I want to purchase a small carry gun for my wife. She is NOT into autos at all -- just too dadburned complicated for her and she has difficulty working the slide. I am thinking that the Smith and Wesson Model 36 Ladysmith would be a good choice -- a 20 ounce revolver, and loaded with 125 grain +p hollow points the recoil should not be too stout. She has no problem working the double action trigger of my M640 but thinks it is "too manly". Thoughts? Any women out there with experience with this revolver? Thanks.
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Model 36 LS for the spouse-unit?
- Thread starter Dogger
- Start date
My wife has taken over my S&W Model 60 in .38 Special. This is the stainless steel version of the Model 36. This S&W Model 60 is a limited edition 3 inch barrel double action only (DAO) gun. They were factory modifications for an NYPD special order that included DAO lock work and cut-off hammer spur. In other words my wife is forced to shoot double action, which I consider a needed safety feature because I'm not really sure what she would do under stress. In a stress situation the lack of hammer spur also eliminates the possibility of snagging clothes upon drawing the gun.
She is very accurate with it up to 15 yards which is fine for personal defense. Recoil with +P ammo is manageable and no problem for her. Factory furnished Hogue rubber grips help with the recoil and muzzle blast is slightly better with the 3 inch barrel version. The only disadvantage to the 3 inch barrel version is somewhat limited holster availability.
This gun is stoked with my special close range reloads: a hollow base wad cutter loaded backwards over a very warm load of Unique powder. This load is particularly nasty at close ranges but inaccurate at longer ranges. If the problem gets to big for the S&W then she has a Winchester Model 94 - loaded with 44 Specials Silvertip HP factory ammo. My only concern is that she will have the mind set necessary to effectively use the guns in response to a violent attack.
ALWAYS LIVING IN CONDITION YELLOW!
[This message has been edited by AUTiger73 (edited February 18, 2000).]
She is very accurate with it up to 15 yards which is fine for personal defense. Recoil with +P ammo is manageable and no problem for her. Factory furnished Hogue rubber grips help with the recoil and muzzle blast is slightly better with the 3 inch barrel version. The only disadvantage to the 3 inch barrel version is somewhat limited holster availability.
This gun is stoked with my special close range reloads: a hollow base wad cutter loaded backwards over a very warm load of Unique powder. This load is particularly nasty at close ranges but inaccurate at longer ranges. If the problem gets to big for the S&W then she has a Winchester Model 94 - loaded with 44 Specials Silvertip HP factory ammo. My only concern is that she will have the mind set necessary to effectively use the guns in response to a violent attack.
ALWAYS LIVING IN CONDITION YELLOW!
[This message has been edited by AUTiger73 (edited February 18, 2000).]
Dogger, is she saying that the Centennial looks too manly, or that shooting DAO is too manly?
I hope it's the former, not the latter. As you probably know, thumb-cocking in a stress-situation is asking for trouble; and there are those that say that the meer option of SA shooting opens the owner to "hair-trigger" accusations from the DA. (Personally, I think that's not too big an issue, but thumbcocking certainly is a big problem.)
Has she seen the Bodyguard (M49 in blue steel)? Looks different than the M640 but is as snag-free. Still allows thumb-cocking.
Or, there is the M60, the stainless sister to the M36.
In the slightly larger K-frame (6-shots instead of 5) there are blue and stainless .38's (M10 & M64) and blue and SS .357's (M13 & M65).
Personally, I think the .357 is a bit much for carry, but it's nice to have the option.
Oh, those above named K-frames are all fixed sights (for snag-free draw).
The adj sighted .38s are the M15/67 and the .357s are the M19/66.
Hope this helped, -Kframe
I hope it's the former, not the latter. As you probably know, thumb-cocking in a stress-situation is asking for trouble; and there are those that say that the meer option of SA shooting opens the owner to "hair-trigger" accusations from the DA. (Personally, I think that's not too big an issue, but thumbcocking certainly is a big problem.)
Has she seen the Bodyguard (M49 in blue steel)? Looks different than the M640 but is as snag-free. Still allows thumb-cocking.
Or, there is the M60, the stainless sister to the M36.
In the slightly larger K-frame (6-shots instead of 5) there are blue and stainless .38's (M10 & M64) and blue and SS .357's (M13 & M65).
Personally, I think the .357 is a bit much for carry, but it's nice to have the option.
Oh, those above named K-frames are all fixed sights (for snag-free draw).
The adj sighted .38s are the M15/67 and the .357s are the M19/66.
Hope this helped, -Kframe
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Dogger,
For Valentine's day I got my wife a matte spectrum blue Taurus Total Titanium .38 snubbie. She shoots the 125gr. Federal Nyclad hollow point. (Non +P) My wife is VERY good with her new pistol. Tomorrow we are going shopping for a concealment purse. It's fun watching her excitement.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
For Valentine's day I got my wife a matte spectrum blue Taurus Total Titanium .38 snubbie. She shoots the 125gr. Federal Nyclad hollow point. (Non +P) My wife is VERY good with her new pistol. Tomorrow we are going shopping for a concealment purse. It's fun watching her excitement.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.