yongxingfreesty
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- Oct 3, 2005
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i purchased a 686 6shot 357mag revolver for my mom/sister to use around the house.
ill have it loaded it up .38spl for them.
ill have it loaded it up .38spl for them.
Revolver For the Wife
- Thread starter JaxNovice
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ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
She Picks The Gun
And, as a couple of previous posters have said, have her visit www.corneredcat.com for orientation.
It's created and maintained by one of the best-trained lady shooters on the board, and one who has raised her own rifle team.
The advice you will find there ain't no wishin' and thinkin' stuff. It's insightful, friendly, and down-to-earth.
Oh, and that bit about "shoot it once" and it lives in a drawer after that?
Shooting is a perishable skill. I'm not sure you're doing her any favors if she only shoots it once.
Some kind of regular practice schedule will allow her to remain competent and confident.
Oh, yeah, just one other thing: a quality .22 pistol is your friend. If you're already a shooter I don't need to explain why that is.
My wife shot my Ruger MkII on her first trip to the range. She shot better than 70%. And the end of our outing, she held it up and said, "I want one just like this." I found her a twin to mine. Yes, she also has a 9mm nightstand gun (Taurus Millennium Pro PT111), but the .22 pistol is her first love.
Let her pick the gun.
Let her pick the gun.
Let her pick the gun.
And, as a couple of previous posters have said, have her visit www.corneredcat.com for orientation.
It's created and maintained by one of the best-trained lady shooters on the board, and one who has raised her own rifle team.
The advice you will find there ain't no wishin' and thinkin' stuff. It's insightful, friendly, and down-to-earth.
Oh, and that bit about "shoot it once" and it lives in a drawer after that?
Shooting is a perishable skill. I'm not sure you're doing her any favors if she only shoots it once.
Some kind of regular practice schedule will allow her to remain competent and confident.
Oh, yeah, just one other thing: a quality .22 pistol is your friend. If you're already a shooter I don't need to explain why that is.
My wife shot my Ruger MkII on her first trip to the range. She shot better than 70%. And the end of our outing, she held it up and said, "I want one just like this." I found her a twin to mine. Yes, she also has a 9mm nightstand gun (Taurus Millennium Pro PT111), but the .22 pistol is her first love.
Let her pick the gun.
Let her pick the gun.
Let her pick the gun.
Logos
member
I'd caution against the use of a shotgun as a primary weapon for a woman because it's big, heavy, awkward if you have to move around (especially if you have to turn corners) and its length means it can be more easily grabbed by the barrel.
A shotgun has some applications, for sure, and can be a devastating weapon, but does have the above disadvantages.
The idea of a .22 handgun, though....has merit if the woman is uncomfortable with larger weapons. For home defense, simply having a weapon of any kind and possibly firing that weapon in a safe direction can immediately cause intruders to run like hell. And, since the .22 has less penetration, it's easier to fire it in a safe direction where the bullet will stop without endangering anyone else.
The last thing intruders want is to take a hit and have to go to a hospital and thus be found out and arrested. Because of this, the overwhelming majority will quickly run from any gun (even if they realize that it's a .22) due to this fact, and even if they're armed themselves.
A shotgun has some applications, for sure, and can be a devastating weapon, but does have the above disadvantages.
The idea of a .22 handgun, though....has merit if the woman is uncomfortable with larger weapons. For home defense, simply having a weapon of any kind and possibly firing that weapon in a safe direction can immediately cause intruders to run like hell. And, since the .22 has less penetration, it's easier to fire it in a safe direction where the bullet will stop without endangering anyone else.
The last thing intruders want is to take a hit and have to go to a hospital and thus be found out and arrested. Because of this, the overwhelming majority will quickly run from any gun (even if they realize that it's a .22) due to this fact, and even if they're armed themselves.
ID_shooting
Member
My wife has her guns, I have mine. That said, the 4inch .357/.38 loaded with .38s for practice is they way to go. There is one challenge to all this though. If she is anyting like other women I shopped with, they like things shiney and new. Make and model matters little to most gals, but they must have one that looks good. I know many of us do not care if the finish is 100% or if there are rub marks from holster duty, but if it is to be HER gun, then she just might.
My wife like to go gun shopping, she looksk them over and picks out ones she likes. Then we talk about features. I like to make it a shopping expirience and fun for her. Don't bag on her for picking one you don't like, remember, it is her's. You can steer her away from things like the big 500s or 480s, but if she picks a nice .44mag, put .44 spls in it.
