thinking for getting a 38

[CaLi_GrEEnZ]

so me a my wife went down the the gunshop saterday looking for something she's liked for home portection been that she's small and dont like my shotgun....but i guess my real ? is do any one on here have a S&W bodyguard 38....if so how do you like it? anything good or bad work be great....


thanks for looking



**** thinking of.... not FOR.....ahahah

[XDRoX]

I don't own one, but they are nice little guns for back up.

But if it's not going to be for concealed carry then it's too small IMO. Guns that small and light just aren't that fun to shoot at the range.

Personally I would look into a full sized 357 Ruger or old S&W. 3" or 4". This would make a great range gun for plinking with 38's, and a great HD gun as well.

Just my opinion.

[jdg30]

I have a couple S&W airweight revolvers and I like them a lot. They are lightweight and easy to carry and accurate if you practice shooting a lot.

I much prefer shooting my steel frame Ruger SP101 or steel frame S&W 640 compared to the airweight for regular practice and just shooting in general.

Have your wife try out the lightweight revolvers and then the steel ones and see what she likes to shoot better. She may even prefer a larger frame revolver like a Ruger GP100 or S&W 686. The small revolvers are excellent guns but they may not be the most pleasant to shoot often for your wife.

[rudigan]

Yes, I'd agree. While any gun is better than none, if it's for HD only, try a bunch of rentals at the range and find the most powerfull round in a package that she shoots comfortably. If you/she goes snub for HD though, that laser should help.

[morrcarr67]

I don't own one, but they are nice little guns for back up.

But if it's not going to be for concealed carry then it's too small IMO. Guns that small and light just aren't that fun to shoot at the range.

Personally I would look into a full sized 357 Ruger or old S&W. 3" or 4". This would make a great range gun for plinking with 38's, and a great HD gun as well.

Just my opinion.

Get something like a Ruger GP100 or SP101 with a 3 to 4 inch barrel.

[jayhuh]

I'll echo the above response. Guns that small are no fun to shoot. Not saying they can't be mastered, because they can, but it takes some time. People picking one of these types of guns up for the first time like the light weight/size, but don't realize that there is a price to pay in the form of physics for the size. And sadly, many gunshop sales persons fail to point this out. Oftentimes what ends up happening is that someone buys one of these guns, shoots it once, and puts it away.

Now if you are going to carry it, I'd suggest that you go with the Centennial type (442/642). In my opinion there is no need to single action capability with these guns.

Of course as a HD/Range gun, my advice is a 3-4 inch S&W/Ruger revolver. Very comfortable to shoot and you will never wear it out. With 135GR +P Gold Dot ammo you have the ability to terminate most threats.

Good luck.

[oldsmoboat]

I had my wife shoot a 4" 357 with 38 loads. She felt that it was too heavy.
A gentleman there shooting let her shoot his steel 2" 38. She liked it.
What she liked even better was his Kimber with a 22 conversion kit and Crimson Trace grips. But she isn't getting that.

I am looking for a steel 38 with a bobbed hammer but they are all DAO and neither of us like DAO. Don't think anyone makes one though.

If you're interested, the thread is here.

[Kodemonkey]

I am going to agree with the above posts. My friend bought a 5 shot smith and wesson for his wife and she hates it. In a small frame it is hard to hit anything for a beginner (small sight radius on a 2" snubbie). It kicks considerably harder than a full frame as well. She didn't like the weight of my full size 686, but she liked the way it shot and liked the considerably reduced recoil.

If it's not going to be concealed or carried, I'd go for something bigger. She will have a better chance of hitting what she is trying to shoot - especially under stress. I was watching my friends wife with the 5 shot snub-nosed and because she was shaking (the recoil was scaring her) she couldn't even hit the paper target at 7 yards once in those 5 rounds. In my full frame she hit it 7 times - one was pretty close to center.

Also larger guns give you more chances (rounds of ammo) to take out the target.

Best way is to have her shoot several guns and find what she likes. I just shot a CZ 75 in 9mm in SAO and it had very little felt recoil and was just a beautiful shooting gun.

[morrcarr67]

I had my wife shoot a 4" 357 with 38 loads. She felt that it was too heavy.
A gentleman there shooting let her shoot his steel 2" 38. She liked it.
What she liked even better was his Kimber with a 22 conversion kit and Crimson Trace grips. But she isn't getting that.

I am looking for a steel 38 with a bobbed hammer but they are all DAO and neither of us like DAO. Don't think anyone makes one though.

If you're interested, the thread is here.

Just wanted to let you know if you do want a all steel 2" to look at the RIA M206. I have one and really like it I've put about 350 rounds through her with no problems. It is a copy of the Colt Detective and has a 6 round cylinder. It's nice to have a small gun with that extra shot. And will get the job done.

[beerman]

Try and find her a Smith and Wesson "K " frame....Models 10 thru 15 are all great guns...they can be a bit hard to find though. These are medium sized frame revolvers. I suspect the 4" she shot may have been medium/large or large frame...theres a lot of difference between these in feel.

[CaLi_GrEEnZ]

she held a .357/.38
its just to havy for her.....and her hand's are very small like a kid's

[crazy4golf]

Sp101 is a great gun for what you are asking. Buy the .357 and run 38+p for home defense. Accurate gun and easy to make follow up shots due to increased weight. It is a great range gun as well for practice. I like my 2.25" barrel so much I recently put it on my ccw.

[rudigan]

she held a .357/.38
its just to havy for her.....and her hand's are very small like a kid's

......how about a PM9 or similar. Small, light, very accurate for their size, DAO, like the revolver all she has to do is pull for BANG when needed, etc...

[Oceanbob]

Yes..!

I don't own one, but they are nice little guns for back up.

But if it's not going to be for concealed carry then it's too small IMO. Guns that small and light just aren't that fun to shoot at the range.

Personally I would look into a full sized 357 Ruger or old S&W. 3" or 4". This would make a great range gun for plinking with 38's, and a great HD gun as well.

Just my opinion.

THIS^^^^!!!

Great advice. What's the use shootinig a lightweight mouse gun if your wife
hates the recoil and won't practice..?..

A full size wheel gun with some .38 plinking loads will be FUN to shoot and her skill level will improve (and confidence) with every range visit.

Bob

[Oceanbob]

Maybe a change in plan

she held a .357/.38
its just to havy for her.....and her hand's are very small like a kid's

How about PLAN B. ?...Instead of a wheel gun how about a small lightweight auto pistol..?.

A 9MM GLOCK 26...?...10 rounds, easy to hold and shoot. She (and you ) can practice with 9MM range ammo..and a few HD rounds.

It is very reliable and works just like a revolver..aim and pull the trigger.

The grip works for my 13 year old daughter who also has small kids hands.