Single Action .38 Special?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ease of loading and unloading alone would have me suggest any k frame .38 special. There's nothing to keep you from dedicating their use to single action and it opens up a lot of great options. If ergonomics are an issue you will have an endless variety of inexpensive K frame grips to choose from as well.

When our town started to riot, it was a K frame .38 special that I gave to my mother for protection.
 
I'm going to suggest something different.
Since you've been married 41 years, I'm going to guess she is close to or over 65 years old.
Medicare advantage plans & supplement plans usually include membership to Silver Sneakers
SS is an amazing program.
At no cost (or very, very, very low cost - such as a one time $10 fee for a membership card w/picture), you get a membership to local gyms and swim clubs.

I swim between a half mile & a kilometer - or more - every morning. I've been doing this since 2016 & it's made such a huge improvement in how I can perform everyday stuff that just seemed to deteriorate for no reason after the first few years of retirement.(in 2011).

No - dumb things I was starting to find difficult to do. like hump a 40# bag of dog food from the car to the house - open jars - grip a pair of pliers - just stupid stuff I used to take for granted being able to do, that slipped away from me due to lack of movement.

Just a thought about going to the root/cause instead of trying to find a solution to the symptom.

Hal, we are both just a bit north of 60 -- married young! We walk 5 miles a day for exercise, but you are right, doing something for upper body strength would also be helpful.
 
Hi...
I would recommend a Uberti Richards Mason open top conversion in .38Spl.

We are looking at the Uberti and the Cimarron Lightening.

Have you thought about a 32 Ruger makes a Single Six/Seven in 32 h&r and 327 if you reload they're pretty easy shooters.

The Single Six in .32 H&R is not off the table. I do reload, but am simply hesitant to acquire the dies and moulds and add another caliber to the reloading bench.
 
Ammo suggestion for low recoil:

A 38 Special revolver can also shoot 38 Long Colt and 38 Short Colt. The 38 Short Colt has 1/3 less recoil than a 38 Spl. wadcutter. And an even lower recoil 38 Special is the Comfort Plinker, described in the article below.

I'd never heard of this. Something new to look into. Thanks.
 
Since you reload you can load light weight 38 bullets and really reduce the recoil. I cast a 124gr Lee RN lead tumble lube bullet that as cast measures .357 and pushed by 3.5grs of Bullseye is a very light shooting load. I like those in my airweight snub 38 for a practice round. Its probably not going but around 750-800fps but I feel it would make a better SD load for the recoil shy shooter than a 22lr.

It is probably as light recoiling as the hard to find 38 Colt rounds mentioned earlier. And if you don't cast...

https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=234&category=5&secondary=9&keywords=

https://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65&zenid=2h50d9es2fg7lu39p92f21p0l6
 
Last edited:
I took my lovely wife of 41 years to the range to teach her how to shoot a revolver. Took the 357 NMBH and the LCR 38. I loaded up some standard pressure wadcutters and some 158 grn RNFPs and some 200 grn RNs. She did not take to the LCR. Recoil was not the problem, but the DAO. Smooth as the trigger is, she needs to build up hand strength to make the squeeze. She loved the NMBH, of which I am very happy since I love the SAs above all. But the gun is heavy and after 150 rounds or so, she was feeling fatigued.

I am wondering, therefore, if there is such a thing as an SA dedicated to 38 Special and lighter in weight than the .357s. I know there are 32 SAs, but if I get her a revolver, I want to avoid getting a different caliber. I reload for 38 and .357 and am really not interested in adding a new caliber if I can avoid it.

Taylor's has a model known as Stallion birds head grip in 38 SPL, they claim it is a reduced size SAA clone. Have not ever seen one.
Your partner sounds similar to mine. Two revolvers mine likes to shoot. One is a Heritage birds head model in 22 Mag. The other is a S&W M64- she likes the feel of M64 grip better than my M10. An M10 would a great choice also. M64 or M10, use single action. What ever you do- don't let this opportunity slip away. Taylor website indicates the reduced size SAA is in stock!
 
The lightest weight single action's I can think of would be the Heritage .22's with the birds head grip and those are available in .22 Mag. I hate that cartridge, but the defense ammo does work with a long enough barrel.

Centerfire tho, a lightweight one... this is where if Ruger made the Wrangler in .32 or .38 it would be right up your ally. I would consider the Vaquero with the birds head grip in .45, Colt or ACP, doesn't matter, whichever you already load for. You can load those down with Trail Boss or 700x powder and they'll still be effective, more benefit going with .45 Colt over ACP tho.
 
@Thomas Traddles
Saw more of your posts and I have more thoughts.

