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April 20, 2010
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Hey guys my daughter recently turned 21, and we are looking for a first pistol for her. I could use any opinions or input that you have. Here is the criteria we have come up with-
1. Priced under $1000
2. Preferably new but we would be open to a used model that is not currently made
3. She prefers an auto
4. Mainly to be used for target shooting, but should be small and light enough to carry once in a while if the occasion arises
5. 9mm because of its milder recoil and cost of ammo. No .22s, I have several already that we all shoot.
We went to several area shops and she held a bunch, these are the 3 so far that she likes the fit in her hand-
Ruger sr9c, so far the one she likes the feel of best overall, seems to have a nice trigger pull and comes with a compact mag and a longer mag with extension which she likes. Simple controls.
CZ75, she loved the fit in her hand, likes the looks and controls, however it is all steel and a bit large to be practical at all for her to carry. I know CZ makes a compact 75 with alloy frame but I doubt we can ever find one to hold around here.
RIA compact 1911 in 9mm, she likes the fit, a little heavier, also I am unsure how reliably the small 1911 cycles?
Now here are some she eliminated due to not liking the fit in her hand-
No Glocks
No Springfield XD or XDm
No Fn (I forget the model)
No S&W M&P9
No full size or commander 1911s
Didnt like the Beretta 9mm (also forget the model)
So does anybody have any other model ideas that we should look for to try? Or have any good or bad experience with the 3 that she liked so far.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
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July 2, 2011
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Don't think you can go wrong with the CZ. I've had a couple and they were rock solid.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Lonwolf, did you try and Sig's? They have a different feel than the double stack Springfields and Glocks..
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Sigs do have a natural 'pointability' and I'd also have her palm a Kahr- they're pretty slim.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I am craving a Sig P 938. Granted it is small but you can get an extended mag. Maybe not the best for target shooting but great for carrying. 9mm but heavy enough (metal) not to make your hand sting. Nice sights. I'd have one but for $750+ I could have my next dan. It's been three months since I bought a dan and I'm having withdrawals.
February 18, 2014
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All I have to add is that my wife really likes the feel of her SR9c and it is great in the handling department. Also, don't completely rule out the fourth generation Glock 19, it is a 9mm and has the changable backstraps for different feels, I was surpised at the feel of my son's when he put the smaller back on for a smaller grip.
As for an older handgun, if you run across a 469 or 669 S&W, give it a try. Aluminum frame, 12 shot mag and a pretty comfortable grip for being a double stack mag.
October 21, 2013
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I have a RIA 9mm FS GI and love it, and while I thought I had a jamming problem with the gun RIA took great care of me and the pistol at no cost to me. It wasn't until later I realized the jamming problem I had was due to me and my piss poor grip.
That said mine has about 2,500 rounds down the pipe with no problems.
August 29, 2009
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Bersa Thunder Pro 9 - A great value and a nice looking gun.
February 10, 2014
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I'm one of the lucky guys, and I was able to get my wife into shooting. Her first gun was a Ruger SP101 fully engraved. It's a .357 revolver with a 2 inch barrel. After shooting it and others she decided on a Sig Sauer P238 Rainbow. It's her concealed carry with an extended mag. It's a .380 which is also called a 9mm short. LOL
The Sig is her favorite gun to shoot at the range and it's easy to maintain and clean. Plus the way the titanium slide is heat treated makes it look awesome. Several of our friends have shot it and all the women love it. The men tend to think it's a bit small for their hands though. Other than the size I love the gun too, and the sites are easy to use.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p238-rainbow.aspx
She bought hers through gun broker for about $700
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Thanks guys for all the input so far. Due to work etc we wont be going to look at any for a little while but warm weather is coming so she is getting anxious to have her own pistol to shoot this summer.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
I would like to vote for the Sig 938. I've had one for two years and love it. If you can, find one to borrow, just don't feed it 115 gr ammo. Mine prefers 124 gr and functions perfectly. It is easy to clean and nice to carry.
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Dans Club
February 16, 2014
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My preferred carry piece is Para Ord Carry 9: single stack 9mm, thin light alloy frame, 1911 styling, LDA (light double action) trigger is very smooth pull, might be hard to find one. More on the full size side, it is hard to beat the feel of a Browning Hi Power...it's all natural! Good luck and good fun shopping. A big show is hard to beat for a wide selection.
March 21, 2014
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mrarff said
I would like to vote for the Sig 938. I've had one for two years and love it. If you can, find one to borrow, just don't feed it 115 gr ammo. Mine prefers 124 gr and functions perfectly. It is easy to clean and nice to carry.
Agree with this sentiment and recommendation. Even though they are a little bit spendy, great pistols.
My wife and I were able to handle and test-fire both the 938 and the 238 (.380 version). The 938 offers so much better ballistics in a package only slightly larger than the 238, yet still real small and manageable. Seriously considering one for myself now.
March 25, 2008
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I like the feel and looks of the kimber 9mm and the colt also. they are a little higher up the price range. Good luck!
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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I am not sold on the light weight compact seem to be hard on the hands when practicing! I have had great luck with a couple old imports of the polish and russian design! The p-64 is my go to for carry most of the time!
Dans Club
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April 20, 2010
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Figured I better update this thread. After several months of thought and handling many different pistols, daughter Jess opted for one of the first ones she had held, a Ruger SR9c 9mm.
Here is a pic of the first range day, Jess on the right with her Ruger SR9c with stainless slide, and my stepdaughter Allison who just turned 21 this month is on the left, with her recent acquisition a Glock in 9mm with Olive frame.
Both guns are manageable and a lot of fun to shoot, neither being tackdrivers but both are excellent little pistols in their price range. Thanks to all who gave their guidance and input earlier on this thread.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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That's awesome man. Glad they are learning to be shooters. Both my girls don't like guns. All the boys and momma tho' ain't afraid to fire' em up.. We need all the young people we can to be shootist, if for nothing else to help keep the constitution alive..
Oath Keeper #021479 NRA #206814004
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"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
Richard Henry Lee
American Statesman, 1788
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Saaay, they look dangerous! Seriously, I too am considering a smaller conceal carry gun. I have SP101's+ LCP's and want something light but more pleasant than the LCP. That is only for when your life is in danger. My wife LOVES her new Tiffany blue Glock 42. At 25 yds. we both put six rounds in a paper plate the first trip to the range. After 14 rounds the gun performed flawlessly. Wanting something a little bigger, I am considering the XDS 3.3" 45acp , the Kahr 9mm, and the Sig 938. My ffl buddy tells me to wait till January for the 9mm version of the Glock. I think I will get the 45 and the Glock.
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July 2, 2011
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That's a great picture with some very respectable shooting. I'm still amazed how accurate my Taurus PT709 Slim is.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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