Need advise on a new fire arm

[126coupe]

I am going to buy a new revolver .38 for the wife, short barrel.
Advise from the brain will be appreciated.

[scottmandue]

Advice from the big brain or the little one?

[Flat Six]

First, one that fits her hands. Reach + DA length of pull is a big deal, especially for those with smaller hands.

Ruger SP101 comes immediately to mind. Short barrel is either 2.25" or 3.06". Enough barrel mass (for something this short) to help tame recoil; I've shot .357 comfortably and controllably from a 3-inch SP101. Comfortable grips that are relatively friendly for smaller hands. Really can't think of a better alternative.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[Rikao4]

take her with you..
let her choose...
you // we will like something for various reason's..
she will simply state..
it feels wrong..

Rika

[on2wheels52]

Speaking as a gun salesman I should be talking to her rather than to you. A number of questions need asking (and I'd want to hear her answer, not yours).
Jim

[126coupe]

She currently has a Colt Trooper .357 mag, with a longer barrel, the new one will be something similar, with a shorter snout. She loves her gun, but she wants something a tick lighter.

[Mookster]

Most firearms feel good in the store. If possible, let her try before you buy. I agree take her with you and let her choose.

I suggest a firearm with common and available ammo. Just a thought in this market.

[rouxroux]

J frame from S&W.

[dipso]

Ladysmith revolver is very nice. I bought one for my wife.

Product: Model 60LS

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I I wasn't already married to my wife, I would be married to my S&W 637.

[John Rogers]

I agree with the take her to a range and let her try some. My wife has a Ruger LCR with laser grips and those +P rounds work very well. The red dot is zero'd for 14 feet, the distance from our bed to the end of the hallways. The smoothness of the action is nothing short of amazing!

Many folks will say not to use the red dot but in my experience and in talking to law enforcement folks at our range they have found the shooters who are inexperienced never think of looking at the sights when the gun is needed.

[fred cook]

Since she already has one of the larger Colt revolvers, why not stick with the brand. A Colt Detective Special or Cobra (same gun with an alloy frame) or maybe a Police Positive would do the trick. These guns can be found with 2" - 4" barrels and chambered to use the .38 Special cartridge. It's hard to beat a nice Colt! If she has really small hands, look around for a Colt Pocket Positive in .32 S&W Long or .32 Colt (basically the same round but the Colt loading has a better bullet). The Pocket Positive revolvers are quite small and easy to conceal.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

Speaking as a gun salesman I should be talking to her rather than to you. A number of questions need asking (and I'd want to hear her answer, not yours).
Jim

ding ding ding....

[126coupe]

Originally Posted by dipso

Ladysmith revolver is very nice. I bought one for my wife.

Product: Model 60LS

like it

[Robert Coats]

Smith & Wesson 642...

• .38 Special, decent defensive caliber
• Super lightweight & compact, carry all day
• Stainless can stand up to sweat/moisture better than blue steel.
• Double-action only, so easy to extract quickly (no hammer spur, no snags)
• Only one way to fire, simple and safe
• Crimson Trace grips are a nice touch, but regular practice is even better
• Suggest 148g wadcutter loads for a good compromise between effective defensive load and something controllable you can practice with dozens of rounds.


S&W Model 642