I would not seriously consider the 1851 conversions. Even slower to reload and not as strong a revolver, the worst aspect is the sights and the POA/POI. I know my 51 Navy shoots super high, IDK about the factory conversions. Also, they are not light.

If you're okay with the Single 10, then I'd look at the Heritage 9 shot .22's. Shortest barrel is going to be 4.75" but the weight is 30oz. I think they use to have those with adjustable fiber optic sights on the shorter barrel, but now it's the 6 or 9 inch only now. If she can handle a 6 inch barrel, it really hard not to recommend the adjustable sights over the fixed ones. Whatever is chosen, 9 rds of .22 Mag is gonna get the job done, just make sure she remembers to flip the safety off each time she shoots it.

I understand not wanting to get into another caliber, but .32 is gaining steam and the recoil from a 32 or 35 oz gun with a .32 Magnum is going to be next to nothing, not to mention be more reliable than .22 Mag, plus she will love how quiet and low recoil the .32 S&W Long will be as she gets older.

The Single Seven is honestly the best option for her, recoil is perfect, it has the power with a max .32 H&R load or very low end .327 load, the size of the grip will fit her hand better, the cocking of the hammer will probably be easier for her due to the smaller frame, plus to reload she doesn't have to put the hammer on half cock, just open the loading gate and done.

You just don't want to get it because it's another $40 set of dies and some bullets you don't want to buy.
 
@Thomas Traddles
Saw more of your posts and I have more thoughts.

I understand not wanting to get into another caliber, but .32 is gaining steam and the recoil from a 32 or 35 oz gun with a .32 Magnum is going to be next to nothing, not to mention be more reliable than .22 Mag, plus she will love how quiet and low recoil the .32 S&W Long will be as she gets older.

The Single Seven is honestly the best option for her, recoil is perfect, it has the power with a max .32 H&R load or very low end .327 load, the size of the grip will fit her hand better, the cocking of the hammer will probably be easier for her due to the smaller frame, plus to reload she doesn't have to put the hammer on half cock, just open the loading gate and done.

You just don't want to get it because it's another $40 set of dies and some bullets you don't want to buy.

I have made a deliberate attempt to limit calibers. I reload 3, .44 spcl, .38 spcl, .357 mag. I originally thought to stick with the .36 caliber guns because I like them and believe they meet my shooting needs. The .44 was bought because I had to see for myself why others like the ctg. I have 2 revolvers in that cal., a NMBH and CA Bulldog. I like them very much. I imagine I would like a .45 auto, .32, .41 mag and so on. My desires, I find, are virtually unlimited. My resources, however, are not. If I can solve the issue of my wife's incipient shooting interests without acquiring more components in a diff3rent caliber, then that would be all to the good.

BTW, thanks for the comments about the 1851. The weight is a factor in our considerations.
 
I have made a deliberate attempt to limit calibers. I reload 3, .44 spcl, .38 spcl, .357 mag. I originally thought to stick with the .36 caliber guns because I like them and believe they meet my shooting needs. The .44 was bought because I had to see for myself why others like the ctg. I have 2 revolvers in that cal., a NMBH and CA Bulldog. I like them very much. I imagine I would like a .45 auto, .32, .41 mag and so on. My desires, I find, are virtually unlimited. My resources, however, are not. If I can solve the issue of my wife's incipient shooting interests without acquiring more components in a diff3rent caliber, then that would be all to the good.

BTW, thanks for the comments about the 1851. The weight is a factor in our considerations.
---
You'll find this is pretty common of most internet forums: ask about a single-action .38 and get 40 posts telling you all about how what you really want is a double-action .44Magnum or a .22RF... Because you don't actually know what's good for you or what you ought to want. THR's actually pretty good - which is why I lurked for years and finally started posting, thanks ya'll! ;) - At least nobody gets mad if you don't praise their off-topic advise. The computer forums are far worse. Go to an AI programming forum and ask about coding API's for the new Apple M-chip and you'll get flamed for not asking about the latest/greatest iNtel-friendly platform.

Don't forget to look around the used gun counters. A lot of CAS guys are getting older - like the rest of us - and selling off their "gently-used" back up and hide-out guns. I've picked up a few bargains recently trading off the shiny used police trade-in plastic krap I bought CHEAP! two years ago in anticipation of "certain potential future socio-economic events" for very high dollar, nicely kept but holster worn small single-action revolvers. I've flipped every one in a better trade to get the A/C repaired, new tires for my primary commuter, and a hole in the roof patched. Guns are good currency. :)
 
The scaled down Uberti single action is sold by different importers as the Stallion, the Lightning and the Model P Junior. A fellow cowboy action shooter in my area has a pair of them.

