Looking at a 45 acp

[CAMPMEAT]

Ever think of a 9MM ? The ammo has changed so much in the last few years that it might be do-able for your wife. Check out EAA Witness. I just bought a compact 10mm new and it was $438. Very good reviews too. Just a thought.

[oneezreiter]

I am going to put in another plug for the Sig p250.  It solves almost all of the caliber issues, you can get different calibers and frame sizes as well as frame width, it takes a matter of seconds to switch from one to the other.  Get the full size .45 for yourself and the 9mm for her, carry the .45 in the woods and such, transfer to a fell size 9mm for her to plink with, get the comact .40 to carry concealed.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p250.aspx

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I will check it out, that would be nice to have options. Are they spendy?

[wildmanoutdoors]

Spendy, Its a Sig! There on the spendy side.

[CementFinisher]

You can pick up a used p220 stainless for 500$. Great guns

[oneezreiter]

Not bad, good quality under $400 for the gun and the xchange kits go for $285 from sig but can be had for less.  I really like mine, it is double action only, but for an inexpensive gun it is smooth, and comfortable to shoot and carry, and there are so many options.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=240188730
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=238648159

[Jamieb]

I shot a few diffrent 1911's. I bought a 5" kimber and love it. I've shot over 600 rounds in the last 3 weeks and still havent had a single jam or misfire.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Yeah the beretta I am looking at is 500, I would love a limber or sig though. 

[yorketransport]

As far as recoil goes, the 45ACP is pretty manageable.

After some wrist damage I needed replace my 10mm because my wrists would start to hurt after 20 rounds. I played with the 9mm  and 40, but the 45 was the most pleasant to shoot. I can go 100+ rounds without any discomfort. the smaller calibers have too much snap, and that's what got me in trouble in the first place.

Andrew

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I bought a Ruger P90T in 45 acp last winter and i love it. All the reviews i have found have been very good. And i love shooting it.

[7mag.]

If you are going to buy a .45, buy a 1911, they are the best designed handgun ever made. There are tons of manufacturers that make a 1911, so you should be able to find one in your budget. Try Springfield Armory, they have some more inexpensive 1911's.

[CementFinisher]

19911's are great but round limited.

[JLS]

The 45 is much nicer to shoot than a 40, and no comparison to a 44.  Not a fan of Smith autos, but if you like it buy it.  Sig 220s are very nice, and Glocks are just simply shooters.

You can now get the Glock 21 Short Frame to accomodate smaller hands.

[demontang]

I would look at baby eagles and the xd in 45. Ive owned both and loved them, the eagle has a heck of an extractor and would throw the emptys a long ways.

[superdown]

1 more vote for the 1911 i have been shooting my kimber eclipse custom II in 45acp for 5 years without so much as a single jam misfire stove pipe or any other malfunction. I cant remember which other member posted pics a short while ago of targets at fifty yards from a kimber with the shots inside a pie plate and i easily get the same accuracy out of my pistol so it's not an accident .