Small handspoon for the lady?

[scottmandue]

I have a full frame 9mm (Star brand) and a Remington 870 for home defense.

My wife is not a gun person but to her credit spouted off to me one day, "if we have guns in the house I should know how to use them."

So I get out the 9 and give her the run thought... only to realize the thing looks gigantic in Her hands (the gun that is)... and she looked a little confused as I explained how an auto works.

So I am thinking a .38/.357 revolver might be better for her.

Something large enough for me to enjoy shooting .357 and small enough to fit a ladies hand... or is that too much to ask?

They had the Ruger 100 on sale a while back, but I never got by to look at one.

Thanks!

[Rusty Heap]

Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

.38 in stainless.

They are available with a bobbed hammer too, makes it easier to pull out of a small fanny pack........

Simple no-think affordable gun, point, squeeze, bang.

[gamin]

S&W airweight hammerless .38 spl.

[onewhippedpuppy]

How about a Ruger LCP? Very popular for concealed carry, I suspect it would fit a woman's hand quite nicely.

[dipso]

You want a Ladysmith revolver. I bought one for my wife. Great little gun.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by gamin

S&W airweight hammerless .38 spl.

Yes, great little pistol but mine is in 22WMR...even lighter, no recoil and seven shots. I also installed Crimson Trace grips which will often defuse a bad situation when the bad guys sees he's been lit up... They are also aim-able..

[John Rogers]

I would suggest a Ruger LCR in 38+P with laser grips and several 5 shot moon clips. The trigger is more than great and even can by fired by old folks with arthritis and such. I would also suggest practice with reloads until she can do them with her eyes closed, I.E. in the dark.

[scottmandue]

This would NOT be for carry... just for her... for home defense when I'm not around.

Would prefer at least a 4 inch barrel and a .38 so I could plink with it.

Thanks

[Drdogface]

That changes things a bit. I thought it was for carry. In your case I'd suggest a Ruger Blackhawk or Redhawk if you want double action...

[PorscheGAL]

Why not take her to a range where they have loaners and try a few? That way she can pick out what feels right in her hand. What you think would do well may not feel right for her. You may find a larger caliber spoon with a smaller grip that she likes or a smaller caliber may be her thing. Seriously, go try a few out. I know many women whose husbands with the greatest intention, buy them a spoon that they hate to shoot. Some women lack the hand strength to pull a slide back to load in a semi auto or pull back the hammer on some revolvers. I agree that she needs to know how to use it if you have it in the house.

[Drdogface]

Best approach yet

[Don Ro]

The grip is more important than the weight - how it feels in one's hand. Don't want to shock her when a lightweight gun trys to jump out of her hand.

[JAR0023]

I agree with your thought to look at full size revolvers. With the weight .38 target loads will have very little recoil and practice can be fun instead of scary. I have a 4" GP100 that has been a great revolver. Hard to go wrong with Ruger or S&W. Too many problems with Taurus for me to trust one to self defense.

S&W 686 can get you 6, 7 and IIRC 8 rounds in the cylinder. GP100 is 6 only but it's pretty easy to get a smaller grip. Ruger makes two sizes for their factory grips. Rubber with wood inserts. Ruger made a fixed sight GP100 that had grips closer in size to the SP101 grips. They can be found at the usual sources.

-J

[Bill Douglas]

I know you want one with a four inch barrel but this is compromising. The gun is for her to carry so maybe reconsider the S&W snubbie idea. I wouldn't go 9mm unless she is a gun person as the recoil will put her off. Also a revolver always goes bang whereas an auto there is the aspect of firking about with the safety "is it on, is it off?" aspect.

Plus those Airweights certainly are groovy.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I know you want one with a four inch barrel but this is compromising. The gun is for her to carry so maybe reconsider the S&W snubbie idea.

She will NOT be carrying!!! But thanks anyway... frankly I doubt she would pull the trigger is a rabid grizzly bear was coming at her... but I will feel better knowing if the zombies come to the door while I'm away she would have something to point and shoot with.

The Ruger GP100 was on sale a while back... tempted to drop by Turners and see if they have any left over at the sale price.

Thanks again,

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by gamin

S&W airweight hammerless .38 spl.

this...

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Why not take her to a range where they have loaners and try a few? That way she can pick out what feels right in her hand. What you think would do well may not feel right for her. You may find a larger caliber spoon with a smaller grip that she likes or a smaller caliber may be her thing. Seriously, go try a few out. I know many women whose husbands with the greatest intention, buy them a spoon that they hate to shoot. Some women lack the hand strength to pull a slide back to load in a semi auto or pull back the hammer on some revolvers. I agree that she needs to know how to use it if you have it in the house.

^ Bingo!

[aigel]

I would not assume that a short barrel equals a gun that's not accurate enough to shoot with at the range.

I would also consider training the better half on the 870 with some lighter loads and forget a handgun purchase.

G

[John Rogers]

Letting her try is the best way and that is what we did and why I settled on the LCR. It ended up being the only gun my wife with her arthritis could easily shoot. Remember that if it is for "home defense" then the longest shot will be down a hall way or across the living room and anything longer you'll have trouble explaining why the need to shoot?

[Tim Hancock]

My wife might weigh 110..... She has small hands is not very athletic. That said, she is fully capable and even enjoys shooting a Ruger .44 mag revolver, Glock 9mm, 12ga pump shotgun and her tiny little snappy TCP .380 carry gun. My daughters shot all of the above when both were under 100lbs.

Just break your wife in slowly and she should be able to handle firing any of your firearms. The only thing my wife struggles with is racking heavy sprung semi-auto slides. She can do it, but she is happiest when the gun is handed to her ready to fire.