Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting 9mm or 40 for the wife

[cksh8me]

I never said he was a soldier, I said he worked over there.



AH listen to AK.

 

[Little Bill]

I never said he was a soldier, I said he worked over there.

I met one of those Blackwater guys last week. Glock 9mm was his issued weapon and that was what he had to carry and qualify with. He didn't have any complaints, but then, I didn't question as I had not read this thread at the time. He had an ammo box slam full of 9mm ball rounds in his truck. We shot through about half of it. Fun, and no upfront cost to me ... just part of my taxes. Is that like a tax rebate?

 

[The patriot]

One of my brothers buddies took over his own pistol.

At least that's what he told him.

He chose a Wilson in 45.

Most I speak to are carrying 9mm (mostly Glock) in a pistol.

Rifle could be dam near anything. 5. 56, 7. 62x39, M4, com block AK's etc.

Things are changing a LOT for the PSC's over there right now.

 

[icman95]

It seems like we've come full circle here. Back in post #20 I mentioned that I'd be worried if someone was pointing any gun at me, regardless of caliber. Also, any gun will make you bleed and no one likes to bleed. AH, you do say that the first rule is to bring a gun. Nothing could be more true, and this goes hand in hand with what I just said. So, the point is that more powerful rounds do more damage, but if the user isn't comfortable with it, then they might not carry it or flinch while shooting thereby missing the target. Can't fault anyone for carrying the most comfortable gun for them. I remember reading in American Rifleman many years ago this same discussion in an article. The writer made a point that he had come across a case where a guy was shot in the head with a . 357, but got lucky as the round split right down the center of the two brain halves and didn't hit anything too important. He survived with relatively little damage. Conversely, he also cited a case where someone else was shot directly in the heart with a . 22 and died on the spot. Again, ANY gun pointed at me is a danger, despite caliber.



By the way, when we were looking for my wife the decision was the Kel-Tec . 380 or the SW . 38 Airweight. I have the Kel-Tec . 32 and my wife has trouble racking it, but we tried the . 380 anyway. Same problem. Also, I'm not as thrilled with my . 32 as I want to be. It's really easy to carry, but jams more than any other gun I have, no matter what the ammo (I use Winchester Silvertip HP for defensive rounds). This helped me convince my wife to go with the SW. 38. Will ALWAYS go bang when needed and really easy to carry. Of course, better stopping than the . 32, also.



The first gun I ever purchased was a SW model 469 9mm with 2 12 rd mags. Love it! Fairly compact and easy to carry. Loaded with Federal Hydrashock HP's I feel confident against any human attacker. In the woods or trail walking, if the weather allows me to wear a heavy jacket, I carry my . 44 mag figuring it will take care of any four legged critter that has it out for me. But as an everyday carry weapon, the SW 9mm is a great choice and I don't feel any less safe carrying it.



BTW, several years ago I had a trigger problem with it. Since I live about 45 minutes from S&W's factory, I called them up and they told me to bring it in. Four days later I was back there picking it up fully cleaned, refurbished, and rebuilt at no charge, no questions asked. Now THAT'S customer service! If only Dodge would stand behind the VP-44 pumps like that!

 

[AH64ID]

Personally, I think you've drank too much Jeff Cooper Koolade. I used to read him religiously, and took alot of what he said as gospel, but I'm past that stage.



First, how bout I shoot at you with an M9 firing ball ammo. I'm sure you wouldn't last long if I hit you COM.



Second, . 380 Kel Tec? You just invalidated your 9mm argument. If you're going to get a . 380 Kel Tec, step up and get a 9mm Kahr. It's a superior weapon firing a full house (superior) 9mm, not a 9mm Kurz. Put some good Hollow Points in it, and it's "enough gun. " Likewise with the . 38 SPL



Now, as for your insistence on bigger is better, even a . 45 ACP with HP ammo is not going to deliver reliable and reasonably rapid stops unless you hit COM or CNS. I love my . 45 Gov't Model, but in a concealment gun, especially in the summer, give me a Kahr or a 38 Airweight. Let's face it, when you're in SHTF mode, hands aren't always steady, and being able to pop off a couple or three shots in rapid sucession with a moderate recoil 9mm is a good thing. One of them is bound to hit an important organ or main artery. Even ball ammo will do in a pinch, just don't know where it might end up. I used to hate that we couldn't use HP in the airport back in 01.

