[SonnyAK]

I know a .32 auto isn't ideal (better than a .22lr though), but have you considered the Beretta Tomcat? The tip up barrel fixes the hand strength issue. That or an airweight S&W is always a good option to carry in order to stay away from the auto issues.

Sorry disregard...I just saw your non carry response.

 

[Viper501]

Springfield EMP4.

 

[Ante]

I recommend a SA EMP 4" 9MM. She will love it.

 

[FranklinBullitt]

Sig P238 is a great carry gun. But here's a wild card for you--find a CZ 83 which is a 380 and there are 13 shot mags avail. The CZ 83 is a simple yet great shooter. I have 1 of each and give a big time reccomend either one for her.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Flawlessfoose]

Sounds like she's very limited in options.
Looks like the new Ruger security.380 is about the best answer here. The Sig p365 or p238 in .380 I have both and there pleasantly soft shooting.
A aluminium frame 1911 in 9mm might fit the bill too.

 

[SRTSnake]

I’ve used charging rings on various 22LR pistols. Not sure what all they are made to fit but one finger to rack the slide is phenomenal vs trying to grip a slide.

 

[gun_fan111]

Not looking for a carry pistol!

Sounds like you have some guns for her to shoot already… get some ammo like 115gr lighter loads from CCI and you will be good to go. If that is still too much, compensated guns are something to try like Shadow Systems DR920P or adding a compensated barrel to whatever you have now.

Of course 1911s are easier to rack than Glock variants, just teach her to pre-cock the hammer first.

 

[Zack856]

First off I'd like to apologize for the dozens of carry gun suggestions when you never asked for carry gun recommendations lol. The last thing someone with reduced strength in their hands needs is a micro compact 9mm.
I'd look at a pmr-30 or a Walther p38. Find some subsonics under 900fps and 9mm is downright gentle but I don't know if they would run a p38.
Wish I had something tradeworthy to fit the bill so I could take that PA 3x off your hands. Closest I got would be a p-11 that's nice and light but a bear to rack and a 9mm 1911 with thin grips that's easy to rack but very very heavy.
Might have more fun leaving the pistols at home and staying at the benches where weight don't matter. I've been having a lot of fun with my ar-9's. They are all too heavy but only until I strap them into the tripod.

 

[Birdawg]

My wife and daughter both enjoy shooting revolvers as fun guns, particularly older Smith & Wesson 38’s. She likes the K frames.

 

[Mike0251]

Outside the box MPX PCC! She will hit everything in sight she aims for with it. My wife loves it. See my for sale ad lol.

 

[Dbltap45acp]

Walther PDP F, made for female hands, great trigger, shoots phenomenal

 

[ks2]

A revolver in 38 Special could be a consideration.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

A revolver in 38 Special could be a consideration.

She already had one and sold that too

 

[gunman9]

My 2 cents
Kimber micro 9. Put the m carbo trigger kit and the talon slide grips on.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Please no more micro anything suggestions. She doesn't need to try another short barrel snappy pistol with small purchase that she doesn't like. Been there done that

 

[Unit70]

Arthritis in my wife’s shooting hand had eliminated everything but some .22 pistols. Not a Smith fan but we purchased the EZ in .380 and she loves it. Can even load her own mags now. It filled a second need for her in that she wanted a “safe firearm.” I know, I know. The EZ with grip safety and thumb safety brought her piece of mind. With a little training she comfortably conceal carries now.

 

[Rich J]

We are on a quest to find her a pistol that she actually enjoys shooting and shoots well. 9mm or 380. 9mm hopefully just because we won't have to start stocking up on 380. (Have plenty of 9mm)

She loves her TX22 & my PPK/S 22LR so maybe a G3? She wants to handle a Ruger Security 380, but no local shops have had one yet.

She had a Shield EZ 9mm, G44 and G43X, but none worked out so they got sold.

I'm thinking we need something with a 5" ish barrel, but not heavy. Muscle challenges with her hands prevent her from shooting my 1911 or even TP9 SFx for more than a few rounds due to the weight of the pistols. She also has challenges racking most slides.

Are there are legit contenders in this space?

What kind of shooting does she plan to do with it, primarily? Carry? Range? Competition? Bullseye? Training classes?

A large gun shop near me (Shooters World, Orlando FL) has a "demo rack" of at 60-70 pistols, all lined up sitting on dummy barrels attached with cable. You can quickly move from pistol to pistol, handling each one, racking the slide or pressing the trigger. They are organized by brand. They have almost every single conceivable modern polymer/steel pistol on this rack. Is it possible you can find a gun shop with a similar setup near you that ya'll can visit?

 

[Rich J]

Glock 34?

Funny, out of all the pistols I've owned the last 10 years, my wife enjoyed shooting my optic-equipped Glock 34 Gen 5 the most.

 

[Raylan Givens]

Funny, out of all the pistols I've owned the last 10 years, my wife enjoyed shooting my optic-equipped Glock 34 Gen 5 the most.

They are good shooting guns.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

What kind of shooting does she plan to do with it, primarily? Carry? Range? Competition? Bullseye? Training classes?

A large gun shop near me (Shooters World, Orlando FL) has a "demo rack" of at 60-70 pistols, all lined up sitting on dummy barrels attached with cable. You can quickly move from pistol to pistol, handling each one, racking the slide or pressing the trigger. They are organized by brand. They have almost every single conceivable modern polymer/steel pistol on this rack. Is it possible you can find a gun shop with a similar setup near you that ya'll can visit?

Just punching paper at the range