First time revolver purchase advice

[timfromohio]

I would like to get a revolver for my wife. I have other pistols, but want the simplicity of a revolver for her. Would be used for (1) "house" gun and (2) something she could have on her belt when working outside. My inclination was to get a medium frame .357 and load it with .38 hollow points. I looked at the Taurus 617 (I think that was the model) at a gun show over the weekend. Seems to be the perfect size, is 7 shot, and was about $420.

What do you guys think? Am I going down the wrong road here? What else should I consider. Also, what about the ability to mount a laser on it for her?

I know a lot of this has probably been covered before and I'm currently looking through other threads.

Thanks for any opinions and advice.

 

[Gideon]

I have two recommendations but it depends on the size of her hand and her sensitivity to recoil. I shoot a LOT and have a LOT of experience but I have small hands and I don't like recoil.

For my taste I like an all stainless steel J frame from S&W, pre-lock. Which mean's they aren't always easy to find. the all stainless makes them far more enjoyable to shoot because it seems to soak up some of the recoil. All of the Airweigh, scandium (sp?) titanium and other lightweight small revolvers are a pure pleasure to carry and a bear to shoot well or often. I have a 642 airweight that is about the gold standard for small conceal carry revolvers. With regular .38's it's snappy but with +P .38's it hurts. An older all stainless pre-lock J frame like an S&W model 60-12 is a good balance between size, weight, recoil, etc.

another series I really like are the Ruger SP101 series. The 2" version of the SP101 is great. Short is good if the person carrying it is on the short side (me) and the 3" size isn't too bad either (that's what I have). For dedicated CCW I'd recomend the DAO version with the bobbed hammer and 2" barrel. for home or on the belt carry either the 2" or 3" with a hammer. They are heavy though so carrying one around outside while doing chores can be heavey for some people. But it helps the shootability ALOT.

If your wife has large hands then there's a whole world of revolver choices that open up. Like the larger framed smiths! A 4" 686 or a 4" ruger GP100 (step up in size from their SP101 series) are all good choices.

Taurus is popular but in my humble openion not quite the revolver that an S&W or Ruger is.

And of course there's always the new Ruger LCR they just introduced. It won't be available until later in the year. It's definitely different looking but may have some potential as the grip looks like it would soak up recoil and the trigger souds good!

hope this is at least a starting point. If you have any friends with any of these, see if they'd take the two of you out to shoot. I know I love it when folks ask me to go out so they can try guns i own!

God Bless
Gideon

 

[glassman]

I also like the simplicity of a revolver for carry. No manual of arms to remember (or forget). The thing I would say is that if it is for her, let her make the choice. Take her to a range that also rents guns and have her look at/try out as many as she can. I would personally recommend the S&W 642. It's light weight makes for easy carry and it virtually disappears under a properly sized shirt or sweater. It is also hammerless so it won't hang up in clothing and laser grips are easily obtained. I use +p ammo in mine and don't mind the snappy recoil but I have been told that the +p ammo loses it's advantage (added velocity) out of a snub nosed revolver. Low recoil ammo is readily avaiable and is a reasonable substitute for someone that doesn't like the kick. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[wyohome]

I have a Model 36, 5 shot 38 Special with a 3 inch barrel. It fits both my wife and I, is easy to carry and is at least twice as accurate as a 2 inch. I doubt your wife will be in a firefight where more than 5 shots would be required.

 

[timfromohio]

Thanks for the replies. I was pretty close to getting the Taurus, but you guys are right - I need to get my wife to handle a few different models and see what she likes. I'm going to the S&W site now.

Thanks!

 

[woad_yurt]

Show her a K-frame like a Model 10. Folks always enjoy shooting mine.

 

[BlayGlock]

My wife really like here Taurus 605, and frankly so do I. One of my main carry pieces is their 85 UL with CT grips. I would recommend Taurus to my friends.

 

[rklessdriver]

We have a K frame Smith Model 15.

Even with the hottest .38+P's, it has little recoil. The lady of the house absolutely LOVES it. It's a range gun and home defense gun.

We bought it used as a Armored Car Company trade in the local rage had on the shelf. It shot great from day one, but was a little cosmetically challenged... I sent it off to a well know smith here and had a little of tune up work and refinishing done to it.

This Smith Model 15 is some of the best $$$ we have have ever spent on a gun. I suspect if you can find one it'll be the same story.
Will

 

[Dienekes]

Smith J or K frame, or Ruger SP-101. Stick to those brands. Anything cheaper is cheaper for a reason.

 

[tasco 74]

my spousal unit likes the colt det spl she inherited from her father who was a town cop here when we met.. i load mild 150 gr swcs for her to plink with but the ones i've got loaded for her to use (just in case) are somewhat stouter but not enough to mess her up or harm the little colt..........

 

[earplug]

Several versions of the J frame with longer barrel

Of course my choice is not her choice.
What is working outside? Size of her hands, abilty and desire to shoot?
For some A semi auto .22 is a better choice then a high tech wheel gun.

 

[jad0110]

I need to get my wife to handle a few different models and see what she likes.

This is the absolute best thing you can do. Be there for guidance and information, but let her make the final choice.

And if she can shoot it before she buys it, all the better. As much as I like my 642, some people find the recoil of a lightweight snub painful.