Recommend a BUDGET pistol for my girlfriend.

Bombtrack

Bombtrack

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Would like some help from anyone, preferably those with the available pistols mentioned at the bottom.

A little backgrounder:

This is a peace of mind thing for my girlfriend, and I hope it'll get her into shooting as a whole.
{EDIT}



She has a small build and can hardly shoulder my 870, let alone shoot the thing accurately or comfortably. I Don't have extra money to throw around right now (again may be starting a new job and moving). So when looking at some of our supporting dealers budget pistols ($250 and under) I figured why not pick one up as she's expressed an interest in a small firearm she can handle. I'm also keeping an eye on the EE.



OK Here is the criteria.

- Under $300 tax/shipping included
- Small frame for small hands
- Manageable recoil
- Readily available commercial ammunition
- Reliable
- Quick to load (IE an automatic)


And here is some of what's available:

- Refinished 1895 Nagant Revolver
- Surplus Tokarev TT-33
- Surplus Walther P38/P1
- Norinco M93 (Colt Woodsman Copy)
- Norinco M201C/NP-17 Two Tone (9mm Improved Tokarev Design)
- Norinco NP-20 (Chinese Police M77 pistol export version)

Looking for anyone with experience in these handguns, and I know you're out there judging by some forum searches. Perhaps your opinion on how fitting they would be in this scenario would be helpful.

Please no "you get what you pay for spend the money on something better" as it's non-existant at this time.

Thanks in advance.
 
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A tt-33 based pistol is your best bet, they were based a fair bit on the Browning 1906 pistol which was a popular self-defense pistol for the time. If you can bump your budget up to about $400 you widen the selection to the Sig, CZ and 1911 clones. In which case you get better sights and more varity of grips. As you are on a tight budget stick with 9mm. 7.62x25 is a fairly nippy round which would penetrate a lot of barriers and only comes in ball.
 
Where to start....

This is a loaded question, pun intended.

Does your g/f have her RPAL? Because it sounds like you are the purchaser, and if you moved out, she couldn't keep the gun around without it.

You have read the storage restrictions for restricted firearms right? Do you have the money for a safe?
 
If you can find a cheap USED Walther P22 I think it would be perfect for her...

Very small frame, .22lr so manageable recoil and ten rounds on tap...

My GF loved mine until I sold it in a moment of weakness.

Also, don't skimp on training... if you're in Canada, then you'll have to legally store this pistol... be sure she's educated on use of force and has practiced getting the safe open and the firearm loaded in quick succession.
 
- Refinished 1895 Nagant Revolver - try finding ammo
- Surplus Tokarev TT-33 - weird grip and lots of recoil
- Surplus Walther P38/P1 - pretty good. Double action triggers hard to pull for some women.
- Norinco M93 (Colt Woodsman Copy) - complaints about quality
- Norinco M201C/NP-17 Two Tone (9mm Improved Tokarev Design) - improved grip, less recoil
- Norinco NP-20 (Chinese Police M77 pistol export version) - good grip, large size and hard to rack slide if you are weak.
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions so far. I have broken them down in my head somewhat a long the above lines. Seth I have no problem with people using a 22 for this application either, as you implied you can get a lot of rounds on target in little time.


I guess some clarification is in order. I realise there are a lot of questions here. I am fairly new to this board and didn't realise how taboo the topic could be and I'll tread lightly.

Loyalist said:
This is a loaded question, pun intended.

Does your g/f have her RPAL? Because it sounds like you are the purchaser, and if you moved out, she couldn't keep the gun around without it.

You have read the storage restrictions for restricted firearms right? Do you have the money for a safe?
Click to expand...

I'll edit some language in the post, and I'll have a coffee next time I post before 8am. She does not have currently have a RPAL but plans on getting it. New money for safe storage is not an issue, I currently own restricted and non-restricted firearms and adhere to the Firearms Act.
As far as training goes, I figured I didn't want to delve too much into my private life, but I was a shooting coach in the CF so I can teach a fair bit however pistols aren't my strong suit and my goal is to get her out to the range. I realise everyone here is trying to be helpful not only to me but readers of this topic however I am not looking for advice on anything other than what to buy at this stage.
 
Comp the EE for a used Ruger Mark II, Mark III or a Browning Buck Mark. Both are very reliable and accurate. You do get what you pay for (sorry ;)) so you are way better off buying her a quality used gun that she will enjoy shooting and won't giver her any headaches. She will enjoy shooting a lot more with one of these two guns. :)
 
Bombtrack said:
She does not have her RPAL but wants to get one. Money for safe storage is not an issue, I currently own restricted and non-restricted long guns and pistol would be stored in secure locked container with trigger lock in the meantime. Stay tuned for "recommend budget safe" thread. :redface:
Click to expand...

Right on. Just don't want you spending $$ on a cheap gun for her and then moving and having to take it with you.

That being said, you can't go wrong with the Tokarev with your budget, keep it clean and maintained and it should do what you want. It may be a bit heavy, but the grip isn't too big, so she should be able to wield it.

Also, x2 on a .22, though I don't have experience with many models. It would be easy for her to manage, plus she won't go broke training with it!

ps. good luck with the new gig!
 
Ive used the norinco np20 for a while. Its only like $225 brand new and I found it to be an EXCELLENT firearm for that price. It is pretty accurate and who could complain for $225 from marstar
 
There is or was in the EE, a 1911 Norinco in 45acp for 300 bucks, saw it last night.

EDIT: I just checked. Here is the link http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=505635

Shipping is usually around $20 for pistols.

If given only one choice in a semi-auto pistol, in this price range...this would be it.

If you have doubts about a woman handling this gun/caliber, my wife is one inch shy of 5 feet, 110 lbs at the time. She was shooting her Springfield Armory 1911A1 as well as some men I knew.
 
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