Need a pistol suggestion for my wife

[Huntbear]

Getting a pistol for my wife. She is not new to guns but does need more work with them. This gun will be for concealed carry and a quick grab home gun if she can't get to the shotgun. There are a few parameters I'd like you to try to stay within:

1. Looking for one of these cartridges, in my order of preference
1. 9mm
2. .38 special (She's owned one of these before)
3. .380 Auto
4. 9x18mm Makarov

2. Looking to stay under $500

3. her hands are SMALL. My Glock 19 is too large. She can hold it and put her finger on the trigger but, length of pull is just too long for her to pull with any accuracy, even with the 3.5lb trigger.

Get a Ruger SP101 in .357 mag.  5 shot revolver, it comes in a hammerless model if she likes that.  The gun is dead bullet proof.  She can shoot all the .38 specials out of it she wants, but can load it with .357 hollow points to carry.   You never have to worry about it jamming, or the magazine not locked into place. (especially if she is carrying it in a bigger purse)  It goes BANG every time she pulls the trigger.  Plus being a Ruger it is built like a brick Chit house, and will never break.

[JLS]

You won't pay $500 for the Kahr.  I just ordered a CW 40, spare magazine, shipped and insured for four bills from Buds Gun Shop.  The CM 9 is only about $30 more and is smaller.

The S&W Bodyguard is a dynamite little .380.

I agree that revolvers are simple, but then again so is a DAO semi-auto. 

[Jim the Plumber]

Kahr CM 9

This
My daughter has very small hands and shoots this very well.
Also it is just big enough to be comfortable to actually practice with.

[400out]

yeah the wifes was 415 then the laser, she has small hands and handles it great

[CementFinisher]

I have the S&W body guard good little gun. Ireally enjoy carrying my keltech pf-9 more so though. they step up to 9mm gives a better peice of mind. Caliber: 9mm Luger, Weight unloaded: 12.7 oz. Length5.85, Height4.3 Width: 0.88" Barrel Length: 3.1" Capacity: 7 + 1, Trigger Pull: 5 lbs         You will have a number of malfunctions the first 100 rounds, it has a break in period were the polymer will wear down to fit. after that its flawless. plus you can buy them all day long for $260. So if there was any incedence and the firearm was taken for evedence, theres barely a loss                     

[Fowlweather25]

Ruger LC9 smaller than most smart phones, easy for a female to conceal, more bang than a .380. Fairly inexpensive. And I think you can get it in pink! 

[DoubleJ]

Based on looks, online reviews, and price, since we can only see them online, we are going to Cabelas today to put these guns in her hands and see how they feel. This is our order of preference so far:

Bersa Thunder .380
Sig p238
Sig p290
Ruger LC9 9mm
Kahr cm/pm9 9mm
Taurus millennium pro 9mm
Beretta Nano 9mm

[30.06]

Cabela's has some good prices, but be prepared to wait a Long time in line on a Saturday!

[hillbilli]

keep in mind unless you reload for it, 9mm will be cheaper for practice ammo than any of the others.. 9mm practice ammo I pay 9.99 a box for.. for the .380 it is about 18$.. big difference.

[runamuk]

Double J if it were me I would take her to a range and let her try shooting a few different pistols.  each makers fit is different and each length makes a difference....I so far do not like 45's period, they all have too much recoil and I know I'd get flinchy, that said I loved my 357 revolver but disliked the sight.  I have rather long fingers so I find a larger grip isnt as big an issue for me but overall weight and balance is.

If you really want her to shoot this gun and enjoy it and become proficient it would be best if she helps pick it out, guns are like bra's or shoes it really is sort of tough to buy for someone else......ordering dinner for her is one thing gun selection for the best outcome needs her involved.

Try I think its called bullseye in Tacoma they have a ladies day and lots of pistols to try out

[JimmyHoffa]

The Kahr that was recommended is what I also would have recommended.  The are small and easily concealable.  The one I shot felt too small for me, so I could see how it would be good for a small handed person.
The other guns that I've fired that are good for small hands (autos) have been Walther PPK and the FN FiveSeven.  The Five Seven cartridge might be difficult to get, but is actually a well performing round.  (Yes, aware it's not on the list)

[Fowlweather25]

I would set 9mm as your minimum size on the pistol personally. .380 as stated before is almost twice the price as 9mm and with the 9 you get more bang for your buck! Remember concealability on a female as well. A lot harder than a man to hide.

[DoubleJ]

Just got back from Cabelas.  Surprising Saturday.  we only waited at the gun counter for about 10 minutes.  Got a very patient and knowledgeable clerk.  She held about 20 different guns from all makers possible I think.  She has settled on either the Taurus Millenium Pro in 9mm or possibly a .40 if she can handle it.  It was about the 6th ish gun she held and immediately said "Oh, that's perfect.  Much better than the others".  Then she compared every gun after that to it and none measured up, well except the Kimber compact but, that's just not an option right now.  Now I gotta get her to the range to pick a caliber and then find a deal on one.

[thinkingman]

I agree with Kahr CM9.
.380 and 9x18 are too limited on ammo choices, pricing.
Kahr is an excellent choice.
Buy a Hogue sleeve for it and it's very controllable.

[goosewhacker]

I have a Millenium Pro in 9mm and I really like it. It fits my hand well and it's easy to shoot and control. I haven't had any problems with it.