I owe some on this thread and apology, when I stated they had given bad advise and not read the OP's original post.

Turns out it was I who was guilty of misinterpreting the original post, as I had assumed the OP was look for a SELF DEFENCE handgun for his wife. Something for her to carry in her purse, in the car, on her person.

Reread that initial post and truth is the OP never mentions self defense. He was asking for advise for a plinking, target, shooting range type gun. Light weight and low powered.

That being the case, in my view, the Model 63/34 would be an ideal gun for the OP's wife. The somewhat uncommon 5-inch M63-4 of a few years ago is particularly well suited as a light target gun. The M317 is still a good choice, also. A older 4-inch Model 18 with the traditional tapered barrel and the right grips would be good, but that's the heaviest gun I would recommend.

The heavy barrel 17/18's and all versions of the M617 are heavy pigs. In fact, I believe long barrel version of the Model 617 may be the heaviest revolver S&W has ever made in it's 150 history.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Wrong forum, I know, but another viable option would be the M&P 22 Compact.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Here's your answer: the .22 magnum, 7 shot j-frame revolver.

Alloy frame, too.
"Like a feather."

Not to disagree with the excellant suggestions given previously... She'll do the best with a gun she picks out.
The original premis is is a light gun which has light recoil. These are opposing considerations. Sure a .22 has light recoil. Might even start with target loads, shorts or even CB caps. But I would be honest with her. Basic physics indicates the lighter the gun, the more the felt recoil. Surely she can grasp this. If not a quick range demo will illustrate it. Same ammo in a lighter vs heavier gun.
The gun needs to be light enough that she can hold it on target. Remember as a beginner... she might take a long minute just to align the sights for one shot. Speed will come with experience. The gun needs to be on target for what 2 or 3 minutes. Let her practce with an empty gun (in a safe location), "say bang when she has the sights lined up". Lower gun, rest, repeat.
Do teach sight picture by the way. I think she'll surprise us.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

It is hard to disagree with this post at all, and overall I like it very much. If it is at all possible, I think that you should try to give her an opportunity to fire a 4" 34 or 63, which I think she would like a lot better. But who knows for sure?

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Formerly Model520Fan

Do not worry about getting into magnum rounds. For paper and plinking there's no need. Noise and power for nothing.

The 317 has a 3" barrel (nice) Shorter barrels are harder to shoot. It has adjustable sights, too. Very nice. All you can do is let her evaluate the trigger and if it's too hard, get a trigger job. Common and nothing radical about that.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Consider a S&W "J" frame in a center fire caliber. The action will be lighter and smoother.

I would like to thank all those who took the time to thoughtfully consider our particular desires for a light weight and low recoil plinking and target shooting pistol. After much study and deliberation I just bought her a very nice S&W model 63. We could not find one (a 63 or 34 etc) here to hold so I had her hold my Walther PPK that with a full clip inserted weighed as much as the Model 63. She could handle the weight fine. In the end I thought durability and balance issues favored this choice over the 317. They are identical except for the stainless so the fit in the hand should be the same. She wanted a fool proof weapon where she did not need to load a clip and pull a slide. When we go to the range we take a table and chairs (plus my oxygen, etc) and I have a steady rest she can use for accuracy if she wishes. We will not do a great deal of shooting but I hope our range time will increase as she warms to the sport. I have the hearing protection, chrony, etc. one needs for target shooting. My next item will be a swinging metal target we can put far enough away to be safe from fragments. We both appreciate the glow sights since old eyes (I only have one that works) need all the help they can get. I have waited over 50 years for her to become interested so I wanted to make sure the gun she wanted and could use would be the one we got for her. I appreciate all the thoughtful responses members here made that influenced this choice. I feel very good about it and she is excited to get the new revolver when it gets here next week. Thanks again.

Best of luck to both of you! Hope you have many happy hours burning powder and being together!

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So long ... Ken

FWIW, I just held a 317 and a 63 myself this week. While I still think either would be a good choice, I do believe you made the right choice ( for your stated purpose) with the 63. The extra weight and improved ballance is going to help tame the firing sequence and make it less likely to pull off the target with the trigger squeeze.

Hope you and the wife make many a great memories with that little gun.
ps. You know you owe us a range report soon, right?

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Dave

Beautiful! I need to remind my girls that Fathers Day is upon us.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

"Wife wants a light weight light recoil revolver "


I want one too.