Handgun caliner for wife?
 

Hope y'all can help . . . I'm wondering what handgun caliber you think would be best for my wife?

(My buddy says to get her something I can survive.) Ha - Ha

I'm going to take her out and shoot my .45acp, but expect her to be scared of it. If not, that's what I'll go with. But what do some of you have for home defense for the wife?

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

How about a .32 or .38 or even a 9mm?

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

454 casuall [8D];)


What does she like to shoot and is good with.It should besomthing she'scomfortable with, as in fit, feel, and not scared of.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

Ruger SP101 SS 3"bbl .357mag. She can shoot .38, .38P+ and .357mag...



Revolver
KGPF-331

RE: Handgun caliber for wife?
 

My wife doesn't like the 45 but she will shoot the 9 MM and the 40 S&W. The 40 with lighter bullets (155) is pretty pleasant to shoot. She also likes the 38 Special. She used to shoot bowling pins with a S&W 45 LC as well. She shoots very well. She started with a 22 pistol.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

The first time I took my girlfriend (all 4' 8"and 82 lbs. of her!) to the range, we started with a Buckmark .22lr. Then we went up to my Taurus tracker with .38's, & she did fine. I loaded a few .357's in there, & she still held her sight picture well, without flinching. Lastly, we stepped up to my Kimber 1911 in .45, and she'd take 2 steps back with each shot. STILL, she didn't flinch!

When we go to the range, she's still all about the Buckmark, and she's quite good with it, too. However, she took the .357 when we went hog hunting. We BOTH wanted her to have sufficient power for the task,& she was consistently able to bust clay pigeons on the 50 yard berm with that load.

So, my advice would be to introduce her to shooting (if she needs an introduction) with a .22, and to do most of her shooting with that. That will ensure she's good good fundamentals. Then, for home defense, I'd suggest she go with a .357 mag, .40 S&W, or .45. Anyone who's well trained in a smaller caliber can handle short stints at the range with these 3 calibers, and you'll be assured of serious stopping power should the need arise.

My $.02,

FC

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

4' 8" tall and 82lbs? :eek: You sure those aren't your daughters dimensions? You sure have a very petite lady.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

If she did OK with the tracker, a Glock 26 would be a suggestion. Take her to a dealer with a range where she can shoot a few models and let her decide which one she likes best. That way you both wind up happy.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

Wouldn't that short barrel make it recoil like heck?

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

The SP-101 with a 3" barrel and .357 mag rounds is a real handful.

While the gun is a good solid firearm, it can and does bite pretty good with hot loads.

I would recomend something just a bit heavier and a load no hotter than a .38+P. This will keep the recoil to a minimum but still give you plenty of "oomph" if she needs to use it.

Stay away from semi autos. Unless she is proficent at clearing feed jams under high stress situations, a revolver is the best choice.
"The original point and click interface"

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

I'd like to say that Mrs Biscuit loves the 45, but she only shot well when she kept here eyes open. I let her pick out anything she wanted, and she got a S&W Centennial, and shoots 38 special. She is pretty good out to 15 yards, too.

Not the best for breaking through bones etc, but still would not want to get hit with it.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

If she is just starting out why not a .22 pistol but if she is more advanced a 9mm is perfect

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

If it is for a novice, then no doubt go with a revolver. If it will be for her protection, then no doubt go with quality. I suggest a S&W 38+P. I would go with the Titanium. If not a Model 60 will serve her well. Only shoot light 38's out of the pistol. Load it with +P loads only when carrying, or when it is to be used for protection. If it is for her safety, do not go cheap, and do not go with a semi-automatic. You want the pistol to go bang every time she pulls the trigger. You DO NOT want her trying to clear a chamber at the time of need. Tom.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

The best home defense gun for your wife would be a pump 12ga, If someone comes in the house she can pump the action (Every crook knows that sound) If the intruder does not leave all she has to do is point a shotgun, with a handgun during the exitement she might miss, but not with 12ga.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

Did you think about a 380? The Beretta Cheetah and the SIG P232 are really nice. CZ also makes a nice 380. I will probably buy my wife the Beretta for concealed carry. She didn't like the larger compact pistols, these seem to have a smaller grip. The only thing you need to make sure of is that she can rack the slide.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

