Handgun = Yes

I have shot before, while in the military I would occasionally be armed with a 9mm when I flew. I also shot an M-16 while in boot camp. Didn't grow up with guns though and I'm not a hunter.

It's been years since I've handled any kind of firearm some my familiarity has dropped. I plan on taking safety and training courses along with any purchase that I make.

Price range would probably top out at $600.

Check out the Springfield Armory's XD series. Easy to use and even in .45 ACP hardly any kick. You can get them in 9mm or .40 too. The safety features is why I am suggesting the SA XD.

If you're looking for a decent, affordable gun.

Kimbers are great, but out of your price range.

If you like the Smith and Wesson, look at the 1911 style .45

My latest handgun is a c&c Taurus Millenium 9mm.

You might look at the Springfield XD, maybe a subcompact.


If you're looking for a "starter" gun....You might get a .22 Mosquitto.
not a lot of KO power, but its a reliable gun and not "scary" if you're shooting it.


The Revolvers are idiot proof(almost apparently)...but the smaller ones, especially the c&c size .38 .380....have a lot of kick for their size and will hurt her wrist or bruise her palm if she shoots very many rounds.

The guy at Bass Pro was also pushing the shotgun idea. I don't like it though. I want something that I can also have fun with and taking a handgun to the firing range on occasion sounds more interesting.

As for the revolver vs semi arguments the wife would get a lot of exposure at the range and would become proficient. A small revolver might make sense though.

We'll certainly go and rent at the range and test dive some different options.

What you need is a bazooka

theres one for sale in the trailer court behind the walmart in gardner.

an ex military soldier has a bazooka, and a collection of unused zippo lights, and a freakin bomb, that stands about 5 feet tall...and has a dent on the top of the shell casing

I wondered if it was a sting...so I only bought the abu garcia reel.

Can you imagine, getting a speeding ticket on the way home from work, and have a bomb and bazooka in the passenger seat....how the hell would you explain that???

if it was truly for home protection I would get shotgun so you have a large spray hitting atleast some portion of the bad guy

"Desert Eagle.... point five O"

agreed.

I have the XD (although not the sub-compact); great gun. The wife shot the mosquitto at the range and was like Dirty Harry. She loved it (...naturally...the wife likes the $500+ .22. lol)

It's not a bomb. It's an RV shitter tank.

Like many have said, it depends on what you need a handgun for.

My wife has a Taurus .38 for concealed carry.

I have a Springfield XD-40 Compact... too much recoil for my wife, but exactly what I want. One buddy of mine uses a Springfield XD-9 for CC, another the XD-45 in subcompact. Obviously, we're all XD fans.

Bullethole has everything, so try out several different models/calibers.

I think you could legally purchase the bazooka...you just can own the rounds for it.

You can buy a grenade launcher addon for a black rifle at a gunshow....but you can only buy flares.

Yeah, my wife is the same way but she has moved up to the 9mm after getting used to firing with the .22. She shot 4 rounds of .45 with my 1911 and won't touch it anymore. She also dislikes the AR-15 for some reason, she said it wasn't the kick but the sound scared her each time she pulled the trigger. I don't get that one.

IMO, a shotgun is a pretty cumbersome weapon to use in the confines of one's house. Especially if it's dark, you're half-asleep, you've just been awakened by an alarm or some other noise that caused you to feel the need to arm yourself, and you're scared.

true 'dat

;)

You could always go with a .357 revolver.

You can load the .357 ammo and the wife can load .38 ammo. Also the .357 is a heavier gun it will not kick as much with the .38 ammo in it.

I agree with renting a .22 for your wife and letting her get used to it. I started out with a 9mm and I could handle it without problems. I don't know how my wife would do.

If you live in KC check out the Crossfire Rec Center off of Truman Rd in Independence. You can rent a gun for $5 + ammo. Not bad at all.

Crossfire Rec Center
21200 E Truman Rd
Independence, MO 64056