Recommendations on SW442/642 or Taurus 85UL

[weregunner]

Let me make a couple of recommendations.

Ruger has the Ruger SP-101. In .357 magnum or .327 Federal magnum with a 3 inch or the new SP-101 that has a 4 inch barrel seem like doable possibilities. Even the 2inch model could fill the bill.

I own one in .327 Federal magnum with the 3 inch barrel. The .32 calibers make this gun versatile as well as does the .357 magnum version.

The .327 Federal magnum, .32 H&R magnum, and the .32 S&W Longs can be shot through it. For practice,fun, and for defense these would be hard to beat.

The .357 magnum/.38 Special combo also lets here tailor the ammo to the mission. Also the power level.

The Taurus 851/651 guns, built on the 85 frame, give allow a higher grip and lower center of gravity. This in theory gives a bit less felt recoil.

851/651s also have the partial shrouded hammer. If cocking for a single action shot is needed that can be done. The partial shroud helps obviate any chance of the hammer catching on material or things during the draw.

Holding the thumb over the hammer helps act as a full shroud on the draw.

 

[jahwarrior]

I could show you TWO 1911s that would feed nothing, but ball even after I paid for polishing and porting. I COULD, but I got rid of the crap. Neither was that accurate, either. I swore off 1911s.

that sucks for you, but i said "show me a Glock," not a 1911. personally, i don'[t think modern 1911s should have all the problems that older ones were prone to; modern day metallurgy, machining, and other technology should pretty much negate them. i've never owned a 1911 that was problematic, and i've never had to "break in" one, either.

 

[oldfool]

they have an autoloader sub-forum here

 

[MCgunner]

they have an autoloader sub-forum here

Yeah, I know, but mostly I own and love to shoot revolvers. They don't have feeding problems with hollow points. And, they're better for novices to start on than a Glock just from the safety standpoint.

And, unless she's going to carry on her person, no reason to get a J frame, let alone an alloy light weight. K frames make great beginner guns and are easy to shoot even with magnums. I think the search here is too narrow focused and the woman in question needs to try some rentals on the range and see what SHE likes.

 

[Elmer]

my girlfriend doesn't worry about jamming, because her gun works fine. her 1911 has a over a thousand rounds through it of all types of ammo, and has yet to fail, and the Glock...is a Glock. show me a Glock 19 that jams up using factory ammo, and i'll show you a unicorn.

Then Unicorns are no longer on the endangered species list.....

Apparently you're unfamiliar with the issues Gen 4 and late Gen 3 Glocks have been having. I've now seen several dozen guns that jam on factory ammo. Glock's fixes so far haven't solved the problem on all of them.

If you're talking earlier guns, yes, it's quite rare for a properly maintained Glock 19 to have malfunctions.

 

[Elmer]

It seems that the flyweight revolvers are dropping by the wayside to a degree by the females and for good reasons as already stated well by your folks.

Yes, that's why several new models of flyweight revolvers have been recently introduced, because they're "dropping by the wayside".....

There are plenty of females who are probably more than able to handle the flyweight guns. Just that the flyweights as a rule are not good starter guns.

I've taught hundreds of women to shoot J frame revolvers, most of them beginning shooters. Back before the advent of small 9mm autos, they were really the only choice for a small off duty gun. Unless they were incapable of taking instruction on any firearm, they all did just fine.

I read the comments here recommending guns that weigh 10-24+ ounces more loaded than an Airweight Smith with some amusement, along with a bit of irritation. If the goal is actually........you know.... carrying a gun for protection, than to suggest there isn't a huge difference between a 642 and a fully loaded Glock or 1911, is silly.

If your wife/girlfriend/daughter, etc., will actually carry a Glock, 1911, SP101, K frame, or any of the larger guns some have suggested here, all the time, than wonderful! In over 35 years working around armed women, I've not many of those.

If, however, she (or you), has selected it because it's easier to shoot without practice or instruction, and she only has it with her when she carries her "big purse", (and not always even then, because it adds to the 15+ lbs she already has in it), than you are only kidding yourself when you brag that "my wife carries a ______".

If she needs a gun, she'll be far better off with a 642 loaded with wadcutters, or an LCP loaded with FMJ's, that she has on her, than a 1911 or Glock she left at home, because she "wasn't going anywhere dangerous".

 

[Elmer]

Yeah, I know, but mostly I own and love to shoot revolvers. They don't have feeding problems with hollow points. And, they're better for novices to start on than a Glock just from the safety standpoint.

And, unless she's going to carry on her person, no reason to get a J frame, let alone an alloy light weight.

The OP's question was about guns for carrying. Though many women only "purse carry", it's really not the best option for a number of reasons. Guns that are too large or too heavy, are the ones that usually end up in those purses in my experience.

