Happy Birthday to me

[Rooster 308]

Hey ladies. I got my birthday wish and my wife is going to go to a CPL course with me. It would be her first time firing a pistol (or gun for that matter).

Now what? Do I set her up w/ a .22 like the Ruger Mk III I have or do I take her shopping? Or do I use my best judgement by hand size and strength and buy a nice 9mm/or similar for her?

Thank you for your responses. This is a very nice gift indeed. :banana:

[musashi]

take her with you to go shopping for her gun. If she has to carry it she needs to like it. I thought to go simple and get mine a hammerless revolver... glad I did not do that!

[remingtondude58]

I would definitely take her shopping

[TNT.45]

I would take her to a range that rents guns. Let her shoot a few different calibers and gun variants until she finds one that she likes. Her being comfortable with a weapon will have the biggest impact on her gravitating to the sport.

Just my opinion...but what the heck I am right...lol

[Made_in_Michigan]

I would take her to a range that rents guns. Let her shoot a few different calibers and gun variants until she finds one that she likes. Her being comfortable with a weapon will have the biggest impact on her gravitating to the sport.

Just my opinion...but what the heck I am right...lol

+100%

Let her try out several... Once introduced to shooting, she will have her own wants and needs. At this point, she'll go shopping & pick the one she wants.

One thing to remember, if she doesn't like the gun, or feel comfortable with it, odds are she won't carry it... It needs to be her choice, not a bunch of blokes on the internet... Who knows, she may end up with a big ol' revolver:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Anaconda-500.jpg

[Leader]

I would go with your first thought, the .22.
My wife took the class with me for the same reason I did, to learn more about guns & safety. (She did, I didn't)
Everybody that has tried my Ruger Standard loves it and many have asked to try something else afterwords.
Your Mark III is a simple, low recoil firearm and will be great for her to use in the class.
If she has a desire, then you can go look for a carry gun or a home defense gun that she would like for herself.

[tote'ngranny]

I agree with the Mark III. I bought one (standard) because
The ammo is so much cheaper. What she uses in ammo compared to other higher caliber guns will pay for itself in no time.
I needed (still do) as much experience shooting and perfecting skills and this is a good first gun, practically no recoil as stated before and not that exspensive.
There are several Ruger Marks and let her handle different ones to figure out what she likes best.
Later have her try different guns.. semis and revolvers to see what suits her best.
Kris

[garyjt]

I would go with your first thought, the .22.Your Mark III is a simple, low recoil firearm and will be great for her to use in the class.
.


Youd better check that.

Some classes prohibit bringing, or using, a 22 for class.


I think Target Sports in Royal Oak prohibits students from bringing or using 22's for their CPL classes. I read it in their CPL class flyer.




(..........although I thought it odd to prohibit 22's, esp . since the world famous Aileen Wuornos used a 22 revolver to shoot/stop/kill 9 men - more than anybody else using any other caliber)

[SWMP15]

well first of all, WHY would u go with a .22? She isn't going to carry a .22 for PD with her CPL so that would be asinine.

This is what you SHOULD do...

Go RENT her a couple of guns that she likes after browsing ur local gun shop....and SHOOT them all....the one she likes most and is most comfortable with, she should get. Because everyone can tell u what they like, but if your not comfortable shooting it or familiar with it, ur better off with a brick and saying some prayers throwin the darn thing at someone....

Make sure she is comfortable with it! Can't stress that enought! A 9mm or .40 (or AT LEAST a .38 special)cal in a compact or subcompact frame would be best. I would go with a revolver if she isn't comfortable with a semi-auto. But since she is obviously new to the firearm scene....a revolver probably isn't best for a rookie shooter as she probably won't hit her target with 5-6 shots with a revolver in a HIGH STRESS situation (I.E- gun fight, confrontation, etc.) and then she'd be S.O.L.

The reason I say she should try out/shoot a semi-auto....is because an almost exact case happended when i went to my CPL class....a gentleman and his wife took the course and came with a single-action .22....they had no idea how to shoot, let alone handle a semi-auto. Myself, as well as a few others recommended they shoot one of our semi-autos....when they did, he almost took his finger off via the slide blow-back and almost shot me and himself....get her familiar with a revolver and a semi-auto to see what she shoots best and is most comfortable with.....again, if she can become familiar with or master a semi-auto, she'd be in good shape for PD.

just my $.02 Goodluck :cheers:

[tote'ngranny]

Start off with the .22 and then when she is ready, get her a defense gun that she intends to use and then take the CPL class. She can practice all she wants cheaply with the .22. It's just too exspensive to fire off 200 rounds once a month with your defense gun and find replacement ammo. SHe does not need to take her class asap.
Kris

