RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SMALL COMPACT SEMI FOR PETITE LADY

[hovercat]

Do not discount a .22.
Wife carries the Sig p238. The locking breech allows for less cocking force, since the spring does not have to take up as much recoil.

[couzin]

Cannot qualify with a .22. My wife has a revolver .38 but she easily pulls the slide on my glock 42. It's a little more work for her on my 30sf though.

[Flightmare]

The SIG P238 (.380ACP) is a very popular handgun with women. It's easy to rack the slide, it has real sights, and mild recoil. If she's left-handed, an ambi-safety kit is available.

Like all SIGs, they are overpriced. The best price Martha found was $519, with Tru Glo sights, at Academy.

Chas.

That's kind of what I'm seeing too. I guess another trip to the gun shows, range and stores will produce something she can manage. But as it was mentioned she can test with either/or so maybe a nice revolver will do the trick.
Thanks Chas.

For what it's worth, I have both the P938 (9mm) and it's little brother the P238 (.380 ACP). Both are wonderful shooters. I've used the .380 with some female friends of mine who had not shot a pistol before, after they showed they were good with my .22LR pistol.

[SewTexas]

I carry a Curve. I can hide it under just about anything, although I've made a couple of things to help with the carrying, this little gun is made for women to carry. I love the darn thing.


I love this video about pulling the slide. It's slightly goofy, but it's good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRoTzK_JUTA

[Jusme]

Surgeon, you will receive a lot of recommendations, but until your wife actually gets a chance to load, operate, and shoot various guns, you won't have a good idea on what will work for her.

I know a lot of people, think small hands=small gun, for the best application, but, felt recoil is more of a problem with smaller guns, you may also want to look into into the mid size to larger framed guns. My wife loves her S&W M&P full size.(she is 5-3 with small hands.) Beretta makes the PX-4 that has a full size grip, and enough weight to help reduce felt recoil. Also working the slide on a larger semi auto, is usually easier. I have also found that prices aren't much different between smaller and larger framed semi autos, with similar features. But again, your wife will have to make the final determination. Like others have suggested, take her where she can handle as many different guns as possible, and then she will be able to pick the right gun for "your" birthday.

It's great to hear your wife will be joining our ranks soon. Have her join the forum, so she can provide some input on her experiences.

[tk1700]

Like many have said let her try several at the store/range. I have a Sig P238 that has pretty much been the favorite for several female relatives that have tried it. My daughter decided on a Bersa Thunder .380 over the 238, mainly because of cost. I have shot her Bersa and it feels and shoots as well as the Sig in my opinion. The Bersa does have a decocking lever and is DA/SA. My sister, who is small but fairly strong had trouble with the Shield 9mm. The slide is very stiff to pull back and the gun didn't fit in her hands well. She preferred the Sig 938 over the Shield and 238. Lots and lots of choices, good luck and congratulations on her wanting her LTC!

[Jago668]

My girlfriend had an easier time with my Springfield XDM 9mm the full size 19 rounder, than she does with her Walther CCP 9mm. Only thing that gave her trouble was the grip safety. Might try the Bersa 380 for her. I owned one of those and they are decent little pistols.

[hovercat]

The extended mag on the P238 also helps. A person with small hands can get a full grip.

[canvasbck]

As has been stated already, the P938/238s are expensive, but you will not find a better small pistol out there. Buying a cheaper pistol and then doing a trigger job to make it somewhat close to the Sig trigger will make up most of the difference in price.

For the record, I'm not a Sig fan, the P938 is the only one I own, but I love that little gun.

[Soccerdad1995]

My wife has small hands with little grip strength. She has a S&W 9mm Shield that she struggles to operate. The recoil is a little more than she likes, but she perseveres. We decided to try .380 pistols and after shooting several (6 or 7 ) different models she liked the Glock 42 the best. I steered her toward locking breech semi's since they are a little easier to rack. She shot the G42 well also. She did good with the SIG 238, but liked the Glock better. She doesn't know I bought her one for Christmas because two of our daughters have been out of town and we had to postpone Christmas until this weekend. You may want to find a range that will rent pistols for her to try, but I recommend locked breech over the blowback/recoil operated pistols in what ever caliber she can handle.

Had not considered that. Good to know. I know of several ranges here in Houston that offer rentals so I think this weekend will be a range day and we'll do some tire kicking. Thanks, good info.

You don't even need to rent if she just wants to try racking the slide. Just go to an Academy or any other gun store.

[Teamless]

M&P Shield 9, is one of the compacts which a lot of women I work with like.
another is the Walther CCP 9.

The Walther CCP 9 has a lighter recoil spring for easier handling of the slide and the recoil is much lighter than most other compacts.
Just something to consider.

[canvasbck]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=87430

Apparently a member has one lightly used for sale

[Jago668]

The Walther CCP 9 has a lighter recoil spring for easier handling of the slide and the recoil is much lighter than most other compacts.
Just something to consider.

Field stripping it annoying though. At least for my girlfriend, it doesn't tolerate limp wristing well. Does have a lighter recoil, but it also gets some of the blow back from the piston system down out of the frame from the trigger slot. Not a crazy amount, but it happens.

[Surgeon]

I carry a Curve. I can hide it under just about anything, although I've made a couple of things to help with the carrying, this little gun is made for women to carry. I love the darn thing.


I love this video about pulling the slide. It's slightly goofy, but it's good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRoTzK_JUTA

Thanks

[Surgeon]

Surgeon, you will receive a lot of recommendations, but until your wife actually gets a chance to load, operate, and shoot various guns, you won't have a good idea on what will work for her.

I know a lot of people, think small hands=small gun, for the best application, but, felt recoil is more of a problem with smaller guns, you may also want to look into into the mid size to larger framed guns. My wife loves her S&W M&P full size.(she is 5-3 with small hands.) Beretta makes the PX-4 that has a full size grip, and enough weight to help reduce felt recoil. Also working the slide on a larger semi auto, is usually easier. I have also found that prices aren't much different between smaller and larger framed semi autos, with similar features. But again, your wife will have to make the final determination. Like others have suggested, take her where she can handle as many different guns as possible, and then she will be able to pick the right gun for "your" birthday.

It's great to hear your wife will be joining our ranks soon. Have her join the forum, so she can provide some input on her experiences.

Great advice. Thanks much