Recommendations: 38 for wife?

[oldsmoboat]

Wife wants her own handgun.
We've been out shooting 380s, 38s, 9s and 357s.
She's settled on a all steel (didn't like the airweights) 38 with a 1 7/8" or 2" barrel, SA/DA. No DOA.

We weren't able to shoot every manufacturers offerings. Given the above limitations, anyone have specific recommendations on a revolver?
TIA

[movie zombie]

please come on over to the ladies forum and ask us what we like.

mz

[ElvenSoul]

I would take her to a range and let her pick out various models to rent/fire first before buying.

[beerman]

Model 15 smith & wesson....if you can find one

[oldsmoboat]

I would take her to a range and let her pick out various models to rent/fire first before buying.

Done that as was mentioned in the OP.

[Rudolf the Red]

S&W Bodyguard. There is a named model but its also known as the Model 649 and older ones are Model 49.

Shrouded hammer so it's smooth on draw with DA/SA.

Case Closed!

[pullnshoot25]

Don't discount the Taurus snubbies.

[Tyrenlds]

I bought my wife a Smith & Wesson model 66 snub nose. It's an all steel 357 and she shoots 38s out of it. I'd recommend a 357 instead of a 38 because they are beefier guns that really help to reduce the 38 recoil. She's deadly accurate and LOVES it.

[Rekrab]

The taurus 85 is a nice little 38, I like the Ruger SP101 better though.

[wizard101]

Don't discount the Taurus snubbies.

Can you please show me a link to the CA DOJ approved handgun list where these "Taurus snubbies" are mentioned?

Please don't be handing out erroneous recommendations unless you know what you are talking about.

[plumbum]

If you can find a S&W K-frame revolver, grab it. Charter makes some decent .38's as well.

[oldsmoboat]

I bought my wife a Smith & Wesson model 66 snub nose. It's an all steel 357 and she shoots 38s out of it. I'd recommend a 357 instead of a 38 because they are beefier guns that really help to reduce the 38 recoil. She's deadly accurate and LOVES it.

This was my choice for her but she felt that the 357 was too heavy. She shot a 4" 357 with 357 and 38s that day as well as a 38 with a 2" barrel. She liked the 38 a lot better. I am not sure how a shorter barrel on the 357 would have felt to her but it doesn't seem like there would be much weight difference and more recoil.

[cntrolsguy]

If you can find a S&W K-frame revolver, grab it. Charter makes some decent .38's as well.

I'm with Plumbum on this one.

[bsg]

I bought my wife a Smith & Wesson model 66 snub nose. It's an all steel 357 and she shoots 38s out of it. I'd recommend a 357 instead of a 38 because they are beefier guns that really help to reduce the 38 recoil. She's deadly accurate and LOVES it.

the Model 66 is one nice revolver; a prudent, wise choice imo.

[Tyrenlds]

This was my choice for her but she felt that the 357 was too heavy. She shot a 4" 357 with 357 and 38s that day as well as a 38 with a 2" barrel. She liked the 38 a lot better. I am not sure how a shorter barrel on the 357 would have felt to her but it doesn't seem like there would be much weight difference and more recoil.

The 4" barrel was probably hard for her to balance. I'd strongly suggest the 357 with a ~2" barrel. My wife mentioned it was heavy the first range trip but hasn't mentioned it since. She weighs 120lbs =) Her gun also wears hogue grips which really help. I'm strongly pushing this advice because my wife and I went through the same thing you're going through now and the model 66 was THE answer. She is absolutely in love with that thing and shoots it sooo well. There is a significant recoil difference between a 38 frame and 357 frame.