Please help me decide gun for wife

[rod5591]

my wife, who is 5-4, 125 lbs likes my S&W .357 686 7 shot revolver, with 4 inch barrel. It is heavy enough to absorb the recoil of .38 special ammo.

She doen't particularly like guns, & this is the model she can tolerate shooting. She complains my smaller pistols are too harsh, recoil-wise.

[Big Jake]

thinking between the Ruger LCR .22 or .38 spl .. anyone here own one and how do they like it? thanks. any input is greatly appreciated.

I own the Ruger LCR in 9 mm. Great little gun and you can out a laser sight in it. Never had a jam with it either with many different ammo types. I highly recommend it!


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[madstyle1]

I get the whole take her to the range thing. What i wanted this to mean were more opinions. I will take her to the range asap thanks for all the help i will definitely let you guys know what she decides to get.

[Germaine94514]

I love my SR22 , just got a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm, that I will be trying out this weekend . I picked out my 22 and my husband suggested the Beretta due to my arthritis/ tendinitis in my hands . Since I wanted a 9 mm

[loophole]

If she's new to it, I again suggest the 686. Revolvers are pretty much idiot proof, you can use lite load .38 special for plinking, and save the .357 for business or serious target practice. No jams, no loading magazines, no wondering if it's cocked or not - just plain simple. And, it's ALWAYS something that will sell if need be.

A 4" 686 6-shot is about as sweet as they get for beginners or pros.

[movie zombie]

as a woman the 686 while a sweet gun is too big for my hand.
as stated above, the best gun is the one that fits HER hand and the one that when she fires it is comfortable in her hand.
my experience was that 90% of the guns that were comfortable in my hand in the gun shop were uncomfortable when I fired them.
again, for it to be her gun make sure she has the opportunity to fire as many pistols as possible. $100 in rental fees is inexpensive compared to $300 for a pistol that sits in a drawer and is never used.

[BonnieB]

as a woman the 686 while a sweet gun is too big for my hand.
as stated above, the best gun is the one that fits HER hand and the one that when she fires it is comfortable in her hand.
my experience was that 90% of the guns that were comfortable in my hand in the gun shop were uncomfortable when I fired them.
again, for it to be her gun make sure she has the opportunity to fire as many pistols as possible. $100 in rental fees is inexpensive compared to $300 for a pistol that sits in a drawer and is never used.

+1, for Movie Zombie.


OP, follow this link, read it thoroughly. It's at the top of the Women's Forum for a reason.

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

[geedavell]

I own the Ruger LCR in 9 mm. Great little gun and you can out a laser sight in it. Never had a jam with it either with many different ammo types. I highly recommend it!


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I didn't know they made the LCR in 9mm, and revolvers typically don't "jam"

[Pally]

My wife likes to shoot my 629 .44 mag. I had to buy her a 686 .357/.38spl to get it back.

I hope you got her a 686+!!!!

[woods]

There are quite a few Ruger revolvers like the gp100 that have a nice heavier frame to absorb the recoil. 357 or 327 federal. You can use 38s in the 357 and 32s in the 327. Both have some very manageable low recoil hd loads and are great on ammo availability. I can still get ammo for my 327 and never had a problem getting it through the panic buy.

The good rubbery ergo grip also helps with people who feel like the gun is jumping out of their hands. 4" is the perfect size barrel.

Added bonus of scaling up to a maximum load if needed.

[Pally]

With respect to the sticky posts in this forum and IMHO...

Don't be misled by the "simplicity" of smaller calibers and revolvers. I started out my gun ownership based on some of those stereotypes, and eventually got a large caliber, good fitting firearm that I enjoy shooting and do not fear!

I would take your wife to an indoor range where she can try out (rent) as many handguns (all types and sizes) as possible. This may take a few trips and a few dollars, but it is so worth it.

Go to the range during their less busy hours to avoid the distraction of others. She can then take her time and handle different firearms and get comfortable with them and then shoot them.

By process of elimination, she can decide what "fits" her. After handling them and shooting them, her mind will remember what fits her hand and eye best. If she finds the right fit, then have her shoot it, shoot it, shoot it! Then, buy it! She will "want" to own it and shoot it!

This is the best method because she will get overwhelmed with gun purchasing advice on particular types and brands and it will defeat the purpose of being a happy and healthy gun owner/user.

[loophole]

I hope you got her a 686+!!!!

Nope. They had to weaken the cylinder to squeeze in the extra round (the + weighs less than the standard.) Not worth it to me for one extra trigger pull.

[movie zombie]

again, too big for my hand was the ruger gp100.
the sp101 was a bit bulky as well but a change of grips might have taken care of that..........
the rugers are built like tanks.
however, at the end of the day I am a smith and Wesson woman when it comes to revolvers.
do not discount a 3 inch barrel........

and if you do it right this will be a First Gun.....this doesn't have to be the one and forever pistol! it is a starter pistol and she can end up saying, "hey, I want something with more power" on her very own. the real trick is learning to love shooting and then graduating!

seriously, have your wife check out chick's website: http://www.hell-in-heels.com/home.html. she is a grand new shooter this year and has learned lots and is passing her learning experience on to other women for free! you and your wife should both read it.

another resource is http://www.corneredcat.com/

i'm betting most did not learn to ride a bike w/o first having had training wheels. again, this hopefully is the first of many pistols because your wife will enjoy it so much she'll be wanting a higher caliber and another pistol.

I think sometimes guys take this way to serious when it should also be fun.

[madstyle1]

Right on guys and gals.. I really appreciated the opinions..

[loophole]

....and if you do it right this will be a First Gun.....this doesn't have to be the one and forever pistol!

Every gun my wife has laid hands on has become a 'forever' gun!!