A 12 gauge would work OK, but it's a little too big to use if she's already been snuck up on, besides, I would think a home protection would be needed in very close quarters, and in the dark. She won't be feeling the recoil of any gun when she's trying to defend herself, so a short barrel wouldn't be bad for carry, but it'd be a pain to practice with.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

chr103yod I think you asked a question of me. For a small carry piece, I like the 380, understanding that the midbores may take multiple rounds to take effect. For my spouse, she has fired 22, 32, 38, 357, 44 & 45... and I also took her to two major dealers to check out everything! Fit & feel had a whole lot to do with her decision to get a S&W Hammerless. Also, she can fire it from purse, or even a bag of groceries, if there isn't a tootsie roll stuck in the trigger guard. Indeed, many years ago when I worked corrections, a fellow officer on my shift and his wife were both murdered by an escapee, who I also knew well. So, in all honesty, although she shot fine with the midbores, I kept an 870 riot gun at hand with buckshot. Happy to say, now that I am retired from hostilities, we shoot targets and occasional delicacies for the chuck wagon.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

I have to recommend a 2"-4" 38+P revolver with lasergrips for a lady that is petite and not a 'gun person' or regular shooter. If she isn't trained well, she'll instinctively focus on the threat instead of the sights. That's why people miss, and lasergrips can help greatly. Get an all steel frame to keep the weight upand keep a lid on recoil. If a 38 (without the +P)is still too much, then back off to 32H+R.Make sure she understands that it will amost certainly be necessary to keep shooting after the first hit. Revolvers are simple, and she probably won't be able to do a reload anyway.

If both of you are comfortable with semis, then 9mm is the way to go.
40, 357 sig, 45acp, and 45gap are better, but only if she is comfortable with them and can shoot them well....quickly. A slim45 gap might just steal the ladies share of CC hardware in the future. Short case=smaller grip, if the cartridge survives.

The 9s and 40sare so small now that the 380has just about lost its market niche. I wouldn't bother. If I need to hide something smaller than a 9mm, the next step down for me is a 32acp, and the bad guy won't know I have it until he feels the point blank muzzle blast on his skin, and about the time his mistake registers, I'll be finishing off the mag. Little calibers need followup without hesitation.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

As a semi the 9 mm is the way to go. Lots cheaper to load than the .45. I you are looking at a wheel gun then go with the .357 for she could shout the .38 special and when she wantsw the bigger boom the .357 round. Once again all day at the range doesn't break the bank.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

I let my wife try all the various & sundry handguns I had. She decided she liked my Colt Gold Cup best. She could not understand anyone being put off by shooting the .45 ACP. Of course, no-one had told her how difficult it is to shoot one, and how bad the recoil is. She didn't even know what I was talking about, when I asked her about the recoil! Now, the .45 is the only gun she's interested in shooting! And she can hit her target with it, too.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

You are a nice guy, sharing a Gold Cup with the Mrs!

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

The 45s really aren't bad at all, at least in a full size steel gun with a 5" barrel. It will torque yoru hand more than the lighter cals, but that can be dealt with. It's when you get into smaller, lighter guns (like women usually pick out) that the 45 becomes a bit less friendly. Not only does it push them around somewhat, but the recoil spring has to be stiffer to make up for less mass in the slide. It can make the gun hard to operate even if they are capable of shooting it. The 9mms don't suffer from this.

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

What on earth is she going to hunting with a pistol??? JK

I will presume it is to shoot bad guys??? As for a pistol, I carried a Walther PPK for years as my backup. Its ONLY purpose was to hopefully get the 250 pound guy off of me as he was smashing in my face on the side of the road. If youare going for your pistol, you are in a nightmare of a position. There are far more better-suited weapons for home defense. The only reason police carry a pistol is because it looksbad taking a shotgun to a traffic stop.

If she just wants to "plink" a .22 auto pistol is about as fun as it gets!

Just my .02

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

40 s&w or 357

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

.380 semi auto

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

Getting her a handgun is great if she wants one
but I've got to agree with the shotgun for home
defense for ANYONE.
Not doubting anyones abilities and don't care for
a theoretical/situational debate. I just can't help
but imagine what I would most hate to face myself
and would most likely be effective with, myself.

Now, if she wants a handgun do the smart thing
and let HER pick it out. Caliber and make.

PK

RE: Handgun caliner for wife?
 

For home defense....a good dog!

For self defense....38 revolver, hammerless.

Unless she is going to train and practice all the time, stay away from any semi auto. If you call any handgun trainer that knows anything at all, he will recommend the weapon above for the average housewife.

I'm talking handguns here. Like some have already said, its hard to miss with a shotgun!