CCW for my wife

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So here is the question guys, I personally cary either my G20 or G29, but my wife wants to get a carry gun for herself. However she has rheumatoid arthritis so she isn't strong enough to operate the slide on either of my glocks, and it is all she can do pull the trigger on a bad day. So I said I would look into something with a lighter trigger pull, and a reasonable amount of force to operate the slide. I need suggestions, a 9MM would be fine for her purposes, but I don't want something really small like a 380 or .32. I also strongly prefer something with out a hammer.
Help me out guys and gals

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Kevin Jensen]

In my experience, smaller guns tend to have shorter and heavier springs, making it difficult for some to "rack the slide". Add to that larger calibers, abd the springs only get tougher.

Larger pistols in small calibers seem to be fairly easy to rack. Think full size 1911 in 9MM, you've got a nice platform, and likely a light enough slide/trigger pull to keep her happy.

Or a wheel gun, no slide to rack there.

[NDN-MAN]

How about a revolver? You can get one with a shrouded or bobed hammer.

If not you might look at a bersa 380 or 9mm. You may not like the 380 but it has a light recoil and may be good for the wife. A 380 she carries and shoots often is better than anything she leaves at home.
Just make sure she likes the weapon. Or she may not shoot or carry it.




GOOD LUCK AND STAY SAFE

[Superhouse 15]

I just did some work on a 1911 in 9mm. I second that recommendation.

[tkruf]

My wife (Pinklady) had a hard time with racking slide on most semi-autos due to weak hands, carpel tunnel surgery, etc. but she can rack the slide on a Glock. The Glock has one of the easiest slides to rack. If you want 9mm and up and not a Glock, try the Walther PPS. Easy to rack. My wife liked it, she just didn't like the magazine release. Your wife might like it.

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I had thought of a revolver, like a little J frame or SP101 type. I would love for her to have a glock, but even the 9MM glocks are hard for her to rack.

Just make sure she likes the weapon. Or she may not shoot or carry it.

this is my main goal, so that I know she has protection when I'm not around. She is ok at the house as she has the 12 gauge sitting there for her and it is easy for her to use. But she seems to have a habbit of getting lost in the worst possible parts of town when she is out and about.

[Rollo]

Why not a Ruger SP101? No slide to worry about racking. Built like a tank. .357 is a great round and she would have the ability to practice with fairly cheap .38's.

[mj40p]

Let HER pick it out. She will be a lot happier. Let her look at several guns and if possible rent what she thinks she wants before she buys it. Remember it's all about what she wants, not what you want her to have. Don't ask me how I learned this. Also don't be surprised if she shoots better than you do.

[vaughn]

I was taught anyone can rack a Glock, its got to do with technique. Try holding the top of the action with all four fingers over the top, and the palm of your hand ( not a finger thumb pinch grip) hold gun close to you about chest high , use your other hand , on the grip ; to push your pistol forward , racking the slide . Release ( don't ride the slide down ) . This helped my wife with her 17 , hope it help your wife , no mater what gun she chooses .

[zacii]

What method is she using to rack the slide? Try doing as vaughn said, rather than the 'slingshot' method, which takes a lot more effort.

[retsupt99]

My wife (Pinklady) had a hard time with racking slide on most semi-autos due to weak hands, carpel tunnel surgery, etc. but she can rack the slide on a Glock. The Glock has one of the easiest slides to rack. If you want 9mm and up and not a Glock, try the Walther PPS. Easy to rack. My wife liked it, she just didn't like the magazine release. Your wife might like it.

Same thing with my wife. She was having difficulty with racking a KelTec, but with a little instruction and practice, the Glock-26 was much easier for her.

[alachner]

I recommend the following handguns for your wife:

- Ruger SP101 revolver in .38+P (2.3" barrel)
- Walther PPS in 9mm
- Beretta Px4 Storm Sub-Compact in 9mm
- Glock 26

[gottabkiddin]

So here is the question guys, I personally cary either my G20 or G29, but my wife wants to get a carry gun for herself. However she has rheumatoid arthritis so she isn't strong enough to operate the slide on either of my glocks, and it is all she can do pull the trigger on a bad day. So I said I would look into something with a lighter trigger pull, and a reasonable amount of force to operate the slide. I need suggestions, a 9MM would be fine for her purposes, but I don't want something really small like a 380 or .32. I also strongly prefer something with out a hammer.
Help me out guys and gals

Simple answer from me. LCR all the way. Best none trigger job on a stock revolver I've seen and will launch a .38+p round all day long.

[SteveCollins]

This is RA, guys. Arthritis is more painful than most people realize. A revolver isn't the answer, especially a short barreled one. Small gun, small sights, small grip, heavy trigger pull, and then put arthritis on top of it? Come on...

Take a look at the Beretta Model 86. It is a mid-frame, single stack .380, but has the tip up barrel of the small Beretta autos, so no slide to pull back. It can also be carried single or double action. Plus, you get the reliability of the Beretta pistol itself, and you don't have the recoil and trigger issues that plague the tiny 'pocket' guns. Dont' get wrapped around the axle about caliber, if she can get good hits with it, that's what matters.

[Superhouse 15]

We've been trying to get Beretta 86s for a couple customers. Totally unavailable lately. The best we can do is 84/85 or Tomcats.


The Tomcat seems to be the go-to gun for the weak handed or disabled shooter. It has a tip up barrel, relatively fat grils to spread recoil, and a mild caliber for those who can't handle more. Having said that, being able to handle more is mostly a matter of technique and training.