Alternatives to the Ruger SP101

OP, the way you describe your wives general attitude / experience with handguns, I have a feeling any .38 / 9mm is going to be a problem for her the first time she drops the hammer.

If it were me, I would start her out with a good quality .22 RF double action revolver, rubber grips, standard velocity ammo, good hearing protection, and lots of range time. Baby steps as it were, while she learns the fundamentals, and becomes acclimated to firing and handling a handgun.

When her confidence level and abilities improve, time to start looking at a CF weapon. In the meantime, a shooter who is confident in their abilities, and armed with a .22 revolver full of HVHP's is nothing to sneeze at..

Larry

This reply should automatically pop up anytime someone ask about how to start a beginning shooter. Larry
 
The Ruger equating to the S&W M-686 is the GP-100, not 101. The SP-101 is the one a bit larger than a J-frame.

I'd look for a J-frame and would NOT buy a DA-only model.

THe S&W M-60-4 is excellent, but holds only five shots and is hard to locate. No longer made. The present version with a lock would work, if the lock doesn't interfere.

Depending on hand size, a stainless K-frame would be good. Model 65 with three-inch barrel and round butt would be ideal, or Model 64 for .38 ammo only. I don't think she'll relish firing .357 ammo.

The barrel a fraction over three inches has been an option on the SP-101 for many years, at least since the late 1980's. Early ones took only .38 ammo. I would not buy a .357 smaller or lighter than the SP-101 with three-inch bbl.

Try round butt Pachmayr grips on the Model 64 or 65.

Women vary widely in what they can shoot. I used to know Jo Anne Hall back when she was both a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and World Champion of the ladies div. in IPSC shooting. She could handle a Colt .45 auto with ease. She was a study in grace and efficiency in using one. Carried a Colt .380 for concealed use. She coached my young son in using the .45 one day in her backyard while my daughter played with her poodle. He told me later that what he learned from her stood him in good stead in combat in Iraq some years later, where he employed 9mm pistols very effectively. The Army gives rather cursory training in pistolcraft to most soldiers not MP's or members of special ops units.

FWIW, one of my favorite fictional characters is Modesty Blaise, in the books. The movies and one TV series were awful. Modesty was a marvelous, very fast shot who could also use a .41 Magnum well at extended ranges. But I'd suggest more gun than her beloved Colt .32 revolver, and she eventually went to a Star PD .45 for routine carry when circumstances didn't require the small size of her MAB .25. But I always suggest a stainless .38 on the J or K frame for real world women who don't know guns well and who will not need more power.

The SP-101 is a fine handgun, but the trigger pull is longer than on J-frames and the action is usually quite heavy. But the heavy mainspring ensures ignition of even tough .357 primers or of some foreign ammo, and my SP is very reliable and quite accurate. In a strong hand, it's a fine gun.
Many women or weak men may need a lighter DA trigger pull. A lot of people have arthritis or neuropathy issues that require a gun that's easy to fire. For them a Walther P-38 or Beretta M-92FS will cycle more easily than will auto pistols based on the Browning locking system. But neither is meant for small hands.

BTW, some French policewomen carried Ruger .38's, maybe even .357's. SP's. Doesn't mean that your lady can, especially if age is a factor, and that's often the case on this board.

I DO NOT suggest Colt revolvers, as they're hard to keep in time and few gunsmiths will now work on them. Too complicated. And the sights are often "off". Otherwise, the Police Positive Special would be ideal with three or four-inch barrel.

And I DO NOT suggest a .22 revolver, as many have VERY sticky extraction. I sold my S&W M-34 in disgust. In a .22, I prefer a Colt Woodsman or a Ruger. The latter is offered in stainless, too. In small .22's, the Beretta M-87 may be the ideal item.
 
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A new female shooter intimidated by guns?

Either the S&W 63 or 617. The 617 will be a little bigger than the 63. Here is the 63 being put through its paces by a new female shooter:



Not trying to be mean, but with a new female shooter intimidated by guns and you wanting to buy her a 38 Special as her first gun, I would gently suggest you are not in a position to teach her to shoot. If she is amenable, enroll her in an all-female class taught by a female instructor to get her started. You'll be miles ahead than if you try to teach her yourself.