Bigger isn't always better, my 10mm isn't the best self defense round because it has too much penetration. It goes clean thru the person your shooting at, while it does a TON of damage the energy isn't dissipated, so there isn't as much knockdown. . Thats why I think the . 45 is a great round for people, the round will generally stop or come close to stopping in the person dissipating all the enrgy, hence more knowdown. That is why I think the 40 is a good round, plenty of energy but not too much.



I'm not saying 9mm won't kill COM, but what I am saying is there are better rounds out there. Yes Ball will kill, but there are better loads... I don't think a 9mm is the best gun for self defence, thats all.



I prefer the . 380 due to its size. A 9mm Kahr is still a bit larger. That is my pure concealed carry gun. . If I were to only own one gun it wouldn't be a kel-tec, but I am lucky to have more than one.

At close range, I agree fully, except someone needs to test fire the heavy loads. Some guns get finicky at times, and you wouldn't want a feed jam caused by limp wristing or what have you.

Okay, fire them. . but if your wife doesn't want to she doesn't have to. . You can make sure they work first hand. . then hand it over to her. Good ammo in a good gun will be fine (the only gun I have personally seen jam from loose griping is a bersa . 380)



If there is any concern about a auto loader jamming, or the slide, etc then get a wheel gun. . As I said earlier I expect my wife to be getting a wheel gun over her auto in the coming year or so. . Just as less of a hassle; even thou a glock is a very reliable self defense gun.

 

[WStephens]

If you have a range that rents then let her shoot different models and manufactures and calibers and let her decide what she likes. That is what I had my wife do before she bought her hand gun which is a Glock . 40

 

[DHayden]

I'm looking at a Baretta PX4 storm 9mm for my wife. Read alot of great things about it but I can't find a local shop with one in stock to handle.

 

[dieselshu]

Handgun for wife

Jim,

I would recommend a Makarov 9x17 which is between a . 380 and 9mm. They are easy for small handed people, pack a good punch and are very easy to maintain and reliable. Get the German or Bulgarian version.



Dave

 

[sarj]

...

I prefer the . 380 due to its size. ... That is my pure concealed carry gun. . If I were to only own one gun it wouldn't be a kel-tec, but I am lucky to have more than one. ...

If there is any concern about a auto loader jamming, or the slide, etc then get a wheel gun. . As I said earlier I expect my wife to be getting a wheel gun over her auto in the coming year or so. . ...

This is exactly the route I've gone. My 686 smith is a little heavy for her, so I'm going to find a Lady Smith for her to plink with at a range to see if she likes it better. Until then she knows the P232 in . 380, a great compromise and that one works well for me if I need to go into Los Angeles for anything. You don't need a cannon, because like someone said; no one likes to bleed.

 

[rluft]

Not knowing your wifes experience with handguns I would suggest a small frame double action revolver in 357mag. This way she can load 38's for practice (low recoil) and then 357mag hollow points for self-defense (maximum stopping power, recoil won't matter). If a round fails to fire in a life-or-death situation just keep pulling the trigger. If a semiauto misfires a person will need to know the weapon well to be able to get the firearm back in action, time that you may not have when the chips are down.



Having fired a Glock 17 and a Glock 22 side by side the 40S&W has a more pronounced recoil than the 9mm. If she plans on shooting alot the 9mm will be appreciated. If a larger caliber is perferred I would go with a 45 auto. I have a nice S&W 645 that shoots like a dream, a recoil that a women can easily handle.

 

[JA1]

Unless she is familiar with clearing a malfunction in an auto and trains with it, stick with a revolver. My recommendation is the Smith & Wesson 37 Airweight in . 38special. Light loads to train with and double action only. Center mass shots only. Nobody tries to wound. .

Remember to discuss with her the mental and legal ramifications of shooting someone. Also, she must have the mind set to pull the trigger on a human being, if not it might be used against her. Find out where you live the definition of when deadly force may be used. This is serious business. Its play for keeps. Good Luck.

 

[PLaFrombois]

Jim, is this the same wife that would sit in the truck and read a book during our WI/MN gatherings??



Everyone has made great suggestions as to what gun, and caliber would work for her. I know that she could handle all that have been suggested. I would look into a 9mm. Next, find a gun that will fit her hand. If it doesn't fit properly, you've wasted your money. When you go into the store, handle as many firearms as possible. If they have an indoor range, and rental all the better. Though, we live in WI, so that's out. Don't just shop at one place either. Also, check out some used firearms. You can save some money, and still get a nice firearm.



