Hand Gun for Wife

[LMTC]

I had two Firestars many years ago....they were easy carries, but I had feeding problems with both. Polishing the ramp fixed one, seemingly for good (I got rid of both within a couple of years), but the other was never trustworthy enough for a carry gun.

The person using the weapon has GOT to be able to hit their target with it...otherwise it's just noise. First teach her to shoot. She's going to react like most of us at first....she'll flinch. My wife keeps a Taurus Model 85...it's a short 5 round 38Sp. revolver. She knows how to get to two other loaded revolvers quickly, both with six 38Sp. rounds. The recoil is manageable. I love semi-autos, but don't think they have any place as a primary defensive weapon for someone who does not have comprehensive knowledge of the firearm. Can the person clear a feeding jam? Would they know what to do with a misfire? Not common things, but neither is having to defend your life. With a revolver there are no jams. Just point and squeeze.

Consider also having her night fire a few times...for most people the flash and noise at night startles them so badly they lose focus. Best to know what to expect. My $.02 worth. Good luck. At least you're addressing the issue...to many people just close their eyes and hope nothing ever happens to them.

 

[Jimbrown]

My humble suggestion. Automatic pistols are not good weapons for non gun people. There ae too many unknowns when they pick it up or get it out of the drawer or where ever they keep it. You can't tell by looking if it is loaded, rounds chambered ,ect and in time of panic they do not need to be thinking about how to chamber rounds safety's or any thing eles. There is a very good chance that they would panic and not pull the slide all the way to rear and not chamber a round when they think they have. They need a weapon they can pick up point pull the trigger and it goes bang.
I would suggest a double action revelover sized to fit here hand. 38 preferably but 32 would do if it has to.
Having said that my wife prefers a single action. She knows to cock and shoot cock and shoot. Her pistol is a colt in 44.40. I think it will stop most bad guys. She also keeps a winchester 94 (rossi) in 45 colt (corbon plus1 JHP) beside the bed. But that gun is not for a non gun person.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd also suggest a revolver. A .38 Spl (lots of choices) would fit nicely. Another nice thing about a revolver is there's no chance of a negligent discharge (with many semi-auto's, it's the one in the chamber that gets you...even if the magazine is removed). And, should there be a misfire with a revolver, one just pulls the trigger rather then learn how to clear a jam.

For a .32 ACP, I'd suggest a Beretta Tomcat. These have a tip up barrel of easy insertion on a round as well as easy removal of that round. These are nice little guns.

Now, I'll carry a Glock sometimes, or a Kahr MK9 (both semi-automatics and 9mm)...but that little Taurus 85 .38 Spl revolver always goes with me...even if the others don't.

So, I do suggest you and your wife go to a gun shop or two and determine what fits her best. If there's one around that has a range and rents guns, even better.
I strongly suggest you do not make the decision without her input (at the gun shop)! In fact, let her make the decision.

The attached pic shows my wife's choice...

 

[LoneCowboy]

I agree with the above two posters, a revolver is a much better non-gun person gun. Much simpler manual of arms. a .38spl 4" is available everywhere probably well under $300 for a nice S & W. (actually a shotgun is a better defensive house gun, but I digress).

In answer to the original question. The problem with a .25 or a .32 is after you shoot the bad guy and he realizes he's been shot, he's going to be really angry. Shoot to end the threat. A .25 or a .32 is NOT going to do that. Period. .25's and .32 are good for concealment, nothing else. In a home, that's not an issue.

Semi-auto's you probably want to be in a 9mm, which with a good defensive round (124grn hollow nose) is just fine (ask a 1000 police departments).

Glock 19 9mm. Maybe the best defensive, always works, easy to figure out and everyone likes semi-auto ever. (and I"m a gun SNOB and I have more than a couple around the house).

G26. the small version of the G19. Easier to hold for small hands, but harder to shoot well (because it's small).

LIke a revolver, Glocks never fail to go bang. (if you get the manual of arms right).

My wife has very small hands, her favorite pistol by far is a 1911. (she's still on the full size, but she's eying my commander sized one). I think it's because of the thin grips make it very easy for people with small hands to hold. And really a 45ACP isn't a monster of a round. (easy shooting to say). more than a couple firms make a 9mm 1911 which is REALLY easy shooting. She needs to go to the gun store with you.

