Confused female (me) needs advice selecting a gun

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Yep, Wallyworld is great for cheap factory ammo. My only wheelguns are either .22lr or blackpowder though...my defensive pistol is a semi-auto, and I can get 100rd boxes of 9mm from Walmart for about $23, when they have it around.

There are some really nicely-priced reloads I can find around....but one needs to be careful with those. A bad reload can at best cause a failure to fire, ut can very easily create a dangerous situation. Only use reloads from someone you can trust.

I usually fire off about 200rds when at the range, about 2/3rds of it being .22lr just because that's the cheapest way to work on proper form and keep it up. Practicing with my defensive pistol is more or less making sure I'm still able to perform with it.
 
BTW

Ammo reminds me of something. Many well meaning people will spread misinformation. That includes gun manufacturers.

Let me give you an example. Some folks will quote, quite accurately, Smith and Wesson telling you not to shoot +P ammunition in, say, an early 60's alloy frame revolver.

But do not take their word for it. Look up the pressure that the gun was built for and you will see that standard 38Spl ammo was more powerful and developed more pressure than current +P.

This is not trying to drag you into the ammo debate, just using it as an example of misinformation that is oft spread. And most folks really do mean well. Just look at all the great advice you have gotten.

Listen to it all but study on your own. Everyone makes mistakes except for me. (Although Old Fuff is right 99.9 % of the time. He disagrees with me .1%) ;)
 
As I continue to look at guns, I find myself drawn to the classic Smith & Wessons (from a looks perspective). I'm a bit of an old-fashioned person and they seem to suit me.
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You're in good company! I'm not really even a revolver guy, but the S&W's are pretty much the final flower of revolver design.

Some advice - you'll get more respect and help at gun shops if you use correct terminology because you'll come across as knowledgeable. Somebody will surely correct me if I'm wrong, but they don't really make "nickel" firearms any more. They're either polished or brushed stainless steel.
"Bullets" are better referred to as cartridges, loads or rounds - as in "How much are those +p loads?" Rather than "How much are those +P bullets?"
Semi's use magazines, not clips.

Learn the terminology of a revolver - Know what a hammer, sear, cylinder stop, etc, etc, is and does. When shopping (especially for used guns), pick up a revolver, cock it and try to move the cylinder side to side and fore and aft to check for wear. Always ASK first, then (if they allow it) "dry fire" it in a safe direction, both double action and single action.

This isn't pedantic. You're a woman entering a man's world, so you need to come across as an educated shooter. You'll get a lot more respect, better prices and straighter talk if you are "in the club". The best way to demonstrate you're in the club is to use the right terminology and show familiarity in handling firearms.

Anyway - welcome to the club!
 
if you're not going to carry it, DO NOT BUY A J-FRAME UNLESS YOU'RE MASOCHISTIC. they are flat out no fun to shoot. heavy ass trigger, heavy recoil, crummy sights.
 
This isn't pedantic. You're a woman entering a man's world, so you need to come across as an educated shooter.
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Good advice and I agree with you one hundred percent. I've come a long way just since last week when I was calling the slide on an auto, "that thingy on top that goes back and forth." It's kind of like learning a foreign language - you learn best when you're conversing with the natives. I really do not want to sound like an idiot when I go to the range tomorrow. I better read carefully through this thread again before I go :eek:

I thank you for your post.
 
DO NOT BUY A J-FRAME UNLESS YOU'RE MASOCHISTIC
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I will be shooting both J and K frames, and probably a couple of Ruger models. I am really looking forward to experiencing what these different size and caliber guns actually look and feel like in person.
 
I wouldn't get an SP101 as your first handgun unless you feel like doing some home-brewed gunsmithing.

Lots of good advice in this thread. I'm still in my twenties and just getting started with my revolver collection.

For shooting 38s, you can't really go wrong with any of the suggestions here. 38s are like shooting a cap gun. We're talking ~200ftlb of energy here. I think you transfer more kinetic energy to kicking a soccer ball. Now magnum cartridges in 357s and 44s and you've got to consider weight, grips, barrel length, frame strength, blah blah blah.

Just get something that catches your eye and go shoot!
 
Another gun you might consider, although you'll have to go to the used gun market to get it, is the Colt Detective Special. The last models, produced from 1972 to 1995, will handle +Ps in moderate amounts, and can be recognized by the full underlug on the barrel. I've always liked them better than the J frame Smiths, and I think they would certainly meet your criteria of good looks. The advantage they have over the J frame S&W is six rounds instead of 5, and full length ejector rod stroke. They shoot very well, and if you are lucky enough to find one with the 3 inch barrel (which is admittedly hard to do, as the vast majority had 2 inch pipes), they make just about the ideal concealed carry revolver, as far as I'm concerned. I think they're more pleasant to shoot than the J frame Smith, and if you can find one at a decent price, I'd pick it up.
 
Mod. 36 may look the same as Mod. 60 in blue. I could be wrong but as far as I know Mod 36 only comes in 38 spl. while Mod. 60 comes in 357 mag. Someone maybe able to provide clarification on this.:confused:
 
Another gun you might consider, although you'll have to go to the used gun market to get it, is the Colt Detective Special
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+1 to Billy's suggestion.

I carry my Detective Special most every day.

GREAT gun
 
The two things that I can think of that a full underlug does is makes the muzzle heavy which helps with recoil absorption & recovery and for aesthetics.
 
Wweeellllll Heeelllloooooo Miss Lead... I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Leadcounsel!

On a more serious note - A revolver is a fine choice for either a novice or experienced shooter and the .38 special is responsible for putting many thousands or maybe even millions of people 6 feet under. It is a very capable handgun round for the overwhelming majority of self defense situations. The .357 magnum revolver will cost a bit more, and the ammo will be abit more, but you get the added benefit of a stronger pistol and more versatility. But frankly either gun will do.

As far as 'easy on the eyes,' that's personal opinion. I find quality and relable firearms pleasing regardless of design. I happen to like the look of Glocks for instance, but many people don't. I like them because they simply work. Same is true for revolvers; blued, satin, nickel, stainless... whatever.

Good luck with your search. Stick with the named brands (SW, Ruger) and you'll do just fine.
 
Last week I picked up a used S&W Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel for $337 w/tax which needed new grips and in solid mechanical condition although it does have some scratches. So there are good deals out there, but rare as a lot of dealers are looking at Gunbroker first then setting a price.
For a carry gun it should not be a collectors piece as it will get dinged up with use, so a used LE turn in would be better. Look at J&G too.
Prices I have seen local to me- PDX/Tacoma area-
Model 64 in ok condition $325
Model 65 3inch in police turn in condition $380, New Ladysmith was over $650
Model 66 2 1/2 inch in VG condition $450-$600
 
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Steve H said:
How about a Diamondback?
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Diamondbacks are terribly expensive in the current market. Because they're going for such a high dollar amount, there is a lot of junk out that are being passed off as a good guns. I'd encourage her not to try to shop for one unless she knows what she's looking at, or has someone with her who does.


Likewise, 3" Detective Specials are rather rare birds commanding high prices. I looked for years to find mine.


Any 3" revolver is commanding a premium in today's market. But Colt's are probably the scarcest and highest priced right now.


A think you'll find enough 3" Smith Model 36 revolvers are on the market that you can get one at a reasonable price, and the profit margin isn't high enough to see people doing unethical things to trying to get the ignorant to part with their money on some non-functional abomination.
 
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