Revolver for wife

[HDoc]

Made the mistake of allowing S.O. to fire my S&W 19-4 with .38 ammo at the range today and she decided 1) she likes target shooting single action 2)
doesn't like the way the P380 feels in her hand.. sigh
Haven't bought a wheel gun in years, so what's the opinion here for a CC
light, concealable, easy trigger revolver? I've a preference for S&W. Is their BG .38 anything to use?
Are the .357 models noticeably heavier?

[Bayou]

Let her carry what she's comfortable carrying/shooting. I teach CC and that's the advice I give my students. Depending on her style of carry, a .357 could work. She could train with .38s and load the magnum stuff for business.

There are those who will say there is no finer revolver that the Model 19.

Two cents from a kahrtalk newbie.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?eh0ikt

[HDoc]

There are those who will say there is no finer revolver that the Model 19.
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t

You won't get any argument from me. The Combat Magnum model 19 is
near a perfect weapon. I had this one accuratized by the chief armorer in the 82d ABN cause this then young 1st LT agreed to open the range at 7 AM on Sundays for him. Light trigger, polished internals... god I love it

[DeaconKC]

If she likes stainless, the model 66 is the same gun. One of the strangest things out there is the pricing on a Ladysmith 65 [stainless with fixed sights] in a 3 " barrel. Very undervalued, great shooters or carry guns, handles 357 or 38s [of course].

[Barth]

I love S&W revolvers and have three pre-lock versions.
I'm mostly a Stainless Steel man myself.
The guns hold up for years with little maintenance and are super easy to clean.
Single action is great for the range, but usually frowned on for self-defense.

My personal favorite is my 640-1 357.
The Centennial has a concealled hammer that keeps dirt out of the action.
And eliminates snagging on cloths during a drawn.
Also the rear notch sight, rather than target sights, help with the anti-snag.
With an action job and some range time a glassy 8.5 lbs DAO trigger is cake.

[melissa5]

I've got a model 37 that my uncle left to me. It's not really comfortable to shoot with the wooden grips on it, but is nice with hogue grips.

[HDoc]

Are the J-frames that uncomfortable to shoot? Range ammo will be .38
not +P.

[kenk]

Are the J-frames that uncomfortable to shoot? Range ammo will be .38
not +P.

Last week I went shooting with my new S&W 642 .38 Special. I fired 50 rounds of Speer Lawman 125 grain TMJ and another 15 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 125 grain GDHP. I was pleasantly surprised about the comfort level. I think the key is how the stock fits your hand and how good your grip is. By the end of the session, my grip was weakening and recoil became more of a problem.

I recently sold my CM9 because my grip wasn't good enough to completely eliminate limp wrist caused malfunctions.....but the 642 went bang every time :-).

Ken

[JFootin]

Last week I went shooting with my new S&W 642 .38 Special. I fired 50 rounds of Speer Lawman 125 grain TMJ and another 15 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 125 grain GDHP. I was pleasantly surprised about the comfort level. I think the key is how the stock fits your hand and how good your grip is. By the end of the session, my grip was weakening and recoil became more of a problem.

My 638 is not a range gun and doesn't need to be broken in, so a few rounds fired in a range session is all I am going to do with it. I'll probably get a Pachmayr rubber grip for it. In a SHTF situation, the recoil of up to five rounds of +p SD ammo isn't going to kill me.

I recently sold my CM9 because my grip wasn't good enough to completely eliminate limp wrist caused malfunctions.....but the 642 went bang every time :-).

Ken

My grip and trigger pulling strength is getting worse due to a slowly advancing hereditary paralysis. That is one of main reasons that I recently bought a S&W 638 Airweight, and also why it is at the gunsmith's shop right now getting a trigger job done so I will be able to pull it DA.

I will keep my CM9 as long as I can, but eventually the ability to wrack the slide and tap/rack/clear if it jams will deteriorate and I will have to Flitz it up real shiny and sell it. I'll try everything first, though, such as skateboard tape in the slide grooves like I saw in a recently resurrected thread.

[Barth]

Grips are a big deal

Last week I went shooting with my new S&W 642 .38 Special. I fired 50 rounds of Speer Lawman 125 grain TMJ and another 15 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 125 grain GDHP. I was pleasantly surprised about the comfort level. I think the key is how the stock fits your hand and how good your grip is. By the end of the session, my grip was weakening and recoil became more of a problem.