JMHO
 
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My misses shoots a 4" Taurus revolver in 22lr double action. I showed her how to shoot a double action first shot 9mm. I pity the fool.
 
Again, appreciate the replies.
I will try to address the situation with my Wife. Historically she has had absolutely no interest in learning more about how a gun operates, which is fine, I came to terms with that a long time ago. Her disinterest in learning how guns work partially pertains to why I don't think auto feeds are a good choice for her, she also does not like the way autos look. She tried to manipulate the slide on my keltec PF9 and every other time it jammed because she didn't rack it all the way back. If it was to jam, forget about it. Beyond that, I can see limp wristing being a possible issue.

Right now I don't know how many times I am going to be able to get her to the range, probably not much. In selecting a weapon for home defense, I figure it will be best if we have something that she can pick up and use If I am incapacitated. They make some pretty light 38 loads, I figured in a heavier frame the recoil will be manageable for her. But admittedly I have limited experience in this area.

As for price, it doesn't really matter what we spend. Kozmic, I would love to find a great deal on a quality firearm as much as the next guy. How do you do that by the way? Pawn Shops? Regardless, we aren't in a financial situation where we need to sacrifice quality for ammunition, I can afford both. Of course, If you want to sell me your Security Six for a great deal I won't object. ;)

Shinbone, I think that is good advise and I am not opposed to it at all.
 
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Why the desire for an exposed hammer?

This isn't simply a range toy, so we are referencing self-defense with a gun rather than simply shooting. They are not one in the same. She needs something as safe and simple as possible, plus do not discount the possibility of an extreme close-quarter defense scenario even in the case of home defense. In ECQ range, the enclosed hammer snub is an extremely formidable weapon, the best weapon IMO.

From Massad Ayoob...

"Male criminals tend to be misogynists. The man who would surrender to him at gunpoint would die rather than go to prison with it known that he had surrendered to her. He is more likely by far to attack and attempt to disarm a woman. More than 20 years of teaching handgun disarming and retention has taught me the hardest gun to take away from its legitimate owner is a 2-inch barreled revolver. With a shrouded hammer, this is also the only gun a woman can fire through a coat pocket without a hammer or a slide fouling in fabric and stopping her stream of fire."
 
I hadn't even thought about the hammer. I have been primarily focused on weight and size.. Aren't all of the enclosed hammer models light weight and small frame?
 
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I hadn't even thought about the hammer. I have been primarily focused on weight and size.. Aren't all of the enclosed hammer models light weight and small frame?

The S&W 640 is all stainless steel and pretty close in weight to an SP101.

There are a numerous advantages to the enclosed hammer centennial frame... Massad Ayoob: Hammer or
 
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I hate to disagree with the esteemed counselor from Louisiana but Ruger does still make the SP101 in a 3" version. Model 5719.

I own an SP 101 and. Model 60. For a new and occasional shooter, I think that the added weight of the Ruger is a better idea. Find one with a good trigger, or have a little work done to it to smooth it out.

Even better would be a used 3 or 4" S&W K frame.

As has been said, LOTS of choices in revolvers for under $1000.

My sweetie wants nothing to do with semi autos, and she is deadly with her model 36. She has been eying my 686.....

Good luck!
 
IMO the OP's intuition is sound, and a smaller steel framed revolver in .38sp would be great. Even Colts.
.38sp comes loaded from very mild to 9mm+p like, can be easy to shoot and learn with.
If relying on a .22 for protection, I'd never go with a .22 auto, much less a small one for somebody not overly inclined to master the mechanicals. I still frequently encounter duds in rimfire, and especially small .22s often don't have an extractor. A small revolver with 8-9 shot capacity makes better sense. Small .22 revolvers will sometimes have a stiffer DA trigger, but that can be overcome with practice, technique and worst case, springs.
 
I hate to disagree with the esteemed counselor from Louisiana but Ruger does still make the SP101 in a 3" version. Model 5719.
I didn't say they didn't make them. I said "I don't think Ruger manes a new SP101 with that length." Always say you "don't think..." instead of "I know...." ;) this little pointer will keep you from being held in contempt ( as in" You can't do that Judge" vs " I don't think you can do that Judge" )or charged with perjury ( "I didn't do that" vs "I don't think I did that"). Also for the record I said noting about Ruger making anything-I think the verb used was "mane". As for the 3" SP101-I didn't know that they still made them so it was in fact a true statement. So there. :p
 
Davidsons Gun Genie has the 3" Mod 60 in stock, also the Mod 60 Ladysmith is in stock, and on sale. They ship to a gun store near you.
 
