Author Topic: 38 for my Wife (Read 1237 times)

Cheesehead · « **on:** May 10, 2006, 12:10:17 PM »

My Wife says she would carry a hand gun for self defense. With ample training, I think this is a good idea. She is of medium build and fairly strong. I believe a compact da revolver would be best. A 38 Special would make for many revolver options. A magnum would be to much for her. The smaller, the better. Any ideas? A Lady Smith?

Cheese

GutHook · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:21:31 PM »

At a local gun shop, you can find a S&W 442 or a 642 (both rated +P) for right at $350. I wouldn't spend the extra money on the Lady Smith if I were you. It the same exact gun... just dressed up. I personally like the concealed hammer vs. the rather large hammer spurs they normally have.

I get to shoot a 442 from time to time when my buddy brings his over for target practice and it's a good shooting little gun. 38's are a bit snappy in it (but very manageable) and the +P's are a bit more of a hand full. I would suggest getting a bigger Hogue grip though. The stock grip is a little on the small side... but who knows, your wife may find it to be just right.

Question... have you considered any 9mm semi-auto's or are you set on a revolver (5 for sure)? I got my wife a SIG P239 (9mm). I would put it in the same ball park as the light J frame revolver as far as recoil goes (again, not bad at all). Plus, you'd be giving her a few more rounds to throw at the bad guys. It's just something to think about.

rockbilly · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2006, 05:29:44 PM »

Go for the Lady Smith, but buy the .357. You know how women change their minds.......... :roll:

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2006, 12:08:28 AM »

I like Sigs and, from my experience, would consider them to be VERY reliable.
I would agree with the S&W thought and also would agree with the .357 option.
WHAT DOES SHE WANT???
That is the answer to the question you are asking.
Give her the opportunity to decide for herownself.
Blessings

Old Griz · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2006, 05:43:50 PM »

:cb2: I agree with williamlayton. I saw too many men come into my store wanting to get the "best" gun for their wives, but what they thought was best really wasn't. Many wanted to get automatics, but their wives couldn't work the slide. Also, many women wouldn't know what to do if the auto jammed, AND they don't really want to learn. They want something easy. That = revolver. Also the grip is smaller and better shaped for a woman's hand.

So let HER pick up and handle everything in the store if she has to, but let her decide what feels better in her hand. (Just don't let her even touch a Jennings, Lorcin, Davis, Taurus, etc.) If SHE likes it, she is more likely to practice with it, and learn to shoot it well.

That said, a .38, like you suggested, is usually a good choice, however, Paxton Quigley said that at her school the two favorite guns her students liked the best (all women) were the Ruger GP100, and the 1911. I know my wife loves her .357, and her favorite gun to shoot is my Glock 21 (.45 ACP), so don't think the ladies can't handle anything bigger than a .38 -- they'll surprise you!

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2006, 01:17:44 AM »

Cheesehead - a Ladysmith in 38 is a good idea for your wife but as the Old Griz and Williamlayton said, let her decide for herself. Find someplace where she can handle these things and grip them, etc., and let her make the decision. That being said, you may find yourself going back to the store a couple of times or, you may find yourself out of your favorite gun 'cause your Honey is usin' it. Mikey.

GutHook · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2006, 03:53:54 AM »

Yeah, we spent a full day driving several HUNDRED miles all over the area hitting just about every gun shop we could to let her handle every possible pistol/ revolver we could. But she was pretty much mentally set on the pistols from the start (after having fired several different calibers in each type). We even hit a couple of the stores twice.

But, as was mentioned... let her pick the gun. That way, she'll be less likely to come back at some point and tell you she really doesn't like it... which = not practicing with it and probably not wanting to carry it. It doesn't hurt to nudge her one way or the other in the decision making process, but let her make the final decision.

