The Best Revolver for My Wife?

[the iron horse]

I'm thinking of a 38.

She plans to get her CWP this summer.

Is a 38 a good choice for SD?


Thanks for any comments / suggestions

 

[lgjhn]

Mine works for a LE agency and can carry just about anything she wants.
So what does she carry? S&W442 w/CrimsonTrace laser sight loaded with GoldDots.
She calls it her original "point & click" device.

 

[RatDrall]

.38 special is fine with the right ammunition. I like the 158 grain LHP+P from Remington. It is an all lead hollow point that has been in use for decades with an awesome track record.

Are you looking for a tiny gun or a full sized gun?

My wife carries a 3" Ruger SP101. The revolver is thin because it only holds 5 rounds, but it has a long enough barrel to make shooting well easier and more instinctive, and gives .38+P a bit more room to build up steam on the way out. She shoots it very very well, much better than her underweight S&W J-frame.

If your wife is looking for a full sized gun, J&G has an awesome inventory right now of 4" .38 special K-frames. I got one and it is in amazing condition:

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...s-condition/cPath/16_211_431/products_id/3104

 

[the iron horse]

Thanks for the replies.

Your suggestions are a big help.

 

[jad0110]

Whatever you do, please look into taking the guns for a test drive by borrowing or renting them before buying. Most people do NOT like the recoil of a lightweight .38, such as my S&W 642. Yet they seem to be the most oftenly purchased gun for women, perhaps because many guys look at the cute, lightweight little gun and think "lady's gun". Especially the ones with the pink rubber grips. My sister, for example, doesn't like the recoil of my 642 one bit. She much prefers her 4" 681 shooting .38 +P, so she is considering a 2.25" Ruger SP101 for her carry gun.

She might well like it fine, I work with a lady who carries a titanium frame Taurus .38 and finds the recoil to be tolerable.

So let her try some different guns out, revolvers and autos, having her pay particular attention to how the gun feels in her hand.

 

[frankiestoys]

I own a 642 and a SP101 the Ruger is much easier to shoot i carry both but prefer the sp at the range . If the Ruger is too heavy and the 642 too light try another snub but avoid the airlights if the recoil is too much for her.

 

[tasco 74]

my wife has her father's old colt det spl .38 spl.... he carried it as a town cop here for years loaded with wadcutter handloads.... i reload really mild 150 gr. swc loads for her to shoot..... if she was to use it for SD i'd be sure to load em a little hotter but she loves to shoot her dads old 2" colt for fun!!

 

[angel1216]

the best revolver for your wife is the one she can shoot and handle well. jad0110 said it well.

 

[W.E.G.]

Any .38 that lands between the shirt pockets is PLENTY gun.

How much is she willing to spend for this gun?

I really like four-inch .38's.
But remember, a four-inch .38 is bigger than most of the biggest .40 caliber semi-autos.

 

[Trebor]

Have her read Kathy Jackson's website at:

www.corneredcat.com

She really needs to learn more and pick a gun herself. You should check the site out as well.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I agree with Trebor.


She needs to get it herself. Going through the actual selection and buying process should not be bypassed.

 

[mdaniels]

I posted in another a similar response, but--best gun is one she has the opportunity to try herself and one which fits her hand and her comfort. Had I gone with the suggestions given to me by the men trying to assist, I suspect I'd never take my gun out to a range and practice with it. As it ended up, my husband and the man at the gun store were patient and encouraged me to hold and feel each gun I was considering. I ended up with something much different than I thought I would and am really enjoying shooting the darn little thing.