S&W 637 vs 642 Airweight for Women's SD

[edwardware]

Additionally, unless you have taught women to shoot (or other similar experience), you might underestimate the magnitude of the difference in grip strength. My older female students have difficulty with weapon manipulations that most men never notice doing. It's really quite significant.

And speaking of grip strength, I stumbled on this:

 

[IJ1981]

Thank you all for the incredible insights and advice. We went to the LGS range on Sunday and she tested the 637 & 642.

She decided on the 637 . Liked the control the hammer gave on SAO..
.
Again, many thanks on all the fine advice.

 

[SwampWolf]

In my experience, da trigger pulls on most J-frame Smith revolvers are very heavy. My wife has a Model 640-1 (a DAO revolver) that she can no longer pull the trigger safely or comfortably. Even if the revolver was a da, I don't recommend cocking the hammer before shooting it in most self-defense scenarios. As you get older, what used to be feasible might become impossible. A Colt King Cobra and a Ruger LCR fixed the problem.

 

[Tallball]

Nice choice! If I could only have one carry piece, it would be a snub 38.

If she ever changes her mind about the hammer spur, a bench grinder will solve that problem in a few minutes.

 

[Craig_AR]

She decided on the 637 . Liked the control the hammer gave on SAO..

If she will be carrying the gun for self defense, please emphasize that the time it takes to cock the hammer before firing is unlikely to be realistic in a SD situation. SA is great for range shooting, but not for emergency defense.
Therefore, encourage her to practice both DA and SA at the range.
I greatly enjoy my revolvers. I hope she does, too.

 

[Riomouse911]

Good for her, she got to shoot first and then chose her gun . This is a far better situation than having one foisted upon her either by a gun clerk seeking a commission, a well meaning relative with preconceived notions or peer pressure from friends to buy what they have.

Now the quest will be to find a supply of lower-recoiling ammo so she can familiarize herself and practice with it without being beaten up by recoil and blast ( the sure pathway to a serious flinch or a dislike of shooting at all).

Then help her seek out a good training course so she can be taught the ins and outs of proper firearms carry, defensive situations and response. (Not every one requires shooting, shoot/no shoot scenarios are valuable training aids.) This alone is worth gold to the vast majority us when we start out.

Keep us apprised on how she takes to her new revolver.

Stay safe.

 

[IJ1981]

Thank you for the kind words, Riomouse911.

She had gone through a good training course before making the buy decision and learned a lot She feels it was a good move .

We will take your solid idea about various types of ammunition and keep you appraised on her progress.

 

[cfullgraf]

She decided on the 637 . Liked the control the hammer gave on SAO..
.

Therefore, encourage her to practice both DA and SA at the range.

@Craig_VA 's advice about practicing DA shooting is good. But maybe give her a while to get comfortable shooting SA.

Then start working DA into the practice routine.

Don't let the early DA sessions to become frustrating.