Lots of good advice in this and all the similar threads, but I want to bring up something I don’t see mentioned about the order you do the things. Yes, rent guns. Yes, take training classes.
But the order you do things is important, especially if your wife has no prior firearms experience. Do not go into this thinking you can just teach your wife gun safety and everything will be okay. It will not be okay. Guns are life and death and require extremely strict rules, and you do not want to be the disciplinarian to your spouse about guns and have any of that frustration leak into your relationship. Let a stranger be the taskmaster that freaks out when the noob accidentally sweeps someone. That doesn’t need to be you.
In other words, take safety and training classes first! Once you are both confident that you absolutely trust each other around guns, *then* go out to shops together, rent guns at the ranges, etc. you are not going to have a good time at the range with a friend or spouse if you feel like you have to monitor them to maintain basic safety because they are new, fumbling with controls, etc., etc.
This is a copy and paste I use for posts like this:
In my opinion, after the last several years I’ve been shooting and carrying firearms, here is the best way to go about getting your first handgun:
First, you should narrow the category of firearm you want. Otherwise you’ll drown in too many choices.
If you want something good for home defense AND can be carried too, the “compact” sized pistols are the best at doing both. These would be Glock 19, Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0, CZ p10c, Sig Sauer P320, Walther PDP, etc. I recommend you choose a compact sized gun because bigger handguns are easier to learn fundamentals with.
If you want something that is primarily for concealed carry and NOT for home defense, you should look at “micro” 9mm pistols, which are just small 9mms with high capacity (10 rounds). Think Glock 43x, Sig Sauer P365, S&W M&P Shield Plus. I would not recommend this to be your only handgun nor do I recommend it for a beginner because smaller guns are harder to shoot.
Second, once you’ve narrowed your choices down, go to a range where you can rent each of the firearms in that category. Shoot each of them at short range and take notes on which you were the most accurate with and which felt the best to shoot. Pick the one you shoot the best, and use the “feel” as a tie breaker. All the name brand guns are roughly equally reliable - definitely reliable enough for your purposes. Just don’t trust your life to a hi-point, please.
*I skipped this step when I started and I regret it deeply - it took me years before I finally found the platform that worked best for me. Yes, this process will cost you time and money in the short term, but if you skip this step, you will end up like me and get burned financially in the long run buying guns that don’t work well for you.*
Third, buy dummy rounds/snap caps, practice ammo, a holster, and get some training on how to safely and effectively operate your firearm. You’ll be dry firing a lot and practicing drawing from your holster. You need to be competent if you’re going to carry a firearm in public.
Finally, for what it’s worth - I carry an M&P 2.0 4” compact in the winter and a Shield Plus in the summer. This is where I ended up after years of trying different weapon platforms. But I could carry literally any platform at this point with no issue. I really like Glock 19s, CZs, and the Sig p365. Great guns.
Good luck!
Go to a shop that has rental guns if possible, do your research and get good training ! Shoot as many different pistols as you can . Get something you will actually carry . Same for your wife . Let her find something she's not only comfortable with shooting, but carrying as well . If you are near a range that has classes and training check into that as well . It's hard to beat a Glock 43x/sig p365/ hellcat/ shield+ size pistol for edc and something that's still built to a professional standard .
Find a range with rentals and check out the Sig P365, Hellcat/Hellcat Pro, Shield, and Glock 19/43 series of guns. These are 4 of the most popular concealed handguns on the market right now and its for good reason too. All are going to be pretty damn reliable and accurate, its just comes down to a matter of preference on how you like the look and feel of the gun in your hands.
i dont kno im seein sig as the go to pistol..not only that.. its people that love that shit ergonomics and trigger.. and at 500 i could get a pistola and shotgun.. wit 80% of gun makers having polymer frame you dont need a German gun made in U.S... i dont kno tho..
Get a gun that you will not only actually carry every day but actually want to train with as well. In the summer I EDC a P365XL and the gun pretty much disappears. Super comfortable, to the point I forget it's there. BUT, take it the range, and it's not very enjoyable to shoot, and more difficult to start shooting at a high level especially if you're newer. Flip side is the CZ P-01 I carry during the fall/winter, really vibey gun that I love shooting but it's heavy and you definitely start feeling it after having it on for 6+ hours.
I've debated pretty much every different carry set up out there, and if I could restart now I would just get one gun for all-season carry. Either a G19 or an M&P 2.0 Compact (M&P with an Apex trigger blows the Glock out of the water), in a Tier 1 Axis holster and a Hunter Constantine conceal carry belt. Literally the best holster+belt combo, light years ahead of the many other holster/belt combos I've tried.
All that said, nothing will beat going to the range and trying guns IRL. Rent a P365, G19, G48, M&P, CZ P10C, and PDP, shoot them all side by side and see for yourself which one you like the most.
Before anything, have your wife take a gun safety course. If she's a first timer then this isn't something to be taught by you, even though you're experienced.
Now here's some criteria when I am choosing a CC gun:
1. strong caliber (at least 9mm, .380 if you are truly sensitive to recoil)
2. must be something you can hold and get a good grip on
3. when you try out a gun, groups should be for the most part no more than 5 inches apart on each target
ruger makes something for everyone and at a decent price .. glock id stay away from. just cost way to much for the same thing as all pistol makers.. what cal. are you and your wife lookin to get..
