Fiancee carry pistol - suggestions?

After car got burglarized outside our apt, she got interested in concealed carry. We're shopping for pistols, & there's a few limitations - and a few advantages.

1st - she carries a big purse. She's not limited to something she can conceal on her person.
2nd - she's trained & worked as a flight attendant, & has responded to real world emergencies. She can handle herself.
3rd - she doesn't have lots of preconceived prejudices about particular guns.

On the limitations side:

1st - she has a spinal fusion - she won't be carrying her purse cross shoulder.
2nd - she has small hands & weak arms - she had real trouble dropping the slide release on a couple of 9mms @ the gun store last night.
3rd - she really likes pink, and a pink gun to her is like a bad boy biker - worthless in the long run, but irresistible.

Suggestions? She really liked the simplicity of a S&W Centennial, & she can drop the extended slide release on my Glock 23. We're going shooting soon w/ a variety borrowed from my brother, & we'll see how well she tolerates recoil.

Merry Christmaunakah & Happy New Year!

backbencher

my wife carries an LCP in a "Chick holsters" ankle holster and likes it very much.

I'd rather she have a 9mm but she is small so at least she has something on body

she really likes her "chick holster" i would recommend one

Look at Bersa's concealed carry .380 pistols.

I agree the Bersa are great guns, very low recoil. Given that you says she has a weak grip I would not suggest the LCP. I would also maybe look at 5 shot 38spec. If you get one that is a 357mag, the frame will be metal and heavier to absorb recoil, and if you get some nice grip it should work just fine. She can carry a speed loader, but otherwise the nice thing about a revolver is there is really nothing that can go wrong, so she won't need countless hours of training clearing malfunctions, and given her limitations it may be a good way to go. Unless she wants to go to the range all the time and practice practice, practice, a revolver is good way to and is my suggestion to women that don't often want to spend hundreds of hours at the range.

Taurus PT-25 (girley pink pimp gun). That what my wife carries. Tip up barrel so no need to rack or drop slide and carrys a bunch of bullets in it.

Closed Down

http://www.chicksholsters.com/

If the arms thing causes a concern for follow up shots, maybe consider one of the compact Beretta PX4's, .40 or 9 MM. I have a full size, and shooting the thing is like petting a cat. It's got a big slide release lever on it (the SC version may need it as an option) so it's easy to work.

Revolver. But make sure she CHL qualifies using a SA.

I'm not sure how a pink gun is worthless in the long run? Its still going to go bang when you pull the trigger, so what does the color have to do with making it worthless?

But I would suggest that instead of taking her to the gun store, take her to a range that rents guns. Let her try a myriad of different otions. I would suggest a .38 j-frame, .380 auto like the LCP, 9mm m&p. A gun in the purse is better than none, but on her person is better which is why I say .38 and .380. And I say m&p instead of glock because they seem to have less felt recoil

wow i must have got one of the last ones... she was going to get the "thigh holster" too damn

Barring my normal Glock suggestions, maybe have her try a K-frame S&W with small grips. Think 64/10/15/67 or the like. Many people find them easier to shoot and master than a J-frame.

Bersa BP9CC... is like a single stack glock ,... just became available..

Look at the Flashbang holster if she wants to carry on her. My wife uses one daily with her J-frame

After reading the parameters you listed the first gun that popped into my head was the Sig P238. It is an all metal frame so their really isn't much recoil. The slide is heavy so it is not hard to rack the slide at all. As far as her having trouble hitting the slide release, just teach her to rack the slide back once the new magazine is inserted. Really is better to train that way because in a high stress self defense shooting, fine motor skills are probably going to be shot to hell, or there could be blood making things slippery.

Hope that helped

+1 for the Sig 238 if she wants a 380

If you think she'd be good with a 9/40, try the Walther PPS (thinner) or a Glock 19(or 23)


Regarding slide release - instruct her to how to safely carry it chambered, and this becomes an almost moot point. When she does have to release it, show her she can also pull back and release the slide (only takes a fraction of an inch) from the locked/open position in lieu of using the release.

colt govt model 380..

