Ladies revolver
My 38 Special is too much for her. Does anyone recommend a .32 revolver?
Are any of the .380 autos easy to operate (from a womans perspective)
This handgun will be used for protection only.
Thanks
Are any of the .380 autos easy to operate (from a womans perspective)
This handgun will be used for protection only.
Thanks
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Smith & Wesson makes .32 revolvers, or at least they did. So does (or did) Charter Arms and H&R.
My mom carries a .38 Smith & Wesson model 60, and she was using it to qualifiy with to renew her CHL. Only thing is, 50 rounds, even fairly mild .38 rounds, beat her old lady hand up pretty good.
I found her a used .32 caliber Charter Arms and I keep it here for her. She still carries the .38, but when it is time to renew, she will come get her .32 to shoot.
Disclaimer: This is not a recommended practice. I think one should practice and qualify with what one intends to carry, but YOU try telling a 75-year-old red-headed Irish woman she is doing it wrong.
Regarding the .380 auto, it depends. .380 ACP is right on the cusp of blowback vs. locked-breech designs. It functions well in either design. Only thing is, FELT recoil is a LOT harder in a blowback gun than in a locked-breech.
My Colt Pony, a locked-breech gun, is a lot more pleasant to shoot than a blowback Walther PPK/s, or a SIG P232, on a 50 round qualification course, and it is much smaller and lighter then either of them.0 -
Any small handgun with a short spout will be loud. I suggest enough practice until she gets used to the noise and recoil. I believe a DA revolver is the best defensive handgun for those who are not avid shooters, they're simple, no safties, just pull the trigger and bang. 0 -
Nobody wants to be shot at, period.
I've never been ashamed to recommend a 22 or 22 mag for personal protection.0 -
Get her the Sig 232 
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My buddy and I both have the Sig230 and Sig232 380's. We have found that this is the perfect ladies gun. It fits their hand in a way, with Hogue grips, so that the recoil is absorbed. its a beautiful pistol, always functions, and is quite the tackdriver.
Once you train them on this pistol and they become familar with how to load a round in the chamber and how to use the decocker this is a very safe pistol for them to use. Its an option for you to think about and the 380 puts out quite a bit more power than the 32 in the right ammo config.
This pistol has a natural point of aim when you extend your arm and the gals hit what they shoot at. I find the opposite with the stubby revolvers they tend to shoot high usually until they put in some time and become used to the revolver.
This gun is available in lightweight form or Stainless Steel. It ain't cheap but neither is a life![;)][;)]0 -
Or find a 38 S&W or do like I did and cut some 38 specials to 38 S&W length and load them up (S&W data). I've shot 22 mags that kicked more than they do. 0 -
...If the .38 is a bit too much for her, at her age, I wouldn't go for a semi of any kind. What with racking the slide, fumbling for a safety, de-cockers (gad, I hate those). I'd say a double action revolver in whatever caliber she's able to handle. If that means a .22, so be it. 0 -
Is your 38 ported? If not look into one of those for her. Taurus makes a pretty good one. Also, if you know somebody who reloads the 38 have them load up some lighter loads for you to practice with. That way you can practice with the light stuff and load it with the full power stuff. You can also look into putting rubber grips on it. They tend to soak up some of the recoil and then you don't have to invest in a new gun.
BTW, you are not using +P's are you?0 -
quote:Originally posted by tapwater
...If the .38 is a bit too much for her, at her age, I wouldn't go for a semi of any kind. What with racking the slide, fumbling for a safety, de-cockers (gad, I hate those). I'd say a double action revolver in whatever caliber she's able to handle. If that means a .22, so be it.
Go with a Taurus 8 shot stubby in .17 HMR.0 -
Target midrange wadcutters in 38 special are very light.
The S&W 32L Hand Ejector,Model 30 or Model 31 are light recoiling guns that can be handloaded up to about 1000fps or use light factory loads. With the 3 1/2" barrels they are light and handy.0 -
If you're thinking about a 380 automatic, steer clear of the Kel Tec P3AT. While it's a fantastic gun for most people. It's not for the muzzleblast or recoil sensitive. Louder than a 45 and felt recoil is about the same(it's so lightweight).
Taurus' line of Millenium Pro pistols are great guns. I carry their 9mm daily and have had no problems with it. They produce models in both 380 and 32ACP. The 380 should be tolerable for her as the 9mm itself doesn't hardly jump at all.
They are lightweight, compact, polymer guns that offer lifetime warranties, good accuracy, great reliability, at an exceptional value. They're also easy to operate. Slide mounted conventional safety, loaded chamber indicator, and their SA/DA feature that no other manufacturer offers. Pop in a loaded mag, pull the slide to chamber a round, put on safe and put it away. Pull it out, take off the safety and pull the trigger(gun is in SA), if the round doesn't go off, the trigger mechanism goes back to DA. All you do is squeeze the trigger again, no need to rack the slide or cock the gun again.
Nifty little feature.
Look into them.0 -
I buy all my girlfriends these S&W model 60's[8D] 0 -
The Taurus PT25 in .25cal is a nice one for ladies. It has a flip open barrel so they don't have to jack the slide, and it's double action only. Just pull it out, take it off safe and squeeze the trigger. 0 -
"plastics", in the words of Mr. Robinson.
Yuck.
D.0 -
I was in the same boat not too long ago; I was looking at a Ruger SP101 in .32 H&R Magnum for my girlfriend.
Then she shot a Sig P229, and all bets were off...0 -
My fiance is recoil sensitive. Doesn't like .38s with wadcutters either. She shoots very well with a 3" S&W Model 30. The .32 long is very accurate, and in a pinch she can use .32 ACP in the same gun. She also doesn't like autos. The .32 revolver is a way of keeping it simple. 0 -
Get her a little .22 revolver. 0 -
Here's a "lady's revolver" for ya. 0 -
I find it strange that she can not handle your 38. I have always considered a 38 to be a good fit for most women. As long as it wasn't one of Colts old Agents that didn't weigh anything. Are you using Plus-P ammunition? If you are try and use some simple wad cutter rounds. If it is for self defense they will make a hole just fine, and they will not rock her boat.
Or, are you using this as an excuse to buy another gun?[;)] If so, than ignore everything I said previously and go by her the new gun you wont.[^]
Trinity +++0 -
Does anyone else find it "funny" how so many posters are saying that a 38 revolver is adequate for a woman's self-defense weapon? Or, even a 22? I would be willing to bet that most of these guys would be saying that they wouldn't want anything less than a .40 or .45 semi for their own personal defense. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by woodshermit
Does anyone else find it "funny" how so many posters are saying that a 38 revolver is adequate for a woman's self-defense weapon? Or, even a 22? I would be willing to bet that most of these guys would be saying that they wouldn't want anything less than a .40 or .45 semi for their own personal defense.
Why would we give a woman who's scared of major muzzleblast or recoil a 45?0 -
For many years the US Armed Forces supplied female officers, and female MP's a 38 revolver. The 45's were all issued to males. That was until the dreaded awfully inadequate 9mm replaced both of them.
Talk about taking a step backwards.[;)]
Trinity +++0 -
If the caliber is "inadequate", why would it be recommended to ANYONE or by anyone for self defense??
Would this be basically a "feelgood" weapon??
I feel fine with my .32ACP.
Doug0
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