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I am trying to find a pistol that my wife will feel comfortable shooting and carrying when she gets her chl. I think a .380 or 9mm would probably be best as she does not like the kick of my 40sw. Please let me know if you have anything I was thinking a p3at or sigarms p232 would probably do the job.

That Sig 232 is an excellent choice. My Mom carries one & loves it.
the 3AT is the same calibre for sure but extreemly tine & very light. That makes perceived recoil quit noticable to some. Shoot one before you buy one of them.

I think my Sig P230 SL is the berries; HOWEVER, while 9mm ammo is in short supply, .380 acp is even more scarce. You might want to think about getting some ammo and then deciding on a caliber?

Oldgringo wrote:I think my Sig P230 SL is the berries; HOWEVER, while 9mm ammo is in short supply, .380 acp is even more scarce. You might want to think about getting some ammo and then deciding on a caliber?

Exactly plus if you find the 9mm and .380 ammo, the .380 ammo is twice the price for range ammo at walmart. I pay 8.97 for a box of 50 Blazer brass for 9mm and 17.99 for .380 when they have it and this was before the shortage.

Ditto to all of the above. A .380 is never as easy to shoot accurately as a larger pistol. Most have factory sights that are close to useless in low light. Most .380s have more recoil than a compact or full-size 9 because of the lighter weight of .380 pistols. It's also easier to get slide bite from a smaller frame (don't ask me how I know).

With the usual caveat that no one wants to be hit with one, the .380 ACP round is much less energetic than a 9, and expansion of hollowpoints is problematic.

If you look at the cost of ammo over a year of frequent practice, it's a couple of hundred dollars. That represents an upgrade in weapon quality, night sights, or a laser, if you want that.

I suggest that your wife find a ladies shoot somewhere and try a number of weapons. She may even find that she prefers a .38 Special revolver.

- Jim

I realize the diference in the price for ammo...but I usually buy my ammo in bulk off the internet so its not that big of deal. And I have become used to paying a ton for a box of .357 sig and 40sw. I like the sig 232 because I see it as a gun that i could carry very easily....Kind of 2 for one things, I buy it for her and she can keep my xd in the car when she has to go to work. And then I get a sweet little pocket gun. Lol...Thanks for all the input guys keep it coming.

Astro wrote:I realize the diference in the price for ammo...but I usually buy my ammo in bulk off the internet so its not that big of deal. And I have become used to paying a ton for a box of .357 sig and 40sw.

Unless you know of some secret source, most every Internet sites are out of stock of all common ammo.

That said I have a P3AT and it's a great lightweight and small gun, but it does have a bit of a kick to it as a result. IMO the whole ' bad night sights' issue is overblown. These pocket guns were designed for up close, point and shoot. If you are taking the time to try and line up sights at night (or even in the day) then you have a problem. Also they are not range guns, so don't expect to be firing hundreds of rounds at a time without ending up with a sore or blistered hand.

Well, to achieve the ability to point shoot, you have to practice aiming with the sights until muscle memory takes over.

I have a micro .380 with factory sights and a 9 with night sights. I know which one I would rather have in the dark. And, BTW, I spent three weeks with no electricity recently.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Well, to achieve the ability to point shoot, you have to practice aiming with the sights until muscle memory takes over.

I have a micro .380 with factory sights and a 9 with night sights. I know which one I would rather have in the dark. And, BTW, I spent three weeks with no electricity recently.

- Jim

Hey you too huh...I spent I think a total of around 18 days with out electricity after IKE.

Yep, Ike. And you don't know what dark is until a night with no electricity and no moon. There were times when I couldn't tell whether my eyelids were open or closed.

- Jim

Ever consider a Bersa Thunder .380? My girlfriend has one in all black she might consider selling... Let me know if that might interest you guys...

I purchased a Kahr P9 a short while back from a forum member. Last weekend I had the opportunity to run 100 (flawless) rounds through it. That is one sweet shooting little pistol! Having never fired it before, I was able to accurately place about 75 rounds with double-taps to the chest and a single to the head at 12 yards with no problems at all. Think I only missed the head twice. And I've never tried rapid-fire shots before that day. All this to say it's a sweet shooter, and I don't even remember the recoil being bad at all. The size of this gun is perfect for me, and it is small/light, without being too small/light.

i agree with syntax, the bersa thunder is a nice weapon, how ever, the ammo is scarce like they mentioned above but it has low recoil, similar safety to my 92fs so i am partial to it because muscle memory is right about the same. but yes do buy as much ammo as you can afford or carry. i know what i am doing this weekend.

Still looking guys have had alot of great advice buy not many offers. If you have any 9mm or .380 that has a smaller frame let me know.

Still looking guys have had alot of great advice buy not many offers. If you have any 9mm or .380 that has a smaller frame let me know.