her revolver... input needed.

[Manny]

I'm a huge fan of Ruger's DA wheelguns, especially the small frame ones for carry. The SP101 is built like a tank and has a nice size grip that allows for a secure hold. The LCR also imresses the heck out of me. Terrific trigger, very comfortable grip. The mid size GP is a lot of gun but that works in faver of reducing the felt recoil significantly.

If your wife can get comfortable with a soft .38 load such as 148 gr full wadcutters that would make the choice easy and allow whichever gun in .38 or .357. If not you might look for one of the fine Rugers chambered in .32 H&R mag or .327 and start her out with .32 S&W longs for a low recoil/low report load. I handled a 4" SP .32 H&R that would probably have been ideal for what you need. Another thought is the full size GP in .327 with starting loads of .32 S&W. That should be the lightest. recoiling centerfire available with a very soft muzzleblast as well which in my experience makes folks fear the recoil less. If she becomes more comfortable she can step up to .32 mag or .327 loads, if not she has something that is more capable than .22lr.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I have another thread going on the crappy trigger on this old Taurus 82 I acquired, here's a copy and paste from that.

I have the tools. The revolver experience I didn't have till I set up a card table in the family room this morning and removed every moving part. There was old dried lube and ample amounts of crud and rust in the works. I brushed then polished every wear surface with 400 grit emery cloth , then reassembled with new oil.

Here's where I went off the THR path. I cut two coils out of the hammer spring and one out of the trigger spring.

I went out and ran 24 158gr LRN and 24 130gr FMJs as fast as I could without a speedloader and it never missed a beat. The trigger feels a ton better and my groups were actually respectable compared to yesterday.

I brought it back inside and had the wife dry fire it multiple times, this time I received a real smile. I had her do some DA dry firing with a penny laying on the barrel, that kinda took the smile out of the equation but toward the end she was getting it.

We have to leave for a Christmas dinner, maybe tomorrow she can put some rounds of her own through it. If she can accept the 130 gr recoil then her birthday is a month away and I can take her shopping for a shiny upgrade. I'm going to go hunting some wadcutters for her.

Thanks ALL!

 

[Serenity]

I love my stainless Smith & Wesson 67 with a 4" barrel. It's a heavy, smooth, user friendly gun and fits my smaller hand perfectly. I can shoot quickly and with decent close range accuracy with the DA; I couldn't compare it so a SA because I haven't shot one since my pistol class. It's a very confidence inspiring gun.

Another note for all of you starting women (or youth) shooters: start out with lighter loads; don't start out with the self defense +p high powered rounds that you like to use. A couple of you have mentioned your wives being beat up by guns that with a lighter load shouldn't be that hard to hold on to.

 

[Strykervet]

My wife carries, and since I've brought it up here before and answered questions about this already in depth, I'll keep it short.

She says let her decide, let her feel a few out and try some, and that revolvers are generally better than autos. Easier to use, less training. Less likely to jam or require remedial action. They mitigate recoil better than autos depending on size too.

I think .38 minimum is a good idea, but I'd go ahead and make that .357 and just get a bigger revolver. If she isn't carrying it, then a 686+ 6" is great --I have one and my wife and everyone else love that thing. I never get to shoot it anymore. It is accurate, fun, and it looks fearsome to a badguy. It has the recoil of a .22 (no joke) with 158gr. light specials. Full power mags aren't too bad, she'll be more than able to handle them for defense.

Yeah, a good .357 revolver is the way to go. The heavier the better if it isn't being carried. For carry my wife went with a 649, but due to the light weight and thus recoil, a compromise had to be reached in ammo selection. She carries the Hornady Critical Defense 125gr. loads. More than a special, less than a full out boogie magnum.

Then of course, practice. My wife is recoil shy too, but the more she shoots the less it becomes an issue. Adults we love are harder to train to shoot than kids and soldiers, and nothing trumps practice for them. Make it fun, don't force her to shoot for hours, and she'll get into it.

 

[trickyasafox]

I only tried the 327 once- must have been anemic stuff- it was very gentle.

 

[Serenity]

When we first started shooting, my son was bushed after shooting his half of the box of 50 with our 38 special. When you first start you're on a nearly level adrenaline high and wear out really quick.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

A purely utilitarian .38 trainer for the wife.... but I kinda like it. After some work it shoots great. I'm thinking if this works out and I can upgrade her to something a bit more suitable I will keep it for grins.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

A box of shells today with the .38 and we have made more progress than with all my bottom feeders. For a newb she is not doing bad at all, even her DA shooting is almost passable albeit slow. Nothing time and patience should not improve. Whether it's logical or not she is much more relaxed with the wheelgun.

Now the hunt will be on for a nice trigger in a quality .357. I have a month before her birthday.

I appreciate all the input above, thanks!

- Mark