I think I know what I want a sig p238 or m&p shield if I can find one but open to other options. Now my wife has never shot a gun before what have y'all started women out with? I know what fits good and feels good so I'm going to go to the lewisville gun show for her to feel them out. Anything I might look for, she has smaller hands.

Go to one of the local indoor ranges that rents pistols and let her shoot a few, just because it feels good in the hand doesn't mean she will like it when she shoots it.

This is good advice.

If you are looking at autoloaders, more importantly, you need to find one she can actually operate. Just because she can shoot it, doesnt mean she can operate it. Most women have a really difficult time working the slide on a auto. You might want to look at a small revolver for her.

This + - KISS - .38 snubnose revolver

Thank me later

It is. Bullit Trap in Plano has a good selection of handguns to rent. Let her try as many as possible. Since she has never fired a pistol before.........Keep it simple.

.22 revolver is always great for a beginner.

Just as a FYI the P238 is a SA and would require your wife to understand the 1911 style safety. Just something to consider when looking for a gun for her. Ultimately you need to get her to go and handle these guns and let her choose the one she likes. I would recommend starting her out on a 22 cal handgun (not for carry) just to get her used to the sights etc so she doesn't become recoil sensitive. Here is a good web site for her to read up on. http://corneredcat.com/

Bersa Thunder 380. Wife can work the slide easily and shoots it like her life depends on it.

I usually start the ladies out on my .22 target pistols. I ended up getting the wife a Bersa Thunder .380 also and she likes it a lot. They are a great gun for the money and have a much better trigger than the striker fire polymer .380s.

Check out 'WOW Divas'. Google them up, Ran by women for women. These ladies understand in general they are smaller, usually weaker, shorter fingers, smaller hands and they have several excellent programs. You will not be allowed to accompany her or attend.

my took my p238 away from me and told to get mine own !! b LOL

Long trigger pull is a negative

Large grips

To many safeties

Can she work the slide

Look at all these

Don't get a 40

Haven't handled one personally but I would want to check out the slimmer xd if they make it in 9mm.
The shield would probably be good to

My wife is pretty small and has a P238 with wood grips. She tried other guns and even other 238s. She just really liked the Blackwater edition 238. It is surprisingly accurate for such a compact gun. For home, she uses a S&W 686. Kind of both ends of the spectrum.

Ditto. Nothing more simple to operate than a revolver. And if you go with something like a S&W airweight there are low recoil defense rounds made for the lighter weight gun.

took her to the gun show this weekend, which by the way was a complete waste of time if you wanted a deal, and had her hold several. Think the next step will be to go rent a few that she liked and see what happens from there. I want her to qualify with a semi so she can carry either but what she seemed to be more comfortable with was the revolvers.

I would let her borrow an auto for qualifying and carry a revolver. Revolvers are great carry guns. There is nothing to think about.

As small as my wife is, she just took to a LW Colt Commander in .45........it was just a bit big, but she handled it ok!

After all was said & done she has grown accustomed to a Mod 36 Chief's special....