Need a handgun recommendation

[boomerang]

being around may guns and having them. my fav is the Springfield Armory XDM-40, they come in 9 and 40cal. or even the XD series is a great gun.


the XDM-40 has a 16+1 rnd mag with is the largest factory cap mag for the .40 sw

any questions or want pics pm me

I just picked up the 9mm version of the XDM with a 4.5" barrel this week. I'm anxious to get it out and shoot with it but there are only outdoor ranges nearby and it's been in the teens lately.

For the OP, I'm pretty new to the firearms world, but my suggestion would be to go to a gun store with a large selection and have her find one that feels comfortable in her hand. She can rack the slide and lock it in the store, etc. Settle on one or more, find a range that has handguns to rent or friends with that model and have at it.

I had shot a friends XD in 9mm and loved it. I then went and palmed in the store, the Glock 17, the SR9 and the FNP-9. The XD still felt like it was an extension of my hand. I also looked as was suggested at nutnfancy's reviews. Lots of information there. Whether he is aware of it or not, he has a bias for the Glock. That's fine, if it's what he likes, it's what he likes. His reviews are still great sources for information, although with the level of interest he has in firearms, he gets caught up in the minutiae to a degree which is only natural. For example a 2 oz. difference in weight is not going to make a difference to most of us.

The revolver suggestion may be the best however.

 

[Analog]

 

[ktehmok]

The wife and I took a private lesson the other night and spent a short while on the range firing a Glock 9. My wife, who is quite slight was having a hard time working the slide and I am wondering if anyone out there knows of a good gun that would be useable by both of us. I was thinking of the Ruger SR9 which is (according to the instructor) very glock like except that it is a very thin gun. I figure this difference will make it easier for her to handle.

any other thoughts?

If your wife cannot reliably operate the slide, then stop looking at autos. My suggestion is get a .357 magnum revolver, the largest that she can wield comfortably. When you take it to the range to practice, use .38 special loads (any .357 will fire .38 special) to get used to shooting it. Keep .357 magnum hollow points in it for defense.

If the time should ever come that you need to use it, you will not notice the difference between the 2 calibers.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A lightweight small frame 38 DAO is all a woman needs to make bad guy very dead. Something like a S&W 642 is my rec.

I suggest the Shrouded hammer version shown so it does not catch on items when pulling nor is their confusion.

Those are punishing to shoot, especially with +P ammo. I had one once and it was difficult to shoot accurately at distances greater than 15'. This is always the trade off with the smallest guns.

I'd recommend one of their medium framed revolvers like the 686 Plus for better accuracy and ease of handling. You can shoot .38 Special rounds (+P included) or .357 Magnum rounds through it. Obviously, the .357 Magnum rounds will be more punishing but they have more stopping power. The 686 Plus has the added benefit of holding 7 rounds vs the 5 or 6 shot capacity revolvers typically have. That airweight holds only 5 rounds IIRC.

I do think a revolver is an excellent choice though. They are reliable, accurate, and they don't have any safeties to fumble with.

 

[nick1985]

Another vote for the XD or XDM series

 

[dmw16]

I think the suggestion depends on the application (just target shooting or target+home defense?).

For home defense I'd say just take her to a gun show and let her see what she like.

But for home defense you want something that will do the job in an emergency. In that case I'd suggest a S&W revolver. There is no slide to operate and they can't jam (not that a glock would ever jam). A .38 special would be a good choice and she could learn using wad cutter rounds which have much reduced recoil.

My wife wanted a gun for home defense since I travel a lot for work. My Glock19 intimidates her a bit because the workings are "less obvious" compared to a revolver. Also, she liked shooting the revolver with the wad cutters due to light recoil and now I think in an emergency she'd be confident in the weapon.

 

[yottabit]

Keep in mind you do not need to keep the gun stock.. if you find a gun that really fits you well except for a couple little quirks, look into it and see if there is an aftermarket part that will help you. Glocks are one of the guns with the most accessories out there, if the only trouble with it was your wife couldn't lift the slide stop you could easily buy an extended slide stop and have the dealer install it.

Glock makes single and double stack models of many of their guns. A single stack model will have a much thinner grip (too small for me, but may be right for your wife) at the trade off of ammo capacity. However in my opinion you don't need 15 rounds for home defense anyway.

Revolvers are simpler to operate and would probably fit your needs well. Something like a .38 special +P is good for home defense if your wife doesn't like too much recoil.

The most important thing is to find one that you both feel comfortable with. As always remember the basic rules of gun handling, treat the gun as it is always loaded, never point it at something you don't want dead, and keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

IMO though if your main reason for getting a gun is home defense, buy a shotgun.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

Whoever did that apparently has no clue about rimmed vs non-rimmed cartridges.