Have you heard from Craig?



Paul

 

[AMink]

Remember that the grip shape and gun configuration play a big part in this equation. For example, the smallish wooden or other smooth surface grips on a single action revolver allow the gun to "rotate" in the shooters hand so the hammer is close to the thumb for a re-cock. On the other hand, there are nice, soft aftermarket grips that give different size options on the same frame. You can go with a larger framed (and heavier) revolver with a birds head grip for smaller hands. I know several woman who can shoot . 357's or . 40's no problem. Just cause she's a she doesn't mean she needs a smaller caliber.

 

[AKaiser]

Not knowing your wifes experience with handguns I would suggest a small frame double action revolver in 357mag. This way she can load 38's for practice (low recoil) and then 357mag hollow points for self-defense (maximum stopping power, recoil won't matter). If a round fails to fire in a life-or-death situation just keep pulling the trigger. If a semiauto misfires a person will need to know the weapon well to be able to get the firearm back in action, time that you may not have when the chips are down.



Having fired a Glock 17 and a Glock 22 side by side the 40S&W has a more pronounced recoil than the 9mm. If she plans on shooting alot the 9mm will be appreciated. If a larger caliber is perferred I would go with a 45 auto. I have a nice S&W 645 that shoots like a dream, a recoil that a women can easily handle.

I'd stick to nothing heavier than . 38 SPL +P in the revolver if you want her to be able to make followup shots. ALWAYS expect to have to make followup shots. It's a PISTOL. If you were EXPECTING trouble, you'd get a rifle. A pistol is a SHTF weapon when you can't carry a rifle or shotgun. The LAST time you want to shoot a really heavy load for the first time is when the SHTF. TRAIN AS YOU FIGHT!!!

 

[AKaiser]

Speaking of 9mms, I got my hands on the new Springfield XD(M). Great gun (big for concealment) and it comes packed with different backstraps for the pistol grip for different size hands. Awesome package. Better trigger than a Glock.

 

[jray]

cksh8me said:

One of the basic rules when choosing a firearm/caliber for self defense is choose the largest caliber you can accurately, and rapidly engage multiple targets.



Lights on your firearm require additional training. Using a flashlight can get you shot.



I don't know anybody with any credentials that would choose a 22 over a 9mm at self defense distances. It's just not going to happen.

Amen Brother, everything you've said here is spot on.

 

[prodiesel]

The 9mm has a much smaller grip width than the 40 and fits smaller hands better . What ever she gets make sure she gets comfotable with it and just know if you get it out be prepared to use it . Don't get shot with your own gun .

 

[jtisdale]

Jim, is this the same wife that would sit in the truck and read a book during our WI/MN gatherings??



Everyone has made great suggestions as to what gun, and caliber would work for her. I know that she could handle all that have been suggested. I would look into a 9mm. Next, find a gun that will fit her hand. If it doesn't fit properly, you've wasted your money. When you go into the store, handle as many firearms as possible. If they have an indoor range, and rental all the better. Though, we live in WI, so that's out. Don't just shop at one place either. Also, check out some used firearms. You can save some money, and still get a nice firearm.



Have you heard from Craig?



Paul

Yes Paul... same wife, just several thousand books later:-laf. Aint she great?

I am borrowing an XD40 and an XD45 from a guy at work to shoot.

I still talk to Craig about once a month... hes doing well.

Jim

 

[BTighe]

Hi jtisdale, no disrespect to your friend but he's wrong about the recoil of the 40 vs. the 9mm. The 40 has a rather sharp snappy recoil vs. the 9mm. The 45 has even more recoil yet, but it's not snappy, it's more of a roll. Personally I feel the 45acp recoil is more manageable, but I'm not trying to sell you on a 45.



I shoot alot of guns and thousands of hangun rounds each year. I teach shooting full time and I would hesitate recommending a 40 cal over a 9mm unless that person shoots alot. Buy her the 9mm. Cheaper to shoot and less recoil.

i have my usp 45 and a glock 32 (357sig). the glock fits the wife way better but its snappy like the . 40. she prefers the . 45.



im an auto guy myself but a snubby 357 is the best bet for most. reason i choose that over 38 is more power is better for me but the wife would like it.

 

[catdsl]

i have a 1911 45 that my girlfriend loves to shoot and is quite good with it she also has rather small hands so my point being get your wife the biggest cal. that she can handle.