They are made in .38 Special and in .32 caliber. I never could get excited about gearing up to load .32s, especially since .38 Special brass is cheap and a .38 can be loaded very mild with a 105-125 grain bullet.

Bring her to a Cowboy match. It’s a great couples sport. .38 Special is the most popular chambering.
 
Bring her to a Cowboy match. It’s a great couples sport. .38 Special is the most popular chambering.
---
Now that right there is good advice and i'm a little ashamed of myself for not thinking of it. Go to a few events, meet people, CAS/SASS shooters are often real open to letting responsible people try out their toys, and let her meet all of the Ladies who shoot, too. Like I said, CAS shooters are getting older these days. We all are. I think you'll find most are peers, age-wise.
 
---
THR's actually pretty good - which is why I lurked for years and finally started posting, thanks ya'll! ;) - At least nobody gets mad if you don't praise their off-topic advise. :)

I agree. I mostly lurk and THR is about the only forum I peruse with any regularity, especially the revolver and reloading forum.
 
Like I said, CAS shooters are getting older these days. We all are. I think you'll find most are peers, age-wise.

I am not getting older. I am gently maturing. And spreading out. In all the wrong places.:uhoh:

I understand to OP wanting to stick with just a few calibers. If all I had were 38/357 in a handgun I would be just fine. They are what I started with and I suppose they are what I will end with.
 
I have made a deliberate attempt to limit calibers. I reload 3, .44 spcl, .38 spcl, .357 mag. I originally thought to stick with the .36 caliber guns because I like them and believe they meet my shooting needs. The .44 was bought because I had to see for myself why others like the ctg. I have 2 revolvers in that cal., a NMBH and CA Bulldog. I like them very much. I imagine I would like a .45 auto, .32, .41 mag and so on. My desires, I find, are virtually unlimited. My resources, however, are not. If I can solve the issue of my wife's incipient shooting interests without acquiring more components in a diff3rent caliber, then that would be all to the good.

BTW, thanks for the comments about the 1851. The weight is a factor in our considerations.
.38 Special can be loaded very light, as mentioned in regards to the “Comfort Plinkers”. If you load them yourself, they will cost a lot less. I buy 95 or 105 grain moly coated cast lead and put 2.7 grains of Bullseye under them in .38 Special cases to shoot out of my 642. I’m sure they aren’t going very fast, but they work and give me live fire practice I can tolerate till I run out of ammo with a gun I usually shoot 25 or fewer shots per session with full power practice ammunition. 125 grain moly coated lead over 3.0-3.5 grains of Bullseye gives more performance, and some more recoil. That is my normal practice/plinking/rabbit load for steel guns.
 
I keep looking at Uberti Schofields in 38 Special, which are single action, but the ~$1,000 price tag keeps putting me off. And lots more people seem to enjoy shooting Colt SAA type guns. I will have to check out the Chiappa Buckeye63 points to above.
 
I have made a deliberate attempt to limit calibers. I reload 3, .44 spcl, .38 spcl, .357 mag. I originally thought to stick with the .36 caliber guns because I like them and believe they meet my shooting needs. The .44 was bought because I had to see for myself why others like the ctg. I have 2 revolvers in that cal., a NMBH and CA Bulldog. I like them very much. I imagine I would like a .45 auto, .32, .41 mag and so on. My desires, I find, are virtually unlimited. My resources, however, are not. If I can solve the issue of my wife's incipient shooting interests without acquiring more components in a diff3rent caliber, then that would be all to the good.

BTW, thanks for the comments about the 1851. The weight is a factor in our considerations.
I mean, if this is all just to get her interested in shooting, then by all means go with the Heritage .22 or better yet a Ruger Bearcat with adj. sights, but if you have any notions of her using this for defense limiting her to a rimfire when she could shoot something better that is a caliber you don't currently load is a very skinflint move, especially when it's the caliber in a gun that best fits what she'll like the most and probably wants the most and might potentially need.

I understand the averting certain calibers, I do the same with .41 and .44, but that's because I have no use for them, the .357 and .45 do what I want and need better, but when you have a picky shooter and you very limited options in one caliber that at best is going to be acceptable, but not enjoyable vs arguably the best option available with another that will likely be enjoyed is a mistake in the making.

If Ruger made a 5 shot 38 on the Single Six frame, I'd have no issue recommending it to you, but they don't. The next smallest and lightest gun I can think of that shoots .38 is the .357 Ruger Vaquero's.

If you can find a place that has a Single Six, bring her with you to get a feel for it and see what she thinks. Careful as she may end up making the decision for you tho!

Also want to add that the Chiappa .38 someone mentioned above weighs more than the Vaquero with the birds head grip.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top