[Leader]

"well first of all, WHY would u go with a .22? She isn't going to carry a .22 for PD with her CPL so that would be asinine"

Well SWMP 15... I explained why the .22 Low recoil & a VERY easy gun to shoot. We don't know at this time if she is going to get a CPL, all we know is she agreed to take the class. That alone makes her husband happy.
I never thought she would want to carry a Ruger Mark III as a PD weapon.
She doesn't have to pick one out at this time, she can wait until she figures out what is best for her.
Any idiot can work a revolver, but not all people have the strength to operate a semi-auto. I know my wife has trouble with her Bersa .380 and can not rack my Kel-Tec.
Even though she took the CPL class with me years ago, she still hasn't applied for a permit. She used the Ruger .22 for the class & it worked GREAT for her.

[tote'ngranny]

"well first of all, WHY would u go with a .22? She isn't going to carry a .22 for PD with her CPL so that would be asinine"

Well SWMP 15... I explained why the .22 Low recoil & a VERY easy gun to shoot. We don't know at this time if she is going to get a CPL, all we know is she agreed to take the class. That alone makes her husband happy.
I never thought she would want to carry a Ruger Mark III as a PD weapon.
She doesn't have to pick one out at this time, she can wait until she figures out what is best for her.
Any idiot can work a revolver, but not all people have the strength to operate a semi-auto. I know my wife has trouble with her Bersa .380 and can not rack my Kel-Tec.
Even though she took the CPL class with me years ago, she still hasn't applied for a permit. She used the Ruger .22 for the class & it worked GREAT for her.

DITTO to much of all you have said!! Have your wife get the Ruger LCP... she will be able to rack that. I can and my wrist has been fractured several times. It's a great little gun with waaay less recoil than any .38. I love mine!
Kris

[SWMP15]

"well first of all, WHY would u go with a .22? She isn't going to carry a .22 for PD with her CPL so that would be asinine"

Well SWMP 15... I explained why the .22 Low recoil & a VERY easy gun to shoot. We don't know at this time if she is going to get a CPL, all we know is she agreed to take the class. That alone makes her husband happy.
I never thought she would want to carry a Ruger Mark III as a PD weapon.
She doesn't have to pick one out at this time, she can wait until she figures out what is best for her.
Any idiot can work a revolver, but not all people have the strength to operate a semi-auto. I know my wife has trouble with her Bersa .380 and can not rack my Kel-Tec.
Even though she took the CPL class with me years ago, she still hasn't applied for a permit. She used the Ruger .22 for the class & it worked GREAT for her.

well excuse the heck out of me...i dont know too many people who waste $125-175 on a CPL class just to learn to shoot...and i explained why u should get what ur going to shoot....and i didnt know u were the husband, nor was my comment directed to u...i was telling the poster my opinion. u dont have to agree with it....strength to operate a semi-auto? wow i didnt know u had to be super-man/woman to rack the slide on a semi...sorrY! again and u said it urself....it worked great for YOUR wife....not for everyone elses....and about any idiot can work a revolver...yes...and any idiot can shoot nice groups with a 22....give her a .45 after she "masters" a 22 and she wont be shooting the same groups as she would with the .22....i stick to my first opinion....get what u r going to shoot and practice with that! maybe thats why the police dept. and police academies practice with .22s....oh thats because they DONT!! :slap: :stooges:

and again...who said she has had a fractured wrist? maybe she's a behemoth and can pull the slide back on a desert eagle for all we know...i mean i might as well ASSume since everyone else is!!!! again, its about HER and what SHE is comfortable with! maybe SHE can handle a .45 well...maybe not...but it's HER gun that SHE has to be familiar and comfortable with! NOT you, I, or anyone else!

[garyjt]

Any idiot can work a revolver, but not all people have the strength to operate a semi-auto. I know my wife has trouble with her Bersa .380 and can not rack my Kel-Tec.
.


Get a Beretta, it has a flip up barrel, you do not need to ever rack the slide back.




(TIP: However, "if" you ever want to rack the slide of a semi-auto and want it easier, then just cock the hammer first, then the slide will rack back very easily)

[garyjt]

. It's a great little gun with waaay less recoil than any .38. I love mine!
Kris


TIP: If you want less recoil in a 38, then use wadcutters, its almost like shooting a 22.

[tote'ngranny]

TIP: If you want less recoil in a 38, then use wadcutters, its almost like shooting a 22.
Thanks!

[autosurgeon]

OK this may come off as blunt.

NONE of you can make a recomendation on a specific gun or caliber as you do not know what this person is capable of! THe best recomendation was let her rent a few and see what she likes!

