Hey guys, starting to look into a good carry pistol for the wife. Been looking hard at .380 because of such small framed pistols they have for that caliber like the bodyguard. Anybody have a good suggestion for a small frame carry pistol ? Side note she is left handed and I'm not sure if there are any lefty oriented carry pistols out there?
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Sidearms & Scatterguns Carry Pistol For the Wife
- Thread starter DustyRoads91
- Start date
I've always said that small framed pistols aren't usually the best for women. Their recoil is usually harder for them to control and they end up not wanting to shoot them. I would take her to a range that rents pistols and let her shoot a bunch of pistols and see what she likes. This will usually end up with her wanting to shoot more and being comfortable with her pistol. All of which equal her being better protected.
Grab some sub compacts and compacts from SIG, Glock, and H&K or any other you want to try and let her go.
Grab some sub compacts and compacts from SIG, Glock, and H&K or any other you want to try and let her go.
Sig P320 compact, then change the grip module to a SUB-compact size small. The longer barrel will help with recoil and muzzle jump. The grip isa flat/thin grip that does not protrude much. The subcompact grip is as thin as a P239 single stack.
You could also use the medium grip that comes with the pistol, and belt sand it flatter. Then do your own stippling. Grip would still be fairly small, and she might be able to hold the pistol tighter. Also you can glue on a G43 finger extension to the subcompact mags, this works very well.
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You could also use the medium grip that comes with the pistol, and belt sand it flatter. Then do your own stippling. Grip would still be fairly small, and she might be able to hold the pistol tighter. Also you can glue on a G43 finger extension to the subcompact mags, this works very well.
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How often does she shoot? If fixing a malfunction with a semi wouldn't be feasible for her in a stressful situation I would highly recommend a revolver. More simple to operate and less chance it won't go bang when she needs it. Something like a ruger LCR perhaps.
I'm all for semi auto when you know you can efficiently manipulate it under life and death situations. Otherwise the simpler the better.
I'm all for semi auto when you know you can efficiently manipulate it under life and death situations. Otherwise the simpler the better.
Yea the recoil control is something she will have to get the hang of which is why I was looking toward a 380. She's a very good shot and knows her way around a gun pretty well as we train with .22 quite a bit. I planned on going to a gun shop we have nearby that has a indoor shooting range to test a few different pistols. Just looking for a few pistols worth trying out. Thanks for the suggestions so far. She hasn't shot revolvers much but that might be something worth looking at.Â
I agree with all the above.
I would take her to the gun shop and see what fits her hands. My wife for example does not like the grip on Glocks. She likes my Gold Cup 1911 (go figure).
My personal recommendation is for nothing smaller than a 9mm. Any gun is better than no gun but for me, I don't think a .380 is enough. But I totally understand trying to minimize the recoil with the smaller .380.
I would take her to the gun shop and see what fits her hands. My wife for example does not like the grip on Glocks. She likes my Gold Cup 1911 (go figure).
My personal recommendation is for nothing smaller than a 9mm. Any gun is better than no gun but for me, I don't think a .380 is enough. But I totally understand trying to minimize the recoil with the smaller .380.
I have a xds 9 that I love. But she thinks it is a little too poppy. She's got small hands, one of the reasons I married her.Â
I have shot the G42 and 43 side by side. The recoil difference is small. The slight size increase of the 43 grip made it a little easier to shoot.
That said, i go 19 and 26 ad I had them long before the single stacks came out. Still like that 43 for summer time and shorts/tshirt weather.
That said, i go 19 and 26 ad I had them long before the single stacks came out. Still like that 43 for summer time and shorts/tshirt weather.
I've got one in 9x18. Nice little piece, but that fixed barrel and a lack of the Browning design touch makes it a bit snappy at first.
You're all doing this wrong. Ask me, I bought three pistols before I figured this out.
Let HER choose the gun. FIt is important with pistols. Many women have small hands and men can't imagine how a pistol will fit them. My wife had issues shooting well and it was only after taking her to the gun store where my buddy works and putting more than two dozen pistols in her hand that we figured it out. She has small hands, and she would subconsciously torque her hand around the handle to get a good reach on the trigger. We finally found a Sig P938 which was small enough with a short enough reach that she could shoot it properly. Not only does she shoot well now, but enjoys it.
