re: The millionth "wife wants a pistol" thread.

1. Hopefully you can find a range in Katy/Houston area that rents pistols. Let her try a few -- starting with medium/full size and then the smaller framed guns.

2. I generally disagree with the frequently given advice to "let her pick her own gun." If she has a fair amount of experience, and a solid frame of reference -- sure, let her pick.

But from what you've described, she really hasn't got much experience at all. The last thing you/she needs is to pick a gun that's cute, or light weight, or "small enough to fit in her small purse."

3. I can't tell you how many women come to me for a private lesson, and walk in with Airweight J-frames, S&W bodyguards with lasers, Beretta Nanos, et al, that some gun salesman recommended.

I always start their lesson using a Glock 19 equipped with an AACK. After about 30-40 rounds of .22 LR, they're usually ready for 9mm. After about 30-45 rounds of 9mm, every one of them has been able to consistently put their shots through a 4" diameter circle. (I'm referring to over 100 women who had never shot before, or who had given up on their husband/SO's teaching method.)

THEN I let them shoot whatever gun they brought. Never (not once) has one of them shot a small handgun as well as they shoot a G19. Never.

When I provide these lessons, I offer every women who is a non-shooter (either never shot before, or has shot so little that she hasn't picked up horrible habits from hubbie/friend/SO) a 100% money back guarantee ---> If they can't consistently put their shots through a 4" diameter circle by the end of one lesson, the lesson is free.

I have never given a free lesson.

Not because I reneged on the deal, but because they can all do it --- with a G19. (But none of them has been able to do it with an airweight J-Frame, a Bodyguard, or any other tiny .380/9mm.) Tiny guns are just hard to shoot well -- especially if they have a stiff trigger).

Just my $.02 worth.