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Gun For My Wife?

4045 Views 29 Replies 20 Participants Last post by  Outsider
In a couple of months I am going to have my wife take the CCW class and I need some ideas on what type of gun I shoud get her? I carry a SW .40 Model 99, she has shot it before and handled it pretty well but I think its a bit much for her.
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Easiest way to choose something useful for her would be to take her to a range to try out a few items, starting with lower calibers and working your way up.

I'll offer to do a bit of pre-range instruction (safety, grip, stance, etc.) and then take you and your wife to Range Masters in Springville. I've (presently) got a membership that will get us in, you pay for ammo. Send me a private message if you would like to do this. Range has different guns to try, and I've got a few that could work as well.

- Dave
When I first read the title I thought you were looking for a trade :lolbang:

UtahCFP has good recommendations and a great offer. She needs to like it and the way it shoots or she might not carry it.
G
Dave absolutely has the right idea dont buy a pistol for any woman with out her involvement in the process (unless her collection rivals yours and you know what she likes :D) Three ranges in SLC area also rent guns Impact :puke: Doug's and getsome. Doug's also rents most of its huge selection of used guns.
I agree with Dave and hedonistic. I seldom buy my wife anything without her involvement, unless I am 100% certain I am getting what she wants. Guns, clothes, whatever it is, make sure she is involved.
One night my wife says to me, "I think we should get a gun." That was one of the happiest nights I can remember ;)

So I get invited to attend a CCW class, get my permit, and we sign-up for Front Sight (yet to attend).

Over the last 2-3 months since that stellar night, we had been to the range 4-5 times, and shot many handguns; the ones that we thought we'd be interested in.

We would have never known which one was right for us, unless we shot it. We tried a few .22's, 9mm's, .40's, and a few .45's. Thank goodness my family owns a lot, and we rented very little.

At first, I thought a .45 would definitely be too big for her. But that's what we both felt the most comfortable with. My wife likes stopping power and accuracy, and the recoil to her was no different than a 9mm, and a .22 was just plain to small, she said.

Take your wife on a few shooting dates, have some fun, let her feel and get used to a few guns. She'll eventually make her decision on which one she likes best.

Now since my wife likes the .45, and we bought the XD-45, I just gotta find a Kimber for her to borrow or rent. That'll be her surprise present as-a-sidearm if it passes her test :D



Regards,

barl0w
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I need to get out and do some shooting!!! I saw that and started having withdrawl symptoms.
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Definitely let her hold, and preferably shoot, the guns. She will then let you know which one she likes.

My wife started out with a revolver, S&W Mod 60 357 Mag. She would not shoot the Mag ammo in it though because of the recoil. She is fine with 38s. This gun is a bit heavy for her to want to carry it though. She even shoots my XD 45, but can't rack the slide, and again it is too heavy for her to carry.

Racking the slide was her biggest concern on the semis, since she doesn't have the strength in her hands. Then she saw the Beretta Tomcat with the popup barrel, so it can be loaded without racking the slide. This little gun is smaller and lighter than the Mod 60, and I think she will carry this one. She enjoys shooting it. She is still playing around with carry methods, and I am hopeing.
G
James,
now get her some laser grips :D
James said:
Definitely let her hold, and preferably shoot, the guns. She will then let you know which one she likes.

My wife started out with a revolver, S&W Mod 60 357 Mag. She would not shoot the Mag ammo in it though because of the recoil. She is fine with 38s. This gun is a bit heavy for her to want to carry it though. She even shoots my XD 45, but can't rack the slide, and again it is too heavy for her to carry.

Racking the slide was her biggest concern on the semis, since she doesn't have the strength in her hands. Then she saw the Beretta Tomcat with the popup barrel, so it can be loaded without racking the slide. This little gun is smaller and lighter than the Mod 60, and I think she will carry this one. She enjoys shooting it. She is still playing around with carry methods, and I am hopeing.
She is a great shot with it too. AFter watching her shoot at the meet last month I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of a gun in her hands.
Walther said:
When I first read the title I thought you were looking for a trade :lolbang:
:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:

You should definitely get her to the range to try some. That's the ONLY way to know for sure which one is right. Plus, it makes for a really fun date.
I have recently just figured out what gun is best for me. The biggest things that figured in for me were the following:
--At first I was thinking a revolver but they ended up being too much recoil for a decent caliber snub-nose. It's dangerous to not like firing the gun you're carrying :D
--With the automatics it wasn't so much the recoil as my ability to work the slide quickly. I can handle my husband's Glock 30 (45 caliber) but he either has to work the slide for me, or I just work really hard at it. This would take too long in an emergency situation
--I ended up going with the Glock 26--9mm. Because I plan on carrying it in my purse the conceal-ability of that size wasn't really a problem. But I will need to get creative if I want to carry without my purse
--I also liked a Keltec 380--the really small ones that look like toys almost. Because it's a smaller caliber it's still not too much recoil, I can work the slide just fine, and it's SUPER concealable

