Her issue with weight vs. recoil is killing me…

[luangtom]

Maybe she doesn't really want a gun...

Some people are just not comfortable with the idea of owning/carrying a gun. If they did have one, they might have to shoot someone with it and that is a very uncomfortable thought to some.

Very true. At the start of our classes we try to get an idea of the mind-set of those in the class. Mind-set plays such a role that it cannot be ignored.

Over the years, our local Sheriff was an active instructor with us and he came right out and asked, "Are all of you ready to take another life?" He then went on to say that if they were not, they should think of taking classes in non-lethal defense. His biggest concern was those students that expressed a desire "to just scare" the perp, not harm them. To these students, he gave an invitation to leave........

 

[Lost Californian]

Mine is killing me with her issue of weight vs. recoil. She wants a gun to be as light as she can find but have a minimal recoil. That pretty much narrows this down to a .22 LR but she can’t figure out how to hold a revolver. She wants to have way too low of a grip and it bucks up in her hand and she doesn’t like it. I keep trying to show her a proper hold on it but then she complains she doesn’t like it. She bought a Taurus 94 a year ago because she thought she liked the grip. I own several Taurus handguns and they have all been problem free for me. So go figure this one is the first one with problems. One cylinder won’t fire, the double action trigger pull is off the charts heavy, and pulling the hammer back for single action is so hard it almost slips out from your thumb each time. So I let her shoot my Ruger MK3 and she starts tearing up the target. Like as in make me proud tear up that target. She still has the terrible grip but it’s working for her. She then informs me that she hates the grip, it’s too fat. Before I start wailing that I can’t win, I swallowed some pride and took her shopping some more at a gun show last weekend. She thinks she likes the grip on the Browning Buckmark but she doesn’t like the feel and weight of the S&W 22A. She says the 22A is too fat like my Ruger. While she likes the grip on the Buckmark, she says it is too heavy. So… One more time here… Before I start wailing that I can’t win…

HELP!!!

How about the S&W 622/422 family of pistols? Alloy frame, slender grips, .22lr, 4" to 6" barrels. Only find them on the used market. Or even the 2206 stainless version, tho my daughter states its heavy compared to my Ruger MkII. Or smaller yet, the 2213/2214, the 8 round, 3" barrel version. I have had one of each, and they are all fine guns.

 

[11B Lifer]

M 36/J frame on target

Those advocating J frames are (in my opinion) right on target. In training double action its critical that the small handed person be able to keep on target, stage the cylinder, follow thru on pull. Get good at point shooting.
Despite having cancer, my wife can get my Colt Comander going-accurately. BUT, she carries a M36 in .38 with wad cutters, or .38 shorts!
She also likes our M36s in .22-and with high speed hollow point they will do the job.
It is a challenge to find a 36-and it may cost a little more-or even need some fixing (hers did). But its worth it. After all, she covers my six.

 

[justsumstuff]

I tried, but I couldn't hit a thing with the J-frame. Got a blister for my efforts in less than one cylinder. I bought a used 64-4 instead. Yes it is all SS, & a little heavy, but I can hit what I aim at. I have a 3953 & a m&P 9c. I love the 9c, but I'm not very good with it. I think that I can shoot the revolver better because I can see the cylinder moving. ??? My daughter loves & can hit all with the 9c.
I attended a Women on Target class (I think it's the name)? thru NRA. 2 women taught the "concealed carry" & the "I refuse to be a victim" classes. The women were knowledgeable. For example, I can not rack the slide on semi-auto like u do (out in front of your body). I put it to my side, grab the top with my weak hand, push the gun through & rack the slide.
A woman instructor taught me that. I agree, a knowledgeable WOMAN instructor will have women-knowledge that you might never think of in a million hours!
Pay the $ for a class before she gets discouraged.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Answers to a few of these questions…

She mainly wants a gun to be able to go to the range with me. I don’t have the slightest problem with her keeping a .22LR for a SD gun. CCI Stingers would ruin my day in a hurry if they went into my belly. And like I said before, she did pretty good with my Ruger but she didn’t care for the bulky grips and the weight. So I’m thinking this weekend we will be Buckmark shopping for the Lite version. She has already had a night of being “Scared straight” when someone was at the back door and she woke me up ordering me to get my shotgun. She didn’t like the fact that she had to go to me for her defense. I’m looking for a females only training class that is local to us. I know there has to be something. As a guy I at least have half a clue that if I press her too much on this then we both lose, not just her or me.

 

[justsumstuff]

Answers to a few of these questions…

She mainly wants a gun to be able to go to the range with me. I don’t have the slightest problem with her keeping a .22LR for a SD gun. CCI Stingers would ruin my day in a hurry if they went into my belly. And like I said before, she did pretty good with my Ruger but she didn’t care for the bulky grips and the weight. So I’m thinking this weekend we will be Buckmark shopping for the Lite version. She has already had a night of being “Scared straight” when someone was at the back door and she woke me up ordering me to get my shotgun. She didn’t like the fact that she had to go to me for her defense. I’m looking for a females only training class that is local to us. I know there has to be something. As a guy I at least have half a clue that if I press her too much on this then we both lose, not just her or me.

So you're looking at shotguns too?
I like shooting mine. We had to have 2 1/2" chopped off the stock & a shorter barrel on my 1100 to get it to fit me. I'm small & the youth models of almost everything are comfortable for me. Alas the youth shotguns were few when I started.

 

[growr]

I would seek out a local Women on Target class for her and go from there. Another choice would be an NRA Basic Pistol class.
Randy
NRA Certified Instructor since 1988

 

[Maximumbob54]

So you're looking at shotguns too?
I like shooting mine. We had to have 2 1/2" chopped off the stock & a shorter barrel on my 1100 to get it to fit me. I'm small & the youth models of almost everything are comfortable for me. Alas the youth shotguns were few when I started.

No, that is mine. And I hate it. Mossberg 500A. Never again. Remington or nothing.

I would seek out a local Women on Target class for her and go from there. Another choice would be an NRA Basic Pistol class.
Randy
NRA Certified Instructor since 1988

I think I found one at Gateway Pistol and Rifle Club... Need to call for schedule.

 

[amazingflapjack]

A Beretta 21-A in .22LR-11 1/2 OZS-pop up barrel loading-double action-different grips available-accurate and dependable. Ladys like it, can opperate it easily, and are not intimidated by it ("it's cute"). Flapjack

 

[BillBingham2]

How about either of these with adjustable sights and in 22 magnum?

North American Arms

You can get a boot grip which just might be the right size for her hands.

North American Arms

You can make your own grips if that sort of thing moves you or her too.

I’m not really into the idea of rimfire rounds in anything but a revolver for SD. Remembering to how to clear jams and the time is not where you want the focus.

Not a S&W, but then many of your other options presented are not.

B2 (;->

 

[DS52]

maybe try and go to a friendly gunshop, if you can find one. Pick up the P22/p380 or something else with adjustable factory grips and see if one fits. i know exactly how it is, Im getting rid of a ruger bearcat because no matter how I hold that little sucker Im better off just throwing it at what I was planning to shoot! Its accurate, just not in my hands, sadly.

also as far as j frames, have her hold a few models with the various grips. Just to see what she likes.

I just purchased a 432pd for the wife as a carry gun as she didnt care much for the 38. Now im looking for one for myself. Yeah 32 H&R can be a spendy little gun to shoot, but I have dies and a reloader and just ordered a ton of ammo so Ill have brass for a long time.

That and they are just soooo much fun to shoot all day!
Good luck!!