WTB for my wife?

[mtad]

She wants a pistol for Christmas and I was think a .22. I've searched and found that Rugers are pretty popular. We're going to go shooting in a couple weeks and I hope to have a few calibers to try out. Should I consider a larger caliber like .38? We're both novices and she has only shot a 12 gauge and a larger caliber rifle. Any tips would be great.

[Ed_Hazard]

Well the more guna you guys have a chance to try the better. Different gun designs will feel and shoot differently even in the same caliber. Get as much trigger time as you can on different designs and go from their. Dont limit yourself to one caliber only.

Another consideration is what is the intended use of the gun? Competition, plinking, HD.?

[mtad]

Some plinking and HD.

[missiondude]

Go to a range that rents guns, and try out a few different kinds - semi, revolver, whatever. I'd go with a .22, 9mm, and 38.

[shellyzsweet]

Go to a range that rents guns, and try out a few different kinds - semi, revolver, whatever. I'd go with a .22, 9mm, and 38.

THIS!

-Is it gonna be "her" gun or are you gonna share it?
If its hers then rent a bunch of guns that she wants to try and go from there. Let her pick whatever round works best for her and then let her pick whatever gun she likes best provided its a major manufacturer and it has a proven track record of being reliable. (Major brands)
-Since HD is in play, a lot of people will tell you this or that caliber work best. In HD, stick with the major calibers for now....theres a reason they are popular and majority of people like them and realistically there isn't a HUGE amount of difference between 9, 40, and 45....there is a difference, but for beginners its important to select a caliber that she is comfortable with.

-If you can get her to pick a full size weapon, not a compact. Full size means longer sight radius and eaiser to aim. It also means more ammo, and less recoil overall. However its better to have a compact gun she likes and practices with rather than a full size that she doesn't and won't touch. Also its better for her to pic a .38 and practice with it and be proficent rather than a .45 that she won't touch.

Oh and yes....don't be surprised if she likes one vs the other cause of "looks" or features or whatever.....its her gun, the point is to make sure SHE LIKES IT AND WILL PRACTICE WITH IT!
(I.E. I couldn't stand the look of a glock, so I never bought one. One day I held one and I couldn't stand the grip, so I bought an XD which looks similar to a glock in the "block" look and I thought it was ugly as sin at first....now I LOVE IT!)

[Shady]

bersa thunder

[Steyrlp10]

I think the two of you will have fun shopping. Think of it like buying a car... you have to do plenty of testing before she'll settle on just one. Of course, no self-respecting Calgunner would limit herself to just one, right?

As another poster mentioned, it's probably more cost-effective if you rent a few handguns before taking the plunge.

[laika]

Shopping for a gun together - what a great idea.

And if you're still looking at .22's, don't forget the Buckmark! Rugers are great, too, but she may find the buckmark easier to clean.

[sd_shooter]

She wants a pistol for Christmas and I was think a .22. I've searched and found that Rugers are pretty popular. We're going to go shooting in a couple weeks and I hope to have a few calibers to try out. Should I consider a larger caliber like .38? We're both novices and she has only shot a 12 gauge and a larger caliber rifle. Any tips would be great.

Shooting in a couple weeks? Better get out there and start test driving those guns _now_ because the new one will be sitting in jail for 10 days.

Cute 'girl' gun:
(only for plinking...)


For home defense consider a revolver in 38 special or 357 magnum (and still shoot 38 specials...)

[ZX-10R]

She wants a pistol for Christmas and I was think a .22. I've searched and found that Rugers are pretty popular. We're going to go shooting in a couple weeks and I hope to have a few calibers to try out. Should I consider a larger caliber like .38? We're both novices and she has only shot a 12 gauge and a larger caliber rifle. Any tips would be great.

P22.

[Zonie]

Exactly what models are you talking about? I am presuming--perhaps incorrectly--that the .38 is a double-action revolver and the .22 is an automatic pistol.

If your wife is a gun novice, I would definitely recommend the revolver, for the following reasons:

1) DA revolvers are simpler, and therefore safer. There's no hidden chamber for rounds to go disappearing into, which is probably the number one cause of accidental shootings.

2) DA revolvers are simpler, and therefore easier to use. There's no safety or hammer to be fumbling around with. They're the ultimate user-friendly firearm. When she's awakened by something going "bump" in the night, she won't have to do anything except pick it up, point it and pull the trigger.

3) Revolvers work, period. They don't jam and are not sensitive to varying ammo pressures.

Also, I would recommend a .357 revolver instead of a .38. .357 magnum is widely considered to be the benchmark of handgun stopping power. Also, magnum revolvers are very versatile. A .357 magnum can shoot .38s. If your wife can't handle the blast and kick of full-house magnum loads, she can load it with soft, cushiony standard-pressure .38 loads and gradually work her way up to full-house .357 magnum loads. You might even want to consider a .44 magnum revolver: that will give her the ability to shoot .44 special--a much better stopper than .38 special and still not too severe in recoil--and then she can work her way up the power scale.

[CSACANNONEER]

First of all, I'd change the thread title. I read it the same way I'd read "I want to buy a gun for $100". Or, is that really what you ment? If so, pics and a detailed description of your wife will be needed before we can advise you. If not, I suggest a .22lr. Not because she is a female but because, every shooter should have at least a few .22s in the safe. She will get a lot more bang for the buck from a .22lr.

[NorCalMama]

She wants a pistol for Christmas and I was think a .22. I've searched and found that Rugers are pretty popular. We're going to go shooting in a couple weeks and I hope to have a few calibers to try out. Should I consider a larger caliber like .38? We're both novices and she has only shot a 12 gauge and a larger caliber rifle. Any tips would be great.

Definitely go with a good old 9mm. I have two Glocks in 9mm and love them. For me, I prefer a .45 or less so far as caliber goes, never been able to handle a .357, but that's just me. So yeah, if I were you, I'd have her try a .22 and fire off 20 or so rounds, then have her try a 9mm. If she's comfortable with that, go for a .38 and work up to a .45, and if she wants, move up to a .357... have her try out various models.
I would try a Glock (LOVE my G26-compact 9mm), XD, Ruger, Sig, and/or a Smith and Wesson in the appropriate caliber.

Ok, and I want to note, I am very partial to Glocks, but have found it's not unjustified. I love that they are affordable, durable, are consistant, no nonsense and easy to operate, they're simple/cute, and overall just a fun, nice first time handgun.

[NorCalMama]

Shooting in a couple weeks? Better get out there and start test driving those guns _now_ because the new one will be sitting in jail for 10 days.

Cute 'girl' gun:
(only for plinking...)


For home defense consider a revolver in 38 special or 357 magnum (and still shoot 38 specials...)

OH my GOSH!!!! That is dayum cute!!! Does Walther have anything similar looks wise, that is smaller/compact in a 9mm or a 38??? Seriously, that's CUTE!

[Shooter79]

Got my first a few months ago and I got a Ruger SR9 and I love it. I chose it because it was the one that fit the best in my hand. I am looking at the Springfield XD for my next purhase. Hubby just got a Glock .45 but I haven't gotten to fire it yet.