Pistol for home protection

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I need something that wife can handle.

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Only she knows which pistol this is but generally stick to 9mm, or .380 if she has exceptionally small hands. Take her to a local gun shop, or a well recommended Pawn shop can also be a surprising good place, and let her hold as many pieces as she wants until she finds what fits right.

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Budget 2-300

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It will do, but you'll have vastly superior options if you can get your budget to $500

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Would a gun show be best place to find one for that price?

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Absolutely not. Gun show pricing is horrible and you'll get a bunch of blowhard Rambos who think they know all things about all guns.


At that price, I'd recommend looking at the Ruger 9mm options. The SR9c with the extended mag fits nicely in most hands and gives you enough rounds to be able to waste a few should the need arise.

Ruger SR9c - Free Shipping

add about $25 for the transfer fee, and you've got a great pistol for $325

I wouldn't either, but it's better than a broomstick if that's her current option.

Take her to a gun range that rents guns and start her with a .22 and work your way up.

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I need something that wife can handle.

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Take her to a range and let her try some out. Whatever she can handle, commit to train with and carry, is what she should get. My mother has a hammerless .357 revolver a salesman talked her into years ago. It looks cool and makes a big bang but it bucks like a bronco and is too heavy to carry. She doesn't have the hand strength to rack a Glock. Sig P238/P938 she can rack and she will carry. Don't be set on $200-300 budget, though.

Canik tp9 one series can be had new for less than $300. Good reliable full sized 9mm that is easy to shoot. Only hickup might be if a double stack 9mm grip is too big for her so have her hold one to try out.

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Don’t know much about handguns.

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I need something that wife can handle. Budget 2-300.

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A revolver is a simple firearm that you can both quickly grasp the concept of handling, and not forget it when you don't touch it again for years.

A semiautomatic handgun (such as a 380, 9mm, etc) will require continued practice to maintain a semblance of familiarity. Do you picture that happening?

If not, look at revolvers. A 38 special is good place to start.

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A revolver is a simple firearm that you can both quickly grasp the concept of handling, and not forget it when you don't touch it again for years.

A semiautomatic handgun (such as a 380, 9mm, etc) will require continued practice to maintain a semblance of familiarity. Do you picture that happening?

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she literally picks up both, points, and squeezes the trigger.

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Would a gun show be best place to find one for that price?

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Gun shows are complete ripoffs and usually marked up 20%.

Canik and S&W M&P are probably your best bet, but you should try some out before buying.

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Should she trust him to load it? Unload it?

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They both need to be loaded and unloaded. That goes both ways. For someone that doesn't shoot, I would think you'd want 17 rounds instead of 6 if they really needed it.