I don't want a subcompact like a G42, that's a little too small for my wife. (Which kills me because I'm a Glock fanboy and would like an excuse to add another to the collection.)

So a little bigger than that, something that won't easily slide bite or hammer bite. It won't be concealed or carried so that's not a big concern, just needs to be big enough to get a good solid grip without being too heavy.

She can shoot my 9mms OK, but I think a .380 in a decent size would be nice and soft and allow her to shoot more, and have a gun that's "hers"

She has no problem with me owning them, and encourages me to carry at all times, but she doesn't want to carry herself. I think something tame that she can call her own will ease her into being more comfortable shooting and protecting herself

Recommendations from the forum?

How about the very new S&W M&P 380 Shield EZ? There are a few reviews on YouTube and it gets favorable marks for ease of use.

It is available with and without the safety.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/f...-manual-thumb-safety

A Colt Government 380 would be excellent – if you can find one. Locked breech design, so nice soft recoil.

I wish SIG would make a P238 with a 3-1/4” barrel.

If the G42 is too small, then consider a Beretta Cheetah;they come in single stack and double stack. The 84fs is my favorite. Then look at the Walther P380. Others might give you slide-bite or hammer bite but are excellent choices, such as the Sig P230/232 or the Walther Pp/ppks.

Blowback 380s do not have soft recoil; they feel much like a 9mm. Look for a locked breech design, which does reduce felt recoil.

Bersa Thunder .380?

https://bersa.eagleimportsinc....earms/thunder-series

Sig P250 .380 Compact?

Discontinued, but still available on the secondary market.

quote:

Originally posted by gc70:
Blowback 380s do not have soft recoil; they feel much like a 9mm. Look for a locked breech design, which does reduce felt recoil.

That's a fact. My PPK and Sig P230 are both pretty unpleasant to shoot compared to my G42 or even my LCP.

It may be sacrilegious to mention Remington, but I've seen favorable reviews of the RM380 (design bought from rohrbaugh). The Bersa is a decent pistol. Otherwise I would recommend the lcp-night and day compared to my NAA guardian (snappy as heck). Always carry..never tell.

Rm380 a la hickok45
https://youtu.be/8U4Cu_SJTBo

Beretta 86 Cheetah? They're still around in the market.

I have always been a fan of the SIG P230/232.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Beretta 86 Cheetah? They're still around in the market.

The 86 solves the hard-to-rack problem of the 84/85, but it's still a bit snappy. I'm surprised she finds the G42 too large. There isn't much in a larger .380 until you get to 1911 platforms.

The Browning 1911 .380 is a possibility if she's OK with SAO. I personally don't like the idea of a 1911 with a polymer frame, but that's just my curmudgeonly prejudice.

just picked up the Smith Shield EZ .380 this morning. I got one with a manual thumb safety.I handled a couple in the local shops over the last couple weeks and finally thought i would give one a try just as kind of a plinker, light defense piece if i needed something with a manual safety. I put 100 rounds thru it and it functioned perfect. Very comfortable to shoot, accurate and light. Fits the hand like a glove.
My wife has had her permit for several years but never owned a pistol. I doubt she would ever carry, but does shoot with me on occasion. Next time we go, i will have her shoot this one and if she ever decides to own a pistol some day this would be a real good choice.
Not sure if its "medium" but its certainly not small. It is very light.
I think it would be a great choice for a medium size .380 and really should be a hit for the market for which it was designed.

quote:

Originally posted by longjohn:
just picked up the Smith Shield EZ .380 this morning. I got one with a manual thumb safety.

If I may ask, how much is the retail price on those?

I see MSRP is $399.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Orndorff:
I have always been a fan of the SIG P230/232.

Same here. Love the P232 with Hogues.

I find that the blowback design of the P232 makes it a hard recoiling little .380.

I just bought the wife a M&P EZ 380 acp. All the LGS's had the same price $379.00.

Browning 1911 ish in .380

http://www.browning.com/produc...istols/1911-380.html

Haven't officially tried one yet, but they look interesting.

How do you like it AVG?

Is that a grip safety AVG?