suggestions for new ccw for my wife

[ballay]

For about 15 years my wife has relied upon her P22/PK380's, with complete satisfaction. But with the all the new CCW options, she is looking for an update (Walther or otherwise) that is smaller and lighter. Her requirements are:
• Available in both .22 and .380 with exact same physical layout. This allows her to practice a lot with the cheap .22 ammo, and build muscle memory that carries directly over to the .380. She does not like 9 mm, and so the everyday carry needs to be .380.
• She likes the single- / double-action function of the P22/PK380, and if possible would want to retain that setup. At this point in time, I do not think she would be satisfied with a double-action only (due to longer and heavier trigger pull), but if there are any really good options with that action, she would consider.
• Ambidextrous manual safety and mag release. She is left handed and I am right. Either of us need to be able to operate the pistol in the most convenient fashion.
• Laser site option on the .380. Not necessary on the .22.
• The upgrade needs to be both smaller and lighter than her current P22/PK380's, as that is the primary reason for the inquiry.

Thank you
Gene Ballay

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I am not so sure that the so-called new CCW options are really new or would be any better than her current set up.

 

[growr]

Not sure she would gain anything by changing........perhaps a better holster would help with weight distribution which makes it SEEM lighter. Also a very sturdy belt goes a long way with the weight thing as well.

Randy

 

[amazingflapjack]

Berretta-21A-22 Long Rifle.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! About the only .22/.380 combo currently in production that come close to your criteria would be the Browning scaled down 1911s. The .22 M & P Compact and Shield .380 EZ are close in size but not exact.

I foresee a rental range trip in your future for other alternatives.

 

[AlHunt]

For her defined needs she has a perfectly serviceable setup. My suggestion would be don't mess with what works.

Though maybe something of the current SIG P series might work for her. I once had a P250 that was quite reliable and the slide racked with very little effort. Maybe something in that series would be to her liking.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Bersa Thunder comes in both .380 and .22 in a platform very similar to Walther's ppk. Good little pistols, although the .22 can be finicky regarding ammunition. Not lighter than the PK380, though. Keep in mind that anything lighter than the PK380 will have more felt recoil. Your wife may not like that much.

 

[hardluk1]

Just help her finding a variety of pistols to handle and shoot about all you can do . Its hard to second what some wants . I have one daughter that's 5-5 one 120lb perfers a little TCP 380 but also will CC a pt111g2 , one daughter that carrys a glock 19 or a kahr cw9 and is 5-8 and 145 and my wife carrys a kimber ultra 9mm at a little 5-2 but also has a m&p9c !! They all worked up for recoil for carry from a bersa thunder . All have larger caliber house guns too that they shoot . No one here want a laser sight it takes away form earned skills but most guns can be adapted to them .

IF you live in western NC we can help with a number of handguns your wife can try .

 

[JohnZMI]

To meet your low-cost .22LR training requirement with a matching .380, you might consider the Browning 1911-22 and the Browning 1911-.380 Black Label; these are not "conversions" - both are 85%-scale versions of the full-size .45ACP 1911, one in .22LR and the other in .380. I have the 1911-.380 Black Label, and it's a great little handgun; haven't shot the 1911-.22, but I wouldn't expect it to be much different - just milder felt recoil.

 

[Biggfoot44]

As noted so far, with your parameters of exact duplicate guns in .22lr and .380 , the choices are limited . If she likes the layouts, and shoots them well , might as well stick with them .

As an alternative , consider tweaking your parameters a little . Similar configuration, similar sights, similar triggers can give very meaningful understudy practice . Have her try shooting the above suggested combo of .380 Shield EZ, and .22lr M&P compact . That Would be an improved carry gun, with a reasonably close understudy .

 

[hkcavalier]

Something smaller, lighter, and better given those requirements? Perhaps better men than I can help. A PK380 weighs 18oz. There are lighter .380s, but I'm not aware of any with .22LR equivalents and/or slide replacements. Out of curiosity I searched for Glock 42 conversion slides, but there aren't any (that I could find).

 

[BAM-BAM]

If it ain't broke........................................

bounced around with carry guns from 1978 to 88..... been carrying a 3913 for the past 30 years.

 

[ballay]

Thank you all for the great suggestions, including a number of specific pistols that I had not thought of (but will now take a look at). One thing I had thought of, but had not done anything with, is the idea of a different holster / belt (Not sure she would gain anything by changing........perhaps a better holster would help with weight distribution which makes it SEEM lighter. Also a very sturdy belt goes a long way with the weight thing as well.) and we are going to do some experimenting with that, in addition to a trip to Bass Pro to let her actually handle the suggested pistols and see what she thinks. Again, thank you.

 

[Rastoff]

I understand why someone would want a smaller and lighter gun. Alas, smaller and lighter almost always translates to less reliable. That is in direct opposition to being a good self-defense gun.

Having the right belt does make a dramatic difference. Look for a belt that is super stiff. Just being leather doesn't cut it. Leather alone will soften over time. So, look for a belt that has a polymer core. These will not become less stiff over time.

Consider these: Leather Gun Belts | Shop Leather Gun Belts Online | KORE Essentials - Kore Essentials

 

[Motorsporting]

I hate to say it, but what about a revolver set up? A Ruger LCR in .22 and in .38/.357 are both lighter, and share an identical footprint (I believe). I know it's not quite the same parameters, but something to consider maybe?