Revolver

[SCGirl]

Been thinking about getting a revolver...looked at a taurus ultra lite .38 special. Anyone have one or heard anything about it>

[AKHunter]

I have a mod 85 .38+P but not in the ultra lite frame. Be prepared for some recoil, it jumps quite a bit, so much that my wife doesn't care to shoot it. Personaly it is no bother to me. MY wife is 5'9" and 140lbs . Hope that helps.

[squirrelbaster]

might think about getting a 357 since that gives you the optoin of shooting 357,38,and 38+p. juth throwing that out there, im just starting to get in to revolvers myself, intrested to hear what you deside on.

[SCGirl]

Originally Posted by AKHunter

I have a mod 85 .38+P but not in the ultra lite frame. Be prepared for some recoil, it jumps quite a bit, so much that my wife doesn't care to shoot it. Personaly it is no bother to me. MY wife is 5'9" and 140lbs . Hope that helps.

your wife is exactly me! I am an inch shorter though...

I didn't like the recoil on the .45 I bought, so gave it to my husband. I worry about that..and I would guess the recoil is worse on an ultra lite frame

Originally Posted by squirrelbaster

might think about getting a 357 since that gives you the optoin of shooting 357,38,and 38+p. juth throwing that out there, im just starting to get in to revolvers myself, intrested to hear what you deside on.

I thought about it squirrel sir, gonna check them out this friday when i have time to look around..I wanna hold it in my hand, instead of just looking on the web

[ClayMan]

I have a Model 851SS2UL, the Ultra-Lite Protector in .38 Special. I absolutely love this gun.

I like the shrouded hammer that is virtually snag free yet still allows me to shoot either SA or DA. Although thumb cocking seems a bit stiffer than a regular/non-shrouded hammer because there isn't much exposed hammer to get a hold of.

I also love that it has a windage adjustable rear sight. With 158 grain +P loads at 50 feet, my gun was printing spot on vertically, but was a little to the left horizontally. So, a turn or two of the screw and now my gun prints exactly where I aim. Many people seem to think that you shouldn't expect very good accuracy out of a snubby. I simply don't understand that mentality. If the gun won't put the bullets where I aim (as long as I'm doing my job right), then its worthless to me. But that's just my opinion.

Concerning recoil, this is a very personal thing. I've only shot +P loads out of my gun and the recoil doesn't bother me at all even though the gun is on the light side. Of course, if the +P loads bothered you, you can always shoot the standard pressure loads.

Overall, I can highly recommend this gun.

ClayMan

[SCGirl]

I think they say accuracy has to do with the barrel length...I had someone try to explain it to me, and although I was a bit confused, when i thought about it, it did make some sense

and thanks on the advice!

[nathangdad]

would be to rent or at least try to shoot several of the smaller revolvers.

One thing to note is that a very light revolver is a pleasure to carry but can be a pain to shoot accurately due to recoil and muzzle flip.

If you do get a lighter weight revolver I recommend a great deal of serious practice. That does not mean this gun is a bad idea it just means it takes time and effort to be competent with it.

[Mike Franklin]

There's really no difference in available accuracy between a long barrel and a short barrel. There is a difference in having the front sight farther from the rear sight and in muzzle jump. That the barrel is short does very little to make a revolver more easily carried, it's the cylinder that puts the lump on your side.
Those super light snub nosed revolvers tend to be carried a lot but seldom shot. I once tried to get a Light Weight 5 shot 4” barrel .357 but unless I had it put together there was no such animal back then.

[knightRider]

one word 686.

[Mike Franklin]

I ran my estranged wife over a livestock scale and found out she's worth nearly $1,500!

knightRider, wouldn't the 686 kinda fit into a different class of carrying guns?

[ClayMan]

Originally Posted by SCGirl

I think they say accuracy has to do with the barrel length...I had someone try to explain it to me, and although I was a bit confused, when i thought about it, it did make some sense

and thanks on the advice!

Here's a good discussion of how iron sights work:

Iron sight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But in a nutshell, the longer the barrel on a gun, the longer the sight radius (the distance between the rear and front sights), and therefore the eaiser it is for people to shoot accurately (because aiming errors get amplified as the sight radius decreases). Most modern and quality revolvers, pretty much regardless of barrel length, are inherently accurate. Generally it's shooter error that make snubbies "seem" to be inaccurate.

But another issue related to practical accuracy is the issue of fixed sights versus adjustable sights. With adjustable sights, you can fairly easily make your gun shoot exactly where you aim with your chosen load and distance. With fixed sights, you can still do things like file the front sight down or turn the barrel to adjust the point of impact and perhaps make your gun shoot where you aim, but these measures are clearly more complicated than turning a screw on adjustable sights.

Some people can easily adapt to aiming at a point different from where the gun shoots if they have a fixed sighted gun that doesn't print the bullets where they're aiming. I just cannot do this. I will only accept a gun that shoots exactly where I'm aiming. In practical terms, I don't want to have to think about aiming issues (other than distance in terms of bullet drop) in a critical life or death incident. I want to be able to aim at a point and know that is exactly where the bullet is going to hit.

