My wife is finally warming up to the idea of carrying, but she needs more experience. The first thing I had her shoot was a S&W M&P 22c (.22lr), just to get her used to firing something (little to no recoil). I then had her shoot one of my old pistols, a Ruger P89 (9mm), because it's heavier, and not much recoil for the caliber. I plan on getting her shooting with me and trying my various Glocks. Also, I want to rent her other weapons of her choice, so she is not feeling forced into what I feel she should carry. I don't want to scare her off, or make her feel forced to shoot/carry something she's uncomfortable with, or worse, can't handle.My wife currently has a S&W 642 Air weight revolver in 38sp for her carry gun. When she shoots it, she has trouble accuracy issues, possibly due to anticipating the recoil. Would a smaller caliber be better, or just more practice? What do your wives carry and like?
This is the key, and I would argue the key for anyone purchasing a gun, especially for the first time.I let mine pick out her own carry gun. She acts like shes 6’8 with a barret but she’s actually 5’nothin, 110lbs, with a Kimber Micro 9. When shes gun shopping I just let her find something she likes, if its something she probably wont like or might be problematic ill let her know. Practice makes proficiency.
Did the same with my wife. .22 pistols and then she tried several flavors of 9mm and didn’t like the .45 I snuck into the mix..Whatever they can shoot at a moderate pace, don't make them jump/flinch upon every pull and is inviting to make them want to shoot again and more often. Like men (because is there really that much of a difference) it'll probably be a 22 to start and then a 9mm.
Yep. Often times its a slow progression. You have to let her move at her own pace. The following story took place over the period of about 5-6 years.Whatever they can shoot at a moderate pace, don't make them jump/flinch upon every pull and is inviting to make them want to shoot again and more often. Like men (because is there really that much of a difference) it'll probably be a 22 to start and then a 9mm.
^^^^^^^A different gun. The 642 is a gun for experienced shooters.
In general, the smaller the gun the harder it is to shoot well, especially in a decent self defense caliber. You don't get to pick her gun. She does.
Take her to Kodiak range off of Ireland in South Bend and have her try some different pistols. Try a S&W EZ in 9mm or 380. A G**** 42, a S&W Shield or whatever else she seems to like.
Sight radius is everything unless you're a really proficient point shooter and there aren't as many of those as some people claim . . . .Some Good Points above-especially pertaining to a Range Visit & shooting different weapons.
I also made the mistake of starting the Better Half with a Lil Revolver (38Spl w/2" bbl) & she Quickly was Frustrated by Inaccuracy.
In answer to 1 of your Questions, here's what My Wife currently totes & is Proficient.
Ruger LCRX w/3" bbl (amazing how much an extra inch of tube improves Accuracy)
Yep. Often times its a slow progression. You have to let her move at her own pace. The following story took place over the period of about 5-6 years.
My wife carries a Glock 19. But that is not what she started with.
Years ago when she wanted to start carrying, she was only comfortable with a Ruger LCP mouse gun. It was better than nothing. She couldnt shoot it very well, but at bad breath distance, it was accurate enough.
One day while we were at the range, I was doing something with another gun and suggested she should take my EDC over to the targets and try it out. She came back excited that she shot it SOOOO much better than her LCP. But no. That was way to big to carry. No way.
Then she tried INGOer Haven's SCCY. Once again, she shot better with it but this wasnt too much bigger in her mind, and so she wanted one of those.
Once again, out at the range, she took mine again and marveled at how well she shot the 19. This time she ran several mags through it. Realizing it wasnt that much bigger, I bought her one, along with a new holster like hers to fit it and surprised her with it. She now happily carries that Glock.
Those older steel wheelie revolvers...heavy enough to help absorb recoil, yet light enough to still carry comfortably all day long! Shooting standard pressure 158 grain JHP .38's is very comfortable in an SP101...my wife did that for years when she had her .38 SP101!My wife has had CCW for over 30 years and picks her own. Her current fave is an SP101 .357 3" W/+p .38 HP.
She shoots everything but still goes back to a shiny wheel gun. She does have a P365 in 9 BUT prefers the SP or her old 66 4".
Her gun to carry and hopefully never need but if she needs it, she better have an old friend she's competent and comfortable with than the latest, greatest.
Probably so she can keep from being killed by his worst wife when she finds out she was part of a polygamy colonyWhy do you only want an edc for your "best wife", and btw, how many do you have?