Favorite Handgun Question (Vanity)

http://www.freerepublic.com/ ^ | March 21, 2006 | Me

[tcostell]

I'm in the market for a pistol for my wife and I was hoping I could solicit opinions and suggestions.

She doesn't have any handgun experience, but she's an excellent rifle shot (better than me in fact) and has no trouble handling the recoil of my 12 gauge Benelli when shooting clay. The weight of it does bother her a little however because she's very small. She's 5'1'' and some change, and weighs about 105 lbs soaking wet.

The firearm will be used for personal self defense, but I'm not really expecting a home invasion, and she won't be using it when concealment would be an issue. I just want her to have something portable that she can slip under her car seat and carry with her if it becomes necessary for her to take our daughter and beat feet from the greater NY area.

I think she can handle a cartridge with some stopping power but a .50 cal would probably be out of the question. A light recoil 9mm or .40 cal would probably be OK, but I specifically need something with a gentle slide spring and a relatively small grip because of her size.

I had the Springfield XD-9 recommended to me, so I picked one up at Cabelas this weekend but it still felt a little large for her hands.

I was wondering if any of the ladies (or knowledgeable gents) could make specific recommendation I could have her take a look at?

Thanks.

[JoeSixPack1]

I agree! :-)

[Ladysmith]

If you're considering the LadySmith 9mm semi-auto, check this out. These are all virtually identical guns. However, I paid about $150 less for the 908 than for the LadySmith. I *really* like this gun. Ironically, while I find the grip comfortable, my brothers don't care for it, they think it's too large. It's jammed only once on me, probably due to the fact that I had been shooting all day so my wrist was tired.

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/smithandwesson/smithandwesson3913ls.asp

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/smithandwesson/smithandwessonmodel908.asp

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/smithandwesson/smithandwesson908S.asp

[Ladysmith]

Hey there, this thread may interest you. Check it out. :o)

[DejaJude]

Thank you. I'll have to wait till I get off work to check it out though. I appreciated all the good advice I got yesterday. Looked up on the web several places close to home where I could get training. Think that is the first step for me.

[delacoert]

Forget the ever-present recommendations for a Glock.

Once you've gotten familiar with the single action autoloader, the "safe action trigger" on a Glock is hunk of dog waste.

For this, and lots of other reasons, I say get a Springfield 1911-A1 .45 Compact or Ultracompact model.

For your enjoyment (and mostly mine) here's a picture of my favorite - a Stainless Steel Springfield 1911-A1 .45 Compact Model with custom grips and Bomar sites.

[George - the Other]

[Mulder]

Try a Sig P239 in 9mm. It's very comfortable and easy to shoot. Whatever you get, you should have night sites installed (if they don't come with the gun), and a Surefire flashlight that you either mount to the weapon, or keep handy. Most importantly, get some good training.

. I just want her to have something portable that she can slip under her car seat and carry with her if it becomes necessary for her to take our daughter and beat feet from the greater NY area.

If she is traveling outside of NY state, she should consider getting a concealed carry permit from another state. I think Florida and Utah CCW permits are among the best, since even their non-resident permits are recognized by nearly 30 other states.

[Myrddin]

My wife has small hands too. She opted for a Sig P225 9mm because the single stack magazine made for a smaller grip size and more appropriate span from the web of her thumb to the tip of her trigger finger. She has an "Officers" 1911 in .45ACP for the same reason. Her favorite (and mine) is the S&W 686+ .357mag with 4" barrel. 7 shots and an L frame that fits the hand nicely. Good quality Bianchi leather is available as well.

[Rhiannon]

I had a Walther PPK 380 and got rid of it.I am like the woman descibed, 5 feet tall and small hands. The spring on the Walther was too heavy and in order to slide it back my hand went over the barreel opening. That was unsafe so got a Sig 230. The only problem is that the feed on the 3 round shot hangs up and have to recock the gun. But the weight and ease of the slide is very nice and it points very nicely. Accuracy for the small barrell suck compared to my Smith 41 22lr target gun. But the Sig is not designed for target use.

[Rhiannon]

I had a Walther PPK 380 and got rid of it.I am like the woman descibed, 5 feet tall and small hands. The spring on the Walther was too heavy and in order to slide it back my hand went over the barreel opening. That was unsafe so got a Sig 230. The only problem is that the feed on the 3 round shot hangs up and have to recock the gun. But the weight and ease of the slide is very nice and it points very nicely. Accuracy for the small barrell suck compared to my Smith 41 22lr target gun. But the Sig is not designed for target use.

[FreedomForce]

Yep.

[VOYAGER]

After you make your purchase, do not make her angry.

Well in that case it could be overkill for my "wife" to need a handgun, she's already meaner than a snake.

I could almost pity any attacker that bothers her even if she doesn't have a handgun readily available(which she does especially when she is travelling)she is capable of verbally abusing this dumb butt into complete submission!(A bit of sarcasm here)but I've been there, done that so I speak from some experience!

[El Gato]

I think starting our with small caliber, like a .22 revolver or a 380 semi, is good.

In general yes, but probably not necessary for someone who can handle a 12 gauge and is used to shooting, presumably, center fire rifles. The rifle shooting will have gained her proper trigger technique, and the shotgun will have inured her to the bang and the shove.

[El Gato]

Trying to locate something under your car seat is damn near impossible unless you get out of the car, bend over and feel around for it.

Unless you've got one of the special "holsters" than fits on the bottom of the seat, not on the floor under it. Then it's a fairly handy location. Unless you have really short arms for the length of your torso. I'm in opposite, "gorilla", configuration myself. :)

[jamaly]

bump for later