Another vote for the SP101, if she can live with the weight. I shoot my SP101 better than any other snubbie i have ever tried. It is fun to shoot. It’s recoil, even with .357 is manageable for me. I am not recoil sensitive; however, i had an aluminum framed snubbie that was no fun to shoot with 38+p.
Bottom line is that she needs to choose what she wants, preferably after an opportunity to try several different ones.
Agree with every point here. Exactly what I’ve advised for years.
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The S&W model 19?
I would also vote for a S&W model 60, with a 3 inch barrel. I just looked at S&W’s website and they offer everything from a base model with a shorter barrel to performance center versions. They can be had used cheap and they are relatively easy to find. I have never looked at the Ruger SP101 although I wanted one when they first came out for a camp gun. I remember that they were available with a conversion cylinder to make use of 9mm on full moon clips. I don’t know if they still do.
My 72yo MIL shoots my model 60 very well with iron sights.
I am always polite at family gatherings as it now resides with her.
My suggestion: a S&W J Frame of some sort with Crimson Trace grips and Apex J Frame kit with a couple Bianchi Speed Strips and Safariland Speedloaders.
My niece has a similar set up (S&W 340PD with the above additions). For practice she will usually shot 50 rounds of .38 wad cutters and finish up with 5-10rounds of her carry ammo (right now it is Corbon 38+P DPX). This way she can practice and work on her skills with the wad cutters without taking a thumping on her hands while also shooting a few full power rounds to get use to it.
If you get a Jframe, I recommend the Crimson Trace extended grip LG305 grip. Makes a big difference in controlling. CTC also makes a smaller grip that is harder to control.
I put these on my SW638 shrouded hammer J frame. It is my concealed carry pistol. Light and very easy to conceal pistol. I also had the trigger pull lightened, made a big difference.
http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/manufacturer/s-w-pistols-revolvers/01-1150
Have fun
RFA
I vote Ruger sp101 with 3" barrel. Tough little guns, accurate, fun to shoot, and she could conceal it. My wife carried one for the longest.
A lot of women (IME) won’t practice with a J frame because the recoil.
i’ve got a stainless security six myself. great wheelgun.
Had the same issue. We found a Sp-101 with a set of Crimson Trace for a steal. Absolutely no regrets. She prefers .38s over the magnums for obvious reasons. She likes it, therefore I do too.
I bought a Smith & Wesson BG38 and gave it to my wife on her birthday. The J-Frame can be a handful, but she is able to shoot it effectively and making C.O.M hits out to 25 yards is not a problem for her. She usually does not care to shoot any more than 150 rounds during a practice session, but most men feel the same way. It is her CCW handgun.
I liked shooting her BG38 so well that I bought one for myself. I carry it daily and it is a good carry handgun when it is not practical to carry something bigger.
Depending on your wife’s needs, I would not rule out a J-Frame or SP101 for carry. I would be hesitant to recommend the Taurus after the problems I have seen with several of their smaller handguns.
Any Ruger, Colt or S&W 4" revolver. The G19-17 of their day.
I just picked up an older 3" Model 36 square butt and this is really true. It’s got a little heavier barrel and of course the extra inch. Its still small and thinnish. A delight to shoot vs airweight J frames. But still . . . svelte.
S&W J Frame
My wife CCW a 642 light and small and she has no problem with +Ps though she bought VZ grips because they were pretty. She also has a SP101 with a 3 inch barrel which stays at home due to the 642 being light and small. Though the SP101 is her favorite to shoot. You will have to let the Mrs. pick out one that feels the best in her hands.
Ruger LCR in 38 and another in 22 long rifle to practice with. If she won’t spend the money for two revolvers I would not discourage the purchase of a 22 alone or the 22 now and the 38 later. She might shoot the 22, she probably won’t like shooting the 38. A 22 she know how to handle might be better than a 38 she is afraid of.
i agree with all the posts for the sp101. perfect match for my wife, and i think they have an excellent size and weight compromise compared to a lot of others.
Airweight J-frame with laser grips. Let her practice with light loads. They are like a guitar. They are easier than most guns to learn the basics but harder to absolutely master.
Well said.
A lot of folks don’t have the drive to become a combat shooter with their CCW guns. That doesn’t mean that if they learn to make COM hits at 10 yards, with an Airweight J frame loaded with 148 grain wadcutters, they aren’t better off than being unarmed.
It’s a rare woman who’s going to CCW a 4" steel frame K or GP100, even though she’ll more than likely shoot it better. I’d rather see someone I care about have a gun they’ll actually carry.
I carry an LCR as a BUG. .38 is cheap enough (and available) to shoot and some really great loads are available for defensive carry (Gold Dot 135 +P Short Barrel comes to mind and is what I carry). With the Hogue Tamer grip it is bearable to shoot lots, but not fun. Crimson Trace grip is a bit more cringe worthy, but out to typical defensive distances really makes it surprisingly accurate.
On either, paint the front sight a nice bright color. Practice as much as your hand can manage the recoil.
Not my first pick as a primary, but among the available revolvers a solid choice as a light, easily concealable piece.
(P.S. I have about 1500 rounds through mine without a problem.)
Hope this helps.
S&W 642 w/wadcutters.
I would think trying to hit something more than 20 feet away with one of these little guns defeats the purpose of it. It’s a “belly gun” to be used on assailants that are closer than 10 yards. I’m of the opinion that’s why the sights are kind of crude: you don’t really need them at that range.