Julie G. M&P9

[epj]

Thinking seriously about getting my wife a JG model for Xmas. If it has the pink grips it will be "hers". Maybe if she has her own gun she will be a bit more apt to go to the range with me. She used to go pretty regularily, but hasn't been in years. She does have a couple of guns that are "hers", a 4"M63, and a 642 with pink Houges, and a KelTec P3AT that she carries in her purse. None except perhaps the M63 are real range guns.
If I don't get her the JG model, the other option is the pro series, either barrel length. Looking at the better trigger. The JG is supposedly a "Championship Series". Does this mean anything? I know the pro has a lighter trigger. Both have the FO front sight.
Anyone have experience with both guns that can shed any light on the differences? No one around here stocks either, so I'll have to order something. No chance to fondle them side by side. I guess I could get a pink backstrap insert for the pro. I guess I could get an Apex trigger kit for the JG. Decisions, decisions. Gotta sell something in the current arsenal before I do anything.

 

[BobRowe]

First off, most women I know don't like the "pink" look on firearms for them. They feel like that's telling them they can't handle the "real" black guns.

Second, some women have considerably less upper body strrength than men, and some don't. If your wife's grip and arm strength is on the low side, you may find that she'd like a revolver more than a pistol, due to the strength needed for racking the slide. Test them yourself -- some guns require a lot more effort than others to rack the slide. Another posible solution is one of the Beretta "tilt-barrel" pistols that don't have to have the slided racked in order to load or unload them. But those are only available in .32 Auto and .380 ACP the last time I looked.

You might consider a S&W "L-frame" revolver for her. These are currently stainless revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum, but she can also shoot .38 Special ammo in them, even the milktoast .38 wadcutters. The nice thing is that they come in barrel lengths of 2-1/2", 3", 4", and 6". The 4" is probably the best all-around model, and the 2-1/2" is best for concealed carry. You can get the Model 686, which is a 6-shot, or the Model 686-Plus, which is a 7-shot.

Another thing I've found is the rather strange phenomenon that while most women (except the very petite) don't mind significant recoil, they don't like guns that weigh a lot. For example, my wife would rather shoot her very light-weight Karr 9mm, rather than my Glock 17 or my S&W M&P 9, even though its recoil is significantly greater due to its lighter weight. Go figure.

 

[gasaman]

I just bought the S&W Pro Series 1911 9mm for my wife, she loves it.

 

[epj]

Thanks for the comments. Please keep 'em comming. I'd still like to get a comparison of the JG model to the Pro. If it were for me, it would be the Pro without question. The best , perhaps, though most wxpensive option would be to order a Pro and a set of the pink grip inserts. My wife goes nuts over guns with pink grips. She even likes the Charter revolvers because they're pink. Needless to say, she won't find one of those under the tree.

 

[akviper]

I posted pictures a few threads down regarding my wife's JG M&P. She loves it. If she decides she doesn't like the pink inserts she can use the black set included with the gun. Kim has no problem racking the slide even though she isn't super strong. I bought a Lady Fist holster, belt, and mag pouch in dark red leather to round out the gift. She hits the range a lot more often with the new JG M&P. I'm glad it is only 9mm as the 9 is easy to find and is relatively cheap for plinking and training. I'm saving up for a trip the Thunder Ranch or Gunsite for her.

As a breast cancer survivor, she thinks it's great that a portion of the price goes to breast cancer research. I donated a Ruger 10/22 with a pink Hogue stock to the last NRA banquet in our area. A group of women bid it up to $600.00 so I think a lot of women like pink guns.

 

[SheepNutz]

First off, most women I know don't like the "pink" look on firearms for them. They feel like that's telling them they can't handle the "real" black guns.

Then there are some women like my wife that won't buy a gun unless it's pink!

 

[WC145]

Then there are some women like my wife that won't buy a gun unless it's pink!

No kidding! I've bought two guns specifically for my wife, a 315 Night Guard with black hogues and a NAA Black Widow with a pink cushy grip and she absolutely loves that .22! When she goes walking it goes in her pocket, the Night Guard gathers dust. Guess I need to find some pink grips for it so she'll shoot it.

 

[epj]

Anyone that can actually compare the JG and the Pro? The pink grips are pretty much a non-issue as they can be ordered separatly. I think my wife likes the pink grips on her guns because that makes them ofically "hers", and not something that is "ours" or mine that she uses.

 

[kris7047th]

First off, most women I know don't like the "pink" look on firearms for them. They feel like that's telling them they can't handle the "real" black guns.

