Author Topic: 38 special carry gun? (Read 1321 times)

Bugflipper · « **on:** May 28, 2004, 10:18:33 PM »

I have switched to a mini glock in .45 acp to compliment my carry weapon a glock 21. My wife who has never carried a pistol before has"borrowed" my old lady smith snubby I used to carry. It's loaded with 5 38 spl +P rounds. Is this acceptable for a female? From what I recal it had a fair amount of recoil due to the little grip. I was thinking of getting her a semi for concealed carry. I never actually had to use the lady smith, it was extremely hard to qualify with even though I generally score in the high 90's with my duty pistol. My wife can keep it in the vitals on silohets at 20 feet. Just wandering on your take on this gun, or a better option for a female?

williamlayton · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2004, 03:58:03 AM »

Bugflipper-
Just my take, me think. Seems like she must like it and it does seem, from the post, she can handle it reliably. I would let her make the decision.

:oops: Fer fun, ya could always buy another that you always wanted an tell her you thought she might like it better, then keep it fer yourownself when she rejected it....course what if'n she liked it/wanted it.
:-)
Blessings

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2004, 04:43:29 AM »

I have three J frame model 60's and each one has a different grip. The one that stands out for shootability is the Hogue. Just try different grips to see which one she likes the best.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2004, 04:52:20 AM »

IMHO a revolver is never a bad choice . Sometimes there are better options. One of the most important considerations is the handgun fit the shooter's hand and getting a revolver to fit is usually easier than many autos.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:29:24 AM »

Bugflipper: take your wife to the local sporting goods store and see if any of the Hogue grips give her a better handle on that 38. I did that with my wife and what a difference. And, while you are there, buy up a couple of boxes of wadcutters or othe non-Plus P loads and let her have a fun day at the range. You really don't need Plus Ps from a snubby - you don't get a lot of the Plus P power increase, although you do get the recoil. I've got a pretty good factory (older factory) recipe for heavy loads in the 38 that are not in the Plus P pucker power range but give you more than anything over the counter today. 200 gn swc over 3.8 of ww231 for 770'/sec at only 15,500 psi. Heavy hitting, accurate but not higher pressured. HTH. Mikey.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2004, 10:42:33 AM »

I'll also vote for a better grip, most of my lady shooters had long, thin fingers and preferred a longer, thinner grip. I like the Craig Spegals, and have a rubber one on my duty piece. If her hand likes the gun, the rest of her will, too!

PJ the Sagely

daddywpb · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2004, 01:19:28 PM »

I have an early 1960's vintage S&W model 40 Centennial 38 spl that I carry on a daily basis. It shoots great, and I hardly know it's on my hip. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a J frame 38 if you can shoot it well. Practice, practice, practice!

Old Griz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2004, 10:48:06 PM »

:cb2: I agree with the Hogue rubber grips. They'll make any gun easier to hold, point and shootIMHO.

Coltrane · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2004, 02:51:41 PM »

Keep in mind, a semi auto may be too difficult to operate, as in racking the slide to chamber a round. That is the major setback with my wife, most autos are too heavy to pull back.

She did find the Glock 19 is easier to manipulate and confiscated it from me.

If you do take her to a gun shop, let her experiment with the slides on various autos. The only guns I know of that wouldn't need the slide racked back are the Beretta 85 in .380 ACP, M950 in 25ACP, M21 in 22LR, the Taurus PT-22 in 22LR, and the PT-25 in .25 ACP. They have the pop-up barrels to chamber load a round, eliminating the need for slide racks.

Brett · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2004, 03:35:01 PM »

IMO you can't beat a J-frame for ease of use and reliability. My stainless Model 60 sports a set of Hogue grips. Keep in mind that solid hits with any .38 are better than near misses with any .357, .40 .45, etc. :wink:

dawei · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2004, 02:32:10 PM »

Quote from: Coltrane

SNIP..............
The only guns I know of that wouldn't need the slide racked back are the Beretta 85 in .380 ACP, M950 in 25ACP, M21 in 22LR, the Taurus PT-22 in 22LR, and the PT-25 in .25 ACP. They have the pop-up barrels to chamber load a round, eliminating the need for slide racks.

Isn't it the Beretta® Mdl 86 you're refering to?