[B_Scott]

My mother wants to learn how to shoot. I plan on starting her off on a .22lr revolver and moving her up to a .38 (because I own nothing in between).

To make the transition as smooth as possible, I need to know the correct ammo to use. I do not reload, so it needs to be something I can buy.

If it matters, the .38 has a 6 inch barrel.

[Brian Williams]

Try some factory 147 gr wadcutter loads or some Cowboy Action LRN they are all loaded very light. If you hand load try some 147 gr LWC over 3gr of Bullseye.

[Jim March]

You want 148grain target lead full wadcutters. This is a VERY common load, and despite the relatively high projectile weight they are traditionally loaded very light for target work. In a 6" barrel, not only will recoil be a pussycat, but you'll get them moving fast enough (guesstimate 825 - 850fps to make them conceivable as a defense round if she can't handle anything boomier.

[Thirties]

Read this thread. It may not exactly answer your question, but you will find it interesting, for sure . . .

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=179277

[Jim March]

Perfessr: they're more commonly listed as 148s versus 147s. You must have bought some from a small ammo house that's listing them at 147. No biggie - clearly, we're talking about the same thing.

[Brian Williams]

Yep! 148's
Halfheimers kicked in

[Hal]

I also suggest using an intermediate of a box of hyper-velocity .22's like Stingers. They won't recoil that much more than a .22lr, but they'll have a bit more muzzle blast.

[Dave Markowitz]

Aside from the 148 grain wadcutters in the .38, there are a couple of other light-recoiling loads that you can get, and which may be less expensive:

1. The 130 grain FMJ. These are clones of the load meant for the USAF's S&W Model 12s.

2. Winchester white box 150 grain (not 158 grain) LRN. Gentle recoil and pretty cheap.

[B_Scott]

Thanks for the replys ya'll.
We went last night and she is a fast learner.
I ended up using the 130gr because that is what is available at my range.

We started with a SA .22 and she learned why we don't put our fingers on the trigger before we are ready to shoot. I stepped her up to the .38 after about 4 cylinders of .22.

She transitioned very well and got ended the night with a fist sized group at about 5 yards.

I am very proud of her as I have been waiting a long time for her to "come around".

BTW - The method I used to teach her was borrowed from a recent article I read in a gun magazine (I forgot which one). I basically told her "don't worry about lining up the sights, just put the front sight on the 10, and stand however is comfortable for you". All we concentrated on was grip, trigger pull, and controlling her breathing.

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.

[Dr.Who]

If you re-load try 125 JHP or 125JSP with 3.1 grain bullseye. I use it on my Colt 38 Officers Target 2nd gen model 6" barrell. It will shoot sub 1 inch groups. Very managable recoil. This is the gun and load my wife likes to shoot.

Enjoy...

[labgrade]

B-Scott,

"Fist-sized groups at 5 yards" after such a short learning curve is excellent!

Good on you, & her!

I have no idea as to double versus single-action, but do suggest that, if you can (if not yet), work her up to double action, if possible with what you have at hand.

Merely a learning curve going single to double action.

A "light target .38" is much more potent than anything available in a .22LR

BTW, I read something into your "and she learned why we don't put our fingers on the trigger before we are ready to shoot ... " & I applaud you there as well ... ;) Seems there was somewhat of "an incident" that you handled properly. Thank you. Very nice to hear of something that could have been used to abuse, that you handled rightly, safely & gently while not disabusing her. Kudos, Sir. Very important whilst in the learning curve. Small steps.

I would take a look at obtaining the 148 HBWC target if you can find it anywhere. It is an extremely accurate load (lends to increased confidence while shooting) & while not considered a defense load by any stretch, it is a dead-soft lead (expands as much as it can) & is no slouch at close distances.

Again, kudos to your training.