Recommendations please.

[acolytes]

Hey guys. The wife and I are in the market for a hand gun for her and we need some input. We will be going to the range so she can rent some hand guns to see which she likes best, and need some input before we waste our money and time on guns that we shouldn't even be considering in the first place. Here is the criteria. She insists on a semi auto. She likes the XD, Glock, and sig type of guns. The problem is she can't even rack the slide on my xd 45. It's new and the spring is still pretty stiff. I had a 9 mm a long time ago and the xd 45's slide takes a considerable amount of more energy to rack the slide. (I'm assuming it will soften up as I put rounds through it.) We thought about a p22, and sig mosquito because I think she would be able to rack the slide on those no problem. Shes only 5'3 and 105 pounds, but I would like for her to have something with more power though so she can have something for self defense when I'm not home. If she was at home by herself and had to turn to my xd in a situation, she's screwed since she can't even rack the slide on it. Any recommendations? I thought about something in the lines of a sub compact, but I think because of the shorter barrel there would be more muzzle jump. My main concern is a semi auto type that isn't a pain the rack the slide on. Thanks for reading guy and for any input.

[Vacaville]

Don't know about a semi-auto that has an easy slide to rack. Your concerns would be covered nicely by a good revolver though, even though it may not seem as "cool".

[movie zombie]

women like revolvers. we like them because they are sexy, easy to operate, and easy to clean. don't rent the airweights though. i shoot a smith and wesson model 60 snubbie which is stainless and love her to death. of course, i have many other smiths in the stabe also.

movie zombie

[CHS]

My GF is about the same size and can rack the slide just fine on her Kimber Custom II 1911, and it's even stiffer than mine is. Then again, mine's 6 years old and has about 5000 rounds through it. The spring is a little softer than factory. heh.

[goathead]

Going to the range is an excellent idea as far as finding out what she feels most comfortable firing. As for the slides, while some might just be too much for her others she should be able to with lots of practice. I have a Ruger P95 that I can rack easily; but it did take lots of practice getting comfortable with it, learning what kind of grip works best for me and just practice, practice, practice. Good luck.

(ddiaz's wife)

[CHS]

women like revolvers. we like them because they are sexy, easy to operate, and easy to clean. don't rent the airweights though. i shoot a smith and wesson model 60 snubbie which is stainless and love her to death. of course, i have many other smiths in the stabe also.

Men like revolvers too

But yes, revolvers ROCK. DO NOT discount them.

The airweights are just plain dumb. Not fun to shoot. Try a full-size revolver made from steel from either S&W or Ruger in .38/.357. If she's adventurous she'll get tired of shooting .38's out of it pretty quickly and will want a little more "oomph". Once she's shot a few .357's she'll probably be hooked

[dwtt]

I think a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 might suit her. I am guessing here that part of the problem with your wife being able to rack the slide may be in getting a solid grip on the gun with the off-hand. I've found the M&P slide easy to grip. Anyway, as for caliber, I have read others say shot placement plays a big part in stopping a bad guy and I support this view. A 9mm in the heart will be more effective than a .45 in the foot.

[badreligion]

Have you thought about seeing if some of the ranges around you do any of the following?

Ladies only shooting times?
Ladies shooting classes?
First timers shooting classes?

Don't take her to the range with the idea that you are gonna walk out the door with a date and time to come back in 10 days to pick up her new gun. Go shoot a few guns that feel comfortable in her hands and have fun. Go back a few times, rent different guns and have fun. She will find a gun she likes to shoot and feels comforable with. Then you know what to get her. Go to a gun store and look at a new one. Make sure she can pull the slide and chamber a snap cap on a new gun etc.

I recommend everyone own a .22 rifle and pistol. You can have fun and practice shooting, techniques and anything else much cheaper than shooting almost anything else. And at home defence distances 11 rounds of 22 will kill.

[shoupdawg]

My gf is also petite, at just 5'0''. She can handle my sig 220 and p6 just fine as well my buddy's heavy, stainless steel 229 in .40 cal. She prefers the p6 (9mm) the best. Since these are german trade ins, it appears that they maybe loosened up already? And for the price it's tough to beat.

If you and the gf would like to trek up to Angeles, the gf and I can let you try out the guns. Cheers.

[M. D. Van Norman]

If she can cock the hammer first, that will make the slide a little bit easier to work.

[SanSacto]

Get the .44 Eagle, then the .357 Eagle barrell for her. Haha I just like saying ".357 Eagle"!

[wildhawker]

My wife recently went through a number of range rents and demos, finally deciding on a P226 (the P229 was also considered (runner-up), as were the Browning Hi Power, HK P2000 & USP, S&W MP9 and a Kahr- she doesn't like Glocks); the ergonomics and controls works for her, and she likes the DA/SA action.

At the end of the day, let her shoot all of them and she'll gravitate to what fits and works for her.

[jlh95811]

The M&P slide is a little bit easier to rack than an XD. I own both.

But best bet in my opinion is a metal framed gun. They are all much easier to rack the slide than a polymer framed pistol with the exception of tightly fit 1911 like the Les Baer. No way she could rack that one. It's a PITA.

Sig P6 is a very good option in 9mm but I HIGHLY suggest a bigger caliber. It is true that shot placement matters but it is also true that the first shot is CRUCIAL. If you get a .45 in the torso you are going to stop. Period. Of course a shotgun is always the best thing for home defense but if it must be a handgun I suggest something with good stopping power. A 9mm is just going to piss the guy off.

I was shot with a Glock 19(9mm) by a gang member who tried to rob me at point blank range(2 feet from muzzle to my body) 4 times in my abdomen and I didn't even fall down. Trust me it is just not effective. I tackled the guy and held him until police came.

It is well known that in a defensive situation aiming properly is VERY hard to do. Adreneline is pumping and you are most likely scared beyond any reasonable thought process. That being said a pistol with a rail is optimal as is mounting a laser/taclight combo on that rail. Point and shoot. Eliminate the threat. You don't want him standing back up or even worse not going down at all.

As movie zombie eluded to, revolvers are great. For instance a double action .357 magnum will have the stopping power needed to drop an intruder. At the same time you will be able to shoot .38 special out of it as well. This allows for cheaper practice ammo with a lighter load which equals more fun and practice makes nearly perfect. Revolvers are available in many sizes as well. If she will not be carrying it I suggest a 4" barell.

[randy]

I have a student that is 5' tall and weighs maybe 100 pounds. She has small hands and wasn't/isn't strong. Very petite.

The easiest semi for her to rack the slide, shoot handle was a CZ75. She now shoots others but the CZ was the first semi she could handle. Good ergonomics, good price.

Another firearm she likes and can deal with is the Smith&Wesson M&P in 9mm.

You don't want your wife to handle the gun she shoots regularly.

[jlh95811]

I have a student that is 5' tall and weighs maybe 100 pounds. She has small hands and wasn't/isn't strong. Very petite.

The easiest semi for her to rack the slide, shoot handle was a CZ75. She now shoots others but the CZ was the first semi she could handle. Good ergonomics, good price.

Another firearm she likes and can deal with is the Smith&Wesson M&P in 9mm.

You don't want your wife to handle the gun she shoots regularly.

huh?