suggestions?

9020 Views 29 Replies 21 Participants Last post by buster40c, Feb 7, 2013

jmohme

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2013

My wife currently has a S&W Bodyguard .38 as her purse gun.
I got it for her last Christmas. I didn't want to just bring a pistol home and hand it to her. I feel that a handgun is just to personal a thing and that she should pick out what she was comfortable with.
With that in mind, I took her to an Austin gun shop that had a range and rentals so she could not only look, but alos try various handguns. When she had decided that a hammerless revolver would be the best configuration, I went to the rental counter and picked out a Ruger SP101. The one they had was not hammerless, but I figured it would giver her a good idea of how they handled.
Plus, I was trying to nudger in the direction of the Ruger.

We fired a full box of 38's through it and went home for her to do some internet research and think it over. Well she did and decided on the Bodyguard. Her choice right?

Now a year later, she has come to the realization that this little beast is so unpleasant to shoot, that mastering it is very unlikely. She had to buy some gel palmed bicycle gloves just to keep from bruising her palms.
We are going to the shop where we bought it to see if it has any trade in value, and to get something that she is comfortable enough that she will want to practice with it.
She has gotten quite good with my Glock19, and if it were going to be holstered, I would probably just let her have it, but its going to be a purse gun and I would much rather see a weapon with athumb safety for that.

She is leaning towards a SR9c, but doesn't want to rule out the LC9 either. So, any thoughts or recomendations?

Thanks

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SHOOTER13

· #2 · Jan 1, 2013

Well, after that detailed story...I don't know what to tell ya.

A .38 revolver is the best way to go for someone recoil shy and not that knowledgeable about firearms in general

Now, you want to hand her a semi-auto pistol to carry...a 9mm is basically a
.38 special anyway, so felt recoil will be about the same, with the pistol probably weighing in the same if not more...

Plus the inherent problems with manipulating a semi-auto...such as stovepipes, failures to feed, extract, etc...just because she shoots the Glock well, does not mean she will be albe to overcome any problems encountered when she really needs it.

Just my 2 cents...only you would know how proficient she is and can be with it.

jmohme

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 1, 2013

Thanks for the reply.

Personaly, I would rather see her with the SP101, but the main thing is that she needs to have a handgun that she is comfortable shooting, and the bodyguard 38 just is not it.
I have fired the S&W many times and it rely is that unpleasant to handle when compared to the SP101. It's additional mass makes a noticable difference, and the other plus is there are aftermarket options for grips. Not so on the S&W.

Anyway, she seems to be much more at home with a semiauto, and it needs to be her choice. I'm just along to offer suggestions.

SHOOTER13

· #4 · Jan 1, 2013

No problem...

I would suggest you go to a range that has the type of gun she wants so you can rent & test fire before you buy...

That's what I did with my daughter, after going to the range numerous times with me and testing my revolvers and pistols, she was more than knowledgeable ( as was I ) on what she liked as far as caliber, platform, etc, what she could handle as far as recoil, and how she could manipulate the slide and clear malfunctions way before she got a concealed carry license.

jmohme

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 2, 2013

Will do that.
Thanks

GAgal

· #6 · Jan 6, 2013

I agree with Shooter13. Definitely try before you buy.

I have been able to shoot a friends SR9 several times and it is really sweet. Very low felt recoil and easy to rack the slide. Good luck to you and your wife in finding something she loves.

colin1230

· #7 · Jan 21, 2013

If she likes your G19 it is very likely she will fall in love with an SR9c. I have both and my 20 yr old daughter prefers the Ruger. She says it feels better in her hand. Also, I wish my Glocks had a trigger as nice.

mikekat

· #8 · Jan 21, 2013

Well, my suggestion before trading and trying others would have dropped down to an all copper 110 grain bullet rather than shooting the standard 158 gr hp. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction ie: less bullet weight equals less felt recoil.

claudester

· #9 · Jan 21, 2013

Have you tried the Ruger Bodyguard 380 semi-auto? Good writes up that I have seen. Also, I have the SR9C and love it. Very comfortable and the recoil is on the light side.

Dragonheart

· #10 · Jan 22, 2013

Ruger make some good firearms, but I personally don't care for anything they have for concealed carry. I would suggest your wife look at the Sig 238 in 380 acp or the Sig 938 in 9mm. If she can't rack the slide on these then she shouldn't be considering an auto. Also, take a look at the Walther PPS in 9mm, very thin, excellent accuracy, very dependable, trigger not the best because it's like the Glock. The S&W Shield is an excellent choice, but hard to find anywhere close to the $419 MSRP.

kmurray96

· #11 · Jan 22, 2013

We went the other way, but probably because of age...old. I bought a Ruger LCP with momma in mind. The itty-bitty ol' ma has trouble racking slides. She's delighted with her .38 Bodyguard and I now have a great summer OD weapon.

