p238 for my wifes first gun?
 

Hey everybody, I have been doing alot of research to find a good gun for my wife. She is a little shy of handling guns herself so I am trying to find something to break her in. I have a 1911 and I really like the looks of the p238, but not sure about the small caliber 380 for self defence.

Despite what many may say, I believe the .380 can be a viable defense round with the correct ammo. At the same time, .380 pistols are normally pretty small. If she can handle a larger/heavier pistol, she may be able to go to a 9mm without a lot more recoil & the idea is to have the largest caliber you can safely & comfortably shoot. The best test is for her to be able to shoot various weapons/calibers to see what she likes. Do you have a range nearby that rents pistols?

The Sig P238 is a very fine little gun. Light, fast, accurate and easy to shoot unlike most of the mouse guns. Comes with night sights. Accuracy and speed count more than size. She has to be confident she can hit her target and not be worrying about recoil or she will miss. Whatever SHE chooses, dont get her too much gun.

Take her to the range and rent a .22 to start, just to get her to try it. Then let her decide what she wants to try next, advising her as you go.
Letting her buy what she is comfortable with beats you getting what you think is a reliable sidearm, then her leaving it home all the time because she just doesn't like it/is scared of it.
While getting her protection is important, take a bit of time, and get her comfortable with it. Last thing you want is her thinking it was your decision, and not hers.
Caliber isn't as important as her being willing to use and carry it.
Hope you're just buying her something to make her purse heavier!

I have great interest in this thread as I am seriously considering buying a P238. I have looked at several different smaller guns and the P238 was the one I liked best. I looked at the Ruger LC9, the LCP (which I also liked), the Bersa Thunder, the Kahr P380 and Kel Tec P-3AT and the Ruger LCR.

The best for the little women is a 4" .357 revolver and put .38 specials in it. Most women will understand the way a revolver works better than a semiauto. They loose faith when it jambs or stove pipes. It is simple to load and shoot with no complicated buttons all over the place. And then after she has mastered the revolver let her play with the semiauto.

If you have several guns, maybe she could shoot some of them to get a feel for it. Especially good would be a revolver that is easy on recoil, with light target loads. Then let her try the most dependable semiauto you have, that minimizes the likelihood of FTF or jam. (The revolver probably shouldn't be your .500 magnum BFR with the 10-inch barrel, though.) :)

My wife has one and loves it. She's at the range with it every time I am. It's a great small gun.


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play the victim, be the victim

My girlfriend has one n loves it! Low recoil ez to shoot, now I have to say I think it's a must to get the 7rd mag it give just a lil more to grab on to.

Give me a break! ;) I have a revolver and a semi-auto. I know how to clear jams and what to do if it stovepipes. The buttons aren't that "complicated", either, nor are they "all over the place". A woman can use a semi-auto just as confidently and efficiently as a man. I'm a little insulted you think a woman can't figure out how to use a semi-auto. :mad: