need advice on handgun purchase for wifey

bossco · 04-24-2008, 11:45 PM

want to start off by saying hello to everyone as this is my first post.
my situation is im planing on buying a hangun in a couple of weeks and im looking at the h&k's. i have owned a 9mm h&k before but regretably sold it. my wife loved going out back and target practicing with it and she says it feels good in her hand.
ima ex merchant marine but im now getting back into the industry and i will have to leave her and the 2 little one for months at a time. so my question is would a 40cal h&k compact be too much for her as to hand fitment,recoil etc? or should i just by a 9mm again? all info wuld be greatly appreciated...thanks

SwedeSteve · 04-25-2008, 06:38 AM

Welcome to G&G! It's a great place. I would suggest letting her hold a few handguns if possible. If not then get the 9mm you know she likes!

.22hustler · 04-25-2008, 07:32 AM

Welcome..Wife just bought a Bersa .380.. Nice gun, felt right for her.. She can't wait to shoot it.. (Waiting for her permit).

Windwalker · 04-25-2008, 07:50 AM

Welcome to G&G. We have a nice bunch of friendly folks here. Quite a few ladies too. Your wife might like to join also. If there are any shooting ranges in your area give them a call and see if they rent guns at the range. If so, rent one in .40 cal. and let your wife shoot it. Then she will know which she likes the best. Good Luck.

Aarant · 04-25-2008, 12:03 PM

WELCOME. my wife just bought ( and went to the range a few times) a bersa .380. She loves it. I also looked at the Bersa Thunder 9's and .45's. All look like good shooters. The range thing is a great Idea if you have one in your area. If not Academy has a full line of Bersa's ( and others) for her to look at. And welcome back to the industry. Been at it for 15yrs now!

tlarkin · 04-25-2008, 12:18 PM

HK, nice choice...

In my experience every compact and sub compact .40 I have fired has never really kicked all that much more than my 9mm.

I am sure she can handle it.

LarryO1970 · 04-25-2008, 12:21 PM

Welcome to G & G ...

... as long as she is comfortable with the feel, controls and the recoil is manageable, you've got a winner.

oldjarhead · 04-25-2008, 12:28 PM

Welcome to G&G.
I'd recommend doing the range rental as Windwalker suggests. That way she can get the feel of a variety of pistols and calibers.
Personally, I don't much care for the .40 but that's a personal choice.

stalebiscuit · 04-25-2008, 01:23 PM

id say a .38 special on a .32 frame

but try a few out at a range, see whats good

MrsS · 04-25-2008, 03:29 PM

Let her try a few that are out there. Each lady is different. We carry a variety, from the .380 to .45cal. I sometimes use my husband's .40cal but I am more comfortable with a .380.

Oh, welcome, by the way!

bossco · 04-25-2008, 10:56 PM

thanks everyone for the great advice! she likes the idea of a little bit bigger gun. we went back to the gun store and she likes 40cal hk compact, but im taking everyones advice and i will have her go to the range and try it before she purchases it.

tlarkin · 04-26-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossco

thanks everyone for the great advice! she likes the idea of a little bit bigger gun. we went back to the gun store and she likes 40cal hk compact, but im taking everyones advice and i will have her go to the range and try it before she purchases it.

That is the exact gun i want, I just can't afford it's $900+ price tag ATM. HK also does not have a range program unfortunately. I wanted to rent every HK pistol that the local gun clubs carried, and none of them rent them because HK doesn't have a range program is what I am told. Not sure exactly what a range program is, but that is what the dealers and gun clubs tell me.

I really like the two tone one with a stainless slide, I think it looks sharp. I think your wife will love it, and if not you can always sell it to me if she doesn't like it

sonny2u2 · 04-26-2008, 08:23 AM

My opinion only, but the experience I had was at first the wife was just likin' the idea of carrying an auto, so got her a Glock 19. She shot it well at the range and she could manage it without any problem. In reality, she was not comfortable carrying "one up", so that puts her in a situation of needing to pull the slide back which she was having problems with just at the range, let alone in an emergency. Also in reality, the Glock ends up in the purse with make-up, change, lots of purse fuzz, and various and sundry things that do not go well with auto mechanisms. We're back to looking at revolvers that are very simple to operate in an emergency, no stove piping from a loose grip so no double racking of the slide to clear a jam, and everytime you pull the trigger they go bang, and with a revolver...if they don't go bang........pull the trigger again and the next one will. Look at the .327 Mag Ruger SP101, that's what I'm doing.

