It's gonna be loud even with a suppressor.  It's still gonna be going 2x supersonic at the muzzle. 147gr subsonics with a can is way different.

I am personally not a big fan of all the 7.5" 5.56's I've shot. They are awkwardly short to me, even though PCC's with that barrel length aren't. They just lack that certain "something" to me, and seem like obnoxious range toys.  Actually all the ones I've shot (5.56, x39, 308) are by definition obnoxious range toys   I worry about burning my hand or shooting a finger off with then.  Why not go 10.3+?

Or get a 7.5 with an 11" handguard and direct-thread the can underneath, maybe? Idk. You can do something similar with 9mm and have it be even shorter and hearing safe, so mote fun to practice with..

You can get gold dots in 223 for 50cpr now too, which is pretty cool, but 9mm is cheaper to practice.


/rambling

Rimfire not as reliable as centefire. Those look like a ton of fun, though.  Ammo also more expensive than 9mm

Sounds like an AR9 SBR with subs and a can is the way to go, she will think it's just like shooting the 22, but better. 7.5 5.56=tons of blast and flash.

How about an MP5SFA3?  If you can find one.  9mm, semi-auto only, retractable buttstock.  Short and light.  You can add a can and worry about stocking subsonic ammo later.

B+T APC9

If you are familiar with the NFA paperwork making it a SBR won't be a problem.  

Easy platform to learn, low recoil, light weight, and easy to suppress being basically just a fancy blowback 9mm.

Yes, its on the high end of the price spectrum, but, that's secondary for what it's job is going to be.  

We don't have the option to SBR where I live so my wife runs an AUG.  We would have a second TP9 if we didn't live in Illinois, and will be, for the foreseeable future.  


Once you add in the application of the weapon for self defense, everything changes.   I sold the AR-180B, the Century AKs, the SKS, and the Saiga 12 and bought the AUG.  I don't own any firearm, save for the .22lrs, that I don't trust as much as I can trust a mechanical device. When I realized that I'm not going to be wealthy enough to be a collector I realized I would rather have quality over quantity.  That comes with a price and my wife's well being is worth the nearly $3000.00 investment after the weapon, optic, light, magazines, and ammunition to become proficient in handling the weapon when it really counts.

And God damn, does she have a good time showing guys up on the range in the short time she's been running it.  Being comfortable with the weapon is critical.  

When I'm gone our American Staffordshire Terrier (that's a Pit for all the haters) should give her enough time to get to the AUG and its 42 rounds. Turn on the light, put the dot on the target, and keep shooting.  Call the cops if you have time.

PS90

How bout a Micro-Roni-Stab.

The new gen ones are cool. $225MSRP +stamp or $299 for brace version.  Super compact, glock reliable/mags. I don't think they're out yet.  Smaller than a AR9 or Scorpion.  It holds an extra mag in it, can hook up a light, can, laser.  Economic and awesome.

SBR versión is  $225 MSRP + stamp. Even if you have to buy a Glock, that's still cheaper than most things, and you have a extra glock.

They're 13" folded



IMO they look super sweet.

this is something I will definitly look into. I do like the looks of that. sucks that it wont fit a glock 34 though (one of my planned future purchases)

Even if you bought a g17/19, it would be cheaper than most of the alternatives.  And everyone needs a 17/19

tried a 19 twice and just can't warm up to it. I do like my 17's though. and I chopped one to a 19 grip length but left the rear backstrap flush with the magazine like a 26. it's my favorite handgun period and 99% of the time my EDC

Just be sure that if you don't like the gun, you can get your wife back.

decided to build her a 9mm upper to put on my sbr lower with a hahn mag adapter. will be awhile till I get it up. can't even get a barrel blank from green mountain yet. did get a reamer though. i'm going to try a DI 9mm upper. i'm hoping I can get it to cycle with a suppressor but I seem to recall ron williams stating that the dwell time with 9mm was an issue with the shorter barrels. going to see if those 165gr x-treme bullets will help with that, time will only tell. I figure my stamps are still 3-6 months out at the rate the atf is running.

Get your wife a M1 Carbine. Easy to carry and shoot. Soft point ammo is very effective too. Look for an import marked one on Gunbroker. They sell for less.

The BT TMP knockoff is awesome for about 8 minutes.

A CX4 is the same thing with comparably superior performance in every point, but doesn't need to be SBRed.

B&T's TP-9 (or MP-9 in select-fire) isn't a knock off. They bought all the rights to the design from Steyr. The downside to them (TMP/SPP included) is the trigger is mushy, and I don't think there's any way to improve it. They also need special cans (or might not cycle properly using adapted cans).

I vote MP5K clone, or CZ EVO. NFA for either.