As far as the .357 goes, unless you buy her a heavier, medium frame gun (GP100 or S&W L Frame for example), don't do it. I have a stainless S&W 686 that weighs in at around 38 ounces unloaded. You can tell when you're feeding it .357's, but it really isn't too bad. But then again, I wouldn't want to shoot them all day. I would compare that recoil to the lightweight S&W J Frames (12 to 15 ounce range) shooting 38 +P's (not exactly the same... but in the same ball park). I CAN NOT imagine shooting .357's from a gun that weighs 15 ounces. I know some of the local gun shop guys that shoot the big magnums, but when asked about shooting a .357 from a light weight J Frame, they look at you funny and ask if you're crazy. Even they will straight up tell you that's just insane. I just bring this up since in the original post he asked about a COMPACT DA revolver ("the smaller the better").

Finally, why does the Lady Smith keep getting mentioned? The Lady Smith versions are pretty (and that's the only difference from everything I've ever seen or been told), but why spend the extra money? Example: at a local shop they sell the 642LS for $479 while the regular 642 costs $349 (both shoot 38 +P's). Unless that was a deal breaker for my wife carrying a gun, there's no way in Hades I'd throw that extra money away. Am I just missing something about the LS's?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2006, 08:38:31 AM »

All you guys make very good points I will consider. I thank all of you. Yesterday I handled two S&W Air weight 5 shot revolvers. One with an exposed hammer and one with out. Both 38s with 2" barrels. I was impressed with both guns. The grips look perfect for her. She has shot two of my larger revolvers and likes the simplicity of operation. I have two Walthers PPKs, one in 32 and one in 380. I have considered giving her one of these, but I would rather she use a revolver for the easy of operation as you guys pointed out. She is not familiar with semi autos, but as you guys mention I will let her decide while trying to steer her towards the revolvers. The Lady Smiths are pretty, to appeal to a woman's taste perhaps and if that's what it takes to make her interested so be it. There has been problems in our otherwise good neighborhood with sex offenders. My Wife has zero tolerance for this and I agree with her 100%. She would use deadly force to protect herself and our daughter as I would.

Cheese

rockbilly · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2006, 12:07:36 PM »

Guthook. I don't know who you are talking to about the J frame S&Ws, but I fire both +P and .357 in a model 60 and a 649. I am 66 years old, 6'2', about 250, I don't have a problem with either gun, nor do I think firing the max loads is uncomfortable. Matter of fact, I really enjoy the display of fire when fired at noight. Both guns are equiped with Crimson Trace grips, I use a two hand hoid with the but of the gun anchored securely against my hip.

Now, that said, a young lady that works with me ask about a gun several years ago, she was divorced, had a small child and traveled between Texas and New Mexico quite often. I recommended, and helped her select a Lady Smith. She picked the .357. We made several trips to the range for practice, and I was convinced she could handle the gun. She still carrys it today as a concealed gun. Today she is almost 40 years old, 5' and soaking wet may weigh 110 pounds.

I think in her case, as well as mine, we both practice with the gun. I am retired military and have some LEO experience, I have been working with guns on a daily basis for about 50 years, the young lady is also retired military and has experience with guns.

The point, it is all in the mind. If you are convinced the gun is hard to handle from the git-go, then likely it will be. If you take them as they come and try to master then, that can be accomplished too. :roll:

GutHook · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2006, 03:35:26 PM »

Quote from: rockbilly

Guthook. I don't know who you are talking to about the J frame S&Ws, but I fire both +P and .357 in a model 60 and a 649. I am 66 years old, 6'2', about 250, I don't have a problem with either gun, nor do I think firing the max loads is uncomfortable. Matter of fact, I really enjoy the display of fire when fired at noight.

The J Frames I was referring to being so nasty were those such as the 340 that fall in the 12 ounce range. Those you listed weigh about twice that. Shooting a 357 from a 23 to 25 ounce gun I'm sure is doable, but has got to be at the very least unpleasant. If you can repeatedly shoot 357's from a 12 ounce revolver for an extended period (a couple of hours of practice), you're more of a man than I am (and so is that little lady you mentioned).

