If you can only have one pistol for you and the wife,
absolutely can not beat .38 or .357 Mag revolver.
My wife keeps her .357 in the safe by the bed.
you can practice with .38 cal in a .357 and she keeps it loaded with .38 +P's for the extra stopping power without the kick of a .357
It's a short barreled, easily concealable gun that packs on hellofa punch
Hands down the revolver is the easiest gun for a woman or anyone who is not very familiar with handguns to pick up and operate. Plus anyone without a lot of firearms training will feel relatively confident using this type of pistol.
HOWEVER:
If your looking for an auto with more round capacity, larger caliber, more stopping power, ability to add on accessories (laser site or blinding light):
my vote is hands down for the GLOCK! :clapping:
I can't say enough good about them. I have shot literally thousands of rounds through them without the first hickup or jam. I'm talking Hollowpoints, Full Metal Jackets, different bullet grain weights, etc.
I personally carry a G27, or G23.
Those are the small and medium framed in .40 caliber.
Each caliber comes in mainly three frame sizes, small-medium-and large, and the magazine capicity varies with the frame size.
.40 seems to be the caliber to go with for more stopping power than 9mm and don't have to worry as much about the overpenetration of the .45 cal.
My next pistol i purchase will be a Kimber .45 1911 style pistol. I love shooting them and have practiced with many others shooting 1911's for years. I have seen them jam over and over, and would never depend on a 1911 with my life on the line, period. Others will argue that point, but I only know what I have seen and experienced, and I do not believe there is a better auto out there for dependability than a GLOCK.
No matter what you get, get to the range and practice,practice, practice.
You (and or wife) need to know weapon like the back of your hand.
Look into gun clubs in your area where they practice like IDPA (defensive shooting scenerios) that you may be put in one day if you ever had to use the gun.
when you hear a bump in the middle of the night, in the dark or low light situation, under stress you will revert to muscle memory and hopefully all of your practice and training. You have to remember to look at your sites under stress (especially if someone is shooting back at you) hopefully that will be embedded in your memory. Uder stress you don't just want to point and shoot.
I can't stress practicing enough. Most people with guns don't practice and really think they will be ok in a shootout (burglers and rapist included).
When your life and or your families is on the line, you can't afford to not be ready.
Don't pull your gun unless your going to use it,
and if you have to use it, don't stop shooting until the job is done (politically correct or not).
Remember a dead guy can't sue you.
You will go to court under this situation and remember to tell the police " you felt your life was in danger" first thing. You might check the laws in your own state on this situation, but I belive most states have done away with the law about you having to turn and run if possible to get away. Sign up for a concealed carry permit in your state if they have one yet.
https://www.packing.org/ , great website for info and laws in your state.
In all honesty, a .22 pistol can be just as deadly.
We could argue and give opinions on types of pistols and calibers all day.
But it is the practice and shot placement that will really matter.
Forget the cool factor, get what you like best and is most comfortable to you, and practice with it over and over! Hopefully, it is all for nothing and you are never in the situation to need it. But it is comforting to know you are ready for trouble should it come to you.
Once you get into going to the range it will grow on you and most likely become a new hobby!
