Looking for a handgun ...

If you think that you may carry then I'd recommend a Smith and Wesson Shield or Springfield XDS chambered in 9mm. Either of these will run in the $500-$600 range. With modern ammo the 9mm is sufficient for self defense and will be easier for your wife to handle than a .40 or .45 ACP. My wife had very limited experience with firearms and she was able to shoot the XDS very well after one afternoon at the range.


If you aren't going to carry (or would leave the gun in your vehicle) and aren't worried about concealment then a Glock 17 would be a solid choice. They are a law enforcement sized handgun and would be a little easier to shoot because of the larger size. They will be similar in price to the two above.

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Raz4back

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thanks man...



12Bravo Combat Engineer in training many moons ago. Built stuff, blew it away with everything from c4 to Claymore mines... Antitank, several things we played with. Never forget the time with a live hand grenade. Geesh, legs shaking.

Leave the gun take the cajones.

It isn't like anyone with intent to use deadly force is not going to the the drop on you without you inflaming the situation before hand.

Deal out the arse whoopings or run from them, your choice.

The "good Samaritan" thought of using it to prevent crimes against others doesn't really work out afterwards, legally, for most.

Honestly, its only psychological gains by having one and carrying one, like a two year old and their security blanket. Or people who lock their doors thinking its going to keep a thief out of their home while the are gone, which it doesn't prevent, only honest people are deterred by such.

44 magnum revolver...thank me later.

....place a pillow on the ground behind your wife when she shoots it

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Springfield XDS chambered in 9mm.

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exactly what I have. good looking gun and wife can handle if needed (tested many at the range) dual safety makes it nearly impossible to fire accidentally.have never had to use it but feels good having it next to me in the nightstand

If you pull the weapon,shoot to kill.Are you willing to do that?

Springfield XDS Subcompact in .40 what I carry most of the time.

It's not to much for a women. Ammo is cheap and it has plenty of power.

$500-600

Thanks for the info.

It will be interesting to see what they ultimately decide to do.

I agree with most people here suggesting the Springfield XD in 9 mm. Depending on how you are going to carry it I would look at the different sizes and not just the XDs.

They're normally pretty available to check out and shoot at the shooting ranges.

If it's going to be a center console or glove box gun then I'd consider going with the 3.8" version in 9 mm or a 4.5" barrel. You can still conceal carry the 3.8" Compact but it'll be more comfortable to shoot than the XDs. And if your wife is learning it might be a good first gun.

Outside of that I also always suggest a .38/.357 revolver. It's the easiest to learn to shoot and operate and you don't have to worry about jams/malfunctions. If it doesn't go "Bang!" then pull the trigger again and it will. I like starting women in revolvers because I've seen them freak out when a malfunction happens.

Smith & Wesson Governor...shoots .410 shotgun shells or a .45. Load it with .410 shells and it'll hit what you want more often than not. Truth is handguns are highly inaccurate and even more so under stress.


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