CC for the Mrs

[two-bit cowboy]

This is a great thread, and not just for dddddmorgan's wife.

How does anybody decide what to carry and how? Did anyone here wake up one morning and intuitively know, "Oh, I want a S&W Centennial snub-nose loaded with Speer SBHP .38 Special ammo and a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster with 1¾" belt loops riding on a Milt Sparks lined belt." Uh, no!

Research, a friend, a family member, this forum, the gang at the lgs, books, magazines and maybe other sources helped each of us make a decision. That first decision may not have been the right one, either. That's why so many here talk about the drawer full of holsters and stocks (grips). Does anyone really "get it right" the first time?

Maybe, but I sure didn't so why do we suggest "the best" solution for a newbie with the belief "this" is the right gun and leather for "you"? I'm not hammering anyone for their suggestions; I've done the same thing in other threads. This thread, though, brought this to my mind. We can all offer the "this is what works for me (after how many different guns, holsters and grips?)," but none of us can say, "This will work for you!"

The great inputs in this thread have led the OP to the best solution: have his wife try a bunch of things and see which seems to be the right one for her. Nothing at all wrong with him "helping" her with ideas he's collected here and from his own research; we all had a hand along the way. In the end she'll make her decision based on what seems right for her.

 

[Whitwabit]

dddddmorgan wondering if your wife has made up her mind on the
pistol she will CC ?? Or is she still trying different pistols ??

 

[Smoke]

The Cornered Cat by Kathy Jackson


The Cornered Cat: A Woman's Guide to Concealed Carry by Kathy Jackson

 

[Whitwabit]

All good input. I'm inclined to agree with Ayoob, and since the wife has a liking for the snubby revolvers we will certainly give those a shot ;-)

I agree with the advice that shooting at a range and shooting in a real incident are completely different, therefore the requirements differ, i.e. capacity, accuracy and so forth.

IMHO there is nothing simpler or easier to pack around than a 38 snubby. This is just my opinion, yours may vary and that's what makes the world go round, right?

Still a little cold for the Mrs to go banging right now, we are starting with my meager collection and working our way up from there.

you might have her shoot 38's in a 357 L frame .. she could shoot 38's but would be able to step up to 357's at a later date if she wanted to .. and 38+P would be light recoil in an L frame ..

 

[shouldazagged]

I agree with the Ayoob material, but I suspect that if a woman, or many men, tried an Airweight snub and the same model in all steel the difference in comfort would favor the steel. They aren't that much heavier or harder to carry.

A side note: Ayoob's thoughts apply at least equally well for someone of either sex who is elderly and looks vulnerable.

 

[birdman1978]

The.wife currently uses a Deana Adams corset holster and a can can holster, depending on her dress. Only complaint is heat.In South Louisiana, heat is an issue

 

[DevilDog72]

I took my wife to the range with my complete arsenal of hand guns and she picked my 642 nl and one of my Bucheimer 835S holsters.... wow...would not have guessed that would be her choices..... ever.

 

[BB57]

I agree with the Ayoob material, but I suspect that if a woman, or many men, tried an Airweight snub and the same model in all steel the difference in comfort would favor the steel. They aren't that much heavier or harder to carry.

A side note: Ayoob's thoughts apply at least equally well for someone of either sex who is elderly and looks vulnerable.

I agree. A lot of alloy frame revolvers are sold under the assumption that women won't carry a heavier revolver. That's a very questionable assumption.

However the alloy frame 442 or 642 weighs 14.7 oz while the stainless steel 642 weighs 22.4 oz. That 7.7 oz difference isn't all that significant in comparison to many women's "every day carry". That extra weight however make the steel frame revolver much more pleasant to shoot with both standard pressure and.38 +P loads. And, a women who actually shoots her revolver on a regular basis is going to be far more likely to be comfortable with it, carry it, and be effective with it if she ever needs to use it in self defense.

 

[mrmike7189]

There is a page on you tube where a firearms instuctor teaches just women and many of them prefer the S&W Shield 9mm. I dont know the exact name of the site.