Female wants a wheelgun but.....

A lightweight Colt Agent. Alloy frame, 38 special (no +P is best). Nice trigger and light weight. If you can find one to borrow and try out just to make sure of the fit it would be best.

I have the agent and an SP-101 and I believe the distance to the trigger is shorter on the colt but I am doing it from memory so YMMV.
 
Determine if the 101 even fits her hand. It may just be too big. If her hands are very small, a semi-auto won't help.
Have the trigger job done. It has to be done on any firearm anyway. U.S. liability suits have caused all manufacturer's to sell firearms with poor triggers.
A Ladysmith may be a better idea, if she can find one. The trigger will still need doing though.
 
K frame Smith. Better yet, let her rent a few different ones and see what she likes. Good luck, and good to hear about more women getting involved in shooting. :)
 
Along with difficult trigger pulls comes pulled shots. If she can't pull the trigger easy, she may not be able to hit the target. I have read the many post here and I like a combination of the ideas starting with a Lady Smith shooting .38's. Have your gunsmith play with it and see if he can work the action a little to help her out. She could then shoot SA and try a DA shot when she is in the mood. She could practice dry firing it to build up some strength. Using dryfire dummy loads may be helpful in learning gun handling. I always liked the "Quarter" practice. If the gun has a flat spot over the barrel, place a quarter on top of the gun and try to squeeze off a dryfire shot without droping the quarter. This will help if she can pull the trigger.

If there were a chance she may try a semi-auto, I would suggest a Bersa .22 because that is very much like your Bersa .380 in size and design (I think). If she practices with the .22 awhile, she may work up to your Bersa .380 in time.

If she looks at a Lady Smith, she may just fall in love with it and want to work hard at shooting it. ;) Problem Solved!
 
Ok so after a bit of deliberation we have narrowed her choices down to these two....

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=905ICH/SH&category=Revolver

http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293493&item=831384&sw_activeTab=1

Which do you think would be best and why?? She understands that a trigger job will be necessary no matter what, but would love some input. The Carbon steel makeup of the Ladysmith scares me personally, are those fears justified or am I just a bit paranoid? Thanks PGH
 
Has she shot anything yet? The LadySmith is pretty, and dainty, but if she doesn't like recoil... something with more meat would soak up more of it. The typical Smith that peope still shoot .38+P out of is almost twice the weight of the LadySmith.

How about something like the model 620? Still not exactly a beast, but this L-frame has a 4" half lug barrel, about 2" more sight radius, gives 6 shots instead of 5, and weighs 37.5 oz instead of 20oz:
164401_item.jpg

...could always get slimmer grips if those are too big for her. Whether or not she likes recoil... this could be shot more accurately/controlled, and will give higher bullet velocity to boot.
 
I personally would let her try a Model 65LS. That one is stainless on a K-frame. The 36 LS is carbon steel on a J-frame. I have no fear of a carbon steel gun, but if she prefers SS, it is somewhat easier to care for.

The Taurus guns are noted for horrible double action pulls.

It is not necessarily true that she will need a trigger job. Most S&W's are acceptable out of the box.

Clemson
 
The Ladysmith 36 is a tad hard to pull - even single action, at least on my gun. :confused: I'd go for the model 60 2" again as it's light enough for carry and heavy enough for recoil - and the trigger single and double is better than most, except my 686. :cool:

Laura
 
I have tried to explain to her that she might want to go with an Auto, but she is hell bent on a Wheel,
Click to expand...
Why??

Try to get her to at least handle or shoot a Glock - the trigger pull is not too heavy, and it may fit her hand better than a revolver.

Point out to her that the Glock action is pretty much like a revolver - no manual safety, pull trigger and get a BANG every time.

Glock pistols have established a reputation of undeniable reliability, and are availble in several calibers that are good stoppers - have her look at the 40S&W Glocks in particular.
 
Well I have this like new Model 36, original nickel and all. It's just laying around gathering dust. I don't even know why I bought it. If you have any interest PM me...
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If her hand is as weak as originally described get something with a hammer spur. That will allow the SA option.
 
