HELP My Parents Select Their First Handgun

[ColtSeavers]

This is very odd for me but, here we go...

Joe Friday version for fellow members:
Convinced them on 9mm
They prefer manual safety
Must be able to accept a weapon mounted light
Must be able to accept night sights
They want higher capacity

Guns I have suggested:
Beretta 92a1
Beretta m9a3
H&K p30ls
Glock 17
Sig Sauer p226
CZ 75
CZ 85
CZ SP-01

Guns my father has shot with me at the range recently for the first time in like 45 years and his impressions:
Beretta 92a1: Liked it, shot is well, but a bit heavy (metal guide rod and x300b installed)
Glock 17: He could not shoot more than 1 round w/out it dumping the mag and I could not shoot more than 2 rounds w/out it dumping the mag coupled with a complete lack of extranous safety was the best way to instantly kill this a contender.
H&K vp9: Father really liked how it handled, shot it well and felt a little bit lighter than my Beretta 92a1. Because of this I hunted down the p30ls which as far as I can tell is the same gun with an external safety option.

Friend of the family is suggesting the Springfield XDM, which I do not personally have anything against, but have made the roll pin(s) replacement procedure known to them as well as a few complaints of (very) early magazine spring fatigue.

Father wants lighter weight if not polymer offerings for weight savings for my mother. My counter argument is that any additional weight soaks up recoil as well as how often are either of then ever going to be hefting around the handgun. Leaning towards lighter weight but believe it's a wash.

I really want to buy them a Beretta 92a1, give them some of my magazines and ammo stash and call it a win win, but that is not right. So, here I am, asking you all to help me with suggestions of what they can look for that I have missed out on and that meet their criteria.

As far as they are concerned there is no time limit. This is just something to experience, process and ultimately, maybe, decide upon.

As far as I am concerned, this sh!t should be done ASAP.

[Coal Dragger]

Unless your mom has man hands, which I doubt, and they simply must have a manual safety... HK P30 is your best bet. The other choices will have grip frames that simply will not fit most female's hands.

The DA trigger pull on the P30 is atrocious, but it can be used cocked and locked with the thumb safety.

A VP9 will be less expensive and easier to use, but obviously has no external safety.

Good luck.

[ColtSeavers]

Thank you for the info.

Yeah, I fear a rather insurmountable problem is the complete lack of urgency combined with the fact that only my father is currently physically trying anything.

I apologize to anyone that feels this is an exercise in futility, but I've got to do something.

[askani79705]

Sig 2022. Has a hammer (old school),it's light,has a rail,accurate,reliable,and cheap.

[Vegasshooter]

The S&W M&P can be had with a manual safety. Checks every box, and all in all, a great gun.

[M4.]

The S&W M&P can be had with a manual safety. Checks every box, and all in all, a great gun.

This. I EDC a S&W Shield with which I am absolutely impressed. It is nevertheless limited to a capacity of 7 rounds with the flush fitting magazine or 8 rounds with extended magazine. The M&P 9C, which is somewhat thicker than the Shield has a higher round capacity. Both are polymer pistols available with external safeties. Check them out, as they may just be what you are looking for.

[Tigereye]

This. I EDC a S&W Shield with which I am absolutely impressed. It is nevertheless limited to a capacity of 7 rounds with the flush fitting magazine or 8 rounds with extended magazine. The M&P 9C, which is somewhat thicker than the Shield has a higher round capacity. Both are polymer pistols available with external safeties. Check them out, as they may just be what you are looking for.

I have a sister in law who wanted a G19 because that's what she was told to get until she tried to shoot one of mine. Her hands were too small for the grip and length of pull. The M&P9c was perfect for her small hands and the trigger was a little nicer than the Shield.

[dbain99]

Urgency gets them a gun they have settled on and one your mom will probably never touch.
Take your/their time. Get your mom involved, she is part of the equation too.


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey

[Kilroy]

Get them to an entry level training class where they can be exposed to a variety of firearms. Education is the basis for good decision making.

[nightchief]

Are there any ranges local to you and your parents that rent hand guns? I took my 70+ mother shooting (for the first time) at a range near Fort Worth (Shoot Smart) beacuase she was interested in shooting a hand gun. The local range here has possibly 30 different hand guns to try out, many in 9mm. My mother has some difficulty operating the slide on a pistol because of a medical condition, so she is still in the "I don't know" stage, but, I got a lot of benefit working with her on her likes and dislikes. Walther PPQ is a top contender because of its trigger pull, ergo's and ease of use. No external safety though.

NC