Wife's first gun?

[bryan87]

The time has come where my wife has outgrown my humble collection of firearms and desires one of her own. I have recently been going crazy over aquiring either an M27 or 28 for myself, but I think the N-Frame would be too much for her hands (she's 5'4" and petite) and I remind myself this is for her not me .

She is specific in that she wants a 6" bbl and blued revolver only. I'd say she has fine taste. She plans on shooting mostly .38s but wants the option to load .357s when we are camping. Therefore, I have decided on the Model 19 (no dash through -4).

My question is what should I reasonably expect to pay? My goal is a 90+% blued condition M19 that has a tight lock up and good bore. I have been browsing the gun-sales sites and see them anywhere from $450-650 generally. Does this sound right? Is there a price range that I should jump on if I see it? I have been thinking anything around $500 and I will make the deal but I wanted some opinions.

Thanks in advance for any feedback/suggestions you guys might have!

 

[philb625-8]

The best lady's gun for carrying is a J frame .38...preferably hammer-less so as it dosen't snag in a pocket or purse...for shooting you can also find a 3" J with adjustable sights...kinda looks like a M19 that was put in the dryer too long...

That's just my .02 cents...

 

[Retired W4]

I just sold a 19-4 4" two weeks ago for $375. It was recessed but not pinned. (90%+-95%). Could have sold more of them if I had them. I would think the 19 with the right grips would be fine.

 

[bryan87]

The best lady's gun for carrying is a J frame .38...preferably hammer-less so as it dosen't snag in a pocket or purse...for shooting you can also find a 3" J with adjustable sights...kinda looks like a M19 that was put in the dryer too long...

That's just my .02 cents...

I apologize, I failed to specify that she isn't planning on CCW. It will probably serve as a 80% range / 20% outdoors and camping gun. Regarding that 20%, I have told her 6" will be too big to lug around in the woods but she is as stubborn as I am when she wants something and can always carry my 686 if we go on a hike.

 

[bryan87]

I just sold a 19-4 4" two weeks ago for $375. It was recessed but not pinned. (90%+-95%). Could have sold more of them if I had them. I would think the 19 with the right grips would be fine.

See, now that is in line with what I am looking for personally! I love the 4" 19s I have seen.

What would you suggest for the right grips? Ideally, I'd like to purchase a 19 that still has the original grips but she seems partial to hogue monogrips.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Your price range seems about right for what they seem to average selling for in the store. You might hit luck in the forum sales section or a local newspaper ad. There are only about a million options for K frames to find a grip that will fit her hand. If I were to change anything I might think the recoil absorbed by the heavier 586 might be in her favor if she doesn't object to holding that same weight increase up in her hands.

 

[murphydog]

Wanting a blue 6" .357 S & W limits your choices. A 6" 27, 28 or 586 are pretty big, but the latter may be another option. If she ever decides to carry it at all, even in a belt holster, be prepared to go shopping again for a 4" gun .

A nice 6" model 19 for less than $400 would be a good deal.

 

[Retired W4]

The one I sold was equiped with MonoGrips. I like them for 357 magnum shooting.

The reason I said I could have sold more of them is after it was sold two people came back to the table with money in their hands.

 

[TDC]

As with the rest of us, let her choose the gun she wants. She'll like it more, practice with it more, and be more confident with a gun of her choosing.

I believe a 4" 19 would be ideal for her but if she insists on a 6" so be it. It could always be sold later and replaced with another gun with little, if any, additional cash outlay.

My wife wanted a Mod 60 no-dash. She, like many of us, found the small short barreled J frame more difficult to shoot well, especially later dash guns she tried in .357 Mag. We replaced her 60 with a heavier 2 1/2" 66-1 and she's very happy.

Whatever you select, have her try a Crimson Trace or similar Laser sight grip.... They fit average hands and women love them...

 

[fyimo]

As with the rest of us, let her choose the gun she wants. She'll like it more, practice with it more, and be more confident with a gun of her choosing.

I believe a 4" 19 would be ideal for her but if she insists on a 6" so be it. It could always be sold later and replaced with another gun with little, if any, additional cash outlay.

My wife wanted a Mod 60 no-dash. She, like many of us, found the small short barreled J frame more difficult to shoot well, especially later dash guns she tried in .357 Mag. We replaced her 60 with a heavier 2 1/2" 66-1 and she's very happy.

Whatever you select, have her try a Crimson Trace or similar Laser sight grip.... They fit average hands and women love them...

+1 on what he said

 

[bryan87]

If I were to change anything I might think the recoil absorbed by the heavier 586 might be in her favor if she doesn't object to holding that same weight increase up in her hands.

Wanting a blue 6" .357 S & W limits your choices. A 6" 27, 28 or 586 are pretty big, but the latter may be another option.

These is a great ideas. She originally liked the look of the 586 and enjoys shooting my 686-6 4"bbl so I maybe I will see which style she likes better.

If she ever decides to carry it at all, even in a belt holster, be prepared to go shopping again for a 4" gun .