As far as enjoying the fire display at night from your J Frame... it might have a certain "cool" factor when plinking or practicing in dark locations, but why would you want to blind yourself and loose your night vision more than necessary if there's no need to (or do you/ would you close your eyes when you pull the trigger on someone)? I would imagine most personal defense situations would occur when it's low light or dark and less likely during bright daylight hours (bad guys like the cover of darkness). It kind of reminds me of those that carry a ported pistol for personal defense (more of a fireworks display). In a dark situation, you might get one, maybe two shots off before blinding yourself. As a disclaimer, I've never had to use a gun to defend myself at night. I'm just speaking from a target shooting at night perspective.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2006, 09:09:28 AM »

I've taught dozens of women to shoot, and I always let them pick the guns they wanted to try. Their overwhelming favorite was a K-frame Smith with a round butt, and a Pachmayr Compac grip. It fit ALL hands, even the kids liked it, but those with bigger hands didn't find it too little. I stress this because if your shooter doesn't like the grip, they won't like the gun, period. So start there.

As for caliber, you can't go wrong with a 38/357. early practice should be with wadcutters or light loads to let the student become familar with the mechanics of the weapon, while getting in some easy practice at close (5-7 yards) reactive targets. Then move up to full power 38's, then if desired, try the 38+P's or even 357's. My second wife couldn't hit diddly with 38's on our first date, but she was SCARY with 357's......hit clay pigeons all the way back to 50 yards. Everyone is different, so "Celebrate Diversity" :roll: and let her decide what fits her the best. Whatever you do, keep it light and fun, and give her an attagirl when she does it right. Just don't get upset if she shoots REALLY well.....they do that sometimes.

Papajohn

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2006, 01:09:38 PM »

:cb2: I second that motion on the K-frame. My mother-in-law took her classes to carry a handgun when she was 70 years old! What she wound up with was a S&W M19 with a 2.5" barrel. Great gun, especially with .38s.

single action · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2006, 03:52:04 PM »

I saw a ad in the latest shotgun news, i think it was j&g sales was offering police return model 10 .38 specials in several barrel lengths for around 180.00. Good deals if you have a dealer nearby that would order one for you.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2006, 01:36:30 PM »

I still teach a bit when the need arises, and the overwhelming favorite gun of the distaffers (women :lol: ) is my 3" M-65. Just like my old teaching gun, it wears the Pachmayr Compac grip, and nearly anyone can shoot it well. Its best attribute is the trigger, I worked this beauty down to about 7.5 pounds DA, slick as any gun I've ever shot. The sights are fixed and not great for older eyes, but younger women and kids can shoot this gun better than I can. If only I could do the same to my (company-issued :roll: ) duty gun!

One other note: If at all possible, get her a stainless gun, I've finally realized that the stainless guns get a LOT smoother than the blued guns, and a trigger job will make it a MUCH better shooter in the long run. Look for an old police trade-in, most are scuffed and scarred but shot very little, and make WONDERFUL carry guns. I've been offered three times what I paid for my little M-65, but it's not for sale. Beauty is as beauty does, and this one is a keeper!

Papajohn

Heavy C · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2006, 11:24:59 AM »

Cheese,

I bought a S&W 637 for my wife. It is one of the Airweight models in 38 +P - she loves it. Recognizing that it is so light, I bought a box of 38 special Cowboy loads to get her acquainted with it. we moved up to 38 Wadcutters, regular 38 JHP's and finally the 38 +P - not all in one day, but you get the point. The +P's did garner a rise of the eye brows, but she didn't think it was too bad at all. My wife did use my 1911 to qualify for her CHL.

As someone stated before, they can take more than we give them credit for.

Chuck :cb1:

Ahab · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:57:20 AM »

My wife will only carry revolvers. Her choice is the Taurus 617 snubby titanium. She astounds the guys at the range when shooting full house loads.