_______ is to revolvers as the G19 is to autos.

General Firearms Handguns - Revolvers
1

Gents I’m attempting to help my sister select a new revolver to use as a CCW. She wants to pick one up prior to her taking the class so she can get some time training with it. She currently owns some 4" Taurus .38 monstrosity. She came to me but I’m no a wheel gun guy, the first thing that came to mind was an S&W J-Frame. But which one? She mentioned that she would be interested in an Airweight model as she finds her Taurus a tad on the hefty side. I explained to her that there is no free lunch and with a lighter gun she would be dealing with increased recoil.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

2

I have an unhealthy addiction to revolvers.

If I was going to pick a J-Frame it would be the 442. I have carried one of and on for a long time. Usually in the summers in a pocket. For a new shooter that is a very tough revolver to shoot well though. Any J frame will be. A short barreled K frame like a 19 or 66 is easier but no matter what you have to get around that double action pull. They also do not make them anymore so they can be hard to find.

I am a Smith guy so I know nothing of the Ruger line up. Maybe a SP101 of one flavor or another could work. If possible I would have her shoot whatever she is looking at first. Lots of people like the attributes of small revolvers till they try to hit something with them.

3

I would say SP101 if she is dead set on a revolver. Personally I would get her to try a PPS or a M&P Shield.

4

I know it’s not really an answer to your question, but I’d say try to convince her to buy a G19 or S&W Shield or whatever. It’s a lot easier to learn to manipulate a compact auto than to shoot a small 38 well.

Otherwise…

I had a S&W 442, and a 2.5" 686+, and they were both really nicely made guns. The 686+ was a hell of a lot more enjoyable to shoot, obviously, and I could actually use it effectively. I would never carry a 442 or similar without lasergrips, and a larger grip. The boot grip is just too small; it would rotate in my hand with every shot. And the fixed sights were not very useful, they were hard to see and POI was nowhere near POA–though, that’s highly ammo dependent. Recoil was not fun at all. I’d much, much rather shoot factory 357 Magnum in the 686+ than factory 38 Special +P in the 442.

If you can find a shrouded ejector Detective Special for a decent price, they’re really nice little guns. It’d probably need a trigger job. I really liked the one I had (with a factory-bobbed hammer with the SA notch removed), the steel frame gave it enough weight to tame the recoil but it was still extremely easy to conceal, and you get 6 shots instead of the 5 in a J-frame. But, the guns aren’t built for high volume +P shooting.

I’ve never heard anything bad about SP101s. I don’t like their triggers, but I am very much a S&W revolver guy, and Rugers are just different. They’re overbuilt for the application, however. 5 ounces heavier than a Detective Special and a 5 shot gun, for reference. I have friends that like them, and Ruger revolvers are generally considered bulletproof.

The Ruger LCR and the S&W Bodyguard 38 seem fairly popular. I have only handled them. I was impressed with the trigger pull on the LCR I played with at the shop, but just like an alloy J-frame, recoil must be a complete bitch. The S&W Bodyguard 38 with the integrated laser seems interesting, very cheap compared with a 442 + lasergrips and a bit lighter.

The only revolver brands I recommend that are currently producing guns are Ruger and S&W. Charter Arms, Rossi, Taurus, or whatever other pot metal manufacturers there are out there are not worth even looking at, IMO. The QA/QC just isn’t there, and I’d rather not buy something that will start spraying bullet shavings at 500 rounds because the timing went to shit.

Whatever the choice, if she goes with a 38 revolver, I’d recommend a trigger job. And have her focus heavily on mastering the DA pull. Far too many people go to the range and shoot in SA because they want to make nice little groups on paper, but that really doesn’t help when there’s no time to cock the hammer after every shot. Any revolver I own for defense purposes I treat like a DAO, because that’s how I’m going to use it if I have to draw it in earnest.

But seriously, try to get her to buy an auto instead. A J-frame style 38 really is not a novice’s weapon; it is one of the hardest weapons to become proficient with. It’s very easy to develop a horrible flinch when you combine a heavy DA pull with the nasty recoil. It drives me nuts when I hear a gun shop employee pushing a J-frame on a woman buying her first gun, because they are just setting her up for failure. A S&W Shield or similar pistol would be orders of magnitude easier to learn on.

5

S&W M10, stainless or chrome (girls like shiny stuff), with 4" heavy bbl. Add Crimson Trace grips and modern +P .38 JHP. The S&W Model 10 was THE serious LE gun for generations. It should suit the casual home user just fine.

6

The model 10 was the G17/19 revolver equivalent in its time. THE standard LE service hangun.

I agree there is no such thing as a free lunch, so while an airweight J frame is far more carriable, the M10 is IMO much better for shooting: better grip, action, more weight and control.

I would take her to the range with several guns and see what fits best her abilities and needs.

7

SP101.

8

The direct equivalent would be a 2.5-3" barreled K frame. I’ve always though the 442 to be the best of the J’s for carry, but my 3" Model 66 is a far better gun for actual shooting. I wouldn’t discount the LCR though. The trigger pull on the ones I’ve handled is superb compared to the SP’s and Smiths.

