Wife hates 38 snub

[trigun87]

I sold the taurus 85ul due to wife disliking the recoil. I have been looking into a charter arms 22mag snub; am I setting myself up for her disappointment? Is the 22mag's recoil similar to the 38 special? By the way she loves to shoot the stainless steel mark 2 with bull barrel and compensator. She wants recoil like thatrolleyes ,but the 22lr is not the best stopper.

 

[GreenMTNLife]

What is her use for it? Carry? If carry, how is she carrying it? Pocket? IWB? purse? Is it strictly home defense? I don't know much about the Taurus 85ul, but from a quick search it looks like it roughly weighs 22oz. Thats not really all that light for a snubby compared to the J-frames and the LCR. If recoil is an issue I'd be reluctant to go with a smaller caliber for the reasons your specified. Any firearm is better then having no firearm but I'd be inclined to go with a larger gun to reduce felt recoil depending on her use. If she is carrying in her purse or if she is using it for home defense, or even as a vehicle gun then there really is no reason not to go to a full size frame. A K or L frame S&W, or a ruger GP100 with the right grips should be manageable in size and also have the extra weight to reduce felt recoil. Ammunition is the other area where you could reduce recoil but at the same time you'll also be reducing stopping power. If you reload then, downloading would be a decent option. If not then just factory 38 special and not +p might be the best option. IMHO I wouldn't want to go below 38 special for a defense weapon.

 

[Sport45]

Why are you picking out a gun for your wife? Does she pick out guns for you?

 

[Radagast]

There is an ancient discussion on the same topic here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=45288

Note the biggest issue with .22 magnum is that it is loud, also out of a short barrel it is not that much more effective than .22lr. If this is just for home defence and she is a decent shot with the .22, then leave her with that.

If it is for CCW, if she doesn't have an issue with the small revolver as a platform (trigger pull can be a problem for some ladies) and if she is interested (reference the post above, you can point her in the direction but she should make the purchase herself) then look at the S&W 632 Pro in .327 magnum. She will be able to shoot .32 Longs for practice and carry 32 H&R Magnum or .327 magnum. Note however that this gun has a compensator, so although muzzle flip will be reduced with the hot rounds, it too will be loud!

 

[CajunBass]

I can't say I blame her. I don't particularly "like" the recoil of a 38 snub either. I carry one, and I like everything about it BUT the recoil.

My wife had the same problem. She tried a Taurus 85CH. Even with wadcutters she didn't like the recoil. She did like her Ruger 22's.

So we picked out a 22 (Bersa Firestorm) for her carry gun. No it's not the best stopper. But it's a lot better than teeth, claws and crying.

She carried that little 22 for a couple of years. She learned to load and unload, to clean, to carry, to shoot and most importantly when NOT to shoot.

In the meantime she was gaining confidence in herself. She shot other guns and learned to handle recoil. Eventually she said she wanted something "better." She picked out a Glock 19, and loves it. Until then with the Bersa, she was far from unarmed.

Sometimes it's baby steps.

 

[RON in PA]

Did she have the opportunity to shoot the snubby with 148 grain wadcutters or was it loaded with hot ammo? WC ammo is effective for defense without the heavy recoil of HP ammo.

 

[bhp9mm]

a 22lr revolver would not be bad to me with good ammo you have 8 rounds in the newer snubby 22lr like the 317 smith and wesson also makes a model 351 22 mag thats a 7 shot

 

[Guillermo]

I hate light revolvers too.
I carry a D frame Colt because the added weight helps me shoot it better.
SP101 lovers always cite the weight and comfort of shooting.

A Taurus UL, which is a nice enough gun, is a terrible choice for most people, especially folks that might not have a lot of experience shooting. In addition, since most folks don't like shooting it most folks won't practice with it.

Tell that lady to head down to a local gun range and try out a bunch of their loaner guns.

 

[moxie]

.22 mag recoil is quite a bit less than .38 Spl.

 

[Guillermo]

.22 mag recoil is quite a bit less than .38 Spl

quite a bit less in many ways

 

[Black Knight]

Take her to a range that rents different types of handguns. Let her try a different 38 as well as 380 and other calibers. That way she can pick the gun she likes best.

 

[MrOldLude]

I'd give the 38 another try, but I'd re-start her with cowboy loads. Something that won't be punishing to practice with. And then when she's out, she can carry hotter loads.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Consider, as was mentioned earlier, 148-grain wadcutter loads. The WC is an effective bullet for defensive purposes.

Consider also new grips. Analyze her problem -- often the most objectionable feature of recoil is getting the middle finger rapped by the trigger guard. Adding a Tyler T-Grip goes a long way to solving that problem. Another help would be Hogue soft grips.

 

[springmom]

I've had a model 37 for five years. And always hoped that, if I had to use a gun in SD, it wouldn't be the day I was carrying *that*. Self defense ammo n that thing HURTS. It's an airweight, so that makes recoil worse. Wadcutters are fine in it, but...