Once she has her gun picked, then training if she has never shot before. This will go along, long way.
Then, but equal to all others is practice, practice, practice. If she can't wake up at 3AM and bring her gun into service in less than 10 seconds, she needs more practice. She should be able to find it, load/unload it, and fully use it in the dark just getting startled from deep sleep. The only way to do this is practice and usage.
My wife hates shooting paper at the range, she will last all of 10 minutes before she is bored. She will however, shoot whistle pigs all day long and want to come back the next day for more. She likes to shoot milk jugs, soda bottles and anything that reacts to being hit. Find what yours likes, let her have fun so long as she is safe.
The only drawback to this approach is she will start dipping into your gun budget, mine started with her 10/22, now she has a Rem .22, Ruger 223, Single Six, S&W K38, and a Wing Master.
Have fun with it though, it can be somthing you both do together.
My wife like to go gun shopping, she looksk them over and picks out ones she likes. Then we talk about features. I like to make it a shopping expirience and fun for her. Don't bag on her for picking one you don't like, remember, it is her's. You can steer her away from things like the big 500s or 480s, but if she picks a nice .44mag, put .44 spls in it.
Once she has her gun picked, then training if she has never shot before. This will go along, long way.
Then, but equal to all others is practice, practice, practice. If she can't wake up at 3AM and bring her gun into service in less than 10 seconds, she needs more practice. She should be able to find it, load/unload it, and fully use it in the dark just getting startled from deep sleep. The only way to do this is practice and usage.
My wife hates shooting paper at the range, she will last all of 10 minutes before she is bored. She will however, shoot whistle pigs all day long and want to come back the next day for more. She likes to shoot milk jugs, soda bottles and anything that reacts to being hit. Find what yours likes, let her have fun so long as she is safe.
The only drawback to this approach is she will start dipping into your gun budget, mine started with her 10/22, now she has a Rem .22, Ruger 223, Single Six, S&W K38, and a Wing Master.
Have fun with it though, it can be somthing you both do together.
Don't scrimp. Saving a few dollars on a weapon that might save you wife's life is false economy. Also keep in mind that a good gun will easily last 50 years. Finally, a decent, 'brand name' revolver will have higher resale when she decides she wants that custom 1911 or Glock. 
If she has small hands like most women, I'd look at something like a 640 S&W. For a neophyte, get a double action only hammerless and teach her to shoot double action. Use a good rubber grip and a premium 38 special load - 158gn lead hollow point wadcutters have low recoil and a great street reputation. Get the all steel gun, as the lightweights have rather nasty recoil.
My other favorite, if you can find one for a reasonable amount of money is the Colt Detective Special. Only slightly bigger than the 640 with one extra round and a very easy trigger pull.
If she has small hands like most women, I'd look at something like a 640 S&W. For a neophyte, get a double action only hammerless and teach her to shoot double action. Use a good rubber grip and a premium 38 special load - 158gn lead hollow point wadcutters have low recoil and a great street reputation. Get the all steel gun, as the lightweights have rather nasty recoil.
My other favorite, if you can find one for a reasonable amount of money is the Colt Detective Special. Only slightly bigger than the 640 with one extra round and a very easy trigger pull.
armoredman
Member
"Whistle pigs"?
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+1 on the Detective special, and I do believe that it could be had in a three inch model for better handling.
And, now that you mention it, the old Cold Diamondback .38 was a real fine gun and a looker......the nickel model would be sure to make a good impression.
But we're totally busting the guy's budget now, aren't we?
And, now that you mention it, the old Cold Diamondback .38 was a real fine gun and a looker......the nickel model would be sure to make a good impression.
But we're totally busting the guy's budget now, aren't we?
ID_shooting
Member
armoredman
Whilstle Pig is a slang term for any one of the local ground squirrels. They get into crops, borrow holes on graze land, and eat thier own dead. Vile little buggers.
The name comes from teh sounds they make, they squeek and whistle at each other.
Whilstle Pig is a slang term for any one of the local ground squirrels. They get into crops, borrow holes on graze land, and eat thier own dead. Vile little buggers.
The name comes from teh sounds they make, they squeek and whistle at each other.
