I see the S&W 642 has been recommended. I carried one for a few months. I traded it off because I couldn't live with the finish falling off. It looked horrible. I realize it wasn't one of S&Ws $700-800 guns, only $400, but it was still disappointing. Also and more importantly, the Airweights have a fair amount of recoil due to the light weight. This might discourage much needed practice shooting to develop or maintain the skill required to shoot a snub nose adequately. A little more weight might be beneficial in taming some recoil. If she is carrying the gun in he purse the extra weight might not even be noticeable. Just a couple of things to consider.
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Recommend a 38 for CCW for my wife?
- Thread starter Teirst
- Start date
I am going to get an SP101 as well for myself that I will be happy to let her use to let her use for "snub basics".
I will also invest on some bigger grips for the 642 so that she can get a third finger on it.
I figured practice with a sp101, bigger grips, and some light 38 target loads for her 642 would be enough....am I incorrect?
I will also invest on some bigger grips for the 642 so that she can get a third finger on it.
I figured practice with a sp101, bigger grips, and some light 38 target loads for her 642 would be enough....am I incorrect?
Revoltella
Moderator
Snubbies rarely make good first guns. They're not a beginner's gun.
Since she's not going to pocket carry it, you can mitigate some of the disadvantages of a snubby as a first gun by getting her a steel frame one instead of an Airweight.
When my wife first got her permit, I got a 442, figuring if she wanted to carry it she could. She fired 3 rounds through it, put it down and said she never wanted to see it again. She now has a Model 36 I put some Pachmeyer grips on for her and she's fine with it. Keeps it in her car so it's always available.
Since she's not going to pocket carry it, you can mitigate some of the disadvantages of a snubby as a first gun by getting her a steel frame one instead of an Airweight.
When my wife first got her permit, I got a 442, figuring if she wanted to carry it she could. She fired 3 rounds through it, put it down and said she never wanted to see it again. She now has a Model 36 I put some Pachmeyer grips on for her and she's fine with it. Keeps it in her car so it's always available.
BigD_in_FL
Moderator
Let's face it females aren't going to dress around a firearm...that's just the way it is.
A lot of us guys don't either, which is why we pocket carry. I am not changing out my entire wardrobe to carry a gun
Cheapshooter
New member
It should be her choice. But I highly recommend her looking at the Ruger LCR.
Pax:
No .... ! Two daughters, neither blonde (ha), one athlete, both singers, one dental hygienist, one PhD in special ed, one father-in-law with zero guns, one father-in-law with many guns (including $14,000 bench rest rifles) and his own 300 yard range, live several hundred miles apart. BUT, they really care for each other, their parents, in-laws and families, and especially their sister's children.
Oh . . . she should try several and make her own choice.
Women are actually – who knew? – individuals. Go figure!
No .... ! Two daughters, neither blonde (ha), one athlete, both singers, one dental hygienist, one PhD in special ed, one father-in-law with zero guns, one father-in-law with many guns (including $14,000 bench rest rifles) and his own 300 yard range, live several hundred miles apart. BUT, they really care for each other, their parents, in-laws and families, and especially their sister's children.
Oh . . . she should try several and make her own choice.
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DON'T pick something out for her. Make 2 or 3 suggestions and then back off and let her decide -- and if she doesn't like any of your suggestions and picks something else that's okay.
Here's my suggestion: a steel-framed Lady Smith or a Ruger LCR. She can use target wadcutter ammo for the best "punch-to-recoil" ratio if she doesn't like 158 grain soft lead HP's or 125 grain +P JHP's. (they make me flinch too if I shoot too many in a session, even with a heavy steel revolver)
Here's my suggestion: a steel-framed Lady Smith or a Ruger LCR. She can use target wadcutter ammo for the best "punch-to-recoil" ratio if she doesn't like 158 grain soft lead HP's or 125 grain +P JHP's. (they make me flinch too if I shoot too many in a session, even with a heavy steel revolver)
Don't worry, I am going to let her pick out her own gun, I won't be buying something and just handing it to her.
Right now the top of the list are a .357 LCR (because it is a bit heavier than the 38...which she would use to should most likely exclusively 38's in) and a Smith and wesson model 36. I wanted her to take a look at a non air weight J frame.
Right now we are having a hell of a time finding either gun in stock anywhere, we are looking for used and around central texas it seems like everything is already been cleaned out. Also still looking for an SP101
So if anyone knows where there is pawn shop or something that has a 357 LCR, some old smiths, and an SP101 in stock around austin let me know :3
Right now the top of the list are a .357 LCR (because it is a bit heavier than the 38...which she would use to should most likely exclusively 38's in) and a Smith and wesson model 36. I wanted her to take a look at a non air weight J frame.
