I need advice from the shooting crowd.

[Jordan]

A while ago I gave my younger sister a gun. Young girl, living alone, seemed like a good idea. As it happens, I seem to have created a monster. She has "outgrown" her little snubnosed .38, and is interested in an auto. I, very subtly, convinced her to tag along last time I went to the gunshop and paid careful attention to what she looked at and asked about. I managed to ascertain that what she wants is as follows.

1) Single stack, she has tiny girl hands.
2) .380-9mm chambering
3) hammer fired
4) no complicated firing controls (i.e. thumb safety)
5) compact frame, 4 inch (or thereabouts) barrel length
6) good traction on the slide for easy working of the action

Her birthday is coming up in a few months... so I'm putting my ear to the ground now in the hopes that I might find something fitting these specifications at a reasonable price. The only handgun I can think of which fits all of these requirements is the SIG p225. Unfortunately, this model is exclusively made in Germany and has proven remarkably difficult to "steal" thus far. I have a few lines in the Gunbroker pond... and while I wait to be outbid, I thought I'd poll you all. Can you folks think of any other handguns that mostly or completely fit the description above?

[raven]

Hey Jordan, Just my opinion, but I would probably go with a 9mm. As of late, especially here in CO... the .380 ammo has been very hard to find. I have several fellow officers that carry a .380 as a back up or off-duty and they've said that it's been difficult to get the ammo.

If it's absolutely necessary for the pistol to have a hammer, the Sig is the way to go. If it's not and she's willing to compromise, look at the compact Glocks or the compact Smith and Wesson M&P.

A few others to consider, which come in different configurations is:

HK
Walther
EAA Witness
CZ

Hope this helps some . Take Good Care and Be Safe Always.

God Bless :)


-raven-

[mkd]

jordan! years ago i bought a browning 9mm hi power military version.it was a nice semi auto with a 4 22/32" barrel,walnut checkered grips,adjustable rear sights, and a 13 round clip. it was a beautiful gun but i'll bet if you could find one it be real pricey.

[delicafreak]

would a keltec p3at, p-11, or pf9 fit the bill? i would go with 9mm BTW for reasons stated above.

[Monkeywrangler]

Single stack 9mm is not easy to find. Have her handle and shoot a Springfield XD or XDM in 9mm. It has one of the smallest grim circumferences there is in a double stack 9mm pistol. You can find them without the thumb safety also. Various slide lengths are available. Grip will feel a LOT like a Browning High Power, which it is actually based on...

[Dr. Snubnose]

Jordan, The Sig is hands down the way to go...P225...right on the money for a small handed women...Simple easy to shoot and effective.. :D Doc :D

[OldHoosier62]

Check out Kahr Arms,Kel-Tec,Para Ordnance compact single-stack DAO even the compact version of the XD-9 by Springfield. Please....NO .380's, go with a 9mm.

If she is wanting to grow and learn then don't YOU limit the experience. Go to a couple of shops with rentals and let her experiment and see what fits her. You just guide her toward quality and let her make the decisions.

[gac]

Focusing on single stacks:

There are still a number of Sig P6s getting imported. They are just a different version of the P225. Check the classifieds at http://www.sigforum.com. The P239 is readily available and also a single stack. http://www.summitgunbroker.com/239_CPO.html

Kahr makes a highly regarded product and all the ones I have handled (never fired) seem to have a slim grip circumference.

S&W had the 3900 series which is a 9mm single stack and includes compact variations.

[Pinetreebbs]

Look for a Lady Smith 9mm by Smith & Wesson 3913LS

A friend rented one of these and some other pistols at a local shooting range. He was trying to figure out the best pistol for his wife. She ended up with a Glock. It was a great way to not only hold but fire several different pistols and find the best fit.

Action Double Action Only
Caliber 9 mm
Barrel Length 3 1/2"
Capacity 8 + 1
Safety Single Side
Grips Plastic
Sights White Dot ( Front); Novak Lo Mount Carry (Rear)
Weight 24.8 oz.
Finish Stainless Steel

[vaa]

Kahr PM9. Everything you are asking for except hammer fire. Mine definitely needed to be broken in but is solid now.

[DMgangl]

If you haven't handled a 225 before it is actually quite large for a single stack. It is still a compact pistol but its not much smaller then an old model 228. The other problem is magazines are hard to come by since its mainly a German used gun.

My suggestion would be the P238. Pretty much a miniature 1911 in .380. Its almost an exact copy of a Colt Mustang. Ammo can be found online at aimsurplus.com.

The other option would be a compact 1911 in 9mm.

DM

[Gunslinger]

.380 ammo is expensive, 9mm ammo is much better priced, check out youtube for gun reviews, a ton of them out there.

[chuck_roxas45]

From the left field here, take a look at the CZ PO-7

[dsmegst]

Beretta 92 Compact Type M. I'm biased towards a metal frame gun.

But honestly, I haven't shopped for a new handgun in years. I used to have a SIG 229 and would recommend anything from that company.

[2cha]

From the left field here, take a look at the CZ PO-7

Ditto that--except look at the alloy version CZ PO-1, the more compact alloy framed version of above. Next gun on my list, little more than half the price of the Sig. The grips aren't as thin as a single stack, but I've had my 12 year old and my wife (very small hands) out to shoot my CZ 75, which has the same grip contours and size, and they both love it. VERY accurate--easily allows me to be as accurate as I'm capable of being. Everybody who has shot my CZ wants one.

[Jordan]

Thanks for all the replies, they have been tremendously helpful. I've found the majority of the recommendations at various establishments around town, just gotta take my sis out to see which ones feel right and move from there.

[Water Bug]

I concur with those recommending Sig Sauer. I first learned about them from an Air Force Security Forces troop. Yes, they are expensive, and I find they are worth the price.

- They do have single stack models.

- They do have them chambered in 9mm.

- They have a hammer (a feature I really like and prefer).

- I find their pistol simple in terms of firing control. They have a decocking lever that you manipulate with the thumb to decock the hammer without having to thumb the hammer down.

- I've used the Sig Sauer P220 in .45 ACP (single stack, 4.40" barrel) and the Sig Sauer P226 in .40 S&W (double stack, 4.40" barrel). These may be larger than what you're looking for.

- The P226 does come chambered in 9mm, 10 or 15 rounds.

- The P220 and P226 I've handled are double action/single action.

- I found the slide on these models to have good traction for working the action.

- I like the all-metal construction of these models.

- I like how these pistols can be taken apart relatively easily for cleaning and I like that there are very few parts.

[2cha]

Well, this thread prompted me to do a little shopping myself. I made a bunch of calls and couldn't find a CZ P-01 or PCR in stock so I went and rented a Sig P239--and then bought one. Other than the fact that it is very heavy for small (8+1) capacity, this is one sweet pistol. At 36 feet 2 in. groups or less while still under excitement of new purchase. Out of the box reliability, 200 rounds flawless. A little top heavy, takes some getting used to. Great gun. Almost bought an HK P7, but the price tag for a used gun turned me off. At any rate, the Sig 239 is about 30% more than going price for a comparable CZ, but the Sig came with night sights. No buyers remorse whatsoever.
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[gac]

I have a CZ PCR and really like the pistol.

I know I listed some single stack options above but she needs to be the one to try out all the different models out there. At the least she should hold and manipulate the pistol. Preferably she will be able to shoot her top choices before buying.

[fast.ed]

Sig Saur model 232. Tad expensive, but they work and are easy to master.