New Handgun

[Seraphim]

Has anyone had experience with the Taurus Judge? I was planning on buying the little lady her first gun, and she fell in love with it the first time she saw it. Strangly, she says she's always been afraid of guns, but I guess she's comin around 
 

[Golfer]

Its a whole lot of gun to lug around but it is a revolver which IMO is a big plus for newer and less experienced shooters.

Id be incined to find her something lighter, more compact and shoots a smaller cartridge (this depends on what she can handle of course) but as a car defense gun its a good choice.

Remember the mission should drive the equipment so make sure you and she put thought into what she wants to do with the gun.  How she intends to incorporate it into her system whatever it may be deserves consideration also.

[BrownBaron]

Fits snugly in the ol' back pocket...



There's also a considerable psychological effect if one were to have this pulled on them.

[Seraphim]

It's mainly for her home defense weapon (that's what I'd vote for Baron!), so I tried getting her to go with a nice 38spl (which I already have), but she, for some reason, really really likes the judge.
I'm guessing because it 'really pretty' (!).
Either way, I'd like to shoot it also, the pistol-shot gun idea is pretty appealing 

[Jayhawk]

It's mainly for her home defense weapon (that's what I'd vote for Baron!), so I tried getting her to go with a nice 38spl (which I already have), but she, for some reason, really really likes the judge.
I'm guessing because it 'really pretty' (!).
Either way, I'd like to shoot it also, the pistol-shot gun idea is pretty appealing 

Definitely get her to shoot it before you buy if you are able.  Try some of that pistol-shot or other rounds you may use for home defense to see if she thinks she can handle it.  I've never shot one so can't tell you how much the weight would help with recoil.  I'm sure you know this but it would suck to get this gun for her only to find out she doesn't like the weight and feel and won't practice shooting it.

That being said, the judge I've held belonged to a woman who used it for home or vehicle defense and was a pretty good shot.

[branch37]

I watched an episode of Mythbusters where a guy held The Judge (or a gun similar to it) wrong and blew his thumb off.

[Seraphim]

I think that was one of the original revolvers, I've seen the same on Lock 'n' Load.

Mainly, I wanted to get an idea of what the recoil of each load, 45long & 10ga shot (even slugs). I think she'll be strong enough to handle it, I just don't want to scare her too much, also locating one around here has been difficult at best.

I keep trying to get her to go with me to the range to try my 45acp, but for some strange reason, she won't...

[Maverick]

I'm also in the market and have been doing my homewaork and now I think Im more confused than ever. I've narrowed it to the Glock 19, and a S&W .40 Sigma series. Any comments?
<S>majchaos
 

Go with the Glock. The Sigma has some rough triggers and is nothing more than a badly done clone of a Glock anyhow. I had each and I sold the Sigma. Caliber is a whole nuther issue. Nine mm with "PREMIUM" ammo is a good choice for defensive uses. The target ammo for 9mm is cheaper and usually more available than the .40 witch is my current favorite cartridge. I like the lighter .40 loads (135, 155,165 gr) as they are less recoil, particularly in the smaller version guns like the Glock 27. About as pleasant to shoot as the 9mm.

The Glock 19 is a good compromise in that it is large enough to shoot well, decent grip length yet not hard to conceal. I carried one for both duty and off duty for several years. It wasn't hard to qualify with 300 points out of 300 on the duty course.

[jollyFE]

my buddy at work just picked up an FN 5.7...seems real nice.

[Jebus]

my buddy at work just picked up an FN 5.7...seems real nice.

I really would like this gun, and the PS90.  The only thing that concerns me is that FN is the only people that make ammo for it.  I dont want to buy a gun and in a couple years cant buy ammo for it.

But I like the idea of the FN FiveSeven 

[jay]

Fits snugly in the ol' back pocket...

(Image removed from quote.)

There's also a considerable psychological effect if one were to have this pulled on them.

[mbailey]

Has anyone had experience with the Taurus Judge? I was planning on buying the little lady her first gun, and she fell in love with it the first time she saw it. Strangly, she says she's always been afraid of guns, but I guess she's comin around 
 

S&W makes the Ladysmith in 38 and 357. Designed expecially for women. Its  Small, compact for carrying and a lighter trigger pull. Google it and you will find out lots of info on it. Plus its point and shoot, no mechanical safties etc......just a thought. IVe sold quite  a few and have got very positive feedback from clients.

<S>

Mbailey

[danny76]

Springfield P-9 Compact or especially Subcompact in .40 cal
 

[Coshy]

I'm also in the market and have been doing my homewaork and now I think Im more confused than ever. I've narrowed it to the Glock 19, and a S&W .40 Sigma series. Any comments?
<S>majchaos

Go with the Glock. The Sigma has some rough triggers and is nothing more than a badly done clone of a Glock anyhow. I had each and I sold the Sigma. /snip

Maverick is spot on. The Sigma is nothing more than a GLOCK clone. Also there are far more accessories (lights, lasers, holsters, magazines, sights, etc) for the GLOCK than the Sigma, even though they are very similar. While many folks who have had Sigma's had no problems with reliability, they did have "issues" with gritty and/or heavy triggers. If you are set on .40, you might want to consider the GLOCK 23. Same size as the 19, but in .40.

When I was looking for my first carry pistol I also had it narrowed down to the GLOCK 19 and the Sigma. But when I held the GLOCK and Sigma I just didn't like the way they fit in my hand. Then I picked up Ruger's SR9 and it felt like Ruger had made the gun just for my hand. Needless to say the SR9 went home with me. I think it was the slimness that did it for me, the GLOCK and Sigma felt ... chunky.

However, hindsight being 20/20 I wish I had gone with something not quite so new. Holsters were difficult to come by for the first few months, and night sights are still lacking. I'm pleased with the performance, with the single exception of sight visibility. Over time (and a few 1000 rounds) the front sight has become "dirty" looking. No amount of Hoppe's #9 gets my white dot any less "dirty". I may have to resort to "repainting" it.

When you consider handgun choices, also remember you are going to want things like holsters, sights, magazines and magazine holsters. Maybe even lights and/or lasers. Oh, and invest in a QUALITY belt. It makes carrying and concealing so much easier.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Gaidin]

TY all for the suggestions and food for thought.  I will probably be buying the gun sometime this month, I will post whatever I get.