Small gun for the wife> Semiauto or Revolver - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

AGENT4734 · 08-02-2006, 10:57 AM

My wife has hinted that she would like to get her CCW and then carry a small hand gun in her purse. Im all for it. She will also take a self defense class to show her how to use the weapon in self defense. My only concern is what would be SAFER? A semi auto or a revelver. Also what whould you guys recomend?

**QCATrader** · 08-02-2006, 11:07 AM

Take her to a range that rents guns and let her test a few different guns, see what fits, what she can handle, etc.

My wife did that and she preferred a revolver because it fit her hand well, she shot it well and as she likes to say, she only has to point and squeeze. She ended up with a S&W 686, but carries .38 Spl instead of 357.

Shade Angel · 08-02-2006, 11:12 AM

No saftey device is better then the one between your ears. She just needs to become completly comfortable with the gun. Having said that, technically speaking I would see a semi-auto at being slightly "safer" if it has a external safty and is DA/SA.
I would think the more imporant question would be what caliber is she going to be able to control.

qballwill · 08-02-2006, 11:17 AM

she definately needs to try a variety of types, but I reccomend a revolver with 38 loads.... I have a S&W 638 that im extremely happy with.... if it will be carried in a purse, there is less of a change something will interfere with a revolvers firing mechanisms than with a semis mechanisms.... (gun,candy, lipstick)

**Old School** · 08-02-2006, 11:27 AM

I agree that a revolver in 38SPCL would be a good choice. Not a lot of fun to shoot but little can go wrong with it.

I would think this would be a good choice for her. Weigh about 1 pound, it is perfect for purse and pocket carry. Beyond that, it retails for under $450!

Rico567 · 08-02-2006, 01:01 PM

From the tone of the original post, I concur with the recommendation of "Old School" and others. I think a J-frame Smith (or equivalent) is the way to go here. There is nothing simpler to operate, or more reliable, which is clearly what is wanted here.

crfields · 08-02-2006, 08:01 PM

I say take her to the range and let her shoot as many different guns as she can and let her pick. I would like to point out this great little auto that I just recently purchased, I have talked about this little guy on a couple of other threads and I can't say enough about how great it is. To me, its the perfect CCW.

Colt Goverment .380, they are no longer made, but you can find them all over. They shoot great, and you can even get your pinky on the grip, fits easily into my pocket, and would fit into her purse. Slide is easy to pull and the gun has almost no kick so doubles and triples are as easy as one shot.

Exmasonite · 08-02-2006, 09:59 PM

I have the bersa thunder .380 and love that little gun. so does my fiance. very accurate, dependable little shooter. they have a newer Bersa "Concealed Carry" .380 with softer lines and easier for concealment. And the .380 is just the shorter cousin to the 9mm... Lifetime warranty, too.

AGENT4734 · 08-03-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exmasonite

I have the bersa thunder .380 and love that little gun. so does my fiance. very accurate, dependable little shooter. they have a newer Bersa "Concealed Carry" .380 with softer lines and easier for concealment. And the .380 is just the shorter cousin to the 9mm... Lifetime warranty, too.

Does this gun have an automatic shell extractor or is it a barrel flipper?

jednp · 08-03-2006, 08:09 PM

In my opinion, a revolver is better for the average woman. Now I'm not saying all women are like this, but most don't care to take the time to learn the fine details about shooting like us men do. Sure, they may learn to shoot their gun, but they may not care to take the time to learn how to clear malfunctions, troubleshoot them, etc. A revolver is pretty much pull the trigger, and nothing else to worry about. And seeing how most women would carry a gun in their purse, there's the option of them walking down the street with their hand in their purse on the gun should they feel threatened, and can shoot through the purse without the gun catching anything and jamming. A semi-auto would most likely jam if you had to shoot through a coat or purse. I can see stove-pipes happening because the shell cannot clearly eject out. Also I can see the slide catching fabric of the purse and jamming. I had my gun catch my gf's coat sleave once while she was shooting and it jammed the gun.

I do think a smaller revolver loaded with .38's would be just about right. My gf shot one, and she could control it easy enough. Best thing to do, is try and see if a range has one to rent and have her try it. Then when it comes time to buying, make sure she gets one that is either hammerless, or has the hammer shrouded like the one pictured above, that way it won't catch in her purse.

