Revolver suggestions (for my girlfriend)

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GuidoTorpedo

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Well I took my girlfriend shooting for the first time this weekend. She was nervous at first, but eventually got comfortable and had a REALLY good time. She shot my Sig 225 and liked it. Although as she was watching the fellow in the next lane shoot his revolver, she exclaimed, "Oh, I really like revolvers!"

So this got me thinking. Perhaps I should purchase myself a revolver, that she's also enjoy shooting. I wish I had started her shooting on a wheel gun as they are much easier to opperate and learn on (alas, I don't own one).

What I'm looking for should have these features:

Inexpensive (I'll probably buy used)
.38/.357 (she could handle my 9mm so I figute .38 will be good for her)
Easy to aquire sights (I want her to learn proper sight picture so small sights are out of the question)
Lighter in weight
Medium-Compact frame (big enough for my hands yet small enough for her)
I'd kinda like to stay with a shorter barrel (but not snubby length).

I've considered a 3" Ruger GP100 (with the fixed sights, Millett front replacement) or a 3" Ruger SP101 (with a hogue grip and nicer front sight). I've also looked at S&W m60's and would even consider more vintage revolvers like the M&P or an m10.

What would you suggest?

Thanks in advance.
 
SP-101 3 inch fills all your needs. A pleasure to shoot .357's through and the grip is just right for everyone I've tried it out on. The GP-100 with the smaller grip of the fixed sight model should work well too but may be a bit large for your girl. Can't go wrong either way.
 
I'm pretty much a beginner when it comes to revolvers, but in the past couple weeks a couple of female friends have shot .38s through my 3" gp100 and they did just fine. They were total beginners and started off with a ruger .22 single six and moved up from there.

I told them that the python might not have as much perceived recoil and offered to let them shoot it but they decided it was "too big" and they prefered the grips on the gp100 anyway.
 
Ruger makes nice revolvers for ladies. I got my father the GP100 (3") and a SP101 DAO 2" for myself recently. I'd recommend the 3" SP101 for your GF or even the 4" model 10 S&W which I'd like to pick up before the year is over. Depending on what she wants, the Bisley Vaquero can be had in the .357 which you can shoot .38s out of. I want one of those too.... :D

Laura
 
Smaller hands seem to work well with round butt Smith J frames.Anything with no damn' lock and all steel.I suggest 110 HP standard velocity ammo.Not bad recoil,absolutely reliable.Excellent used Smiths are gonna cost more,and get harder to find.
 
I would suggest your local range or gun shop. Select a few .38s, have her handle and shoot if possible, and see which she prefers.

Jeff
 
I don't know about the Smiths, alas, but my wife and I have a 4" GP-100. The sights are good, the trigger is good, it's easy to grip, it absorbs recoil very well, and the blast is far enough away from our faces as to not be a concern, especially with 38s.

We also have an SP-101 DAO 2.25", which is my carry piece. We both shoot better with this gun when we don't use the sights at all, but just point and pull the trigger. An aggressive stance helps, too.

For shooting, as in hitting a small or far-away target, I think a longer barrel will help immensely, as will a smooth trigger and the ability to shoot single action. The adjustable sights on our GP are also much easier to use than those on our SP, even though we haven't actually adjusted them. They're just sharper.

So, as long as the grips are comfortable, I would go with a longer barrel SA/DA gun. Also, a .357 will allow you a much greater range of power than will a .38.

~Ichiro

~Ichiro
 
See trend here? Most folks will recommend a heavy (all-steel) revolver for a beginner ... a common mistake is picking up a nice lightweight wheelgun to start-off with, have a terrible time shooting it and then write-off revolvers all-together. With that said, I recommend at LEAST a K-frame-sized (Ruger Security-Six counts here as well ... inexpensive too!) .357 with at least a 4" tube as it is heavy enough to shoot .38's easily and just enough to even test-out Magnums when the time is right. Also, I'd try to get adjustable sights as it will also add more flexibility. And don't forget to put in some time shooting double-action as the benefits will transfer over to other platforms, IMHO.
 