 

[RoyJackson]

She's got a Firestar M-43 9mm. I'm not sure if its a current model anymore.

Star (made the Firestar) has been out of business for many years. These are nice guns (had a M-43), but it's getting tough to find parts, so I hear...

Little more on Glocks too. I love 'em...got two (a 17 and a 19C) and they are extremely reliable if handled correctly. Limpwristing (not holding the gun firmly) is one of the things that will cause jam in a Glock. I just don't think a Glock is a good first gun for a novice...9mm is good, but if you go with a Glock (and I'd suggest the 19 if you do), she's going to have to practice with it, not just leave it in a drawer. She should practice with anything that is bought...

 

[curly]

I got my wife a short 38 revolver.

 

[xlr82v2]

I'd recommend a revolver for your wife, unless she shoots a lot and is quite comfortable with handguns. There's just too much going on in the heat of the moment when she might need it to be thinking about if there's a round in the chamber, taking off the safety if there is one and all the things involved with getting a semi-auto ready to rock and roll.

I'd find a good revolver with a transfer bar safety system, keep all 5 or 6 or ?? holes filled, and then it's just point and shoot... for both you and her. Generally 1 or 2 shots is all that is ever fired anyway.

We keep a Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 Special along with a speedloader in the nightstand always ready to go... That's a big hunk of lead coming out the barrel, doesn't make that much noise like a .357 does, and it's fairly comortable for my wife to handle and shoot. Thank God we haven't had to try it out yet, but I have taken it to the door with me a few times already...

And, PLEASE, don't rely on a .22, .25, or even a .32 for home defense. In a fight in the house, you want to stop the bad guy RIGHT NOW. And these mousegun calibers usually won't do that. 9mm (.355 dia) or .38 Special (.357 dia) is the smallest I would recommend... the bigger the better. Around here, all the police that I've ever talked to carry auto's in .40 S&W caliber... I've not heard that much praise for the 9mm since the .40 S&W came out a few years ago.

 

[Jimbrown]

I agree with the above two posters, a revolver is a much better non-gun person gun. Much simpler manual of arms. a .38spl 4" is available everywhere probably well under $300 for a nice S & W. (actually a shotgun is a better defensive house gun, but I digress).

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Hate to confuse the thread but i agree. My bedside gun is an 870 with 3in triple O. And a 1911 in the drawer.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Sorry I didn't read all the posts. If she isn't going to do range time every month and do drill work with a semi, I would say wheel gun only! Not to say she shouldn't spend time with a wheel gun too. And if it's for home defense, shotgun is the way to go! If it's got to go bang keep it simple!

 

[RonMar]

Yep, unless she shoots regularly now, definitely a revolver. Too many things to deal with at the heat of the moment with a semi-auto. I am a firm believer in the 3 "P"s, Pick, Point and Pull. It does not require too much thought or distraction and more time for her to concentrate on more important things like cover, concealment and good defensive positioning since she will know the gun is all ready if she should need it. For home defence I am also a big fan of the shotgun. The 3 "P"s still apply, Pump, Point and Pull and it is hard to beat for intimidation factor. Plus, scared, panicked hands appear a lot more steady when grasping a shotgun. Shot loads are devistating at close range but will loose their bundled energy and lethality over a short distance. This is important if neighbors live close by.

The .357 is a good caliber handgun IMO if of course sized for a female hand. One of it's beauties is it's versatility. You can start out with lightweight 38 special rounds for training and practice and work her up to lower power .357 rounds. My wife never liked to shoot my 9MMs as she just couldnt get used to the harsh/abrupt recoil regardless of bullet/load type. She actually prefered the 44 Ruger Redhawk with 44 specials loaded. The weight of the gun was a little much for her, but this was part of what she liked. The weight dampened the recoil so she was much more comfortable shooting it. I found her a little customized Ruger Police six in .357. It's original barrel has been replaced with a 7/8" dia 6" long bull barrel and target sight rail. It has an excellent sight picture and pointability with a weight she can manage. She is relaxed shooting specials(feels like a .22 to me with specials in it) and is even reasonably comfortable with magnum loads in it now.

Comfort is the key. If she is not comfortable, she will not shoot well. If she dosn't shoot well, she will have no confidence in her ability to use it when needed. Confidence is the key to overcoming a threatening situation.

"I know I have the tools and training to overcome this situation, so you better back your *** out of my home before I bust a cap in it!"