Wife is gonna get a CCW pistol. Reccomendations?

[standerson]

Go to a range that rents handguns. Have her shoot the ones that feel comfortable in her hand.

My wife wanted a .380 until she shot one.

She ended up buy a XD SC9.

Then a Sig 239SAS(.40).

Then a Kahr CW9.

Then.......

 

[coloradokevin]

You've already had a bunch of responses.

Ask yourself:

What is her level of experience, if any?

Does she know the differences between a revolver and an autoloader, at least to the point that she can make an informed decision?

Has she fired any guns, let alone a variety of calibers?

If not, I'd suggest that you get her to a range that has rentals available (or perhaps you have one of each of the likely guns she would choose).


Size is certainly not a limiting factor in shooting. My wife is about the same size as your wife, and she will shoot anything: 10ga slugs out of a light single-shot shotgun, a .375 H&H Mag, etc... Your wife doesn't want anything too big and powerful, but has she shot enough to equate that perception to something meaningful?

Anyway, I won't provide specific weapon recommendations, as all of these variables are a factor. For me, reliability is job one, and simplicity is a close second...

My wife carries a Glock 27 (40S&W). It works as a purse gun, has enough power, and holds 9+1. And perhaps of greatest importance: The gun fits her, she is comfortable with it, and shoots it well.

 

[EBRDude]

Lots of good info here. Thanks for the responses. we will go look this weekend, and I will post what she decided on. This is HER gun, and she has shot my guns, so she does have an idea what she wants. Also, thanks for the cornered cat link.

 

[XavierBreath]

My recommendation is that she go to The Cornered Cat and read. You too.

Good luck.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Compact.

 

[Sato Ord]

So, that being said, who makes some quality single stack 9mm's?

I haven't fired a Bersa 9mm but I've heard good things about them, and I do like auto loaders that have a decock safety, especially for newer shooters. (That being said, I carry an S&W with no safety)

The Khar has a nice feel to it also, though again, my only knowledge about how they shoot is second hand.

I've heard good things about the reliability of both weapons.

See if you can either rent one of each, or hook up with someone who owns one of each and try them.

 

[RustyShackelford]

S&W "ladysmith" 9mmNATO

A S&W 3913 Ladysmith or maybe a 3946 ( DA only) 9mmNATO format. This small frame pistol is made for female shooters and has a SA/DA safety in the basic model. I think S&W makes a 3900 series pistol with a DA only trigger too.

The Smith and Weson M&P compact would be a good selection also, but for a new shooter/1st weapon I'd go with a hammer fired and/or DA only type format. It's safer and snag free .

RS

 

[hecate]

+1 what coloradokevin said.

I'm a 5'4" female, and carry a full-size Wilson Combat CQB with two reloads. It works fine in an IWB, SmartCarry, vertical shoulder rig, or purse (OK, my idea of a purse is a Maxpedition Versipack) with dedicated pistol pocket and enclosed holster.

"I don't want anything too big, heavy or powerful. Just enough to conceal in a purse and be effective" sounds like something I might have said back before I knew anything at all about guns and shooting.

 

[EBRDude]

She has to start somewhere.

 

[RichardInFlorida]

There are a lot of good suggestions here, but I always say that the shooter needs to find the gun that works for/fits them. For example, my first wife bought a Sig P220 to carry. My current wife prefers the Glock 19. I don't consider either choice to be a bad one.

 

[RustyShackelford]

A woman with a SIG P-220?...

Cool!

 

[wnycollector]

MY wife loves to "borrow" my steel frame Model 36. She has shot my P6, but didn't like the heavy DA trigger pull. I may get some wollf springs because she likes the pistol other than that!

 

[Shade00]

I am trying to figure out what to get for my wife. She and I have been out looking several times. She wants something very compact; loves my J-frame Model 32, loves my Walther P-22, hates my Walther PPK. So basically, she wants a revolver smaller than a J-frame. I might be able to convince her on a small .32 auto. Anyway, getting her interested, explaining some of the pitfalls of certain models, and really just finding what fits will take some time. There is no drop-in solution. However, I did have to give her a bit of a restriction - she can't carry the gun in her purse. She is more likely to be the victim of a purse snatching than an armed robbery, and I don't want someone getting away with her gun.

 

[EBRDude]

She chose a Taurus PT111 9mm. $240 for a very gently used one, now the training begins.
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

 

[rj112275]

+1 to everyone said take your wife to the range and let her shoot a variety of guns and then let her pick out a gun. My wife did not like any revolver that I thought she would, either a j-frame or SP101. She now has a Glock 26 that she shoots well. A couple of others that seemed to fit well would be any Kahr, because they are thin, and the Sig P239 is a good one too.