So, this is what I was referring to when I said that I absolutely love my Taurus 851 with the windage adjustable rear sight. For me with my chosen load and distance (158 grain +P at 50 feet), I have been able to make my gun shoot exactly where I'm aiming.

But I'm not completely opposed to fixed sighted guns. I once had a fixed sighted snubby that shot perfectly where I aimed. I've also shot snubbies that belonged to my friends that also shot exactly where I aimed. I just prefer adjustable sights on a gun because I'm not a gunsmith nor very handy with tools.

ClayMan

[Sooner Shooter]

Originally Posted by feralchild v 3

OK, but how did you get her to tell you her weight?

A question like that around here is considered spoiling for a fight I cannot win.

Feral! That lady has a 1 in front of her weight and the second number is small too. She's slim!

[thunderjohn]

I had an 85UL. Even with the rubber grips I didn't care to shoot it much.
My regular 85 with wood grips feels much better. Neither are meant to
be range guns, but I love shooting snubbies. And with the lifetime warranty from Taurus, that makes them pretty nice.

[SCGirl]

ya..my husband keeps asking me why a revolver now... don't like them, but want to!

[neophyte]

SCGirl: Ma'am; Why a revolver? I carry a revolver SW638 about all the time.
Even when I have the Glock models hanging the 638 just seems to want to ride.
Too; I carry @times GP100 with 4" and the 638 seem ok with that.

Without question; a new firearm takes awhile to get comfortable with.
We mess around at 100yds; and I with the 638 have some fun. Shooting single actions primarily, the 638 and I cannot do that good scare the mess outta the target tho.

Barrel length equations; should; in reality be thrown out the door for a personal defense firearm. 7yds is referenced over and over @FBI's site for range of most shootings. Any farther away, I might just be able to get away
Pulling to sight to shoot equations= not good. Pulling to shoot at hip level or some above will be more realistic.
Practicing with any firearm will make you better;

Ma'am; it isn't the size of the dawg in the fight; It's the fight in the dawg.

In another thread; shoulder holster type deal. Ma'am,???? I don't like wearing bras; my trousers aren't low riders, my hips weren't meant to be seen, and Gal's look good in snug pants and Lord knows I'll not suggest anything to take away the view however, my experience with a 7 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk shoulder holster. I didn't like the way it rode. Aggravations, wiggling, and in the way. Not the same.
Closer to here or there; We could take the Hubby and YOU to shoot different stuff, Longer, shorter, bigger or smaller revolvers. Making your own decisions, those that have shot with me and my partner, know?? I aint into teaching, only experiencing the experiences.

[Jersey Jailer]

Look for a S&W or a Colt. If it breaks you can get parts for it. the Taurus how long will it take to get parts from Brazil? I've heard horror stories. From gunsmiths and dealers for what is it this week....? Legacy Firearms

[gandog56]

Well if I was to ever get an ultralight revolver, .38 Special is what I would want to get it in. Don't want to fire .357 mags with one.

[SCGirl]

Craig; the shoulder holster I love, but its a winter carry..you know how it gets here in the south, way to hot for too many clothes..I ordered a SOB holster from active pro gear.com, and should get it soon..gonna have to wear "regular" jeans but thats ok!!

[Capt'n Mil Coll]

I keep saying it the 686 is one of the best all around and SD handguns made. Im a big guy so I have no problem carrying the 4" barrel 681.
I imagine your asking about ultra lite to carry. This may be to large for you but I gotta say try one and you may like it. For carry I reccomend getting rid of the wood grips and get Hogue or Pachmyer grips. And another good point is the .357 is one of the best SD or HD rounds. And you can practice with .38's which are lower cost. But for shooting at the range its a quick draw, smooth, accurate and reliable. Mine is with me 24/7. I bet my life on it.

[neophyte]

SSGirl: Ma'am; NO to regular jeans Realistically it is tough. Finding the right combination. WOW. AND it is too hot for to many clothes. Yesterday 101degrees. Naked wouldn't have worked
As you are discovering which firearm; think carefully about all the ?different? outfits that you may wear. Your motorcycling, grocery store, and out and about shopping.
Shoulder holstersaaaggg for me.
For me the SW638 fits a lot of variables. .38 I know; isn't your first thinking.

Longer barrel syndrome isn't fair to; reality. With 1 1/2" you can cover the spectrum.

Were we not this distance apart, you'd be more than welcome to ""carry'' and shoot as you pleased. Then a real life experience. Back pocket, front, waist band, 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock.

Something I did ''discovering'' fit. At each phase, I took the subject firearm, [with owners permission] and stuck it where I felt it should ride. With exception the car or truck. I didn't conclusive make up my mind UNTIL the end. .38 I knew. Outside of that?????