first time handgun buyer

[s rosenthal]

A first time handgun buyer wanting a 38spl for home protection that wife can also be capable of shooting. Without getting into the over $500 area, what is best value in small, lightweight, compact handgun?

[mjames834]

Responded to a query of yours in another thread on a very similar subject. But on handguns for women...........they have to be comfortable with it in their hands. So, go to a good store where she can kick the tires on a bunch. There are also ranges where you can rent different models & calibers for a moderate price & see what she likes. Don't know if she's a shooter, but my ditzy, youngest daughter went to the range the other day & shot my .380 Bersa, 1911 Colt, & the range's .40 mid-size Glock. Then she shot their Uzi. She was all smiles.

If concealed carry isn't an issue, you can opt for a gun with a longer barrel. Generally, the longer the barrel, the less recoil & the more accurate because of the sight radius. The heavier the gun, the less recoil.....in general.

Revolvers can be had from about $250 to over $900. The standard J-Frame Smith & Wesson snubby retails for about $430 & will take a .38 special +P round. Rossi & Taurus are less expensive & Ruger costs about $400 up. Those chambered for a .357 will take a .38 special & the new .327 will be, or is available. These are the most reliable, since one only has to pull the trigger (whether cocked or uncocked) to fire it. All have some form of hammer blocking device to keep them from firing if you drop them. Rossi has the firing pin in the hammer, but has a blocking device. The what if is, what if you drop it on the hammer & the hammer breaks. A far fetched what if, but a valid what if. Don't have to worry about a defective round going click - just squeeze again. Replacement grips are available for guns whose originals aren't comfortable.

Semi's are another story. While capable of carrying more rounds, you have to run the slide back to extract a defective round. Does she have the strength in her hand to grip the slide & push it all the way back? Each gun is different. Prices run from $250 for a Bersa Thunder (unless it's on sale for $210) to $350-$750 for a Kahr to $800-$2500 for various 1911 models. Other brands run between those prices. Name your poison.

Have her weigh the pros & cons while deciding. The women are particular if it's one they'll use. Guys? We'll shoot anything, even if it's uncomfortable. So much for keeping this reply short.

[Taurus Fan]

K-frame Smith & Wesson's with a 4" barrel or other some other companies equivelent would be a terrific choice in .357 Mag, you can get your wife used to it with .38 specials and then move up to the magnum loads after awhile.

[Triggerjerk]

And don't forget...if you have a .357 you can stay with .38's if you do not like .357's. I read a stopping power chart that listed .38 +p at 83% one stop shots.

I just bought a used S&W Model 10...a .38 with a 4" barrel for $239. Look hard and you can find deals. This S&W was in the same case as all the $500+ revolvers. It was a trade in. A .38 +p from this gun will hurt as much as a .38 +p from a $600 S&W Custom Shop gun.

[Big Dog]

A good gunshop will have some good used revolvers in the $250-300 range. Definitely have her test fit them before buying. The smaller 'service' or 'combat' grips will better fit her hand. Large target grips will be too large for the average woman's hand.
I would opt for fixed sights for close-in defensive use. Less snag, nothing to break or fail.
Have her practice at no farther than seven yards - 15 yards is LONG for defensive use.
S&W has the nice little "Ladysmith" series - but they tend to be more expensive.

[Don357]

Charter Arms has several nice compact revolvers, in calibers from (I'm talking a defensive gun not a toy) .32spl to .44spl. I would reccomend either a .38/.357mag or the .44spl. Believe it or not, the .44spl has less recoil than the .357mag. But since it's for your wife, the .38/.357 would probably be the better choice. Charter is not a Smith & Wesson or Colt or even a Taurus, but for what it sounds like you're wanting, it would fill yhe bill. Under $300 new, good warranty, reasonable quality, and plenty of options.

[Beer Forever]

Originally Posted by s rosenthal

A first time handgun buyer wanting a 38spl for home protection that wife can also be capable of shooting. Without getting into the over $500 area, what is best value in small, lightweight, compact handgun?

I like the Taurus ultralight a lot!.



Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite .38 Spl+P 2" Stainless for Sale at Buds Gun Shop

[jashoffa]

Originally Posted by Beer Forever

I like the Taurus ultralight a lot!.



Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite .38 Spl+P 2" Stainless for Sale at Buds Gun Shop

I have one of these as well. I really like it for CCW but last summer I switched out the grips with some Houge grips that are a little longer and provide a place for you pinky finger. It was a great improvement over the stock grips and make the gun much more fun and enjoyable to shoot. It does make it a little bigger so as with all things it is a trade off.

[shawnboy1911]

my wife (and myself) like the ruger sp101 357mag. its in the $500 range.
my wife has small hands and says it feals good in her hands. she says that and the mark III she just bought will be all the guns she need. i keep telling her it starts with one then two then before you know it .

[Doctor Larry K]

+1 On the Ruger, it will shoot everything from wad cutters, to +P 38s to the powerful 357 mag. Can't go wrong.

Doc

[squirrelbaster]

Originally Posted by jashoffa

I have one of these as well. I really like it for CCW but last summer I switched out the grips with some Houge grips that are a little longer and provide a place for you pinky finger. It was a great improvement over the stock grips and make the gun much more fun and enjoyable to shoot. It does make it a little bigger so as with all things it is a trade off.

do you think it is posible to put wood grips on this gun?? i realy like wood better than rubber