Suggest a pistol to try

[White Horseradish]

I am somewhat at a loss. I'm trying to find a gun that would work for my mom and so far coming up dry. She has a lot of fun with a small .22, but that is obviously not a defensive gun.

She doesn't want a revolver, so we're looking at autoloaders. She wants it fairly light with not too much recoil, being fairly new to handguns. P32/P3AT Keltecs are out - too small and uncomfortable for several reasons. Tried a SIG P230, which is the right size and caliber, but the trigger on it was too far for her to reach, so instead of holding the gun straight she rotated it a bit in her hand and whacked her thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with the backstrap. That's unpleasant, and takes the P230 out of the running. I think a 1911 with a short trigger might work, but she is a bit nervous about a big caliber and worried about the weight.

This is kinda like Goldilocks - this one is too big, and that one is too small. So, what is out there that is not terribly exotic, reasonable caliber, about the size of a P230, but with a shorter trigger reach?

[Jeff Bergquist]

Para Hawg 9 perhaps? 3" alloy framed 1911 style 9mm. The relatively fat grip might be an obstacle for her though. CZ PCR if she can reach the trigger.

[ttousi]

Bersa .380!!! Very nice little gun with the Bersa wraparound grips. It's a very MOM gun.

second the motion.............I have a loaner if you want to try it with her.

[diskdoctr]

I agree with Sam... A Bersa .380 is very concealable if that matters and a nice reliable little pistol.. Bersa also makes a 9mm that is a little bigger but still pretty small

[White Horseradish]

Hm... That sounds interesting. Ttousi, I will have to take you up on that.

[dragonb8]

I have a bersa 380cc and it fits my 12 year old sons hand. You should bring her to a gun store and let her find one she likes.

[monschman]

another vote for the bersa .380, on a side note, i carried a walther p22 for a year, it is nice small light easy to shoot and the next person that says a 22lr is not a defensive round has should look at the large number of people that the pansy round has magically killed. if your mom is comfortable with a 22lr gun then i say stick with that, she is more apt to practice with it and actually carry it than something that is not right for her. flipping back to earlier however, had i the choice back then, i most certainly have carried the bersa 380 instead of the p22

[Paul]

I would take a look at a Kahr CW9... It seems like it fits your needs, but is a little more expensive than a Bersa and similar models.

[The_real_ozman]

I noticed in one of my magazines last week that Walther has taken the small 22 they make and made a 380 version http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... &training=

But i would go for a Bersa as the price is right and it is a great gun. I bought one for my younger brother when he got his permit as he is a tiny guy and the gun is perfect for him.

[westhope]

WH wrote:

I think a 1911 with a short trigger might work, but she is a bit nervous about a big caliber and worried about the weight.

This is kind of the definition of a Springfield EMP (9 mm only 40 SW recoils a lot more). Smaller grip circumfrence really shortens the distance to the trigger.

Also look at a Kahr P9.

Keltec PF 9

Why not revolvers? Trigger too far? Pull weight?

[Pat]

I have a Beretta Tom Cat in .32 ACP. Very small and easy to handle, and it has proven to be quite reliable.

[Widge]

Either a Bersa .380 (may be as bit snappy?) or the Bersa 9mm UC (think PPK) might work. Otherwise I'd look for something like a 9mm Commander style 1911 .

[JohnC]

[Seismic Sam]

On a completely different tack, howzabout a t-shirt that says: I'm a nice old lady with pictures of adorable grandchildren to show to the jury, and I got a gun, and at my age I got nothin' to lose!!! MAKE MY DAY, PUNK!!!!

[White Horseradish]

Why not revolvers? Trigger too far? Pull weight?

Not really sure. Seems to be a subjective dislike, which is still a valid reason. She did her permit qual with a Model 10, so she has no problem actually shooting them.

EMP and Kahr are interesting ideas, but a touch too expensive to buy without trying. We might have to do some renting at Bill's. She could shoot Keltec P11, but the DAO trigger tires her quickly. Alternately, if I ever get my Star BM running, that might work. It's a thin grip, nice SA trigger, 9mm, not too heavy, and pretty dang accurate.