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Pistol advice 4 wife.
#9143986
11/25/24 02:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
My wife has always mildly enjoyed my shooting passion and has participated with me a little. She generally sticks to the 22lr and occasionally shoots an old S&W model 10 38special. I am wanting to introduce her to a fun Simi auto handgun and want it to be a good experience and something she can manage recoil. First and foremost I want it to be a range gun/home defense tool but something that could be carried if she gets into it. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Right now I'm thinking of 380auto or possibly 9mm.
This is what I have looked at so far. Ruger security 380 Ruger security 9 Glock 43x Sig 365xl Sig 365 Xmacro S&W shield plus in 380 or 9. S&W EZ380
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9143993
11/25/24 02:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,329
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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For a hd/range gun, a 9mm 1911, double stack 1911, or hi power/sa-35 is hard to beat. Not the best for carry though, unless you just want to haul 3lb of steel with you My main carry gun is a g43x with the palmetto or shield arms 15 round mags. I don’t think there’s a better combo out there for someone with the physical ability to operate it.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9143997
11/25/24 02:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
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Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
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I definitely like the 43x idea and saw those shield arms 15 round mags. Once you change out the mag catch, can you still use Glock mags or are you only able to use the shield arms mags? How do you think the recoil management would be for a small woman? I know a lot would depend on the loads she is shooting so I can play around with that.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144001
11/25/24 02:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
wp75169
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You may want to look at the S&W Equalizer 9mm. It’s very similar to the EZ as far as how easy the slide operates. Unlike the EZ it is double stacked for up to 15 rounds depending on which magazine you use. It is also single action like the EZ giving it a better trigger than many in its class. I’m not 100% sold on it, and actually like the Sig 365 a little better, but the 365 is smaller and can be snappy to a shooter not used to handling such a gun. The Equalizer has been reliable and accurate. The price on this gun is another plus for it, they can be had right at $400. https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/285308
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144011
11/25/24 02:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 599
65x55
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 599 |
Walther PDP-F might be another one to consider.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144013
11/25/24 02:34 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,613
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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Some really good choices already. I will add two more that fit your parameters and are pretty sweet. Beretta Cheetah 380 Browning 1911 380
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144021
11/25/24 02:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,766
603Country
THF Celebrity
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The 380 EZ was perfect for the wife, except for her not agreeing. Very easy to load the mag and work the slide. All good but the grip safety, which was often a problem for the ladies that shot it, so I sold it. The wife settled on a S&W Bodyguard 38 that has the red laser. The good thing about it is that it’s SIMPLE. No levers, safeties, or slides. She isn’t going to practice much, so simple really is the way to go, for her.
She might also like my newest, the Sig P365 X Macro 9mm. The recoil isn’t snappy, and the trigger is decent. The sights are also good. She might have problems with the slide and with putting rounds in the mag, which has a stiff spring.
If my wife decided she wanted another semi auto, and if she was gonna load and shoot it herself (without my help), I’d look for a 9mm with a not so stiff slide and a mag she could load. Definitely would have a manual safety.
Last edited by 603Country; 11/25/24 02:49 PM.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144038
11/25/24 03:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,882
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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There are many great pistols on the market these days, but difficulty in racking the slide sure does make it tricky to find one that a woman likes 100%. Especially the smaller, lighter, and most concealable pistols.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144041
11/25/24 03:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,522
The Dude Abides
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Sig P238 in .380...my wife loves hers. Very easy to manipulate.
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144047
11/25/24 03:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,882
RiverRider
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I had given my wife a P938 about ten years ago as a Christmas gift (which justified my own acquisition of same---I know how to work these things! LOL) and she loved it. Same thing as the P238 except in 9mm and only very, very slightly larger. I drilled her repeatedly on operating the safety, but one day a couple of years ago I dug it out of her purse just to inspect it. The safety was no longer engaged. I immediately confiscated it and sold it. Some women just won't take concealed carry seriously enough to make anything except a pistol that operates like a Glock or a DA revolver a sensible choice. That's why she's now carrying a CZ P10C and I have to tolerate her bitching about the weight of it. That's okay, though...the more she bitches the worse my hearing gets.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144051
11/25/24 03:30 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,613
Smokey Bear
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One other piece of advice I learned the hard way is take your wife with you when you go to pick one out. I ended up with a nice little Glock 380 pocket pistol. When I went back to the LGS she picked out a little snub nose SA/DA S&W .38.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144057
11/25/24 03:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,710
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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Tactical Cowboy is right. For a range gun, your best bet is a full size 9mm. But, that would not be practical for carry...especially for a female. My wife carries a p365. It's a pretty nice shooting pistol.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144064
11/25/24 03:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,497
Plinkin'
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Has she tried those choices yet? That's the best way to do it because one can never pick one for another shooter. Lots of options out there and I like those, but there are some inexpensive options in the market now as well. And lots of us in here are moving some of these choices in here (though some of us can't do the images). Caliber isn't so important, but you mentioned recoil, so don't go small and lightweight.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144065
11/25/24 03:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 20,620
Biscuit
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I think it will come down to feel , how it feels in her hand. You list several great choices. Personally I love the P365x macro - it feels right and has large capacity mag
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144075
11/25/24 04:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36,592
Buzzsaw
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The NEW S&W Bodyguard 2.0 is an awesome pistol as well as the FN Reflex (best trigger of all of them).
