my girl finally decided she needs to ccw, gun recomendation

[SDGRon]

You can’t go wrong with a M&P Shield!

 

[RaleighReloader]

If this is your girlfriend's first handgun, then I'm not sure that any of the fine suggestions made by others will help her. These guns (Glock 42, Glock 43, M&P Shield, etc.) are all excellent weapons, but they're not beginners' guns and not what I'd want to teach good posture, trigger discipline, purchase and sight picture with.

For most beginners wanting to learn how to shoot a semiautomatic handgun, I would look at either a full-sized Smith & Wesson M&P, or a Glock 17 (or perhaps a 19). If she's really insistent on a thinner (single stack) profile, then perhaps a 9mm 1911 (I can't think of any other single stack 9mm's off the top of my head). Yes, they're fatter guns than the LCP's of the world, but they're also going to be much easier platforms to learn on.

That said ... if she's absolutely insistent on a subcompact, then my first choice would be the Glock 42. The .380 has much more manageable recoil, and the slide is easier to rack than the comparable 9mm models. The new Shield 380 would also be a contender here, and if it's anything like my 9mm Shield, then I'd be inclined to recommend it as well.

And whatever she ends up with, the investment should include a healthy dose of training.

Mike

 

[troy_mclure]

Derp

 

[troy_mclure]

I think FRC has G42/G43 and a G19.

I have a Shield, 9c, and 2.0 Compact that she is welcome to shoot. I also have a MP Bodyguard, but I wouldn't recommend it.

If we go, I get free rentals there, so y'all can shoot whatever so long as you buy the bullets from them.

Thanks for the offer. We were planning on going there this weekend but things came up.
I did buy the double cvs permit class offer they have on Groupon tho. Just need to figure a date. She can use my .22 for the class until she gets good with whatever gun she picks.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Based on what you’re saying, I think the Shield is going to be a good choice. It’s slightly larger than most of the single stack carry guns, so it’s a little easier to handle and also noticeably softer shooting than the G43 and Sig P365.

I typically recommend the G19 or similar mid-size pistol, but it’s much more of a commitment to carry and they don’t do much good back home in the safe. I definitely wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than 9mm. She’ll get more comfortable with the recoil with practice.


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[RaleighReloader]

Derp

We’re you responding to me?

Care to elaborate?

Mike

 

[Pacioli]

I took my wife to Jim's and had her try all the 9s in the cases. I made sure she had proper grip mechanics before going. If you skip that step she won't get an accurate assessment of fit. A critical dimension is backstrap to trigger face. If the shooters finger cannot comfortably span that distance and have solid finger pad to trigger face contact, it's not going to work well for them. Its necessary that this be accomplished with the trigger in the full forward position, not just in the staged position. She settled on the Walther PPQ and shoots it well. She later transitioned to a PPS. They're both fine guns, we both have one of each.

I second the idea of a full size for a starter gun. I have found it's easier for new shooters to master grip and trigger manipulation on the larger frames, assuming a proper fit. Smaller guns are harder to shoot well due to shorter sight radius, increased recoil and smaller grip contact area.

And I second the idea of getting training from someone other than you, no offense intended. Husbands teaching wives gets bogged down in relationship issues. I have all of the NRA pistol instructor certs but I have my wife train with another instructor. It just works better. She will accept correction more willingly from someone other than me. it's not perceived as judgmental or criticism. I jokingly say that no man ever taught his wife to shoot and kept marital harmony. Of course you may be the exception, just my experience.

If you want to meet up at FRC she can shoot my Walthers, just PM me.

 

[troy_mclure]

We’re you responding to me?

Care to elaborate?

Mike

Nope. Wrote a whole post, meant for another forum.

- - - Updated - - -

I took my wife to Jim's and had her try all the 9s in the cases. I made sure she had proper grip mechanics before going. If you skip that step she won't get an accurate assessment of fit. A critical dimension is backstrap to trigger face. If the shooters finger cannot comfortably span that distance and have solid finger pad to trigger face contact, it's not going to work well for them. Its necessary that this be accomplished with the trigger in the full forward position, not just in the staged position. She settled on the Walther PPQ and shoots it well. She later transitioned to a PPS. They're both fine guns, we both have one of each.

I second the idea of a full size for a starter gun. I have found it's easier for new shooters to master grip and trigger manipulation on the larger frames, assuming a proper fit. Smaller guns are harder to shoot well due to shorter sight radius, increased recoil and smaller grip contact area.

And I second the idea of getting training from someone other than you, no offense intended. Husbands teaching wives gets bogged down in relationship issues. I have all of the NRA pistol instructor certs but I have my wife train with another instructor. It just works better. She will accept correction more willingly from someone other than me. it's not perceived as judgmental or criticism. I jokingly say that no man ever taught his wife to shoot and kept marital harmony. Of course you may be the exception, just my experience.

If you want to meet up at FRC she can shoot my Walthers, just PM me.

I appreciate the offer. And she will be taking a couple of classes. I will possibly be joining her for some. Or not. Lol

 

[991GT3]

CZ P-07



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[jkingrph]

Sig P938 or P238.

I have one of each of those. I rarely carry the 238, as the 938 is not so much larger , maybe 1/2" longer and much more power. Personally for me recoil difference is not much. My wife at 75 has talked about carrying, but has arthritis in the hands bad enough as she cannot withstand the recoil, plus in Texas we can carry unlicensed in an automobile.

Not knowing how familiar and comfortable your wife is with firearms I strongly suggest you start her with a .22 LR to teach basics, best if you can go with the same or similar format as what she will be carrying. Sig has or had a .22 conversion kit for the P938 that works very nicely and reliable. I have a stainless Walther ppk in .380 that recoils much harder than the P938 in 9mm, the difference probably being that the Walther is a straight blowback, where the P938 has a slower slide action due to the unlocking like a Colt 1911.

I switched over to those after carrying a S&W J frame, double action only, with no external hammer, the day my wife kept seeing it as a gun in my pocket, so I decided I needed something slimmer and a bit shorter. I carry my 938 loaded, cocked and locked, in a Red Dog leather pocket holster, with a fold over flap so it looks like a large wallet in my pants pocket if it should show. It's not the fastest thing to get out, but still better than nothing.

 

[Feral45]

Walther CCP. Put one in her hand and watch her face. Gas delayed blow back 9 mm. Everything is easier. You will make points. You will have to clean it. More points. It's really not that hard just a llittle strange. My Mrs. really likes hers.
Ammo up, train hard.

 

[dantheman]

Walther CCP. Put one in her hand and watch her face. Gas delayed blow back 9 mm. Everything is easier. You will make points. You will have to clean it. More points. It's really not that hard just a llittle strange. My Mrs. really likes hers.
Ammo up, train hard.

Yep . I mentioned my wife's CCP on page 1 . I really like the way it feels myself . My hands are big and hers are little and it fits both of us well .

 

[Old Bubba]

Autos are all fine and good. But if you want it to go BOOM ever time you pull the trigger... get a revolver, If you have a FTF you pull the trigger again. You don't to go through a clearing ritual, re-rack, etc. Just keep it pointed at your target and pull the trigger again, again and again. If it's going to be in a purse (have you ever looked in a woman's purse) get a revolver. If it's going to get thrown in the center console or glove box, get a revolver. If it's going to be in a pocket, get a revolver. If it's going to be holstered on their person, get an auto.

 

[dantheman]

The only time my auto's failed to go boom was when I was shooting some of my ammo that had gone under water during the flood .