I am considering buying a pistol to take a CC class with. I would probably be looking at a 9mm of some sort, want something my wife will be able to shoot as well.

I'm not familiar with auto pistols in the slightest. I have cabelas points that I would like to use for this so what are good makes/models cabelas has to offer? I don't need the top of the line fancy dancy one, but don't want a throw away or a piece of junk. Thanks for any help.

Matt

Ruger LC9S, your wife can shoot it comfortably

Springfield XDM, Glock, Walther PPQ are all worth looking at and will be in the 5-600 dollar range.

It might be hard to find one that both of you like to shoot because of hand size differences.

Many great options out there in today's market. My first response to this question is usually from the 25+ year get of the Harris county sheriffs dept and my chl instructor several years ago. Because of limited lanes at the range he split the class into 2 groups for the shooting portion. He took all the Sig, Glock and H&K people because he knew he wouldn't have any gun related issues in all the years he's done this.

It's not to say there are t other good options but IMHO these three are in a tier of their own for greatness. I personally shoot my Glock more than any other and I have about 7 centerfire auto pistols.

Good luck as this thread can and will go off in many directions

Thanks for the info, are any known for lowest maintenance?

I would say glock. I have several and never clean them. I just wipe the outside down and put them in the safe. Lots of rounds and no issues.

Glock 19!

Glock.

I'm a Springfield fan, but also like the Ruger LC9. Everyone is different, you both need to handle as many as you can.

Its my toy, I just want something that will not rip her wrist off when she shoots it. I'm not concerned about hand size, my wife is 5'11" she doesn't have small hands.

Must say before asking my initial persuasion was that glock was probably my best bang for the buck and reliable, but I'm not big on the looks of them. On the other hand its purpose is to function for the use intended not look purdy.

Stoeger cougar

Stoeger cougar, though it may not be as small as what your looking for

Springfield XDM! Comes in a good range of sizes, shoots great, and worth the money

Anyone on here can mention any pistol in production as the "best" pistol. But how do you know it's right for YOU!!?? Go to the store, look at the variety of pistols, see what fits your hand (or your wife's, which will be the main factor) and what features you want or like (or dislike). Once you have a few narrowed down, go to a range that rents these pistols so you can actually shoot them. The smaller one's will kick more and have a snappier recoil. The larger one's will have less recoil, but will be a larger pistol. Once you do this, you will start to find a few that you like.

I personally, went all Glock. They are not a sexy pistol, but they flat out work and work well. I don't look at a pistol as a pretty object. I look at it as a tool, and I use and carry my tools every day. A Glock 19 would be a good start, since it's a semi compact pistol, and you can get a good grip with it. If you want the full size, the G 17 wold be a good one.

Beretta PX4 Storm compact model.

1911, glock, xd, m&p, gp100, sr9, k frame smith, sig... just go pick one.

Ya'all both need to go to a range that rents pistols like the arms room and then shoot several and pick your favorite. As you can see everyone is different.

I like fancy smancy when it comes to guns because they hold their resale value better
!

Smith and wesson shield. You can get one for at least 100 less than the Springfield, HK, glock mentioned already.

I love DA revolvers, always have. I love them, but I am a believer in quality over quantity. Took my teenagers to the pistol range again a few weeks ago and was again amazed at how many folks dumped magazines and their shots were all over the place. It was us, and 3 LEO's. We pulled our targets in and got some funny looks several times I beat into my kid's brains to be quick but make every shot count. One two BOOM, one two BOOM. Others are dumping mags like crazy. Got some compliments and answered "We have your backs Sir". Again, got more funny looks but that came from the heart. Moral of the story is...well you know. Shoot a gun you can hit with. Practice practice..I'd rather put 1 or 2 in the kill zone with a 38/357 than 12-20 sprayed from a 9mm...

Look at bud's selection of used handguns. They usually have some mp9c's or compact glocks in the sub 400 range

I sell handguns at Cabela's. Number one criteria is to get what feels best in your hands. The major manufacturers all make excellent firearms today, there is no way it can be definitely said that one brand is better than another. I'm talking Glock, Ruger, S&W, Sig, Springfield, Walther, H&K, CZ. I'm sure there is one I've forgotten. In a compact the Ruger SR9C is what I probably sell the most of when people are looking for a handgun to fit a man's hands as well as a woman's. In a subcompact it would probably be a Shield. Glock grips are too big for most women in my experience. There are of course exceptions to every rule.

The Stoeger Cougar is a good firearm. My daughter carries one but she has very large hands. They also aren't sold by Cabela's.

Another vote for the Stoeger Cougar, here.

Im with Chad. Glock all the way. They flat out work. As for them being ugly...that can be fixed





Came across this video of a guy testing a full auto Glock. Its entertaining:

G19 or G26, Sig P226, H&K VP9 are some of my favorites. Go shoot as many as you can, should make the decision much easier.