Posted on 03/23/2011 12:14:47 AM PDT by krogers58
Looking for some advice for a concealed carry weapon for the wife. We were thinking a semi-auto, clip fed weapon. She seems intimidated by the recoil on my 9mm (Glock), and was wondering if there was a decent handgun that would give her more confidence with aiming and firing. I was thinking of something like a .380, but I've never shot them to compare them to a 9mm. Obviously they shoot a smaller cartridge, but the gun seems much lighter and would seem to be more susceptible to kick-back. Maybe I'm wrong. I think a .25 auto might be too light. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
You’ll get endless suggestions on this topic here at FR, as the topic always does. I suggest one thing only: the gun you have with you is better than the gun that’s left at home.
Basically, that means that the gun you’re comfortable carrying, though of smaller caliber, is better than the stopper you’ve left at home because it’s too heavy, too bulky, too unwieldy, or kicks like a mule.
Personally, I like the Walther PPK for its time-tested reliability and security (safety blocks the firing pin); however, the SIG-Sauer is probably just as good, if a bit more expensive, and the Beretta is othing to sneer at.
Then, again, most people will tell you that if you don’t practice regularly, a revolver is best; the Smith and Wesson Chief’s Special is just fine in that regard, and, yes, it is used by a good many Chiefs of Police.
I agree, take her to a range. She should go with the largest caliber that she can comfortably shoot with accuracy.
Take her to a range where they rent different guns to try. Pick a couple S&W small J frame revolvers (Model 60LS), single action and double action, but the hammerless double action only trigger pull may be too stiff for her.
Look at the Bersa Thunder 380 conceal carry while you’re trying out suggestions.
S&W Model 60LS can shoot both 38 and 357. She can start out with the lighter 38 loads and work up from there at her own level.
I’ve found that the key to being able to handle recoil is the grip. Get something that your wife can hold securely and comfortably and most of the recoil issues will go away. I would also recommend a hammerless revolver, .38 cal, 2” barrel. A couple of manufacturers now are offering ported barrels and that helps a lot, too, especially if you move up to .357. And I agree with everyone who says stay away from a .25 auto.
Husbands buying guns with/for wives can be (I said can be, not will be, or are) difficult. Hubby's 'suggestions' are sometimes colored by what he would carry, wife's preferences are sometimes shaped by wanting hubby to be happy with her choice of the 'right' gun.
If your wife is having problems with the recoil of a Glock 9mm, then it's entirely the wrong time to buy a pistol for her to carry, unless there's a reason to make it happen now.
In that case, I'd go with the revolver suggestion -- basic, easy to operate in ALL functions (sometimes people who do not have strong hands have difficulty cycling the slide of an automatic).
Anyone who carries is far better off with a weapon with which they are completely independent -- not relying on assistance to load, or to make ready, or to holster, or to unload, or to chamber check, etc.
Likewise, it needs to be a weapon which does not induce that moment's hesitation before pulling the trigger, as the shooter anticipates recoil.
I'd rather have my wife carry a .22 revolver she was comfortable and proficient with, than a .45 she was hesitant to pick up.
In the event of actually having to draw it, a calm person with a pistol is a lot more likely to regain control of the situation than someone shaking and waving a gun all over the place.
What KoRn says is true.
Look for a .38 snub nose with an internal hammer.
Just less for her to screw up.
Make sure it’s actually the recoil that she doesn’t like. My wife doesn’t much care for the slide movement when a semi-auto is fired, but she’s fine shooting revolvers that have more recoil than my 9mm semi-auto. Over the years, she’s gotten used to that aspect of semi-autos and will shoot them, but when she was starting out, she disliked it enough that she went with a revolver for home defense.
Don’t know how much shooting experience your wife has, but if she doesn’t have much, she might consider getting a .22 pistol and putting a few thousand rounds downrange before ruling out a 9mm pistol. May be that she just needs the comfort of familiarity with shooting in general in order to get comfortable with shooting a 9mm.
skip the clip fed handgun. get her a can of wasp spray.
I’d go with the first poster’s suggestion and add that there are lots of feather weight model revolvers out there. I don’t care for them but your wife may.
My only addition has been Crimson Trace lasergrips. They improved my targets and confidence 1000%. I practice with .38s also.
Practice.
A lot.
Nice. I could see this fitting my wife better than the XD-9.
Kimber Pro CDP II. Not too big. Not too small. Just right. If I’m dressed, it’s in my pocket.
CC
Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum
One shot stopping POWER!
FORGET AUTOS!
Too many problems to list; i.e. limp wristing, slide spring too heavy, ammo problems, etc.
Forget the ‘concealed hammer’—it makes the trigger pull hard, and accuracy for the unskilled is non-existant.
You need ‘cock and shoot’ for starters.
Revolvers of the proper size are the way to go. Get one with all the power you can handle, then PRACTICE!
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