JERRY said:you can get a new Charter Arms for that price
My wife ended up with a 32 H&R magnum revolver with a 3" barrel. She shoots it well and the recoil doesn't bother her weak wrists. She usually practices with her dad's light-shooting 32 long reloads.
If you want a revolver that your wife could use for concealed carry, consider a Charter Arms 5 shot in 32 H&R Magnum caliber. The price is in your range. It has a fairly soft double action trigger and a soft recoil. I would bet that she would not like the recoil of a 38 in any revolver weighing less than a pound. Defense ammo is not hard to find in 32 H&R although less expensive practice ammo is. I have one and I don't feel like it is too feeble for self defense at all.
I have a SP101 in .32 H&R Mag. I use 32 S&W Long for cheap practice. My gun likes them and I can easily find a box of 50 for $17-$20.
It is a nice gun and I highly recommend the 32 H&R Magnum cartridge.
In-laws came and got the kids so we had a free day. We went to Gander Mountain for her to look around and see what she liked. Out of all the guns she liked a 637 best. Obviously she wasn't able to fire anything, but this is what she liked.
Soooooo.... she's wanting a little J-frame.
Do I tell her, "No! I know best. You only think you want that gun. I'm buying you this one that you don't want because I know it's better for you."?
Thoughts?
That's a good point. With the high demand for small cc pistols today, I don't know why there aren't more 32 caliber revolvers being offered. A S&W air weight in 38 special is way too snappy and not enjoyable to shoot
My wife opted for a Ruger LCR in .22 LR. It's light, has zero recoil, is relatively quiet, is reasonably accurate and holds 8 rounds. This is what she carries when she's in a hurry and wants to pack something quickly. She also put a laser sight on it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know .22LR sucks as a self defense round. I also know laser sights on a revolver are ridiculously "tacticool", but that's what she wanted. I've been married a long time. I don't argue.