I recently sold my CM9 because my grip wasn't good enough to completely eliminate limp wrist caused malfunctions.....but the 642 went bang every time :-).

Ken

One of the strengths of a revolver, particularly a J-Frame, is the vast selection in grips available.
Just a change in grips can turn a painful gun into a pleasure.
Like triggers and sights, grips are a personal choice.
I like rubber grips that cover the back strap.
Must have 6 or seven different grips with different shapes, made from various materials, for my J-Frames.

My absolute favorite of this style are
Pachmayr 03252 Compac Grip S&W J-Frame Rd Butt $19.

I've got them on my 357 and 44 Mags - and they are sweet!

[DKD]

I have a "J" Frame Smith and they are easy to carry all day and aren't overly uncomfortable to shoot with standard grade ammo. I put a sping kit on mine and reduced the double action pull weight by about 20%...it really helped out alot on double action accuracy.
I like heavier wheel guns but if it is too much weight she won't carry the darn weapon and that is what yor goal is than that must be considered as the mogel 686 and model19's are quite a bit larger & heavier although easy to shoot.
Have you considered an intermediate revolver say a Lady Smith in .357 mag?
It is a three inch barrel, stainless steel, and inbetween the other two previously stated models being discussed. It is also very shootable and less weight...might even fit her hand alot better.

[melissa5]

Are the J-frames that uncomfortable to shoot? Range ammo will be .38
not +P.

I don't particularly like a lightweight revolver...especially if the backstrap is not covered. If I were going to CC a revolver, I'd choose a short barreled Ruger SP101. It feels solid and shoots like a dream. I carried one before I switched to bottom feeders.

[Barth]

I don't particularly like a lightweight revolver...especially if the backstrap is not covered. If I were going to CC a revolver, I'd choose a short barreled Ruger SP101. It feels solid and shoots like a dream. I carried one before I switched to bottom feeders.

The SP101 is Ruger's version of the S&W 640.
Both all stainless 5 shot 357 Magnum guns that shoot 38 too.
They are both fine weapons, each having a loyal following.

I think the Smith might be a little smaller and easier to carry.
They are both something like about 23/25 oz depending on grips?
It's a little heavy in the pocket but a dream on a belt.

I don't carry a purse - LOL!

The extra weight really helps with the recoil and follow up shots.
I have an 11.1 oz 342 ti that was my EDC and night stand gun for 15 years.
I just love my new 640-1 so much it has replaced the 342 during the week
and at night.
Everything else is in storage now except my triple threat convertible G27 9mm/357/40.
That's my weekend out and about gun.

I have a big case with 5 barrels and ??? mags.
Plus a 50 cal ammo can full of Speer GDHP, Winchester Ranger T-series and Federal HST ammo.

As far as caliber wars competition so far?
1) Storm Lake defeats Glock OEM in all calibers
2) Caliber in order of accuracy, regardless of barrel manufacturer,
9mm, 357 sig and then 40.

Current champion is my Storm Lake G23 4.02" 40-9mm conversion barrel.
The Storm Lake G27 3.46" 40-9mm conversion barrel is close with GDHPs.
But the longer barrel groups a little better with Speer.
And much better with Winchester and Federal.

Funny isn't it?

Lastly, we have the Storm Lake G27 4.16" Extended, Dual Ported, Isonite QPQ Finished 357 Sig barrel.
I just noticed Storm Lake has updated my schedule ship date for the third
time!!! _()*&+)(*+)(*+)(*)( now it may ship 3/30/2012???

The saga continues...

[jeepster09]

Darn.......I thought someone wanted to trade me a REVOLVER FOR MY WIFE.....I was jumping up and down then I re-read it.

[HDoc]

Accuracy is NOT a item I'm concerned about with a 2 inch barrel, after 10-15 feet striking a place that hurts like hell is all I can expect. I like the Rugers and S&Ws, although I like the idea of a shrouded hammer so no snagging on draw but still a DA/SA firing is possible. Does that limit her to
a J frame model for CC? Ultimately it's going to be how it feels in her hand.