Snub .38 help needed...

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

gmflash88

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
34
Location
Minnesota
Doing some preliminary research. I've scoured the forums and still have some questions for you all. Looking for a snub for my wife. She currently has a Bersa Thunder .380 and isn't overly comfortable with it. She much prefers a revolver. In fact for the shooting portion of our CC class, she shot my GP101 and I took the Bersa.

So the Bersa has become my 'city' carry and I save the GP for the woods and what not. I made a list of revolvers (all .38's) below that fit both her comfort level for weight (doesn't want it too heavy) and our budget.

Any input/suggestions on any of these models would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

Braz/Rossi R352 = $384
Charter Undcv (steel or alum)= $345
Charter On Duty = $356
Taurus M85 (steel or ultra light)= $368
Taurus 856 = $426
Taurus 817 = $438
 
Ruger LCR can be found for $400-$450 and is the gun I bought after doing extensive research. Haven't looked back. At 13.5 oz unloaded should be right there as far as what you are looking for in the weight category. Hogue Tamer grip makes recoil very bearable.

100_4099.png
 
How is the DA pull? We tested some DA only revolvers at the range and she wasn't too hot on them. She likes shooting SA but would adapt pretty easily to DA if the pull was smooth and light.

I've considered making my GP100 lighter with a new spring kit just haven't gotten around to trying it. She hates how heavy that thing is (both actual weight and DA pull).

I'm fairly green compared to many on this board, but I LOVE my GP100 and consider myself a Ruger 'guy'.
 
While I don't have one myself, I have sampled the LCR and found the trigger much nicer than expected. I would rank it even a bit ahead of the S&W Airweights, but not against the Scandium models.
 
Show her a Ruger SP 101. Moderate size but more weight than the LCR to hold down the recoil, exposed hammer for SA fun. (But she should work on DA for self defense.)
 
Colt D frame

Have a competent gunsmith smooth the trigger action a bit, and you're good to go for another 50 years.

DSCN0532-1-1.gif

You can pick'em up on GB from $400-$550, and all they're gonna do is appreciate over the years.

But an appreciating asset might not be everyone's cup of tea.;)
 
For an SD gun, I'm not too confident of any of the makers you listed. I had a Rossi that was okay but never put enough rounds downrange to confirm longterm reliability. Fit and finish seemed a bit crude. I had an earlier incarnation of a Charter Arms (when it was Charco) and it was horrible. Two trips back to the factory never resolved its problems. I know Charter Arms is a newer company but based on my earlier experience would not consider another one. I have an almost-new Taurus that also needed to go back to the factory to make it run. I guess of your choices I would go with the Taurus as many people have them and like them. If it needs to go back for repair their turn around time is pretty good. I probably would opt for the steel M85...small size and a little more mass than the lightweight version to absorb recoil.
 
I love my S&W Model 642. It's lightweight with no trigger to snag on things.

aSWModel64238SpPSN-DBE4695-1.jpg

Jackie
 
Trigger pull can be an issue with women in a snubnose 38 special

That said , there are many options for her. My wife has a Charter arms 32 H&R magnum but we had to get a trigger job on it. She is quite happy with it . Low recoil, adequate power, and smooth trigger pull makes it ideal for her. She will have to try them out. Any one of the ones you listed are fine guns for her, if she can handle the trigger issue. I personally like the new Ruger LCR, it has the best trigger on the market, light enough for a lady and adequate power too. I am thinking about retiring my old Colt Detectve for one.
 
For around $400-$450 you could get a new S&W 637. Its an aluminum framed snubby it only weighs around 12.5 oz and even with +P's the recoil isn't bad at all.

Doc540, I'm drooling over the pic of your Colt. I gotta get one.
 
My nine yr old daughter loves my Rossi 351 and yeah, the trigger pull in DA is kinda stiff but slowly getting better. Mike
 
MacGuyver77 said

How do you shoot it?!
Click to expand...

Perhaps with duct tape and a chocolate bar?

