.380 for Wife to CCW suggestion?

[cam75]

Good info Kludge. Never looked for a CCW purse, but I don't think she'll be up to giving up her beloved Coach purse.

Oh, and yes what ever firearm will be in a holster. We have a 3 and 5 year old. Last thing I want is an accidental discharge and something terrible happening.

 

[sloughfoot]

She really needs to attend a basic handgun class so she can try different handguns and make her own decision with the knowledge that she gets from the class.

Check with the trainers on this forum for a class schedule.

It is presumptious of me to recommend a handgun to a lady that I don't even know. My ladies have surprised me with their various choices.

 

[rockhopper46038]

The S&W .380 Bodyguard has been a nicer pistol for me than I initially gave it credit for. I don't know how useful the laser would truly be a self defense situation, but the sights are actually quite good on their own, and the laser is always there if she were to choose to use it. It has a very aggressive safety (I hope mine loosens up a little over time) and a long trigger, both of which would be an advantage if your wife is really going to carry IN her purse (which frankly sounds like a bad idea, but you didn't ask for commentary on her method of carry, so feel free to ignore the editorial comment). It is quite a soft shooting .380, at least in my mind, and particularly for a polymer gun; it is also astonishingly accurate for a BUG gun, which is what I use it for. If you decide to go this route, make sure the serial number begins with "EBBxxxx" or later. The "EA?xxxx" (earlier issue, EAA, EAB, EAC, etc) series pistols exhibited problems with the laser actuation buttons (not a big deal) and a miscut groove in the takedown pin (big deal). Both of these were fixed somewhere in the 'EA? runs, but it's still unclear where; but the EBB's and later are confirmed with the new button and takedown pin design. I've had no problems with mine. At it's price point, it is quite a value.

 

[cam75]

She really needs to attend a basic handgun class so she can try different handguns and make her own decision with the knowledge that she gets from the class.

Check with the trainers on this forum for a class schedule.

It is presumptious of me to recommend a handgun to a lady that I don't even know. My ladies have surprised me with their various choices.

She's never attended a class, but she's been shooting my G17. She's been to the range with me a dozen times, can load the magazine/gun, etc. She a decent shot at 7-10 yards. She has probably 500 rounds under her belt.

She already has kind of made her choice, she hated my 1911, and finds to recoil on the G17 to much. Not that she can't handle it, but would prefer something with less recoil.

 

[cam75]

The S&W .380 Bodyguard has been a nicer pistol for me than I initially gave it credit for. I don't know how useful the laser would truly be a self defense situation, but the sights are actually quite good on their own, and the laser is always there if she were to choose to use it. It has a very aggressive safety (I hope mine loosens up a little over time) and a long trigger, both of which would be an advantage if your wife is really going to carry IN her purse (which frankly sounds like a bad idea, but you didn't ask for commentary on her method of carry, so feel free to ignore the editorial comment). It is quite a soft shooting .380, at least in my mind, and particularly for a polymer gun; it is also astonishingly accurate for a BUG gun, which is what I use it for. If you decide to go this route, make sure the serial number begins with "EBBxxxx" or later. The "EA?xxxx" (earlier issue, EAA, EAB, EAC, etc) series pistols exhibited problems with the laser actuation buttons (not a big deal) and a miscut groove in the takedown pin (big deal). Both of these were fixed somewhere in the 'EA? runs, but it's still unclear where; but the EBB's and later are confirmed with the new button and takedown pin design. I've had no problems with mine. At it's price point, it is quite a value.

Ill add it to the list. Thx for the info. It sounds like what she'd be happy with

I'd prefer she didn't carry in her purse, but she will not wear a holster, either IWB/OWB, and definitely not OC.

 

[kludge]

We have a 3 and 5 year old. Last thing I want is an accidental discharge and something terrible happening.

Oh man, that's the best reason of all *not* to purse carry.

Way more discipline is required in that situation than most people are willing to put up with.

