Looking for pistol options for my wife...

1630 Views 88 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Norm321, 2 mo ago

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago (Edited)

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?

41 - 60 of 89 Posts

Jim w.

· #41 · 2 mo ago

An aluminum framed 1911 type might work for her.
They weigh 31 oz or so, made by SA, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Wilson (see also EDC X9L, not a real 1911 but very handy), Nighthawk, etc. depending on your budget.
One advantage of a hammer fired gun is that you can thumb cock it and get one spring out of the way before racking the slide.

On the other hand, I know one Lady who manages the recoil spring by racking the slide once per trip to the range. She starts out by gritting her teeth and hauling back the slide to get started. After that, she is either shooting, paused with the safety on, or empty with the slide locked back, easy to reload off the slide stop.

On the gripping hand, my protege has learned to manage her Glock 34; it does have a lighter than stock recoil spring to reduce her incidence of "limp wristed" malfunctions.

bw210

· #42 · 2 mo ago

TacticalSpeed said:
I owned one & also a VP9SK. She couldn't rack either slide

Has your wife tried the "clam" hold? Hold the slide weak hand with palm and thumb and push the frame with strong hand thumb web.

My father couldn't rack any of his/my autos due to hand arthritis. Afterwards he could rack anything. Play with spring weight a bit and even better. Just throwing that out there in case you weren't familiar with.

That being said my M&P's are some of the easiest to rack autos I have have fired. Added plus is you can change out to solid guide rod and run different weight 1911 springs.

Another option, which I am slowly migrating towards, is shooting 4"/6" revolvers with cowboy loads. 700fps'ish is pretty pleasant shooting.

Although you didn't mention, it, 22lr is always fun shooting and most people already have a healthy supply of 22 ammo.

Seriously though, have her try the clam hold. Several people I lnow are back to shooting after using this technique.

Hope she finds something she likes.

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Rich J

· #43 · 2 mo ago

TacticalSpeed said:
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?

TacticalSpeed said:
I owned one & also a VP9SK. She couldn't rack either slide

TacticalSpeed said:
She already has the TX22. The point of the post is finding her next...

TacticalSpeed said:
Not looking for a carry pistol!

TacticalSpeed said:
She already had one and sold that too

TacticalSpeed said:
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

TacticalSpeed said:
Just punching paper at the range

Based on the above, and following up the Glock 34 suggestion: Adding an Apex flat face trigger shoe and Apex connector takes the trigger from "what is this a staplegun?" to "hey this is not bad." I'd look at an MOS because adding an optic later is a easier option than milling a slide. Shooting an optic is more fun/satisfying for me if I was just punching holes.

As to hand size, that is a very individual thing. My wife is 5'2" and was able to grip my G34, which was set up without any backstraps installed. It also had the new Gen 5 extended slide stop, which is a bit easier to hit to release the slide. Slingshooting is also not terribly difficult; it would reliably auto-forward for me (which is either a bug/feature depending on how you look at it.)

Maybe a Glock 45? It weighs 30.34 oz with a full magazine. Accurate. Reliable. Simple. Yes the sights are plastic but there are infinite aftermarket options. Yes the trigger sucks but you can address that by some Flitz and half an hour, or an Apex flat, or there is the new Glock Performance Trigger, a $99 drop in solution which by all accounts is pretty darned good.

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JTQ911

· #44 · 2 mo ago

HK USP tactical or match. Forget the exact model name I’ll check my safe later.

Pretty lightweight with polymer frame, insanely accurate and fun, decent trigger with the match internals, but most of all, the slide is SO EASY to rack.

Shark1007

· #45 · 2 mo ago

I had a heck of a time finding a carry pistol for my wife. One of the issues was the length of pull, rear of backstrap to trigger face. A lot of different ones I tried with her, were simply uncomfortable because she had small hands. At the range, however and ironically, she shot a 1911 very well. I don’t know your budget constraints but if making your wife happy and gaining a range partner you live with is the goal, perhaps it’s not that big a deal. I might suggest a 9 mm 1911. They are generally easy to rack and pretty easy to shoot accurately. My Staccato C racks very easily and is probably a solid investment these days.

Best of luck to you in finding something and the suggestion above about going to a big box store is probably a good idea. That way she can get some hands-on experience with multiple choices. You’re a lucky man I should mention, the only time I could spend that much time shopping with my wife would be if she were looking for purses or shoes.

Reactions: 2

oldnrusty38

· #46 · 2 mo ago

Rich J said:
Based on the above, and following up the Glock 34 suggestion: Adding an Apex flat face trigger shoe and Apex connector takes the trigger from "what is this a staplegun?" to "hey this is not bad." I'd look at an MOS because adding an optic later is a easier option than milling a slide. Shooting an optic is more fun/satisfying for me if I was just punching holes.

As to hand size, that is a very individual thing. My wife is 5'2" and was able to grip my G34, which was set up without any backstraps installed. It also had the new Gen 5 extended slide stop, which is a bit easier to hit to release the slide. Slingshooting is also not terribly difficult; it would reliably auto-forward for me (which is either a bug/feature depending on how you look at it.)

Maybe a Glock 45? It weighs 30.34 oz with a full magazine. Accurate. Reliable. Simple. Yes the sights are plastic but there are infinite aftermarket options. Yes the trigger sucks but you can address that by some Flitz and half an hour, or an Apex flat, or there is the new Glock Performance Trigger, a $99 drop in solution which by all accounts is pretty darned good.

+1 for a GEN5 Glock 34. Nice gentle recoil impulse, very accurate, comes optic ready, ambi slide stop, forward and rear cocking serrations to aid in manipulating the slide. If needbe you can change out the recoil assembly for a lighter spring to make it even easier to manipulate the slide. The trigger in the G34 is already a step above other 9mm Glocks, not sure how that manage that.

