.38 for girlfriend

[OC_Gunner]

Someone mentioned difficulty in clearing jams presented by a semi-auto. I think anyone that is going to depend on a pistol to save their life should be trained properly enough to clear a jam. My recommendation to anyone looking for a 'do everything pistol' is still a G19 or XD9. Throw on a light if it'll end up in the nightstand in the after-hours. Nothing like a Glock or XD trigger over a heavy double-action pull of a revolver.

[JTROKS]

Whichever revolver you get teach her to shoot double action only. In the event of her actually using the gun for self defense there will be no second guessing in court if it's accidental or deliberate.

[Ant45]

Recently took my friend and his 15 year old daughter shooting (her first time) and she did pretty good with my Ruger SP101 3". We only used .38 special +P, no .357.

[SkyHawk]

OK now that OP has specified this lady plans to carry it, let's knock out all the Anaconda recommendations. A 4" steel frame full lug is great at home but harder for a lady to carry all day. It's better to have anything than nothing because you didn't want to lug it around all day.

I agree that semi autos for defense are only for people who are committed to learning malfunction drills.

Take a look at the Ruger LCR for carry, maybe even the 3" SA/DA, or the DAO 2.25" with hammer shroud if shooting from the purse is a desired feature, and anything else suggested here for range or home. The LCR has a cammed trigger which gives a mechanical advantage to the operator, it is one of the best DA revolver triggers in the business. It also has a gel insert in the backstrap.

Any small SW would also be a great choice. No, a snub 38 is not super fun to shoot especially with an alloy or polymer frame, nor will it win you any matches, but like I said you'll be better for having it if you ever need it, than nothing. Spend a lot of time training on a larger revolver and keep the smaller/lighter one for carry and occasional practice.

[E92335i]

Get her a 686 6" barrel. Shooting 38 on that thing is like a 22.

[jeremiah12]

I strongly suggest you read through this stickied thread in the Ladies Forum. It is 5 years old and even more relevant today.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=357584

Even more local ranges today have women's only classes and many will even provide guns for first time shooters so they can get started and get an idea of what they would like to look for in their first gun.

My local range has women's and co-ed classes. I took the first in a series of 4 classes recently. A husband had bought his short (under 5 ft), slim (under 100 lbs), older (around 60) wife a snobby .38 because he was sure it would fit her hands well and it was the perfect self-defense gun. She dropped the gun while firing off the first shot. The instructor gave her a G19 loaner. Inside of 5 minutes she was racking the slide like a pro and getting descent 5 round groups on target at 10 feet. After 20 minutes she was clearing jams when we were doing those exercises. After class she walked her gun back to her husband and said tomorrow I am buying a Glock, you keep the revolver you bought for me.

I like Glocks, they work for me. I am not pushing Glocks. I believe everyone should try what is out there and find what works best for them. And I doubt anyone will be satisfied with just one gun.

Why not start with a .22 to get the shooting fundamentals down. A gun for SD is no good if the person does not practice. A .22 is great to practice with.

Then look for the one you want for SD. Use it for awhile. It may not work out but it will give you an opportunity to figure out what you like and do not like. You can always try several out at a range that has rentals.

I was given a .38 snobby by my FIL 20 years ago and I shot it one time. I hated it. I put it away and had no desire to shoot handguns. A few years ago I decided to try handguns again and started with a Glock 19. It turned out it was too small for my hand and I sold it for a G17. It is my favorite 9mm. Along the way I have picked up a G 29 and a G30. I think my G29 is my favorite CCW. The 10 mm is not as harsh as I thought it would be. It is easier to stay on target and control than the .38 snobby.

Remember, larger guns, and guns with more metal have less felt recoil. So smaller guns are not necessarily the best ones for smaller people.

[shaunbowler@yahoo.com]

I have a Sig Sauer 320 P..
Awesome handgun.
We have two "Rez Recues." Healers.
We live at the Zuni Nation in SW NM.

[shaunbowler@yahoo.com]

I looked at the Charter Arms .38's.
I liked them.
Is Charter Arms a good product?
Price is not a concern considering the need, if once in a life time, for a quality handgun.

[jkody]

Pass on charter arms. Stick with S&W or Ruger. I know the price is easier on the Charter but buy once, cry once.

[Squidward]

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.

... we don't even know what WE like, let alone what our gf/wife/Mom MIGHT like.

Take her to a range that has rentals. Then take her out to dinner and let her tell you what she liked. Repeat as necessary. Call it a "date night".

[ramathorn]

Go rent one to see if she likes it. She may love it or may not. I am a bad shot with a snubbie, no bueno. YMMV

[esp1]

Semi autos have come up as an option in the thread. My wife is 100 lbs. She is not a weakling but honestly racking the slide on most semi autos is a challenge if not a no go for her. Revolvers like a detective special or trooper are either too big for her hands or have too hard of a double action trigger and/or too stiff a hammer to be safely manually cocked back to the firing position or both.

That said there are exceptions. She can handle a 9mm S&W Shield no problem and that includes charging the weapon safely. And shes a pretty good shot with it and says the recoil on it is just fine. So that is her handgun of choice.

[geoint]

Take her to a range that has rentals. Then take her out to dinner and let her tell you what she liked. Repeat as necessary. Call it a "date night".

Now that is a fantastic idea!

[1911ShooterPhil]

Charter Arms are decent products...

I looked at the Charter Arms .38's.
I liked them.
Is Charter Arms a good product?
Price is not a concern considering the need, if once in a life time, for a quality handgun.

I'm a gun critic. That being said though, I own 3 Charter Arms revolvers: an Undercoverette (.32 H&R), a Police Undercover (.38SP), and an On Duty (.38SP). They are mostly carry pieces and hideout guns. I take them out and plink with them from time to time. Are they perfect? No. But, they were priced right for how I intended to use them. For serious stuff, I still use my Ruger Speed Six because it will take +P loads all day long. But, I do not regret buying my Charter Arms revolvers one bit. Like others have said: you get what you pay for. I can say that Charter Arms has good customer service and a great warranty. Plus, they're 100% American made. I cannot complain about my purchases. Cheers! --1911ShooterPhil

[TripleThreat]

Glock 42.