Looking for a .40 automatic to fit my wife's small hands

[El Gato]

The M&P jamming?
That's weirdness....
would suspect ammo, very dirty gun or very poor grip and arm position...
the Smith with the small grip insert is almost a universal go for ladies...
my wife uses hers to teach with so much we are going to have to buy her another one just to carry... the range gun is getting shot too much...

The smith is a dandy gun...esp. the full size gun...

suggestion... find a lady instructor and buy her some range time with same... where she can try a variety of guns...don't know what part of the state you are in but I know of a couple in the OC and here in Kern She Who Must Be Obeyed... works full time as a firearms instructor...there has got to be someone near where you live...

[Joe]

I'd say the kahr k40. Awesome size and good weight to help with recoil.

[ace_31]

HK 2000 or walther p99, both great pistols, both interchangeable backstraps.

Good luck and let us know what you guys decide on!

[Richie Caketown]

+1 one on the wierdness of the M&P jamming . Never has mine given me any problems and the only times i have been hit with hot brass is when it bounced of the Lane dividers . If you are in the San diego area or make your way down here let me know and ill show you how a well taken care of M&P works

[M47_Dragon]

Sig P239 in .40 would be perfect.

I agree... weight might be a little bit of an issue, but she should give it an honest try.

[sirgiles]

+ 1 on the sig p239
+1 on the hk p2000 or p2000sk

[Acorn556]

Hello Calgunners!

Smith & Wesson MP: The grip was ok, same as the USP Compact, but the brass kept hitting her in the face, and it jammed a lot.

All in all, she liked the Smith and HK about the same, but wasn't wow'd by either.

--- Jason

Not my experience with my M&P 40 full size. Actually I've seen more brass interference from the XD than my M&P. Could it have been the stance she had or how she was shooting? I've never had mine jam so it might have been that particular one. Range rental?

[Treb5]

Hello Calgunners!

I've been planning on buying my wife a gun for about the last 6 months, and need some advice.
We've gone shooting several times, and she has fired my guns and various rental guns, and we're getting closer to finding out what she likes/dislikes. I'm just worried that a really great option might not be available at our local gun store/range, and she ends up settling for something that isn't optimal for her.

Initial parameters: Looking for .40 S&W, not 9mm, not 45 ACP. Price is not an issue at all. Lighter is better.

Originally, I'd planned on a his and her set of HK USP pistols, full size .40 for me, and the 9mm USP compact for her. However, she's decided that she wants to go with .40, and the USP grip is a little too big. Thankfully, I had her test fire one at the range before buying it as a surprise for her birthday.

Here's what she's fired, and her feedback so far:

Glock 23: Grip too big, didn't even want to shoot it.
Beretta M9: Grip too big, gun was too heavy. After about 4 magazines, her arm got tired.
HK USP Compact: The grip wasn't too bad, but I'd like smaller.
Springfield Armory XD: The grip felt good at first, but she didn't like the way it shot, and didn't like the grip safety. It's the only one she's given a definite "NO" to.
Smith & Wesson MP: The grip was ok, same as the USP Compact, but the brass kept hitting her in the face, and it jammed a lot.

All in all, she liked the Smith and HK about the same, but wasn't wow'd by either.

She hasn't tried any Sig's yet... but since me and my big hands really like them, I doubt they will fit her small hands.

However, I've never tried any smaller ones.

So if you have small hands and shoot .40, what is your favorite gun?

If the local store doesn't carry it, I'll make sure to get one in her hands to try out the feel. I'm hoping to find the Goldilocks gun for her that feels "just right" so we can shoot often.

Thanks in advance for your $.02!

--- Jason

Has she shot the Springfield EMP? My favorite by far. Feels great in the hand. I'm betting she will like it...

Second suggestion would be the Sig 239.

[Extreme Z28]

+1 for the Sig P239 in .40 my wife loves hers.

[Edge]

Try the F&N FNP40. My wife has small hands and loves this pistol.

[itchy finger]

My wife is a very petit 5'01" woman. She has fired all of my pistols in .40 and 9mm. Without a doubt she loves my HK USP compact 40 the best. She has great control over it and for never firing any type of firearm before, she was able to handle it and control it the placement of the rounds very easily. I also have a friend who's daughter is similar in size to my wife and she uses a HK USP compact 40, as well as a Springfield XD 40. She has attended a few Front Site training classes and has done very well.

[pontiacpratt]

Don't forget the PX4 Storm from Beretta.... The rotating barrel lessens the "snap" of the .40 S&W. Wife never had an issue until a range master suggested the hold where you cup your week hand under the grip and she almost dropped it. Now she is a little shy of it. She never had a problem with the thumbprint to thumbnail grip.

[monkezuncle]

Look, I know you said she's dead set on a .40. But once upon a time I was dead set on a 10mm. Lesson learned.

.40 is a mite bit temperamental, in my opinion. Great round but for my wife, who is a great shot herself, I got a 9mm.

What we want and what it best are sometimes different. Lot of good reasons to go either .45 or 9mm and not too many to go .40.

[Chivas]

Have you looked at a CZ 75 or a Baby Eagle. The Baby Eagle is heavier but it mitigates most of the recoil. You can also get a Baby Eagle with a light rail. Both guns have a very small grip. I think she needs to go with a 9MM.

[mswanson223]

+1 for the Sig 239