Posted on 07/20/2010 8:09:38 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
For concealed carry in a c/c purse, designed so you can fire even before taking it out of the purse: you would want a small revolver. Downside - only 5 (possibly 6) shots before having to reload.
Alternatively, there are some very good small semi-autos available in .380 or 9mm that would be good.
Springfield XD is a very good gun in 9mm, and is available in a sub-compact version. Ruger makes some very good models in .380 and 9mm. Baretta also has good .380 and 9mm models.
Find a gun shop that has an indoor shooting range attached to it and see if you can rent a few different guns for her to try out. Have her handle a few different models to see what feels good in her hands to narrow down to two or three models to try out on the range. Buy a box of ammo for each one, and have her put a bunch of rounds thru each gun.
First thing to consider before even starting: Your wife needs to answer the question: "If my life is in danger, can I actually kill another human being?" This is a fair question, and if you can't answer in the affirmative, I'd suggest some serious pepper-spray and a focus on getaway tactics. There is no dishonor in running in this situation, regardless of what the law allows.
If the answer is yes, then we go from there.
In my case, my wife is not a shooter like I am. That said, she does surprisingly well out to 10 yards with a .22lr pistol -- any pistol -- including a Ruger NM single-six, a Ruger MkII, and a Walther P22, which is quite small and not an easy gun to shoot accurately.
However, give her anything bigger, and she's suddenly all over the map -- the report and recoil provide sufficient psych-out factor to throw accuracy out the window. That can be overcome through practice and conditioning, but at this stage in our lives with all it's responsibilities, being able to go to the range on a weekly basis is a pipe-dream. Even so, regular practice is the goal.
Another powerful consideration besides caliber is action type -- revolver vs. semi-auto. In my wife's case, a revolver seems a no-brainer; much simpler manual of arms in general, no magazines to keep cycling every few months, no loaded springs to soften over time, less levers and whatnot in general. For sheer reliability in the face of zero maintenance, a revolver wins that competition hands-down, although I myself highly prefer the semi-auto. But then again, I am a shooter by nature. She is not.
Yes, revolvers are harder to reload, particularly if one is unpracticed, but seeing as most defensive use of firearms involves six rounds or less fired at distances of seven yards or less, that's not as large as a consideration as many make it out to be. JMHO, of course.
So my current plan is to get her acclimated to a .22lr revolver with hot loads (i.e: CCI Stingers) and go with that for a time. Then we plan to move up to another small revolver in .357, but shoot light .38 loads in it until she can overcome her aversion to the blast and kick, and then eventually move her up to that. Part of the conditioning will also involve a couple of cylinders of full-power .357 loads just to build up her familiarity with those, and then eventually carry the gun with those loaded. From my own experience, if these full loads ever do have to be employed, under the stress of the situation you won't feel the recoil; you won't even hear the shots.
If, over time, her acumen improves to a point where a semi-auto becomes preferable, then we can and will move in that direction. Like defensive situations themselves, our adaptations and condition are themselves fluid and subject to change over time.
I am sure others here have other POVs and advice to add; please feel free. I am no expert, but merely a somewhat RKI.
The best handgun for Mrs. gbc is one that she can shoot consistently, accurately, and is comfortable in her hand.
All other information you get is going to be ancillary.
Add to the head of this list that it goes bang every time the trigger is pulled (with a round in the chamber).
Failure to function renders all other capabilities moot.
Dittos on the Sig.
If you’re up for a revolver, I would check out the Ruger GP or SP series in .357 (and the SP is also available in the new .327 Federal Magnum caliber).
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SP101-327.htm
Good advice.
I went shooting last weekend for the first time and really enjoyed it. Tried all kinds of handguns and what surprised me was that the larger guns were easier to shoot and provided more accuracy. At 5'3" and 120 lbs I really thought the kick back of those big 'uns would knock me down. Not at all. The wee Colt was the kicker!
I'm thinking now, at minimum, I want a larger gun in the house for protection AND a little concealed-carry one. And practice, practice, practice.
I love these threads, too.
If there are any shooting ranges around you that rent guns for use on the premises, that is the BEST way to determine what works for her.
Yes, my next purchase but in the 460 XVR. Both big S&W Magnums are true hand-held artillery.
Yep. Even a swarm of bees can kill ya. Pump enough small rounds into the right part of the body and it's lights out.
My wife loves my Colt Diamondback and shoots it very well. It's a medium size revolver in 38 special. It's heavy enough to dampen the recoil and I put small mustang grips on it, so it fits her hand well.
A common mistake is to buy a small weapon for a woman. If they don't shoot much, the recoil can be intimidating.
Need to know more about her familiarity with firearms but years ago - late seventies - I bought my wife a .38 Colt Cobra for protection when I was working 4 to midnight. Colt does not make Cobras any more but a small .38 snubby like that is good for home defense if that is her concern.
I recommend the Kimber Covert II.
Second choice, H&K USP Tactical.
Third choice, Springfield Armory XD.
All in 45 ACP, naturally.
BINGO! It is whatever she is comfortable with.
With that bit of additional information, this thread is over after posts 5 and 7, and the recommendation that she get formal training not from you. Not that you’re a bad trainer, it’s just that husband-wife firearms training generally isn’t a great idea.
Go get a nice hammerless .38 revolver.
Way cool indeed! Mrs. Lovecraft, however, is your "typical" Southern Belle. She's as girly as they come and is sometimes very intimidated with some weapons. I can only get her to a range like once a year, if that. I can hand her one of my automatics and she'll have a "deer in the headlights" look of what to do with it. Even though she's fired them many times.
So with those hurdles in mind, which is what I would hazard that a lot of men have to deal with, simpler is always better. I have no doubt she has the fortitude to protect herself and our children, I'm just not going to force the added responsibility of remembering the steps of using the common automatic when she would be scared out of her wits. That being said, it's also why I carry one, as I'm not fool enough to think I won't be scared out of my wits as well should a "situation" occur. :)
Mrs. AR grew up on a large farm in the South, with a bunch of brothers and a WWII combat veteran for a daddy.
Additionally, Mrs. AR’s momma was quite a horse woman and loved the sound of shotguns in the morning.
Firearms came as natural to her as breathing, and still to this day, she views a day at the range once or twice a month as a relaxing option. Go figure.
This can get expensive, because in the end she will have to have a different handgun to coordinate with each pair of shoes and purse . . .
Ladysmith might be able to give some good ideas. Best I can do is say look for something that fits her hand. If a gun is too small it is hard to hold and control. Too big and she will not want to lug it around. Either way she will not want to use it. If you look in the 9mm/.38spl range there is a huge selection to choose from. Recoil is not bad, and size is easy to fit to hand and still conceal.
How well a handgun shoots has a lot to do with how it fits your hand. I can shoot a J-frame S&W without using sights. My Ruger P90 is a fine gun, but I need daylight and time to align the sights to shoot it OK.
So take her to a range where she can handle a number of pistols. When it feels right, the sights will be aligned properly as soon as she raises the gun.
Consider getting her a 22. No, it doesn’t stop someone is a single shot...but I once pulled a 6 shot 22 on 8 guys, and no one wanted to be first. Also, the practice she gets and confidence will do her well when she goes up to a larger caliber.
I carry a S&W Model 60. It is a great gun for me, but not for everyone. A .38 has a very good ratio of stopping power to recoil & size.
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