imported post
I saw a thread similar to this on MGO's site in regards to a man and his wife getting there first CPL guns. Below are my thoughts:
As a long time CPL holder. I of course have some advice:
1) You pick out your gun, your wife picks out hers. You both are different people with different size, shape, and needs, pick a gun out accordingly. Do this by shooting friends' guns, or renting at your local range. The gun should fit YOU.
2) pick out a gun that is comfortable to shoot accurately, repetitively, ONE handed (guns that require 2 hands to shoot accurately in the heat of battle are NOT good choices, as you will likely have only 1 hand available to shoot with, remember Murphy's Law ALWAYS applies),and is of a decent 'effective' caliber. I would also recommend a high as possible capacity within these parameters, as less manipulation of the gun during the fight is better.
3) Be honest in regards to yourself, your size/shape, and routine. If the gun doesn't 'fit' you, you'll leave it at home.
4) Don't get too wrapped up in the 9mm vs. 40 vs. 45 debates. A handgun (not handsgun) is only marginally effective at best, and will require multiple hits to perform its job. If the recoil is too much for you due to its caliber/size that you can't get accurate second or third shots, what's the point? Remember, you are responsible for every bullet you launch out of your handgun, regardless where it goes. Wouldn't it be better if they all went into the threat? For example: I personally find that 45 acp in smaller guns, like the Taurus PT Millennium series, is a more accurate and controllable package than either the 9mm or the 40 S&W.
5) If the guns you and/or wife choose, meet the previous criteria, you and your wife should carry similar guns/caliber. For example, glocks and S&W M&P's and Springfield XD’s (not the new M) all use interchangeable magazines. If you are forced into an armed encounter, wouldn't it be comforting to know that you can hand spare magazines back and forth if one of you runs out? It also makes buying spare ammunition, whether for practice, defense, or getting reloading components a little less difficult on the logistics side, if not more economical (IE buying in bulk). Not to forget mentioning, that if one of you is injured, the other will already be intimately familiar with the others gun (remember Murphy?)
6) And finally, I guess, don't be too afraid to ask questions, because the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. It is only your life/safety we are talking about, right?
You've got a good start here, but listen to everything with a grain of salt. Because gun/caliber choices can (and quite often are) a preference based upon subjective feelings, as opposed to hard data.
If I can help in any further fashion, please do not hesitate to ask.
And YOUR thoughts are?
not sure who wrote this, but thank you
