Hey, OK, so actually that thread woke me up a bit. (But also was a bit hard for me to follow because my brain had to SWITCH GEARS to go between automobiles and firearms; dang!).

So, Browning Hi-Power.

What do you guys think? Anyone have it?

Is this "basically" a 1911 design except purpose built for 9mm?

Any bad review on the Hi-power?

PS - Hi-power can be Cocked & Locked, yes?

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I have a great BHP, but it is not an ordinary model. It has also been customized and trigger tuned by a 'smith that is no longer here on O'ahu. In fact I don't even know where he went.
The problem with BHP is that if you get one with a poor trigger, I don't know that anyone around here will tune the trigger for you, or even perform minor modifications since it is pretty rare.
The BHP can be carried in condition-1 but the old stock thumb safety pretty much sucks.
I do not believe a stock BHP is 100% reliable with JHP ammo. SImilar to an old stock 45 auto, ball ammo only.
The grip is small and the slide is easier to operate, but I don't think it is that much easier.
IMHO I wouldn't walk down this road.

I stand by my previous suggestion cuz you can get plenty local help with a 1911.
Let me know if you want to try my idea. But it will cost you 1 plate lunch.

Haha, is a 1911 in .22LR even worse blasphemy?

 

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=028B&catalog_=B

Anyway it will have to be in 9mm. I do not want my wife to be confused with .45ACP, .40S&W and 9mm in an emergency. 9mm is the only handgun ammo I have for that exact reason.

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Seriously bro, if you don't think your wife can tell the difference between a 45 and a 9mm maybe you should be exploring alternative methods of self defense.
Especially since there seems to be a fundamental issue with hand strength. It sounds like a self defense firearm of any kind is not the way to go.
How about a big can of pepper spray?

OK thanks guys for all the inputs. They are helpful. I didn't realize the HP was such a collectible premium. Probably won't go that route.

Spray is not practical. In fact I have carried and tested sprays (even the large ones for bears) and they can be more of a liability than an asset depending on where you are (indoors or outdoors), the wind, who you are with, can you evade after spraying, and the tolerance of the attacker against the chemical effect (might not be effective if the guy is crazed).

My wife can still shoot and use a firearm, except that it is not 100% easy for her and I am concerned about a crisis situation. She loads and racks the Glock at the range by herself most of the time, but her "preferred" choice is for me to rack the slide for her. We have seen a few instances of FTF and I told her not to limp wrist the gun and it is better now.

She found it IMPOSSIBLE to pull DA on the Beretta 92. And impossible to even cock it. So, Beretta is a non-starter for her which is OK, as it is only a backup gun (until I find someone who can do a reliable and credible trigger job on the stock 92 here on Oahu).

I realize I'm pretty late to this thread but just encountered a similar issue with my wife & our mutual friend.   Both are rather petit, my wife does workout a bit and so does our friend but both had issues racking various handguns as well as limp wrists that affected cycling.   A good friends wife came down to the range yesterday to help the two girls out, she's a former mainland PD officer & instructor.   She ran both girls through some basic drills, corrected so poor technique, and showed them a few new ones.   By the end of the day both were able to consistently functions/operate a range of handguns including Glock 19, 22, & 21 (the grip size was a tad to large with the 21) as well as a tricked out 1911.   The Glock 19 seemed to be the favorite.   So long story short, maybe some training and proper technique will help with you already own? 

Side note: My wife REALLY enjoyed the experience and that will certainly be a benefit when it comes to adding a few handguns to my collection 

Boomah 

Thanks man. So, with the training, did your wife change from the finger grip on the slide, to more of a palm grip, or did that not need to change?

just came across this thread.  For the Glock anyway, Glock Store sells a Slide Pull Charging Handle.  It is made for people, like your wife, who have difficulty racking the slide.  Maybe it may help her.




http://www.glockstore.com/slide-pull-charging-handle

Thanks; I remember seeing that before but forgot about it. A possible option.

Howzit, sorry for the delayed reply...

My wife still uses the fingers on slide method on all but the Glock 21.   Our friend changed to the palm method as well as changed her body position and grip for a bit more leverage.   She basically had the firearm closer in while standing perpendicular to the firing line (maintaining muzzle down range at all times).   Both girls ended up using the straight thumb "push & pull" grip with no cycling issues & pretty decent accuracy, more importantly they both REALLY enjoyed the experience and want to continue shooting handguns (my wife already does quite well with long guns).

HTH a little, Ahui hou 

Boomah

 

revolver 

Colt Python .357?