Recommend revolver for my wife

[The Lone Haranguer]

How about an autoloader whose slide need never be racked? The Beretta 86 .380 has a tipup barrel, a slender grip, light (albeit somewhat long to reach) DA trigger pull, or the DA trigger can be bypassed and carried cocked and locked with ambidextrous frame mounted safety levers. It is not little, being about the same size as a semi-compact 9mm; it must be carried in a holster (especially if cocked and locked), not loose in a purse; and the .380 cartridge from its four-inch barrel is probably on par with a .38 Special when the latter is fired from a two-inch barrel.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

Wife Gun

My wife now carries a S&W 442, we jazzed it up with AJAX faux ivory grips and its loaded with the new Hornady critical defense 110gr FTX ammo. Its a light gun and does not snag in her purse.

 

[Drgong]

My best advise is go to a gun store with a lot of guns, and let HER choose. Also take her to a range and let her rent some guns. Sometimes it can be odd on what someone likes.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Agreed on the actual shooting part. That little lightweight revolver may feel good just holding it in her hand, but might be a tiger by the tail when actually fired.

 

[skoro]

If trigger pull is a big issue, you may want to consider the S&W Model 637. It adds the option of single action fire, which will solve the issue of a long, stiff trigger. I have a 642 that I carry and I had the local gunsmith smooth out the trigger and install a lighter mainspring. It's still a long pull, just not as heavy as before. It's a fine carry piece, but I occasionally wish I'd gotten the 637 instead.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree purse carry is probably a bad idea. The first thing a bad guy grabs off a lady is her purse. Then the bad guy has her keys, address and the gun to rob your house with.

A snub nose revolver usually has a smooth yet heavy trigger. The current S&W "Lady Smith" revolvers are slightly better. From what I'm told they come from the factory with a trigger job already done. I'm not 100% sure but I'm fairly sure that's true. The S&W M642LS might be a good place to start looking. Also, the new Night Guard Series of revolvers are getting good reviews. The M315NG is a .38 Special +P which holds 6 rounds and it's a K frame revolver. That's right, a new K frame from S&W which is slightly smaller than the L frame and feels good in the hand. (IMO of course) It sports a 2.5" barrel and weighs only 24oz. That might just be the revolver your wife would like to carry.

Good luck to your wife on finding something she likes...

 

[sniper5]

Might want to have her try a SP101. Only reason I say that is that it tends to be heavier for a small frame and is a little gentler on the recoil. Still a compact package. Trigger pull can be lightened considerably with Wolff Springs. My wife has small hands and is recoil shy and tried everything out there and settled for the 6" GP100 with Wolff springs and the compact grips on it for HD because the recoil was light and the grips fit her hands. She went to the lightest springs and uses only Federal primers and ammo and after about 3,000 rounds she has never had a FTF.

In fact, the other day my formerly gun hating wife asked: If I was going to carry, what would be a good choice? My answer was: "Well, for you it's a no-brainer. SP101 because it would feel identical to what you have, just a lighter and smaller package." Coming from her, I thought it was an interesting question. I wonder what's cooking in her brain. Hmmm.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the SP101 is too heavy for what it is. The OP said his wife intends on carrying in her purse. (which I don't like) The SP101 will not work well unless carried on the belt IMO because it's larger and heavier than any S&W revolver in the same class, even the M60, M640 or M649.

 

[Landpimp]

would a HK P7 work? the trigger pull is light and I bet get she can squeze the grip to cock, no need to rack the slide(but its not light to rack) after the 1st round is in, to drop slide just squeeze grip.

a S&W model 12 might also work, light weight for a K frame, but with some good trigger work it might be a good option

 

[stogiegila]

Thanks for the continued input. I'm trying to locate several models mentioned locally for her to sample. I'd love to find a LCR, but there aren't any available. Ironically I use to own a GP100 and she thought it was a bazooka and wouldn't go near it. I also think the SP101 might be a bit too big and heavy for her to feel comfortable with it, based on what she has been telling me.

Carry options will come way down the road. I just want her to initially feel comfortable using it for home defense, in case I'm not around. I'll work on carrying later. Hoping to get to the range this weekend.

 

[kludge]

I'd look for a 2" Model 19 with target hammer and trigger. The hammer can always be bobbed, and the grips changed to fit her hand.

As much as I like the SP101, my Model 19 has a DA trigger pull that makes grandmas take notice. (No offense to grandmas, but I have taught a few old ladies and men who have a very hard time with arthritis and triggers.)

My SP101 has had trigger spring replaced and some trigger work done by a gunsmith, and it's still noticeably heavier than the M19.

My wife's first centerfire target:

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/84kludge/?action=view&current=DSCF0774.jpg

 

[remingtondude58]

What about a Charter Patriot? That is 327 fed mag, which can also also shoot other 32 calibers out of it. Or Charter arms is coming out with the CARR, a 9mm revolver that can also chamber 380 auto, so that may be a good choice when it come out in late fall 2009.

 

[mnrivrat]

Take a look at the model 731 Taurus in .32 H&R magnum. A 17oz gun that can be used with .32 H&R magnum ammo at an energy level of the standard .38 Spl round, with about 2/3 the recoil. It can also be downloaded by using the S&W .32 Long cartridge, or even the .32 S&W for nearly no recoil.

Many opinions have come up on this subject - I am only saying that this is one to look at - there are others of course, but this one deserves consideration at least.

This same frame size snubby can be had in a .22 RF magnum. The Taurus version is the Model 941, and they come in an airweight as well. My 84 year old aunt has one she shoots and you can't talk her out of it for anything.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I know I'll get a lot of flak for this, but look at a .22LR revolver. They do have several advantages.
1. She will be more likely to practice with it.
2. The reduced recoil will reduce flinching and encourage proper grip and mechanics
3. Many have 8-9 shots.

And remember, this is for her, no all of us who would prefer a .44 mag

As far as trigger pull, this is most likely to be remedied by a competent gunsmith. Not the cheapest or easiest solution, but probably the best. This is a good point to spend your hard-earned money on.

 

[Palu]

Just wondering if the OP ever got a gun for the wife. My wife also wants a revolver. Interested in the SP101 mainly, in a 2 1/4, DAO. The S&W Airweights were just a little bit too painful for her to shoot. The weight of the SP keeps that down a bit. Haven't tried the LCR, though.

 

[stogiegila]

No, nothing yet. I want her to come to the range and a few stores to compare size and feel, but she hasn't had the time. I believe she is losing interest again. She tends to do this. I'll keep trying

 

[.45&TKD]

SP101 snub, bobbed hammer. Shoot 38's out of a 357 mag.

 

[2ndwind]

My wife loves her smart carry... she started out with a S&W 442 but then "stole my steel frame model 60". I replace mine with a 3" j frame which is even easier to shoot well... she wants a medium sized Smart Carry for that one now...

If your wife does stay with the purse carry plan I'd give a hard look at the older K frame Smiths... an older used one is likely to have an outstanding trigger pull as is.... have the hammer bobbed if you want.... think about a Crimson Trace laser grip too.

 

[DeepSouth]

The best advice has already been given.

Read this

and then make her look at that site.

 

[Guillermo]

SP101 in 32 H&R mag seems like a good one to check out. For your purposes it might be a nice compromise of weight/recoil absorption.

Not suggesting you buy one, just research.