Pistol for my wife

[/pine]

go back earlier in this thread and watch that video linked to about the .22 mag. pistol. It had laser sights in the grip.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:
And with a double action revolver it just about eliminates possible rimfire primer issues...

 

[MossRoad]

I have a couple High Standar .22 9-shot revolvers. One has a 6" barrel. One has a 2" barrel. The stubby also has a .22 magnum cylinder. It is painful on your ears to shoot the magnum. Fairly accurate at close range. But it has a heavy trigger pull. The longer barrel one .22lr is extremely accurate. I was hitting quart gatoraid bottles at 250 feet fairly easily. But that is too long of a barrel for concealed carry.

 

[Egon]

go back earlier in this thread and watch that video linked to about the .22 mag. pistol. It had laser sights in the grip.

Found it, saw the video, looked impressive.

Thanks!

 

[JMER817]

Recently bought the wife the Ruger LCR in 22mag. Very nice shooting gun. Can always upgrade to a larger caliber or pistol down the road but this is an awesome starter gun

 

[brown40]

As mentioned 22 WMR, .38, .380, 9mm are nice low recoil options in compact frames. What she likes and is comfortable with is the most important of all. If you don't have a lot of experience, stainless options will forgive maintenance deficits more readily than carbon steel. A revolver with an external hammer is a good way to get started, as she'll get familiar with the whole cycle of use without contending with jams/stovepipes ever. I think Ruger and S&W have 22WMR options that also allow 22 LR use. Rimfire is still more difficult to find. Again, it has to be something comfortable for her to use and practice with... if she doesn't like it, its useless. Have fun--I love gun shopping!

 

[RoyJackson]

Many good answers here...good thread so far!

My only addition will be consider the weight of the gun, if one intends to carry it...and how one intends to carry.
Although I love my Glock 19 and carry it as often as possible, my two most frequently carried guns are a Taurus 85 (aluminum frame, titanium cylinder and barrel shroud) and a Ruger LCP. Pocket carry is my most frequent method of carry and both handguns I just mentioned fit the bill quite nicely.
In a self defense situation, it's likely one is not going to aim...just point and pull the trigger. That's the kind of practice you want to do.

And one has better be prepared to shoot, if necessary....there was a very recent article about a new handgun carrier (carrying openly) robbed of his handgun:I'll BE TAKING THAT: Open Carrier Robbed Of His GunThe First Time He Carries It, At Gunpoint - Bearing Arms
I carry openly occasionally, but it's not "show and tell". Better to keep it discrete...

 

[k0ua]

I hope the OP gets something out of this thread.. These kind of threads tend to wander a bit. I have trained several hundred women to shoot handguns. Most things of importance have been covered in this thread already, so I am a bit late to the party. But I think you should pay close attention to the post's of XMS. I won't offer any more "pearls of wisdom" as I believe he has it pretty well covered.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Criteria:
Be small enough and light enough to carry.
Must be streamlined enough to NOT hang up if getting out of purse pocket in a panic.
Be simple enough to “point and shoot”; no slide, no safety, no hammer to cock.
Have enough stopping power to actually deter an attacker.

Any gun left at home is ‘no gun at all”. Women and men will often panic if they need to quickly pull out their gun in defense. A gun hammer will almost always hand up on a pocket or pouch, thus a hammerless type gun is preferred. No hammer, no need to cock – it’s always ready to fire.
My preference for the lady would be something like a S & W Airweight .38 Special. Not absurdly expensive, small and light, cheap ammo for practice, and simple to use in a panic. It will be much more likely to be on hand when needed.
Now – that would not be MY preference for myself. I like a big caliber gun; a cannon if I could carry one. But The Lady, consider HER needs and capabilities, not your own.

 

[mbohuntr]

Mamma has a Ruger LC380 that she shoots well. She didn't like the 9mm, and the .380 conceals well. I second the gift of extensive range time, and recommend the empty chamber carry for any semi-auto. It is safer to have to rack in a round in a safe weapon than trust in a safety that might get accidently knocked off placing it in a purse or pocket.

People that are frightened or distracted might accidently grab the trigger, or god forbid a child gets their curious hands on it. If they have to rack it in, it is one more barrier that has to be defeated. :2cents:

 

[RoyJackson]

...recommend the empty chamber carry for any semi-auto. It is safer to have to rack in a round in a safe weapon than trust in a safety that might get accidentally knocked off placing it in a purse or pocket.

At home, I'd agree with you as far as an empty chamber...but when carrying, that split second it takes to rack the slide (assuming you even think to do it) could make the difference between the assailant stopped...or the good guy (girl) stopped.
Most (but not all) carry handguns have a pretty stout trigger pull...which is good. I would never lighten the trigger of a carry gun....too easy to fire when in a stress situation. Also, some trigger tweaking can make a gun less reliable (light strikes).

Just my humble opinion...