[Jack Black]

Yes! The HK is an excellent handgun.
I would definately go for the .45 over the .9mm.

While most people will say that the 9mm is a good defensive round almost no one will say that it is *better* than the .45. Many people will say that the .45 is better than the 9mm. So I’d go with the consensus choice of the better round, all other things being equal.

The .45 does cost more to shoot, and recoil more. I’m assuming you are of normal stature and plan to train with the weapon regularly.

All semi-autos are a bit complicated, the HK included.

If you are not going to spend the time to master the weapon (shooting once a week for 3 months and then once a month there after, for instance) then I would consider a nice Smith and Wesson 4” revolver in .357 Mag.

You still *should* practice but the manual of arms is an order of magnitude simpler than a semi-auto. The one button on the gun swings out the cylinder, which allows you to verify if it’s loaded. The trigger makes it go bang.

If having a spouse potentially use the gun is a concern consider her ability to memorize the manual of arms. I tested my wife by hading her (unloaded guns) at various times, like when she was reorganizing her closet. “Show me that this is unloaded”. That requires dropping the magazine and retracting the slide on a semi auto.

She now has a revolver.

If you ARE going to get into guns then I would get a full-size Governemnt Model 1911 from one of the better makers like Springfield, Kimber, Smith and Wesson, SIG or Colt in .45.

I have a gun-safe full of other types of semis, but keep coming back to the Government Model myself. Many people I know have started off with Glocks, SIGS, and HKs and *still* ended up with 1911s.

Good luck, let us know what you choose!

[Gilbo_3]

I tested my wife by hading her (unloaded guns) at various times, like when she was reorganizing her closet.

lucky she didnt beat ya to death with it...???

[bicyclerepair]

You can’t even tell my Kel-tec .380 (w/hollow points) is in my pocket. (have ccw) I don’t leave home without it. Anything larger and I wouldn’t want to lug it around.

[Still Thinking]

I tested my wife by hading her (unloaded guns) at various times, like when she was reorganizing her closet. “Show me that this is unloaded”.

Does she ever check by pointing it at you and pulling the trigger? "Oops, sorry hon, guess it was loaded!"