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Concealed carry for my wife?

6213 Views 77 Replies 39 Participants Last post by  Daveem
What are most the ladies carrying? I’m wanting to get my wife something to carry and she knows very little about guns. Figured I could get a feel for what most the females are more comfortable with on here. I would like her to get a semi auto but with her Ks k of eco figure a revolver will probably be best. She will be carrying it in her car and in a purse. Any females in here that have been in sane situation or anyone dealt with this with their better half. Which use choose we will practice with and get familiar with of course. Just don’t want to spend the money buying a few different guns for her to try lol
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I would recommend an LCP 380. Just point and pull the trigger. Very little recoil.
I have one of the original Kel-tec P3AT's. From my understanding, the original Ruger LCP was an exact copy. I find my Kel-tec terrible to shoot. In my hand, I can only fit 1.5 fingers on the grip which leads to a lot of muzzle flip. I put on a magazine extension so that I could get two fingers on the grip, but it is still a handful.

I would definitely put one in her hand before going that route. It's hard to shoot if you can't hold it.
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From my experiences the Rugers all have terrible triggers.
My wife had a blued steel J frame. she didn't like it. Put an oversized grip on it she liked shooting it better but it was heavy. Got her an LCP and she actually carries it some. She likes shooting my 1911 45 the best.
I have one of the original Kel-tec P3AT's. From my understanding, the original Ruger LCP was an exact copy. I find my Kel-tec terrible to shoot. In my hand, I can only fit 1.5 fingers on the grip which leads to a lot of muzzle flip. I put on a magazine extension so that I could get two fingers on the grip, but it is still a handful.

I would definitely put one in her hand before going that route. It's hard to shoot if you can't hold it.
Amen......that’s what the wife has, she does like my G43 so we may be owning another before long.
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I have one of the original Kel-tec P3AT's. From my understanding, the original Ruger LCP was an exact copy. I find my Kel-tec terrible to shoot. In my hand, I can only fit 1.5 fingers on the grip which leads to a lot of muzzle flip. I put on a magazine extension so that I could get two fingers on the grip, but it is still a handful.

I would definitely put one in her hand before going that route. It's hard to shoot if you can't hold it.
I too owned a P3AT, and then I shot it. I'm anything but recoil shy, but that thing was nasty on my hand.
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I too owned a P3AT, and then I shot it. I'm anything but recoil shy, but that thing was nasty on my hand.
It gives the term “ pocket rocket” validation.
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All my girls shoot a LCP fine. And they all carry them in their purses. To each his own. I guess my opinion is as worth as much as anyone else's. Get her a 44 like Dirty Harry carried. That would be so coooooooooool! Might break her wrist, but if she likes it then go for it. Might not be able to pull the hammer back in the 2 seconds she has before an attacker gets to her, but hey, that's just splitting hairs.
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Its pretty obvious 90% of responses on this thread come from people who do not carry on a regular basis. Everyone likes the idea of it, but not the work it takes to actually do it. If you have ever seen me, then you have seen me carrying. My wife and daughters actually carry too. We makes smart decisions that make it easy to carry. If its easy, then you will do it. Its a commitment few are willing to make because they get a giant, heavy gun that is not practical. I did break my own advise and carried a 911. Yes it has a safety and prolly would have got me kilt. I went back to the LCP for the extra rounds I can carry. Plus the 911 jammed too much. Its sitting up on the top shelf by my recliner where I am sitting in right now. It was cooler than the cheap LCP, but it didnt perform like the LCP. The trigger was much better, but who cares about a trigger for a carry gun? Thats way down on the list of importance when shooting a target 10 feet away.

Ive never figured out how I get singled in a thread this size. I have a different opinion on most things because I see more than most. I see lots of people with stupid opinions that change them after spending a day or two with me. They just dont know they dont know. Just read what I say and if you dont agree just move on. Dont take it personal. I dont think I know it all, but Im willing to change things that dont work. Why not just read, think on it for a second, then take it or leave it. I really dont care either way.
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Btech if I made you upset by saying the rugers have terrible triggers it wasn’t my intention. I forgot to add that was just my opinion. Everyone is entitled to that and it’s worth exactly what you paid for it. ZRow….

My wife not only carries her M&P 380 EZ daily she also shoots at least 50 rounds a month just for ****z and giggles…..


That said my wife had never even fired a pistol up until a couple years ago when she decided on her own she wanted one. So we went to several ranges and rented several different brands and models and that’s what she decided on and felt the most confident with. At the end of the day isn’t that all that matters?
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Its pretty obvious 90% of responses on this thread come from people who do not carry on a regular basis. Everyone likes the idea of it, but not the work it takes to actually do it. If you have ever seen me, then you have seen me carrying. My wife and daughters actually carry too. We makes smart decisions that make it easy to carry. If its easy, then you will do it. Its a commitment few are willing to make because they get a giant, heavy gun that is not practical. I did break my own advise and carried a 911. Yes it has a safety and prolly would have got me kilt. I went back to the LCP for the extra rounds I can carry. Plus the 911 jammed too much. Its sitting up on the top shelf by my recliner where I am sitting in right now. It was cooler than the cheap LCP, but it didnt perform like the LCP. The trigger was much better, but who cares about a trigger for a carry gun? Thats way down on the list of importance when shooting a target 10 feet away.

