Author Topic: pick for girfriend (Read 2771 times)

simplicity · « **on:** February 22, 2011, 11:01:58 AM »

OK I'm going to buy my girfriend a handgun, I'm looking to get her something to plink with and possible end up as a carry peice. My price range is about really not much more then $300 mostly just do to if she doesn't use it I won't feel so bad about well wasting the money. The guns I'm looking at are the walther P22, Charter arms lavender lady (she loves purple might give more insentive to use it) This will be more or lss to get her out shooting more. I don't really have any exsperience with the charters (just wondering how well the purple finish will hold up) I've played with the p22 a bit in the past and have seen the be really finicky with ammo. Any thoughts? We're goin to et over to cabelas this weekend to get some otherthings in her hands to see if there is anything that stands out to her. Thanks

Swampman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:19:39 AM »

Ruger LCP is small enough and powerful enough.

BCB · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:36:53 AM »

Not to break away from the context of this thread, but I have been 1st hand witness to this same situation...

Be very careful who's name the gun is registered in...

That is all I will say...

Good-luck...BCB

simplicity · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2011, 12:18:51 PM »

Well swampman funny you say that I'm picking up one for myself friday. I don't know aboutt hat exspensive to shoot and it's not really something to go plinking with on a normal basis and the recoil is quite snappy. I don't know I'll let her fire mine and see what she thinks
As far as the name on the gun I live in maine here I'm thinking of buying it in my name and lol if we ever break up it will stay with me. I made that mistake a long time ago with agirlfriend that wanted to get into archery with me I bought her a set up and she used it once. I haven't bought anything yet though.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2011, 01:31:48 PM »

Simplicity: Take her shopping and buy her whatever she thinks she would like to play with, simple as that. I think the Walther P22 idea is a good one. I own one and can tell you that it does not like cheap ammo and some stuff that is labeled subsonic. She runs best on either Remington Sub Sonics or any high speed loads. My hunting buddy and I both have the same pistol and regularly bang away at swinging targets and old cans and we have a ball. But no matter what, don't pressure her into making a decision you would make. You will want her to be able enjoy the pistol and to feel comfortable using it and depending on it. I have additional mags for mine and can really knock out the empties, and having 4 or 5 empties in the air at the same time is a lot of fun and when she has fun shooting her choice of handgun she will feel that much more confident in it and that is a win-win situation. HTH.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:13:20 PM »

I bought my wife a Pink Sig Mosquito. We found the CCI Mini Mags shoot and functioned great in the gun.. She has put over 1000 rounds down the tube already. Also picked up a S&W Model 351PD in 22 Mag. The first time she shot it, she shot a 251 out of a possible 300 score for her CCW qualification.

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:22:21 PM »

First things first. Go to www.corneredcat.com and read the articles Kathy Jackson has on the website. Have your girlfriend read them too. It is an awesome website that is written by a woman for women.

Let her pick the gun. Be prepared, she may find something really out of your price range that she desires. Don't pressure her into something cheap just because it fits your price range. There is nothing wrong with waiting until you can afford it.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:57:32 AM »

I bought two of them and put crimson trace lazers on both. Figured id keep one in the truck and one in the jeep. There handy that way as ive allways got a gun i can stick in my pocket while out in a vehicle. Problem is my wife layed claim to the one in the jeep. Out of all of my handguns thats the one she likes the best. She keeps it in the bedstand next to her on her side of the bed. Im going to have to pick up another sometime soon for the jeep. Ive shot many rounds through both and both are surpisingly accurate and very reliable.

Quote from: Swampman on February 22, 2011, 11:19:39 AM

Ruger LCP is small enough and powerful enough.

mechanic · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2011, 01:01:48 AM »

Just personally, unless she is going to do a lot of shooting, I would not buy a semi as a carry piece. A revolver is instinctive in that you point and pull. A semi requires more fore thought. If she shoots it enough, it will become familiar.....just a thought.

Ben

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:40:55 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on February 23, 2011, 01:01:48 AM

Just personally, unless she is going to do a lot of shooting, I would not buy a semi as a carry piece. A revolver is instinctive in that you point and pull. A semi requires more fore thought. If she shoots it enough, it will become familiar.....just a thought.

Ben

I have found many guys give this advice, what I found is, woman are not dumb, and can operate a semi-auto just fine. Are you saying women are not capable of more fore thought? My wife would take exception to that. Sure a revolver is simpler to use with a little less to do, but I think we underestimate women way to much.

MGMorden · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:47:44 AM »

"Plinking and possible carry" aren't quite mutually exclusive, but they're approaching it. Good plinking guns have nice full-sized grips and long barrels. Carry guns are smaller and harder to shoot.

IMHO, get her a Ruger 22/45. Let her take it out and shoot it, get familiar with it, and learn good marksmanship. If she doesn't take to it then no biggie. If she does, and wants to end up carrying, THEN get her a separate carry gun that's a bit smaller but more powerful.