A win-win situation.

Dreamthief

· #12 · Jan 22, 2013

I think the LCR in 38sp would be good for her IMO. But I think the best thing to do is to spend a day at a good range that has a variety of pistols and let her rent to shoot. That way she gets the feel for a variety.

shotgunboss

· #13 · Jan 22, 2013

I realize this is a ruger forum, and i own several rugers i found the same problem with the wifes s&w 637, we tried several rugers, charter arms and finally settled on a s&w 640 .357 mag. That she shoots .38 specials the all stainless frame adds weight and helps with the recoil, she prefers wheel guns over semi autos, it does have bigger grips than the 637 and that helps with some of the recoil also, so i got a nice little backup in the 637

jmohme

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 22, 2013

Wow! Lots of good info to ponder!
Thanks everybody.

southtxcowboy

· #15 · Jan 22, 2013

I currently have three Ruger firearms, one LCR 38 and two centerfire pistols, a Ruger p95 and a p97. I took my chl proficiency test with the p97 and did very well. My question is every time I hard use the 45 the hammer pinches close to the webbing of my hand, is there anything that can be installed on the gun to prevent it?

lumberman

· #16 · Jan 22, 2013

My wife had a bodygard named it mister snappy, got rid of it she loves my LC9 it hers now.

Rugerman1

· #17 · Jan 22, 2013

I agree with colin1230, I own a glock 19 and a SR9C. The SR9C has a better trigger, better grip, and less felt recoil. If she shoots it she will love it. I think it is a little heavy for a purse gun. The LCP is a good purse gun. Use a holster for the safety.

Smink

· #18 · Jan 22, 2013

jmohme said:
My wife currently has a S&W Bodyguard .38 as her purse gun.
I got it for her last Christmas. I didn't want to just bring a pistol home and hand it to her. I feel that a handgun is just to personal a thing and that she should pick out what she was comfortable with.
With that in mind, I took her to an Austin gun shop that had a range and rentals so she could not only look, but alos try various handguns. When she had decided that a hammerless revolver would be the best configuration, I went to the rental counter and picked out a Ruger SP101. The one they had was not hammerless, but I figured it would giver her a good idea of how they handled.
Plus, I was trying to nudger in the direction of the Ruger.

We fired a full box of 38's through it and went home for her to do some internet research and think it over. Well she did and decided on the Bodyguard. Her choice right?

Now a year later, she has come to the realization that this little beast is so unpleasant to shoot, that mastering it is very unlikely. She had to buy some gel palmed bicycle gloves just to keep from bruising her palms.
We are going to the shop where we bought it to see if it has any trade in value, and to get something that she is comfortable enough that she will want to practice with it.
She has gotten quite good with my Glock19, and if it were going to be holstered, I would probably just let her have it, but its going to be a purse gun and I would much rather see a weapon with athumb safety for that.

She is leaning towards a SR9c, but doesn't want to rule out the LC9 either. So, any thoughts or recomendations?

Thanks

FWIW: I've got a SR40C and it's my favorite but have you thought about the LC9-CT (crimson trace)? I also have an LCP-CT and I believe the in-between great fit is the LC-9 or LC-380!

Smink

· #19 · Jan 22, 2013

Dragonheart said:
Ruger make some good firearms, but I personally don't care for anything they have for concealed carry. I would suggest your wife look at the Sig 238 in 380 acp or the Sig 938 in 9mm. If she can't rack the slide on these then she shouldn't be considering an auto. Also, take a look at the Walther PPS in 9mm, very thin, excellent accuracy, very dependable, trigger not the best because it's like the Glock. The S&W Shield is an excellent choice, but hard to find anywhere close to the $419 MSRP.

I found myself using SIG as a great excuse to buy 2 Rugers! IMHO, it's a no brainer buying a Ruger over a SIG, the $ difference always buys more.

190walnut

· #20 · Jan 22, 2013

Just a thought has she shot the SR9C yet???? I bought one and have to say its a great little shooter 9mm in compact form for easy carry and a light recoil take her and have her shoot it Botto line of course is she needs to feel comfortable with it to be safe

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