Gf wants first gun

[fishnbeer]

Ive finally sparked some interest in her! The other night was flipping through channels and stayed on Dirty Harry for a minute for the 'do you feel lucky' scene and then she said some beautiful words. "I would like to have my own gun"

Score!

She would like a handgun and likes the look of revolvers. What is a good model smaller framed gun? I think she can handle .357

Price range under $400

Thanks guys

[Synergy]

My girl loves 1911s in 45acp and wants her own! Yup, she is a keeper!

[TheDeej]

Ruger SP101, you could find one used maybe under your budget, small but sturdy/heavy, hanlde .357 or .38, made in America, all that good stuff.

[Decoligny]

Remember, the smaller the gun the greater the recoil.

Find her something that she is comfortable shooting. If it hurts to shoot her very own gun she will lose interest in actually shooting it.

Check out one of the revolvers that can handle both .357 and .38, that way she can practice with the more comfortable .38 and keep the .357 in the gun for home defense (make sure she practices a little bit with .357 so she doesn't lose the ability to hit the target/intruder with the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth .357 rounds if necessary.

[paul0660]

I think she can handle .357

I don't think you know about .357. It isn't another caliber, it is another universe.

[wtkaiser]

Your mind is already made up, seems to me. But yes, get her a 6" .357, (preferably a S&W or a Ruger) stuff it with .38 wadcutters and she'll be happy as a clam for a while. Then when she gets tired of the pop, you start using real .38s, then +p .38s. Then when you are sick and tired of scrubbing the crud from the cylinder, you start with what I call "-P" .357s. I predict she'll want to stay with the +p .38s, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't force your values on her abilities. You'll turn her off, like I did my first wife and her .357. I teased her into a full house 357 and she was never ready for anything like that. Scratch one wife.

[BonnieB]

Go check out the Calguns Women's Forum which has recent posts on getting women into firearms. Lots of good advice on this from Calguns women shooters.

[Zerorye351w]

My wife loves her S&W 6" 686 Deluxe Talo Edition. Absolutely loves both the 38 Special and 357 Mag cartidge.

[bballwizard05]

I'm not on the 357 bus as a first gun, especially for an entry level shooter. If my fiance' had phrased those words to me, I would be looking for an older medium frame .38 with a 4 inch barrel. Plenty of high powered 38 rounds that still allow a pleasant recoil.

[snubbyfan]

Don't rule out a nice used S&W K frame. There's lots out there at good prices.

[4DSJW]

My only suggestion would be to put aside any plans to buy anything until she can put at least a half dozen different revolvers in her hand. Rentals are your friend! Frame size, grip size, weight, barrel length, balance, and looks will all go into her decision on what she wants. DON'T make those decisions for her. Been there and done that, it doesn't end well.

[Mossy Man]

Under $400?

Depends on where you live.

I'd say get a full size revolver chambered in .357 and shoot .38s

A smaller frame with 38s is often very snappy.


If you are in the Sacramento area, they have some decent agency trade in 4" Ruger GP100s at RCGE $399

My dad got one last month and it shoots great

[XDJYo]

Go check out the Calguns Women's Forum which has recent posts on getting women into firearms. Lots of good advice on this from Calguns women shooters.

Plus one on that advice! What she said!

Oh, and one more thing. Make sure she understand that shooting a gun in real life ain't like it is in the movies.

[JNunez23]

S&W 642 Airweight, or maybe Ruger LCR if you find one on sale.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26498

[Freq18Hz]

S&W 642 Airweight, or maybe Ruger LCR if you find one on sale.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/26498

You don't think those might just be a BIT to snappy for a brand new shooter???

First gun, you are recommending a light weight carry piece?