I believe a 4" 19 would be ideal for her but if she insists on a 6" so be it. It could always be sold later and replaced with another gun with little, if any, additional cash outlay.

Believe me I know. I thought about trying to dissaude her and then realized that if the above scenarios ever do occur, I can stash a nice blued 6" M19 while adding a 4"

As with the rest of us, let her choose the gun she wants. She'll like it more, practice with it more, and be more confident with a gun of her choosing.
...
My wife wanted a Mod 60 no-dash. She, like many of us, found the small short barreled J frame more difficult to shoot well, especially later dash guns she tried in .357 Mag. We replaced her 60 with a heavier 2 1/2" 66-1 and she's very happy.

Whatever you select, have her try a Crimson Trace or similar Laser sight grip.... They fit average hands and women love them...

TDC this is really sound advice. I do want to fit her with a gun that she will trust, enjoy shooting and be proud of. I have never tried crimson trace grips but I would imagine the laser would turn her off - she really likes the look of the square butt diamond target stocks. I'll have to find a set for her to determine if she likes them.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My wife appropriated my 4 inch 681 with Crimson Trace grips. She isn't interested in collecting. She just wants it to go bang when she pulls the trigger. The Crimson Trace grips aren't pretty, but she likes the fact that the laser illuminates when she picks up the revolver. I zeroed the laser at 25 yards, so the light and POI will never be more than about an inch and a half apart at house ranges.

ECS

 

[oldafsp]

If you could find a Model 13 or 65 3 inch round butt for her to try, I think she would become a convert in a heartbeat.

For what you are describing, I think that would be the best choice for her all around. Put a set of finger groove combats on it and go to town.

I bought my wife this 65-3 when she was on the job as her off duty gun. If you think that I can pry this out of her grubby little fingers.....no way.

 

[bryan87]

If you could find a Model 13 or 65 3 inch round butt for her to try, I think she would become a convert in a heartbeat.

For what you are describing, I think that would be the best choice for her all around. Put a set of finger groove combats on it and go to town.

I bought my wife this 65-3 when she was on the job as her off duty gun. If you think that I can pry this out of her grubby little fingers.....no way.

With where she is at right now in wanting a 6" I don't think she would take to a shorter barrel. Maybe someday if she did decide to carry but right now there is something about a big blue revolver that has caught her eye. As you said, I doubt I will be able to pry this "grail" M19 from her hands once she gets a hold of it!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Might I suggest some Spegel Boot grips (on 2-4 inch guns) or Extended Boot grips(on 4-6 inch guns).

Basic grips in Black walnut start at about $50. .

My wife at 5'4" 110lbs loves them....

 

[blujax01]

You guys crack me up. "My wife wants a 6" .357. How much should I pay?"

1) You should get her a J-Frame.
2) She needs a 3" gun.
3) She needs a 4" gun.
4) She needs a smaller caliber.
5) She should shut up and get back in the kitchen. (did I say that out loud?)

No wonder we males get such a bad rap ...

 

[mbliss57]

semi auto lady

My wife won't shoot anything but bottom loaders! She has a .380 , 9mm and shoots my SW .45 M&P quite often. Every time I buy another revolver...(8 in past 2 months) I have her try it on for size. It's not that they don't fit her small hand. I have a Baby Chief Special that is just right for her. But she insists it's to hard to pull the trigger in DA. She just wants her semi auto(s)...At least she likes guns

 

[glenncal1]

If you wife wants a blued 6" revolver, get her a blued 6" revolver. I am in the Denver area too and don't have a 6" 19, but do have a 6" 586 and 27 she is welcome to try both of them out. I do have a 6" 14 if she wants to try a K frame. The 6" 586 is a nice shooting gun but is no light weight.

 

[bryan87]

Respectfully Disagree

You guys crack me up. "My wife wants a 6" .357. How much should I pay?"

1) You should get her a J-Frame.
2) She needs a 3" gun.
3) She needs a 4" gun.
4) She needs a smaller caliber.
5) She should shut up and get back in the kitchen. (did I say that out loud?)

No wonder we males get such a bad rap ...

Blujax, my wife enjoys shooting with me, she shoots well and can handle a .357 magnum just fine; enough that I am excited to help place a quality gun in her hands. I have an opportunity to share a hobby/obsession with her and she has expressed exactly what would make it more enjoyable for her - I couldn't be happier.

I have no idea how many firearms you own but I would hazard a guess that after 1,280 posts in just about 1.5 years of membership with this forum, that you passed the point of "needing" a gun quite some time ago. I am completely new to owning firearms and I have already passed the realistic point of "needing" any more guns. My wife doesn't need a gun but she wants a blued 6" .357 and that's what she'll get.

 

[bryan87]

If you wife wants a blued 6" revolver, get her a blued 6" revolver. I am in the Denver area too and don't have a 6" 19, but do have a 6" 586 and 27 she is welcome to try both of them out. I do have a 6" 14 if she wants to try a K frame. The 6" 586 is a nice shooting gun but is no light weight.

Thanks Jim! I will run it by her and see if she would be interested. Thank you for the offer.