Beginner's wheelgun

[Librarian]

My wife is somehow convinced she's not strong enough to rack a semi-auto's slide. Rather than argue with her (and she really does have some trouble), I'd like to sidestep the problem for a while and get her to try some revolvers. (Yes, I've found THR's Pax's Cornered Cat web site, and we've tried her 'Rack the Slide' page; no help yet.)

I'm not a revolver guy at all. Up beyond a .22, what makes/models have decent triggers for relatively weak hands? Weight would be an issue, but easy-ish trigger pull is probably more important. I suppose the trigger could be adjusted on one we might buy, but can't pick one to buy until she's happy operating one.

We plan to rent some/many to see what seems comfortable, but a little direction would be appreciated. Oh, yeah - small hands; she found the Walther .22 semi fit her OK, but G17 is too big, G21 waay too big.

[socalsteve]

I have a few wheel guns and the old S&W model 10's or 15's have a nice trigger pull but even some of the newer snubnose models have nice triggers.

My Python has the best trigger by a jillion to 1 tho.

It really pays to ask the dealer to let your wife try a few of the same model - the difference in trigger pull when you try 3 to 5 of the same gun varies quite a bit.

And you may be able to have a gunsmith lighten it for your wife.

I don;t have any but I wonder if the .32 caliber revolver have a lighter trigger?

I tryed a S&W scandium 8 shot .22 and it had the hardest trigger & hammer I have ever felt. so caliber may not be a deciding factor.

[Paradiddle]

I have two S&W revolvers and feel that have the best triggers of all the makes. Mine are both older - a Model 19 and a K22 (both K frame).

The Model 19 has the best trigger of any gun I've ever shot - it is pure sweet honey love.

I'd get her a .38 smith - K frame.

[randy]

I worked with a gal that had the exact same problem. Not very strong, new to firearms, very petit small hands, and a bit intimadated.

Started with a 22/45 Ruger which she really liked on paper then we were shooting steel and nothing moved and it was hard to hear so she wasn't too thrilled with it anymore. Then on to a K frame Smith, slicked up the trigger and I only allowed her to shoot double action. She shot it for a year and hated it. It is a great gun but a bit heavy it made her stronger and a better shot.

After a year of that she had built up strength confidence and got a CZ75sa really liked the gun fit her small hands, she could rack the slide, etc I had the trigger slicked up. (Dave from Daves Metal Works went to CZ and was trained at the factory.)

After some she wanted another gun so she bought a Infinity long dust cover 9mm that gun shoots like it's on rails.

She does a pretty good job of hitting a 4" bullseye at 50 yards.

She got stronger from shooting and she did work out a bit but the biggest thing is her confidence.

That's a long winded way of saying get a 4" K frame Smith.

Good luck

[Miltiades]

Agree with 4 inch K frame S&W

I agree with the previous poster who recommended a S&W K frame revolver with 4 inch barrel. These generally have excellent triggers and are heavy enough to handle recoil easily. I would get a .357 caliber and start the lady with .38 caliber ammo.

In used models that are now out of production, the models 65, 66 and 19 are good. If you want a new gun, S&W currently makes the model 620, a stainless K frame shown below:

S&W model 620 description

[gunrun45]

I would recomend the Ruger SP101 357 loaded with 38specials. It a small frame gun so it will fit her hands well and sh should be able to carry it as a CCW easily also. With the 38 special loads recoil will be mild and CCI makes so hollow point load specifically for short barrel revolvers. My wife HATES handguns in anything over 22LR as she has wrist problems. She picks my SP101 though over anything else.

[lonewolf]

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[WINGEDSWORD]

wheelgun

I would go with the Smith&Wesson model 60 with the 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights. I also saw a 60 with a 5 inch barrel, in the catalog.
My wife has a 60 3 inch. she is also petite

[1911su16b870]

+1 on any S&W 357/38 and start her out with 38 wadcutters.

[toolman9000]

I agree with the previous poster who recommended a S&W K frame revolver with 4 inch barrel. These generally have excellent triggers and are heavy enough to handle recoil easily. I would get a .357 caliber and start the lady with .38 caliber ammo.

In used models that are now out of production, the models 65, 66 and 19 are good. If you want a new gun, S&W currently makes the model 620, a stainless K frame shown below:

S&W model 620 description

+1000

I fully agree.

[Sacrament]

I instructed police and security types in firearms for eight years (NRA certified) while I was in uniform and on the streets. I found that a 38/357 double action revolver was the perfect all-around weapon. 105 pound housewives could be shooting 90% at the end of six hours of training, and that was shooting all shots double-action.

The double-action revolver is the most flexible handgun available, period. The range of ammo loadings from the factories is unbelievably wide. For my money, the Smith & Wesson Model 65 is the best choice. Reasonable size, reasonable weight, reasonable to pack for 12 hours a day. And 125 grain JHPs rank among the best in stopping power.

Nice thing about starting with an M65 is that you don't need to change weapons when you become more proficient with a handgun. You already have all the gun you need for everything except grizzlies.

[MedSpec65]

I would go with the Smith&Wesson model 60 with the 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights. I also saw a 60 with a 5 inch barrel, in the catalog.
My wife has a 60 3 inch. she is also petite

I'll second this recommendation. I own one too and am real happy with it. The only modification I'll be adding is the Hi-Viz front sight that wasn't available when I bought mine. Practice with .38SPL and carry it with .38SPL+p unless you're condition orange; then go with the .357MAG, depending on the environment.

[maxicon]

I'd also recommend a medium frame S&W in a 3-4" barrel for around the home. Older ones tend to have better DA triggers.

I'm a big believer in a revolver for someone who's not a gun person or doesn't spend a lot of time practicing. There's nothing special to remember about using them, jams are very rare, and they're easy to load, unload, and check status on.

[Sacrament]

I would go with the Smith&Wesson model 60 with the 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights

This is a good decision also, although I would go with fixed sights. The adjustable sights create a lot of sharp protusions to catch on your clothes when drawing from concealment.

I had a 3" Model 60 back in the 70s when I had a concealed carry permit in Utah for some work I was doing. The fixed sights made it a dream to draw from under a jacket. I fitted it with some Goncala grips that made it look like a shrunken Model 19. Shot amazingly well, even used it for varmint hunting out on the desert.

[gunsnrovers]

K frame S&W or a SP101 top my list as options.

Don't have much use for J frames as house guns. Too tiny in the hand.