Still think .32 Mag best for these circumstances
Ichiro said:
If you're talking about a Ruger in .32 mag or .38/.357, I'd say definitely get the .38/.357. The .38s, any .38s, are pussycats out of this gun. And I'd take a Corbon 38+p any day over a .32 mag.
If you're talking about an airweight, then a .32 might make sense. The power generated is equivalent to a regular .38 special, and I've read they're much easier to shoot from these light guns, plus there's one more round.
Rugers are heavy, and the weight is noticeable if carried anywhere but on the belt. For a lightweight gun, I'd be tempted to go .32 magnum myself.
~Ichiro
This gun is for a woman. I think the SP101 is noticably lighter in .32 Mag than in .38/.357. Yet the .32 Mag is still easy to shoot and has one more shot. The .32 Mag is still pretty potent and she could probably shoot it with much less flinching and more accuracy. Just my opinion. Have her try both. Let her decide.
I'll bet she prefers the .32 Mag SP-101 over the .357 Mag shooting .38s once she's tried both. Actually, she'd probably prefer the Firestorm .32 ACP, but that really is anemic.
Another option might be a CZ-83 auto in .380 or 9x18. I think the .380 would kick less than a .32 Mag. The 9x18 would probably kick about the same as a .32 Mag. However, I think the .32 Mag has a bit more punch than a 9x18, but the 9x18 would have 13 shots.
Personally, I own and really like the CZ-83 in .380 and 9x18, the Firestorm .32 ACP, and the Ruger SP101 .32 Mag. I specifically selected these for myself because they are easy on recoil. Two of these also have decent stopping power, the Firestorm .32 doesn't have much stopping power, but is EASY to carry.
Since these guns work for my recoil sensitive hands (hand held together by 4 screws), I think they'd be dandy for a woman. The 9x18 and .32 Mag are no slouches for stopping power. The .380 is borderline for stopping power, but easier to shoot. The .32 ACP is weak, but easy to hide, carry, and shoot.
Why not have her try each of these guns? I'm sure one would be to her liking. The .32 Mag and 9x18 have decent one shot stopping power. I'd be very confident in two well placed shots of .32 Mag or 9x18 (assuming hollow points for both). Note: it takes a hot 9x18 to approx equal a standard .32 Mag load. The limiting factor with 9x18 is what the cartridge is capable of. The limiting factor with .32 Mag is what she can handle. However, the end result for her is that they are about equal.
Rugers are normally heavy, but the SP101 in .32 Mag is only midweight 28 oz. It's just heavy enough to keep recoil down. Excessive weight is a good reason to avoid .357 mags shooting .38s. The S&W full size 4" barrel .38 weighs 36 oz. The SP101 .32 Mag is much lighter than that. As for the .357 recommendation some have made (shooting .38s): That would be really heavy, unless it's an airweight, which would defeat the recoil reduction.
In my opinion, the only things that make sense for most women are .380, 9x18, .32 Mag, and 9mm Para in midweight hand guns. This is ranked in order of stopping power, with the 9x18 and .32 Mag being almost equal to each other.
If a woman can't accurately handle at least a .380, then a .32 ACP that's accurate is better than a .380 miss. The CZ-83 also comes in .32 ACP and offers the longest barrel of any .32 ACP I know of (increased velocity) and is midsize, midweight, zero recoil. i.e. - if she can't handle at least a .380, then a CZ-83 in .32 ACP is a backup solution, or so is the Ruger SP101 shooting .32 Longs.
The thing she really does want to avoid is airweight .32 Mag snubbies. They kick like heck; at least by the standards of anyone who's recoil sensitive.
I tried to give it to my chick once. But she already has a revolver and refused it casue shes just like that, she knows I like it and is shes cool like that!..hahaha Id buy a dozen p32s if I could.