Reactions: 1

switchback

· #47 · 2 mo ago

I admit I did not read all thru this thread. I see this constantly at the gun counter where I work. Ladies without sufficient hand strength to easily and quickly operate an auto loading pistol. I usually make our way to where the revolvers are displayed. While the guy (typically grimaces - high speed low drag) I quietly show a lightweight (or not) revolver to the prospective owner, the lady. Where she decides she actually likes the simplicity of the revolver. Problem solved

Reactions: 1

Jim w.

· #48 · 2 mo ago

How do these ladies do pulling a 12 lb DA with one finger when they cannot rack a 14 lb recoil spring with both hands and arms?

I know two ladies who were smart (?) enough to realize that if they cocked the revolver, a 3 lb crisp trigger is a lot easier to shoot. They also found that it was a lot more prone to inadvertent discharge.

Two others I have seen to solve the DA/SA auto's tough first shot ... both forefingers on the trigger. That would work on a revolver, too, if the trigger guard were roomy enough.

Reactions: 1

JiminAZ

· #49 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

A full-size gun will have a lighter recoil spring. Easier to rack.

A polymer framed gun will not weigh as much but dampen recoil a bit. Also may have inserts for fitting her hand.

This puts you into the PDP-F (already mentioned), G17 and larger, M&P full-size, etc.

My wife had strength and flexibility problems due to arthritis. After a 4 day class with a full-size M&P she was well practiced and selected her next gun.

Note that a fresh recoil spring can put her off a new gun when a broken-in example could be much more manageable.

Reactions: 2

Lo-Profile

· #50 · 2 mo ago

CCO 1911, commander slide on a alloy officer frame in 9mm. My wife loves to shoot mine.

switchback

· #51 · 2 mo ago

Jim w. said:
How do these ladies do pulling a 12 lb DA with one finger when they cannot rack a 14 lb recoil spring with both hands and arms?

I know two ladies who were smart (?) enough to realize that if they cocked the revolver, a 3 lb crisp trigger is a lot easier to shoot. They also found that it was a lot more prone to inadvertent discharge.

Two others I have seen to solve the DA/SA auto's tough first shot ... both forefingers on the trigger. That would work on a revolver, too, if the trigger guard were roomy enough.

Two completely different actions, as I'm sure you know. While I see many struggle with slide retraction, I've never seen any that struggle to pull the DA trigger on a revolver. Just reporting my experiences from the retail perspective, ymmv

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · #52 · 2 mo ago

bw210 said:
Has your wife tried the "clam" hold? Hold the slide weak hand with palm and thumb and push the frame with strong hand thumb web.

My father couldn't rack any of his/my autos due to hand arthritis. Afterwards he could rack anything. Play with spring weight a bit and even better. Just throwing that out there in case you weren't familiar with.

That being said my M&P's are some of the easiest to rack autos I have have fired. Added plus is you can change out to solid guide rod and run different weight 1911 springs.

Another option, which I am slowly migrating towards, is shooting 4"/6" revolvers with cowboy loads. 700fps'ish is pretty pleasant shooting.

Although you didn't mention, it, 22lr is always fun shooting and most people already have a healthy supply of 22 ammo.

Seriously though, have her try the clam hold. Several people I lnow are back to shooting after using this technique.

Hope she finds something she likes.

She has tried that, yes. No bueno. At this point, she might have to stay with 22

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · #53 · 2 mo ago

switchback said:
Two completely different actions, as I'm sure you know. While I see many struggle with slide retraction, I've never seen any that struggle to pull the DA trigger on a revolver. Just reporting my experiences from the retail perspective, ymmv

Agree. She had a revolver and never had trouble pulling the trigger.

Reactions: 1

DMJ

· #54 · 2 mo ago

TacticalSpeed said:
She has tried that, yes. No bueno. At this point, she might have to stay with 22

Possibly 22wmr/22mag will kick it up a notch?

Rich J

· #55 · 2 mo ago

oldnrusty38 said:
The trigger in the G34 is already a step above other 9mm Glocks, not sure how that manage that.

G34 comes with a minus connector from the factory. The Glock standard connector is a dot. I'll go look at my Armorer's manual but as far as I know, that is the only parts difference in the trigger group.

oldnrusty38

· #56 · 2 mo ago

Rich J said:
G34 comes with a minus connector from the factory. The Glock standard connector is a dot. I'll go look at my Armorer's manual but as far as I know, that is the only parts difference in the trigger group.

I was aware of the (-) connector, I dropped one into my G45 but the G34 still has a nicer pull. Perhaps it’s just a tolerance stacking issue. My GEN4 G34 has a great trigger too. Maybe they somehow massage a little magic sauce into them.

Reactions: 1

saushaanne.home.2015

· #57 · 2 mo ago

TacticalSpeed said:
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?

Have you tried a 1911 government, aluminum frame 9 MM yet? Several companies make them. Mine is a Kimber Night Patrol.

Bruceh

· #58 · 2 mo ago

How about a Glock 19 and with a red dot racking is easy peasy! Has interchangeable back straps for better fit.
If she wants all metal the CZ Shadow 2 is awesome however given the low sitting slide it can be harder to rack without a red dot.

1911redneck

· #59 · 2 mo ago

I don’t remember if I posted this before but I can second the m&p 380ez light weight easy to rack and easy to shoot. I bought one toget my kids into shooting especially my daughter she is a petite thing. It didn’t last to long for her she liked my 1911 45acp better lol. Still have the ez fun to shoot

Crookeds

· #60 · 2 mo ago

If staying with a .22 you might look at the new sig 322. Can mount a red dot and uses 20rd mags.

Reactions: 1

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