Need some Revolver Advice!

The best advice I have to offer is to let her look at as many models as you can (shooting them if at all possible) - no one can choose handguns well for another person (unless they just get lucky). My wife loves her SP101 (house gun only) - it has a great trigger pull (especially after a smith worked it over).

For my house gun, I have a Taurus 608 - 8 shots is better than 5! I have the ported stainless with 4-inch barrel and adjustable sights - other options are available. Trigger pull (though OK from factory) is vastly improved with Wolff reduced pull springs - only about $12 and easily installed.

I sometimes carry a Taurus Titanium 85, but recoil is severe with heavier bullets, though 110 grain (or less) rounds are OK, even in +P. If recoil is the issue, the 608 is the ticket, though it is large & hefty (of course, that what makes it easier to shoot).

Neither of us cared for Colt snubbies, though many people favor them. I have observed that J-frames are more punishing for many people's hands (including mine and my wife's) than other snubbies, primarily because of the housing over the hammer area.

To each his (her) own (firearms)!!! Good luck!!!
 
All these suggestions for used revolvers for twoblink are great except any gun sold by a dealer in california has to have been safety tested. So unless it is on the current list you can't buy it new or used.That kind of limits your choices. You somehow have to find a private party here that has one for sale if it's not on the list.Private party sales are exempt. It's a bunch of crap.
 
My girlfriend was antigun to begin with too. We went to the range one day just really bored- I can't believe it was her idea. I started her out with a SW 317 airlite at 7 yards. Safety instruction,trigger pull, grip, alighnment etc. She did great and started requesting guns with more punch, much to my suprise. It was an interesting process. Her big hangup was the ability to chamber a round with some of the heavier slides. I think a browning action really helps tame the recoil. For example, the Sig p230 recoil was stout compared to a colt government .380. Also having her cock the hammer before cycling the slide helped a bit. The jury is still out. Recoil was not that big an issue, and she was more comfortable with the autos than the more simple revolver. Best of luck, Dave.
 
I bought my wife a S&W 331 Ti for CCW and home defense. Great little package - same knockdown power as a .38 w/ half the recoil. I think it weighs around 11.5 ozs. Get a used one if you can.
 
Someone else already said it, but I think it's worth repeating: if it's home defense only, buy her a 12 ga pump. Hearing a slide rack will put fear in 99.9% of us, and if she misses there won't be a bullet going through the walls in search of a lawsuit. Also cheaper, and versatile as heck.

Now, you mentioned the Taurus wheelgun. I'm a Ruger man myself. However, I did shoot my neighbors titanium ported Taurus 357 (Tracker?). With it's light weight, I KNEW it was going to be a painful experience. INSTEAD, I was pleasantly surprised by how manageable the recoil was as a result of the porting and the novel grip material/design. But like all other ported guns, man is it loud!
 
A shotgun may make a very poor choice for an untrained lady in a home defense situtation. A long gun is far too easy to take away, and much too difficult to control when firing, especially at night. With the proper training, a shotgun is easily employed, but is still not favored by the ladies because of the heavy recoil. A far better first choice is a 4" revolver in the 38spl range. Reason? It's completely simple to work, does not have excessive recoil, is fun to shoot, and is not subject to 'limp wristing', like a semi-auto handgun, and normally fits most ladies grip requirement. Shorter barrel guns have way too much recoil, and the longer barrels seem to intimidate the ladies, "Dirty Harry Syndrome" My wife seems to think the only gun that works for her is a S&W640 shooting .38spl's, and she thinks 'it's fun..' Confidence is 99% of the problem.
 
My two favorites are the S&W 686 Plus 4" and the Ruger SP101 2 1/4". Some like the heavier, more durable Ruger GP100. Overall, the 686 rules, I think.
 
"A shotgun may make a very poor choice for an untrained lady in a home defense situtation."

I agree. I would add to that "or anyone else lacking the proper training". Likewise, a handgun is also a poor choice for an untrained anyone.

All other things being equal, women are just as capable of handling firearms as well as us "real men". Having introduced several to the sport, I know this from personal experience. We need to get our wives, daughters and girlfriends involved, because we need the support of female shooters to counteract the ill-will of the Million Moms.
 
Another possibility might be a Ruger GP100 with the 3 " Bbl . The model # is KGPF-331 . It has fixed sights & holds 6 rounds of potent 357 man ammo. You still have the option of lighter 38 special loads plus the 3" version has compact grips. Not the lager ones that come on the standard Ruger GP100 models with the 4"or larger Bbls. Might be something worth at least looking into .
 
twoblink

Has she shot the SP101 yet? How is it working out? A real nice target load is the Winchester WinClean .38 Specials - they are 125gr softpoints with very mild recoil and report and very clean shooting too. :)
 
SP 3" Hogue grips

tame .38 loads ever other weekend for 6 weeks. +P
38 loads for 6 weeks. .357 125 grain JHP loads from then on out. Dont let her know you have increased loads, and give nothing but positive reinforcement comments when you are at the range. If necessary, cut your +p sessions a bit short and your .357 session until she is over the noise and shock cofecient.

Good luck

r
 
I like wheel guns and carry one regularly.

That said, I believe the Remington 870 Youth Model in 20 ga to be about the perfect HD weapon. It is easy to manipulate, has plenty of intimidation factor, and the recoil is quite light, depending on load used. It is much easier to shoot than a revolver. My 10 year old son has one and he shoots it very easily. They are inexpensive (I paid $199+tax new) and pretty well maintenance free.
 
I suggest...........

I have a Taurus Model 445, 5 shot, Titanium, snub nosed ported revolver. 44 special
I think it would be just right for your situation.
My pals 16 year old daughter fires it with no problems. The porting makes it seem like your shooting a 38......but you are shooting a man stopper 44 special.
Being a revolver it really does not get any easier in a stressfull situation than point and pull (the trigger). Nothing to remember and nothing to go wrong.

:) :) :) :)
 
Felt recoil is reduced by the weight of the gun...

Consider a Ruger SP101. 38/357

The price is right as well.

Get her some aggressive training so she won't let the assailant buffalo her.

:)
 
Yes a shot gun is the way to go for home defence. In a hand gun a good 38 cal stainless fixed sight. Smith Mod-64 2-3-4 barrel all have thier good and bad points. In 357 Smith 686 is hard to beat or a used Ruger Speed Six or Service Six or a new Ruger GP-100 with the 3 inch barrel or 4 inch with short
under lug. Good guns all. And will last a long time. But train to shoot DA from the start. Because, thats the way it will be used if it is needed. Best
 
Hopefully, she's not the "jumpy" type otherwise I might suggest you picking up some Kevlar for yourself for those really late nights when you're trying to get in the house and into bed quietly!!! :D (just kidding).
 
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