Pike60 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:26:11 AM »

I would agree with MG. I started both my wife and daughter out with a Ruger 22/45 and they are both now comfortable shooting my SP101 with 38+p loads. It is a good thing that I carry a Kimber 45 since my wife is now thinking the sp is hers.

mechanic · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:16:28 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1 on February 23, 2011, 05:40:55 AM

Quote from: mechanic on February 23, 2011, 01:01:48 AM
Just personally, unless she is going to do a lot of shooting, I would not buy a semi as a carry piece. A revolver is instinctive in that you point and pull. A semi requires more fore thought. If she shoots it enough, it will become familiar.....just a thought.

Ben

I have found many guys give this advice, what I found is, woman are not dumb, and can operate a semi-auto just fine. Are you saying women are not capable of more fore thought? My wife would take exception to that. Sure a revolver is simpler to use with a little less to do, but I think we underestimate women way to much.

My wife cannot rack the slide on either my Beretta, or my 1911. Neither can one of my daughters, though the other has no trouble. All women are not the same, just like men are not. Whatever works..............

Ben

simplicity · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:53:28 AM »

Thanks for so many replys, I've mostly aggree with mechanic on the revolver issue just do to most woman don't have enough wrist strength to rack a slide. We did go to cabelas this morning and I put a bunch of different guns in her hands and she didn't care for the revolvers (I thought that was odd) Forntunetly my girlfriend has no trouble racking the slides on either my fullsize M&P 40 and my M&P40c. So I'm leaning now torwards a M&P9c (cheap to shoot and lighter recoil then the 40) since she likes the feel of my40c (I'm not giving up my 40). It's more then what I wanted to spend but she's worth it to me.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:51:19 PM »

Quote from: simplicity on February 23, 2011, 11:53:28 AM

Thanks for so many replys, I've mostly aggree with mechanic on the revolver issue just do to most woman don't have enough wrist strength to rack a slide. We did go to cabelas this morning and I put a bunch of different guns in her hands and she didn't care for the revolvers (I thought that was odd) Forntunetly my girlfriend has no trouble racking the slides on either my fullsize M&P 40 and my M&P40c. So I'm leaning now torwards a M&P9c (cheap to shoot and lighter recoil then the 40) since she likes the feel of my40c (I'm not giving up my 40). It's more then what I wanted to spend but she's worth it to me.

Think a new pistol is expensive try replacing your lady. I found it easier to pick a couple gun stores and let her shop. A few suggestions and things to consider and let her be. She was actually more frugal than I would have been.

MGMorden · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2011, 02:00:29 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on February 23, 2011, 11:16:28 AM

My wife cannot rack the slide on either my Beretta, or my 1911. Neither can one of my daughters, though the other has no trouble. All women are not the same, just like men are not. Whatever works..............

This I can vouch for. My sister's boyfriend is on the road working a lot so she's often at home without a male in the house, so he got her a pistol (a Taurus Millenium) for protection. Thing is she keeps it unloaded with the magazine out of it - and readily admits that she can't rack the slide . . . yeah, doesn't make sense to me either $:-\$ .

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2011, 05:53:24 AM »

cant imagine an easier gun for someone to use then a lcp ruger. No safety. No opening of a cylinder and loading one round at a time. Just stick the clip in rack the slide and shoot. If your wife or girlfreind cant figure that one out id be looking for a differnt girl not a differnt gun.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2011, 10:06:00 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on February 24, 2011, 05:53:24 AM

cant imagine an easier gun for someone to use then a lcp ruger. No safety. No opening of a cylinder and loading one round at a time. Just stick the clip in rack the slide and shoot. If your wife or girlfreind cant figure that one out id be looking for a differnt girl not a differnt gun.

All I could do was laugh!

simplicity · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2011, 11:25:01 AM »

LOL never said the lcp was complicated. I just don't think it fits the bill for what I want to get her. I am getting one formyslef on friday and I've set up a time with some guns to shoot my lcp, a p22 and a M&P9c this coming saturday. We'll see if she likes anyone of them and then we'll head to the gun shop.

rybo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2011, 03:00:03 PM »

I'm still baffled at the number of women that can't rack a slide?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2011, 03:27:00 PM »

Quote from: rybo on February 24, 2011, 03:00:03 PM

I'm still baffled at the number of women that can't rack a slide?

I guess women age getting weaker these days.. I sold a Beretta Tomcat 32 ACP to an older couple, the lady was in her 70's and did not have a problem racking the slid. My wife shoots my Ruger SR9c, and does not have a problem with it or my XD 45 ACP. I guess I pick a tough lady. lol.

In the .22 L/R semi-auto, the slides are very easy to rack. The Sig, Walther P22, Ruger's etc.

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2011, 04:28:09 PM »

You might consider the Sig 226 or 229 with the .22 conversion. Later you can get the the 9mm upper for it. By then she'll be familiar with the firearm. It will cost you less than $400 for the .22 and another $400 for the 9mm x-change kit. It's worth considering.

Steve

jlchucker · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2011, 04:44:04 AM »

Quote from: Hit or Miss on February 22, 2011, 04:22:21 PM

First things first. Go to www.corneredcat.com and read the articles Kathy Jackson has on the website. Have your girlfriend read them too. It is an awesome website that is written by a woman for women.