08-02-2006, 10:57 AM	#1
AGENT4734 XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 53	Small gun for the wife> Semiauto or Revolver My wife has hinted that she would like to get her CCW and then carry a small hand gun in her purse. Im all for it. She will also take a self defense class to show her how to use the weapon in self defense. My only concern is what would be SAFER? A semi auto or a revelver. Also what whould you guys recomend? __________________ XD 9mm Bi-Tone Service Sig Sauer P226 .40 caliber Keltec P32 Ruger 10/22 870 Remington Express I.C.E. Hotline 866-347-2423 Toll free call to report illegal immigrants

08-02-2006, 11:12 AM	#3
Shade Angel XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 141	No saftey device is better then the one between your ears. She just needs to become completly comfortable with the gun. Having said that, technically speaking I would see a semi-auto at being slightly "safer" if it has a external safty and is DA/SA. I would think the more imporant question would be what caliber is she going to be able to control. __________________ "You can't shake the devils hand and say you were only kidding"

08-02-2006, 11:17 AM	#4
qballwill XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Port Bolivar, Tx Posts: 235	she definately needs to try a variety of types, but I reccomend a revolver with 38 loads.... I have a S&W 638 that im extremely happy with.... if it will be carried in a purse, there is less of a change something will interfere with a revolvers firing mechanisms than with a semis mechanisms.... (gun,candy, lipstick) __________________ XD-9 Bitone / XD45ACP Springfield Lt Wt Bitone 1911 S&W first model of 1899 / S&W M&P S&W 10,17,19,27,29,65,625,629,646,686x2 Kel Tec Sub 2000 Bushmaster AR15 M4 Winchester 1300 Defender Texas XD Practical Shooters Association

08-02-2006, 11:27 AM	#5
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,583	I agree that a revolver in 38SPCL would be a good choice. Not a lot of fun to shoot but little can go wrong with it. I would think this would be a good choice for her. Weigh about 1 pound, it is perfect for purse and pocket carry. Beyond that, it retails for under $450! __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

08-02-2006, 01:01 PM	#6
Rico567 XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IL Posts: 53	From the tone of the original post, I concur with the recommendation of "Old School" and others. I think a J-frame Smith (or equivalent) is the way to go here. There is nothing simpler to operate, or more reliable, which is clearly what is wanted here. __________________ Explanations exist; they have existed for all times, for there is always an easy solution to every human problem - neat, plausible, and wrong. -H.L. Mencken

08-02-2006, 11:07 AM	#2
QCATrader XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Iowa / Arizona Posts: 291	Take her to a range that rents guns and let her test a few different guns, see what fits, what she can handle, etc. My wife did that and she preferred a revolver because it fit her hand well, she shot it well and as she likes to say, she only has to point and squeeze. She ended up with a S&W 686, but carries .38 Spl instead of 357.

08-02-2006, 08:01 PM	#7
crfields XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 36	I say take her to the range and let her shoot as many different guns as she can and let her pick. I would like to point out this great little auto that I just recently purchased, I have talked about this little guy on a couple of other threads and I can't say enough about how great it is. To me, its the perfect CCW. Colt Goverment .380, they are no longer made, but you can find them all over. They shoot great, and you can even get your pinky on the grip, fits easily into my pocket, and would fit into her purse. Slide is easy to pull and the gun has almost no kick so doubles and triples are as easy as one shot.

08-02-2006, 09:59 PM	#8
Exmasonite XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 811	I have the bersa thunder .380 and love that little gun. so does my fiance. very accurate, dependable little shooter. they have a newer Bersa "Concealed Carry" .380 with softer lines and easier for concealment. And the .380 is just the shorter cousin to the 9mm... Lifetime warranty, too.

08-03-2006, 08:09 PM	#10
jednp XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 4,691	In my opinion, a revolver is better for the average woman. Now I'm not saying all women are like this, but most don't care to take the time to learn the fine details about shooting like us men do. Sure, they may learn to shoot their gun, but they may not care to take the time to learn how to clear malfunctions, troubleshoot them, etc. A revolver is pretty much pull the trigger, and nothing else to worry about. And seeing how most women would carry a gun in their purse, there's the option of them walking down the street with their hand in their purse on the gun should they feel threatened, and can shoot through the purse without the gun catching anything and jamming. A semi-auto would most likely jam if you had to shoot through a coat or purse. I can see stove-pipes happening because the shell cannot clearly eject out. Also I can see the slide catching fabric of the purse and jamming. I had my gun catch my gf's coat sleave once while she was shooting and it jammed the gun. I do think a smaller revolver loaded with .38's would be just about right. My gf shot one, and she could control it easy enough. Best thing to do, is try and see if a range has one to rent and have her try it. Then when it comes time to buying, make sure she gets one that is either hammerless, or has the hammer shrouded like the one pictured above, that way it won't catch in her purse.

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