Better Half Getting CHL

[stash]

Well, we talked about it for a few years, but out of the clear blue my wife decided to get her CHL. She completed the NRA safety course yesterday and shot pretty good. She said the 1911 was easy on her hand to shoot, the Glock36 not so much. I was hoping she would find the G36 OK for her to carry but I guess it is to light compared to the 1911. She also shot unknown brand .380 and surprised the instructor how accurate she was with it but she said it had some recoil. Don't know what she was shooting but she surprised the instructor again how accurate she was shooting one hand. At 4'10" and 90 lbs.can't see her carrying a 1911. Maybe will try a G26 and see how she does. She is taking the class some time the end of the month.

Going to be weird for awhile knowing she is packing.

EDIT

Oops, she just corrected me, she weighs 85 lbs.

[Nano]

Congratulations to her. I highly recommend that she try the Beretta Nano. My wife really likes it.

[txhighlander]

I scheduled my class after not having a chl for 4 years and my new wife said she wanted a chl as well. She had never showed any interest before this so I had not trained her. The instructor put a 1911 in her hand and she shot well, for her first time. Now she owns 3 and is improving every time she shoots. Now my step-daughter who has always been anti-gun shot for her first time a couple weeks ago and wants to learn more. It is so much better when shooting is a family affair. I drive a truck for a living an it's a comfort to know she is armed. Congrates.

[Jaguar]

My wife went through the CHL class with me in May, I have my plastic but still waiting on hers.

She plans to carry a revolver but I insisted she qualify with a SA just for the carry either aspect. She doesn't like my Glock 19, but qualified with it fine. Once she gets the plastic in hand I plan to take her shopping for a small frame handgun of some type, the choice is hers. My feeling is she may go with a Beretta, Kahr (I carry a Kahr K9 IWB), or maybe a 5 shot revolver in .38 or .357. She has a Rossi 971 .357, but it is a bit big and heavy even for carrying in a purse.

She isn't all that thrilled about carrying on her person so I may look into some CC purses for her. As we were going through the class she learned that to carry in a car does not require permit, and she wondered why she was getting a license since she really only "needed" (re: wanted) to be able to car carry. I believe I convinced her it was better to have it and decide not to carry, then to not have it and decide you needed to carry. She works in an office of a small business with no prohibition against weapons, so if she gets a good firearm and a carry purse, she will probably be packing at work (not an option for me. )

She is a good shot, a natural really, but doesn't practice as much as I'd like; makes a trip to the range with me every few months. She also grew up in the poverty stricken parts of Denton, and can handle herself in about any physical confrontation, but we both realize that doesn't always work. I hope when I get her set up with a good pistol or revolver, a method to carry, and the plastic in hand, she will take it more seriously.

Congratulations on your wife getting her CHL, it made me proud when my wife showed interest and jumped in, I sure you feel the same.

[stash]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Nano, I have read good things about the Nano and being a single stack it may work better than the G26.

[Divided Attention]

If she likes the 1911, and is small statured, she might really enjoy a P238 - 1911-esque, and in my opinion shoots like a dream!

[mikeintexas]

My wife got her CHL a couple of years ago. She doesn't carry as often as I would like her to, but she is a school teacher. I can't carry at work, but carry at all other times.

I am taking my 1st renewal class this weekend. My son-in-law is taking his inital class with me. I'm glad I don't have to spend 10 hours!

I believe my step-daughter will eventually get her CHL. I took her shooting around Christmas and she is a good shot and left the range with a huge smile and ready to go back!

I'm really proud that the rest of the family has recognized the importance of protecting self and family with a CHL.

Congrats on your wife getting her CHL!

[Songbird]

Don't know how much $$$ you are looking to spend, but she might consider the Walther PPS for her. I have been carrying an older model Colt Mustang since getting my CHL in Feb. but wanted a 9mm. The PPS is the one I've settled on. Will be picking one up this weekend hopefully.

[snatchel]

Well, we talked about it for a few years, but out of the clear blue my wife decided to get her CHL. She completed the NRA safety course yesterday and shot pretty good. She said the 1911 was easy on her hand to shoot, the Glock36 not so much. I was hoping she would find the G36 OK for her to carry but I guess it is to light compared to the 1911. She also shot unknown brand .380 and surprised the instructor how accurate she was with it but she said it had some recoil. Don't know what she was shooting but she surprised the instructor again how accurate she was shooting one hand. At 4'10" and 90 lbs.can't see her carrying a 1911. Maybe will try a G26 and see how she does. She is taking the class some time the end of the month.

Going to be weird for awhile knowing she is packing.

EDIT

Oops, she just corrected me, she weighs 85 lbs.

My wife is tiny Asian. When I first introduced her to shooting, i figured I would start her on something small because it would "fit her better." She hated everything I gave her to shoot: Glock 26, LCP, SP101.

She prefers the full sized handguns...... they just aren't as rough on her hands. She LOVES the Sig P238. Love Loves Loves. It shoots a whole lot like the 1911, and for whatever reason, the .380 cartridge just isn't as snappy in it.

[gdanaher]

After years of fussing my wife announced a few months ago that she wanted a license. She'd been scared to death in the Walmart parking log by a guy and it was time. Sent her to a gun safety class and then chl class. She got the plastic a couple of weeks ago and has been to the range a few times. Yes, her favorite is the Sig P238. Fits like a glove for its size, never jams, and she can shoot a tight pattern with little training.

[2firfun50]

Well, we talked about it for a few years, but out of the clear blue my wife decided to get her CHL. She completed the NRA safety course yesterday and shot pretty good. She said the 1911 was easy on her hand to shoot, the Glock36 not so much. I was hoping she would find the G36 OK for her to carry but I guess it is to light compared to the 1911. She also shot unknown brand .380 and surprised the instructor how accurate she was with it but she said it had some recoil. Don't know what she was shooting but she surprised the instructor again how accurate she was shooting one hand. At 4'10" and 90 lbs.can't see her carrying a 1911. Maybe will try a G26 and see how she does. She is taking the class some time the end of the month.

Going to be weird for awhile knowing she is packing.

EDIT

Oops, she just corrected me, she weighs 85 lbs.

If she is comfortable with the recoil of full size 1911, look into a Kahr CW45. The perceived recoil is not much greater than my full size 1911. In my opinion, the Glock 36 is an evil little beast. When I was renting/trying .45 compacts, the Glock 36 went back after 5 rounds. However the best advice is to take her to a range that has a large rental selection and let her pick her carry gun. My wife selected the S & W 380 bodyguard. The key being "she" selected it. She carries it always.