grip issues with revolvers..help!

[ls0n3]

Took the lady shopping for a gun, and ran into some issues.
I wanted to get her the Taurus 617. issue 1!!

We want to get a revolver, I want it to be a 357, so we can load 38 +p into it for her ccw, and magnum loads for at the house.

The 617/817 grips were a bit fat and too far from the trigger. She had to shift her grip to the right to reach the trigger.. not good (

Then I had her look at the lcr, charter arms, and taurus small frame concealed hammer and such revolvers, and she didnt like the two finger grips where her pinky rests at the bottom under the grip.

The couple guns she gripped just fine *other than the semi autos* were 22 mag revolver, and the judge.

I am trying to keep the barrel on the revolver int he 2 inch range. I should add, I am preferring a 6 shot 357 revolver

I dont have huge experiences with revolvers, so some advice on some other models I can look up would be great! Taurus doesnt seem to have a 357 in a 2 inch barrel with what I am calling a full size grip.

thanks for your time!

 

[jfh]

Since you want a 6-shot .357, that basically means you are looking at "medium frame" revolvers. I looked at a picture of the 617, and the factory grips cover the backstrap. A covered backstrap is obviously a desirable feature for recoil cushioning with hotter loads on any firearm. For people with smaller hands, it also creates the kind of gripping issues you describe.

Look for aftermarket grips that 1) do NOT cover the backstrap, and 2) are longer to provide third-and-fourth finger grip.

The smallest grip size may well be on the S&W j-frame. Depending on the model, it will have the 'extended' grip with an open back--like this one.

Have her try holding a j-frame with an open-back grip and see how it fits. I know they are 'only' five shots--but her being able to have a good grip is probably as important as having a 6th shot.

Regardless of the firearm brand or frame size, with the open backstrap, you may just want to load it for her shooting with 38+P loads, and start her with some 38 Spl target loads if she is not an avid handgun shooter.

Jim H.

 

[oneounceload]

Sounds more about what YOU want instead of her - what's wrong with letting HER pick out HER gun? You both need to read Thecorneredcat.com. What's the hangup for a 2"357? Do you know how much recoil and muzzle blast that will create? Do you want her to be able to actually shoot this gun?

Go to a range that rents a LOT of guns - let her handle several, then try several to see what SHE likes. She might prefer something larger that absorbs more recoil in a lighter caliber, or even a semi.......

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Get a Ruger. It will have a post style grip frame that is smaller than the full frame smith. This will allow you to find smaller grips, (or bigger grips) for your hand size. Personally, I put the GP100 compact grip on my full size GP and I love it.

I have a Smith model 10 and I had to modify the grips with a file to get them to fit. It's not pretty but it fits.

 

[crebralfix]

The word that pops out is "I" (as in you). Let her choose her gun. Small guns are for experts and if she's new...it's the wrong gun.

Has she ever shot a snub nosed revolver? What you are proposing is a recipe for disaster. Even if a hot 38 Special round gets into that gun...she may develop a serious problem with shooting...as in she'll never go again.

However, first, you should take her to training. Tell the instructor beforehand that she is shopping for a gun and does not know what she wants.

Female Student + Instruction + Gun Shopping = Pile of guns to try!

One option would be to go to a range that rents guns and pay for two hours of range time. Drop her off and walk away (I suggest shopping for Garands or high end 1911's). If the range has female instructors, the odds are the session will be successful increase.

Once she has shot several handguns under the watchful eye of an instructor, she'll have a baseline from which to make a decision that is more likely to be correct (as in probably 50%-90% more likely). You may get lucky and she'll want one of the guns the instructor provided.

 

[ls0n3]

Ok well I am looking at the overall length of the gun and comfort level for her. She has a shorter midsection than I do, and most likely wont be able to handle a 4" barrel gun IWB for cc.

Its one reason Im posting here, is for different feedback, as I am obviously more biased towards why I carry what I carry etc.. and thus my advie to her is tainted by my own reasons for carrying.

Prefer the 357, so she can have the 38 special for shooting and training, then the 357 rounds for carry ammo or home defense rounds, her choice. Though I know a well made 38 special round is plenty deadly if placed right.

She wont always have her purse on her, thus she needs something a bit more flexible, iwb/purse carry as two of the main ways I have suggested for her.

The closest range where we can rent guns WAS an hour away, but they closed down. So I am pretty much SOL on that one, or that's exactly what I would do.

she has very minimal handgun experience and likes the idea of the revolver, less to worry about, though she did like the 9mm with 17 rounds in it... though she got tired before she ran out of bullts in the mag haha.

Appreciate the feedback

 

[ls0n3]

Yea I too worry that if she gets too hot of a round in too small of a revolver, the recoil may scare her off a gun. Itll be too late if we have gone ahead and bought that gun.

We have limited access to friends with guns and choices.. ultralite 38s, 4 inch 357, 4 inch 9mm, 3 and 4 inch 45's, 4 inch 22lr. As far as handguns go.

 

[crebralfix]

Have you tried going to all the local ranges and asking around?

One thing to do would be to go find a club that offers the NRA Basic Pistol course. The guys who run that will almost always have a boatload of guns to try. If you can find the program director, he or she will be able to put you in contact with some enthusiastic instructors.

Just be polite and provide ammo I recommend 100 rounds of 38, 9mm, 40 and 45 at the least.

The last option I'd try would be to check all the local gun range bulletin boards. You may find the business cards of instructors there (at least around here they do that).

Another resource is the Izaac Walton League (iwla.org). They frequently have gun ranges and run NRA courses. They also do the Women in the Outdoors program.

Where are you in NC? Are you near Raliegh? If so, the RWVA home range is 45 minutes away outside Siler City. I ***know*** you'll find people with every gun under the sun there. Besides, you really should go to an Appleseed event and shoot the pop-ups out to 500 yards! Make sure to take your wife for it. It's a hoot!!!

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/
www.huntandshoot.org


***

Guns:

Look at the Glock 26. You can use a Glock 19 magazine and an A&G Grip Adapter to extend the grip. The palm support is important for beginners. Once she learns how to shoot, then switch to the short 10 round magazine. The short barrel is great for appendix carry because there's not so much gun below the belt. Since women have wide hips, AIWB is great for them. Appendix carry also has the advantages of a faster draw (less distance to move the hand) and some added protection since the hands are in front.

Kahr K-9 and P-9...small, single stack guns with little grips.

SIG P239...another single stack 9mm. Narrow grips are available.

 

[ls0n3]

That appleseed site is pretty interesting. Though from what I gather, their range isnt much for renting firearms. I dont know how Id feel about shooting, or asking to shoot complete strangers firearms.

There is a hole in the wall place in raliegh that I did see which seems to offer reasonably priced class on firearm safety etc and also rents firearms. Ill have to take her there and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the tips.