Bersa Thunder .380!

Sig P232.

She ran 50 rnds through a Beretta 92 yesterday w/ 1 failure to feed, possible limp-wristing. She found her cross shoulder purse strap, so after telling me she can't carry a purse cross shoulder, now she can.

She does NOT like stiff DA triggers - she put a SIG 250 down after 1 shot, & it took a minute of coaxing to get her to tell me it was the trigger pull she didn't like. My Glock 23 w/ 180 gn? No go - that's too much recoil - she's still complaining about the bruise on the middle finger.

She ran 125 gn .38" through a nice Smith .357" yesterday as well, and she was fine w/ both the recoil & the trigger.

I appreciate all the suggestions for .380"s, but we've established she can handle a full size 9mm & she has the purse to carry it in, so I'm looking @ full size pistols, 9mm & up, or a .357" revolver, possibly w/ .38" +P out of a 6" bbl.

Merry Christmaunakah & Happy New Year!

backbencher

I'm not one of the "every woman should be recommended a revolver" guys but..............

I'd recommend a revolver.

If you go snubnosed, get a steel frame to moderate recoil.

Also, I'd discourage carrying in the purse if at all possible, it's the first thing to go in a mugging, robbery, rape, etc, etc.
Any criminal out there knows that's most likely where the money, means of communication (phone), means of transportation (car keys), and means of defense (mace, gun, etc) are located.

ETA - based on your comment above about possible limp wristing the 92 and doing fine with the Smith 357 I'd say going that direction is a no brainer.
If DA triggers are an issue, look at a 638 / 438 shrouded hammer variant.

Has she looked at the Sig P226, P229, or P239 9mm with the DAK trigger?

Several of my Female students have Sigs with the DAK Trigger System and it seems to work well for them.

Just another suggestion.

Given 1 possible limp wrist jam in 50 rounds the 1st time she's shot a service pistol, I'm not giving up on an auto yet. We wanted to try a SIG 226 in .40" yesterday, but we didn't get to it.

As she is so small, she won't be able to conceal a pistol around the waist - possibly a pocket gun in an under the boob carry. Given my brother's experiences w/ the recoil of the .380 KelTec, I'm not particularly interested in tiny light .380"s that she'd be able to conceal, despite the availability of the pink framed Taurus. Given her flight attendant training, I'm reasonably confident she'll retain her purse. Muggings are not that common where we go about; more worried about walking up/responding to vehicle theft. She almost killed a guy breaking into her previous vehicle w/ a child's softball bat - the next time I'd like her to have extra tools. If we're @ home, she has the KelTec SUB 2000, & a 20 ga Remington 870 w/ 7 rnds of No 3 buck - will get No 1 buck if I can ever find it.

FYI - my brother is not recoil adverse; he just practiced w/ a .32" b/c the .380" whips so much. The KelTec .380" is a strong little gun - he quit upping the pressure when he started getting .380" cases that looked like pregnant guppies.

I'd like her to shoot a steel framed .40" & a full size 1911 .45 next, though I think the .45 may be too much. Just depends on how it feels in her hand - she picked up a Colt Gold Cup the other day & told me she wanted that one : ( We'll see.

Merry Christmaunakah & Happy New Year!

backbencher

my wife carries a glock 19

Your fiancee might find this site useful: http://corneredcat.com/Contents/

Spot on - 2.5 to 3 inch barrel, small grips if they suit her hand, .357 or .38 spl +P, maybe a fiber optic front sight, she's set. Simplicity. If she off body carries that should eliminate many concerns with the extra weight of going to J frame to a K frame.

