S&amp\\;W, Berretta, Ruger and Glock...
I've just started looking into the purchase of a handgun for myself and wife.
Home defense, personal protection, I travel from home for extended periods
and the way things seem to be going on in the world being my reasoning.
When I presented the idea to the wife she was very open to it.
Knowing my wife as I do, I was certain she would shoot (no pun intended!) down,
the usual, they are dangerous, cost too much you know the excuses.
Years ago I owned a .38 Colt but sold it.
So far the Glock 27 seems to be my choice.
Wife held one and to her seemed to thick in the handle.
Sales clerk suggested a Kahr (not sure the caliber).
Checked out another shop yesterday same questions, they also suggested the Kahr for her.
We plan on spending some time firing some of them this week to see how they feel.
Personally,&nbsp\\; I had never heard of a Kahr, doing some reading, they seem to fairly popular.
Question is, are there any other manufacturers that I should look at?
Does the Glock and Kahr seem to fit my need at this time?
Sorry so long winded, thanks for the input!

__________________
'07 Road Glide
Vivid Black
S/E Stage One
The missing stripe from Hells Foundry

Try and find a local gun range/dealer and see if they rent....then you can try different brands and calibers for each of you.&nbsp\\; You will find what is comfortable.
&nbsp\\;
I have several handguns (from different mfg's)&nbsp\\;and use them for different applications.&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
They are all good....

__________________
08 Road Glide

I wouldn't rule out a revolver for home defense.&nbsp\\; Just pick it up and shoot.
Don't have to remember safety and if there is a round in the chamber.
Although, I have an auto next to the bed with round in and safety on.
Wife has the revolver.

You have been given some good ideas. I will also go along with the idea of handling as many handguns as possible to see which ones feel the best to you and your wife. The reason I said that is because a gun that feels good in your hand might not feel good in your wife's hand. As to caliber, there are so many to choose from and I don't know what her tolerance for shooting is. Here's a good example of what I mean, a friend of mine has a wife that likes to shoot his 41 mag. I don't know too many women that would feel the same way. Shot placement is also important. If your wife is shooting a gun that she is comfortable with, I feel that she will do better with it than a bigger caliber gun that might intimidate her some. I think that you catch my drift. Good luck

__________________
Save a tree, eat a beaver.

For a priority of ease of operation I would go with a revolver. They are simple, in a panic situation simple is good. A semi-auto is good if you want a high round capacity. If your wife fully understands the operation aspects of a semi-auto then that is an option. Personally for revolvers I would stick with Colt or S&W, .357 Magnum or .44. For a semi-auto I would go with a Sig-Sauer p220, .45 caliber. Just as important as brand names but often overlooked is bullet choice. Whatever you decide on for a gun be sure and load only hollow points, For defense rounds they do maximum damage. They are also less prone to penetrate walls and ceilings, something to consider if you have kids or others in the house. If the idea is protection then skip the 9MM and .40 cal guns, go with proven stopping power, you want to kill or incapacitate not just piss off. Whatever you decide she needs to learn to work it so it is second nature, she will need time on the range, lots of it. I taught my wife to shoot, 1 son and 2 daughters, women can be surprisingly good shots, but to remain clear headed in a panic situation requires repetitious training. Good luck, I hope she never has to use it.

__________________
"Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto." -Thomas Jefferson

My wife has a Kahr P9 in 9mm for her CCW&nbsp\\;and likes it.&nbsp\\; I have one in .40 S&amp\\;W and it is a good CCW gun.&nbsp\\; The S&amp\\;W model 36 is also a good choice if you like revolvers.
&nbsp\\;
The Glock has always felt bulky, thick and clumsey to me.
&nbsp\\;
My real preference in a 1911, but they are not for everybody.&nbsp\\; If you are not willing to pratice a lot and be totally second nature with the fuctioning of one, you should not have it for self defense.
&nbsp\\;
Bill

Make sure she is comfortable with the slid spring.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Many women cannot comfortably pull the slide back on the semi autos.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; My wife likes the revolvers for ease of use and she doesnt have to fight the spring.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
If you and your wife will share only one gun - and its only for home protection get a&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;home defence shotgun - its much better than any hand gun for home protection, its easier to shoot accurately, more powerful and you can use a wide selection of ammo (please dont use bird shot) a 12ga or 20ga will work great.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Also make sure you get a full stock on it, many times people put on a pistol grip and you lose a lot of your point shooting ability with the awkward grip.
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
I have a Kahr P9 and have been happy with it.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Its a smaller frame and is primarily used as a concealed carry gun.&nbsp\\; I would think you may want a larger frame gun unless you want to CCW with it in the future.&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
Check out the Springfield XD9 - see if that fits her hand better than the glock.

__________________
06 Road King Classic
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2465/rkbigce3.jpg

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. - Benjamin Franklin

&nbsp\\;If the Idea is protection skip .40 cal and go with "proven stopping power"???!!!!???
I didn't know cops carried Mouse Guns nowadays.
&nbsp\\;
I have seen people argue about 380's "man stopping" ability, and a few who dispute 9mm, but I thought the .40 cal was a substantial round.&nbsp\\; Definately more than enough to do more than "just piss off" a bad guy.&nbsp\\; That being said... I'm jonesing for a 1911!

__________________
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ndriveway3.jpg

&nbsp\\;
1911 - nice[8D]
&nbsp\\;
The problem with this debate is where do you stop?&nbsp\\; why stop at .45?&nbsp\\; theres a famous quote going around that says something like any caliber will do as long as it starts with a .4
&nbsp\\;
Many people dont like the .40 because of the snappiness or that they weaken the 10mm and gave us the .40 - personally I think that the .40 is a good compromise of mag capacity with size of the gun frame.&nbsp\\; would you rather have&nbsp\\;7+1 .45 or 15+1 .40?&nbsp\\; You get a bigger and faster bullet (compared to the 9mm)&nbsp\\;with the smaller sized frame than the .45ACP
&nbsp\\;
They are doing very nice things with the .45ACP and putting them into smaller and smaller frames with decent mag capacity - (I think of the XD45 which has 13+1)&nbsp\\; I also tend to think of terms with CCW in mind since I received my license.&nbsp\\; You may not be concerned with the size since you may never CCW with it.

__________________
06 Road King Classic
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2465/rkbigce3.jpg

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. - Benjamin Franklin

Appreciate all the replys.
I've been taking some notes and checking them out.
We have yet to make it to a shop/range to fire a few before we purchase.
To clarifie one point we will both have our own.
I like the idea that they would both be the same (manufacture)&nbsp\\;so as to be able to be comfortable with either if needed.
Not sure that it will happen that way, I've yet to be talked out of the Glock family, firing may tell?!
Most important to me is the wife is comfortable with her choice.
So far everyone seems to sell at about&nbsp\\;the same price small store, box store and internet.
Reminds me of a certain motorcycle company!
The research has been good, enjoying that part.
Thanks again, keep 'em coming!

__________________
'07 Road Glide
Vivid Black
S/E Stage One
The missing stripe from Hells Foundry