[Fighting Irish]

...incoming!

[TommyDale]

Ruger .357 Magnum

[Armigerous]

Get her a 9mm...maybe a Baretta or a Walther PPK..or my favorite: an Astra Parabellum

[TXBSAFH]

Glock G21
Kimber Custom Classic 45 acp
Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel 45 colt.

[Puppage]

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

Take her to the range & let her try several. My wife has very small hands & what I thought was good for her, wasn't even close. Also, shot placement is more important than caliber....she needs to be comfortable with what she chooses.

[Obadiah]

Glock 45. End of story.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14792&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y

[verity]

After you make your purchase, do not make her angry.
;- )

[ClearCase_guy]

She's 5'1'' and some change, and weighs about 105 lbs soaking wet.

I think Bonnie Parker was about that size. She preferred an M1918A1 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). But that's not for everyone.

[Loud Mime]

Sig's P232 is my ante...

[IndyTiger]

If she does not have handgun experience, I would recommend a revolver rather than a semi-auto. If conceal-carry is not an issue, a 4-in barrel .357 magnum revolver such as a Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 would be an excellent choice.

[from occupied ga]

I'm in the market for a pistol for my wife

What's she look like - Does she have all her teeth? Can she cook? What kind of a pistol do you want for her? :-)

[Eagle Eye]

Wow...gun porn and it's not even Friday!


For an under-the-seat gun for someone who won't be serious about carrying and practicing?

But something utterly reliable and simple in a pinch?

Get a Ruger (or other) .357 4" revolver that can also take .38 special.

[ko_kyi]

Walther P-99 - light and small gripped, reliable.

[Skooz]

I am seriously considering buying a handgun in the next few months.

I have just about decided on a Walther PPK.

Is that a good choice?

[Mad Dawg]

The advice about letting her shoot several is good. I think starting our with small caliber, like a .22 revolver or a 380 semi, is good. First come technique and accuracy and then you can start thinking about caliber. Tastes change and it takes time to find the handgun that really suits.

Me, myself, personally, I really like a Sig P239 and the 9mm is pleasant to shoot, though I carry 357 or .40. Tupperware guns sure are light. My duty gun is a Glock 22 and, well, it's okay.

[TexasTaysor]

I am female and not much larger than your wife. I trained with a Glock and loved it, but since I wanted one for conceal carry I bought a small Baretta. But I suggest she try several on a range and see what feels best and most comfortable for her before purchasing.

[rarestia]

Walther PPK/S in .380 is a nice little weapon for a lady. There's also small j-frame revolvers from Smith&Wesson. If I had my druthers, I'd buy my lady one of the new Springfield XD line sub-compacts in 9mm.

[Postman]

My wife's friend who is about your wife's size tried a Kahr but had real trouble racking the slide. My wife also had difficulty with the slide and it really has to do with hand strength, rather than other variables. We finally settled on a revolver...the Taurus 627(?) tracker .357 with a 4" vented barrel that cuts back on the recoil considerably. It holds 7 shots and a double tap with two hollow points would be sufficient to cause a bear to think twice. The only thing we had to change was the grip. My wife's friend also went with a revolver, a Colt, that she is able to handle easily. I'd suggest you and your wife visit your local gun shop and try a variety on for size.

[Gefreiter]

Any of the S&W .38s. Might have a look at the Scandium models, which weigh next to nothing, and/or the Ladysmith models.

Some folks will poo-poo the round, but hey- .38 Golden Sabers or Hydrashoks ought to get you out of trouble.