OP
Expygator
Member
Because she's shot a .38 special during her gun safety class.
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Wife needs first time cc options
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Because she's shot a .38 special during her gun safety class.
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There is ONE main piece of advice given here,
Take her to a range that rents guns and let her try a lot of
different ones. And it is HER decision.
Wives don't decide what gun their husband gets for CC.
Take her to a range that rents guns and let her try a lot of
different ones. And it is HER decision.
Wives don't decide what gun their husband gets for CC.
Kenneth07ex
Member
I've got a Ruger SP101 chambered for 327 federal magnum. It's not too big, not too small. And will chamber anything in 32 that has a rim. So There's plenty of options, including the 32 H&R magnum. I definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those 327 magnum rounds. It's a nice little gun, that I picked up for my wife. Definitely worth a look.
I can rack the slide on most any handgun but it is not easy.
I don't know how many I tried while trying to pick out a 1911.
And for me, the smaller the gun the harder to rack.
Caliber, I have no problem. One of my favorites is Model 57, 41 mag.
SA vs DA, I can shoot SA faster and stay on target than I can DA. The key phrase..stay on target..
Just my 2 cents from this old broad.
OP
Expygator
Member
Let me clear something up. There's a lot of hate being thrown around about me picking her gun. Not the case. She can pick her own gun. I asked for recommendations based on the preset parameters. Thank you all for the info so far. It's been great.
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gman51
Member
You definitely need to take her to a LGS that also has a range with guns to rent to shoot. Otherwise you could end up with several guns she ends up disliking. Weight of gun laying in her purse, trigger pull, recoil, and her ability to shoot it with confidence.
I would definitely suggest a revolver and not a feather light either because she might hate the recoil causing hand pain. I definitely discourage shooting any gun, especially a revolver, from within a purse unless absolutely necessary.
I have a 640-1 that has a good trigger, has good weight but not heavy, can shoot 38spl, +P or 357. I don't think most women would shoot a 357 twice. Even a 38spl wad cutter is decent for protection without the harsh side effects on the shooter.
I would definitely suggest a revolver and not a feather light either because she might hate the recoil causing hand pain. I definitely discourage shooting any gun, especially a revolver, from within a purse unless absolutely necessary.
I have a 640-1 that has a good trigger, has good weight but not heavy, can shoot 38spl, +P or 357. I don't think most women would shoot a 357 twice. Even a 38spl wad cutter is decent for protection without the harsh side effects on the shooter.
Wife -
I don't think she can go wrong with any J-Frame, and it's probably safer than a small, narrow auto.
She needs to practice in order to feel better about it. That's what turns off so many new shooters. They blame the gun rather than inexperience. Lessons, until she's ready to shoot on her own, seem to provide some security.
I don't think she can go wrong with any J-Frame, and it's probably safer than a small, narrow auto.
She needs to practice in order to feel better about it. That's what turns off so many new shooters. They blame the gun rather than inexperience. Lessons, until she's ready to shoot on her own, seem to provide some security.
Read your own post... she does not like guns and we can train later... CCW recipe for disaster.
oneounceload
Member
Yep - and if she can pull a DA trigger on a snub and handle the recoil, then she should be able to use the push-pull method to rack a slide so as not to rule out a semi.
MichiganScott
Member
If this is the case she can carry anything she wants. She is not limited to small, concealable handguns. My wife purse carries and her two favorite guns are a M28 4" and a M&P9C. She's 4-11 and also not particularly strong. If shown how to do it properly, almost anyone can cock anything. I've seen petite females pick up Harley Davidson's that have been dumped. It's all about leverage.
Shooting through the purse (or pocket, or coat, or whatever) is a dumb idea. Not only will there probably be a fire, but the hollow point will probably plug. Sights are put on guns for a good reason. If the assailant is too close to use the sights the incandescent gases do really nasty things to a body from a contact wound.
CATI1835
US Veteran
THIS!!! Above everything else. LET HER PICK IT... PERIOD.
You risk choosing a gun for her she won't like and will not carry. Let her try as many as she needs to and LET HER PICK. Your prejudice is already showing by your statement that it needs to be heaver than a .380.
