Handgun question

If this is just for plinking and not for self defense than I would go the route of a tried and true .22 target pistol. Either the Browning Buckmark or something from the Ruger Mark series. The actions are smooth and light for her to operate, the recoil is almost none, the prices are reasonable, the ammo is cheap, and they are about as accurate as any over the counter pistol is going to be.
 
I wanna get an M&P Shield 9mm. I think my wife will enjoy shooting one.
 
If you are considering .22 don't overlook Ruger Mark series. They make short barreled polymer handled versions that are lighter. It will have a lighter trigger, and easy to operate slide.

Not much pop, but she will be able to hit what she is aiming for.

I like .357 snub revolvers, but in full power mode my wide does not. She likes the flock in 40.

With hand strength issues, she will just have to try a bunch out to get a feel.
 
I can say I was impressed with the Kahr p380 - it was a nice little gun, but I would not say it was easy to rack, and it required a full rack to lock the slide open.

It was a good shooter, accurate enough for SD purposes, and it was $320 or so, made in USA with a lifetime warranty.

Sold it to Kirill - I really just bought it as an example piece, and Kirill liked it so I sold it to him.

The Ruger LCP with the newer version of the trigger is an excellent piece, and with the completely shrouded hammer, it is able to fire from in a pocket or purse.

This is a big plus for someone that is not going to train with their gun, pulling it from concealment repeatedly to get muscle memory for the draw.

This plays in for women, who typically will have the piece in a purse, and would be able to grip the gun one handed inside the purse while walking to their car etc.

Marksmanship is not going to be an issue in the vast majority of SD uses of a firearm, for a high percentage of defensive uses of a firearm the flash bang is going to be deterrent enough. However, at the 20 feet or so that you could reasonably argue that the perpetrator had the ability, opportunity and displayed the intent to do harm, you won't have to be able to be especially good at shooting to defend yourself. You do have to be good at being prepared and being able to present your arm when the need arises.

best

mqqn
 
Maverick299 said:
If this is just for plinking and not for self defense than I would go the route of a tried and true .22 target pistol. Either the Browning Buckmark or something from the Ruger Mark series. The actions are smooth and light for her to operate, the recoil is almost none, the prices are reasonable, the ammo is cheap, and they are about as accurate as any over the counter pistol is going to be.
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I can't suggest anything that hasn't already been suggested, but it's really easy to rack the Buckmark Camper. My fiancee has arthritis, and she can't rack my small handguns, so she loves plinking with the Buckmark, which is also incredibly ergonomic (I think it's far more comfortable than the Ruger Mark II/III).

As a side-note, I really love the Buckmark, too. It does a lot of things very well. Some high-end semi-autos are easy to rack, but you're going to pay for it.

Let us know what she decides!
 
Since this is just for fun I recommend the Taurus 941 in .22lr or .22mag. Ruger bearcats are small and easy to shoot if you don't mind a single-action revolver. Taurus makes god revolvers and should be fairly inexpensive. If she doesn't mind weight Ruger has the SP101 in .22lr, 8 shot I think.
 
Well cool - I just read the later post that said this is not for SD, just for fun.

Does it have to be a pistol?

My kids and wife like to shoot my blowback Colt .22 Target - the Ruger is a good choice, they tend to be more reliable than many of the other .22s I regularly see.

They all have more fun with the Marlin Model 60, it is accurate, easy to shoot and cheap.

best

mqqn
 
If you happen to trade for or shoot the new Ruger LCR .380 please let us know your thoughts. I have never cared for the pistol but with the new version I would be interested in the impressions of someone who has handled and fired one.

Im also not a Glock guy myself I lean towards 1911s and H&Ks or Springfield Armory for my non 1911s but I have also been considering trying the 42 but unfortunately no ranges near me where I can try out new firearms.

So if you get the chance to shoot either or both I'd like to hear your thoughts and impressions on them.

Good luck hope you and your wife enjoy your day shooting and find one she enjoys.
 
John, you are lucky to have a range near you that lets you rent them. Sounds like a great way to try out a bunch of different firearms.

bull4242 said:
cbwoods-- I saw that Glock announcement too-the Glock 43...looks to be very similar dimensionally to the 42...might have to pick one up when they come out. Probably be a tough sell to the wife though... you know, "you have one that looks just like that already!" :D:D
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Good luck.:D

I have held the 42 and liked how comfortable it was. But then again I have liked almost every gun I've held. Not sure about the 43 with only 6+1 9mm though. I will have to check it out when my LGS gets one in. Window shopping is fun.:D
 
The range closest to us (14 miles) only charges $9, but has a very limited selection of guns and rentals. The one we are going to is 25 miles away and charges $20 for the range, but they stock at least 1000 guns and have at least 100 to rent.
 
Colt have new .380 and Glock have just launched a .380 (USA made). The gunshop should allow Connie to play with the weapons to see what she would be comfortable with. Good Luck :)
 
Connie gets off work at 10:45 today, and with my shift swap I don`t start until midnight, so we are going to the gunshop and range to try some out today. I figure as long as I`m home by 4:00 to get some sleep we are good!
 
Winner is the S&W M&P Compact. She shot a Walther, Ruger, and Browning, and liked the S&W best. As for me, nothing. They did not want to give enough for my Vaquero so I just kept it. I'll check other shops when I get time.
 
JK Knives said:
Winner is the S&W M&P Compact. She shot a Walther, Ruger, and Browning, and liked the S&W best. As for me, nothing. They did not want to give enough for my Vaquero so I just kept it. I'll check other shops when I get time.
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And she can rack the slide on that? The smaller ones have stiffer springs.

best

mqqn
 
As far as .22, you can get a Walther P22 for around $300. I have one and its tons of fun.

For anything bigger, I'd go with a revolver if she has trouble working the slide on a glock. A ruger vaquero, SP101, or GP100 and use light .38 loads.
 
Glad she enjoyed it ... the M&P should give her alot of years enjoyment. My niece still loves to shoot mine when she visits and soon it she will be able to use it to start her kids shooting with the same gun she began with ....something I know I treasured using my fathers gun.

Sounds like a good day at the range.:thumbup:
 
Nice choice there! Glad she tried a lot and was happy with the S&W. Always nice to be happy about a purchase after trying the other options. What were you looking into John?
 
I used to work at a gun range/store until recently. Of all the guns in this thread, the Sig 238 and its bigger bore 938 (9mm) were always the easiest for women to rack the slides on. I'm told that Sig Sauer designed the 238 and 938 with women shooters in mind, which is to say that the recoil spring on them is low enough that most women will have an easy time racking them. I've had women coming in the store that couldn't rack anything other than a 238 or 938.

My .02.

EDIT: I dismissed .22 LR guns in my response. Yes, they're the easiest to rack, but they're not something I suggested unless an absolute last resort.
 
harkamus said:
I used to work at a gun range/store until recently. Of all the guns in this thread, the Sig 238 and its bigger bore 938 (9mm) were always the easiest for women to rack the slides on. I'm told that Sig Sauer designed the 238 and 938 with women shooters in mind, which is to say that the recoil spring on them is low enough that most women will have an easy time racking them. I've had women coming in the store that couldn't rack anything other than a 238 or 938.

My .02.

EDIT: I dismissed .22 LR guns in my response. Yes, they're the easiest to rack, but they're not something I suggested unless an absolute last resort.
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Yes - the SIG is a great piece - a little spendy, but a great choice.

best

mqqn
 
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