[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Your post seems to say you are a novice to firearms. You are looking for something dependable and useable. It seems you and your wife have little experience with actually using firearms. If I am incorrect in these assumptions then please disregard my post below.

I am not sure why you do not like revolvers (you do not state) but I do encourage you to review your criteria.

From your description you are buying a tool. You are not experienced with these tools but have well thought out, specific requirements for the tool to meet and exceed.

A revolver will be simpler, easier to use, more reliable.

A revolver will not have the added recoil of a slide movement, larger frames mean less recoil.

Several revolver options have smaller grips and are easier for people with smaller hands to manage.

A .38 will be as effective, maybe moreso, than a 9mm. A .357 can shoot both magnum rounds and .38 special rounds. A .45Colt will stop almost anything (but does have strong recoil).

You can find high quality revolvers well within your price range. Look into Ruger and S&W for some excellent examples.

If you are worried about round count there are some things you should know. The smaller semi-autos have five, six, or seven round magazines. A revolver has five or six rounds depending upon model (up to 9 for a .22LR). A speed loader with a side drop cylinder (S&W) is as quick to load as a magazine. If you are in a situation requiring more than three shots you are already in deep, deep trouble.

If you are worried about range keep in mind the effective range of a revolver and a semi-auto are rather similar: Short range only.

Do not worry about style. This is a tool not a fashion accessory. If you are looking for a tool get the one you find easiest to use.

At the range we generally run into women looking at first guns. After shooting our revolvers and our semis they almost always choose the revolver. They are simply that much easier to use and understand. For a beginner they are a very good option, I feel the best option. First time women shooters have NEVER liked my 1911. NEVER! My wife HATES mine and she has been shooting longer than me.


General words of advice: Do not be scared of buying a used gun, even an older one. My main tools are older than I am. I hardly have anything newer than about 1976. All but one work and that one is kept because it is a piece of family history.


If you simply must have a semi I strongly urge you to learn how to properly clean and care for it. Improperly cared for it is nothing more than a rock. Revolvers are much more forgiving and easier to care for but can suffer same if allowed to rust.


Bersa is a good quality gun. Ruger makes some nice pieces. Walther will be higher cost but I like Sig better. I have not enjoyed the Springfields I shot. Colt is out of your price range. Glock is a major safety concern for the novice shooter. I do not like S&W semis, others love them. People hate Taurus but they are consistent.

In the end it should come down to the tool your wife and you find easiest to use and can both agree on. Are you really sure your wife will use what you choose if she does not get to have input?