As for the question at hand, I too suggest the Ruger SP101. Its a couple of ounces heavier than a steel framed Taurus, but its a much better gun overall. You should be able to find one in the $400 to $450 range new, less used. They are solid and extremely reliable. There are both .38 Special and .357 Magnum versions in the 2 1/4" DA/SA configuration.

Here is an example:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=146916885
 
Last edited:
She ever shot a lightweight snub before? With +P or magnum rounds ("defense" capable)? She may find it less comfortable than the Bersa. Big difference between a GP and a snub. I vote for an SP at a minimum.
 
I bought my wife's Ruger LCR for $390 and she absolutely loves it. You will not find a better out-of-the-box trigger with any other snubbie. Better trigger equals better accuracy, and isn't shot placement what it is all about?

rugerlcrchanel.jpg
 
Has your wife fired one of the lightweight snubbies with +P?

You and her both might find it quite a shock. Please have her try before you go down this road. Most any range that rents guns will have one of the lightweights a try.

A Ruger SP is a little more weight, but so much easier to actually shoot.
 
As Weisse said, recoil can be quite remarkable when firing full-power or even +P loads from a lightweight revolver.
That being said, I have carried an earlier Charter Arms Undercover for more than 20 years, even as a BUG when I was in LE, and have never had issue with the way it's handled the hundreds of rounds I've put through it. I also have every bit of confidence that I could find a good defensive revolver in the Taurus/Rossi lineup. The LCR from Ruger looks good, as has been mentioned, and so do the new Charters.
Have you seen the new Cobra .38? While I've not fired one, I did get the chance recently to pick at one a little while ago, and I came away with the impression that, assuming a positive experience at the range, it would make a dandy carry piece. It's mid-weight, and features a concealed hammer as well.
 
How about an old all steel J-frame Smith&Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special? Very sweet SA trigger, as accurate as they come in J-frame, and they run forever. Heavier frame reduces recoil.
 
I'll do my best to answer the questions/comments posted...

First off...THANK YOU. I love this forum. It is absolutely the most civilized, helpful, and respectful web forum I read/contribute in.

She is plenty familiar with snubbies with both .38 and .357. We've tried various breeds at the range and there are a handful of snubbies (all .357) in the immediate family we love test driving at the cabin.

I would really like to get her a SP101 since it's the Yin to my GP100's Yang (maybe if I put them in the same safe they will breed!) but she doesn't care for the weight. Her uncle has one and she has shot it several times. The recoil doesn't bother her as she gets that this wouldn't be a range gun. We have other stuff for that.

The models I listed are what was readily available at a comfortable price in my immediate area. I have decided that I will wait a bit. This isn't a new TV, dryer, etc. This is something that simply must function if/when called upon.

Thanks again all!
 
Look around for a used S&W model 12. It is an aluminum framed Model 10.

K frame, six shots. Big enough to absorb recoil, light enough to carry all day.

Enough grip choices to boggle the mind.

Iggy25
 
Last edited:
Recoil in a .38 special with +P loads?

For men and especially for women, +P loads in a snubby may be too much for them to control for back-up shots. That said, if you are going light weight you might want to consider an alternative to the 38 special and look at the 32 H&R magnum that has found much favor with the ladies as it gives adequate power without excessive recoil in the snubby revolvers. Taurus makes one and so does Charter arms. Just a thought. Regardless she should try out several types and calibers and then LET HER make the decision. I did that and my wife chose the 32 H&R magnum and is very content and good with it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Wife hates 38 snub
2 3
Replies
50
Views
2K
S&Wfan
S
K
  • Locked
New (old) Taurus 85 2" DAO .38
Replies
1
Views
1K
funkeecowboy
F
D
  • Locked
Advice Needed: Kahr PM9 Vs. .38 Snub
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
scurtis_34471
S
A
  • Locked
Need some help with my 38 SPL reloads
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
dmazur
D
M
  • Locked
Range report: Russian-raised wife meets the handgun..
Replies
10
Views
1K
Hardtarget
H
Back
Top