Wanted: Ladies Gun

[alfsauve]

Oh and yes, I realize these are not all single stacks, per se.  I'm just searching for a gun my wife will like which means as small a grip as possible.

[MikeBjerum]

I haven't been following this one as close as I should, but that has never stopped me from jumping in:

Looking at your list I will give a plug for the S&W M&P.  Our son has very small hands, and he loved the feel of mine, and I was amazed, SHOCKED, at how well he handled and fired it the first time he picked it up ... And he was a brand new handgun shooter at the time!  He liked it so much that as soon as his wife gave me the ok to take him gun shopping I gave it to him for a Christmas gift and bought him a safe and some other items right away.

As for the mention of operating the slide:
If Kitty can hold a coffee cup or pencil to write, she can be taught to rack a slide even if she does not have the pull strength.  It is simply a matter of focusing on holding the slide tightly, and pushing the frame forward.  Amazing how pushing with the strong hand fixes not being able to pull with the weak.

[alfsauve]

You know I didn't have my M&P at the range that day, so no she hasn't fired it.   Maybe the next trip. 

I see I have another error, I have the circumference backwards between the shield and the M&P.  Hmm.  Must go down stairs are re-verify.  (Can you "re" verify something, or is it just "verify again"?)  If the M&P really is 5" it might be the ticket.  15+ rounds and all.

Don't misunderstand.  Miss Kitty is no wimp.  She has no problem racking the slide.  She also understands how semi's and revolvers work.  No it's not a strength or technique issue.   From a mental stand point, she knows how to make a gun fire.  What she not willing to do is become proficient at the manual of arms.  She's not willing to practice so that the manual of arms becomes instinctive.    If she's ever in a SD situation she will have the ammo that's in the gun, that's all.  And she knows this, which is why she's wants to go from her  5 shot revolver to a semi with more rounds.       

[MikeBjerum]

I think the key in this is that she doesn't want to become or practice the manual of arms.  That said, look at the S&W 929:  Eight rounds of 9mm, revolver fix of just pulling trigger until it goes bang in a failure, and if she chooses to reload there are always moon clips.  S&W 627 gives you the same in .38 spl, spl +P, and .357.

[alfsauve]

Got both and I'll give her those options.   We'll take them to the range next time when I get my 929 back from the smith.  Problem is they're both expensive and the 929 I think is only available in 6" model with front weight/comp.   I think she'd still rather the semi auto, but we'll see.    I'd have to pay to have the Apex treatment though. 

Side note about the 929, and my smithy agrees.  6" is just the wrong size.  I want a 5" without the comp and he prefers 4".  He's looking into substitute OTC barrels, specifically the 627 4" and 5" ones.  Yes, they'd be a mil or two too big, but we could load .357 bullets in the 9mm cases.   I suggested he ask S&W how much for a custom length.  It's only money.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

Updated chart back on page 3.  Corrected the S&W M&P size. 

XDS still appears the closest to what I want, so far, but the M&P is close. 

Definitely got to let her shoot mine the next range visit.

[alfsauve]

So if you're still following this thread, here's a thought.

I watched SUSA show about the indoor BUG matches.   One competitor took a Sig 320 Carry grip and mounted a Compact barrel and slide on it.  Then cut off the excess rail that stuck out.  Now the 320 grip is the same circumference regardless, which is 5.5", but that got me to thinking.

How interchangeable are some other guns?

Glock?  Springfield Armory? 

Can I put a G19 barrel and slide on a G43 frame?   Hm m m?

Inquiring minds are, well, curious.

[alfsauve]

So this was in the news today.  Maybe a candidate.

AVIDITY PD10





http://www.alloutdoor.com/2016/01/26/first-look-avidity-arms-pd10/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=2016-04-30&utm_campaign=Weekly+Newsletter

[alfsauve]

Today was spent at Adventure Outdoors (Smyrna, GA). Well at least an hour. Numerous measurements taken, much to the amusement and understanding of the staff. Good news is they have over 300 guns in rental inventory for their range.

I looked at a lot of guns, including Kahr and Bersa. They had possibilities, but I had to cut off the list somewhere and one chop was by brand.  Kahr, Bersa, Avidity, Taurus, etc.  just aren't on the top of my list of companies to trust.   While there were some attractive models, almost met all the specs ones, I'd just rather stick with more mainline makers.

Added to the list is the Glock 43 and 42. I've been trying to reduce the sheer number of calibers of ammo at home, but if she's happy with the 42 in .380 then so be it. Compromise somewhere. Both guns have, or should have soon, extended magazines. I know the 42 is gentle to shoot from personal experience.

So the short list and their measurements. I left the G17 on there just as a starting point. If this helps anyone else then I'm glad. I really wish I could talk to Sig. I know it would mean a wholly different magazine, but I'm thinking a much slimmer grip, say 4.75", could open a significant market. And think that it could be mated with full size, carry or compact slide/barrel.

Next step is to take her to Adv Out range, we'll aim (pun intended) for June when school's out, and try as many as she has patience to try. Any that the counter person recommends or any that catch her eye will also be welcomed.

Here's the Short List.





And for reference here's the whole list.   Please forgive inconsistencies or errors.  I'll straighten them out as discovered.