Semi-auto for the Mrs..? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**DanTheEldest** · 02-19-2007, 10:50 AM

My wife has expressed a desire to get her CCW when I get mine, so we're window-shopping pistols for her to carry and practice with. She prefers semi-auto's over wheelguns, but has limited hand strength to work the slide. She can't, for example, comfortably work the action on my XD45. Can anybody recommend something like a nice smallish 9mm with an easy-to-work slide? We're going to take some test-drives before purchasing anything, but a place to start would be nice.

We're (obviously) going to have a look at the XD9SC, and I saw OC4U's thoughts in the "Purse gun" thread, but other suggestions are appreciated.

PilgrimChapter33 · 02-19-2007, 12:16 PM

Well, if you're willing to budge on the 9x19, I can't recommend the numerous Makarov variants enough. CZ makes two models, the CZ-82 (9x18 ), and the CZ-83 (.380). Then there's the milsurplus Makarovs in 9X18. The biggest difference is that the CZ's are double stacks and hold 12 or so, while the military surplus models run in the ballpark of 8.
Anyways, the CZ-82 can be had around $230 and the CZ-83 can be had for a little more.
I mention the Makarov line because my younger brother has the CZ-82, and the last two girlfriends I've brought home to visit have liked it best of all our guns (yes, I make them shoot... it's a non-negotiable part of a relationship for me

). Anyways, the frame is small, the slide cycles excessively easily, and recoil is pleasant. Not to mention, the weapon is flawless. I think his round count is around 1300 without a failure.
Hope this helps.

**DanTheEldest** · 02-19-2007, 12:18 PM

Some folks on another forum recommended CZ also. We'll definitely look at them--you can't beat the price on many of their models, and I've heard good things about their reliability and construction.

Brickboy240 · 02-19-2007, 12:36 PM

How about one of the SIG P6s being sold at Gander Mtn. and other surplus sellers? These are decomissioned West German Police pistols.

Single stack 9mm 8-shots. Perfect for smaller hands...my wife loves my P225. SIG German quality and they sell for 399 and sometimes less.

Mine is a Swiss Police decomissioned model with the heel magazine release. Some bemoan the heel mag release, but I know one thing: I'll never hit the mag button by mistake and let loose the magazine, like I have while CCW-ing some other pistols.

Steal of a deal, if you ask me. I carry mine CCW sometimes and its slim and flat and easy to carry, but big enough to be pleasant to shoot. Its also very accurate and I have never had a jam with the P225.

SIG discontinued the P225 stateside. It is a European market offering only. The P225 is one of the most popular European and UK police pistols - it has proven itself and been around a long time. Mags and holsters for the 225 are not hard to find at all.

If you want to spend 400 or less but want something thats not too small or not too large and dig German quality (like me) the W. German P6/P225 is hard to beat.

- Brickboy240

**DanTheEldest** · 02-19-2007, 12:38 PM

I forgot about those police Sigs. We'll have to get down to the local rental range soon so she can play with one and see if she likes it. I do like Sigs, and that's a great price on those used ones. Hmmm.....

Frostyeyes · 02-19-2007, 12:40 PM

Dan: Look at the Smith M&P 9MM maybe in the compact, my wife a wheelgun person for life has said she would consider one of those.

**DanTheEldest** · 02-19-2007, 12:46 PM

Another interesting idea; I've been wanting to try one of those out myself. Maybe this is a good excuse.

CajunBass · 02-19-2007, 12:46 PM

My wife has had a couple of carpel tunnel surgeries and some arthritus that made it hard for her to rack the slide on most semi's until she learned to push/pull the slide. Pull the slide with one hand and push the grip with the other. Now she doesn't have any problem with any of the guns we've got.

She recently picked a Glock 19 for her "upgrade" from a 22 Bersa. I will say though that little Bersa helped her learn to shoot, and to have confidence in her ability to do so. She carried it until she was satisfied it was time to "move up."

If your wife doesn't have any experience shooting, the Bersa Firestorm 22 might be a good place to start.

Just as an aside, I think the Makarov has a pretty snappy recoil. Worse in my opinion than most 9mm's. (Kel-Tec P-11 being an exception. That little thing kicks.) YMMV.

**DanTheEldest** · 02-19-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunBass

If your wife doesn't have any experience shooting, the Bersa Firestorm 22 might be a good place to start.

She's got a good grasp of the fundamentals and has had fun firing friends' 9mm's, .38's, and .357's, but she's never owned a pistol of her own to really get dialed into.

Good idea explaining the push-pull technique. I'll be sure to mention it the next time we handle hardware.

**PackerfanXD** · 02-19-2007, 01:09 PM

My wife loves her XD9sc...

