Which carry gun for my wife?

I would suggest arranging a trip to the range and allowing your wife to shoot as many of the above mentioned handguns as possible. and then let her decide based on her preferences.

My bride of 27 years will shoot everything from Ruger Redhawk, 1911, Glock, S&W etc. Her Preference after trying many firearms...A S&W model 10 round butt with laser grips. Who would have guessed?

As men we have opinions based on ballistics, what we like,etc...I could not pick out a pair of shoes that fit my wife...how could I pick what handgun she feels comfortable with? Never mind my preferences in custom holsters...it is much easier with my two sons..They will take anything dad will give them and smile LOL

Just a thought...Best to you and your wife in the search.

from cliffs article,
Stage #3: Test Firing

You wouldn’t buy a new vehicle without taking it around the block, and a firearm is no different. Surplus City Indoor Shooting Range in Clinton offers gun rentals. For a small fee, you can test fire various handguns in their facility.

it doesn't get any better then that.

Bought my wife a Smith airweight .38. She does not like it at all. Recoil is a little much for her. It sits in the safe now while we shop for an auto she will be comfortable with.

A Model 36 Smith. Don't use really heavy loads. 158 gr RN lead would work.

Never a semi-auto for a lady, especially if they are not an gun expert. Clearing jams and operating the handgun can be a problem.

Doug

Back when I knew even less about firearms than I know now, I bought a Taurus Model 650 in stainless for my wife, then put some CT lasergrips on it. It's one with the covered hammer, and isn't the lightweight model, so it has a bit more weight to offset recoil.

She doesn't like shooting, so my limited thinking reasoned that for someone who won't have good techniqe she might at least have a chance to try to put the red dot where the bullet should go. Got the model without the hammer because it's in her purse and didn't want snagging. Got the .38 because she definitely wouldn't shoot it again if it was a .357....

Doug Bowser wrote:A Model 36 Smith. Don't use really heavy loads. 158 gr RN lead would work.

Never a semi-auto for a lady, especially if they are not an gun expert. Clearing jams and operating the handgun can be a problem.

Doug

Which was my thinking at the time, however like a previous poster said, if she isn't comfortable shooting it, she won't and she dosen't.

147 gr Wadcutters in the .38 make it pleasant and enough weight to penetrate.

Couple days late and a whole lotta dollars short, but I'd like to second what Cliff said on the prior page - S&W 640. He recommended that my wife get one and she loves it.

Dammitt PapaDawg...that thing made me smack my monitor...twice!

If you decide to go with a S&W revolver, make sure she checks out the trigger pull on it. I am not a fan. From what I have heard, the LCR has a better trigger, and .357 capability for just a bit more.

wow thread necro

Oops, I didn't notice the date. But still good information for anyone looking at a S&W 642.

Joe S. wrote:ha yea... i was about to reply and noticed the dates...

anyway, granjack, i think you have already gotten something right? if not, and she wants to test drive my LCR, bring her to clinton one day and she can try it out.

I did pick up a Charter 2000 in 38 special in excellent shape for a good price at a local pawn shop. It has a surprisingly smooth DA trigger and the single action breaks like glass at about 3 pounds. I hadn't heard much about the Charter, but liked the feel of it in the store, and the price was right. Got it home and shot it a few times and it's a good shooter (so far). Handed it to my wife and her comment was "it's too heavy to put in my purse". Women! Anyway, it is now my daily carry piece. Bought me a pocket holster, and it works just fine. She is happy with her little 25, knows how to use it, and it has never failed to fire or jammed. It stays in her car console since she doesn't have a permit to carry, but at least she has it. Guess everyone was right whey they said that she wouldn't carry something she didn't like. She feels comfortable with her 25, and it's better than nothing. And I got a good carry for myself out of the deal. Everybody wins, except the bad guys.