[TacticalSpeed]

We are on a quest to find her a pistol that she actually enjoys shooting and shoots well. 9mm or 380. 9mm hopefully just because we won't have to start stocking up on 380. (Have plenty of 9mm)

She loves her TX22 & my PPK/S 22LR so maybe a G3? She wants to handle a Ruger Security 380, but no local shops have had one yet.

She had a Shield EZ 9mm, G44 and G43X, but none worked out so they got sold.

I'm thinking we need something with a 5" ish barrel, but not heavy. Muscle challenges with her hands prevent her from shooting my 1911 or even TP9 SFx for more than a few rounds due to the weight of the pistols. She also has challenges racking most slides.

Are there are legit contenders in this space?

 

[Brad_keeney]

Kimber R7 Mako. Check it out. Like a 26 that is ALL upgraded including a easy to rack slide and phenomenal trigger.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Kimber R7 Mako. Check it out. Like a 26 that is ALL upgraded including a easy to rack slide and phenomenal trigger.

Things like the Mako & G26 are too small.not enough purchase for her. G26 slide = too much for her anyway.

Again, not looking for short barrel options...

 

[jmohme]

My wife loves her Ruger SR9C. She tried quite a few before and several, including the P365 that everyone seems fixated on, but won't give up her Ruger.
Unfortunately, I don't think Ruger makes it anymore, but if you run across a nice used one, you might give it a look.

 

[Mr. S]

I think a good idea would be to go to a shop that has rental guns and have her try a bunch of them.

 

[cciman]

If she loves the TX22, and has physical problems with other guns, then stick to the TX22, and enjoy shooting it. Chasing after smaller 9 or 380 handguns, just makes them harder to shoot and LESS enjoyable.

Stay realistic.

For SD, 22 well placed rounds in face, kneecaps/shins, feet, or genitals are big man stoppers.

 

[DirectDrive]

My wife (5'-3" petite) did the try-out at our local range that has an extensive rental fleet.
It was over a 2 month period, I think.
I stayed out of it as each week she would bring her targets home to show me.

She ended up with Glock G43
No trouble racking the slide.

 

[warbow150]

I'm thinking we need something with a 5" ish barrel, but not heavy. Muscle challenges with her hands prevent her from shooting my 1911 or even TP9 SFx for more than a few rounds due to the weight of the pistols. She also has challenges racking most slides.

Are there are legit contenders in this space?

Colt lightweight commander 9mm, maybe? About 5-6 ounces lighter than your Government. Running the slide will be pretty similar, though.

FN 5.7? Very light at only 21 ounces or so, but it’ll be expensive to feed.

Smith & Wesson K-frame? A little lighter than your 1911 and ammo’s everywhere. No slide to mess with.

 

[gconan]

I would recommend a Kimber revolver.

 

[Schrag4]

If she loves the TX22, and has physical problems with other guns, then stick to the TX22, and enjoy shooting it. Chasing after smaller 9 or 380 handguns, just makes them harder to shoot and LESS enjoyable.

Stay realistic.

For SD, 22 well placed rounds in face, kneecaps/shins, feet, or genitals are big man stoppers.

I won’t poo-poo the 22LR’s ability to stop if it is placed well, but I have trouble trusting that it will ignite and extract and eject and feed reliably when you need it to. That said, the TX22 has been pretty reliable for me and others. Nowhere near as reliable as just about any center fire, though.

 

[Hauki]

nothing wrong with a revolver for her either. I think the Ruger SP 101 comes in 9mm, or could use 38.
@gconan beat me to it!

 

[Rotn1]

How about a Glock 42?
Or if she wants more weight the classic P232……..

 

[GlockTrader45]

My wife carries a Springfield XD .40 subcompact. She likes it a lot better than the Glock 26/27 and shoots it well.

You can usually pick up a used one pretty cheaply to try it out. Then, if she likes it, keep it, or buy a new one.
My 2¢

 

[BEEF_SUPREME!]

Throw a g42 in the ring.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Colt lightweight commander 9mm, maybe? About 5-6 ounces lighter than your Government. Running the slide will be pretty similar, though.

FN 5.7? Very light at only 21 ounces or so, but it’ll be expensive to feed.

Smith & Wesson K-frame? A little lighter than your 1911 and ammo’s everywhere. No slide to mess with.

She had a revolver. No more of them

 

[TacticalSpeed]

I won’t poo-poo the 22LR’s ability to stop if it is placed well, but I have trouble trusting that it will ignite and extract and eject and feed reliably when you need it to. That said, the TX22 has been pretty reliable for me and others. Nowhere near as reliable as just about any center fire, though.

I've shot the TX22 plenty as well and never had a problem

 

[Orive 8]

We are on a quest to find her a pistol that she actually enjoys shooting and shoots well. 9mm or 380.

Lots of options out there nowadays, my 2 cents worth - have her try the Glock 42.
Good luck to her on finding something that she likes and works for her.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Lots of options out there nowadays, my 2 cents worth - have her try the Glock 42.
Good luck to her on finding something that she likes and works for her.

Nope. She does not like the small ones.not enough purchase

 

[Holiday009]

43 or 26

 

[cadillacguns]

G-42 gets my vote for her.
I “read” your opening post, no mention of the G-42, my wife tried the G-43, but settled on
the G-42.