.38 for girlfriend

[shaunbowler@yahoo.com]

I have been doing research regarding the purchase of a .38 revolver for my girlfriend.
Protection only.
She weighs @100lbs and is 59 years old.
Very little experience with "shooting."
There are so many "options" available that I have to ask my Brother's in Arm's, what do you think?
Weight, barrel length, laser,.38 plus or not, kickback, I am sure I am leaving some consideration out.
I have looked at all available US companies, and all seem good.
Please help.
Thank you.
SB

[trackcage]

I have a smith and wesson 627 that my girlfriend absolutely loves. It's a 8-shot 38/357 built on the N frame, which is designed for their 44 magnum platform. Because of this, the gun is very heavy and makes shooting 38s feel like it's a 22. Would definitely recommend, but it's a Performance center gun so it's not cheap

[SkyHawk]

Is this for carry or strictly for use at home?

[Thanatos2203]

Watch this please.

[edgerly779]

SW 36-3" revolver with regular semi wadcutter load no plus p. Point the revolver keep pulling trigger til empty. Unlike a jammed semi auto if she keeps pulling the trigger it will fire. No novice shooter can clear a jam in a semi without a lot of training.

[claylakers]

SW 36-3" revolver with regular semi wadcutter load no plus p. Point the revolver keep pulling trigger til empty. Unlike a jammed semi auto if she keeps pulling the trigger it will fire. No novice shooter can clear a jam in a semi without a lot of training.

Can't argue with this

[SoCal Bob]

My wife prefers a Smith & Wesson model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel. Generally speaking any S&W .38 Special that has a model number will handle +P rounds. Always best to verify that if you find one with an alloy frame.

Don't buy a snub nose revolver until you have shot one. The small size can make them difficult to handle because of the recoil.

Best thing is to go to a range and rent some guns for her to try. Also rent a few semi autos so she can experience the difference and can make a more informed choice.

[Mossy Man]

Dont get a light frame or snubby.

They are high recoil especially for small older women.

Get a medium or full size .357 and load it with .38.

[bountyhunter]

I have been doing research regarding the purchase of a .38 revolver for my girlfriend.
Protection only.
She weighs @100lbs and is 59 years old.
Very little experience with "shooting."
There are so many "options" available that I have to ask my Brother's in Arm's, what do you think?
Weight, barrel length, laser,.38 plus or not, kickback, I am sure I am leaving some consideration out.
I have looked at all available US companies, and all seem good.
Please help.
Thank you.
SB

The SW "Ladysmith" series were very good guns for personal protection. Get an all steel with 3" barrel.

[boopiejones]

i have a s&w 686ssr that i would highly recommend. extremely accurate and shooting standard 38 special it feels like a BB gun. if she wants to try something more powerful, she can practice with +p or 357 magnum as well.

i imagine that a regular 686 would have even less recoil, as the SSR has a slab sided (light weight) barrel.

[edgerly779]

Get what fits her hand size comfortably and she can control with whatever ammo you chose for her self defense. Grip prefence and size of the individuals hands govern this.

[deckhandmike]

Dont get a light frame or snubby.

They are high recoil especially for small older women.

Get a medium or full size .357 and load it with .38.

My .38 j frame s&w has more felt recoil than my 10mm glock. Do not get a light revolver for a newer shooter. They are very difficult to manage.

[bountyhunter]

Get what fits her hand size comfortably and she can control with whatever ammo you chose for her self defense. Grip prefence and size of the individuals hands govern this.

+1 And I guarantee a 100 pound woman will not be able to grip a SW model N frame (627) and probably not an L frame (686) either. My wife is a 100 pounder and a K frame is about the largest she can get her hand around.

[bountyhunter]

My .38 j frame s&w has more felt recoil than my 10mm glock. Do not get a light revolver for a newer shooter. They are very difficult to manage.

Depends what load you put in it. Federal makes (or made) some light recoil 110 grain defense loads for .38. I still have a box of it.

[Lead Waster]

I highly recommend taking her to the range with an assortment of guns and not just guessing what would work for her, even if you know her very well.

The fact that she's 100 lbs makes NO DIFFERENCE at all. Lots of men decide "it's for my wife, sister, mother, female coworker" and "girls are weak and delicate" and then get them some "small" gun.

I would think that a 9mm Glock 19 would be a good gun. IMHO maybe better than a .38 revolver. Semi autos are (IMHO) easier to hold and shoot and certainly to reload.

She's never shot before? That's good...that means a good REAL lesson from a good instructor will help her develop real useful skills, rather than "oh, he brother took her shooting.... and taught her all sorts of bad technique".

Step one is an introductory course somewhere. Then range practice.

Look how much time each one of use tortures ourselves over which gun to buy ... we don't even know what WE like, let alone what our gf/wife/Mom MIGHT like.