 

[Analog]

Whoever did that apparently has no clue about rimmed vs non-rimmed cartridges.

explain.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

The 454 Casull is a rimmed cartridge, making it a revolver-only cartridge.
Semi-automatic handguns cannot work with rimmed cartridges.

Further, the Casull is a very high-pressure round, making it impractical for semi-automatic handguns.

 

[yottabit]

The 454 Casull is a rimmed cartridge, making it a revolver-only cartridge.
Semi-automatic handguns cannot work with rimmed cartridges.

You should tell that to the people at IMI and Magnum researach, they'll have to pull their Desert Eagles off the production line immediately

It's just a silly render anyway, I'm sure it would be possible to make a 454 semi-auto but the cartridge length is so long it, along with the added heft to make the chamber pressures bearable would make it enormous

 

[SandEagle]

get her a frying pan and a new stove instead

 

[Gothgar]

Another vote for the XD or XDM series

+1

Best handgun for the money easy

 

[lokiju]

Taurus 24/7 9mm

 

[adairusmc]

You should tell that to the people at IMI and Magnum researach, they'll have to pull their Desert Eagles off the production line immediately

He should also tell IMI that they make a shitty, overpriced, and unreliable product with their desert eagle. I'm sure they already know though.

 

[Gothgar]

Taurus 24/7 9mm

good gun also, looks nice and really inexpensive

 

[classy]

The best home defense money can buy

 

[mizzou]

i'm purchasing a RUGER LCP as my next and only CCW gun. My S&W sigma .40 is just too big

 

[squirrel dog]

that lcp will whip your ass come shootin time . I shot one , it's so small it isn't pleasent to shoot.It's too small imo , I use an AMT 380 its a sweety . (backup)

 

[mizzou]

that lcp will whip your ass come shootin time . I shot one , it's so small it isn't pleasent to shoot.It's too small imo , I use an AMT 380 its a sweety . (backup)

well....you can put the thing in your pocket and you don't have to deal with trying to stick a brick behind your ass. I've held it and will go shooting w/ my friends this weekend to see how it behaves, if it's not cool I'll probably try a diff model that is of the same concealability (like a Keltec or something?)

Anyway, I feel very uncomfortable carrying a full size handgun like a glock even though it is a far superior combat weapon.

Of course, I hope to never use it!!

Can't wait to be able to use CCW on gov't parks/forests. Will def take the .40 larger frame pistol on those incase of being engaged by aggressive wildlife or people.

 

[squirrel dog]

Another gun you might want to look at is the "Judge" its from tauras I think.
It shots 410 shotgun rounds as well as .45 long colt loads . Loaded with .410 shells this revolver would be a fine home defense weapon . Cheap too . Any women can shoot this gun , .410 rounds come in mild to wild . p.s. Classy has a point , that dog will die defending your wife .

 

[SuperjetMatt]

You should tell that to the people at IMI and Magnum researach, they'll have to pull their Desert Eagles off the production line immediately

It's just a silly render anyway, I'm sure it would be possible to make a 454 semi-auto but the cartridge length is so long it, along with the added heft to make the chamber pressures bearable would make it enormous

None of the AE cartridges are rimmed.

Additionally, both the weight and the recoil spring of the Desert Eagles are ridiculous, precisely to deal with the higher than normal pressures.
And yet, the 50AE and 44AE aren't anywhere near 454 pressure levels.

Anything else?

 

[SuperjetMatt]

that lcp will whip your ass come shootin time . I shot one , it's so small it isn't pleasent to shoot.It's too small imo , I use an AMT 380 its a sweety . (backup)

Really?
While the LCP isn't a plinking gun, I don't find it unpleasant to shoot. But I suppose that's subjective.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

Another gun you might want to look at is the "Judge" its from tauras I think.
It shots 410 shotgun rounds as well as .45 long colt loads . Loaded with .410 shells this revolver would be a fine home defense weapon . Cheap too . Any women can shoot this gun , .410 rounds come in mild to wild . p.s. Classy has a point , that dog will die defending your wife .

I have one, and it is far more unpleasant to shoot than my LCP. Have you seen a woman shoot one? My wife REALLY didn't care for it.
I do use it as a main carry gun, though.

 

[mizzou]

that lcp will whip your ass come shootin time . I shot one , it's so small it isn't pleasent to shoot.It's too small imo , I use an AMT 380 its a sweety . (backup)

Really?
While the LCP isn't a plinking gun, I don't find it unpleasant to shoot. But I suppose that's subjective.

I think he means uncomfortable, cuz it's SO darn tiny....but I will find out myself soon. I do know that light guns like the airweights will kick horribly vs. their caliber used