[the iron horse]

She is going to get her CCW permit next month. One of her co-workers completed the class last month and bought a Smith&Wesson LadySmith.

She's thinking about purchasing one.

Any advice or thoughts welcome.

Thanks

[Jim Watson]

Which one?
I know of two LadySmith revolvers and an auto.

A woman of my acquaintance bought a 3913 LadySmith auto and found it difficult to manage the slide and DA first shot. Of course the revolvers are DA for all shots in emergency mode, so she might have been out of luck with anything.

[shiftyer1]

Since one of my exs started shootin at me years ago I try to stay away from women with guns. S & W anything seems to be a good choice

[the iron horse]

"Which one?
I know of two LadySmith revolvers and an auto."


Revolver

[Daizee]

Great gun, but on the small side. If she's new to shooting, ALSO get her something larger in size, or smaller in caliber for regular practice. The LadySmith is nigh into snubbieville, and snubs are expert's guns due to sight radius, blast, and recoil.

If she's already an accomplished shooter, then there's no need to ask here - get her what she wants. :-)

-Daizee

[orchidhunter]

the iron horse, If it is the Ladysmith 642 you speak of, it is not worth the extra cash. Tell her to get the plain Jane 642. orchidhunter

[indiandave]

The Model 642LS weighs in at 14.5 oz. A Model 60 with a 2.13" barrel tips the scales at 22.5 oz. It would be alot easier to shoot the heavier gun. The down side would be it's more weight to carry.

[Trekbike]

the iron horse, If it is the Ladysmith 642 you speak of, it is not worth the extra cash. Tell her to get the plain Jane 642. orchidhunter

+1

Mine picked a regular 642 and we put Pachmayr Compac grips to help with the recoil. She likes it now!!!:)

[Jim Watson]

There also is (maybe was, since nobody has mentioned it) a LadySmith M64 K frame six shot. A lot more manageable gun for actual shooting than the J frame five shot model which is made more to carry than to use.

A "frosted" finish, fake rosewood colored grips, and a lighter rebound spring are the only differences I know of from the standard guy guns of the same general description.

[jaydubya]

She had better fire it before buying it. A fullsize steel revolver in .38sp will usually work, but airweight/airlite snubbies may not.

Cordially, Jack

[goon]

Well, you'll have to ask your wife if it's a good choice for her.
Women can be strange with guns - they may have a whole different set of criteria than you or I would.

[orchidhunter]

At one time there was a model 65LS in .357 mag, it was a K-frame R/B with a 3" barrel and was well worth the extra money. It was one of the best revolvers S&W ever made, Ladysmith or not. orchidhunter

[denfoote]

At one time there was a model 65LS in .357 mag, it was a K-frame R/B with a 3" barrel and was well worth the extra money. It was one of the best revolvers S&W ever made, Ladysmith or not. orchidhunter

http://usera.ImageCave.com/denfoote/TheLady.jpg


65-6LS

I managed to get my hands on this years ago and I've never seen one since!!

If you can find one, orchidhunter is right.
The 65LS was probably the best of the breed.
To bad Smith stopped production. :(
With the three inch barrel, the LS (the regular 65 had a four inch barrel) is not quite a snub and not quite a service revolver. The "LS" treatment, as I understand it included a trigger job by the S&W Custom Shop. The ergonomically sculpted rosewood grips are unique. They just happen to fit my short stubby hand!! Mine's a keeper!!
I'll sell all my other guns before I'll sell "the Lady"!! ;)

[Dollar An Hour]

Nice 65LS photo denfoote.

Still kicking myself for trading mine off... Very well balanced wheel gun.

[Blacksmoke]

THe "Lady Smith" I bought my wife was a Model 36-9. It is the same as any other 36. She ended up trading me for a late model Colt Detective Special. Five shots not good enough for her. So, I carry the Lady Smith in an ankle holster.

[DawgFvr]

I own a S&W 642. It kicks like a mule and I can hit a target just about as far as I can throw it.

I suggest you get her the Ruger SP01.

[indiandave]

Dawfur if you changed the grips for a pair with a covered backstrap you would be more accurate and have less felt recoil. I can consistently shoot 2" groups at 21'. It just takes some practice. You're right in the fact a heavier gun is easier to shoot though. The Ruger would be an excellant choice.

[Haywood]

I think the Lady Smith Revolvers are over priced. They give you wood grips that hurt your hand. I would rather the standard model with rubber grips and spend the extra money on ammo.

[Shrinkmd]

How about the 60LS? If she were shooting 38+p would the all steel be so bad? She isn't interested in learning the workings of a semi-auto, so I think the revolver platform is better suited. But a 686 4" was too heavy. I know I want a 60 to try out.

Hmm, amazing how one 60 could multiply into a 60 and a 60LS?

[aHFo3]

Encourage her to handle lots of different revolvers, shoot lots of different revolvers, and remind her that just because its not a Lady Smith doesn't mean its a Man Smith. Let her pick it even though we all obviously know what would be best.

[Glockman17366]

I'm sure she'll make a good decision on which gun she wants to carry.

[ArchAngelCD]

Since he friend has a Lady Smith I would think it's a good idea if your wife would first shoot that gun before making the decision to buy.

BTW, from what I read the M642LS is slightly different from the stock M642 in that there is trigger work done on it, not just the addition of wood stocks.

[FoMoGo]

Let HER pick the gun.
Have her find the ones that fit her hand the best.
Then have her shoot the ones she likes the feel of.
Buy her the one she likes afterwards.


Jim

[wundudnee]

The Lady Smith 60 is just a prettied up standard 60. I carry this one in an OWB Bianchi thumb break holster. It'll go on my belt, or just slip into a jacket pocket. The only thing that bothers me is, it could possibly destroy my manly image.;)
http://www.fototime.com/%7BD6B23561-CAD1-4A72-9028-E27EA2A62A50%7D/picture.JPG
http://www.fototime.com/%7B74E316CA-284E-46D9-B1BB-C7DC6291B2A4%7D/picture.JPG

[Average Joe]

Its got to fit her hand, go to a gun shop and see what she likes.