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[sfe187]

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[Old4eyes]

CZ Compact
Springfield EMP

The thumb safety on the EMP is easier for me to engage over the CZ.
The CZ has 10 rounds vs 9 for the EMP, and when you leave California that can go to 14 vs 9. EMP has better sights but the CZ can be easily changed.
The CZ is much less expensive.

[Kmai24]

I'll be the one to throw this out there but a very underrated pistol would be Beretta Px4 storm 9mm(full size only on CA roster). Although the OEM safety/decocker are sharp out of the box they make after market low profile ones. There's different variants of the pistol, you can have safety/decocker, decocker only..I think there's another but can't remember off the top of my head. It is a SA/DA so it might take a little getting use to but I would a heavy first pull then smooth clean breaks after for a HD gun. Very soft recoil due to the barrel design, I'd say if you get a chance rent one and try it.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1213748

Here's a thread I created on my experience and little mods I did

[Cokebottle]

S&W Shield is my daily carry.

[floogy]

Shield. Though I never use the safety. Not much else can touch it for value and reliability. At least with the roster. I'd like an EMP. But I may get a Kimber Micro when I get outta here.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[jdigi101]

+1 S&W Shield

[Black Majik]

USP in fullsize or compact

[Subotai]

+gazillon on the Shield. You can get an aftermarket spring if it racks too hard.

[sfe187]

appreciate all. i'll homework on the shield and cz

[sfe187]

I'd recommend the both of you taking a basic defensive pistol class together.

She wants a safety because she does not feel confident in her ability to not shooter herself. This also applies to the unloaded chamber carry contingent.

A training class will increase her proficiency, which will in turn increase her confidence. After that, the manual safety sticking point will probably disappear.

good point, i'll ask. to be honest, she doesn't like firearms in general but she is willing to have one when she is alone when I'm not there.

[ElDub1950]

CA Shield has one .. no one uses it, but it's there.

[Dellinger]

I love my EMP but using a gun with a safety takes practice, enough to remember it in a stressful moment.

Don't rule out the very safe when chambered striker fired weapons out there. Like earlier stated above, get her some training. In reality, the fear of a loaded weapon without a safety switch is irrational and proves someone doesn't understand the weapon design. I understand preference not worrying about a gun going off.

Safety switch or not, keep the booger hook off the bang button till you want to shoot...

[supermario]

Usp compact perfect size.

[kel-tec-innovations]

Shield would be the most economical one. If she can conceal a slightly bigger one. XD9 sub compact.

[trackcage]

How about something like a Springfield XD? No thumb safety but does have a grip safety preventing the weapon from going off without that depressed.

Might meet your needs without having a thumb safety to *forget* about if the time comes and nerves are running high.