Best semi auto handgun for $500??

Wife gave me the go ahead to buy a new pistol... just trying to figure out which to buy.. I want her to be able to shoot it as well. She has some trouble pulling the slide back on some pistols.. but has no problem shooting anything. Any of them easier than others? Would like to get a 9mm or 45acp. Any help would be great..

She g P320 Carry. My wife loves the trigger, she too has trouble with the slides but can work this one.

Find a range or instructor that has a few different pistols to demo.

Let her try a few of the most obvious mid-size pistols, the G19, Gen 5, the M&P 9 Compact, 2.0, and Sig 320.

A M&P 22 is a great and fun tool for practice.

Bottom line, let your wife decide which one she likes after trying them. Whatever she likes, say thank you, buy it and be happy.

Sub-compacts like the G43 or Kahr PM9 usually are sub-optimal choices for novices, as is a 45.

The mid-size 9mm pistols are easier to control, and more pleasant to shoot.

If it is more pleasant to shoot, then she will actually enjoy practicing some now and then, which is absolutely critical.

I would suggest also adding a light like the TLR 1. Then she will have a flashlight handy where she can find it if she needs it. The light is easy to remove and use separately too.

If she is really going to carry or use a pistol, get some instruction and then encourage her to practice at least every two months for the first year.

Keep it fun.

Carry gun? Plinking gun? Truck/boat gun?

How you intend to use it weighs considerably......

Get her a glock 17 or 19 c

Thanks everyone. This will be my gun to carry but she will want to shoot it as well. She likes the glock19, but I am looking for something for my use mostly. Thinking about PARA Expert 1911.. Any thoughts on it?

There is no "one fits all" answer.

Many of us have owned several pistols over the years that got traded or sold. At the same time, many of us have pistols we would never part with.

The guy next to me may love a Glock, but I like a Sig. It doesn't mean that either of us are wrong, but just that there are wrong pistols for many people.

If I were giving a "safe" answer, it would be a Ruger GP100; but then someone else would say get a S&W 686.

My best advice is to make some "shooting" friends or rent from the range.

For an Okie you’ve got good taste. Love my GP100 and my Sigs

Okie light fans are different. They are actually cool. It is he Thooner fans you have to watch out for.

If your looking at 1911s I would highly recommend 9mm. A pleasure to shoot for you and your wife.

I think you are addressing me. Boomer Sooner my wayward friend, Boomer Sooner.

I carried Glocks for many years but now I carry a S&W M&P 40 both on and off duty. I like the fact you can adjust the grip to fit different paw sizes.

^^ This. How could anyone recommend a pistol for "your" wife. If you are not sure, someone else sure isn't. Let her try different one's at a gun range to test fire and see which one's "she" can handle.

Kahr CW9. Very accurate midsize pistol with a smooth easy slide. Easy to acquire combat sights really simplify this gun and take a lot of the over thinking out of it. Long smooth trigger with no safety. It’s only a 7+1 but you hit what you aim at. So...

For a larger frame in that price range I really like my SR9. 17+1 and again it always hits where I point it.

This is where I'm looking...^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kimber KHX Custom 9mm Pistol 8 Round Magazine 3000359-$1128 (on order).
Kimber 1911 Custom TLE/RL II TFS (Threaded For Suppression) 9mm (2016) 3200339-$1053.60 (in stock).
Sig Sauer P210 9mm 5" Target Blk SAO Adjustable Sights Walnut Grips (2) 8rd magazines 210A-9-TGT-$1449.99 (in stock).
Sig Sauer P320, 9MM, 5IN, X-SERIES, BLK, STRIKER, FIBER OPT FRONT W/ ADJ REAR, MODULAR POLY X GRIP, (4) 21RD STEEL MAG, RAIL [320X5-9-BAS]-$849.99 (in stock).
Sig Sauer 1911-FULL-SIZE MAX, Custom Competition, Rev 2-Tone, Fiber Optic Front / Adj Rear, ICE Magwell, Wilson Mag, G-10, Max Logo-$1399.99 (in stock).


a GREAT budget option is the tricked out CANIK 9mm striker fire, great reviews

Next up if you can swing the $$$ I LOVE the P=320 X-5

He said it was primarily for him but he wants a pistol she can shoot as well.

As others have said, trying out pistols is the only way to get a good feel for what you like or don't like.

I think the best combination carry/range pistol on the market is the S&W Shield. Carries pretty easily and still very easy to shoot at the range. And it's well under your budget (I paid $240 for mine used). My wife loves to shoot it and I love it as well.

For just plain range use, my favorites are a 1911 or almost any of the full size metal frame Sigs. But none of those carry very well. The only one that does is a P239, which you may be able to get used for $500 and would be a fantastic option for a carry/range gun. Heavier than the S&W Shield, but a definite step up in quality.

IMO, I don't think there is a do all handgun, Even the "compacts are too big for COMFORTABLE concealed carry. These are really not fun to shoot allot, remember , this is just me.

For range time, a full sized 9mm is just FUN to shoot all day !!!

I agree. I really like my Kimber Micro 9mm and it is awesome for concealed carry. But also very snappy and had a horrible trigger. Got the trigger worked on and it shoots great.

But after I shoot that and switch to my Colt 70 Series Govt. Model in 9mm, I can't wipe the smile off my face shooting it. As far as carry goes, I think most carry in their vechicle and nightstand. If that's the case for the OP, full size 1911 in 9mm is a great choice! I think you could get a Springfield or Ruger for pretty close to the $500 budget, maybe 100-200 more.

This 100%

There is no one answer. Shoot as many as you can lay your hands on and then decide.

Yep, take her out on shooting dates with lunch as often as you can. I'd be looking at a 9mm, but would get what she likes. She married you after all.

Glock 34

This.

Like others have said, shoot many and then decide. As far as your wife being unable to pull back the slide, using proper technique can overcome this most of the time.

I will throw in the Cz P-10c into the mix to try out as well.

I got a sig p238 recently and love it, im going to go back and get the p239 9mm. Cant go wrong with a Sig!

Thank you all for the responses. I wasn't really clear on the original post. My wife knows how to shoot very well. I was asking if you guys new of a great handgun with a slide that was a little easier to rack than others. We ended up buying a couple this weekend. A SW SD40VE and a Taurus PT111 G2. Messed with both and she can rack them. So we are going to take them to the range next weekend to fire a bunch down range. That k you all for the answers.

Springfield Xds. 9mm or 45.

No external safety to worry about.

Just a quick question since you mention the main problem is racking the slide . Just a couple hints . I have seen people mainly women hold the gun in their right hand and try to rack the slide with their left hand if they are right handed . I have to say this is totally wrong for man or woman . Proper quicker way is to hold the rack firmly with left hand and push the body forwards to rack . Right handed people are usually stronger with their right hand so only normal that you push with right hand and NOT pull with the left hand which is normally weaker . And if a person is left handed and shoots left handed then it would be opposite of a right handed person . When you get a chance try it and you'll see what i'm talking about .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vppY6O2rwHw

XD9

If your in to 380's get a model 85 Berreta, tip up barrel and never rack the slide.