Would a lady smith be too much weight to carry? My wife would carry mostly in a purse or bag. The 642 is cheaper and only 15 ounces, but I'm concerned about the recoil and I'd like her to put in quality range time before her cpl class in mid-January. I'm thinking a three fingered Hogue grip to replace the wooden grip would also reduce recoil. If you have any experience that would help me make a decision on the 642 or 60LS or even a 60 with rubber grips, please tell me.

Would a lady smith be too much weight to carry? My wife would carry mostly in a purse or bag. The 642 is cheaper and only 15 ounces, but I'm concerned about the recoil and I'd like her to put in quality range time before her cpl class in mid-January. I'm thinking a three fingered Hogue grip to replace the wooden grip would also reduce recoil. If you have any experience that would help me make a decision on the 642 or 60LS or even a 60 with rubber grips, please tell me.

You could perhaps have her shoot the Airweight with .38 target wadcutters if there is a rental range near you. My tiny wife can shoot them from my 360 PD Airlite. Have your wife try different guns and let her choose what she likes.

When I teach beginning pistol class for ladies, we do .22 first.
Then a k frame with .38 wadcutters.
Then a practice of 25 wadcutters and 5 defense rounds.
Only after this is satisfactory do we try the 442 with 25 wadcutters and 5 defense rounds. I only let them shoot 5 defense rounds in one day, to avoid the flinches.
(not all these guns on same day of course)

The majority of my women students wind up carrying a 442, and can handle it well after training.

I would not try to start a new shooter on a J frame or compact pistol, period. I've had more than one lady come for classes who was scared to death of her new gun presented to her after shooting it once..
An inexperienced lady will also pick the little cute gun, not knowing about control and recoil.

__________________
Science plus Art

Is she a new shooter? Or just new to carrying?

I have the 637 Airlight and the 60LS. Yes, the 60LS is more comfortable to shoot but the 637 with .38 special is no big deal.

You'd be surprised how much weight you can carry in the right purse.

Than again, I always carry my guns in an IWB. Purses are for tissues and lipstick.

MARINE2541:

I'm a bit confused...I just purchased a very lightly used 642-1 Ladysmith in .38Special. It is an Airweight, but it also has the lasered "Ladysmith" logo. I have arthritis in both hands, so recoil is an issue for me. Have you tried the 432 in .32H&R Magnum? I think you're wife would be very happy with it. If she is a beginner, start her with .32Long wadcutters, then she could move up to the magnum loads which really aren't that bad. I use Lasermax J grips and this works very well for me. It is my EDC.

Best of luck,

Dave

I prefer the little added weight of my 640 to an airweight just for the reduction in recoil.(I also use a ratehr hot load for a snubby)