that my wife would be able to shoot as well, as I'd like to break her into it.

Options?

Size would be medium/compact; 10 rd cap is fine, more is better but kinda hard with the design/size. Would also make a great carry gun for me, until I break her into carrying/shooting.

.45 cal is preferred, though smaller would be fine; I'm all about the size over quantity thing, so .45 > 9mm IMO.

magazine will stick out on the bottom. There are 1911's that have double-stack magazines, but IMO the grip is too wide.

I have a Kimber CDP II - it's ok, but doesn't have a bushing, like full-size 1911's. I have since replaced the grips with black rubber:

<img src="http://twist.smugmug.com/photos/116813847-L.jpg" />

For 1911's I really prefer full size, with the 5" barrel. I like this one much better:

<img src="http://twist.smugmug.com/photos/190198964-L.jpg" />

"You want medium size, 10 rds or more, 45 cal or smaller, size or quantity"

There are alot of good 1911 pistols, but they have some quirks about the way they operate in regards to safety and such. (the basic design is almost 100 years old), and Browning himself improved on the design two times.

My wife isn't into guns, her first gun that I bought for her was a USP compact in 40 cal. I bought it because its got external easy safetys, decocker, visible hammer, and low force operating components.

She's fired dozens of guns now and still prefers the USP because the trigger is easy, carries 13 rounds, Slide is easy to pull back, and the slide release is easy too. Many semis are hard for women with small hands to rack the slide and release the slide.

I'm just saying...

Get something with a trigger disconnecting manual safety, external hammer, and decocker functions.

Really concealable pistols are even more of a compromise than pistols in general. Don't try and get a carry pistol as a first pistol!


Get a Ruger P90 manual safety version in stainless steel. Cost you ~$400 and is a great beginner auto. If you really wanna carry concealed you can later get a commander-sized or other compact 1911 or a Kahr PM45 / AMT BackUp / other if you want a pocket pistol.

USP compact is a decent compromise between a good first gun and good carry gun but it's still too big for easy carry.

Either get one nice enough to keep forever or get one where if you don't like it you didn't set yourself back much. The Taurus PT1911 or the unusually excellent Rock Island Armory are good places to start. Wilson, Baer, Brown or Nighthawk are good places to end.

but the price for those probably TOUGH to beat, and for a great gun.

Many women are unable to cycle the slides of major caliber semi-autos, and even my male hand is too small to comfortably handle the wide grip of a double-stack 1911 variant. I am a big fan of the single-stack 1911 (I have assortment of six), but I'd be very reluctant recommending one these to a woman.

really inexpensive when most decent handguns will be 500-700 dollars.

I don't think a SIG is *bad* for a 1st-timer, just not *my* first choice.

definitely wouldn't want a double stack - might make it too wide for the wife's hands

opinions. definitely wouldn't be a glock - just want her to have an external safety.

unfortunately, I get bombarded with the term and it happens to slip.

Let me slide this one time? O:)

chance to check one out yet. If I were looking for another 1911 I would take a good look at the Taurus based on value. Keep in mind she may be much more comfortable with a revolver. Practice with .38sp carry with .357.

Ruger p97 was the worst POS I've ever owned. The ruger slides are so bulky and heavy that as you shoot the balance changes dramatically with each shot.

That's an example, mine isn't as scratched up but you get the idea. I really like the balance and weight. I've shot a Glock (which I thought wasn't balanced right for me) and others but I always favor this 1911.<ul><li><a href="http://armsbid.com/images-ks6c/wp606.jpg">Series 70 Government model</a></li></ul>

Thin and sleek with a short stroke that is very controllable. It looks smaller in photos than it actually is but its one of the few rugers that I'd have no problem owning. The 97 wasn't right.

I have the following handguns:
Springfield Armory Fullsize 1911 .45 ACP
Taurus PT 100 9mm Chrome
S&amp;W Sigma 9mm

Guess which one my 5'2", 130lb wife with tiny hands likes to shoot the most?







You got it, the 1911