I have been doing a lot of thinking about this subject but experience is best.

My wife has only shot my 22lr rifle or any gun for that matter just once and she liked it a lot. I only have a 45 pistol so I know she cant handle it. I want something for our home where she can go get a gun and use it properly and effectively if she has to. For this reason I am thinking to about some type of 22LR handgun for her to begin her training. rugerr 22/45 or wlather PPK or Smith and Wesson P22. Something of that nature. I figure once i train her on this and she becomes comfortable then move her up to a 380 then 9 if she can handle it.

I know a 22 isnt the best self defense weapon but it is better than nothing or better than her not being able to hit anything because of the recoil and inexperience. I know22 handguns can be problematic at times but I have confidence that with the right ammo it should be reliable enough.

what have you guys done before on your wife or girl and what worked and what didnt??

I bet there are several ranges around that rent handguns, take her to one and show her some and let her try a few, you might be surprised at what she likes. A friend did this and she picked a Persa 380 that she shot very well. She had never shot a handgun before that.

I love the Walter PPK but the slide takes a firm grip.

To add to your list Ruger SR22 and Sig Mosquito. The Sig is fashioned off their 226 so once mastered going to the 9 would be second nature.

If I could choose one for my wife and with my minimal experience I would buy a Glock 19 MOS with a Holosun, Swampfox, or Trijicon Reddot sight

For home defence for someone not familiar with firearms get her a pump shotgun. Just point and shoot.

And then miss a lot. In most home defense situations, the shots are less than 15 feet. Shoot any shotgun at 15 feet and see what the pattern looks like. Contrary to what you see in the movies, pump shotguns are not good home defense weapons.

The advice that I have is to spend the money on a training class with a competent instructor for her. Any instructor worth his salt will be able to work with her on the basics of shooting a handgun, such as proper grip, slide manipulation, and proper stance. Once she gets those things down, she will then know which guns fit her well and she will then shoot well. Then it is time to spend the money on her gun.

my daughter liked the 380 kimber. if you want .22 recoil with a lot more punch, 5.7x28 Ruger 57 with a 20 round clip.

Is anyone making the 5.7 in a smaller frame?

Follow Biden’s advice. Get a double barrel shotgun.

On a serious note, I like my Ruger PCC with the Sig Romeo, weapon light and 32 round Glock magazine. Gun is super easy to shoot, accurate and simple to run. I like the idea of a should mounted weapon for my wife. If she can’t get to the Ruger, I have a Glock 17 with a TLR weapon light. For a pistol for my wife, I want a full size pistol to help suck up some of the recoil.

Since you list this for Home, then an AR in 223/556 would be by my suggestion. Easy to operate, light weight, easy to accessorize, reliable, considerably easier that a pistol for novices to hit with, and considerably more stopping power than a pistol. Plus they are fun to shoot and LEARN with. But don't get a heavy one, get a light one with a telescoping stock, and you will have the most capable, easiest to use effectively gun around.

And while they are easy to accessorize, i suggest going simple. Maybe a light, iron sights, and a muzzle device like a noveske flaming pig and done.

38. 4 or 6 in barrel. No recoil. When you take her to shoot. Ear plugs and ear muffs. Most flinching due to the loud bang.

she does not like shooting my AR. I happen to agree that a pistol style AR would be the best home defense weapon but she isnt ready just yet. She shot my AR once and did not want to shoot it again.

I also agree that a FN57 would be a fantastic home self defense weapon because of its ammo capacity but those rounds are very expensive, hard to get and the gun isnt cheap either. You can shoot the 22lr all day and again the next day without breaking the bank and she needs trigger time. Good excuse for me to be able to go also. I like the way the new Mark 4 22/45 from ruger looks just dont like the capacity.

I do not like that most 22 pistols carry 10 rounds or less. are there any 22's that have more capacity ??

Maybe I will take her to shoot a 380 and see how she does. I know the Arms room has several pistols to rent but who knows if they will have the ammo.

thanks again for the advice and knowledge

The training idea is the best but if you really want another gun you might consider the RIA .22 TCM/9 mm. She can start with the .22TCM and switch to the 9 when ready....another consideration and why I like this, the .22 TCM ammo is still available thru RIA.

If I didnt have several thousand rounds of 22LR i might consider a new cartridge but I want to stick with the basics. 22lr 45 30-06 and 6.8. If I have to add 380 I will for her but I prefer not to leave these 4 rounds.

Going through the very same thing here. Have an Eastern European PPK knock off, but she complains about the grip. In addition and as referenced prior, the slide is an issue for her.

My 40 cal Beretta PX4 compact seemed to be a little much for her. I bought a 38 S & P hammerless revolver and I thought it would be perfect for her. Yeah right, wrong again. She complained about the small grip again had trouble controlling it. Camo was shooting with us that day and let her try his S & W 22 Mag. She starting dotting the centers of the Pears.

There is a recent thread somewhere on 9mm hand guns. My suggestion would be to read it and google search with what is referenced. I have been doing a lot of research and asking a lot of questions. She likes the feel of mid-side nines such as the Kimber Ultra Light Carry and the 9 mm PX4 compact (not sub-compact). I like the idea of her having a 15 round clip in her purse.

We have found a lady who is going to provide a couple of hours of training to Wifeypoo and a couple of friends. She is to bring multiple pistols and let the girls try them. I really do think Wifeypoo loves & trusts me, but I think it important for this training to be conducted by a woman.

Hoping that she does go with a 9 and then I can trade my 40 cal for a 9 so we can just utilize the same ammo. I really like the PX4, its rotating barrel, feel, size and cost. Nothing real fancy for a profiler, just a black beast for any punk that knows anything.

If she were to load and shoot a S&W .380 EZE, I would bet she would be impressed. They are so easy to use and shoot. The slide is really easy to manipulate and the recoil is almost nothing ! I have one I just leave in my truck and it works flawlessly....

Train her with a .22 PPK then move to a .380 PPK

Geez, this one really checks a lot of boxes. Thanks for bringing it up.

I got my wife a .22 revolver and it is the only gun she enjoys shooting.

X2 on Fireman's response!!!

If the first shot at 15 feet won't do it, the follow up will cut then two.

I bought my wife a 1911 in 9mm for a range toy, she shoots it exceptionally. It’s reliable enough for a defensive/carry gun. Light recoil easy handling. I also have gotten her a stainless Ruger sp in 357mag, it mostly is loaded with 38’s and that is her night stand gun.

CMMG Banshee

https://www.ballisticmag.com/2020/07/21/cmmg-banshee-series-braced-pistol-realm/

If your wife wants to hunt, this unit offers more flexibility than a standard handgun

Look at the Taurus TX22. It has a good trigger, the slide racks easily, and it uses 16-round magazines. If she can handle the grip and controls, she will be able to move up to a 9mm like the Walther PPQ more readily.