9mm for wife, seeking recommendations

[joemerchant24]

My wife grew up on revolvers, so she likes smaller grips. Her hands aren't small, but she just likes smaller grips.

After she decided all the wheelguns were "ugly," she decided she liked the grip size of the Bersa/Walther .380s. She CAN shoot 9mm well. In fact, my Ruger P95 is what she shoots best. But she hates the big grip.

I figure if she likes the .380 size, but can comforably handle a 9mm then it's no contest as to what caliber to look for.

What I'm looking for is suggestions for a 9mm in a similar grip size to the Bersa/Walther line. We've already ruled out the Kahr/Walther because she is uncomfortable without a hammer. The Sig 232 was a little big, and she got befuddled by the slide drop. Now she tries to drop her Walther P22 slide that way.

I'm a .40 guy myself (please, no flames) so my knowledge of 9s is limited. And the hammer issue means I can't ue this as an excuse for a GLOCK 19 or 26.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Wallygator]

Taurus is supposed to be coming out with a 9mm revolver in the near future, if it isn't already out. Maybe check the Taurus website for info. Could be exactly what your wife is looking for. ;c

[joemerchant24]

I don't know if she likes the Triad (I e-mailed her about an hour ago,) but I'm interested. I love multi-tools. .38 for her. .357 for me. And cheap 9mm fun for all!

[vafish]

Haver her try the single stack Sig's like the P239 or a used P225 if you can find one. Also S+W has some single stacks, the Lady Smith 3913 or the 908.

If she likes a gun with a hammer also take a look at the Browning Hi-Power, even though it's a double stack it has a relatively small grip.

[bac1023]

Another vote for the Sig P239. The grip isn't too baig and its an extremely accurate shooter.

[joemerchant24]

Her dad's BHP failed the grip test.

The Ladysmith had crossed my mind after she said her dad's 5903 was too big.

I didn;t know that the 225 and 239 were single-stack. A single-stack 9mm is exactly what I'm looking for.

It'll certainly help keep my "Germanic region only" gun streak alive. I haven't tried, but it seems that my handgun purchases (all but one) are either from Germany or Austria.

[Cawdor]

Another vote for the Sig 239 or 225.

[henchmen77]

She will like the 92FS run pistol to shoot and yes I have a G19 to but the 92 is still a great firearm.

[Paratwa]

CZ75 compact you can carry it cocked and locked or hammer down, CZ75 PCR aluminum frame de-cocker, CZ75 P-01 aluminum frame de-cocker with accessory rail or RAMI with comes in a 9mm or 40 S&W. They have a great feel. Just about everyone who has tried mine likes the grip.

[A_Swede_17_1911]

Check out the offering by Kahr look at the Kahr TP9 which is their Polymer Frame but larger with a 4" barrel or the Kahr T9 which is a little bigger version of the K9.

My wife had problems finding a pistol that fit her hand, She didnt like the revolvers, and she couldnt find a autoloader that fit her hand, we tired the the sigs, the glocks, the smith and wessons, the rugers, the hi-powers, and the 1911's. The only gun we didnt try was an HK P2000 with the changeable back straps or the smith and wesson or walther p99's.

She ended up getting the TP9 Kahr and she loves it, she now enjoys going shooting with me. The the TP9 has been reliable and has about 500 rounds through it now, and it shoots great. Ive shoot an assortment of ball ammo, and 115 grain and 147 hollowpoints, in the Remington Golden saber, hydrashocks, and federal hi shocks. The 9PB federal HiShock 115 grain HP (Classic Line), shoots really smooth, and is accurate and is a decent HP.

[DonGlock26]

Sig P239, P225, or Berretta Vertec 92FS(smaller handled).

[vafish]

Besides the Vertec, I believe Beretta still makes the 92M which is a single stack 9mm. I've never shot one and it's been a while since I've handled one, but I recall them being much thiner than a standard 92.

[spober]

that rules out the ppk/s .even the ealther ppk in 32 is a tuff little gun to get a strong grip on to pull the slide.the first shot in DA is really gritty and about 10 pounds or more.my makarov which is slightly larger than the ppk/s is much easier to rack and first shot DA is very nice.you can buy a brand new bulgarian makarov for 100-150 bucks send her off to get hard chromed for another maby 200 and she will have a quality,custom,very desirable hand gun for maby 325-375 buck!what a deal!;a

[toocool]

If money isn't an issue, try the H & K P2000. This one has interchangeable backstraps, so she can make the grip smaller. And it still holds 13-rds of 9mm.

[joemerchant24]

Toocool, I was already down that path. I would LOVE a P2000. I'm sure it would look so pretty sitting next to my .40 USPf.

But yikes, the $700+ price is a but off-putting.

(I remember buying my USP NIB with 3 13rnd mags for $535....)

[raxar]

try a CZ-100. very slim guns, especially compared to the ruger's. Cz's tend to be very good pistols at decent prices

[Lancelot]

The no hammer thing is really limiting your options.

[zanthope]

I recently bought MYSELF a LadySmith 3913 for carry, and I ain't no lady!

They are robust, extremely well-built pistols. Read around on the various forums, where some have suggested they are the best S&W semi-auto pistol ever built. There are lots of aftermarket goodies available like grips and mags and night sights, and holsters.

Coincidentally, this week in my highly scientific back-yard-milk and-laundry-soap-water-jug experiments on potential ammo selections for ths pistol, I discovered the following:

Speer 124 +P Gold Dot - 15" penetration (3rd jug,) .56 cal expansion, 125 gr recovered weight, perfectly symmetrical petal opening & folding.

WWB 147 Personal Defense - 17" penetration (4th jug,) .52 cal expansion, 147 gr recovered weight, somewhat asmmetrical petal opening & folding, almost (98%) fully folded back while leaving several VERY interestingly sharp and jagged forward-facing petal edges that I suspect would cut tissue apart like little chain saws in a soft target.

The first jug in the Speer lineup was virtually blown apart with bottle-length rends and tears around its diameter, indicating a very explosive entry, probably because of the higher velocity (approx 1200 fps in the 3-1/2" barrel, compared to approx. 950 fps for the WWB.) The cap was blown 25 feet away.

My official scientific conclusions were that either one of these rounds are a good choice for the 3913, although I like the extra penetration of the WWB. I might pick up some 147 gr Rangers at the next gun show, if they don't cost some ridiculously fantastic amount of money like some Winchester LEO ammo does.

I gave 450 dollars for my 3913LS, YMMV. Good luck with your choice.