I'm a bit confused by all the small firearm suggestions. She's small (and good looking) but her concealed carry space is large. She could pack a Desert Eagle in that thing & no one would notice. I'm thinking a 6" bbl on a revolver, a 4.5-5+" on an auto. More weight, less recoil, more velocity, better penetration, lighter slide springs.

My wife carries a G27 with a G23 mag in it
Don"t have her use the slide lock to drop the slide. Grab it and let the spring do the rest. Will wear the edge off the slide lock

Glock 17, Glock 19, or M&P 9

BRING HER TO THE RANGE AND LET HER SHOOT AS MANY GUNS AS SHE CAN.

SHE CAN PICK ONE HERSELF.

Yes, I am aware that was in all caps.

I wouldn't recommend carrying in a purse. In a attack, she's likely going to be fighting FOR her purse which has her means of protection in it. Secondly, purses are many times left unattended and are targets for theft.

That said, my recommendation would be for her to carry a Kahr PM9 on her but if she insists on purse carry I would look at a G19 or M&P9c.

Go to the Range and shoot everything she can get her hands on.

One will be the right combo of accuracy and handling.


Carry on body.


FWIW.

I agree revolver but why the part in red. My wife had never really shot much before she got her XD9 but she fell in love with my S&W 642. When she went to here CCW class that is what she took and she out shot pretty much everyone there. After the first 5 rounds the instructor walked past me and said "Don't piss her off!".

After the qualification all of instructors went and shook her hand and said she has been the best shot out of all of the females and most of the males.

I'm not saying this to gloat just saying that if the person is comfortable with their gun enough to carry it why use something different to qualify with?

'cause in TX if you take the CHL test using a Revolver you can only carry a Revolver. If you take the test with a Semi-Auto, you can carry either.

I'm not seeing pics of said Fiance...

My wife picked this ...........

My wife picked the Kahr CM9 after a day of testing different guns in multiple calibers. It came down to this or a .38, and since I already stock 9mm, we went with the Kahr. 6+1 of 9mm. Trigger like a revolver's and the gun fits her hands perfectly (full size guns were 'too big', she didn't like the way they felt in hand and had trouble controlling them and reaching the controls). The major downside to this is that the slide can be tough for her to manipulate as it is pretty stiff, but she has learned to do it. She took her CCW class with it and managed her own reloads, so she should be GTG.


Compared to LCP for size reference:






She carries it in a Remora holster since she doesn't like to wear a belt. This also gives her the option to put the entire gun and holster into her a pocket on her purse and have a serviceable purse carry method.

http://www.remoraholsters.net/

She went with the reinforced top option. It makes me feel better about her re-holstering, should the need arise.

Kimber,

Several reasons for the purse carry - she's so small, she could only conceal a very tiny pistol; given her flight attendant training and what crimes we're worried about, I'm confident she'll have a pistol if she needs it. If a purse snatcher grabs her purse & runs, we're out a pistol & probably an expensive purse. Also, given her stature & weak hands/arms, her recoil tolerance is below a Glock 23, and she's having problems dropping the slide on smaller 9mms. On most guns she can't drop the slide from the slide stop @ all, and on the smaller guns she can't even pull the slide off the slide stop.

Actually, a full size Kimber 1911 in 9mm might not be a bad solution...

Gig 'em,

backbencher

G26 or a SW Jframe

you are right to be confused;here is the deal, its your fiance's gun and her life; let HER pickk the gun that she CAN carry, that WORKS RELIABLY, and that SHE CAN SHOOT WELL under stress

After handling a bajillion different potential pieces- my SO loves her PK380

Glock 17 or 19. A common mistake is getting a small framed weapon. One needs as much mass as practical to help slow the recoil impulse.

When the slide is locked open, all my Glocks chamber a round when a fresh magazine is inserted with authority. Just have her smack the buttom of the mag
and she's good to go.

