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Suggestions for the lady:

Revolvers - S&W 637 or 638, Taurus M85

Semi-Auto - Sig P230 or 232 in semi-auto

All of the above are reliable, lightweight, shootable and concealable.

+1000 to the earlier person who stated that you should find a range that will rent and allow her the chance to try lots of different firearms to find out what she is comfortable with.

When we started shooting, my wife really liked Glocks. And kinda decided she'd like a 19... but could not *consistently* rack the slide and lock it back. We then went to the sales counter and one of the salespersons walked her through *every* 9mm semi-auto they had in stock.

She determined which ones fit her hand and which ones she could consistently operate. We wound up renting a Beretta PX4 Storm, which she found very easy to shoot and manipulate. Additionally, the backstrap can be changed. She put the small one on her gun. She qualified with this gun and is very accurate and consistent with it. Hell, she's consistent and accurate with my Glock 23! I'll be her backup anyday!

Since then she's also collected a Bersa Thunder and a Walther P22 that she absolutely enjoys... although she's decided she's a revolver collector. I'm not worried either way.

In the final estimation, let her operate or rent everything she can and make her own determination. Not only does it fit her need, but it makes for greater safety as well.

Hi, stvanme, since you have already received all of this great information, I will just welcome you to the forum. As you have already found out this is the place to come for help, and also, to share you knowledge with others. There are a lot of very nice folks here, as you have already found out. We will be looking forward to hearing from you with updates.

Good Luck, and stay safe!
-geo

My wife favors a Colt Government Pocketlight in 380acp. She had the same issue with pulling the slide. It is easy with the Colt. If you can find one, I would recommend it.

You do realize that by letting your wife take the CHL you are going to subject yourself to countless trips to the gun shops to find guns that she likes, right? I ended up 'having' to buy five different models before she settled on the Colt Defender, Then she ended up with and Airweight S&W .357. Oh the humanity I hate shopping for guns.

J/K of course. Its the only kind of shopping I enjoy. That said, you and your wallet would be off finding a range that will rent you some guns to try before you buy. Good luck in your quest, and if you havent already, Join the NRA, and stay proficient with whatever you decide to get.

The only thing I'll chime in on is your thought of having one type of ammo/platform. My wife and I had different calibers/guns. I was carrying a .45 Defender or a .38 snubbie while the wife carried a PT111 (9mm). Due to some influx of cash I decided I wanted to get a couple of pistols for when my sons get to be CHL age (one is 20 and the other is 15). My wife also didn't much care for the PT111s trigger and I was looking for something with more capacity.

I decided, like you're thinking, that a common caliber/platform would be advantagous. I needed a platform that any of us could shoot. The 9mm seemed to be the best caliber for my wife and a good starter caliber for just about anyone. 9mm also tends to be cheaper. With 9mm I also could get higher capacity in a smaller package. With all of us having the same platform there would be the advantage of common manual of arms, swapping mags, and I have over 100 rounds in magazines ready for use if needed. If my wife and I are together I have 10+1 in the gun and 32 in two mags on the hip. My wife will also have 10+1 and an extra 16. It also cleared up a little more room in the safe by clearing out some .38 ammo

So I'll encourage you to continue considering the common caliber/platform. Not that there is anything wrong with multiples, it just seems to make the most sense. All that said, find what you can shoot, is reliable, and can afford to practice with. Not much else matters.

We had our choice of just about any model but I ended up getting the XD9 in subcompact. The PT111 and .38 got traded in. The .45 I'll keep.

Good luck in your search, it's fun, and welcome to the board.

As with a lot of these I am a day late and a dollar short. You have already received a lot of great information regarding your inital post. So, I will say welcome to the forum and good luck with the handgun classes and you and your wife getting your CHL.