Posted: 4/27/2014 5:23:52 PM EDT
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The wife has decided that she wants to get a firearm for home/self defense. Pistols are a no go due to small hands and she can't operate the slide, so this brings us to a revolver. I know nothing about them other than how to work them. Looking for suggestions on to what would be a good purchase. She has fired a Rossi 38 and handled two S&W 38, unknown model number.
Requirements: Compact 38 spec Durable Price range from 350-550 Also suggestions for a quality defense ammo. |
| Since you didn't say light weight, I'd suggest one of the all stainless J frame S&Ws with a 3" barrel. Specifically the pro series, but take your pick. I really think a Colt Detective Special, Cobra 3" or a Police Positive are better because I think their better trigger pulls make them easier to shoot. However, those may go above your price range. |
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Inexpensive but great quality go with a Ruger SP-101 in 357, she can always use 38s in it but if she ever wanted to step up she can........or you can if you want to shoot it or use it.
Little more money but more compact/light would be any of the S&W 357 J frames. I'd personally recommend the all steel models as recoil will be less giving her more control and confidence. My wife enjoys her SP-101 a lot more than my J frame due to grip size and lower recoil. |
My wife has a Ruger LCR in 38spl. She likes it, lighter weight, internal hammer. She used it to qualify for her carry license. She passed but 50 rounds with no significant practice before left her with a sore hand. I got it years back for $400 out the door. Probably could do better but its hard to haggle price when she walked up to the gun counter and said, "I want that one for my birthday tomarrow." The salesman could have run me through the wringer on that transaction.
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The Ruger SP101 in 38 Special is ideal for women. It's just the right size and has just the right amount of heft. She can shoot it all day long with target loads. I don't recommend 357 Mag version due to the fact you can jam up your rounds in a dirty cylinder.
Many guys make the mistake of getting their women ultralight revolvers in 357 Mag. These are painfully wicked to shoot and not one bit of fun. Women try these and get turned off to ever wanting to practice with it. Wolff makes a spring kit that makes for a nice trigger pull. Bobbing the hammer is easy as well if you're worried about snags. |
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If it is a home defense not ccw gun I suggest a four inch barrel which is easier to shoot effectively and provided full length ejection and also get a six shot not five.if weight is an issue ( should not be in a smith k frame but ?) try finding an old smith model 12 airweight k frame four inch. Remember for every couple ounces lighter the gun gets harder to shoot due to recoil and many people ( big guys included) do not like extended range sessions with light j frames. In the house no reason to go with a small gun.
If she needs a carry gun I suggest an all steel 3" j frame - longer sight radius easier to shoot well along with the extra weight tames recoil. They call the light weight snubby an experts gun for a reason- it is a bad choice for an inexperienced shooter |
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She's too weak to handle the slide on a compact auto, but can manage the DAO trigger of a small .38 ? Naah --- its training --- i cannot imagine anybody not being able to rack the slide on a SIg 238, Glock 42 or Kel Tec P3 -- technique plays a large part in whether it gets done or not. Tons of guys do it wrong too, but are strong enough it doesnt matter
If she takes a firm grasp of the slide and then pushes the frame forward with the firing hand, - instead of trying to accomplish everything with the hand on the slide -- chances are very high she can rack the slide on any auto with a bit of practice --- women can do a lot more than they let on, or even realize sometimes, unless there are physical issues like arthritis or something Sorry for the drift though ---- i like revolvers better anyway  Captain127 is spot on about speccing out a bigger gun if concealment is not an issue -- 4" K frame with Magna grips , -- the SP101 is a chunky little gun too, it might weight enough to dispel recoil quite a bit if .38's are used --- as far as Taurus or Rossi go, i'd personally have to put quite a few rounds downrange myself with one before i gave one to my wife to trust her life to ---- I am currently having fun carrying a Taurus .44 UL snub on fishing trips and outdoor expeditions, and it is working good so far, -- but the 1st Taurus i had years ago had forcing cone issues that took a few wheel-fulls of ammo to come about
I'd go with a nice S&W or Ruger , then spend enough time with her at the range to make sure she can get all 5 or 6 rounds COM in a brisk fashion |
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k frame 4" my wife is 5'3 and her fav is a 4" 66 she likes the pachmar presentation grips
k frames have more grip options out there than anything even a 1911... from huge houge grips to tiny service magnas, as far as ammo use 38+p bonded like Winchester DPX 130 grain these will do they penetrate deeply and expand well in test. |