Ladies! Advice needed on an EDC for my wifey

[Valvestate]

My wife to be is looking at getting a decent arm for conceal carry and some plinkin. The PX4 Storm caught her eye and I'm wondering what you think Of it or alternatives. I know the storm is a lil heavy, but she needs something that isn't too snappy. She's only been shooting a p22 and recently she shot my full size steel baby eagle in 9mm. She needs to strengthen her hands on something bigger than the p22.

 

[redneckmedic]

Bring her to a gun show and let her handle as many pistols as possible... she needs to confident with this decision. Don't discount the 22mag or 32mag also...as many guns as possible.

 

[Valvestate]

Theres a local show coming up in Sept in Valpo, but I'll be working that weekend and can't go . I've had her fondle lots of stuff at Cabela's and Blythe's but she wasn't thinking about it then (before that whacko held up the real estate office in Valpo a few weeks ago).

 

[Sureshot129]

Have her shoot as many as she can don't rule out 9mm and above. Any shop that says she need a 38 of 380 just walk out of unless she has shot and likes shooting those guns. Here at Kodiak we get a lot of women who get told that they should only have a revolver or 380 auto then they hate them. We get quiet a few who enjoy the larger calibers as well.

 

[Valvestate]

I don't think she's up for over 9mm. My friend's PPQ in .40S&W scared her a bit.

Edit: But yea I agree, the 38 or 380 thing is dumb.

 

[rotortech]

I carry 40 S&W. It has a snappier recoil than both 9mm and 45. Please don't start anyone who might be sensitive to recoil out with 40 S&W.

Have her shoot as many as possible to find what she likes.

 

[Valvestate]

Oh I know better than that. .40 would be too much.

No thoughts on the storm?

 

[warangelcometh]

My wife likes her S&W bodyguard. 380.
It's easy for her to pull the slide back and she feels more comfortable with the manual safety "for now"

 

[JetGirl]

I don't think she's up for over 9mm. My friend's PPQ in .40S&W scared her a bit.

In equal sized frames of the same material, a .45 (being bigger diameter than a 9mm, or a .40) leaves the bore much slower, causing LESS perceived recoil and muzzle flip. The push of a .45 is much less aggressive than the snap & slap of a 9mm.
Don't discount a .45...

 

[joshualee49]

How is her technique? I'm asking because my wife LOVES her LC9 but that thing has a trigger pull from here to Sandusky, Ohio.

It's a great little shooter in her small hands. I honestly can't hit the broad side of the barn with it but she is pretty accurate from 7 yards offhand. The LGS that sold it to her actually hung up a dirty bird silhouette target she brought back by on the wall...

They have trigger kits available for them to lighten that pull up though.

It's not exactly a pocket gun (for her) but it conceals itself easily enough in her purse when she does carry.

(Edit - the gun IS a little snappy but my wife has learned to control it very well...)

 

[Valvestate]

How is her technique? I'm asking because my wife LOVES her LC9 but that thing has a trigger pull from here to Sandusky, Ohio.

It's a great little shooter in her small hands. I honestly can't hit the broad side of the barn with it but she is pretty accurate from 7 yards offhand. The LGS that sold it to her actually hung up a dirty bird silhouette target she brought back by on the wall...

They have trigger kits available for them to lighten that pull up though.

It's not exactly a pocket gun (for her) but it conceals itself easily enough in her purse when she does carry.

(Edit - the gun IS a little snappy but my wife has learned to control it very well...)

She definitely needs work on technique, but I think what will help most is something to strengthen her grip. I'll keep the bodyguard in mind, though.

She'd most likely purse carry.

45 will not be discounted, although I think the overall recoil may be too big of a jump. Could be wrong though (I haven't shot 45 myself).

 

[JetGirl]

45 will not be discounted, although I think the overall recoil may be too big of a jump.

In equal sized frames of the same material, a .45 (being bigger diameter than a 9mm, or a .40) leaves the bore much slower, causing LESS perceived recoil and muzzle flip.

^ I'm not just making crap up. FYI. ^

 

[Valvestate]

^ I'm not just making crap up. FYI. ^

Okie doke. I'll take your word on it. How's the recoil though on one that's small enough to conceal in a purse? Not talking like a 1911.

 

[JetGirl]

With ANY caliber, the trade off for more concealability (lighter & smaller), there is more perceived recoil.
Light little gun = more muzzle flip.
Heavier w/ longer barrel = more pleasant to the palm and easier/quicker target reacquisition for follow ups.

 

[Valvestate]

With ANY caliber, the trade off for more concealability (lighter & smaller), there is more perceived recoil.
Light little gun = more muzzle flip.
Heavier w/ longer barrel = more pleasant to the palm and easier/quicker target reacquisition for follow ups.

If I'm understanding you correctly, a compact 9mm will have more perceived recoil than a compact .45 of similar weight/etc characteristics?

 

[JetGirl]

If I'm understanding you correctly, a compact 9mm will have more perceived recoil than a compact .45 of similar weight/etc characteristics?

Exactly.

 

[Valvestate]

Exactly.

Wow that blows my mind.

 

[indyjoe]

Wow that blows my mind.

The difference is that a .45 may have more force, but the impulse is less. Think of someone pushing you vs someone slapping you. .40 seems worse, 9mm next, and .45 last in the impact of the impulse. 9mm is the lightest overall force though.

 

[JetGirl]

Wow that blows my mind.

That's what you get when you ask advice from us ladies.

 

[Valvestate]

That's what you get when you ask advice from us ladies.

Haha glad I asked a lady then