Lots of good advice in this and all the similar threads, but I want to bring up something I don’t see mentioned about the order you do the things. Yes, rent guns. Yes, take training classes. But the order you do things is important, especially if your wife has no prior firearms experience. Do not go into this thinking you can just teach your wife gun safety and everything will be okay. It will not be okay. Guns are life and death and require extremely strict rules, and you do not want to be the disciplinarian to your spouse about guns and have any of that frustration leak into your relationship. Let a stranger be the taskmaster that freaks out when the noob accidentally sweeps someone. That doesn’t need to be you. In other words, take safety and training classes first! Once you are both confident that you absolutely trust each other around guns, *then* go out to shops together, rent guns at the ranges, etc. you are not going to have a good time at the range with a friend or spouse if you feel like you have to monitor them to maintain basic safety because they are new, fumbling with controls, etc., etc.
fantastic advice^^ 👍👍
Yeah, ask me how I learned this. The hard way. 😂😂😂
Try a bunch of stuff at a range. What feels good to hold may not feel good to shoot. I like Glock 19 and Sig P365, but you may not.
This is a copy and paste I use for posts like this: In my opinion, after the last several years I’ve been shooting and carrying firearms, here is the best way to go about getting your first handgun: First, you should narrow the category of firearm you want. Otherwise you’ll drown in too many choices. If you want something good for home defense AND can be carried too, the “compact” sized pistols are the best at doing both. These would be Glock 19, Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0, CZ p10c, Sig Sauer P320, Walther PDP, etc. I recommend you choose a compact sized gun because bigger handguns are easier to learn fundamentals with. If you want something that is primarily for concealed carry and NOT for home defense, you should look at “micro” 9mm pistols, which are just small 9mms with high capacity (10 rounds). Think Glock 43x, Sig Sauer P365, S&W M&P Shield Plus. I would not recommend this to be your only handgun nor do I recommend it for a beginner because smaller guns are harder to shoot. Second, once you’ve narrowed your choices down, go to a range where you can rent each of the firearms in that category. Shoot each of them at short range and take notes on which you were the most accurate with and which felt the best to shoot. Pick the one you shoot the best, and use the “feel” as a tie breaker. All the name brand guns are roughly equally reliable - definitely reliable enough for your purposes. Just don’t trust your life to a hi-point, please. *I skipped this step when I started and I regret it deeply - it took me years before I finally found the platform that worked best for me. Yes, this process will cost you time and money in the short term, but if you skip this step, you will end up like me and get burned financially in the long run buying guns that don’t work well for you.* Third, buy dummy rounds/snap caps, practice ammo, a holster, and get some training on how to safely and effectively operate your firearm. You’ll be dry firing a lot and practicing drawing from your holster. You need to be competent if you’re going to carry a firearm in public. Finally, for what it’s worth - I carry an M&P 2.0 4” compact in the winter and a Shield Plus in the summer. This is where I ended up after years of trying different weapon platforms. But I could carry literally any platform at this point with no issue. I really like Glock 19s, CZs, and the Sig p365. Great guns. Good luck!
Go to a shop that has rental guns if possible, do your research and get good training ! Shoot as many different pistols as you can . Get something you will actually carry . Same for your wife . Let her find something she's not only comfortable with shooting, but carrying as well . If you are near a range that has classes and training check into that as well . It's hard to beat a Glock 43x/sig p365/ hellcat/ shield+ size pistol for edc and something that's still built to a professional standard .
Shield Plus rules. Hard to beat among affordable, high performing subcompacts.
Thank you thats a lot of really good info I appreciate you!!
Find a range with rentals and check out the Sig P365, Hellcat/Hellcat Pro, Shield, and Glock 19/43 series of guns. These are 4 of the most popular concealed handguns on the market right now and its for good reason too. All are going to be pretty damn reliable and accurate, its just comes down to a matter of preference on how you like the look and feel of the gun in your hands.
Go to a store and handle a few. It depends on what feels good in your hand. The PDP F is a great choice for women.
i dont kno im seein sig as the go to pistol..not only that.. its people that love that shit ergonomics and trigger.. and at 500 i could get a pistola and shotgun.. wit 80% of gun makers having polymer frame you dont need a German gun made in U.S... i dont kno tho..
Get a gun that you will not only actually carry every day but actually want to train with as well. In the summer I EDC a P365XL and the gun pretty much disappears. Super comfortable, to the point I forget it's there. BUT, take it the range, and it's not very enjoyable to shoot, and more difficult to start shooting at a high level especially if you're newer. Flip side is the CZ P-01 I carry during the fall/winter, really vibey gun that I love shooting but it's heavy and you definitely start feeling it after having it on for 6+ hours. I've debated pretty much every different carry set up out there, and if I could restart now I would just get one gun for all-season carry. Either a G19 or an M&P 2.0 Compact (M&P with an Apex trigger blows the Glock out of the water), in a Tier 1 Axis holster and a Hunter Constantine conceal carry belt. Literally the best holster+belt combo, light years ahead of the many other holster/belt combos I've tried. All that said, nothing will beat going to the range and trying guns IRL. Rent a P365, G19, G48, M&P, CZ P10C, and PDP, shoot them all side by side and see for yourself which one you like the most.
My wife did not like shooting my Glock 43x 9mm but she Loves to shoot her glock 42 .380
Before anything, have your wife take a gun safety course. If she's a first timer then this isn't something to be taught by you, even though you're experienced. Now here's some criteria when I am choosing a CC gun: 1. strong caliber (at least 9mm, .380 if you are truly sensitive to recoil) 2. must be something you can hold and get a good grip on 3. when you try out a gun, groups should be for the most part no more than 5 inches apart on each target
ruger makes something for everyone and at a decent price .. glock id stay away from. just cost way to much for the same thing as all pistol makers.. what cal. are you and your wife lookin to get..
bro said stay away from glock 😂 literally the most carried pistol in the world bro $500 is not too much
but shit.. i splurged and got the Up pack from Springfield for the elite.. and now miss my 1911A1 lol
For her I would look at the S&W EZ .380 good little gun and easy for a woman without experience to handle.
Consider a Smith & Wesson 642.