My wife ultimately chose a .32 and I am very happy with her choice. She carries it and practices with it.
Don't set limits on her caliber options. If she can only shoot a .22 comfortably, then go with that because she may not carry anything else.
I can't say it often enough, LET HER CHOSE.
ProCarryNAustin
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Handbag Carry.
Her handbags may not be made to support the weight of a handgun and holster and the strap gussets may tear out. I've ruined a couple of bags before I got purpose built bags.
Handguns can be hard to find when needed in a regular handbag, if not well secured.
If a purpose built handbag is used, the added strength required may make it substantially heavier than a regular handbag. This makes the combined bag and firearm weight more than may be expected. Though I rarely bag carry, my combination bag and carry weigh a ton compared to what I was used to. If that is her intent, then maybe she can test the combo at the LGS. Don't forget the weight of the items she regularly carries.
Her handbags may not be made to support the weight of a handgun and holster and the strap gussets may tear out. I've ruined a couple of bags before I got purpose built bags.
Handguns can be hard to find when needed in a regular handbag, if not well secured.
If a purpose built handbag is used, the added strength required may make it substantially heavier than a regular handbag. This makes the combined bag and firearm weight more than may be expected. Though I rarely bag carry, my combination bag and carry weigh a ton compared to what I was used to. If that is her intent, then maybe she can test the combo at the LGS. Don't forget the weight of the items she regularly carries.
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Gripgrabber
US Veteran
Hello, you should be proud your wife wants to carry!! Some don't,
I agree about her picking gun of choice, I had the same problem a few years ago, I have 3 j frames didn't like them many k frames, didn't like them, out of all the guns in the world she like a LCR 38, a 9 shield and her favorite is a mp 22 compact/ go figure
She purse carrys the shield with a green viriden laser.
Good luck, I tried to make this find a gun process something that we did together and I made it all about her! ( the hardest part )
SEMPER PARATUS
I agree about her picking gun of choice, I had the same problem a few years ago, I have 3 j frames didn't like them many k frames, didn't like them, out of all the guns in the world she like a LCR 38, a 9 shield and her favorite is a mp 22 compact/ go figure
She purse carrys the shield with a green viriden laser.
Good luck, I tried to make this find a gun process something that we did together and I made it all about her! ( the hardest part )
SEMPER PARATUS
Walkingwolf
Member
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My wife's carry evolved over time, you will probably not find that just right firearm for her. If she gets into carry then expect her to expect to widen her carry options.
She started with a 38 snub, then moved to my Star Super A, from there my Colt Police Positive. She also carried a SMC380 in her purse. Those options have changed yet again. She OC's a Witness Pavona, a NAA Black Widow in her pocket, and a Mace pepper spray gun in her purse.
The SMC used to be in her purse but now the pepper spray resides in the purse. At least if it does get stolen all they get is the pepper spray instead of a gun.
For a semi auto the Pavona is a good option. Because the hammer can be cocked manually it reduces the force needed to rack the slide.
She started with a 38 snub, then moved to my Star Super A, from there my Colt Police Positive. She also carried a SMC380 in her purse. Those options have changed yet again. She OC's a Witness Pavona, a NAA Black Widow in her pocket, and a Mace pepper spray gun in her purse.
The SMC used to be in her purse but now the pepper spray resides in the purse. At least if it does get stolen all they get is the pepper spray instead of a gun.
For a semi auto the Pavona is a good option. Because the hammer can be cocked manually it reduces the force needed to rack the slide.
EternalKnight
US Veteran
There have been many good suggestions. I have found the Walter CCP to be very easy to rack and shoot. The PPS M2 is another good one. I would choose a heavier small revolver than the lightweights and would stick with S&W, Colt or Ruger. The trigger is very important and I have found that if your gunshop has several of the same gun, the triggers may vary. Also once you choose the gun, check out some of the reduced recoil ammunition that is becoming more popular. Good luck with your shopping.
before you buy anything....your wife should rent some different guns/calibers at a local range and get first hand experience shooting them....only then will she be able to choose the right firearm for herself.....