Right now we are having a hell of a time finding either gun in stock anywhere, we are looking for used and around central texas it seems like everything is already been cleaned out. Also still looking for an SP101
So if anyone knows where there is pawn shop or something that has a 357 LCR, some old smiths, and an SP101 in stock around austin let me know :3
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Andy Blozinski
New member
You might want to try a gun show. The main purpose in choosing this venue is that you are more likely to find multiple different models for her to handle and compare. Possibly even on the same table. I'm not fond of buying a gun from gun shows because I like to support the locals, but that doesn't mean you can't shop and make your selection there. Then..gun shows are actually pretty good to buy things like holsters where you can try lots of them on.
Sgt.Fathead
Moderator
I've owned many an SP101 and am a Ruger fanatic but my J frame pocket carry choice is the S&W 442. The 642 is fine as well. Good luck!
Dragonheart2
New member
Guys don't pick out a gun for your wife!
As a long time shooter and instructor all I can say is, guys don't pick out a gun for your wife or girlfriend. How would you like it if she went out and picked a vehicle for you to drive and said this is what I like? A gun for self defense is a personal choice that is best determined by how it fits the hand and how well it can be used. Find a range that will let you try several different handguns. Try to convince her the marketing ploy of what's cute or pretty in pink may not be the best choice, this is a tool that might be called for to save her butt, so reliability and accuracy are the primary concerns. If she cannot use it well then having a gun is a danger to herself and everyone else. A short barrel revolver is a difficult handgun to master in the best of circumstances.
As a long time shooter and instructor all I can say is, guys don't pick out a gun for your wife or girlfriend. How would you like it if she went out and picked a vehicle for you to drive and said this is what I like? A gun for self defense is a personal choice that is best determined by how it fits the hand and how well it can be used. Find a range that will let you try several different handguns. Try to convince her the marketing ploy of what's cute or pretty in pink may not be the best choice, this is a tool that might be called for to save her butt, so reliability and accuracy are the primary concerns. If she cannot use it well then having a gun is a danger to herself and everyone else. A short barrel revolver is a difficult handgun to master in the best of circumstances.
Charter arms
Yup, I said it. Forget about a S&W, save your money, buy a new Charter Arms instead. Buy one of their Lite models, come with or without hammer spur and in about a dozen different colors, including a model called the Pink Lady.
DO NOT USE +P in a Charter Arms. I use Hornady defense ammo in mine, works great. The Charter is also available in .32 H&R Magnum which is a nice potent round with less recoil than a .38.
You'll find that Charter's point naturally, are as light as Airweight S&W's, and cost alot less, money saved you can use for ammo or range time. Made in USA and lifetime warranty. I own 3. I trust my life to one everyday as my carry gun, while my S&W model 36 snub revolver rests in a drawer, waiting for it's next owner.
Yup, I said it. Forget about a S&W, save your money, buy a new Charter Arms instead. Buy one of their Lite models, come with or without hammer spur and in about a dozen different colors, including a model called the Pink Lady.
DO NOT USE +P in a Charter Arms. I use Hornady defense ammo in mine, works great. The Charter is also available in .32 H&R Magnum which is a nice potent round with less recoil than a .38.
You'll find that Charter's point naturally, are as light as Airweight S&W's, and cost alot less, money saved you can use for ammo or range time. Made in USA and lifetime warranty. I own 3. I trust my life to one everyday as my carry gun, while my S&W model 36 snub revolver rests in a drawer, waiting for it's next owner.
So we ended up with something we never expected....
Taurus 617....357 magnum
The gun won't be carried for at least 6+ months while we apply for our CHL's and I found a hell of a deal ($200) for what appears to be a VERY good condition gun.
I did the revolver checks. Good looking shiny bore, does not look like it has ever been opened, safety bar works correctly, no "shake" (other than the saftey bar), good lock up and VERY little wiggle once it is locked.
My thought process that okay'd the gun is that it will be almost exclusively used with 38 special and with the weight of the gun (like 28 ounces) it should be a great learner for my wife who is a little recoil shy.
Once she gets better with it and actually gets her carry permit I will buy her something like a s&w 642 to actually toss in her purse.
The reason the gun was so cheap (or so I was told) is that the guy flat out needed money for bills. He posted it locally originally for $300 and has been price dropping for the last week, this morning he posted for $200 and said that it had to go today so I took him up on it.
Taurus 617....357 magnum
The gun won't be carried for at least 6+ months while we apply for our CHL's and I found a hell of a deal ($200) for what appears to be a VERY good condition gun.
I did the revolver checks. Good looking shiny bore, does not look like it has ever been opened, safety bar works correctly, no "shake" (other than the saftey bar), good lock up and VERY little wiggle once it is locked.
My thought process that okay'd the gun is that it will be almost exclusively used with 38 special and with the weight of the gun (like 28 ounces) it should be a great learner for my wife who is a little recoil shy.
Once she gets better with it and actually gets her carry permit I will buy her something like a s&w 642 to actually toss in her purse.
The reason the gun was so cheap (or so I was told) is that the guy flat out needed money for bills. He posted it locally originally for $300 and has been price dropping for the last week, this morning he posted for $200 and said that it had to go today so I took him up on it.