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Don't tell her but I'm hoping it takes her 3 buying mistakes to get it right. Can't have too many!Boxerrider wrote:Remember if the hammer is exposed you can cock it first. That can dramatically reduce the amount of force required to rack the slide.
If she gets a gun for your birthday, then maybe you'll at least get to keep all of yours. Honey-Sweetie-Cutie Pie has liberated two of mine... so far.
Nice looking pistol and not a bad price. I'll add it to the list. Thanks !!!hankintexas wrote:If you take her shopping as I did, have her try the Walther PK380. My wife and daughter both love them. Every class I teach and someone needs a loaner, I let them try it. I should call Walther and demand a commission for the number I have sold.
They are solid, dependable and priced very well. I have not had a ftf or fte in over 2000 rounds in either of them. They are very easy to operate, light, accurate and dependable.
Just my opinion. Keep an open mind and let her try several different models
The only reason would be to see how she feels with it. Loading, shooting, recoil and general handling. Racking an empty handgun vs loaded is a little different. And believe me, just like re-arranging furniture I'd like to get it right the first time. LOL. Downside of getting it wrong is I'll have another for my collection. There are worse things.Soccerdad1995 wrote: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.Surgeon wrote: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.puma guy wrote: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.
Great advice. Thanks muchJusme wrote: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.
ThanksSewTexas wrote: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
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.Charles L. Cotton wrote: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.
AndyC wrote:Take her to a gun store with a good range and let her try racking various examples.
Was not aware that part had changed. That makes things a lot easier. Thanks muchtroglodyte wrote:Just a reminder that there is no semi/non-semi license anymore. You can take the test with either and carry either.We've discussed a .38 special for her conceal carry but she wants to test using a semi-auto.
I don't know if that makes a difference or not.
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.puma guy wrote: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.
Thanks for the suggestion. Just looked up the price....they're proud of em aren't they.ghostrider wrote:I'm not sure if its easier to rack the slide, but you may want to try a Sig P238 or P938. The P938 is easier to shoot than its small size would suggest; mind you its not an inexpensive choice..