[jetrecbn]

I am looking for a revolver in 38special for a 12 year old girl. I want the grip to be small and the barrel length between 2.5 to 3 inches. What models come to your mind?

[HSMITH]

M36 Smith fills your bill, but unless she is an experienced shooter don't do it. The 38 snubbies are nasty little buggers. IMO, she would be a LOT better off with a M10 or M15, both with a 4" heavy barrel.

[Jim K]

For a beginner, I would prefer to go with a .22, something like the Ruger Bearcat, or the S&W 317 Kit Gun, which will allow plenty of shooting at a reasonable cost. A 12-year old is not going to be carrying for defense (I hope) so a .38 might be too much. If not, a gun like the Model 10 in a 4" barrel (available for good prices as police trade-ins) should not be too heavy and would have a small enough grip as standard.

Jim

[jetrecbn]

She already has numerous 22's and I reload. I have reloaded target rounds that emit the same recoil sensation as a .25acp. I just want to purchase a firearm that she can learn on and become proficient. Later as she displays the proper control and comfort with the training rounds it will hopefully prove to be an easier transition to hotter loads without having to learn a new weapon.

[braindead0]

How about an SP-101? Tough, and as she grows you can grow your loads with it.. You should be able to put those low power .38 loads into .357 cases and not have to deal with 2 kinds of brass..

I know you were looking specifically for a .38, just a suggestion.

[Josey]

I offer two suggestions. First I would look at a Ruger Vaquerito single action in 32 H&R Magnum/32 S&W Long. It is a great revolver and cartridge. The double action suggestion would be a used Colt Trooper MKIII or Diamondback revolver. The Trooper will allow her to move up to 357 Magnum eventually and will hold up to standard, wadcutter target loads and 38 Special +P as well as 357 Magnum hunting loads. The Diamondback is IMNSHO the best 38 Special revolver ever produced. The best part is that these suggestions are actively sought and desirable on the used market. If she doesn't like them, somebody will buy them.

[Old Fuff]

If she has small hands I'd suggest a used S&W model 36 (Chief Special) with a 3" barrel. Occasionally these are found with adjustable sights, which is even better. Combined with your light handloads this should meet your requirements.

[tbeb]

My wife has a Ruger Speed Six with a 2 3/4" barrel. (She is a petite person with small hands. She does not have a lot of hand strength either.) Grip is fairly small with the stock grips. Finger reach to trigger is a little less than a S&W "K" frame, like a model 10. The Speed Six is discontinued but there are nice used ones around. My wife's gun has had trigger work done so trigger is easier to pull.

[Brian Williams]

I really like a S&W mod 60-4, Stainless J Frame with a 3" barrel and Adjustable sights.

[Majic]

A D-framed Colt would fit. The PPS (fixed sights) or the Diamondback (adjustable sights) with 4 inch barrels are sized right for small hands.

[only1asterisk]

Just what the others have said.

3" Model 60
3" Sp101
3" D frame
3" K-frame

My favorite is the model 65 Ladysmith, but the name turns people off. There were some 3.25 or 3.5" model 66 floating around. If the frame grip is too much, the Sp101 grip can be a good deal by replacing the grips and the model 60 grip frame is really very small. a 3" is better in this role than 2.5" and a 357 will provide the opportunity to move up when the time is right.


David

[Kentucky Rifle]

That statement gave me the "warm fuzzies". :) Brought back good memories.
Thanks for posting that.

KR

[twoblink]

I'll second the recommendation on the SP101.

Get the 357 in 3" and it will last you a life time, and her life time as well!

Since you reload, load everything on all 357Brass as recommended and save yourself the trouble of 2 types of brass. Download them and gradually work her up to full hothouse loads.

Ruger tough, and very accurate.

[Trebor]

There are some good suggestions here.

You may also want to try an older Smith Model 10 with a 4" Pencil Barrel. The lighter barrel really changes the feel of the gun and she may find that it balances very well for her.

[ID_shooting]

I agree, many good choices here. Let me add another.

I recently picked up a Ruger Police Service-six. I love this gun.

Full 357s and shoots 38s very very well. 1 inch group at 15yds. Nice small grips and a 4in barrel.

Piad under 300 for it too. I see many of them out on the net.

[22luvr]

The SP101 will last several lifetimes and is heavy enough to soak up recoil on most .38 spcl loads. Unless your 12 year old is really a peanut, the overall gun and grip are not that large to handle. This is a gun she can grow up with and eventually graduate to the hottest .357 mag loads if she pleases to go that route.

I applaud you for teaching this young lady the shooting arts.

Good luck.....

[Stainz]

I bought a 2" new model 10 last fall for $280 from CDNN. Sadly, their latest sale catalog doesn't show that model. If interested, you could call their 800# to check.

As others have said, a 4" 10 is a great idea - lots of used police trade-ins around in the $150-$225 range at gunstores and pawn shops - and smaller grips can be found as well. I think that .38 Special plinker rounds, 158gr LRN/LSWC's ~ 600fps, would be fine for a young person in the old 10. The pencil barrel looks 'cool' to most - and is easy on the smaller hands.

BTW, I have let several young folk shoot that 2" 10 so loaded at the range where I work. They have all enjoyed shooting it. Congatulations on the young shooter, too.

Stainz

[jar]

Another vote for an older Police Positive Special. Great guns for small hands.

[Cosmoline]

Why such a short barrel? Maybe she's a crack shot, but IMHO the short-barreled DA's are among the most difficult of all firearms to master. Why not start her off with something that has a longer barrel?

[tasco 74]

i agree with cosmoline ... i'm thinkin i'd want to get at least 4" barrel and i would go with a s&w mod 66 also because of the dual caliber capability.