I'd reccomend a K frame Smith. I think they generally have better triggers than the Rugers. You can swap out grips all day until you find the perfect pair for her as well. Look at the adjustable sight Model 15, Model 19 and Model 66. I like the fixed sight versions for defense, but the adjustable sights give you a better sight picture for when you are learning.
 
There is really only one choice. :neener:
The 4" S&W Model 19 (or stainless Model 66).

1) .357 magnum - also usable with .38 Special, 38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt. You can fire anything from "Damn That's Wicked" magnums to uber-light Cowboy loads. Especially the cheap and very accurate .38 special 148gr wadcutter target ammo. You can buy cheap ammo ANYWHERE. You can buy good Self Defence ammo ANYWHERE.

2) World Class Adjustable Sights. - Get that puppy hitting spot on and both of you will get much more enjoyment out of it. NO ONE likes to miss. EVen guns will lesser sights will become easier to use once you have learned the basics with good sights.

3) You can get good grips for it. - The gun itself is not to large nor too small. With the right sized grips it can fit anyone. EVerything from rubber monogrips to elephant ivory is available for a K-frame.

4) The action can be easily and inexpensively "tuned" to be smooth - Like Buttah! you can even learn to do it yourself.

5) Easy to work on if anything ever goes wrong. - Easy to find a good Smithsmith. Replacement parts are cheap.

6) It will outlast you. - Yes you can wear out a K-frame .357 but you realy really have to dedicate yourself to it.

7) It is a SERIOUS handgun. For many many years it was THE law enforcement handgun. - For general carry or home use if you can do it with a handgun you can do it with a 19.

8) They are a great value - Right now thay are still affordable, They made a LOT of them since 1955. But since S&W dropped ALL K-frame .357 productions they will only go up in price.
 
Find a gunstore or pawn shop with police trade-in revolvers... select a 4" Model 10 that looks & functions well. You will have a great range plinker and home defense revolver. Change the grips, if so desired, to whatever you want. Expect a range of $150-$225. Remember - a new one, or a 4" 64, the SS version, or 67, the SS with adjustable sight variant, should run $400-$440 new.

Stainz
 
A number of good suggestions here as far as different models go...and a .357/.38 is a good platform.

However, as a part-time gun shop employee, my experience tells me this:

Bring your girlfriend to the shop, and let her hold/handle a bunch of different models you are considering. It seems that women know what they like and want a lot more than some of the guys that come through. I bet there is one of these above recommendations that she picks up and says "this is it". After all, if she doesn't really like holding and or shooting it, it doesn't matter if it is the "best possible gun" you could get for her. So, my advice is to include her in the purchase rather than to get something for yourself that she could shoot -- let her pick it out, and chances are, it will work for you, too. :)
 
as has been suggested, let her pick. go to a shop, or go to a show, but let her handle *everything* until she finds what she wants.

that said, you can't go wrong with the specific guns mentioned here. personally, i bought a 4" model 13 this summer. a joy to shoot - heavy enough to stay on target and doesn't recoil much at all.

i went shooting with a friend with some major strength issues - ie, i handle all the loading for her (well, with her 9mm anyway. not a big issue with a revolver ;)), and unless she's having a good day, i generally cock the hammer too. i got her setup with the model 13 and some 38spls. she fired the first one off, turned around, and said, "oh, this is EASY!"

it's really hard to go wrong with a k frame :)
 
Thats the plan got_the_bug. I'm probably going to stop by a shop today after work. If they have some nice examples, I'll bring her tomorrow and see how she likes them. :)

Another question: any of the above mentioned revolvers having any trouble handling .38 +p rounds? I figure that I might as well use this as another bedside gun to go along with my p225 (i figure less wall penetration than the 9mm).
 
there's not much difference between 38+p and 9mm. same size bullet, same speed range.

i'd suggest a shotgun as your next bedside gun... but an extra revolver won't hurt. er, on your end. you know.
 
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