My wife has decided that she would like a pistol. So we went to an indoor range and rented various guns Glock 42(380), shield (9) Ruger lcp early version with and without a laser . She liked the Glock and the Shield but cannot make up her mind. I wanted her to try the bodyguard but it was out for repairs. I visited another shop and they have a M&P9c and I was wondering what's the difference in the grip diameter with a small grip insert vs a shield.

No circumference numbers for you, but maybe this side-by-side helps.

Wish the Mrs. good luck for me.

Sounds like we have another member in the works! I'm not sure of the diameter difference on the grips. But I'd let her try them side by side and see if she has a preference.

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

Get the M&P compact. Easier to shoot, great gun. Small guns are cute but not fun or easy to shoot. I am a proponent of learning to shoot with a full size first, if it fits your hand.

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I find the Shield easier to shoot than the M&Pc. If you look at the picture above, you'll notice the longer grip of the Shield. Plus, if your wife has smaller hands (like I do) the more narrow grip of the Shield actually is more comfortable than that of the M&Pc with the small insert.

The best thing to do it rent them and let your wife shoot them, and see which one she likes the best.

My wife doesn't like my Shield...not because of the grip, but because it's "ugly." She wants a gun with a stainless slide and rosewood grips...she is holding out for a SIG 938.

I got my mom an sd9ve she is petite but she loves it and consistently shoots it well. I didn't think much of the gun until I got her hers, now I want one. She put almost 400 rounds through it the first time she shot it using steel cased ammo it has 1500+- rounds down the pipe and not one malfunction! She even limp wrists it some when she gets fatigued but it won't quit.

My wife started with the Ruger LCP (has had a S&W 38 Special for 20+ years), then passed on my Shield 9mm for the Glock 43 9mm.

That M&P9c is sure a fat little bugger isn't it? Glad I have my skinnier 45 ACP Shield.

I she looking for a carry piece? I def suggest the shield, bodyguard or g43. Has she ever shoot before?

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M&P 9, Shield9.

[QUOTE=Doc Hollywood;139308115]I got my mom an sd9ve she is petite but she loves it and consistently shoots it well. I didn't think much of the gun until I got her hers, now I want one.

My wife went for the SD9VE. Really likes the way it fits her hands and she thinks the 16 round mags are great fun. I like it for the flawless function and easy maintenance. Her mom recently chose the 642. At 82 she had issue with cocking the semiautomatic. She is scary good with the 642 at 30 ft. IMO the most important thing is picking the correct gun for the individual.

Remember: Shoot, Shoot, Shoot and then Shoot some more. Range night needs to the the social function of the week.

Has your wife racked any of these guns? Of the five slide operated guns I own, the Shield is by far the most difficult to rack. If she has trouble racking any of those she's tried, I suggest looking at the small, easy-to-rack SIG P238.

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What, me worry?

my wife, only an occasional range buddy who prefers plinking with my .22's; did ok accuracy wise but did not like shooting my MP 9c (even with a full size mag). Also doesnt care for shooting my full size MP 9. But she has liked my Shield (PC model). I figure while she's not at the point of wanting her own gun, etc if she doesnt like shooting something she wouldn't practice with it.....

On a side note, she has been able to rack all my MP models; even the Shield just fine. Though i have to admit my PC SHield is easier for me to rack than some std Shield models i tried at the local store. Could be a fluke though.

My wife and daughter both carry compacts. They bought them individually without any input from me or each other.

She may find out that the small grip insert is not the one that she prefers. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs. and I prefer the small insert on my 9c. My wife is 4'-11" and prefers the medium. FWIW, I bought mine after handling my spouse's.

Thanks to all that replied. Well she is now the proud owner of a 9mm Shield with a Crimson Trace green laser and a purse/holster combo. Now we have to shoot it and I have to work some more OT to pay for it

Get her a revolver and she can have her choice of 100's different grip shapes and sizes.

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Dave

The Compact spreads the recoil out over a larger area and takes the sharpness out of it. My wife has had several hand surgeries over the years and she shoots handles an M&P40C just fine. With the large insert in place, it is easily the softest shooting small 40 in the market. I just imagine the same gun in nine would be a *****cat.

My personal experience is , let her decide. If you need to drive 100+ miles to try a handgun then do it. It is being purchased for her , not you, not what someone told you, not your buddies choice. It is her choice so let her decide. Do not rush into it, and if money is the hold up give her the one she chooses.