Forget a 9mm revolver. It will shoot much harder in a revolver than an pistol. I like the idea of a quality .22lr revolver. Hopefully she would learn to enjoy shooting. I have a Ruger LCR in .22lr and like it a lot. Down side is trigger pull is heavy but this is true for all rimfire revolvers. The trigger like all LCRs is very smooth, but the reset is all the way forward. Takes some practice. The Smith K frame in 3 or 4" barrel would be good if it fits her hand. You might want to look into .380 autos with double action triggers like Kahrs or Ruger LC380-not the LCP or blow back designs.
 
I DO NOT suggest Colt revolvers, as they're hard to keep in time and few gunsmiths will now work on them. Too complicated. And the sights are often "off".

I have to disagree, owning three Colts. My everyday carry is a Colt Cobra with several hundred rounds through it. It outshoots my M36 and the SP101 I used to own. The trigger is better than the M36 and light years better than the SP101. The hard to keep in time is a myth, the finding a gunsmith to work on them can be tough, agreed. Sights off, not mine.

A D Frame Colt would be a fine choice IMHO.
 
I too would also consider a Colt 38 D frame revolver such as the Detective Special. Same size gun but 6 shots instead of 5.
Also, I didn't see mentioned a .327 Federal Magnum SP101. It's no longer made with the 3 inch barrel bolt it is being produced with a 4 inch barrel. It has the advantage of a 6 round cylinder as opposed to that of the 5 shot 38/357 version. It will handle several different 32 caliber rounds. You could start your wife off shooting the lesser powered rounds and eventually work her up to the 32 H&R or the 32 Fed Mag.
Also, at one time, Ruger did chamber the SP101 in 9mm as well.
 
Anytime I read through threads such as this, I can help but notice a disconnect. Many of the comments are from the perspective of experienced hobbyists or "shooters" who enjoy the gun culture, guns themselves or the sporting aspect of shooting itself and do so regularly, but that's not who this gun is intended for. There is a substantial difference between a hobbyist/shooter who has a passing interest in self-defense but which is not their primary focus, someone simply arming themselves for self-defense and an individual who is a serous dedicated self-defense exponent. I think the majority of members on this forum probably fit in the first category, the OP's wife in the second and very few members in the latter one.

The recommendations on threads such as these remind me of someone simply wanting to learn unarmed self-defense/assault and rape prevention techniques, but go to a traditional martial art school and the instructor tries to turn them into a dedicated martial artist.

There often comes the inevitable need for regular training recommendations, but what many call training is really nothing more than shooting. Someone who is a gun culture/shooting enthusiast isn't usually primarily interested in and focused on training purely for self-defense or perhaps they simply do not understand the difference just like the individual who goes into the martial art school wanting to learn basic unarmed self-defense gets misdirected into becoming a martial artist learning irrelevant skills to their objective.
 
There is a substantial difference between a hobbyist/shooter who has a passing interest in self-defense ......"

"....a hobbyist .....who has a passing interest in self-defense......."


Have to think on this one........

Maybe flip it;I think there are a lot of folks who acquire a firearm for self-defense and only goes to the range and shoots occasionally................ or not at all...... hence all the 98% used sock drawer guns......my accumulation is based on!!!!!!

:D
 
"
Maybe flip it;I think there are a lot of folks who acquire a firearm for self-defense and only goes to the range and shoots occasionally................ or not at all...... hence all the 98% used sock drawer guns......my accumulation is based on!!!!!!

:D

That would accurately describe the majority of gun owners, but not the regular contributing members on this or any gun forum.
 
In all sincerity, I would take her to a range that hopefully has several different revolvers that she can try.

So far all of the suggestions have been great. But there are minor differences in each gun such as grip size and trigger reach as well as perceived recoil.

Does the gun fit her hand? Can she reach the trigger and still have enough strength to pull the trigger AND make accurate hits on target? Can you replace the grip? Can she manipulate the cylinder release and empty and reload the gun?

Also consider the sights. What you like may be different for her.
 
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