I do recommend having her shoot it a few times--totally by herself working the slide and loading it to make sure she's comfy with it. I know someone mentioned that there were a few ranges in the SLC area that let you rent, there is also one in Provo if you're closer to there.
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CatBallou said:
..., there is also one in Provo if you're closer to there.
Are you referring to RangeMasters in North Springville? I thought there were no public ranges in Provo. Just RangeMasters and Orem Rec Center. If I'm wrong I'll be gladly corrected.

(Note I'm talking about public ranges)
Yes I'm referring to Rangemasters for the being able to rent guns. I guess it is a private owned range.... I like it better than the Oren rec center--and I don't think you can rent from the rec center can you? The closest free range is up by the Provo Gun Club which is good if the weather is nice (and the gate is unlocked :D )
Get her a little 38. Not hard to learn to use and the light smith's are perfect for small hands. My wife could not even use my HK USP because of the double stack magazine with her average hands. Ergonomics is a big part. Also look into the Keltec 9mm. They are cheep double actions that go bang every time you pull the trigger. I have friends that shoot their expensive kimbers and carry their keltec with no complaints. It would be fun to get together and do a shoot with a variety of guns for everyone to try. I can bring my kimber 45 as well as my snub nose 357/38. I frequent the bountiful range about every other week. Let me know if you want to make plans.
I agree that you have to be comfortable with what you are carrying.

My husband has a "few" handguns that I liked to shoot, but when it came to picking out a carry gun, it narrowed down the choices because of size/weight. You see, I preferred to shoot his full size Kimber Gold Match Stainless in 45 (which I took as over as mine! :crown: ) The first gun I thought of carrying was a Colt Detective Special in 38. The recoil wasn't bad, but I didn't feel that comfortable with the grip. The second one I tried to carry was a Kahr 9mm. I liked it, it shot well, but I didn't like the long trigger. I also shot an XD 9mm SC, which was good also, just too thick.

So we went shopping for something that would be closest to the Kimber, and with a few clicks of the keyboard :type: we found the Springfield EMP 9mm. We also found a smoking deal on a used one, so that is how I came to own (and soon carry, upon receiving my permit in the mail) a Springfield EMP 9mm.

I am going to try the purse carry and see how that goes.
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TriciaDodge said:
...
So we went shopping for something that would be closest to the Kimber, and with a few clicks of the keyboard :type: we found the Springfield EMP 9mm. We also found a smoking deal on a used one, so that is how I came to own (and soon carry, upon receiving my permit in the mail) a Springfield EMP 9mm.
...
Ooh, we wanna see some pics of the Springfield EMP 9mm. You just gotta show off your new friend... :D
I think most of us would advise against purse carry, but when it comes down to it, carrying somewhere is better than nowhere. If you can find an on-body method of carry, that would be ideal.

Yes, please do post some pictures, we'd like to see it.
Pictures and a good review please. My wife carried in a concealed carry purse for quite some time, then she started trying different methods and now carries on her body most of the time. The purse worked well for her but I think she likes the body better, I will see if I can get her to give you her opinion.
Helloo,,, yes I carried in my Triple K made for concealed, purse. I actually like it a lot. The concealed pocket isn't really inside so when I did have to go thru a purse search at a waterpark, I was able to open all the zippered (visual) sections and never had any reason to show the ticket taker/ purse checker that special compartment. Check it out on Cabela's website or at the store (in the gun section, not womens purses) I decided a long time ago that I would put my hand into the purse walking any where I felt the need or the want. I would need to buy a new purse if I EVER needed to use the gun. I know that bringing the gun into view would be pretty easy for a BG to take it from me. Most of the folks that express concern for purse carry believe that a purse can be "snatched" pretty easy and they are right. But for me it is a good way to conceal and carry when I am not able to otherwise. New/ old option for me has been ankle carry which I do any time I wear pants. It is the Galco ankle glove. I like the idea of it being on me at all times that way. Without the support strap ( has to be purchased extra) it has a tendency to slide right on the top of my foot, especially when I wear spike heels. BUT the newest set up :) and since I wear a skirt or dress 5-6 days a week, I am now sporting a thigh holster by Galco and it comes with the waistband and belt support strap. I am pleasantly surprised at how well it conceals under my skirts. The only downfall that I have with this is the Ladies room. Nylons and velcro make it a little more time consuming :ack:
PM me if you want more details
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