David E
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The women aren't the idiots. The misguided men who are "helping" them are.
Lightweight snubbies
- Thread starter Godsgunman
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The women aren't the idiots. The misguided men who are "helping" them are.
A steel .38 will have far less recoil than the lightweights. Reducing it's weight increases the felt recoil. Mass helps reduce the felt recoil.
For someone who is recoil sensitive, a heavier (steel) gun with light loads (not +p) would be best. I suggest an all steel S&W or Ruger in .38 sp.
For someone who is recoil sensitive, a heavier (steel) gun with light loads (not +p) would be best. I suggest an all steel S&W or Ruger in .38 sp.
Bentonville
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We have an Air Weight J frame and my wife is deadly accurate with it, one or two hands. She likes the wadcutters. I got a few boxes of the S&B and they offer a mild recoil and not such a blast. My wife actually enjoys shooting it, as do I. She is planning to get her concealed carry license soon and this revolver is just the ticket.
greyling22
Member
let her get what she wants and then load it with a mag primer and 2 grns of unique or similar powder for a practice load.
I have the revolver you shot. It is an LCR and I love it. The wife has a 642 S&W and I do not care for it. It is all about what fits you. The LCR lets me get a higher purchase on the grip and control the weapon better than the 642. The wife shoots the 642 better.
David E
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Sounds like you have the wrong grips on the 642. You need the ones that are open back, as this is what allows you to get your hand higher on the backstrap. Ideally, Craig Spegel grips, altho they are pricey.
My wife shoots the snot out of her S&W Model 37 Airweight, and a law enforcement firearms instructor told her she shot better than most of their deputies.
It is truly a matter of mastering the high grip with an Airweight, and if one does, it isn't bad to shoot at all!
An Airweight snubbie is my "always" (on me) handgun. Wonderful revolver indeed as long as someone doesn't grip it "low and loose!"
Grips? We use the stock S&W magnas from 1971 (the year our Airweight Model 37s were made), or American Elk stag magnas . . . plus Tyler T-grips.
It is truly a matter of mastering the high grip with an Airweight, and if one does, it isn't bad to shoot at all!
An Airweight snubbie is my "always" (on me) handgun. Wonderful revolver indeed as long as someone doesn't grip it "low and loose!"
Grips? We use the stock S&W magnas from 1971 (the year our Airweight Model 37s were made), or American Elk stag magnas . . . plus Tyler T-grips.
I've owned airweight in .38 spl and don't like shooting them either. Get the all-steel version (that weigh 21-23 oz. vs 15 oz.)for more manageable recoil. My smallest gun that I use now is S&W 649 all stainless. The SPS 101 and short-barrelled Security Six are even bigger and better (but that's part of the trouble, they're bigger).
niner4tango
Member
Between the 629 and the 442 Airweight below: if you show both to an inexperienced shooter (men or women) and ask them to guess which has more recoil, you almost always get something like "that big one looks like a hand cannon, the little one looks more my style". But, compared to the 38 spl Airweight, the 44 mag is a pussycat.
Big guns are easier to shoot, but it seems everyone has to experience it for themselves to believe it!
Big guns are easier to shoot, but it seems everyone has to experience it for themselves to believe it!
Vern Humphrey
Member
Everyone makes .357s these days that are horrendous to shoot. The answer is either get a bigger gun (the Ruger SP 101 would be my choice) or stick to .38 specials.
Matt Dillon
Member
Folks, there are airweights, and then there are airweights. A good friend of mine has a S&W 342, which, I believe, is a scandium model with a titanium cylinder. Extremely lightweight, it feels almost like a toy gun, until you shoot it. A buddy of mine was dead set on getting one, and I had him shoot my friend's 342, and his hand was bleeding after shooting less than a box of .38s through it.
On the other hand, the S7W 442 is aluminum framed (with steel cylinder and barrel), weighs a little more, but is not uncomfortable to shoot at all. I have a large Crimson Trace Laser grip rubber wrap around grip on it, and it is very manageable and I have shot hundreds of rounds through it with no problems from the recoil. I suggest staying away from the lightest of these J frames but can highly recommend a 442 for manageable recoil and comfortable carrying.
On the other hand, the S7W 442 is aluminum framed (with steel cylinder and barrel), weighs a little more, but is not uncomfortable to shoot at all. I have a large Crimson Trace Laser grip rubber wrap around grip on it, and it is very manageable and I have shot hundreds of rounds through it with no problems from the recoil. I suggest staying away from the lightest of these J frames but can highly recommend a 442 for manageable recoil and comfortable carrying.
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niner4tango
Member
Well, the 642 and the 442 are the same gun, both aluminum frame, but one is stainless and the other is carbon steel. Both weigh 15 oz.
