[MThompson]

I am debating between these three DAO (Taurus 850, S&W 642 or 442) for my wife to carry. She doesn't care about the color, but is more concerned with being able to accurately use it. The 850 is 8oz. heavier than either Smith.

So would she be better off with a slightly heavier gun that has less felt recoil and may help with accuracy - but may be a bit more cumbersome to carry? Or vice versa...light gun, more recoil, but easier to carry?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[03Shadowbob]

I'd be more concerned with Taurus vs. Smith than 8 oz.

The 8oz may make a difference but it all comes down to practice practice practice anyways. Personally, I wouldn't trust my wife's life to a Taurus.

[Ala Dan]

03Shadowbob has nailed it~! ;)

[rgs1975]

S&w 442

[AirForceShooter]

It's HER choice.
Shut up and get out your credit card.

Sorry

AFS

[Boulder]

Personally I think a lot would depend on how she plans to carry.

Is she committed to regular practice with the lighter revolvers to maintain proficiency?

Out of your 3 choices, I would pick the 442 (and have one). I've never owned a Taurus but have nothing against them. Just picking what I have experience with personally. I'd prefer the 442 be eight ounces heavier (that's why I have a Ruger SP101).

All that said, I prefer carrying as heavy a gun as I possibly can* for reduced recoil and faster follow up shots.

*Balance is important for me too to get on target faster.

[MThompson]

That's my thoughts too AirForce....and she thinks the heavier Taurus.....and I am trying to keep it a secret for her B-day on Thursday, so I don't want to be picking her brain and leading her on anymore.

I just thought I would get some secondary opinions. The local gun dealer says Taurus, because its cheaper than the Smith but basically the same frame/gun - but I can get a 642 or 442 from another for the price he's got on the Taurus (~$400).

I am leaning towards the 442. My thinking is thus - If she doesn't like how it handles, and wants the Taurus....then I get a new gun as well!

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts. Any others?

[MThompson]

Boulder, your reasoning is the same as she has (follow-up and control after firing), so she said she would prefer the Taurus in that regard.

As far as practice, she will probably shoot the gun on a monthly schedule (I'm guessing, but maybe less). I think that she will likely carry it on her person most of the time, just so that it's not in her purse - so the lighter would be better?

Another note, she handled the 642 a while back and it fit her well.

[Boulder]

If she doesn't like how it handles, and wants the Taurus....then I get a new gun as well!

Now we're thinking!

If I were primarily going to carry in the pocket, I'd probably go with the 442/642.

But if I were going to do belt carry, I would want to go a little heavier, try the Taurus, and hope for a good example.

[1BLINDREF]

Let her shoot both and let her decide.

When you are choosing something as important as a tool that you might need to save your life someday, don't let a deadline like a birthday hurry your choice.
Print out a picture of a 442/642 and a Taurus, put it in a card along with a membership to your local range, and give it to her on her birthday. Who knows, she might see something that she will like and be able to shoot better.

[MThompson]

Unfortunately, there are no local ranges where she can shoot several guns and then decide. We practice out at my deer lease, using a levee as the backstop.

[PennsyPlinker]

The women in our family have favored the S&W 638, whcih is a variant of the 642. That gives them the advantages of both a shrouded hammer and the option to fire in single action mode.

I have owned a number of Taurus pistols, including their DAO CIA .38 special. I forget the model number off hand. Most of them functioned well for the time I had them. I am on record on this forum and others as being positive about Taurus guns. But I have had two encounters with Taurus customer service over the past year. They were both bad enough that I have since sold all my Taurus guns and will not be buying any in the future. I do not care how good a gun is. It will break eventually. Then it is the quality of the customer service department, and Taurus is second to none for poor service in my experience.

[MThompson]

Thanks everyone for the help. I am picking up a Smith 442 in about an hour......I know I will like the gun, so if she doesn't after shooting a box through it, I guess I will just carry it (oh well, huh).

The guys at the local gun shop all carry some variation of the Taurus (where I first went, but they can't get a hold of a Taurus from any of their distributors currently), and they said she can shoot some of their personal guns if she wants to.

Thanks again for the help.

[glockman19]

Personally, I wouldn't trust my wife's life to a Taurus.
+1 I'm not a Taurus fan.

I do have a S&W 442 & 642 and carry both of them. I have installed CTC 405 laser grips that make point and shoot more accurate.

Congrats on the purchase and make it a point to get to the 642 Club & 642 Club part Duex.

[AirForceShooter]

At every range I have been at (and that's a lot over 40 years) any women who showed up and asked to try another shooters gun was offered the gun instantly.
This does not apply to guys.

AFS

[03Shadowbob]

At every range I have been at (and that's a lot over 40 years) any women who showed up and asked to try another shooters gun was offered the gun instantly.
This does not apply to guys.

You got that right. :)

[lanternlad1]

My wife has had both the Taurus 85 with CTCs and a 642 with CTCs. She likes the Smith MUCH better. Much lighter, better fit and finish. So we sold the Taurus, and she carries the Smith. Smith is only 50-100.00 more than Taurus, but its worth it.