Ive never figured out how I get singled in a thread this size. I have a different opinion on most things because I see more than most. I see lots of people with stupid opinions that change them after spending a day or two with me. They just dont know they dont know. Just read what I say and if you dont agree just move on. Dont take it personal. I dont think I know it all, but Im willing to change things that dont work. Why not just read, think on it for a second, then take it or leave it. I really dont care either way.
You seem to wear your feelings on your shoulder when anyone disagrees with you in the slightest way. You aren’t the only person on this forum that carries a gun daily.
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You seem to wear your feelings on your shoulder when anyone disagrees with you in the slightest way. You aren’t the only person on this forum that carries a gun daily.
Not at all, but when a mod comes on and basically calls me stupid, then I do get riled up. And it wasnt just a poke in my general direction, she said my name. I aint gonna lie, it pizzed me off.

Im not a huge fan of the LCP. Its just a cheap and effective gun that woman can handle. Ive seen it, because I own 6 of them. Any small gun without a safety is fine. Small revolvers without an exposed hammer are also good. Glocks are good. Im not saying it has to be a LCP, I just know they will eat any ammo you feed them and they shoot fine.

If you feel a 9mm makes you safe then they are fine, if you want to carry a full size 45, they are fine. Whatever you will actually carry is the best choice.
Sig P238. All metal, safety for cock'd & lock'd carry. 380, but no recoil because it's not plastic. Easy to chamber. 6+1 rounds.

My wife and I have one each. Fits in purse or on person. Keep it ready and all sh has to do is drop the safety. I was getting it for her and liked it so much I got one too. I will eventually get the 9mm one. Other gun I will carry that is not fullsize is an xds45.
I’m sorry it was meant to say “ with her lack of experience “ and we have a little boy and there is no doubt in my mind she would shoot someone to protect herself or him from danger
Ok, good deal. First issue is covered.
On to issue #2: her lack of experience with handguns. Do you have a .22 pistol y'all can use to get her up to speed? She needs to get comfortable with the basics of how to load/unload, grip, sight alignment, etc. Being able to get some live fire practice with cheaper/low recoiling .22 would be a great start. If you don't have a .22, you can still accomplish a lot of that for cheap with a pellet or airsoft pistol that closely matches common handguns. Academy has a Glock 19 airsoft for $70.

As far as choosing a gun goes, a lot of advice has already been given in this thread. One factor tops all others: reliability. The gun simply has to work. Fortunately, there are plenty of guns out there today that can be counted on to go bang every time you pull the trigger. Next on the list of importance: being able to work all of the controls. If a semi-auto, can she rack the slide (much more about proper technique than hand strength)? Can she easily operate the mag release/insert a magazine/be able to get proper finger placement on the trigger and pull it straight back without excessive effort? For a revolver, can she operate the cylinder release/load rounds into the chambers/get trigger finger placement and pull it properly? Generally speaking, revolver triggers tend to give women more issues than the ones on semi-autos do. Long, heavy trigger pulls don't do new shooters any favors; neither do short barrels. "Feels good in the hand" is fine.....to a certain point. But it doesn't matter how good the gun feels if she can't operate it properly. And I've had several people, as well as myself, who have liked the way a gun felt just by gripping it but then didn't like it once they actually shot it.

As others have said, by far the best way to go about finding the right gun is to have her shoot as many different ones as possible. Unfortunately, you don't live close to any ranges that have rental guns that I'm aware of. You might have to make a day of it and run up to Arkansas Armory in Sherwood or The Shooter's Gallery at Don's Weaponry in NLR; both of them have rental guns. Whether you go to a range with rentals or are at the gun store checking out different ones from the case, here is generally what to look for: reputation for reliability, able to reach/operate all the controls, and good sights she can actually see. Looking at the list of current rental guns available at Arkansas Armory according to their website, if I was taking a new shooter looking for a CCW gun, the ones I'd have them try out are: Sig P365, M&P9 Shield, .380 EZ Shield, Glock 26, Glock 43, Walther PPS, S&W 642.
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-Another vote for the SIG 238
-Another for the Kimber Micro9
-And another for the Browning 380 (black label is best)

I have small hands so all three fit mine like a glove. I know I’m not a woman, but most women have smaller hands and therefore need a smaller framed pistol.

Also don’t discount the Glock 42/43
You folks are ALL wrong. I’ve waited and waited for the correct answer and not ONE OF YOU has even come close. This was settled LOOOOOONG ago.....
Lip Drinkware Wine Flash photography Jaw
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You folks are ALL wrong. I’ve waited and waited for the correct answer and not ONE OF YOU has even come close. This was settled LOOOOOONG ago.....
View attachment 344241
Going to give you the benefit of the doubt that this is sarcasm.
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Little sister don’t miss when she aims her gun.

Got the wife unit a hammerless airweight 38. It’ll shoot the +Ps…. Loves it. And after I saw how well she handled/shot it, I told the girlfriends to hit the bricks.
My wife doesn’t carry, but my little sis carries one of these.
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Going to give you the benefit of the doubt that this is sarcasm.
Are you kidding me?! I’ve seen that exact gun make some shots you WOULD. NOT. BELIEVE!! Headshots from hundreds of yards....
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Are you kidding me?! I’ve seen that exact gun make some shots you WOULD. NOT. BELIEVE!! Headshots from hundreds of yards....
Over the shoulder using a mirror, right?
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