Handgun for the wife?

[Calculon]

Don't start with a mouse gun. Way too snappy. Ruger SR22 or M&P22 are a couple great options. Easy to load, easy to shoot and easy to rack slide. Also many people have no idea how loud a pistol is in real life - TV and movies make it seem you can shoot all day with no hearing protection. Also make sure she is dressed for the range - eye & ear protection, brimmed hat/baseball cap, no low cut shirts, etc. I've seen hot brass go down shirts and behind glasses and while I enjoy the hot brass dance the last thing you want is a new shooter flailing a pistol around to get a hot casing away from skin.

All contributes to a better first experience.

 

[CountyCorrectionOfficer]

I teach new shooters, all the time, and many are women. Have her put a Walther PPQ (.9mm) in her hand. The gun has incredible ergonomics and has "the best trigger" out of the box, on any handgun you can find! Smooth non-gritty pull, very short reset. All of these things will help her with her basic shooting mechanics and will excellerate her enjoyment of the sport. Also, .9mm is less expensive to shoot and, in many Handguns........actually has less felt recoil, than .380. A small(er) gun, IMO, is wrong for a new shooter because they will never be able to master perfecting the correct grip and they are usually more snappy, while shooting. Just my opinion, others probably may have a different opinion!

I own a Walther PPQ M2 9 mm 4 inch barrel; it is my off duty weapon. It is what you say--an excellent pistol to shoot. Women, particularly those new to firearms ,tend to favor smaller caliber 380 "pocket pistols" for CCW...unfortunately, as you correctly stated; these pocket guns are quite difficult to master even with extensive practice.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I'm in the same boat now. My wife recently submitted her application and she is going to start on a 22. I'm weary about giving her one of my 380's because they are so snappy and uncomfortable to shoot.

Do you have the 42? Glock has a winner there. Very minimal recoil.

 

[Calculon]

Do you have the 42? Glock has a winner there. Very minimal recoil.

+1 on the G42. My wife's fave.

 

[Bananabandit]

I will agree with Calculon. Start with 22, progress upwards. I did it with my wife and she wants to try 357 magnum.

 

[Depick]

Glock 43 is the way to go! It's a little bigger than the 42 which makes it much more controllable and it packs a good punch for a little guy.

 

[Livefree]

Let her go to your lgs and let her handle a few. See what she likes and fits best in her hands. Selecting a pistol especially your first one is an intimate process. Let her handle and fondle it a bit. Let her know that the more hand she can get on it the more control she'll have. Sometimes these tiny little pink pistols are tough for women to control. Good luck and have patience!!

 

[Tinman]

My wife carries a Ruger LCR in .38 special. It is light and easy to carry and being a revolver she never has to worry that it will jam or fail to fire. With a revolver you just keep pulling the trigger. She started with a 9mm but did not like the recoil.