You may rethink you choice of a small frame lightweight. If she's not strong enough to pull a trigger easily then she may not be able to handle the recoil of those revolvers. Lightweight comes at the price of increased recoil. A K-Frame S&W or, if you can find one, a Colt Detective Special would be better choices in my opinion. If you really must have a small frame I'll go against what I'd usually suggest and say you might consider one in .32 H&R Magnum.

How about something like the model 620? Still not exactly a beast, but this L-frame has a 4" half lug barrel, about 2" more sight radius, gives 6 shots instead of 5, and weighs 37.5 oz instead of 20oz:
Click to expand...

I thought the 620 held 7 shots.
 
The medium frame guns can definitely be tuned to have a lighter action due to having better mechanical advantage in the actions. On the other hand most are heavier unless you can find a lightweight K frame (2" Model 12?). Also, the trigger reach will be greater. As far as trigger pull weight most small frames tuned by a top flight gunsmith will all have about the same double action trigger pull (8.5-9 pounds). A good tune on the K frame should work with all primers at 7.25 to 7.5 pounds. Still, this will be as light or lighter than a tuned double action autoloader. Having had a Kahr 9mm they are nice guns but weigh at least what the the SP does and the slide would take some doing for a person to work that is not too strong. If going for an autoloader than a 1911 in 9mm or .38 Super would have a relativelly weak recoil spring and the trigger if tuned would be 4.5 to 5 pounds. If one could be found with an aluminum frame the weight would not be too much greater than the SP.

As for 9mm due to moon clips and flexing this will require a heavier trigger pull for reliable ignition compared to a rimmed cartridge.
 
I'll echo Weblemkv's last comment. If choosing a small frame, (for her needs) go with a small(er) caliber better geared for it-and offering decent performance because of it -- the .32 H&R Mag. A decent round (rough ballistics of a non +P .38 + 6 shots out of a J frame) that'll permit not only decent shot placement but follow-up + reduced blast. Otherwise, go with a K Frame 3" to 4", with enough heft to absorb some of the recoil, ability to shoot +Ps reliably and decent follow-up. On the other hand--contradicting myself--some of the recent 5 shot J frame Smiths are pretty nice, just not sure I'd go the "Lady..." route. If that's (latter) the temptation, go with the .32M.
 
I was just thinking about my Smith Model 60. I have a Pachmayr rubber grip that I often use when I am shooting this gun. It gives this little 5 shot .38 snubie the feel of a much larger gun and absorbs alot or recoil. If this grip is not too big for her hands, this could be a great combination with a Lady or other such small revolver. It may allow for an easier trigger pull.
I would bet that if she tried a rubber grip she would like it. :cool:

OR.......MayBee NoT. :barf:


See what ya get when ya ask for Help or ADVICE in this forum :D

Ya get a ton of different answers...I guess that's why this is such a great place to hang out. I learn something new everytime I come in here. And that's been alot lately! :)

I think my wife thinks I have a grilfriend that I am chatting with because I am always here. If she only knew... I am just here in search of more toys.
 
try this

http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293602&item=831466&sw_activeTab=1

model 64 3 in RB better trigger pull than the j frame,

or if she wants a J frame

http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293539&item=831412&sw_activeTab=1

a 3 inch stainless chiefs, wonderful guns both. and if you get one and it is a little stiff, call the custom shop and tell them and they can lighten and smooth it up real nice. and reasonable too. They like to know guns are going to women and cater to them.
 
Women New to guns

This was a very useful thread for me becuase like this woman I'm new to guns and in the market for one. I think they're like shoes. One must try them on and practice walking down the isles with them. I'm going to rent a few first. I had a lot of good feedback about the Ruger GP 100 but found it big and heavy. i have small hands and not much strength in them. At the health club i met a female cop who had a Glock 9. she said they're easy to use without much recoil. I know they're not revolvers but what do you think about them????
 
I would be leery of recommending a Glock to somebody who is a newbie for two reasons.
Number one, when the chamber is loaded the gun is on half cock. That means you have a light and short trigger pull. The Glock can be very unforgiving of careless handling.
Number two, as a semi auto, its more difficult to take apart and clean than a revolver, which just has to have the cylinder swung open for cleaning.
 
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