 

[Stayfrosty]

Yeah, I know, but mostly I own and love to shoot revolvers. They don't have feeding problems with hollow points. And, they're better for novices to start on than a Glock just from the safety standpoint.

And, unless she's going to carry on her person, no reason to get a J frame, let alone an alloy light weight. K frames make great beginner guns and are easy to shoot even with magnums. I think the search here is too narrow focused and the woman in question needs to try some rentals on the range and see what SHE likes.

Mcgunner, what are some examples of k-frame guns, I've only seen the J frame from SW? thanks

 

[weregunner]

Medium/large ((hogue calls them medium but some models are listed under "large" at Taurus) (44, 65, 66, 80, 82, 83, 96, 431, 441, 607, 689, 669))

http://www.taurususa.com
Click on the left side of the page tab that says "Taurus Revolvers". Then click on "Medium Frame Revolvers" tab. Anything that is NOT a Judge is a similar K frame Taurus revolver.

 

[weregunner]

K frame S&Ws aare model 10,19,67,66,65, and so on.

Most K frames were discontinued as a regular item a few years back and the S&W 619 and 620 took their place as well as the L Frame S&W 686. The 619 & 620 went the way of the dinosaur. Other models replaced them. Mostly polymer revolvers and such.

Some of the K framed S&Ws have come back as "Classic models", but cost a whole lot more than their used brethren.

 

[weregunner]

Oh,yes. There are still some K framed Smiths in their line, but very few.

You might not recognize them if you see them.


http://www.smith-wesson.com/.../Category4_750001_750051_757769_-1

www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_SWsBest.htm
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg76-e.htm

The K frame has been around over 100 years and then some.

 

[jahwarrior]

Then Unicorns are no longer on the endangered species list.....

Apparently you're unfamiliar with the issues Gen 4 and late Gen 3 Glocks have been having. I've now seen several dozen guns that jam on factory ammo. Glock's fixes so far haven't solved the problem on all of them.

If you're talking earlier guns, yes, it's quite rare for a properly maintained Glock 19 to have malfunctions.

I admit I have no experience with the recent models from Glock. I'm not a big fan of the grip, so I never became a Glock Jock, but I did own a couple, both of them 19s. I couldn't get them to fail if I threatened their mothers.

Anyway, back to the 642 thing: I just put money down on one the other day. My local shop had one for only $350. I thought it was used, since the last one I bought cost that much used, but nope, it was brand new from the factory, I asked the shop owner why it was so cheap. He said the S&W had lowered the prices on certain models, like the 642. I took advantage, and should be bringing home my second 642 in a couple of weeks.

 

[MCgunner]

My 85UL has a far smoother, lighter DA trigger than ANY J frame I've ever tried or fired. I'd recommend a steel gun, though, if you're not used to recoil. That little Taurus has been AWESOME for me, though, since I bought it new in 1996. It's so easy to hit with DA, I hardly ever cock the hammer on it even when plinking.

Mcgunner, what are some examples of k-frame guns, I've only seen the J frame from SW? thanks

I own a M10, blued fixed sight .38 special and owned a M19, blued adjustable sight .357 magnum (AKA combat magnum). Don't they still make the 10? Not sure. Lots of used K frames out there, though, sometimes at a reasonable price, or so I'm told. I never seem to find the deals and I won't order ANYthing off the net sight unseen.

 

[Stayfrosty]

My 85UL has a far smoother, lighter DA trigger than ANY J frame I've ever tried or fired. I'd recommend a steel gun, though, if you're not used to recoil. That little Taurus has been AWESOME for me, though, since I bought it new in 1996. It's so easy to hit with DA, I hardly ever cock the hammer on it even when plinking.



I own a M10, blued fixed sight .38 special and owned a M19, blued adjustable sight .357 magnum (AKA combat magnum). Don't they still make the 10? Not sure. Lots of used K frames out there, though, sometimes at a reasonable price, or so I'm told. I never seem to find the deals and I won't order ANYthing off the net sight unseen.

Thank you all!

 

[MCgunner]

You're welcome.

 

[Jaymo]

I bought my wife a Taurus 85UL with the rosewood grips, against my recommendations, because she thought my stainless 85CH was too heavy and the rubber grips were ugly.
I bought her a pair of rubber grips for it, because I knew she wouldn't enjoy shooting it with the wood grips.
After our first range trip, she had me install the rubber grips.

I enjoy shooting my steel 85 more than her aluminum 85, and I shoot .44 special and mag, .45 colt and acp, and .357 mag.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think a Colt Detective Special would be a very good choice for you in 38spl. The Colt Agent would be another one, but I prefer the Det special.

That said, I have a S&W 442 and pocket carry it. The Detective Special is a tad heavy for me to pocket carry for me. But it's a heck of a gun!