[wildfire adn]

My girlfriend currently owns a Springfield XD9 subcompact that she carries with her in her purse. She would like to have a gun to carry actually on her body for the times when she doesn't want to take her purse with her. She is very small, (about 90 lbs and 5'4") so carrying her XD concealed in a holster is really out of the question. It sticks out even when she has it in her waistband with a heavy coat over it.
My Keltec P3AT and Diamondback DB380 are about as big as she can hide on her with just a t-shirt since she is so small. The problem is that she limp wrists them no matter how hard she tries not to, and she gets maybe 2 rounds off before the gun jams. It's not a problem with the guns because I can put 100 rounds through both of them without an issue.
So, I need an idea. She is trying to work on her wrist and forearm strength at the gym, but that's not a very quick solution. She can't carry anything much bigger due to her size without wearing baggy clothing (not happening), so I was thinking maybe I would buy something in .32acp or .25acp, or a .22 rim fire cartridge :gah:. I don't like the idea of her carrying such a weak firearm, but I might have no other choice if I want to have something around for her to carry on her belt. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[jwhite75]

Sounds like a job for the j-frame....a S&W 442/642

 

[Stevew]

Sounds like a job for the j-frame....a S&W 442/642

What he said.

 

[mwhuffman]

If she limp wrists the P3AT, the LCP probably wouldn't be a good option, either. Maybe one of the single-stack 9mm's would be thin enough. Kahr PM9 and the Taurus 709 come to mind. Either would be much thinner than the XD. I'm sure someone else will chime in with some other options.

 

[TrackReady]

My wife falls pretty much into that same category, get her a good OC spray like a Kimber Guardian Angel she can keep on her body, its about the only thing she will be able to conceal. My wife limp wrists my Kahr and LCP but shoots the XD like a beast. Small guns are much more sensitive to this.

 

[JohnWFD]

I used to own a beretta 950 jetfire in 25ACP. I really enjoyed the gun. It is a dream to shoot, and it has a 8+1 capacity. Very small and light. Check it out.:bier:

 

[9mmPro]

Ruger SR9C is a great little pistol i liek that better then the kel-tec or Ruger LCP.

 

[SleepingZ]

Sounds like a job for the j-frame....a S&W 442/642

Isn't a j frame wider than a XD??????

As much as I hate to say it, maybe a Berreta 25cal. tip up barrel, so easy to load. I would think it would feed better than a 22lr, but it is not a power house.

If tight clothing is more important than self defense, your choices are limited.

Z

 

[EW3]

Sounds like a job for the j-frame....a S&W 442/642

NO! Have her try some smaller, flatter guns like a Kahr, Walther PPS, or even a SIG P239, and see what SHE feels comfortable with. Maybe even a Beretta Tomcat .32?

A lightweight snubnose will probably turn her off guns forever; they are pretty nasty to shoot. I could only do 50 rounds and done with my 442 and that was with a shooting glove.

 

[Guns and more]

I was surprised how tame my Sig P238 is. It's the easiest slide to rack, and has minimum recoil.
It's a S/A only, so I don't know how that would affect her decision.
For small autos, I don't think you can beat the Sig.

 

[VrodRay]

Kahr P380 is also very nice...
Side by side with a Kel Tec p3at

 

[Stevew]

Isn't a j frame wider than a XD??????

As much as I hate to say it, maybe a Berreta 25cal. tip up barrel, so easy to load. I would think it would feed better than a 22lr, but it is not a power house.

If tight clothing is more important than self defense, your choices are limited.

Z

The thin grip makes the J frame very concealable. If concerned about recoil go with Mod 60 or Ruger SP.

 

[ccwguy]

Seecamp?

 

[TerriLi]

beretta bobcat or tomcat, both are not sensitive to limp wristing at all. although the .22 caliber models are ammo sensitive, stick with cci minimags or stingers. YouTube - Beretta 21A 22LR Firearm Review ( Part 1 )

 

[cinsc]

Take her to a gun shop with a range and have her try out some guns.

380 pistols seem to have trouble cycling under good conditions, so a less-than-firm grip is a big problem.

What about purse-carry? That way she could pack a revolver.

If she doesn't carry a purse the Beretta might be the best thing. A little gun is better than no gun at all.

 

[ccw9mm]

If lack of strength, consider that most semi-auto pistols are going to require a measure of strength in order to operate the slide. She may be limited only to those pistols with light slide force required. You'll have to check around for examples. I can't think of any, off the top of my head.

Revolver comes to mind, particularly if you "tune" the action to have a somewhat lighter pull weight.

Inability to conceal can be due to clothing choice and how it fits, which can be rectified via selection of different clothing that allows more space for carry, covers the bulges/curves better. Shrinking the gun isn't the only choice, here. The choice of effective covering garments can also help. For example, someone might not be able to deftly conceal a given gun IWB under a tight shirt, but that same person with a hoodie sweatshirt can conceal it just fine.

 

[wildfire adn]

She absolutely hates my J-frame. She likes my PPS but it still sticks out on her unless she is wearing some seriously oversized clothing. A sweatshirt works for that but I am looking ahead to 100 degree days this summer when a cover garment is pretty much out of the question. I am thinking she might like to get the Jetfire so I am trying to find one for her to test. I just don't like the idea of her carrying such a weak firearm, but I suppose its better than spray or a knife. She has mace with her and a Benchmade most of the time anyway. And if I buy a Sig I don't think she will ever see it. Haha!:smile:

 

[DIABLO9489]

Go with a Kel-Tec P32 or Kahr P380. My girlfriend had the same problem with my LCP but not with the P32. The Kahr is just an easier gun to hold, control, and operate(racking of the slide) then an LCP or P3AT. A J-frame is not always a viable option due to the considerably heavy trigger pull. My girlfriend had a hard enough time just getting the gun to fire let alone being able to draw it fast and actually hit a target.

 

[Sand86]

Kahr MK9, small single stack 9mm, heavy enough that limp-wristing shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Warmon]

I would suggest Taurus PT-709 Slim. Check out the FIST SOB holsters. They have a photo of a woman wearing one that matches your description.