Matt, you make an excellent point, the grips make a world of difference. When I run the classic grips like below, recoil is like a 2x4 to the hand. The boot grips above are a lot better. Lots of people could benefit by going to a larger grip.
Matt, you make an excellent point, the grips make a world of difference. When I run the classic grips like below, recoil is like a 2x4 to the hand. The boot grips above are a lot better. Lots of people could benefit by going to a larger grip.
Better check your facts. The 642 and 442 are the same gun in different finishes. They weight the exact same amount. Also for those who are claiming the J frames or snubbies are hard to shoot needs to shoot a few. My wife who had zero handgun experience was shooting a pie plate at 25yds after some practice
. She qualified with it at her CCW class
. She and I can shoot both of our snubbies without bleeding hands. They are easier to manipulate than the slide of any semi auto. I worked in a gun shop and it would always amaze me when the male half would say that the female with them needed a Glock or M&P ect.. and when I would show the female the pistol and how it operates the could not clear a malfunction or even chamber a round leaving them with a plastic hammer.
. She qualified with it at her CCW class. She and I can shoot both of our snubbies without bleeding hands. They are easier to manipulate than the slide of any semi auto. I worked in a gun shop and it would always amaze me when the male half would say that the female with them needed a Glock or M&P ect.. and when I would show the female the pistol and how it operates the could not clear a malfunction or even chamber a round leaving them with a plastic hammer.
greenmtnguy
Member
While I can shoot a box of 38+P with my 642 in one sitting, it isn't pleasant by the end. I still think that a "regular" steel 38 SPL or 357Mag (loaded with 38s) 3" or 4" revolver in a K frame or similar size would work for her - at least for her to try out with different grips to see what she likes. My mother - with very arthritic hands - was unable to work the slide well on several semi autos she tried. A regular SA/DA revolver worked though. Be sure to check her finger strength both in SA and DA mode on any handgun.
Godsgunman
Member
Well we are still in the process of looking, most likely going to be a K frame of some sort as that is what she has liked the best so far. She did like my Glock but as many have said she does lack some strength in her fingers and wrist for manipulating the slide and "limp wristing". She actually caused the first ever "choke" with it, but I remedied that by changing her grip on it. So the search continues I'm definitely letting her decide and I'm just there to help her with her shooting techniques and what not but right now it looks like a 3-4" K frame is where she's comfortable. Also I'm starting to reload so I will probably work up a good load that she can shoot comfortably and consistantly.
While not that easy to find, there are the 32 HR Mag snubbies out there. They are not as hard on the hands and one can go down to the lesser 32 loads. Some are even hollow points.
Yes, they are not Man-Stoppers but if you want someone to get rounds into a target - which will stop the vast majority of incidents, you might look at that.
CDNN was selling Taurus 32s fairly cheaply. Note, I have SW revolvers but it's a thought.
My kid, a small woman, hated the 642. She did like a snubby Colt Cobra with standard 38 SPL and a Glock 19.
Yes, they are not Man-Stoppers but if you want someone to get rounds into a target - which will stop the vast majority of incidents, you might look at that.
CDNN was selling Taurus 32s fairly cheaply. Note, I have SW revolvers but it's a thought.
My kid, a small woman, hated the 642. She did like a snubby Colt Cobra with standard 38 SPL and a Glock 19.
The Old Fuff is a firm believer in matching a cartridge’s power to the size and weight of the platform one proposes to carry it in. Various folks have different degrees of recoil they can tolerate. Thus if the little S&W J-frame, or similar revolvers made by Ruger and Taurus, are under consideration perhaps using a lighter .38 Special mid-range wadcutter loaded with a 148 grain bullet may prove to be a good solution. If that’s still too much consider something chambered in .32 H&R Magnum, that can be used with even lighter .32 S&W Long or .32 S&W ammunition. Finely if the little Ruger LCR is your cup of tea, notice that it is now available in .22 WRM, as are other small revolvers made by S&W and Taurus.
bubba in ca
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i think light-weight snubbies are for desk jockeys and backup guns. For normal use, get a steel gun. training will be easier and you won`t pick up a flinch as bad.
I recently went through a series of guns for a woman older than 64. We ended up with a ruger single action .22. That is the only gun she had the strength to use.
Practice at 5 feet with a human size target and emphasize the triple tap. train for reality.
I recently went through a series of guns for a woman older than 64. We ended up with a ruger single action .22. That is the only gun she had the strength to use.
Practice at 5 feet with a human size target and emphasize the triple tap. train for reality.
royal barnes
Member
Desk jockeys??!!! I have a Colt Cobra in my pocket and I shoot it very well. Thanks for your insightful comment.
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