So the wife is ready to carry a handspoon

[ledhedsymbols]

My wife got her WA state CPL a couple of years ago. She wasn't ever really comfortable with the idea of carrying, and I never pressured her to do something she wasn't 100% prepared to do.

The job that I started about six months ago has me on the night shift for the foreseeable future. She isn't comfortable with any of my handspoons, and wants to look for something the is hers in all aspects.

I heartily support this! She isn't interested in revolvers for several reasons, and has minimal spoon experience. That's nothing that a couple thousand rounds can't fix. I'm interested in some advice for some small 9mm and .380 pistols that will have manageable recoil and won't have too heavy of a spring for her to operate comfortable. Let's hear it guys, what are your thoughts? What do the women in your lives like?

Female Pelicans, your advice would be especially precious.

[on2wheels52]

My first suggestion is to turn her loose to buy what she wants.
If she came to me (as a gun salesman), I would attempt to steer to her to a revolver as a first gun.
Perhaps would use the line that it's easier to learn to drive an automatic than it is a stick.
Jim

[ckelly78z]

It's funny because my wife prefers our Springfield Armory 45 ACP and can shoot really well with it. I prefer our Springfield 9mm (less kick, cheaper to shoot, and I more accuracy for me at least).

Neither of us carry, and these guns are just for weekend blasting, but the 9mm is definitely a better choice.....just a quieter gun with virtually no kick, easy to load, and cheaper to operate.

[KaptKaos]

Picking a spoon for her would be like picking a bathing suit for her. Some things you just don't do.

Find a range that lets you try out various spoons and see what she likes.

[mossguy]

Be sure that she gets a chance to try the Sig P238

[ledhedsymbols]

Just to be clear, I'm not picking anything. If it were my choice, I would have already given her a S&W w/ .38s in it. I'm just looking for some ideas, I plan to turn her loose at the counter by herself for a while.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Just to be clear, I'm not picking anything. If it were my choice, I would have already given her a S&W w/ .38s in it. I'm just looking for some ideas, I plan to turn her loose at the counter by herself for a while.

Understood. Do your best to have the P238 available at that counter, that's all.

[ledhedsymbols]

Oops, double post... The Sig is on the short list, thanks.

[KaptKaos]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Just to be clear, I'm not picking anything. If it were my choice, I would have already given her a S&W w/ .38s in it. I'm just looking for some ideas, I plan to turn her loose at the counter by herself for a while.

Certainly smart.

I'd still recommend finding a range that will let you try out different spoons.

[Hard-Deck]

If she buys auto...make sure she knows the limitations of point-blank range where the slide may be pushed back slightly prohibiting trigger- pull. Also, spend time deliberating one in the pipe or not. One good reason for a wheel gun is point-blank capability and always one "hot." Have her shoot as many of each kind as possible.

[targa911S]

Sig 238, Sig 239, Ruger LC9, ruger LCP there are others but check those out.
Or go classic with a Colt mustang or early old school Colt 1908 .380 or 1903 .32. Colts are like having an IRA.

[Z-man]

HK P30 9mm has little recoil and is ergonomically nearly perfect and the grips are easily customizable. Plus it has ambidextrous controls for everything, if left handed shooting is something you are considering.

I've been reading a lot about the Ruger SR22 -- though it is a smaller caliber, it seems like a nice small spoon. Better to have a spoon that can be easily controlled and fired vs. a big caliber spoon that she's intimidated by or can't fire effectively.

My 0.42, but I'm really no expert in this field.
-Z-man.

[cboosh]

Walther PPK/s in .380. All steel frame so recoil really is not an issue. They are extremely reliable. Small enough to carry every day. And it's a great looking gun too! Seriously check one out!

[rfuerst911sc]

You say she isn't comfortable with any of your handspoons what exactly does this mean ? Is this just holding them in her hand in the house/backyard or actually firing them ? Huge difference. Everyone that has chimed in with advice to go shoot at a range that sells/rents guns is spot on. She needs to " feel " the recoil and the operation of the weapon to make an educated purchase. Sounds like your/her intent is to stop a bad guy when you are away at night, the last thing you want to do is put her in a situation where she has to " think " how to operate the gun. It has to come naturally because if she's ever in that situation ( hopefully not ) clear precise thinking generally doesn't happen. I agree with others a revolver is the way to go. Be safe and good luck.

[JTO]

Revolver due to its simple operation, reliability, no need to charge the weapon by pulling back the slide , on and on.
Troy

[ledhedsymbols]

I have a S&W 66 that she shoots well, but doesn't find comfortable because of the grip size. She has shot a couple of small revolvers designed for CCW and found them uncomfortable to shoot. She also has decided that the cylinder will be uncomfortable for her to carry and will be more difficult to conceal.

I have a PPK/S in .380 which she likes the way in handles, but has trouble operating the slide quickly and reliably.

I have expressed my preference for a revolver, but she's not interested in one. I'm not going to carry it, so I'm not going to press the issue with her. Regardless of what the final choice is, there will be a couple thousand rounds through it before she carries including clearing a jam, drawing and firing from a holster, retention technique, reloading, shooting off hand etc...

She handled a few things at a shop yesterday, and so far likes the LC9/LC380 and the SR9c. She (reading over my shoulder) also just agreed to reconsider her revolver stance.

Edit: Maybe look at a set of Hogue grips for my S&W 66, maybe she will find them more comfortable than the stock (Oh so pretty!) walnut stocks.

[weseeeee]

My wife and daughter both like a 22. They don't recoil, and are fun to shoot which means they spend more time getting comfortable with it. It's a great place to start. I know they are not the man stopper that a 9 or a .380 are but those calibers in small delivery systems can be a pain to shoot. Someday they may want something more powerful but until then they can hone their skills with the weapon they have the most fun using, not something me or a gun store clerk says they should have but they don't really enjoy and may be a bit afraid of. Good luck and be safe!

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by weseeeee

My wife and daughter both like a 22. They don't recoil, and are fun to shoot which means they spend more time getting comfortable with it. It's a great place to start. I know they are not the man stopper that a 9 or a .380 are but those calibers in small delivery systems can be a pain to shoot. Someday they may want something more powerful but until then they can hone their skills with the weapon they have the most fun using, not something me or a gun store clerk says they should have but they don't really enjoy and may be a bit afraid of. Good luck and be safe!

I'm thinking 7 - 9 22 rounds in the head/neck/torso are a show stopper. Very good suggestion.

[Seahawk]

There are some really excellent .22 WMR revolvers.

My daughter likes the Ruger LCR .22 revolver. She started with my Ruger Single Six revolver and we settled on the smaller LCR in WMR.

All the right advice has been given...I can tell you that twice in the last three weeks I have had the dogs barking scenario in the middle of the night. I really like the fact that I can walk down stairs with my Ruger .45 revolver without changing a thing...hammer stays put until I need it. I much prefer that and I have a number of autos available.

The right answer is up to you guys.

[PorscheGAL]

I agree with the comments that she just needs to try a few out. She not only needs to think about how it feels but also the weight. If you are carrying in a purse, some can get heavy fast and cause shoulder pain.

Have her check out this group to see if there is a local chapter and try a meeting. Our local WAW group meets up at least once a month and we try different spoons out and discuss safety and ways to conceal, etc. She might learn something and sometimes it is more comfortable for women to learn or get more information from other women.

The Well Armed Woman