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144077
11/25/24 04:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 194
Paul 1167
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 194 |
Take her to a range that has a variety of pistols to rent and let her choose which one she likes.
Paul T. Fort Worth, TX
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144098
11/25/24 04:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 147
Smoked Pork
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2021
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I'm with Paul... find a range that has firearms that you can rent or see if any of your friends have something that you are considering and arrange to meet up and try it.
Based on your description that includes home defense and also carried, you are most likely looking at some variant of a Sig P365 or S&W Shield. There is marginal difference in the size of pistol made to handle 380 or 9mm. I would go with 9mm for the selection / availability of ammo as well as the lower cost (more popular so less expensive).
Last edited by Smoked Pork; 11/25/24 04:54 PM.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: Smokey Bear]
#9144104
11/25/24 04:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
Some really good choices already. I will add two more that fit your parameters and are pretty sweet. Beretta Cheetah 380 Browning 1911 380 I have shot the Beretta Cheetah and that was a fun gun. I am wanting to make this a fun range experience first and foremost as she will not touch anything she is not comfortable with. If she enjoys something at the range she is much more likely to grab it at the house if she needs it and is already familiar with it. The Beretta may be a great option
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: wp75169]
#9144105
11/25/24 04:59 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
You may want to look at the S&W Equalizer 9mm. It’s very similar to the EZ as far as how easy the slide operates. This looks like a great option, keeps us with 1 caliber to share and looks like a fun shooter. I will take a look.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: Plinkin']
#9144106
11/25/24 05:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
Has she tried those choices yet? That's the best way to do it because one can never pick one for another shooter. Lots of options out there and I like those, but there are some inexpensive options in the market now as well. And lots of us in here are moving some of these choices in here (though some of us can't do the images). Caliber isn't so important, but you mentioned recoil, so don't go small and lightweight. I have not been able to have her try to much, i have a few friends that have a lot of different guns we will go shooting with hopefully soon.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: Smoked Pork]
#9144108
11/25/24 05:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
I'm with Paul... find a range that has firearms that you can rent or see if any of your friends have something that you are considering and arrange to meet up and try it.
Based on your description that includes home defense and also carried, you are most likely looking at some variant of a Sig P365 or S&W Shield. There is marginal difference in the size of pistol made to handle 380 or 9mm. I would go with 9mm for the selection / availability of ammo as well as the lower cost (more popular so less expensive). I think getting her to shoot some of them will be the best option. Range and home defense are my main focus so a larger frame pistol will probably be the direction we head to help with recoil management and shooting enjoyment. It will take a long time to convince her to carry anything and that is fine.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#9144116
11/25/24 05:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,766
603Country
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Buzz, I really wanted an FN Reflex, because of the trigger, but they didn’t offer a manual safety, so that’s what pushed me to the Sig P365X Macro. If and when the FN Reflex is offered with a manual safety, I’ll have a look, but might just stay with the Sig. the trigger is Ok, and I shoot the Sig quite well. And, the larger size of the Sig X Macro fits my hand. After this, the FN Reflex might feel too small.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: 603Country]
#9144129
11/25/24 05:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
KLR'er650
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Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37 |
Buzz, I really wanted an FN Reflex, because of the trigger, but they didn’t offer a manual safety, so that’s what pushed me to the Sig P365X Macro. If and when the FN Reflex is offered with a manual safety, I’ll have a look, but might just stay with the Sig. the trigger is Ok, and I shoot the Sig quite well. And, the larger size of the Sig X Macro fits my hand. After this, the FN Reflex might feel too small. Manual safety is probably a good idea for my main intention of this. I like FN but have never shot one.
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144133
11/25/24 05:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,889
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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I have a bunch of firearms. But when I leave town or go on a 4 wheeler ride on my property. the Judge goes along. Interspersed .45 and .410
I’ve spent considerable time with sidearms and don’t like the idea of wondering, in a dangerous situation, whether a semi automatic is in battery or on safety. No problem with a revolver.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Pistol advice 4 wife.
[Re: KLR'er650]
#9144143
11/25/24 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,473
Brother in-law
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43x or PDP F The F will have a much better trigger that is easier for chicks
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