A couple things to consider:
1) The heavier it is the less likely she is to carry it. Heaver weight also limits on the on-body carry options.
2) On the other hand, the lighter it is the more it will tend to recoil (with some caveats), the less comfortable it will be to shoot it and the less she will practice with it.
3) Off body carry has some very sharp downsides:
a) if a mugger grabs the purse, he's just grabbed the gun as well;
b) it takes practice and a well designed purse to be able to access the gun quickly and shoot from inside the purse; and
c) because of a and b above, it demands a high level of situational awareness and some thought and training in retaining the purse.
----
There's a balance in there, but the Colt Mustang/Sig P238/Kimber Micro are worth having her try because they are compact, light weight, easy to cycle due to the light spring, and surprisingly easy and comfortable to shoot.
Revolver wise, you've got 4 basic options.
1) The alloy frame J-frame revolvers.
They are compact, and lightweight, but that lightweight makes them a lot less comfortable to shoot. They run around 14oz for the exposed hammer models and about 15 oz of the shrouded and hammerless models.
2) The steel J frame revolvers.
They are heavier at around 20 oz for a 1 7/8" Model 36 and 2 1/8" Model 60 and around 22 oz for a 3" - but the extra weight makes them much more pleasant to shoot. The Model 60 can also fire .357 Magnum - but it's a handful.
3) The slightly heavier Ruger SP 101
These run about 5 oz heavier than the steel framed S&W J frames but are very comparable in overall size. It makes them slightly heavier to carry, but more comfortable to shoot. And they are also chambered in .357 Magnum.
4) The K frame revolvers.
These will run around 34 oz with a 2.5" barrel. That's 7 oz more than an a 3" SP 101, and 12 oz heavier than a 3" Model 60 - but they are much more comfortable to shoot, and it's the point where the .357 Magnum starts to become a reasonable option.
1) The heavier it is the less likely she is to carry it. Heaver weight also limits on the on-body carry options.
2) On the other hand, the lighter it is the more it will tend to recoil (with some caveats), the less comfortable it will be to shoot it and the less she will practice with it.
3) Off body carry has some very sharp downsides:
a) if a mugger grabs the purse, he's just grabbed the gun as well;
b) it takes practice and a well designed purse to be able to access the gun quickly and shoot from inside the purse; and
c) because of a and b above, it demands a high level of situational awareness and some thought and training in retaining the purse.
----
There's a balance in there, but the Colt Mustang/Sig P238/Kimber Micro are worth having her try because they are compact, light weight, easy to cycle due to the light spring, and surprisingly easy and comfortable to shoot.
Revolver wise, you've got 4 basic options.
1) The alloy frame J-frame revolvers.
They are compact, and lightweight, but that lightweight makes them a lot less comfortable to shoot. They run around 14oz for the exposed hammer models and about 15 oz of the shrouded and hammerless models.
2) The steel J frame revolvers.
They are heavier at around 20 oz for a 1 7/8" Model 36 and 2 1/8" Model 60 and around 22 oz for a 3" - but the extra weight makes them much more pleasant to shoot. The Model 60 can also fire .357 Magnum - but it's a handful.
3) The slightly heavier Ruger SP 101
These run about 5 oz heavier than the steel framed S&W J frames but are very comparable in overall size. It makes them slightly heavier to carry, but more comfortable to shoot. And they are also chambered in .357 Magnum.
4) The K frame revolvers.
These will run around 34 oz with a 2.5" barrel. That's 7 oz more than an a 3" SP 101, and 12 oz heavier than a 3" Model 60 - but they are much more comfortable to shoot, and it's the point where the .357 Magnum starts to become a reasonable option.
Don't know if this helps or not. My bride can rack a slide but won't. She wanted a revolver for the simplicity of being able to point and shoot and not have to be concerned with anything else. She chose a 637 J frame with CTC grips. Qualified for her concealed carry with it and will not consider any other gun to carry. Ask me how I know. 
Attachments
'J' frame or Shield.....
That pretty much explains it.
That pretty much explains it.
