complex and can be finicky. Revolvers are KISS simple and enjoyable, but not for everyone.

I started out with a 1911, still like it. I bought an XD...it's utilitarian. I rarely shoot it but carry it frequently. I have a Ruger Redhawk...I carry it in the woods and would carry it more often but it is huge for concealed carry. I had a 3 inch GP100 but traded it for a hunting rifle. I am now enamored with the GP100 match champion and the Redhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP. Guns come and go, and it is okay to just feel "meh" with the first one. Shoot it a year and you'll have a better idea of what you like. Guns lose value but not too terribly much.

 

[peacemaker45]

My stock advice for a while now has been to not worry so much about finding the perfect pistol the first time. Just buy a Glock 19, a case of ammo, and a good class. Shoot the case of ammo through the G19 at the good class. Learn to shoot it, learn to carry it. Once you have done this, you may find that you love it, but you will likely have a list of things that bug you. Then you'll know what you want in a gun. Go find it.