wanting to get the fiance a pistol

I've decided I have a shotgun(mossberg 930spx 12ga) I have no use for, and it hasn't been out of the safe in a couple years, so i'm planning to trade it off towards a pistol for her, or sell it and put the funds towards it(depending on how the trade offers go). obviously, she needs to make the decision, but do any of you have any preferences or advice based on what your wives/girlfriends/other women-folk like?

my fiance shoots my 1911s a lot, but can't rack the slide on them or my hi-power easily, which is important if she were to have to clear a malfunction.

So far I'm planning on having her look at 9mms and .38s mostly, because she doesn't like the recoil of small 45s, and doesn't care for the snappiness of the .40. so I'm planning on taking her to vans and maybe a few other shops to get the feel of a few, and see which she prefers, based mainly on trigger and ability to manipulate the slide and controls.

like most women, she wants something small, low recoil, but she prefers a .45 she's not good at math in case you can't tell since that combination doesn't exist

as of right now i'm planning to have to look at the G26, any of the small Kahrs, maybe a Sig, S&W M&P compact, XD/XDM subcompacts, and have her look at various .38s, or maybe even a .327.

Price isn't exactly an issue, but I'd rather not have to put more than a couple hundred towards the gun AFTER trade in

the purpose of this gun will be a car gun mostly, but once she turns 21 in a few months she wants to get her firearms permit so this will likely be what she is going to carry as well, since once we're married there won't be a lot of extra funds for new toys

I still have to discuss this with her tonight, to see if she is still wanting one, but if she mentions selling the gun and buying her an iPad then the offer will be off the table AGAIN and I'll use it to buy myself something new

How about a 9mm 1911? I would think, without personal experience, the slide would be easier to manipulate. I really like the looks and handling of the Springfield EMP. The frame is smaller than traditional .45's as well, although it may be higher in price than you are wanting. I'd love to have one for everyday carry!

jbpmidas wrote:How about a 9mm 1911? I would think, without personal experience, the slide would be easier to manipulate. I really like the looks and handling of the Springfield EMP. The frame is smaller than traditional .45's as well, although it may be higher in price than you are wanting. I'd love to have one for everyday carry!

never tried the EMP, thats an option i didnt think of. I know she'd like the feel and ergos of it, but i'm not sure about the manipulation of the slide. If its anything like the 3" 1911s in .45 like my brothers Kimber Ultra, then the EMP will be a no-go

Get her a Medium frame revolver with a decent trigger...like a S&W 686 in 357 Mag..

Teach her how to shoot it double action only with 38's

Betcha she shoots it very well...

None of my women liked a semi better than my 686

I carry a XDsc 9 and she is more than welcome to shoot as much as she wants to try it out? And im sure others on here are willing to offer up theres as well. As long as you bring the BHP with you so I can try. Im out of town during the week but somewhere close to brandon on the weekends.

Let me know

Dh

dhollis51 wrote:I carry a XDsc 9 and she is more than welcome to shoot as much as she wants to try it out? And im sure others on here are willing to offer up theres as well. As long as you bring the BHP with you so I can try. Im out of town during the week but somewhere close to brandon on the weekends.

Let me know

Dh

will do, because it doesn't necessarily have to be done right away. Just holler anytime for the BHP...its my personal favorite of all my guns......well close tie with my Kimber

Yep best thing is to get lots of pistols revo's at one place and try em out.

I still say its best to teach the ladies on a revo first...then move on to a semi if that's what they are comfortable with

msredneck wrote:Get her a Medium frame revolver with a decent trigger...like a S&W 686 in 357 Mag..

Teach her how to shoot it double action only with 38's

Betcha she shoots it very well...

None of my women liked a semi better than my 686

good thought also.....i plan to have her pick up everything that catches her eye

If she is not going to shoot it very often - couple times month, every month -- get a wheel gun !!

Wife has a S&W 4" Model 19

msredneck wrote:Yep best thing is to get lots of pistols revo's at one place and try em out.

I still say its best to teach the ladies on a revo first...then move on to a semi if that's what they are comfortable with

she has more experience with semi-autos than anything. she's put a lot of rounds through my 4" kimber

I tell you afte getting my hands on the new pmr30. I think it would be a kick butt carry gun! AN they make critical defense ammo for it..

I refuse to shoot the PMR30 because well with that 30rd clip I can see my .22mag supply dwindling before my eyes.

jakeg823 wrote:

msredneck wrote:Yep best thing is to get lots of pistols revo's at one place and try em out.

I still say its best to teach the ladies on a revo first...then move on to a semi if that's what they are comfortable with

she has more experience with semi-autos than anything. she's put a lot of rounds through my 4" kimber

Yes but you mentioned her experience is she cannot work the slide. I'm with the other old schoolers, go wheel gun, a .38 spl revolver is so underrated today and I don't know why.

Another vote for revo.

PhillipM wrote:I'm with the other old schoolers, go wheel gun, a .38 spl revolver is so underrated today and I don't know why.

+ about 10. In the heat of a gunfight, clearing FTF, FTE and all that is tough. I go with the .38. PM me with your number, I got a half dozen or so small frame 38/357 she could try if you are still around Florence.

Talked to her tonight about it and shes all for the idea. She likes revolvers too, I was just saying she does have a lot of experience with semis. If she can't manipulate the slide then she can't get the gun.

I'm with y'all on the revolvers....i'd rather have a revo for carry, but sometimes they present their own concealment issues for me.

Sid I might be hollering at you. I've got a few laying around she can try as well so we'll see. I really think she'd like my LCR

Beladran wrote:I tell you afte getting my hands on the new pmr30. I think it would be a kick butt carry gun! AN they make critical defense ammo for it..

Always like this ad

Its not that they can't work the slide or do speedy mag reloads...its just it might take just a little more time working with them.

On a nice semi, the slide is pretty ez to work...if you don't have some "mental block" about it...its technique...not hand strength

what I'm saying is learn good trigger control with a decent trigger double action 4 - 6 inch revo....then proceed from there....

At this stage of the game, you are not concerned with what's more lethal or what's ez'er to conceal.....all that comes later....first things first...

My prediction...a day or two with a good revo and maybe some instruction from someone like Cliff Cargill....and my bet is she shoots better than you do....she won't have any bad habits to break

I'd shy away from the LCR. It is so light that the recoil is much harder to manage. The lightest I would go is a S&W airweight. I'd even shy away from the Ti-light. I have carried an airweight for awhile and my uncle has had one in his boot for 30 years or better. I don't think his is called an airweight but laying side by side except the hammer they look identical and feel close to the same weight.

just my My wife didn't like the recoil of the LCR either but managed the 642 just fine

I'm with the folks suggesting a revo and would say take a look at the S&W 640. Practice w/ .38, load it up w/ .357 or .38+P for safety.

Good chance - if Cliff weighs in on this - that the 640 or something similar will be his recommendation. That's the reason my wife carries one. And also, a big +1 on some time spent w/ a trainer - the time that my wife spent w/ Cliff was worth every cent.