Our first handgun

Will Beararms, I had went and handled that 3" SP101 just to see how it felt in my hand and to look it over for an initial impression. The actual revolver that I would want is this one: http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html.
Snub nosed revolvers have brutal recoil to me and they are not a good choice for someone who has never shot that much.
Click to expand...
Since I've never shot a .357 Mag (or .38 Spl.), I'm assuming that you mean the recoil from the .357 is what you're talking about (out of a 2" or 3" barrel) and not the .38, correct?

FlySubCompact, which .38 snubby do you have and which grain rounds were you shooting out of it?

I have done some more reading yesterday. This time about shooting .357 Mag rounds in low light and how that the muzzle flash can be pretty intense. Also that out of smaller framed revolver, the .357 Mag recoil can be hard to manage (getting the muzzle back on target). I also read about how the right .38 Spl. +P round can be decent a defense round.

Even though I have mentioned that my wife is only interested in shooting for fun, I would want her to shoot some defense rounds. For in case there would be the rare time when she would be at home by herself with my daughter and a situation would come up where she felt that she absolutely would need to get the handgun to defend herself. So in light of all the other purposes I have mentioned in other posts about how we would use a handgun, for me it comes down to would I want her with 5 rounds of .38 Spl. +P in a Ruger (the one in the web link) or 17 rounds (16+1) of 9 mm (+P) in a Springfield XD. Depending on how much she would have shot the handgun to that point in time, I wouldn't know if she would remember that she only has 5 shots in a revolver, and that she could point and shoot, and if the round didn't go off, pull the trigger again (which then she would have 4 rounds left with one dud). Or she could have a semi-auto in hand with more rounds, but would she be 'trained' enough to that point in time to clear a possible jam quickly and efficiently, and to not 'limp wrist' a shot under stress (by then I would have hopefully had the gun long enough to find a defense round and run it through the semi-auto enough times to make sure it was 100% reliable). I know it's about making the first shot count...but this would be very stressful, I'm sure, for the non-gun person she is. But...she loves our daughter fiercely (as I do also) and her 'mother' instinct could take over and she might be not as stressed as I think.

As for pricing, as of today's prices (incl. shipping and FFL transfer fee) I have seen online, I could get the Springfield XD-9 for $86 less than that Ruger revolver. I know it's not much difference to some of you, but it's enough of a savings for me for more ammo to buy for practice.

Any more comments?

Kevin
 
Last edited:
Kevin,

The .38 we have is a snubby Rossi five shot (not +p rated) Bought it years ago for my wife for concealled carry. Been so long since I've fooled with it that I cannot recall ammo specs. Some FMJ's for practice and hollow points for carrying?? It is a good little revolver. Small grips and easily concealable.

I can tell you that my wife likes our new Glock much better. It is a G23 compact frame. She even said she'd like to have the sub compact Glock in the same caliber (.40). She actually enjoyed shooting the G23 and likes that it has many more rounds available without reloading. She only shot the .38 when I made her practice. :)

I have shot my brother's .357 (5" barrel). Large, heavy, well built Ruger. Would love to have one of those too, but it would not be my first choice after shooting this new Glock. My caculations in a new purchase include concealed carry. You said this is not a factor. Hope this helps you.
 
Thanks for that info FlySubCompact. I got to thinking about carrying in my state (AR) and it's CC only. So if I was to be in the woods with a handgun, I'm guessing I would have to carry it concealed, even with no one around. In the winter time of year, I would be wearing a jacket, in the hot and humid summer it would be a t-shirt so IWB carry would be needed. So even though I had mentioned that CC was not a big factor, I might have to take it into account. I'll have to find out what the actual wording of the law is.

Kevin
 
Find one of these she can hold, then she'll make you buy one.


7_640.jpg
 
Recoil from a lightweight (aluminum alloy frame) snub nose revolver will be a lot more than the all steel SP101. The amount of muzzle flash depends on several factors including barrel length, the powder used, amount of powder and maybe even the bullet weight. However, I believe there are some medium power .357 loads with powders designed to reduce (not eliminate) muzzle flash. A bigger factor for shooting indoors may be the muzzle blast of a .357 Mag, but even there the medium power loads are not as load as the full power loads. Personally, I would prefer a 12 ga. pump action shotgun to any handgun. If you are going to get a handgun the question comes down to what you want to use; and are you willing to take the time, effort and resources ($$) to train properly.
 
10 Beers, that is a nice looking gun. Price wise, I'll have to stick with the lower costing Ruger...if that is the way I'll go.

Discern, good info! As I have mentioned in my other posts in this thread, I have a Winchester Defender (12ga. pump, 18" barrel). Before even starting this thread, I've been thinking about getting a slip-on recoil pad for it and finding some low-recoil buckshot. I'd shoot it with the #4 Buck that I have it loaded with now, and compare it to the low-recoil buckshot (with the recoil pad) and see how big of a difference in recoil there is to see if she (my wife) might be able to handle it.

We've (wife and I) talked briefly lately about a handgun and I'm getting the feeling more that she is interested...but only to a point. I still want to take her with me gun shopping (and she will go of her own accord...I wouldn't have to force her :)) and get her to handle the guns, but I think what Discern sums it up pretty good:
If you are going to get a handgun the question comes down to what you want to use; and are you willing to take the time, effort and resources ($$) to train properly.
Click to expand...
I'm taking the 'you' as being 'myself' (and not her) in that statement. I want one that will at least feel good in her hands so that what shooting she does do (regardless of which type...semi-auto or revolver), that she'll enjoy it for the fun of it. I'll focus on the 'proficiency training' for myself. I she does take a genuine interest, then we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top