Let her pick the gun. Be prepared, she may find something really out of your price range that she desires. Don't pressure her into something cheap just because it fits your price range. There is nothing wrong with waiting until you can afford it.

I agree. I went through this exercise with a lady co-worker (not a wife or sweetheart) a few years back, but it was her money. She was a girl brought up on a farm, with several brothers. No stranger to long guns, she'd shot their rifles quite a bit growing up, but now she wanted a handgun to go with her shotgun. We first went to my club range and I let her shoot my 22 revolver (22 with a 4 inch barrel), then my S&W model 60 3 inch, and finally my 686 with a 6 inch barrel. From there to the local gun store, owned and run by a man and wife. They have a private range for customers, right next to the store. The lady store owner showed my friend a several handguns, and let her try a couple. At this point, nobody's opinion of what to purchase mattered except the buyer. What mattered was how comfortable she felt with the guns she handled. In the end, she bought what she wanted, which is what she shoots with very well. A 7 shot Taurus with a full-shroud 6 inch barrel wouldn't have been my choice for this woman but it was her choice and she's happy with it by all accounts.

I make oil · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2011, 08:34:16 AM »

I agree. Let her choose what she wants. My wife picked out her first handgun. It is a Taurus .22 with a tip barrel in Nickle with Rosewood grips. A very pretty gun. She shot it a while and decided she wanted something bigger. Bought her a Taurus Millinium in .45 and she loves it. She chose it as well. I like when she shoots with me which she wants to do more because she want to shoot "Her" guns.

Brett · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2011, 11:54:04 AM »

Racking the slides of many compact CCW pistols of respectable caliber (9mm or better) can be a bear if you don't have good gripping ability with your fingers and or if you are using a poor technique. Their slides are small, not giving much to get a firm grip on and their springs are necessarily heavy to compensate for the slide's lack of mass. My subcompact 9mm Kel-tec p11 is way more difficult to rack than my full sized M&P .40 for instance.

I taught my wife to use a hand over the top of the slide, elbows up and out, push the gun instead of pull the slide method that works well for her.

simplicity · « **Reply #25 on:** February 26, 2011, 10:33:48 AM »

Well we got out to the range ths morning , I hd my girlfriend shooting a p22 a M&P9c , my M&P40c and my LCP. The one she went for was the M&P9c. She didn't care for the LCP jut due to it really snapped in her hand. So she felt she could handle a 9mm. Yesterdy we were at a local shop and she got a SR9C in her hand and really liked it (I wanted to wait til I knew she was comfortable shooting a 9mm) After knowing she was comfortable with a 9mm we went back and got her the SR9C. She's all excited to get to the range tomorrow morning. (now she knows how I feel when I get a new gun course she's never given any flak to me about getting another gun in the first place.) Thanks again for all the replys and maybe this thread will help someone else out that was in my situation.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 26, 2011, 10:40:56 AM »

I got an SR9c as well. My wife loves it.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2011, 03:48:45 AM »

Well how did it go for ya?

Fire Fox · « **Reply #28 on:** October 01, 2011, 10:23:59 PM »

I have had a P22 for several years and like it a great deal. It is light ,durable, dependable, reasonable priced, and fun to shoot. It is what I call a meat and potatoes gun not flashy but works every time with very little care and reasonably accurate. I would suggest the longer barrel model . This is the gun I carry most when doing farm work because of the above listed things. I have dispatched many coyotes, snakes, rabbits, as well as hogs with it. The fixed sights are the only thing I don't like and had to modify them by grinding them down to fit my zero points. However, after this it has worked great and maintains zero. I also have a ruger mark 3 target model but don't carry it as much because the Walther is lighter and handier for a work gun for me. Just my opinion for what it is worth even though the ruger is much more accurate but also much more expensive. Hope this helps.

tacklebury · « **Reply #29 on:** October 02, 2011, 04:02:09 PM »

Quote from: simplicity on February 22, 2011, 11:01:58 AM

OK I'm going to buy my girfriend a handgun, I'm looking to get her something to plink with and possible end up as a carry peice. My price range is about really not much more then $300 mostly just do to if she doesn't use it I won't feel so bad about well wasting the money. The guns I'm looking at are the walther P22, Charter arms lavender lady (she loves purple might give more insentive to use it) This will be more or lss to get her out shooting more. I don't really have any exsperience with the charters (just wondering how well the purple finish will hold up) I've played with the p22 a bit in the past and have seen the be really finicky with ammo. Any thoughts? We're goin to et over to cabelas this weekend to get some otherthings in her hands to see if there is anything that stands out to her. Thanks

Bought my wife a Pink Lady this year for her anniversary/birthday present. She adores it. We've put several boxes through it and it shoots great and is holding up great.

I like the Charter Arms offerings now and Nick is doing a lot to improve the company. I think that their colored line is great and has given them a niche to keep up the finance end of their company. I actually shoot the wife's almost as much as she does. I keep threatening to get a Tigerstriped version of it, but got wind of a new product they are going to release and am waiting for it instead.