So I bought my wife her first gun!

[E4 No More]

My wife of 30 years is 5' tall versus my 6'4"and 280 lbs. I am a former Marine, policeman, and martial artist, and she has relied on these factors to keep her safe: however, as I age I become less confident in my physical abilities to protect her.

Then there are the times that I'm not there.

I have been talking to my wife for quite some time now about learning to shoot and carry her own gun. I have been sending her the stories of the home invasions around town, and 911 calls of "survivors" that have been posted on the web. She finally agreed to get a gun for herself, and learn how to shoot it proficiently.

Last Saturday, I took her to On Target in Murfreesboro. I considered her beginner status, the fact that she's sensitive to loud noises, and the fact that she has small hands for even a short person, so I told her that I would like her to try different weapons, but that I did not want her to have a .380 or .25 cal. She held the Walther P22, and the salesman offered to allow her on the range to try their rental P22. We went into the range where the reactions that I anticipated took place.

There were two others on the range at either sid, and their firing made her jump every time, (no, they weren't firiing hand-cannons). I told her that those guns wouldn't hurt her, but that it was ok to jump and that she'd get used to it. I explained how to load and fire the weapon, and told her that the opbject wasn't her her to kill the target. I only wanted her to get used to firing the weapon to judge how to proceed from there. I fired off a round to demonstrate what to expect. She started shooting, (visibly shaking all the while), until a hot brass bounced off the range wall and into her shirt - burning her breast. She decided that she didn't like the semi-autos, so I got a .22 revolver which she liked.

having handled the .22 ok, I told her that I wanted her to try a .38 to see if it would bother her. The salesman gave me a snubby and 6 rounds. I again shot one round so she could see what to expect. She fired two rounds and said that the pistol hurt her hand. Great! a .22 it is. I had told her that I would be ok with a .22 as long as it was a start for progressing to something that'll stop a determined attacker.

We went out to the retail area, and I asked for the salesman to show use the .22 revolvers. They had exactly two Tarus snubbies - one of which was stainless steel. I had her hold it, and she decided she wanted it. Great! I wasn't tickled about the choice of manufacturer, but at least she made a choice. Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake: I didn't have her dry fire the weapon before we bought it.

After purchasing it I took her back onto the range to discover that its trigger pull was so stiff that she couldn't fire it DA, and had a hard time cocking it for SA. So next weekend I get to take it apart to buff the internals and clip some springs. I should have listened to that little voice that was telling me to skip the Taurus and go to the gun show to shop.

But at least I've gotten her this far. Time will tell if she continues to progress from here to a bigger caliber and an HCP...but it's a start.

[Guest jimdigriz]

If you can reduce the felt recoil on a bigger gun with rubber grips and things of that nature, you might make a big step to gaining her acceptance of a larger caliber. For instance, my wife is now willing to fire my 9mm carbine after I put a butt pad on it.

By the way, a few months ago, I was having to encourage her to keep her eyes open when she fired! Now, she shoots about as well as me with the handgun (which is not saying much, alas), and told me on the way home from the range yesterday, "I'm starting to like shooting."

Edited June 29, 2009 by jimdigriz

[E4 No More]

If you can reduce the felt recoil on a bigger gun with rubber grips and things of that nature, you might make a big step to gaining her acceptance of a larger caliber. For instance, my wife is now willing to fire my 9mm carbine after I put a butt pad on it.

By the way, a few months ago, I was having to encourage her to keep her eyes open when she fired! Now, she shoots about as well as me with the handgun (which is not saying much, alas), and told me on the way home from the range yesterday, "I'm starting to like shooting."

Granted, but those grips typically make the grip bigger, and she doesn't have big enough hands to spare. I think that I can get her into a semi eventually. I told her that brass coming back at you was a given at an indoor range, but I think that we'll frequent the outdoor range.

Small steps my friend.

[I_Like_Pie]

My wife went with a revolver simply because her hands weren't strong enough to rack the slide of the smaller semi-auto guns. Couldn't overcome the spring on the magazine either.

[RDL]

Just take your time. My wife had never held a pistol much less fired one until I got back into shooting. I did the same thing you did showing her the stories in the paper about home invasions and car jackings.

Finally convinced her to go to the range. We started off with a .22 and then I let her shoot a couple of my 9mm. She was scared of them at first but after a few visits got more comfortable. Now she has her HCP and a S&W .38 snubby.

I would just suggest taking your time with her and after a while I am sure she will get more used to the noise and recoil. Have fun and be safe

[VERO1]

Try some rubber grips, either uncle mikes or pachmeyer compacts. both are pretty small. My wife uses a 3" model 36 with the pachmeyer compacts. Makes it a lot easier on da pull over the stock little weenie grips. Most shops will let you slap on a pair before purchase.

[Wingshooter]

Try some rubber grips, either uncle mikes or pachmeyer compacts. both are pretty small. My wife uses a 3" model 36 with the pachmeyer compacts. Makes it a lot easier on da pull over the stock little weenie grips. Most shops will let you slap on a pair before purchase.

Yeah, I had to upgrade my wife from little weenie grips, too.

[Guest tonybon]

i got my wife a p22 to start with. we went out to just have fun at first and she got to like it. this was in april. she now has her hcp and a p111. it was really hard see my wife was married befor i met her some 30 years ago and he shot himslef while she was cooking with a 1 year old in the kitchen with her. so ive not pushed to hard over the years and resecpted her caution. now we have a great time when we go shoot, and let me tell ya dont want her shooting at me she is quite good with a 9mm. so take your time make it fun for the both of you. and good luck.

[Guest dizzielizzie]

My wife went with a revolver simply because her hands weren't strong enough to rack the slide of the smaller semi-auto guns. Couldn't overcome the spring on the magazine either.

YEP! My handgun experience exactly!

So far my Kahr MK9 is the only semi-auto I can pull back the slide on...

[Jimbo100]

My wife is also quite small just about 5'2" with a slight frame. A semi auto was problematic given the strength needed to rack the slide. A tip up Beretta would have solved that but she tried a S&W 34-1 .22 revolver that I had and liked it. The trigger pull was a bit stiff for her so I had a smith do an action job and I think it is ideal for her. She spent a day of familiarization firing at a range with instructors in an all female class and I believe that was also a good thing. Good luck with your wife finding the right gun for her.

[alingo2001]

"until a hot brass bounced off the range wall and into her shirt - burning her breast." My wife has a couple of scars from this. Luckily she laughed it off and keeps shooting.

[Guest Rando]

My wife is about 5'4 but kind of stocky I guess, she started with a Taurus titanium 38 snubby. They have great grips and ported barrels and she out shot a few of my friends and I with it. I have been told it takes a light grip to shoot them well. She has since taken over my Keltec 380. just for the smaller size. I believe there are some low power options in the 38. bullets that you might check into.

Good luck:)