What carry gun should I get my wife?

[Guest TMontana]

Hey Guys,

My wife is an amazing shot with our 40 Smith and Wesson but it too big for her to carry. Her b-day is coming up and she wants something more compact to carry. I want to spend 300-400, what do you recommend? I saw that Outpost Armory has the Ruger .380 on sale... Any good?

Thanks,

Tim

[mikegideon]

The Ruger LCP gets high marks. I have one. Nice fit and finish, real small, reliable. It has some kick

[trblmkr13]

Are you looking at any other cailibers besides .380?

Edited January 28, 2010 by trblmkr13
spelling

[Guest mikedwood]

G26 cost more but ammo is cheaper and easier to find than 380

[Steelharp]

Something that she'll miss you with...

[JReedEsq]

G26 cost more but ammo is cheaper and easier to find than 380

+1 for the G26. I would consider the Ruger if I were to get a .380 but I prefer to stay with a 9mm. Are you willing to pay a premium for less effective ammo that is difficult to find? I didn't want the hassle.

I looked around a bunch and the only other gun I really considered was a Kahr PM9. I really like the trigger feel of the Kahr and it is one of a very few 9mm to qualify as a true "pocket gun". Unfortunately reliability feedback is a little mixed. It definitely has a recommended break-in period and I've talked to a few folks and read about problems feeding hollowpoints even after sending the guns in to Kahr for adjustment. Even if those cases are rare, I don't like the idea of paying a big premium for a less reliable firearm.

[peejman]

You should get her whatever gun she picks out. Take her to a range (or three) that rents handguns and let her try out various models. Talk her into trying out a couple that she's not initially interested in. I did that with my wife and her final decision wasn't even under consideration at first.

The American Rifleman magazine did a review of 9 different .380's. I seem to recall all of them having one issue or another. Personally, I'd go with 9mm at a minimum. YMMV.

[Guest colrmccoll]

SW99 Compact in 40. Maybe a little more than your budget but you will not be disappointed.

[DavidD]

You should get her whatever gun she picks out. Take her to a range (or three) that rents handguns and let her try out various models. Talk her into trying out a couple that she's not initially interested in. I did that with my wife and her final decision wasn't even under consideration at first.

The American Rifleman magazine did a review of 9 different .380's. I seem to recall all of them having one issue or another. Personally, I'd go with 9mm at a minimum. YMMV.

+1, great advice to try many different guns. Before getting her ANY semi auto, be sure she can rack the slide, handle a FTF/FTE (again, racking the slide to clear any jam), and is not prone to limp wrist. If so, the LCP is a fine choice due to its size as are the Kel Tecs in for a .381 compact pistol. I have one that I carry from time to time in light shorts etc.. If not, consider a revolver. Though a little larger, a 38 special loaded with 5 rounds of +P is light, powerful, easy to use and time proven as a first rate close quarters self defense weapon. Either way, I'd buy the best you can afford for her, even if it meant spending a little more. I'd also try to stay with at least a 9mm in a semi auto if possible for all the reasons that others are most surely to come along and point out regarding the .380 round. If you do end up getting her a .380, I recommend not using hollow points and sticking with full metal jackets for the added penetration factor. Just my and a whole lot more.

[Guest TMontana]

Thanks guys!

I like the idea of her picking out the gun, what range rents pistols?

[True Grit]

Let her pick it out. She should go to the range with her friends that shoot and try them all out first.

[DavidD]

Thanks guys!

I like the idea of her picking out the gun, what range rents pistols?

It's a little bit of a drive, but I highly recomend Gins & Leather in Greenbrier.

Guns and Leather

[peejman]

Tons of good info for her here: http://www.corneredcat.com/

[Guest IzzyIsaac]

Tons of good info for her here: Cornered Cat

+1 on this site! i didn't even know about it. I'm goin to let my lady browse it now! thanks

[Guest Bonedaddy]

.500++P + magnum - polymer J-frame sub compact!

[Will Carry]

+1 for letting her pick the gun. I bought a 38sp snubby for my wife and she hates it.

She likes the GP100 with a full house load. She ain't no bigger than a minute. I asked her why she wants to carry a hand cannon like the .357. "I only want to have to shoot'em once." was all she said...........

[seez52]

Been there done that. Let her pick it out. If she won't carry it it's not doing her any good. As much as I don't understand it, looks is much more important than effectiveness. I personally like the Kel-tec pistol for easy to use and price. I had one customized for my wife so it would look pretty.

[gregintenn]

My wife carries a J frame Smith and Wesson revolver, a model 37, in 38 Special. She wouldn't dream of carrying anything else, or leaving the housee without it. She likes it's accuracy, light weight, and ease of operation; just point and click. She's a small woman, yet can shoot a 44 magnum accurately, and enjoys it.

[Shima]

My wife hates shooting my J frame. She likes shooting bigger guns like a SP101 I had, a P345 I had, and my Glock 45's. She wants a M&P 9, but I don't know if she'll want to carry it due to the size. We're still in the trial period to see what all she likes.

[SavageSig]

Definitely Guns and Leather. You guys can make a day of it, and they have a case full of guns that you can check out.

They're also hosting a shoot on Sunday night, and I'm sure you can rent guns then too.

[Guest .45]

It's a little bit of a drive, but I highly recomend Gins & Leather in Greenbrier.

Guns and Leather

+1 on G&L...great folks.

my vote, even though it's just barely above your price range would be a Ruger SP101 with C/T grips. good, solid, reliable, easy to carry gun that's also easy to operate.

2nd place would go to an XD9 sub-compact.

run from tiny .380 autos...there generally more trouble than they're worth, (I.E. "not as reliable") and tough to shoot accurately too. if your wife's an accomplished shooter, then this might not be an issue...

.45

[eapking]

G26 cost more but ammo is cheaper and easier to find than 380

+1...find something small in 9mm. Don't know about the rest of the state, but you never see 380 here in Mempho.

[Sams Dad]

Bought my wife a Bersa 380 after she fondled a lot of guns and she loves it,. It shoots great, it's very accurate, very reliable, easily concealable and lightweight. Not a single glitch in over 300 rounds of practice.

She scored 96 on her HCP test shooting out to 25 yards.

She has loaded up with Gold Dot JHP's and I don't worry about her being effective with it at all.

She practices 3 shot bursts and I think that will do the trick if she ever needs it.

Good luck with your hunt.

[Alpha7]

Hey Guys,

My wife is an amazing shot with our 40 Smith and Wesson but it too big for her to carry. Her b-day is coming up and she wants something more compact to carry. I want to spend 300-400, what do you recommend? I saw that Outpost Armory has the Ruger .380 on sale... Any good?

Thanks,

Tim

Personally,

I would stay away from 380. Every where around here the ammo is pretty much non existant.

[Alpha7]

You should get her whatever gun she picks out. Take her to a range (or three) that rents handguns and let her try out various models. Talk her into trying out a couple that she's not initially interested in. I did that with my wife and her final decision wasn't even under consideration at first.

The American Rifleman magazine did a review of 9 different .380's. I seem to recall all of them having one issue or another. Personally, I'd go with 9mm at a minimum. YMMV.

Except for the rorbough it had no malfunctions