380 or 9mm for wife's CCW?

[KBScobravert]

That was a 938, the 9mm. I would recommend a 938 over a 238.

See. And I thought it was a little .380 round when shooting it. I am sure I knew then it was the 9mm but just forgot. I just remember how nice it shot for such a little handgun.

[CJ]

See. And I thought it was a little .380 round when shooting it. I am sure I knew then it was the 9mm but just forgot. I just remember how nice it shot for such a little handgun.

Yes it shoots really good, you have to focus on the sights because of the short sight plane, but it goes exactly where you aim it. Easy to shoot a 3" group.

[YALE]

I love my 938. I had to polish the feed ramp, though.

[KWClutch]

Can't go wrong either way. I carry a Ruger .380 and love it. Most of the subcompact 380s and 9s don't have safetys. I like the Ruger trigger safety better than the glock style. The Ruger is small enough to be a pocket pistol and still shoots halfway decent. You won't shoot perfect unless you're an amazing shot but it shoots great for me at 10-15-25 ft. with quick draws and a quick pull. Only downside is my wife has a harder time pulling the slide.

I'd probably 2nd the idea of a .38 special revolver. I'd make sure it's hammer-less though. Tried and true for years. Shoots great, small kick. Point and shoot.

[YALE]

The PF-9 is pretty nice, too.

[Trick Pony]

My wife has Bersa Thunder .380 that she carries and really likes but she wants to move up to a 9mm now. I'm looking at the P938 or the M&P Shield. I need to have her shoot both and see what feels better to her.

[bigmuskie]

Hey Darren, I have a Smith&Wesson Bodyguard 380 and a Kahr CM9 your wife is welcome to take to the range.

[ram57ta]

The PF-9 is pretty nice, too.

I'll vouch for the PF9 but for women I'm not so sure. The recoil is pretty substantial (my sister didn't care for mine loaded with regular loads) and it flat out kicks like a bull with +p in it.

[helosailor]

So, I'm torn, 380 or 9mm for the wife? I'm leaning towards 9mm so that we can share ammo but the size of a 9mm pistol is kind of big for my wife as is the recoil.....
Thoughts?

PM Leah. She has a P238 and really likes it.

[Cobraman]

My chick has a p3at. It is definitely a snappy bastard, but she can rack the slide herself and I'd have no doubts about her hitting her target. I wanted to get her something she could actually carry, not just purse carry when she gets her chl.

Edit: she is 5'4 `~110lbs

[Jose]

I think it's going to come down to what caliber/gun combination works for her i.e. a lite weight .380 ACP might be snapier for her compared to a heavier 9mm and vice versus. Also the ergonomics should be a concern. Would she feel comfortable with a gun with a heavy trigger pull or one with a lite trigger pull and no safety? What gun do you carry and is she comfortable shooting it? Maybe look for one similar but smaller for her.

[Semper299]

The PF-9 is pretty nice, too.

+1 for the PF 9


Whatever you get, make sure she can rack the slide, not implying she can't. I just know some pistols my wife can rack the slide just fine; others she struggles with.

[Jose]

+1 for the PF 9


Whatever you get, make sure she can rack the slide, not implying she can't. I just know some pistols my wife can rack the slide just fine; others she struggles with.

Another good point. I bought my dad a Kimber 1911 for his birthday a few years ago and because of his age and arthritis he could no longer rack the slide. 1911 went to me and I bought him a .38 Special snubby.

[bottlerocket]

My wife loves her 9mm Shield. Any caliber is better than nothing. Get what she's comfortable with

[03trubluGT]

Have you tried buying .380 ammo lately?

If you buy a gun in .380 caliber and can't feed it, it's a rock.