...I just traded for a Detective Special. The difference is awesome. It sits in a pocket holster in my slacks as I type, and it's not so heavy that it bothers me there. But when I shoot with it (assuming that I grip it properly) I can even shoot the 110gr. Corbon without discomfort. Given my arthritis, this is an enormous deal for me. I'm over the moon about this revolver.

Pass that on to your wife and then let her find her own gun. A good DS is "enough gun" and not "too much gun".

Jan

 

[armoredman]

My wife went through 4 revolvers before we discovered a profound truth - she doesn't like revolvers, period. She carries a CZ2075 RAMI 9mm now, and loves it. Don't limit yourself.

 

[ForumSurfer]

My wife went through 4 revolvers before we discovered a profound truth - she doesn't like revolvers, period.

Same thing with my cousin when she decided to start carrying. Her new husband let her try revolvers galore, kind of forcing his opinion and insisting auto-loaders were a bad choice.

I let her borrow my Glock 19 and 50 rounds. When last I discussed it, she was going to get a 26. Not what I'd reccomend for her in the beginning...but apparently she is comfortable with it and likes it. That's why it is best to just turn her loose when you take her to the store, then rent what she thinks she wants.

 

[Diggers]

Interesting stuff.

I've seen a few things lately about women and glocks. ( A woman here shot a dog that attacked her daughter with a glock in 9mm a few weeks ago) Maybe there is something about glocks that work for women.

One thing, some woman have issue with is a grip strong enough to operate and auto pistol. My wife can't use an auto due to this but she likes her M36 just fine.

 

[ForumSurfer]

One thing, some woman have issue with is a grip strong enough to operate and auto pistol. My wife can't use an auto due to this but she likes her M36 just fine.

That can be an issue, which is why I let someone try everything I have...along with stuff I don't have or even care for.

My ex-wife racks and shoots the glock just fine with no limp-wristing. My girlfriend, who is dang near a foot taller, in better shape and works out regularly has alot of trouble with the glock's slide. Hand her a 1911 and she's fine. Go figure. To me, the glock (strength wise) is easier to rack. Again...it all goes back to letting her experiment. I asked my current girlfriend to try whatever she wants...in revolver or auto-loader platforms before she decides what to keep at her house for home protection.

 

[UpTheIrons]

One thing, some woman have issue with is a grip strong enough to operate and auto pistol. My wife can't use an auto due to this but she likes her M36 just fine.

Is this an issue with holding/shooting the gun, or working the slide?

If it is slide operation, has she tried (what I call) the "Tom Gresham method" for operating the slide? It used your chest muscles instead of arm muscles, and works very well for those with limited strength.

- Pull the gun in close to the breastbone, right hand on the grip, left hand over the slide with the left thumb pointing at the right elbow.
- Grip tightly and PUSH with both hands (right hand pushes left, left hand pushes right).
- When the slide hits the end of it's travel, let go with your left hand.
- Reverse hands if you're a leftie.

My wife can operate a slide normally, but she uses this method, too, because it makes it even easier.

 

[KBintheSLC]

She might do better with something heavier. Like an all steel model such as the SP101. It is way more mild than my 15 oz featherweight. A 3" Sp101 with mild 148g WC loads feels like shooting a stout .22, yet is much more effective than any .22.

 

[ForumSurfer]

My wife can operate a slide normally, but she uses this method, too, because it makes it even easier.

That method works for my girlfriend. I don't particularly like it, because she hasn't practiced enough for it to become second nature. Now that she has greater triceps strength (I helped her learn to target those muscles since she felt hers were flabby, even though I disagreed), she racks it much easier...but she's just "better" with my 1911's. Of course...it may be some sort of evil ploy since she has hinted around at my AR becoming "hers." Gotta love her...

 

[Big Bill]

Get the 22 mag and let her shoot that for awhile. I don't know many people who would enjoy getting shot with that caliber. CajunBass posted some real good advice and I agree 100% with his analysis.

 

[Guillermo]

A couple of things

Once again...I too hate light snub nose revolvers. No fun to shoot. A less effective cartridge may be in order but more likely, a heavier gun might make her happy. (it does me)

While I may have more firearm knowledge than the women in the house, I cannot imagine picking out a gun for my current wife. She has 3 handguns and a couple of shotguns. One was a gift but it was given with the understanding that if she didn't like it, she could take it back. I certainly would never choose a carry gun for her any more than she would for me.

Husbands are often not the right people to advise or teach their spouses about guns. I have had several people, including a fellow on THR, that asked me to coach their wife. Quite often there is too much "other stuff" that goes to the range.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is the 22mag's recoil similar to the 38 special?

It will have a lot less kick, but a louder, sharp "crack" report instead of the "boom" of the .38.

Yours (or rather, hers) is a common complaint about small-frame .38 revolvers, especially lightweight ones. (I don't care much for them myself, preferring a subcompact 9mm pistol like the Kahr PM9.) There are two ways to reduce the recoil: a heavier gun or lighter-loaded ammo. The same Taurus is available in a steel frame, and non +P or even target wadcutter ammo can be used. More hand filling grips can also be obtained, but excessively large grips make the little gun just as big as a medium frame revolver.

 

[JellyJar]

How about a SP101 in .327 Federal?

Also it carries 6 in the cylinder.