Help me pick my next carry gun.

Hmmm, after reading over everything you said, you’re kind of in a pickle for a multi-user carry gun. You and your wife are polar opposites. From what it sounds like, you’re looking for a Mustang GT with manual variable rate suspension and steering along with a 950 HP motor and a full roll cage because, hey, you never know . . . but your wife can’t drive a stick and she feels her Dodge Omni is way overpowered for daily driving. It’s going to be really tough for you to find a reasonably sized handgun with a competition ready trigger, comfortable backstrap, contoured grip, appropriately angled barrel, easy to use features, as well as being something that fits what you feel to be the other ergonomics issues . . . that’s also really simple, utterly reliable, foolproof, in .380 ACP, and also just right for your wife . . . who may have a problem with a 9mm.

That’s a pretty big order to fill, really. You might want to look at getting a reworked Walther or FN for yourself and maybe something in .380 or .38 Special for her.

FWIW, I’ve got a competition EAA Witness that I’m really REALLY starting to love. It’s a simple to operate gun, and the recoil just isn’t there. And it’s sick accurate.

Now that I mention it, the gun is a bit long in the tooth, BUT would you think she’d consider a Hi-Power in 9mm?
 
Yup, you're pretty much right on the money. I have an FN Hi-Power 9MM actually, she doesn't like it. She would prefer a Taurus .38 Revolver over that any day. The Walther PK380 seems to stand out as #1 at this point. It's not really small like the Ruger LCP, it's probably in the middle of the LCP and a full size. I think I have my answer.
 
Your biggest advantage is that you're aware of the requirements and the issues with such requirements. That's a lot further along than most people.
 
I wouldn’t even consider a 1911 for multiple reasons. They’re heavy, carry fewer rounds than other comparable weapons, and they require too much skill to trust yourself with.

What about a Para? Everyone always forgets about them. I know I personally said I wouldn't carry a full size gun of any make, but the Warthog isn't a full size gun. Officer's sized with 10+1 capacity thanks to the double stack frame and decent weight since it is alloy framed. I bought my P12-45 in '94 (predecessor to the Warthog) and have been very happy with it. Is Para a niche brand that it get's lost among the Colts, Kimbers, Springfields, etc... of the 1911 world? I will say the double stack Paras are not for people with small hands, but my XXL mitts don't have a problem :D

I do get the cocked and locked single action reason. That isn't for everyone, but if someone is comfortable with that mode, then that overcomes your final objection.
 
What about a Para?

Nothing wrong with them AT ALL . . . but pretty much they’re still a 1911 if I’m right. Hey, I LOVE 1911’s for what they are i.e. a 100 year old design. And yeah, they work surprisingly well to this day, BUT they’re not “the best”, anymore, for what I’d call primary self-defense weapons. To me, anything SA-only is at a REAL disadvantage when compared to the other actions out there. Anytime you add an operation to drawing the weapon and firing on a target, you increase your risk of failure. Maybe at one time that risk was worth it because there were few viable alternatives, but now, eh, not so much.

Everyone always forgets about them. . . .

Again, a fine weapon and somewhat of a niche gun. That being said, put next to a G20, TECHNICALLY, it’s out-matched almost all over. That’s NOT to say I wouldn’t feel comfy with a Para in my hand if the crap hit the fan! Where I don’t feel comfy is when it’s in my belt, C&L with the safety on, and instances like that.

I do get the cocked and locked single action reason. That isn't for everyone, but if someone is comfortable with that mode, then that overcomes your final objection.

Not exactly. It doesn’t overcome the fact that you have to take an additional step to get the gun ready. And like my favorite TBI officer says, “when fingers turn to flippers, I want a Glock”. I’m pretty good at catching the safety on my 1911 . . . but I’m MUCH better at not having to catch the safety at all on one of my Glocks. :D

Being comfortable with it is one thing. Being PERFECT with it while people are shooting at you (or your family) is another thing. NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT . . . that’s the better answer.

Did I mention I love 1911’s? It’s the first gun that goes into my bag headed to the range. :) :nice:
 
Because of the area of my office the 1911 cocked and locked is preferred. Our alarm went off Saturday night and when I came to check the building Sunday morning you better believe the 1911 was on my hip cocked and locked with extra magazine. Brought a friend of mine with a Walther P99, another amazing piece. The PK380 is basically a smaller framed P99.

I think I've made up mind unless at the show an amazing opportunity emerges that I cannot pass up. I've never owned a Sig, it's basically the only maker I haven't shot. My buddy with the P99 raves about the Sig P220 Elite he had and regrets selling. That thing is gorgeous but it's a grand. I have too many guns right now, don't want to spend a grand.
 
I love the P220, and if I didn't already have a P229 in .40 I'd get one. I will be getting an HK as my next pistol.

I don't blame you, I had to get an H&K as well and USP Compact in .45 was a must for me. Just like the 1911's the recoil is almost nothing on this gun. H&K has a patent on a recoil system that nobody else has that make there guns, even in big caliber very maintainable. My wife can shoot this .45 no problem.

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H&K with Tactical light.
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BTW, this is the Walther P99 I speak of.
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P99
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Cleaning some pistols.
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I've tested that theory out in a real life situation and although is true there is another side to this. Alarm was going off at 2AM across the street, my neighbor and I headed over while the police were in route. It's a big house and was foreclosed sitting unoccupied for a few months. Came around the backyard, saw something, turned on the tactical light. Guy covered his eyes, the light blinded him. He kept telling me to turn it off. He was another neighbor checking the backyard. He bought that light for his 9MM a few days later. Since I can turn it off the bad guy following the light is not an issue. However it comes in handy when needed. It gives me choices. Without that light in pitch darkness it could have skewed my decision making, I'm glad I had it that night and I'll always have it after this.
 
I've tested that theory out in a real life situation and although is true there is another side to this. Alarm was going off at 2AM across the street, my neighbor and I headed over while the police were in route. It's a big house and was foreclosed sitting unoccupied for a few months. Came around the backyard, saw something, turned on the tactical light. Guy covered his eyes, the light blinded him. He kept telling me to turn it off. He was another neighbor checking the backyard. He bought that light for his 9MM a few days later. Since I can turn it off the bad guy following the light is not an issue. However it comes in handy when needed. It gives me choices. Without that light in pitch darkness it could have skewed my decision making, I'm glad I had it that night and I'll always have it after this.


I didn't say don't have a light, I said don't mount it. It is great to be able to see what you're "shooting" at, but I still won't ever have it mounted to a side arm. I've been taught two different methods of lighting up a target, where if they do shoot at the light, the shoot a light or arm, not my head or CBM.
 
After all this the I won't be able to go to the gun show and pick up the Walther now. Both my sons soccer games cut into the gun show plan. I've got to take them both to their first games tomorrow. Seems everyone is bailing on me for Sunday now too. The gun show is here every month so the next one is December 17 & 18th. Hopefully we'll be able to go sometime this weekend.