burniegoeasily

No hand gun is going to be cheap. I bought my wife a Judge 45-410 3"mag for home defense. She loads the first two chambers with pdx and 45s in the next three chambers. She also has a Colt cobra snub nose 38 special that she loves. She carries either a Smith and wesson bodyguard 380, Taurus 709 slim 9mm, or a keltec 32. She does not like recoil and none of the above guns bother her to shoot. For the money, the Taurus 709 slim is a heck of a gun. It is built just like a Glock , with double strike capability, and is one of my best shooting 9mms. I paid $270.00 for it last summer.

When i carry, i carry a Beretta px storm sub compact in 40, or a colt 1911 45. I like the Beretta because it has a 10 round mag, small for a 40, and has double stike capability. I also have a imi uzi eagle in 40 which is a swwwweeeet shooter. I carry it some times. I have a couple of Glocks but do not bow at the Glock alter. They are good guns, but for the price they should not need to be aftwr marketed. I also like a second strike capability with a self defense gun and Glocks are single action only.


I have to agree with others about a revolver. For protection, a revolver cant be beat. No worries about user error with a revolver. That is why my wife keeps the judge by the bed. That and the buck shot in the first two chambers gives a nice secure feeling.

jfarleyx

I have 2 semi auto's and while my wife is capable of shooting them both, I'm committed to getting a more compact hammerless revolver for her to carry. It's just as useful, but with less chance for issues. If she were to carry it in her purse and need to fire from there, the simplicity of the revolver makes it more likely that attempt and any follow up shots would be successful (less chance for junk to get into action).

I shoot a 9mm Springfield XD sub compact and 40 cal Beretta PX4 storm. My wife doesn't mind practicing with 9mm, but she's not a fan of the 40 because of additional recoil.

Good luck in your search. There are a lot of great options available at a reasonable price. Check budsgunshop dot com.

jerry d

I like a revolver also. I like the S&W 642 38 SPL. no bells, no whistles but will do the job in the heat of the moment.

CalHunter

So what did you get? Don't leave everybody hanging.

hubby11

++1. Simple no brainer. A plus with a .357 is the ability to practice with lighter (and less expensive) loads of .38 and keep it at the house with .357.

Nomercy448

Since this thread pertains to a woman shooter and defensive shooting, I'd highly recommend that any woman considering an LCR, even in .38spcl, goes and test fires one first. "Hyper light" revolvers, even in .38spcl, can be pretty severe in the recoil department. The LCR isn't bad, but I've had several women resell LCR's after a short time because they couldn't handle the recoil for practice. The .38spcl/.357mag SP-101 (about the same size and grip, but twice the weight) is usually what they end up getting.

I'm prone to believe in the adage: 10 hits from a 22lr are better than 7 misses from a 45acp. Shoot what you can handle well, and make sure you can handle it before you drop money into a defensive pistol.

Sheridan

+1

They don't call it a "hand" gun for nothing' !

You'll know it's the ONE when you handle it ..................

sixpointeightfan

I carry a G23 and SA XDs .45. My Xds after the recall is an awesome CC firearm. It is small, It's shoots all day, accurate, and It's a 45. Can't go wrong with either.

Father Forkhorn

How about a ruger sp101 in 357 mag? Cabelas has them listed in your price range in snubbies through 4.2" barrels. A few 38 specials and the padded grips ought to be easy enough to handle. They can be concealed if you decide to go that route.

Everything I've read or seen on them is excellent and positive.


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat105527880

Edit: just noticed the original post date. It seems I'm more than a bit late.

Griff12

You have a huge range of options, I have both Glock 19 And S&W M&P 9mm in compact, then a M&P 40 range kit. Here in MA you can pick up a new range kit that comes with Full size M&P 9mm-40sw-45acp extra mags range holster and carry case for all of it for about $579. This is a steal and great gun. I wanted to see how long it would fire without cleaning before it jammed and got to the point of being i just hated it was filthy i put so many rounds through it i lost count. Still shoots very accurate after thousands of rounds. (this is the m&p9c) From what it sounds like you'll have it in a drawer at home for her not a carry pistol. The full size M&P9mm would be perfect the recoil is manageable for her plus the full size makes it easier to handle, another advantage is the grips are changeable with a basic slip off. takes about 45sec to change and you can adjust from small,med and large. You can accommodate a comfortable grip for her and you. If not wanting a full range kit you can buy 2 for under 700 used. One for her and home and one for you. GL!