I would discourage carry in the purse for all the reasons stated earlier. Plus, I'd add one more, unless it's designed specifically to hold a weapon it's going to roll
all over in there. It will never be in the same position all the time. That is critical in a stressful situation. I believe there are some purses that have a "pocket" in
the middle, usually closed with velco, that will conceal and securely hold a pistol.

Obligatory pic of fiancee @ gunshow:



She got the usual patronizing suggestions today of a .22 or a .32 - she told one old coot that she likes a big bang! After trying 1911's repeatedly, I finally blindfolded her to find out why she didn't like Taurus' 1911s but liked the $900 Colt. There's a straight answer - she doesn't care for stippled front straps. Blindfolded, she liked an RIA alongside the Colt. Straight grooves, aka Beretta 92 are fine - but not stippling. Nor the modern Glock finger grooves.

We took 3 pages of notes. The SIG P228 is out - as a lefty, the bump in the grip for the decocker & mag button doesn't fit her hand. She sure likes 1911's though - calls the grip safety the "palm recliner". She tried a 4" SIG 1911 in .45, but couldn't drop the slide from lock. S&W Sigmas fit her hand, & she can rack the full size 9mm & the .40" 5" bbl. S&W 686 full lug 6" are too heavy. She thought the Walther PK .380" was light & flimsy feeling. The EAA CZ 75 copy in 9mm fit her hand & she was able to rack the slide to the rear - unlike the CZ 75 around the corner. The Kahr pink .380" was stiff for her to rack, but not the T9 full size. The Kimber 9mm 1911 was good, as was the new Rock Island double column 1911 in 9mm & some new ladies round.

The most amusing point in the day was when she handled the Kel Tec .223 pistol, & I jokingly told her she'd have to buy a larger purse. She was quite frustrated she couldn't put a vertical grip on it, but showed me the larger purse (a baby diaper bag made by Jeep, no less) she'd carry it in @ Wal-Mart. She can rack it, & conceal it, & it's cheaper than most of the 9mm 1911's out there - I'm going to pick up a gas block & pigtail tomorrow @ the show, then take her shooting the AR pistol before she goes too far down this road : )

She finds the Ruger 95 ok for grip, & good for rack on one, but not on another - perhaps she was tiring out by the end of the day. HiPoint 9mm is a go; .40" is not; stiffer spring. The Kel Tec .380" is a no go - couldn't rack. That's all the notes - I didn't note most of the failures to rack, but generally she has a rough time w/ the smaller guns. If she ends up w/ the HiPoint I'll come back under a different moniker : )

My brother will loan us a few pistols soon & we'll go shoot those. In the mean time, I'm trying to find a .40" round the Kel Tec SUB 2000 will chamber reliably so she can carry that in the car. I'm having no luck - bought 180 gn Speer HPs today for $30/20 rnds, and it jammed on the 2nd round fed from the bolt stop.

Gig 'em,

backbencher

She handled an Uzi today, and liked it - but sadly, finally realized how much the Kel-Tec .223 pistol would weigh in her purse, so no hand cannon for her. Every time she picks up a 1911 w/out front grip checkering, she likes it - and she can get her pink grips.

Another option would be a Glock Gen 2, or a Gen3/4 w/ the front smoothed over by a local Glocksmith that sands down the finger bumps & fills in the remaining grooves.

There don't seem to be many 9mm 1911's on the market; how much does it run to build your own, a la AR-15?

Gig 'em,

backbencher

Check out the Bersa BP9CC. I think they should be in stock at Academy these days. Been meaning to swing by to see if I can get my mitts on one. They should run about $350.

On the 1911 thread, a Springfield EMP might be the ticket. Compact 1911 size, 9mm, slightly smaller grip. I had one for a while and found that it was like a 1911, but MORE comfortable, even with my not-small hands.

My wife really likes her S&W 3913, a single stack 9mm. Other guns that made it to the short list were the EMP and the HK PSP. While she has the 3913TSW, there is a LadySmith version. She has small hands and really didn't like doublestack.

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