I hate to recommend one of the alloy frame Smiths because of the recoil, but from personal experience with the females (4) in my family, I'd say that if it's much over 15 oz., she won't carry it. As to type, I'd get one of the hammerless models, then a half dozen boxes of wadcutters with very light loads in them. Teach her to shoot it that way, then introduce SD loads. Best Regards, Rod
Good .38 for a young girl?
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
Peter M. Eick
New member
I can tell you that I have taken some young women shooting and they generally seem to like my big 38/44's with 38 special ammo for the max power level. The guns are so big and heavy they just push when shooting so it is still fun.
I think you might consider something like that also.
I think you might consider something like that also.
My petite wife loves shooting my 6" GP100 with .38 target loads enough to become very good with it.
Since she is not carrying I'd stick with at least 4" barrel. I don't know what future plans may hold, but starting with .38's in a .357 gives room to grow later on if the bug bites.
I would very much stay away from snubbies. They are difficult for a lot of people, especially newbies to shoot well. I carry one, but it takes a lot more experience to master.
As for make and model, if you stick with a name brand, whatever she is comfortable with is best. I agree with the guys suggesting range rentals to lerahn what .38 recoil is and try specific guns after which she should handle several choices at gun store or stores.
Since she is not carrying I'd stick with at least 4" barrel. I don't know what future plans may hold, but starting with .38's in a .357 gives room to grow later on if the bug bites.
I would very much stay away from snubbies. They are difficult for a lot of people, especially newbies to shoot well. I carry one, but it takes a lot more experience to master.
As for make and model, if you stick with a name brand, whatever she is comfortable with is best. I agree with the guys suggesting range rentals to lerahn what .38 recoil is and try specific guns after which she should handle several choices at gun store or stores.
I have a "collection" of toys, but the bedside table gun for me is a 66-1, 4" or a 627PC. I have some others around the house in case they are needed.
I highly recommend revolvers for "middle of the night" scenarios. If there is any question as to whether it's loaded, and it should be loaded, its very easy to swing out the cylinder and check by feel in the dark. No fiddling with a mag and wondering if there is one in the chamber.
They are as easy to use as a spoon, and the remedy to an incredibly rare malfunction is to pull the trigger again. This is especially important for those who won't be practicing regularly.
Another consideration is the double action revolver trigger is it's own safety. A single action semi-auto might be fired without meaning to in a high stress situation without proper training and practice, or even with them. Though the DA revolver has no mechanical safety to fiddle with, the heavier trigger is a safety in and of itself. You have to mean it to fire it. Again goes to ease of use.
If you think 6 rounds aren't enough, well then the S&W 627 is an 8 rounder, as much as my 1911 mags.
My neighbor, and shooting buddy, is a smaller woman. She didn't like the recoil of my 442, but liked the way it fit her hand. She tried my Model 60 3" and again liked the fit, but thought the recoil was still a little stout for her taste. She also has tried the 627 5", the model 19 and the model 14. She didn't like any of the semi-autos due to difficulty racking.
She settled on a 686 with a 2.5" barrel. The L frame was better on recoil, but the shorter barrel kept the weight down a bit. It was the perfect compromise for her, and she shoots it VERY well. Her ammo of choice is 38 rather than 357, but that just makes the recoil in that L frame even more manageable.
I highly recommend revolvers for "middle of the night" scenarios. If there is any question as to whether it's loaded, and it should be loaded, its very easy to swing out the cylinder and check by feel in the dark. No fiddling with a mag and wondering if there is one in the chamber.
They are as easy to use as a spoon, and the remedy to an incredibly rare malfunction is to pull the trigger again. This is especially important for those who won't be practicing regularly.
Another consideration is the double action revolver trigger is it's own safety. A single action semi-auto might be fired without meaning to in a high stress situation without proper training and practice, or even with them. Though the DA revolver has no mechanical safety to fiddle with, the heavier trigger is a safety in and of itself. You have to mean it to fire it. Again goes to ease of use.
If you think 6 rounds aren't enough, well then the S&W 627 is an 8 rounder, as much as my 1911 mags.
My neighbor, and shooting buddy, is a smaller woman. She didn't like the recoil of my 442, but liked the way it fit her hand. She tried my Model 60 3" and again liked the fit, but thought the recoil was still a little stout for her taste. She also has tried the 627 5", the model 19 and the model 14. She didn't like any of the semi-autos due to difficulty racking.
She settled on a 686 with a 2.5" barrel. The L frame was better on recoil, but the shorter barrel kept the weight down a bit. It was the perfect compromise for her, and she shoots it VERY well. Her ammo of choice is 38 rather than 357, but that just makes the recoil in that L frame even more manageable.
kilimanjaro
New member
Let her choose, give lots of options. Make sure there is a Model 36 or 60 in the lineup.
waveslayer
New member
No 38 is good for a young girl. Stick with a 9mm so the recoil is easy to handle. I believe they even make a 9mm revolver and or a 45 revolver if your set on a revolver... get an XD and they shoot great. Or for concealment get the XDS
imashooter
New member
2000ShadowACE
New member
For what it's worth. the Model 10 is an excellent gun. They are a bit heavy if she is small and they can be a pain to conceal. I am a big guy and have a hard time hiding mine. My youngest daughter started off with an LCR and found that the short sight radius made it very hard to shoot accurately. She loves the model 10, but she just found a GP 100 with a 4" barrel that she loves. Make sure your girl gets a chance to try a variety of sizes before she commits. If they like how it feels and they can hit what they are aiming at, they will be a lot more likely to practice with it.
my wife is a weak woman, 5-4 and 120 lbs, and the only pistol she can use comfortably firing a .38 is my 686 S&W .357 L frame. Its heavier weight stabilizes the gun while firing and reduces recoil to a manageable level for a female.
She can not deal with the increased recoil of a smaller gun.
She can not deal with the increased recoil of a smaller gun.
Having two daughters, I offered the use of..
small frame revolvers.
The eldest chose a original Charter Arms Undercover,because the grips fit her hand.
Youngest chose a M36 and she;ll have Grippers or original wood grips to choose.
May want to try a Colt Police positive revolver second Series , due to the slightly smaller frame thatn a K but larger than a J.
small frame revolvers.
The eldest chose a original Charter Arms Undercover,because the grips fit her hand.
Youngest chose a M36 and she;ll have Grippers or original wood grips to choose.
May want to try a Colt Police positive revolver second Series , due to the slightly smaller frame thatn a K but larger than a J.