Thread: need help with wife

For your wife, whom I must presume has has little handgun experience as yourself, get a revolver. A Smith and Wesson K-frame in 38 special. She will be able to learn to shoot it most easily, and it will be safe for her. K- frames fit a woman's hand just fine too.

If you attempt to force some high powered caliber on her and she is not going to become a dedicated shooter, you are making a big mistake. Give her something that she can use when and if she needs it.

If She's never fired a gun before I think the's be a little intimidated by the recoil of the .40 from the light Glock. I'd recommend a compromise with the Glock 19. The 9mm still has stopping power with less recoil in a compact model.

A S&W or Ruger Revolver would also be a good chioce. I'd recommend something capable of firing a .357 round with a 4" barrel.

I'd suggest you two take a basic handgun class. Proficiency will be covered and later on after your purchase of a G23; go after some self defense handgun courses.

My suggestion would be let her take a NRA handgun class, then rent a bunch of guns that she wants to try and let her get the gun she feels most comfortable with.

You seem very intent about caliber, but I think you'd agree that a 9mm or even a .380 that she can shoot accurately with is far superior than a .40 or .45 that she can't hit the broad side of a barn with.

dont get an automatic
my wife can't even operate the slide
get a S&W j frame with 38 specials and +p ammo
there has to be at least 6 models under $600
not the 357 crap that could throw the gun out of her little hands and intimidate the hell out of her

My mom is about the same size as your wife and she HATES my glock 23, the grip is just to big for her hands, and the recoil to her is to much. She has also had issues working the slide on my Glock and SIG P226.

I would definately follow the suggestion above and go to a range and rent a few guns and see what she is comfortable with. My mom has her CCW and chose a Bersa Thunder380 as her carry, Its small and has a 7-9 rnd mag dependent on the model you choose, but you will definately feel it if you shoot it. If you are looking for something in a larger caliber, my mom loved shooting the S&W M&P40 because of the interchangable backstraps and more ergonomic feel.

And I understand your position on 9mm and lower also, I have similar feelings. But I have found that with the right ammo a 9 or .380 can be effective also.

Hope this helps