S&W 686 or 649 for the wife's carry/work weapon?

[JLStorm]

My wife is joining a company I work for that does some investigation, personal protection and recovery work. She will just be doing some cheating spouses and verification work on the side, but she will need to qualify with a firearm under the states lethal weapons training act. I was going to get her a compact semi auto of some sort, but she cant rack the slides very well in anything we tried, and she really likes the no nonsense always ready revolver. She has made it very clear that she is sacrifice the extra rounds of a semi auto for a revolver that it always goes bang when she pulls the trigger and wont jam, and there is definitely someting to be said for that.

She really likes my BUG S&W 640 PD, and I was thinking of getting her a more heavyweight model, but my main concern is that the 640 and 649 have no real rear sight, and it really makes aiming an issue. The 686 has great sights, but there is an external hammer, which I never liked for carry use. She will use a 357, but have it chambered in 38 so the recoil of the small revolver really shouldnt be an issue, and if she ever wants to move up, it elliminates the need to buy a new gun. Any opinions on the lesser of the two evils between crappy sites or a hammer?

649

686

 

[dbarale]

If size is not really an issue, a 686+ (7 shots) with a boobed hammer and Cylinder and Slide fixed sight conversion should be just about perfect.
But my first choice would be a 3" 64, 65 or better yet a 65LS...

 

[Euclidean]

Some Crimson Trace grips might be a solution here maybe? Just brainstorming. Also, with a little work on technique, drawing a revolver with an external hammer isn't that snag prone, but I can appreciate your giving Murphy his due.

 

[Brad686]

I think the S&W performance shop will bobb the hammer for you, if not any gunsmith can.

 

[quicksilverpdx]

HIGHLY RECOMENDED, and if she san get over the slide thing I would seriously look at the SA XD 9

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...light+weight+revolver&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&sa=N

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-sub-compact.shtml


Good luck, and happy hunting

 

[enfield]

Why don't you let *HER* pick out the gun she wants to carry?

 

[HighVelocity]

Why don't you let *HER* pick out the gun she wants to carry?

Amen, Brother, Amen. I've been down this road it's rough. Let her try out some guns, either rented or borrowed, before you buy. Regardless of how good you think a specific weapon is, she will not feel the same about it as she will if SHE picks it out.

 

[GunNut]

Yep, take her to the gun store or range and let her pick what fits her hand the best. Racking a slide is more technique than strength to most women.

And yes a 640 S&W does have sights......they are not adjustable but they're still there.

Steve

 

[Euclidean]

I read it more like she's asking for his input or opinion on narrowing it down between these two choices. The revolver was her idea is what I read.

 

[GunNut]

The 649 or a 640 will be a lot easier to conceal, so that is the direction that I would suggest she look.

I had a 640-1 .357mag and absolutely loved it, but got rid of it in a moment of weakness.

Steve

 

[JLStorm]

Here are pics of the wife's new gun

She loves it!!!! (thank god lol)

 

[Alan Fud]

You went with the 640 -- good choice I've got one mayself

 

[Preacherman]

I'd highly recommend Crimson Trace lasergrips for that revolver. I have them on all my "carry" snubbies, and regard them as an essential accessory, given the limited sight picture on the small guns. They're a really, really worthwhile investment!

 

[Alan Fud]

+1 to the laser sites on snubbies -- really makes that gun useful beyond close range.

 

[Golddog]

I've taught a lot of women to shoot, and J frames are absolutely the worst revolvers for them. The DA pulls are too heavy, as is the recoil. J frames are guns for experts, not novices. For carry, a K makes more sense, since it's easier to shoot well, and, in a holster, almost as easy to carry. The heavier L's are even easier to shoot, but the weight may get old if you've got to stand up all day.

You're right about many women and slide racking. Unless your wife is a dedicated gun person, semi-autos are less safe, for lots of reasons, and malfunctions in an emergency could be disastrous.

If she wants a J frame, put Pachmayrs Compacs on it, to reduce recoil.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Some thoughts...

If your wife has a problem with hand strengh or recoil I say she go with a S&W model 649 .357magnum or maybe a 638 S&W .38spl. If revolver recoil/size is not a big issue then consider the Ruger SP-101 da only .357magnum.

Crimsontrace lasergrips for any of these revolvers would be a good idea too .

Some custom work like ported barrels, plate jobs and action jobs may help. A well made coating like NP3 or Duraguard will prevent rust, ease cleaning and help keep the weapon working.

Check out these useful websites; www.geminicustoms.com

( the Black T "carry package" for the Ruger SP-101 looks good, ) www.clarkcustomguns.com www.robarguns.com www.apwcogan.com www.lasergrips.com www.crimsontrace.com .

For ammo use either; .38spl Glaser silver, Magsafe +P rounds Corbon +P+ 110gr JHP or the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP. For speedloaders/speedstrips get some .357 magnum rounds; 125gr JHP or 110gr JHP.
RS