I'm looking for a good conceal handgun for my wife. I definitely want something reliable, but at the same time, I don't want to break the bank. Do I go revolver, or semi-auto? She's not a very big person, so I also want something that's not going to break her wrists. Any advice would be great.

I'm looking for a good conceal handgun for my wife. I definitely want something reliable, but at the same time, I don't want to break the bank. Do I go revolver, or semi-auto? She's not a very big person, so I also want something that's not going to break her wrists. Any advice would be great.

 

I recently bought my fiance a generation 4 Glock 19. It is concealable, extremely reliable, easy to use, and cost effective.

Having just gone through this with my wife, I'll tell you our experience. I got a very small .380 Taurus TCP like the one below and it was actually too small and the slide was stiff as a board and she couldn't operate it. So, I thought I'd try a Smith in .38 cal and hammerless. Problem there was that the pistol is single action and when she tried to pull the trigger, there was way too much trigger travel and her hands weren't strong enough to effectively shoot it. So, after searching models and sizes I settled (with her in attendance finally) on a Bersa Thunder .380. It's remarkably smooth to operate even right out of the box. She can retract the slide easily to load the gun. It came with a Crimson Trace laser sight and while it is larger than the Taurus, it is smaller than the Smith and it fit her very well. We went to the range, took our time, and she shot the weapon very accurately and is now comfortable with it.

She's comfortable enough now that I don't worry about here at home if she's by herself. I'd caution folks to announce themselves if they knock.:thumb:

I recently bought my fiance a generation 4 Glock 19. It is concealable, extremely reliable, easy to use, and cost effective.

Great gun that I have in 9mm. No safety is why I'll never let my wife carry it. Same with that little Taurus.

Here's a pic of the Bersa we bought, complete with the CT grip.

I think the answer to your question is something that she can be comfortable with and shoot accurately. A well placed shot from a rusty old .22 revolver is better than a miss from a $1000 .45 auto.

 

That Bersa is a nice looking weapon, doc. My story is kind of like spindoc's. I bought a Ruger SR9C and originally gave it to my wife. Because of the tightness of the slide, she was not comfortable operating the gun and the 9mm was just a little too much for her. She didn't like the gun and therefore it would have been useless to her if she was ever in a serious situation.

 

I recently traded it in on an airweight Smith & Wesson 642 (j frame) snub nose .38. It fits her much better and has less recoil. It is small enough to carry anywhere, but like any snubbie, is a very close range weapon. She likes shooting it, but the trigger does have a lot of travel, and is a little stiff. I am going to have a gunsmith put in a lighter trigger spring and do a honing job on it, which should make it a little more pleasant for her. Biggest drawback is it is only a 5 shot. Biggest advantage is those revolvers do not malfunction, ever.

 

Here is a pic of her gun.

 

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I am going to have to remember this thread if I ever need to buy a handgun for myself.

I am going to have to remember this thread if I ever need to buy a handgun for myself.

 

I don't think so young man. Your brother nearly shot his eye out and blamed an icicle on the garage. You're not getting anywhere near a firearm.

I don't think so young man. Your brother nearly shot his eye out and blamed an icicle on the garage. You're not getting anywhere near a firearm.

 

Ralphie is a sissy. Don't you remember me beating the ever loving crap out of him at the beginning of the movie? And you'll also notice in the "running" sequences throughout the film that I am always the one they're running from. The filmmakers would have you believe I'm just lagging behind due to snowsuit restrictions, but Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz, Farkus & Grover are running from me.

 

You'd do well to keep that in mind.

^ You can't even put your arms down. How exactly do you plan on aiming? I'm pretty sure "starfish" isn't a stance they teach at the police academies.

Starfish. :lol:

Great gun that I have in 9mm. No safety is why I'll never let my wife carry it. Same with that little Taurus.

 

Come on Doc, the safety is on the trigger.

I'd go with a .22 or a .380. Both are usually pretty concealable and pack a punch that will more than likely stop a threat.

If I could give any advice that mattered, it'd be to take her with you, and I know that there is a place in Lex (can't recall the name off the top of my head) where you can pay for ammo and try the weapon in their range before purchasing. It'll be tough to get a read on what is best without letting her try. My method stunk, because I just bought the darn pistols first then took her to the range with me and now I have 2 that I'm not in love with but have strategically placed in vehicles and nooks and crannies about my dwelling.:lol:

How about a Kimber Pro Tactical Carry? My bad, that is the next gun I am going to buy...