ArkansasHunter · 04-26-2008, 09:04 AM

Hi Bossco and WELCOME to GUN and GAME Were delighted you joined ! feller.

You mention your wife use to love going out back shooting so it ovious she knows what to expect when she pulls the trigger.

I'm not familure with H&K pistols but you probably know the smaller the pistol and larger the caliber the pistol will roll or buck more in the hand.

When your wife was shooting out back was she or has she learned to shoot useing both hands ?
If yes then a 40 S&W want be to much for her to handle.

My son has a couple Glocks in 40 S&W that I have shot and I found them to be controlable.
Personaly though if my wife ever would show any interest in shooting a pistol I would most likely buy 2 pistols for her a 9mm pistol for target shooting and bedside pistol and a new Ruger LCP 380 or KelTec 380 for her personal carry (in her purse).

Lastly if you bought a 9mm pistol it prolly will hold more ammo and if it were to be called on for protection haveing a few more rounds to use might come in very handy.
A.H

meatloaf · 04-29-2008, 06:03 AM

My wife shoots my Colt .45. In fact she has laid claim over it and says it is hers, so now I guess I'll have to buy another .45 for my self, maybe 2 or 3 you never know what will suit you the best.

I say let her try a .45 if she doesnt like it let her try a .40 and then if that doesnt suit her let her get the 9mm. To me and a couple others I talked to the .40 has a different sharper recoil, and my (wife's) .45 recoil seems less. Now on paper a .45 has more recoil, but since the bullet is heavier and flys at sub sonic speeds it feels more like a push with a twist ( from the centrifugal force of twisting the round). The .40 flys at super sonic speed so the recoil feels sharp and the gun wants to "pop" up. What I am trying to say is that the biggest thing about shooting a .45 is the mental fear people have and not actual practice. Happy shooting and welcome to gun and game.

04-24-2008, 11:45 PM	#1
bossco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	need advice on handgun purchase for wifey want to start off by saying hello to everyone as this is my first post. my situation is im planing on buying a hangun in a couple of weeks and im looking at the h&k's. i have owned a 9mm h&k before but regretably sold it. my wife loved going out back and target practicing with it and she says it feels good in her hand. ima ex merchant marine but im now getting back into the industry and i will have to leave her and the 2 little one for months at a time. so my question is would a 40cal h&k compact be too much for her as to hand fitment,recoil etc? or should i just by a 9mm again? all info wuld be greatly appreciated...thanks

04-25-2008, 06:38 AM	#2
SwedeSteve Grumpy Old Fart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 9,100 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome to G&G! It's a great place. I would suggest letting her hold a few handguns if possible. If not then get the 9mm you know she likes! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-25-2008, 07:50 AM	#4
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,281 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome to G&G. We have a nice bunch of friendly folks here. Quite a few ladies too. Your wife might like to join also. If there are any shooting ranges in your area give them a call and see if they rent guns at the range. If so, rent one in .40 cal. and let your wife shoot it. Then she will know which she likes the best. Good Luck. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it

04-25-2008, 12:21 PM	#7
LarryO1970 "Blazing Saddles" GOV Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Johnson Creek, WI Posts: 2,423 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome to G & G ... ... as long as she is comfortable with the feel, controls and the recoil is manageable, you've got a winner. __________________ "Guess what?! I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

04-25-2008, 03:29 PM	#10
MrsS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from the 26th state of the union; now living in the 16th. Posts: 1,105 Trader Rating: (0)	Let her try a few that are out there. Each lady is different. We carry a variety, from the .380 to .45cal. I sometimes use my husband's .40cal but I am more comfortable with a .380. Oh, welcome, by the way! __________________ Gun Control...is the ability to hit your target.

04-25-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 756 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome..Wife just bought a Bersa .380.. Nice gun, felt right for her.. She can't wait to shoot it.. (Waiting for her permit).