Let HER choose the gun. FIt is important with pistols. Many women have small hands and men can't imagine how a pistol will fit them. My wife had issues shooting well and it was only after taking her to the gun store where my buddy works and putting more than two dozen pistols in her hand that we figured it out. She has small hands, and she would subconsciously torque her hand around the handle to get a good reach on the trigger. We finally found a Sig P938 which was small enough with a short enough reach that she could shoot it properly. Not only does she shoot well now, but enjoys it.
My wife enjoys shooting and over the last few years, she's bought and carried: Walther PPK/S 380, Ruger SR9, cheap little snub nose Taurus 38 spl, Ruger SR22, Kahr 9mm, G19, and now she carries a S&W Shield 9mm with a little bit of work done to it. She's 4'-11" and has bad carpal tunnel so she likes to stick with 9mm and below as far as snappy rounds/recoil.
Spaniel I couldn't agree more, we are going to go a gun store with a shooting range in it to test a few guns out to see what feels good to her.Â
Very good advice! My wife got a S&W 642, going to get laser grips so she doesn't have to worry too much about site picture. Point and shoot! Unless she shoots a lot and knows a semi second nature,go with a revolver. Under stressful situations your thought process can go downhill real fast unless you train. Good luck!
Rerun, you make a good point and I think we are actually going to try out a revolver or two just to see how they feel. Ive always liked revolvers, just never bought one.Â
My wife, mother-in-Law, and 21yr old daughter ea have one. Easy to learn, easy to operate. They handle the 125gr HP's easily. I think it is the ultimate women's CC pistol.
PS: I have one too
As a couple others have mentioned if you have a place to rent one then have her try it out. My experience is that they are a little snappy with self defense loads and not as fun to shoot but they're pretty much fool proof in a serious situation. Especially if she's going to keep it in her purse or somewhere that more debris could get worked into it. Best of luck!
My wife carried a Kahr P9 for years but pulled it down/left unless she concentrated extremely hard (something that is not going to happen in a stress situation). I got her a G43 as soon as they came out and it was a match made in heaven. Center mass every time all the time. The bottom line is different guns for different people - she has to find the one she is comfortable with.
For sure I don't want to go out and buy her a pistol until she has a chance to shoot them. I think we have a pretty good number of options to try thanks everyone for your suggestions.Â
A lot of good advice . When my wife decided she wanted another pistol we went thru the drill . Ergonomics . Checked to see how it fit in her hand and ability to reach controls without shifting around . In a high stress situation she does not want to fidget with it . Ease of operation . Some women struggle racking the slide on some pistols as opposed to others . Some find the backstrap safety on the XD difficult and it may interfere with racking the slide . Ease of operating mag release button . Dry sight acquisition/natural point . And the big one rent it . Last but not least shoot the daylights out of it . Nothin cooler than watchin my wife shooting her .45 . Another consideration in the size department is the fact that if it does not fit the way she dresses a lot of women will wind up not carrying and leave it home defeating the purpose of concealed carry , if that is one of the reasons for this pistol .
Alpha those are good points, she's going to use it as a carry pistol for sure. If she is wearing something that doesn't allow for body carry she'll conceal it in whatever bag she's carrying at the time.Â
Same advise I always give. If she doesn't train, I don't mean shoot occasionally, train. She needs a revolver that will go bang when she pulls the switch.
That's a good point TBIRD, she trains with a .22 pistol quite a bit but definately not the same as using the actual pistol she'll be carrying. So we will have to give a revolver a shot.
My wife finally admitted that she really likes her lcr the other day. I think it is about the perfect carry gun for her. She was trying to tote my old Sig 229 before I bought her the lcr.
I an unable to give "likes" so. A couple good points have been made. As a few have said go to a range for a date night and let her control things. Next many women can't operate a slide, especially compact semis as they normally have double or stiffer springs to slow down the slide in a shorter distance. Nothing wrong with a revolver.
- Feb 16, 2017
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My wife carries a hammerless revolver and loves it. No malfunctions to worry about and it can be fired out of the pocket or purse.
Yea I've seen a couple of those as I look online. I'd never saw them before they sort of threw me off at first. Good to know they work okay though.
Wife carries a Kahr PM380 in Betty or bra holster. G19 when clothing allows. G43 with Crimson Trace on walks.
For my money Kahr is best gun for its size available.
For my money Kahr is best gun for its size available.
Is she familiar with pistols? My first suggestion would be a j frame 38. Easy to conceal and easy to operate. Next would be a shield or p238/p938 if she is experienced