Not to get off topic here, but a few thoughts. The OP is looking for a HD gun for his wife who has no experience with guns and in his opnion will not develop a sigificant training or pratice schedule. While there have been some good points made here I must respectfully take exception with a few. The first is that the mere posession of a gun is going to deter a threat, while this is possible it is the not the mindset that should be instilled in someone with no experience in SD techniques or gun skills. If anything, just the reverse may be true. This is serious buiness and she must be prepared to some degree to use the gun or she might be better off without it. If a BG or BG's are bold enough to enter a house, armed or not, they deserve to be treated as the threat they are and if a SD weapon is deployed it must primarly be with the intent to reduce said threat and not as a deterent. Regardles of the selected weapon her job is to secure her kids and get away if possible, and if not to stand her ground while calling for help (cell) or activing an alarm (alarms are worth the price just for the peace of mind, and they are a deterent). She should not attemp to manuver or do any room clearing. If this fails she must be prepared to engage the threat without hesatation. As for the weapon, it must be something she has conifidance in and is utterly realible. A handgun will suit this purpose, but don't rule out a long gun without some thought.
I'm off my soapbox now.
I'm off my soapbox now.
michael_aos
Member
Model 64 - 3"
Two major problems with the above statement:
1) If she is going to use this for self defense, shooting "once at the range" isn't even CLOSE to enough. If she's going to own a gun, if she's going to use the gun, then she needs to be GOOD with the gun. That takes practice. And more practice. And MORE practice. Fact is, for many people, a revolver can be harder than a semiauto to be a good shot with, due to the DA trigger so often having a long, heavy pull.
She needs the chance to shoot several types and sizes of gun and she needs to make the choice herself as to what she wants. Find a range that rents guns and take her out for a day of "trying on" different guns. And if that means a semiauto instead of a revolver, get that for her. If it means she wants a revolver, super, as long as she is comfortable with the pull on the DA trigger.
2) You get what you pay for. You do NOT want the cylinder to seize up when the BG is standing in your bedroom doorway. You want it to shoot where she points it, you want it to shoot every time, and you want her to be comfortable with that gun enough that she can confidently know that she'll hit her target (see point #1, above, about practice).
Good for her for wanting to learn to shoot, and good for you for wanting her to have her own gun!!!! Just let her pick it out herself!
Springmom
JaxNovice - Click this link:
http://www.knoxx.com/
Click on the "show action video" for the "SPECOPS" recoil reduction shotgun stock. If she ever has to use this, It will be the BG feeling the pain, not her.
http://www.knoxx.com/
Click on the "show action video" for the "SPECOPS" recoil reduction shotgun stock. If she ever has to use this, It will be the BG feeling the pain, not her.
I had talked my wife into letting me get a used Generation1 Charter Arms Undercover (All steel and 16 freaking ounces for $160 lol the Bluing is 95% too). I brought it home and she decided that she liked it so much that she was going to let me get whatever wheel gun I wanted if I gave her the Undercover. Thats how I got my Taurus 651 
Logos
member
Michael aos.....
I do like your choice....the only reason I suggested the 65 earlier is because it might be an advantage to be able to use .357 ammo at some point in time......but the platform is perfect.
Back to affordable and practical equipment.
Nice to see someone recommending a quality weapon, too.
I do like your choice....the only reason I suggested the 65 earlier is because it might be an advantage to be able to use .357 ammo at some point in time......but the platform is perfect.
Back to affordable and practical equipment.
Nice to see someone recommending a quality weapon, too.
I own two of the three you mention and my mother owns the third.
Her Charter Arms is ~30 years old and I would compare it to a Smith and Wesson, but I haven't heard a lot of good about the newer ones (or the old ones). Hers is great, but it has the old wood grips. It hurts my hand to shoot and she can't shoot it for more than about 30 rounds.
The Rossi shoots good. For a few extra $$, you can get the stainless .357. The gun is very heavy and shoots .38 like a .22 with the option for .357 Corbon if you feel like you need it (kicks like a horse). The Taurus is much lighter and would work better if she ever wants to put it in her purse.
Her Charter Arms is ~30 years old and I would compare it to a Smith and Wesson, but I haven't heard a lot of good about the newer ones (or the old ones). Hers is great, but it has the old wood grips. It hurts my hand to shoot and she can't shoot it for more than about 30 rounds.
The Rossi shoots good. For a few extra $$, you can get the stainless .357. The gun is very heavy and shoots .38 like a .22 with the option for .357 Corbon if you feel like you need it (kicks like a horse). The Taurus is much lighter and would work better if she ever wants to put it in her purse.
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
Just quoting all the people who made sense. Think of buying something expensive and personal you've never bought before. Your wife has bought several. Do you want her to tell you which one she bought for you, or take you to the store and walk you through it?
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