04-25-2008, 12:03 PM	#5
Aarant Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: south Texas Posts: 101 Trader Rating: (0)	WELCOME. my wife just bought ( and went to the range a few times) a bersa .380. She loves it. I also looked at the Bersa Thunder 9's and .45's. All look like good shooters. The range thing is a great Idea if you have one in your area. If not Academy has a full line of Bersa's ( and others) for her to look at. And welcome back to the industry. Been at it for 15yrs now!

04-25-2008, 12:18 PM	#6
tlarkin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,537 Trader Rating: (0)	HK, nice choice... In my experience every compact and sub compact .40 I have fired has never really kicked all that much more than my 9mm. I am sure she can handle it.

04-25-2008, 12:28 PM	#8
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pottersville, MO Posts: 680 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome to G&G. I'd recommend doing the range rental as Windwalker suggests. That way she can get the feel of a variety of pistols and calibers. Personally, I don't much care for the .40 but that's a personal choice.

04-25-2008, 01:23 PM	#9
stalebiscuit Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: atlanta, but much rather be in valdosta Posts: 1,396 Trader Rating: (0)	id say a .38 special on a .32 frame but try a few out at a range, see whats good

04-25-2008, 10:56 PM	#11
bossco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	thanks everyone for the great advice! she likes the idea of a little bit bigger gun. we went back to the gun store and she likes 40cal hk compact, but im taking everyones advice and i will have her go to the range and try it before she purchases it.

04-26-2008, 08:23 AM	#13
sonny2u2 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 42 Trader Rating: (0)	My opinion only, but the experience I had was at first the wife was just likin' the idea of carrying an auto, so got her a Glock 19. She shot it well at the range and she could manage it without any problem. In reality, she was not comfortable carrying "one up", so that puts her in a situation of needing to pull the slide back which she was having problems with just at the range, let alone in an emergency. Also in reality, the Glock ends up in the purse with make-up, change, lots of purse fuzz, and various and sundry things that do not go well with auto mechanisms. We're back to looking at revolvers that are very simple to operate in an emergency, no stove piping from a loose grip so no double racking of the slide to clear a jam, and everytime you pull the trigger they go bang, and with a revolver...if they don't go bang........pull the trigger again and the next one will. Look at the .327 Mag Ruger SP101, that's what I'm doing.

04-26-2008, 09:04 AM	#14
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,504 Trader Rating: (0)	Hi Bossco and WELCOME to GUN and GAME Were delighted you joined ! feller. You mention your wife use to love going out back shooting so it ovious she knows what to expect when she pulls the trigger. I'm not familure with H&K pistols but you probably know the smaller the pistol and larger the caliber the pistol will roll or buck more in the hand. When your wife was shooting out back was she or has she learned to shoot useing both hands ? If yes then a 40 S&W want be to much for her to handle. My son has a couple Glocks in 40 S&W that I have shot and I found them to be controlable. Personaly though if my wife ever would show any interest in shooting a pistol I would most likely buy 2 pistols for her a 9mm pistol for target shooting and bedside pistol and a new Ruger LCP 380 or KelTec 380 for her personal carry (in her purse). Lastly if you bought a 9mm pistol it prolly will hold more ammo and if it were to be called on for protection haveing a few more rounds to use might come in very handy. A.H

04-29-2008, 06:03 AM	#15
meatloaf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: lakewood CO Posts: 863 Trader Rating: (0)	My wife shoots my Colt .45. In fact she has laid claim over it and says it is hers, so now I guess I'll have to buy another .45 for my self, maybe 2 or 3 you never know what will suit you the best. I say let her try a .45 if she doesnt like it let her try a .40 and then if that doesnt suit her let her get the 9mm. To me and a couple others I talked to the .40 has a different sharper recoil, and my (wife's) .45 recoil seems less. Now on paper a .45 has more recoil, but since the bullet is heavier and flys at sub sonic speeds it feels more like a push with a twist ( from the centrifugal force of twisting the round). The .40 flys at super sonic speed so the recoil feels sharp and the gun wants to "pop" up. What I am trying to say is that the biggest thing about shooting a .45 is the mental fear people have and not actual practice. Happy shooting and welcome to gun and game.