 

[JeepArn]

Had a px4storm compact for my wife and while she liked shooting it, carrying it was another story. Tried the 380 but this was too little too much kick. Went to the 642 .38 and this seems to be the happy medium for her. But I must say, she grew up shooting a full size 357 with her family every other weekend so that maybe some of why she likes the 642. Btw, carries it in a pocket holster inside her purse. This seems to make for secure placement and ease of obtaining.

 

[gungirl65]

Lots of bite with a bodyguard

I'll recommend the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. It's got a very sturdy feel, integrated laser and a manual safety. My wife carries one now and loves it.

I've shot a S&W 380 bodyguard and hated it. It stung to shoot it. It's hard to say if it or the lightweight Taurus 38 special was worse. Not so much a recoil feel as a biting stinging kind of feeling. I like my SP101 357 even with 158 gr ammo much better than either of the above guns.

 

[Tony7141]

Bersa Thunder 380 is a great little gun for the money. My wife really likes hers .

I really like the Bersa Thunder .380, but I think an M&P Sheild has less recoil and a more powerfull rounf in 9mm.

 

[Valvestate]

Go meet and shoot with her or rent if you can and see what works. .380 isn't a bad round at all as long as it's not a simple blowback like Walther PP series. I've never heard anyone hate the Bersa Thunder, so definitely try that. I've heard mixed things about the PK380, like it not always reliable (oversized P22). You could also look at the Beretta Cheetah. I'd get one if I didn't already have a .380. Also there's the Walther PPQ/PPS you could have her try.

 

[rilesss]

Get her a s&w 637 air weight, 38 special, put a longer grip on it, makes recoil better
Revolvers are easy to shoot

 

[BlueEagle]

She's never attended a class, but she's been shooting my G17. She's been to the range with me a dozen times, can load the magazine/gun, etc. She a decent shot at 7-10 yards. She has probably 500 rounds under her belt.

She already has kind of made her choice, she hated my 1911, and finds to recoil on the G17 to much. Not that she can't handle it, but would prefer something with less recoil.

A good revolver shooting .38's will have pretty mild recoil because of the mechanics of the weapon. It sits lower in the and, so the axis of the bore is closer to your palm, which translate more of the recoil into pushing INTO your hand rather than twisting your wrist, which results in very reduced felt recoil.

 

[Titanium Man]

Bersa Thunder 380 is a great little gun for the money. My wife really likes hers .

This is on the wish list................as the TCP 738 my wife has is a bit harsh at the practice range. It's a good gun, but slightly bigger is better.

 

[Excalibur]

I would suggest the S&W Bodyguard. It's a very light little .380.

 

[richardraw316]

I would look at the Walther PK380. That's what MrsGBuck has and she LOVES it. She is 5'1" and 95#. Fits great in small hands and is super soft to shoot. Not a "poket" .380, but not big either. Smaller than a Glock 19... considerably.

+1 pk 380 is one of the nicest 380s on the market.

 

[VERT]

Short answer. Walther PK380, sig P232, Bersa thunder. The Ruger LCR is a soft shooting snub. If you go with a j frame smith make sure to invest in a full size grip.

 

[IndyGunner]

love my ruger lcp

 

[RBrianHarless]

Love my Ruger LCP but highly suggest the Bersa 380. Great little pistol that you can shoot all day.

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

I've owned and carried many of the "pocket" 380's. Most hurt to shoot. the one that I have found not to fall into that category is the Kahr p380. Even with it's small size, it's relatively easy to shoot.

All that said, having young kids around , I would think twice before purse carrying. It's not ON your body - and the possibilities for a young one to grab what they shouldn't are certainly there.

And then the advice to have her take a basic pistol class and try a bunch of stuff untill things fit right, is good.

 

[Irishman]

My wife carries a Ruger SR40C, it is a little large for her. We are looking at a Diamondback db9, for her to conceal carry.