A .22 for practice and for getting better at procedure is a good idea... BUT if she doesn't want one then don't get one!

Call around as many pistol instructors have a bunch of guns and would be glad to help her work out what pistoil suites her best. I would recomend BAsic Pistol first anyway as if she has never shot a gun she will need what basic pistol teaches before she can even take SD in the home. Many CPL courses are SD in the home and there is a prerequisit that she have exsperience and can pass a questionare or that she have a certificate from basic pistol!

[RevDerb]

:popcorn:

[autosurgeon]

Ya break out the popcorn :lolup:

I tend to get irritated when people assume that a small gun is best for a woman.. Every girl/woman that I have taken to the range has done just fine with full sized pistols in larger calibers!

A .22 is fine but if that is not what SHE wants then it won't get used!

So sorry for my blunt assessment:hide:

[tote'ngranny]

This is the best advice that I have read anywhere pertaining to this issue...
Kris

Originally Posted by discerningshootist
As a long time CPL instructor, and new concealed carry accessories retail store owner, I of course have some advice:

1) you pick out your gun, your wife pick's out hers. You both are different people with different size,shape, and needs, pick a gun out accordingly.Do this by shooting friends' guns, or renting at your local range.The gun should fit YOU.

2) pick out a gun that is comfortable to shoot accurately, repetitively,ONE handed (guns that require 2 hands to shoot accurately in the heat of battle are NOT good choices, as you will likely have only 1 hand available to shoot with, remember Murphy's Law ALWAYS applies),and is of a decent 'effective' caliber.I would also recommend a high as possible capacity within these parameters, as less manipulation of the gun during the fight is better.

3) be honest in regards to yourself , your size/shape, and routine. If the gun doesn't 'fit' you, you'll leave it at home.

4) Don't get too wrapped up in the 9mm vs 40 vs 45 debate. A handgun (not handsgun) is only marginally effective at best, and will require multiple hits to perform it's job. If the recoil is too much due to it's caliber/size that you can't get accurate second or third shots, what's the point? Remember, you are responsible for every bullet you launch out of your handgun, regardless where it goes. Wouldn't it be better if they all went into the threat? For example: I personally find that 45 acp in smaller guns, like the Taurus PT Millennium series, is a more accurate and controllable package than either the 9mm or the 40 S&W( I've shot them all, a lot).

5) If the guns meet the previous criteria, you and your wife should carry similar guns/caliber. For example, glocks and S&W M&P's and Springfield xd's(not the new M) all use interchangeable magazines. If you are forced into an armed encounter, wouldn't it be comforting to know that you can hand spare magazines back and forth if one of you runs out? It also makes buying spare ammunition, whether for practice, defense, or getting reloading components a little less difficult on the logistics side, if not more economical (IE buying in bulk).Not to forget mentioning, that if one of you is injured, the other will already be intimately familiar with the others gun (remember Murphy?)

6) And finally, I guess, don't be too afraid to ask questions, becase the only stupid question, is the one you don't ask. It is only your life/safety we are talking about, right?
You've got a good start here, but listen to everything with a grain of salt.Because gun/caliber choices can (and quite often are) a preference based upon subjective feelings, as opposed to hard data.

If I can help in any further fashion, please do not hesitate to ask.

[autosurgeon]

Yes I would agree!! He always has good posts over on www.opencarry.org too!

[bornyesterday]

pretty good advice in the threads. As with any hobby that one partner enjoys, the other might be curious as to whether you're really going to the range and wants the option to be included more than anything else.

After my wife went through the Basic Pistol course (she used a .38 Lady Smith, I seem to recall) she has never shown any interest in applying for her CPL nor going to the range... it was more of a 'forbidden fruit' issue than anything else. Had I bought her a pistol, it would become a safe queen most assuredly.

Getting training is never a bad idea, but it's much cheaper to rent the gun a time or two to be sure that the interest is there.

[Rugergirl]

+100%

Let her try out several... Once introduced to shooting, she will have her own wants and needs. At this point, she'll go shopping & pick the one she wants.

One thing to remember, if she doesn't like the gun, or feel comfortable with it, odds are she won't carry it... It needs to be her choice, not a bunch of blokes on the internet... Who knows, she may end up with a big ol' revolver:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Anaconda-500.jpg

Uhm, yeah, that's been known to happen:biggrin:

[autosurgeon]

But it was a Ruger right??? A .44 Magnum ??:laughing:

[RevDerb]

I got my birthday wish ... :banana:

Man! You get a lot of mileage out of a birthday!! I'm jealous. :birthday: