Revolver : home defense for a lady?

[nidm]

Ok. I am pretty green on handguns. Want to get a handgun for wife for home defense. We have a 9mm Springfield XP, which is ok. However wife has a lot of trouble to rack the slide. So she thinks a revolver may be better since it won't need to rack the slide.

So two questions:
1) is revolver a good choice for home defense
2) if yes, is there a 9mm revolver to consider?

Btw, I don't like 1) , semi auto sounds a better choice for home defense . But why pass a chance to add one more in my collection.

Thanks

[Garv]

Yes, but check the Ladies forum for advice for selecting the gun.

Many good points there.

The one you will hear the most is: Let her pick her own gun.

That being said, think about a revolver in .38 special.
Snubnoses are generally too snappy.

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

[AreWeFree]

Just as an argument, if she's proficient with a revolver, then she might be even better with a semi-auto.

If she can't reload a revolver (so it's a throw away 5 - 8 shot gun) or that's not factored in your plan, then maybe a minimum 10shot semi auto is the answer.
Normally lighter trigger pull, greater capacity, and potential reload. Only downside is if she really can't hold the gun it can malfunction, seems you have guns already though and could quickly figure that out.

[NATEWA]

I have a friend that was in this situation. He purchased a lcr in .38 and then in 9mm (off roster now ?). There are low recoil/self defense rounds for the .38 and 9mm.

[NIKSD]

+1 for the semi auto long gun. Get her revolver, but get one featureless AR15- easier to load, easier to shoot.

[AreWeFree]

+1 for the semi auto long gun. Get her revolver, but get one featureless AR15- easier to load, easier to shoot.

There it is. If you aren't carrying, long guns are the real answer. Easier to shoot accurately, more power, requires less proficiency, less recoil, and more rounds if you want it.

Survival rate of handgun shootings is 70% or greater. I don't recall the rifle rate, but it isn't favorable...

[johnthomas]

My wife picked out her own handgun, a LCRX 38 revolver plus P. She is compromised on her right side and has trouble racking the slide on a semi.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCRx.htm

[saxman]

I ended up with a chiappa rhino so the gf had something at the house she felt comfortable with. Being able to load 38 sp light so she enjoys shooting it means she is much more comfortable with the gun and the super low bore axis really helps with the felt recoil.

There may be better guns out there on paper (I'd prefer semiauto for a number of reasons) but this is what she enjoys shooting and that means she will practice with it, and that's more important than an extra round in a magazine or being able to reload quickly, etc.

[Ron-Solo]

My wife has arthritis in her hands and has difficulty racking the slide on a semi-auto. Clearing a failure in a semi auto often requires the strength to manipulate the slide.

While I have several semi autos that she could use with 15+ round magazines, her firearm of choice was a K Frame Smith and Wesson revolver in .38 Special. She can manipulate the gun without any problem and use speed loaders for refills.

The .38 Special coming out of a 4" barrel and a good hollow point round makes for an excellent home defense option. I bought her a Smith and Wesson Model 67 with a 4" barrel of her very own. It compliments my Model 66, Model 15, and Model 18 very well. Do not be on the receiving end....... She is very proficient.

If you go revolver, don't go with a 9mm. Dealing with half or full moon clips just adds another level of difficulty in my opinion.

There are lots of good JHP rounds for the .38 Special out there.

[RocketRider]

There is nothing wrong with a revolver for home defense. If she isn't planning to carry it in her purse, then size isn't much of an issue. Go with a 4" barrel like a River GP100. She can shoot 38 special out of it with little recoil, and you can shoot 357 magnum if you want. S&W 686 is a similar gun, but a little more expensive and is available in a 7 shot version.

I recently took my teenage daughter shooting for the first time, and she was very comfortable shooting my 686. She liked it better than my Beretta 92.

Good luck!

[doggie]

If she is not strong enough in her fingers/hands to rack a slide, then stick with a revolver.

[SomeGuy75]

Take her to the range, rent several guns, have her pick the one she likes best. Make sure she reloads all of them, so she understands the mechanics involved.
Several good choices have already been mentioned. My wife's favorite is a Beretta 92.

[Milsurp Collector]

While I love revolvers, difficulty racking a slide is usually a matter of improper technique and shouldn't be the main reason one chooses a revolver over a pistol.

See

[WMG]

Sometimes folks with smaller/weaker hands have a hard time pulling the trigger in DA mode. So look for that in your purchase.
The K frame S&W lady smiths addressed this with smaller grips.
Some guns you may only find you can go so small on the grips.

[jeremiah12]

Take your wife to a Women's on Target class if there is one near you. She can try out several guns and get lessons on basic shooting in a woman friendly, non-intimidating environment.

The LGR I shoot at is owned by a woman and she sponsors women only handgun classes that do the same thing. Ask in the Women's forum with your location and they can probably help locate classes near you.

Revolvers have their place in HD. I have arthritis and when I first realized I needed a gun for home defense, I was recovering from a stroke and had a very weak left arm and hand. I do not like revolvers. The owner of a LGS showed me a method of racking the slide that got the job done. With lots of daily practice I was able to strengthen my muscles. I still have the arthritis but I still do daily hand strengthen exercises to keep the muscles strong enough to rack the slide. It helps with other things also.