What Caliber For The Wife?

Max Owner

Max Owner

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
31   0   0
Location
Displaced From South Western Ontario, To GP, Alber
Hey all.

Gotta get the wife her own gun. :D Something that fits her hand better.

What cal would be recommended?

9mm or 45 (acp) I would think automatically that a 9mm would be the way, but a range officer at Wild West said that a 45 wouldn't be bad because of slower velocity.

Penny for your thoughts?
 
My wife likes to shoot both the 9mm and the .45acp, but she prefers the 9mm out of a Hi-Power. She has had the opportunity to shoot pretty much all of the big names out there and this is what she prefers, aswell as a Glock 17 and Sig 226. Out of the .45's she has shot, hands donw the 1911 Kimber Custom TLE II. It is a trial thing, get your wife to try as many 9mm's and .45's as you can, and let her make the choice, not you are any of the CGNer's! Only she will know what works for her.
 
I own a bunch of handguns and other than my 12.5 snubs my Colt Combat Target .45 with the flat mainspring housing fits my smallish hand best. I agree somewhat with what the Wild West RO told you--the recoil from a .45 is not as "snappy" as a 9mm (especially if it's a lightweight 9mm pistol like a Glock). The .45 recoil is more of a push than a snap--I like the feel of the .45's recoil better to be honest, but there's no question that it does give a good solid push. Neither is really objectionable at all if you're used to centrefire handguns, though. You're on the right track to try a few out before you buy.

p.s. If your wife has is new to handgun shooting have you considered a .22 to start off?
 
My wife has a collection of HG that would make most of us drop to our knees. She has got Glocks Ruggers Colts S&W among others but her all time favorit is a Baikal 22. I do not understand it. She has the nicest pieces ever made but the one she likes to shoot the most is this
mcm.gif
 
I would recoment one of two diametrically opposed calibers;
.22 LR, or .45 ACP.

.22LR -If your wife is flinchy or unsure of herself @ the Range plus this is very economical to shoot and no matter what make you get her, it will be light weight.

.45ACP - If your Wife enjoys the "sounds of the range" and she is more confortable shooting, then the .45 is the way to go, as mentioned by the RO at your range, the .45 is subsonic, but it still obviously had kick to it. Also the cost of shooting is quite a bit more.

Come to think of it since you reside in the Edmonton area, why not go to a range and have her try out a cross-section of calibers and various makes and models?
 
Thanx all.

We were out last Sunday where she shot my 226 in .40. She said the recoil wasn't bad, but the grip was too big for her.

I was watching the gun recoil in her hands and thought something a little less potent would be applicable.

She does have a Walther P22. Never fired it yet, because of lack of club membership. Now that I belong to a club, the gun is still back home.

Just have to buy more, while we're out here.:cool:
 
The P22 is a great pistol, 3 different back straps lets the shooter find the right grip for smaller or larger hands and the front sights are easily changed. I really like mine and always take it to the range.
 
peter3334 said:
Why did no-one mention a .38 cal revolver?
Click to expand...


My suggestion would be to begin with a S&W M-19 .357, that is unless she has enough range time that she is already profecient with auto's. I believe that a new handgun shooter should begin with a .38/.357 revolver loaded with wadcutters, then once her gun handeling and shooting ability is up to it, you can start to turn up the power. If she is going to begin with an auto pistol she must contend with the distracting effects of powerful ammo - muzzle blast, recoil, and the slide slaming back and forth.
 
The Beretta 86 cheetah is supposed to be very nice. .380, so recoil is mild, and it is a very small gun.
 
Max Owner said:
Found out about the Cheetah, a little........

Can anyone recommend a dealer that sells em?
Click to expand...

They're still made, so they should be available in Canada. I'm not sure if they'd be a stock item at most dealers, but anyone who carries beretta should be able to get one. It would be better if you could find one in stock near to you so that the wife can see if she likes it before buying.

Maybe a wanted post in the dealers forum would help find someone near you. I think TSE carries Beretta stuff.
 
Max Owner said:
I just got permission to consider revolvers now
Click to expand...
No question there (for me at least :)) -- either a S&W 586/686 or 19/66. Wonderful balance, beautiful single action pull, smooth and manageable double action pull, many different after-market grips to choose from to help get a good fit. Very little recoil in .38, as well. If a .22 is desired, a Model 17 or 617 would be a good choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom