home defense weapon for wife?

[darinb]

My wife has just got serious about home defense. However, we are stuck on what to get her to use since I am not home alot. She wants a pistol since she hates shotguns. She is pretty good with a pistol and likes the beretta format. I figure a light pistol with a light rail and night sights but she is stuck on something all metal and with a manual safety. What would you suggest?

 

[243rem700]

I would let her pick the gun out since she will be using it. You may want to give her suggestions, but in the end it will be her decision. She should be practicing with the pistol a lot, something she may not do if it is not comfortable for her.

 

[redneckmedic]

My wife has a S&W 642, its nice but a bit much for a small frame. I suggest a glock 19 if she is gun savvy even a bit. Trouble shooting a semi-auto is a bit more than a revolver however 15shots of 9mm is better than 5 of .38 SP +P IMO. Second to that maybe a bursa thunder, for same reasons but you have a manual safety instead and a little less recoil. I think that the bursa has more tolerances for limp wristing too.

 

[redneckmedic]

BTW I have all three guns, if you want her to get some range time free (minus ammo) PM me no problems. East Side Indy

 

[target64]

My suggestion is that you listen to your wife and get her what she wants.
If she is going to be the primary user of the firearm then it needs to be something that SHE wants and or desires. If she likes it, she will train with it. If she trains with it, then it might one day serve a very important purpose in the protection of her or others. If you get her what YOU think she needs then all you will have is an expensive paperweight.
Now the plus side of this, since that firearm will be "hers" it is the perfect reason to buy one of your own.

 

[dyerwatcher]

My suggestion is that you listen to your wife and get her what she wants.
If she is going to be the primary user of the firearm then it needs to be something that SHE wants and or desires. If she likes it, she will train with it. If she trains with it, then it might one day serve a very important purpose in the protection of her or others. If you get her what YOU think she needs then all you will have is an expensive paperweight.
Now the plus side of this, since that firearm will be "hers" it is the perfect reason to buy one of your own.

I agree - unless of course you exploit this to get that new weaponry you have been drooling over - when she doesn't like the compact kimber you can always pick up the J-frame revolver!!

 

[Joe Williams]

My wife has just got serious about home defense. However, we are stuck on what to get her to use since I am not home alot. She wants a pistol since she hates shotguns. She is pretty good with a pistol and likes the beretta format. I figure a light pistol with a light rail and night sights but she is stuck on something all metal and with a manual safety. What would you suggest?

My wife LOVES her RIA 1911. If your wife likes the Beretta format, the 92FS is a good choice, and a member here has a Beretta Cougar for sale. The Cougars are very good guns.

 

[Bluehazemay]

Take this chance and take her around to a few shops and let her shop around, that way you have a selection and can make sure she gets what she wants ( that is key )

 

[dice dealer]

If she likes beretta ......get her the beretta .....

Kinda makes sense huh.....lol

 

[redneckmedic]

She will choose the gun that she likes, no doubt, But since you asked our opinions, offering them is OK, I suppose . As long as the horse drinks the water, who cares if it thinks that it walked their all by its self or if you helped steer it in the right direction.

 

[Tommy2Tone]

My wife has a S&W 642, its nice but a bit much for a small frame. I suggest a glock 19 if she is gun savvy even a bit. Trouble shooting a semi-auto is a bit more than a revolver however 15shots of 9mm is better than 5 of .38 SP +P IMO. Second to that maybe a bursa thunder, for same reasons but you have a manual safety instead and a little less recoil. I think that the bursa has more tolerances for limp wristing too.

This is true about the limp wristing. The Bersa will pass the test every time and Glocks have a hard time with it. I have the Bersa and it is a great little gun. It will become my fiances when i get my 19.

 

[melensdad]

My wife has just got serious about home defense. However, we are stuck on what to get her to use since I am not home alot. She wants a pistol since she hates shotguns. She is pretty good with a pistol and likes the beretta format. I figure a light pistol with a light rail and night sights but she is stuck on something all metal and with a manual safety. What would you suggest?

For home defense consider a LONG ARM.

20 gauge shotgun? 70% of the delivered energy, with only 50% of the recoil of a 12 Gauge using #4 buckshot and minimal worry about over penetration while still being a proven man stopper.

AR15? Light, easy to manipulate, minimal recoil, proven manstopper with rounds like the Hornady TAPS ammo and almost no worries about over penetration through the walls.

Handgun ammo, even hollowpoints, will shoot through SEVERAL walls and are more likely to endanger someone 1, 2 or even 3 rooms away from where the gun may be fired.

Just a couple things to consider.

 

[ihateiraq]

have you given any thought to a 10 gauge?

 

[Pami]

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-buying_a_gun_for_the_women_in_your_life.html

Just FYI.


However, what Mel said is very true. I know you said she hates shotguns, but you should get her out to the range with various different styles of long arms as he mentioned above and see if there's one she could be comfortable with.

But whichever way she chooses to go, it definitely needs to be HER decision.

 

[nalees]

i'll throw my vote in for the Beretta 92FS Vertec, it has all of the qualities you said she already wants... It's a Beretta, it's metal, it's got a rail on it. i got it for my first pistol and love it.

 

[wolfman]

have you given any thought to a 10 gauge?

You can't be serious
A 10 gauge for a woman that is not fond of shotguns in the first place??

 

[originalhonkey]

my wife has a 380 bersa. shoots great with it no jams and it fits her hands well.

 

[jerico616]

Good call wolfman! Even if she isn't a fan of shotguns, a 20 gauge or even a 410 is still still excellent for home defense!

 

[Jay]

If a lady will buy a gun the same way she buys shoes, she'll usually be fine with it.....

Proper stance, grip and trigger pull will allow shooting most any handgun, of any caliber..... But it's pretty difficult (my opinion) to learn, or teach "comfort" that doesn't already exist.

Just my two cents.......

 

[wtfd661]

i'll throw my vote in for the Beretta 92FS Vertec, it has all of the qualities you said she already wants... It's a Beretta, it's metal, it's got a rail on it. i got it for my first pistol and love it.

This was my thought also.