9

How does she intend to carry it?
If the Taurus is “hefty”, how much relief is she looking for?
Does she truly understand the difference in shootability with the lightweights?

3" K-frames and 3" J-frames in standard weights with decent grips can be very shooter friendly. I know a number of ladies and youth that like them. (A 3" model 60 is particularly popular.) An SP101 is also a good compromise, but will likely qualify as “hefty”.

10

My first reply for women wanting revolvers is a 4" Ruger GP100 .357. (I love mine, and so have all the other women I have let shoot it.)

However if she wants smaller and lighter, I guess I would say the Ruger SP-101 in .357 in a 2-3" barrel.

11

I’ve got a SP101 that I had “tuned up” by Gemini Customs. Haven’t had an opportunity to shoot it much but it sure turned out nice. Not sure what kind of coin you’re looking to spend, but take a look see at some of the S&W and Ruger revolvers on the Gemini website and the various tune-up and carry options. If nothing else, you’ll end up with a new revolver in your collection. :laugh:

12

I have more success with the SP101 than the GP100, due to the lower bore axis, weight, and trigger reach. Ladies also report perceptually less recoil (likely due to those attributes) with the 101 vs the 100. GP100 would also require more dedication to carry than the smaller.

I’ve never quantified the difference in performance between the Js and Ks / 101s and 100s. That’s probably worth doing.

13

^ This x 1,000.

I grew up on revolvers, and the little ones are very difficult to shoot well. I still have an Airweight J-frame that I keep more for sentimental reasons than anything. I dread shooting it. That said, if she insists on a revolver, then get her a revolver and make sure that she trains with it.

If you feel that the G19 is the all-purpose semi-auto, and you want the revolver equivalent, then you want a 6-shot 357 with a 3” or 4” barrel. Any Smith K-frame would do, with Models 13, 19, 65, and 66 at the top of the list. The Ruger Speed Six and Security Six are also excellent choices. These guns live in a very sweet spot—small enough that most women can conceal them but big enough to be easy to shoot well.

5-shot 38/357’s are the G26 of revolvers–ideal as a BUG, hide-out gun, or a primary for a very small person. Smith J-frames and the Ruger SP101 are the only ones worth owning. 5-shot guns by Rossi, Taurus, etc. are OK for occasional shooting, but I’ve seen a lot of them fall apart in sustained use. The Smith is the gold standard—small, light, accurate—but they’re so small that they kick like a mule with hot ammo whether the frames are steel or aluminum, plus the sights are very hard to see. (Smith occasionally makes 3” J-frame guns with adjustable sights. They’re a very different story.) Also, the alloy guns don’t last as long as the steel guns in heavy use. Back in the day, serious shooters would train with a steel J-frame and carry the identical alloy model. The SP101 is built like a tank, so it weigh almost as much as a 6-shot Smith, but it certainly handles recoil well. The sights are usable and it’s not that hard to swap out the front for a tritium blade. They also make a bobbed-hammer version that’s truly slick.

The Detective Special and the Cobra were Colt 6-shot 38’s built to compete with the J-frame Smith. They’re a good choice as mentioned above, especially with the shrouded hammer, but they’re hard to find and their lockwork is so complex that almost nobody remembers how to work on them. It’s also getting hard to find holsters and grips for them.

Medium-heavyweight 357’s (L-frame Smiths, Ruger GP-100, etc.) are more like the G17. They soak up recoil and are easy to shoot well. If she’s not going to carry, these are probably the best choice. They’re also probably the least expensive.

Revolvers are still a valid CCW choice, but a G19/Shield/PPS makes a hell of a lot more sense in this day and age.

Okie John

14

I appreicate all the info guys, I will take my time and re-read all the posts. I have a GP-100 and the first gun I every CCW was a SP-101 (5720 concealed hammer). I’m going to try and talk her out of an Airweight and a J-Frame for the reasons mentioned above.

While I’m at it, someone mentioned the LCR. What is the word on these, have they been out long enough for some serious end user feed back?

Thanks again!

15

Let her shoot one–she’ll talk herself out of it.

Okie John

16

SP101 IMO. I think I still have some spring kits for them.

17

I think revolvers are better guns for those who are not willing to train to master their guns. I love autos and carry them but they require more manipulation. You have reloading, malfunciton clearance drills etc. You can limp wrist them. None of these are issues for those who train and know their guns but it could be very bad for a person who will not put much time in other than learning the basics for safety. I have bought revolvers for my mother and my brother. Because they are not really gun people. I gave them the basics on how to operate them and took the shooting until they felt comfortable with it. I feel I made the right choice. Now if the person has an interest and wants to shoot enough to learn the auto is the better choice.

That said for CCW for a female I would look hard at the Ruger SP101 or of a J frame with a 3 inch barrel and good sights. (rare)
Pat

18

If we went with pure rugged reliability I would have to say the Ruger Six series. I believe that they never got one back to the factory that was shot out of timing?

19

My Mother keeps an old Police Service Six holstered under her pillow. It’s a pretty nice revolver.

20

Agreeing with those above me. Have her shoot an air weight before she buys one. They are pretty brutal. Given the reliability and quality of autos these days, I see limited use for a wheel gun. I certainly wouldn’t have one as a primary.