02-19-2007, 10:50 AM	#1
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,367	Semi-auto for the Mrs..? My wife has expressed a desire to get her CCW when I get mine, so we're window-shopping pistols for her to carry and practice with. She prefers semi-auto's over wheelguns, but has limited hand strength to work the slide. She can't, for example, comfortably work the action on my XD45. Can anybody recommend something like a nice smallish 9mm with an easy-to-work slide? We're going to take some test-drives before purchasing anything, but a place to start would be nice. We're (obviously) going to have a look at the XD9SC, and I saw OC4U's thoughts in the "Purse gun" thread, but other suggestions are appreciated. __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com Last edited by DanTheEldest; 02-19-2007 at 10:59 AM.

02-19-2007, 12:16 PM	#2
PilgrimChapter33 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 291	Well, if you're willing to budge on the 9x19, I can't recommend the numerous Makarov variants enough. CZ makes two models, the CZ-82 (9x18 ), and the CZ-83 (.380). Then there's the milsurplus Makarovs in 9X18. The biggest difference is that the CZ's are double stacks and hold 12 or so, while the military surplus models run in the ballpark of 8. Anyways, the CZ-82 can be had around $230 and the CZ-83 can be had for a little more. I mention the Makarov line because my younger brother has the CZ-82, and the last two girlfriends I've brought home to visit have liked it best of all our guns (yes, I make them shoot... it's a non-negotiable part of a relationship for me ). Anyways, the frame is small, the slide cycles excessively easily, and recoil is pleasant. Not to mention, the weapon is flawless. I think his round count is around 1300 without a failure. Hope this helps. __________________ Government is the only disease which presents itself as its own cure. Last edited by PilgrimChapter33; 02-19-2007 at 12:19 PM.

02-19-2007, 12:18 PM	#3
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,367	Some folks on another forum recommended CZ also. We'll definitely look at them--you can't beat the price on many of their models, and I've heard good things about their reliability and construction. __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com

02-19-2007, 12:36 PM	#4
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,264	How about one of the SIG P6s being sold at Gander Mtn. and other surplus sellers? These are decomissioned West German Police pistols. Single stack 9mm 8-shots. Perfect for smaller hands...my wife loves my P225. SIG German quality and they sell for 399 and sometimes less. Mine is a Swiss Police decomissioned model with the heel magazine release. Some bemoan the heel mag release, but I know one thing: I'll never hit the mag button by mistake and let loose the magazine, like I have while CCW-ing some other pistols. Steal of a deal, if you ask me. I carry mine CCW sometimes and its slim and flat and easy to carry, but big enough to be pleasant to shoot. Its also very accurate and I have never had a jam with the P225. SIG discontinued the P225 stateside. It is a European market offering only. The P225 is one of the most popular European and UK police pistols - it has proven itself and been around a long time. Mags and holsters for the 225 are not hard to find at all. If you want to spend 400 or less but want something thats not too small or not too large and dig German quality (like me) the W. German P6/P225 is hard to beat. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

02-19-2007, 12:38 PM	#5
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,367	I forgot about those police Sigs. We'll have to get down to the local rental range soon so she can play with one and see if she likes it. I do like Sigs, and that's a great price on those used ones. Hmmm..... __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com

02-19-2007, 12:40 PM	#6
Frostyeyes XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Livonia Michigan Posts: 910	Dan: Look at the Smith M&P 9MM maybe in the compact, my wife a wheelgun person for life has said she would consider one of those. __________________ Gun Control: What a Long Strange Trip It\'s Been

02-19-2007, 12:46 PM	#7
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,367	Another interesting idea; I've been wanting to try one of those out myself. Maybe this is a good excuse. __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com

02-19-2007, 12:46 PM	#8
CajunBass XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chancelorsville, Virginia Posts: 255	My wife has had a couple of carpel tunnel surgeries and some arthritus that made it hard for her to rack the slide on most semi's until she learned to push/pull the slide. Pull the slide with one hand and push the grip with the other. Now she doesn't have any problem with any of the guns we've got. She recently picked a Glock 19 for her "upgrade" from a 22 Bersa. I will say though that little Bersa helped her learn to shoot, and to have confidence in her ability to do so. She carried it until she was satisfied it was time to "move up." If your wife doesn't have any experience shooting, the Bersa Firestorm 22 might be a good place to start. Just as an aside, I think the Makarov has a pretty snappy recoil. Worse in my opinion than most 9mm's. (Kel-Tec P-11 being an exception. That little thing kicks.) YMMV. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

02-19-2007, 01:09 PM	#10
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 7,053 Blog Entries: 1	My wife loves her XD9sc... __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.break.com/usercontent/200...00-358890.html PALIN/McCAIN '08 An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

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