Looking into getting a pistol

[FMBL]

Ok I wil list what I have now.

Remington 12 ga semi
Remington 16 ga semi
Mossberg 410 bolt action
Mossberg 20 ga single shot sawed off w/ pistol grip
Marlin 30-30
Remington 243 semi
Remington 30-06 semi
Rossi 22 pump
Browning 25 semi

I have never really been a pistol kind of guy. I am looking to get something for my wife 5' tall 101 lbs. I would like to get your opinions on semi auto pistols that have a small hand grip and not real heavy. Primary use shooting range and protection if needed.

Thanks

[TLS_Addict]

Lots of choices. Depends on what you want to spend.

Hammerless revolvers are pretty cool too and easy to operate.

[FMBL]

Looks like $500-$600 range. I will take a look at the hammerless revolvers too.

[Spikito]

check out the airweights.

[TLS_Addict]

There are a ton of options. Almost more than we can list.

[FMBL]

looking at the airweights. Thanks

[FMBL]

I am guessing hand guns just like rifles? A revolver will have more kick/recoil than a semi-auto?

[wileyCoyote]

I am guessing hand guns just like rifles? A revolver will have more kick/recoil than a semi-auto?

many factors here:

generally (for a given cartridge/load), the heavier the gun the less perceived recoil... so, a little ruger LCR or LCP is probably a lot less pleasant to shoot than a .45 1911-style steel framed pistol. some of the lightweight revolvers would probably not make good range guns (unpleasant to shoot for the average person), and difficult for good aimed fire in SD situation..

semi-auto pistols tend to alleviate recoil, by virtue of the reciprocating slide, that can reduce the impulse...

if this will be "her" gun, you want to do it right and make sure she makes the ultimate decision - best bet is pick some out and rent at a local gun range (if you have one that rents guns), or go w/ some friends that have a few different kinds, perhaps mix of revolvers and pistols, have her shoot them - that would be a better way to "sort things out" IMO.

[tremiles]

Why don't you go out with her and let her choose between a couple of different guns. A j-frame should be strictly a BUG, as a primary firearm, it makes too many compromises. While it's light and easy to conceal, recoil from modern self-defense .38sp +P's make recoil unpleasant. Which means she's not going to shoot much. While they are simple to operate, capacity is low and unless she trains a lot, reloading is slow. Also, .38sp is a little more expensive to shoot than 9MM.

Stick with a modern poly-framed, striker fired pistol like a Gen 3 G19 (the new gen 4's have some teething issues), or S&W M&P. They are simple to operate, reliable, and handle recoil really well.

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[FMBL]

Ya I found a range here that has quite a few to rent to let her try out. Thanks for the input. I will let you know the out come of what we (she) decides.

[wileyCoyote]

Ya I found a range here that has quite a few to rent to let her try out. Thanks for the input. I will let you know the out come of what we (she) decides.

[cuervo25_1]

First key to any firearm is what feels good to you. meaning how it fits in your hand (s) to your shoulder ect. It may have a small handgrip but does it fit well in her hand or is she comfortable holding it. then you go to what she is comfortable using, if she flinches while fireing a certain handgun you will have to try more to see which ones she don't flinch with. those two things alone could make or break someone getting their first handgun.

I never had experiance with a firearm with a compensator but they are supposed to compensate for the lightness of a handgun by letting some gasses escape at the end of the barrel before the bullet leaves to give downward force causing less recoil. Like I said I have no experiance with them so if it works well or if there is a significant amount of power loss I don't know, but it is worth looking into since you have a range where you can rent hanguns.

[tremiles]

Comps on pistols are almost exclusively used on open division IPSC/USPSA pistols (except Glock models with the C suffix) where the load is tailored to the pistol to reduce muzzle rise. I wouldn't use one on a defense pistol because the muzzle blast can be distracting to my sight picture. You don't see any LE/MIL agencies issuing them.

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[garver]

Normally I would go with my beretta px4 subcompact but the grip would most likely be the wrong size. I would take a good look at the XD subcompact by springfield.

EDIT:
Just noticed it isnt for cc. Just go for the full size xd.

[Modulistic]

Tokarev

[tremiles]

The XD line is a popular choice also. The issue I have with the XD is the grip/drop/sear block safety. It blocks the slide from being manipulated without depressing it. What does it do that a trigger operated drop safety doesn't? I suppose it's something you can train around, but no major LE agencies issue it, and you don't see major competitors @ IPSC/USPSA/IDPA events shooting them.

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[7998]

My wife hated the Airweight, too much recoil. Try a Ruger SP101 heavier frame, same size and shoots 38/.357. Also a nice choice is a Sig P239.

[INMY01TA]

Small hand grip semi check out the H&K P2000.

[garver]

pretty much you cant go wrong with any major brand

[tremiles]

pretty much you cant go wrong with any major brand

Except Taurus. Friends don't let friends shoot Taurus.

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