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my wife is just about to learn how to handle pistols. she's 51 years old , small but very coordinated.

i own to pistols , a springfield armory xd .45 tactical and a taurus pt111 3.25" barrell.

any does or don't or suggestions for my wife? thanks.

oh i'll definitely let the choice be hers , i jst thought there might be some suggestions here.

AndyC wrote:Let her choose.

she will be more comfortable with it if it’s something she’s goes through the motions to get. may take her to a gun show and let her touch and feel a few of them and then when she has a list of ones she want to try. Go to a range and see if they have them to rent. Once she has settled on one then start looking for a deal.

Short answer: let her try lots of options.
I am of the fairer sex and I found that for ME, snub nose revolvers have been uncomfortable to the point of avoidance. Some people/women I know love them. But not me. What looks good on paper may not fit her at all.
Where are you located? Some places will let you rent (some even have ladies days where it is cheaper) and try out a few different guns.

What worked for me was to begin on a full size pistol (Sig 228). Ok, not full size, but certainly not compact. Only after I was comfortable with that did I venture into a subcompact for carry.
Here is my theory... in the quest for finding a carry gun, many start out with a subcompact and then find the experience so uncomfortable as to not want to repeat it. I think a better plan is to practice first with a full size pistol, gain some confidence and skill and have some FUN! Then, start looking at a smaller gun that packs a little more punch... and by then, the transition is much easier.

FYI, this is a stream of consciousness reply, so YMMV.

AndyC wrote:Let her choose.

I also suggest having somebody else teach her.

ROADRUNNER AND AMBER

thanks , i definitely will let someone else teach her , it just like trying to teach your wife golf .

and good points on the full size first , then going to compact.

It just depends on your wife. Try to arrange for her to handle, operate, and shoot as many different handguns as possible, and have her choose the one(s) she is

a) able to operate (i.e. rack the slide, reach the trigger, reach all the controls, able to hold properly...)
b) able to shoot reliably and accurately (i.e. a big caliber in a small gun might or might not be too much muzzle blast and recoil)
c) WILLING TO CARRY (i.e. not so big or cumbersome that she leaves it at home half the time).

I would much prefer my wife carry our Kahr P-9 or the Kel-Tec .380 but she simply cannot reliably operate the slide -- she has had surgery on her wrists/hands, and she doesn't have the gripping power needed. Smaller automatics often have very stiff springs. She can operate our Glock 17, and I would love for her to carry it, but it is a big gun for her to tote around. So, unlike Roadrunner above, she prefers and currently carries a S&W Airweight Bodyguard revolver.

Your wife may not have the same issues as mine. I have seen a number of gals at shooting courses with the Glock 19, and they can do very well with it. At my wife's CHL requalification shoot last Sunday there was a woman there who had never fired a gun, but after a little coaching from the instructor, she fired a 250 out 250. I don't remember which gun she used, but she should keep that one!

If you can find a range that rents handguns, rent all the ones on the shelf and have her try them. If not, try to find some shooting buddies that have different handguns, and have her try those.

Whatever you choose, make sure you budget for a decent holster and belt. Or pocket holster. Even if she's going to put it in her purse (which I hate, but that's another story), at least have a pocket holster for it to keep it postioned upright, so if/when she needs it, it is READY to go, not upside down, or the handle wedged in the corner or something. And of course the pocket in her pants or purse that the gun goes into should have ONLY the gun in it -- no other doodads to get in the way, or get caught in the trigger guard, etc.

Good luck!

p.s. yes I agree with Amber, have some other (COMPETENT) person teach her, and I highly recommend spending the bucks and going to a name-brand professional, like John Farnam (actually, his wife teaches the basic handgun course, and she is very good. I learned a lot from her). The Farnams will have handgun courses in Victoria at the very end of Feb -- Fri night (27 Feb) to 1 Mar (Sun). The man who organizes the courses in Victoria, Dr Tobin, I think might even be able to arrange for your wife to borrow a handgun and leather gear for the course, so she could go thru the course and then choose a gun. PM me for details.

Having said that, my wife wanted me to train her, and altho there were some tense moments she soldiered through with me. I was mightily pleased when the CHL Instructor mentioned to me that he was impressed with my wife's gun handling on the range!

elb
thank you for the good advice , i will send you a pm.

I learned to shoot with a 22 semi and a full size 357 revolver shooting light 38 target loads. Recoil was easy so I could concentrate on the basics. Later I shot some 9 and more powerful revolver loads after I was comfortable. I carry a revolver with full power (not p+) 38 hollow points but I shot a 9 for the test so I have the option.

My wife first learned to shoot on my Kimber Custom II 1911 .45 ACP. She loves it. . . it's a heavier gun and it sits down when it's fired, absorbing most of the recoil itself. She also gained confidence from knowing that she could handle such a significant round.

For her CCW, she has a Smith and Wesson 340PD loaded with .38 +p hollow points. Since she doesn't want the magnum rounds, hopefully I can get her an Airweight .38 and steal the 340 for myself.

ELB wrote: Whatever you choose, make sure you budget for a decent holster and belt. Or pocket holster. Even if she's going to put it in her purse (which I hate, but that's another story),

Gee couldn't find a purse to match your outfit?

"I also suggest having somebody else teach her."

I've heard that a lot, and I understand the motivation. But I have to tell you, it was my wife's strong preference that I teach her. She isn't comfortable around guns still, and certainly wasn't before. She didn't want some 'stranger' teaching her, she wanted to be with me so she could relax and ask questions. We communicate well (which is why I believe many couples don't go this route) and I basically talked to her about the gun, safety, the rules, and how to shoot. Then I backed off and let her go, only offering suggestions when she asked or, on one occasion, when she was about to make a serious mistake by pointing the gun to the side. I'm not against her going to training - far from it - but I think she responded much more positive to the idea because I was there with her the first time.

My 2 cents.

thanks for the tip.