3.8 for a first time lady shooter?

[RuckSackofLove]

Hi guys

First time poster. I'm not an XD shooter myself (I carry a Glock 19 and use it in competitions). My wife told me recently she wanted her own gun or she wasn't coming with me to competitions any more. Who am I too say no?

So after a lot of searching the wife decided she really like the XDm. Specifically the XDm Bitone 3.8. Well I put the cart before the horse and bought it for her ($669 OTD for an Essentials kit). I'm a little worried now she may find it hard to shoot. She's shot a little, so she knows how to handle a gun. But only full size guns. So I'm worried the recoil from it will be a bit stiff and maybe turn her off from getting more into things.

I know I should have thought of this BEFORE I spent the cash. Is it something to be worried about? She'll only be using this for IDPA competitions and practice. I tried to talk her into a 5.25 but she said it felt too nose heavy (maybe after some more practice though...)

[danf6975]

has she felt the firearm in her hand yet? or does she just like the look?

if she has felt it has she tried to find her natural hold angle and point of aim?

personally i would want her to fire the weapon that is most comfortable in her hand in a full size model

[Kaboom]

She'll be fine, worst case scenario is she goes to the gun store and makes her own choice and YOU pick up a sweet new 3.8

[danf6975]

btw a 5.25 is anything but nose heavy . its 3 ounces lighter than a standard XDm ( I have both here to compare ) and has nearly the exact same CG.
a quick way to see this is get a metal hanger and open it up and thread it through both firearms trigger gaurd and look at the angles. you will notice they both hang the same
when looking inside the 5.25 you will see areas of the slide that are machined out other than the top obvious cut out

[RuckSackofLove]

Originally Posted by danf6975

has she felt the firearm in her hand yet? or does she just like the look?

if she has felt it has she tried to find her natural hold angle and point of aim?

personally i would want her to fire the weapon that is most comfortable in her hand in a full size model

She has held both a full size and 3.8. She said she preferred how to 3.8 felt and that it felt more balanced in her hand. I cautioned it would feel a little different when it was loaded and firing, but she maintained the 3.8 seemed to fit her better. So I kinda figured if it was between get her the 3.8 or have to wait for a chance to get her more into shooting, I'd get the 3.8.

Kaboom, the problem is I already bought her the 3.8! We were supposed to go shooting this weekend but the plan fell through. But from some dry fire practice she seems to like it.

Danf, I didn't realize the 5.25 was so well balanced. If/when she wants to get a better competition gun I'll point that out.

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by RuckSackofLove

Kaboom, the problem is I already bought her the 3.8! We were supposed to go shooting this weekend but the plan fell through. But from some dry fire practice she seems to like it.

And if she hates it , it will be all yours bro, unless you trade it in on something.

[Keltyke]

Let HER pick HER gun!!! Take her to a range that rents guns, get some friends with guns together. Get her to shoot anything she can get her hands on, THEN buy!

The "best" gun is the one SHE likes, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in her hand like she was born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.8% of the time she pulls the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In HER hand. It's how well SHE shoots it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so she won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - She doesn't want to scrimp on her "life protector" weapon, but she probably doesn't need a $1,000 Kimber, either.
6. Enjoyment - The caliber and gun should be fun to shoot. If it isn't, she won't practice with it like she should.

[Cuda66]

If she likes your G19, shell likely do fine with the 3.8. There isn't that much difference, length-wise, between the two.

[PreacherRodgers]

I think you have done well. I have a 3.8 in 9mm and my wife loves to shoot it. The recoil is not bad to her. She also likes the feel o fthe grip. Her favorite part is the 19 round mag, she can shoot alot before I have to reload.

[Bamatrev]

My wife has a XDM 3.8 9mm and absolutely loves it. No problem with muzzle flip.