Second, some women have considerably less upper body strrength than men, and some don't. If your wife's grip and arm strength is on the low side, you may find that she'd like a revolver more than a pistol, due to the strength needed for racking the slide. Test them yourself -- some guns require a lot more effort than others to rack the slide. Another posible solution is one of the Beretta "tilt-barrel" pistols that don't have to have the slided racked in order to load or unload them. But those are only available in .32 Auto and .380 ACP the last time I looked.

You might consider a S&W "L-frame" revolver for her. These are currently stainless revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum, but she can also shoot .38 Special ammo in them, even the milktoast .38 wadcutters. The nice thing is that they come in barrel lengths of 2-1/2", 3", 4", and 6". The 4" is probably the best all-around model, and the 2-1/2" is best for concealed carry. You can get the Model 686, which is a 6-shot, or the Model 686-Plus, which is a 7-shot.

Another thing I've found is the rather strange phenomenon that while most women (except the very petite) don't mind significant recoil, they don't like guns that weigh a lot. For example, my wife would rather shoot her very light-weight Karr 9mm, rather than my Glock 17 or my S&W M&P 9, even though its recoil is significantly greater due to its lighter weight. Go figure.

I disagree here about the revolver because most have too heavy of a trigger pull and too much recoil for effective second shot placements... also, very difficult to fumble with reloading compared to a quick mag change. Most women have much weaker hands and fingers to shoot a revolver accurately compared to you guys. I have a bad wrist and find it much easier to rack the M&P slide (using both hands effectively) then to use one finger pulling a heavy trigger. I have helped other women, one who has the onset of arthritis in her fingers.... still opted for the M&P9c. The ONLY revolver that was good to go for me was the Ruger LCR .38 The new S&W .380 Bodyguard is much easier to rack than the LCP which did give me issues trying to lock it back. Not so with the BG.380 ... I really like this gun, just make sure that you purchase the new redesigned frame addressing the take down pin problem SN EABXXXX, not the first gen SN EAAXXXX.


I highly recomend that your wife try an assortment of guns semi autos and revolvers, on more than one trip to the range before she decides which will best best suit her before you make the final decision.

 

[epj]

Thanks. I still would like to hear from someone who can compare the JG and Pro, especially wondering about the triggers and any difference in accuracy.

 

[kris7047th]

In Michigan, we have a guy locally who makes sears that exceed the S&W Pro trigger. I had mine done... a 4 1/2 lb trigger pull with a shortened, fixed reset. I highly recomend a lighter trigger for ladies with weaker finger strength. Some of you guys may think that it will be too light... may be the case for you, but not at all for us. My accuracy improved immensely, as I was able to press the trigger correctly, instead of punching it because it was a bit heavy before.

 

[epj]

Thanks, that's closer to the type of info I'm looking for.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

In Michigan, we have a guy locally who makes sears that exceed the S&W Pro trigger. I had mine done... a 4 1/2 lb trigger pull with a shortened, fixed reset. I highly recomend a lighter trigger for ladies with weaker finger strength. Some of you guys may think that it will be too light... may be the case for you, but not at all for us. My accuracy improved immensely, as I was able to press the trigger correctly, instead of punching it because it was a bit heavy before.

I agree that a performance sear is a big improvement. I know the guy you are talking about. Given APEX's performance, reliability, and known durability, that is the way to go. The DCAEK kit is much nicer than the S&W Pro guns IMO.

I typically support small business ventures, but fire control components gets into sketchy territory. APEX has the blessing of S&W and has been used by plenty of high round count guys and operators. You really can't go wrong on the APEX kit.

If you haven't purchased the pistol, I strongly recommend G&R Tactical. Last I checked, he was selling the M&P for $460 and offers to install any options you may want - including the APEX kit and his own kit from APEX components to get a slightly better / lighter trigger pull than the traditional DCAEK kit, but not as light as the APEX Competition kit. Grant is also a hell of a guy to boot...

My $0.02 on APEX vs S&W Pro Shop vs. Local Guy. YMMV

Steve

 

[PersonalSecurity]

In Michigan, we have a guy locally who makes sears that exceed the S&W Pro trigger. I had mine done... a 4 1/2 lb trigger pull with a shortened, fixed reset. I highly recomend a lighter trigger for ladies with weaker finger strength. Some of you guys may think that it will be too light... may be the case for you, but not at all for us. My accuracy improved immensely, as I was able to press the trigger correctly, instead of punching it because it was a bit heavy before.

I wouldn't consider 4.5# light. I believe the competition kit from APEX goes to 3.5# if you ever feel the need to go lighter and can comfortably do so.

I believe APEX is working on cutting out Pre Travel some. I have heard a lot of people are switching their APEX kits back to OEM because of the large amount of pretravel to the shorter break of the APEX.

If this kit does come out, shortening Pre Travel on your trigger would make a world of difference. I'll see if I can find any more info on that.

Steve