Trying to build the "perfect" nightstand gun for the wife

[kenneu]

*** See my edits at the bottom of this post before you respond ***

I've let my wife try my 686+, kimber K6s, 19-3 6", Taurus .38, and Ruger Vaquero. The shorter guns are too snappy for her. The bigger guns are too long and heavy.

I *think* that a 4" model 67 might be the ticket. It's smaller than the 686 frame yet big enough to reduce recoil. With some hornady or federal reduced recoil, I'm hoping it will work for her.

I've narrowed my focus rather drastically as I want a revolver (limited chance of malfunction) and I want adjustable night sights so that I can get it right for whatever round we end up on with her.

The only night sights I can find that are adjustable are the mepro for k-frames and for some of the rugers so that limits my choices.

The plan is a 67 4" with some good hogue grips that she can hold on to (she's tiny - 5' 95 pounds), mepro night sights adjusted for her and a high-quality trigger job and spring set to make pull as light and smooth as possible while still remaining reliable. Ideally a 3" would probably be the best overall but there are limited choices in 3" with adjustable sights where an aftermarket is available.

Beyond the 67, are there other options (new only I want a warranty) that I'm missing here?

*** Edit - clearly not everyone reads through the whole post before commenting... I appreciate the input but from everyone's input I have purchased a 4.25" 67, a 3" 66, and I'm looking for a 3" 60 or 3" 60 pro. I've tried several grips and found one she likes on the 67 and that's the current setup in the nightstand. we'll see once I find a 60 ***

 

[RGVshooter]

Can't go wrong with a 4" model 10 38spl for the house. There's a lot of police trades out there for under 400 bux.

 

[dusty3030]

To heck with the night sights, Crimson Trace laser grips.
If someone kicks the door in and it's the pitch of night do you think she (or you or me etc.) would be better picking up a little glowing dot on the end of the barrel or the big bright red one glowing on the targets middle section.

Also, do you have a .22 handgun? If not, let her pick her own out that she likes and make sure she has access to a place to shoot it whenever she likes. Trigger time is invaluable and confidence building. I'd also suggest if she there is a ladies night or some classes you could get her without you around go for it if she'll go for it. Takes the pressure off her and lets her find out what works for her.

 

[MAJPATT]

My wife isn't much of a pistolero. Her go to is a CZ Scorpion Evo SBR, with an inforce light. She is confident and competent with it. I love my revolvers, but for home defense, a carbine has a lot to offer over any handgun.

 

[Cal44]

Ruger makes a nice LCR with three inch barrel, adjustable sights, and a pinned front sight you can change.

 

[RGVshooter]

a carbine has a lot to offer over any handgun.

I'm not sure what kind of scenario you're envisioning but IMHO I feel a carbine might be more of a disadvantage inside a home due to it's length e.g. coming around corners, narrow hallways. But that's just my opinion. In reality any decent full size pistol will get the job done. M&P 9, Beretta 92fs Glock 17 with a tact light should be sufficient. I'm a revolver guy. I feel very safe with my Mod 10 sitting over here next to me.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I've let my wife try my 686+...

What barrel length? Has she shot a 3" 686?

I love my 686's, but attempting rapid followup shots during simulated stress shooting causes me to short-stroke the trigger due to the long reset. The short reset on my CZ PCR makes my followup shots flawless in practice stress shooting.

 

[Weimar]

I would not guess what's good for her, see if there is a range she can try aseveral range guns. And a 357mag w adjustable sights might be good for you, but is it what she wants?

And for an in door, house gun... why adjustable?

Anybody can handle a 45 or 357, but do they like it? ��

 

[Zipdog]

I would teach her to shoot without the use of any sights. A 640-1 loaded with 38 wadcutters could be tried.

 

[KEN L]

A better choice would be a 3" Model 10, model 64 or 65. For the scenarios you are suggesting, night sights and adjustable sights are not necessary. At short distance encounters those type of sights are a distraction. Train her to instinct or point shoot. A 3" K frame is a perfect compromise of size to weight. Even with a good defensive load recoil is minimal and easily handled. In a stressful situation she will notice neither.

 

[oneounceload]

I've let my wife try my 686+, kimber K6s, 19-3 6", Taurus .38, and Ruger Vaquero. The shorter guns are too snappy for her. The bigger guns are too long and heavy.

I *think* that a 4" model 67 might be the ticket. It's smaller than the 686 frame yet big enough to reduce recoil. With some hornady or federal reduced recoil, I'm hoping it will work for her.

I've narrowed my focus rather drastically as I want a revolver (limited chance of malfunction) and I want adjustable night sights so that I can get it right for whatever round we end up on with her.

The only night sights I can find that are adjustable are the mepro for k-frames and for some of the rugers so that limits my choices.

The plan is a 67 4" with some good hogue grips that she can hold on to (she's tiny - 5' 95 pounds), mepro night sights adjusted for her and a high-quality trigger job and spring set to make pull as light and smooth as possible while still remaining reliable. Ideally a 3" would probably be the best overall but there are limited choices in 3" with adjustable sights where an aftermarket is available.

Beyond the 67, are there other options (new only I want a warranty) that I'm missing here?

I never understand men who "THINK" they know what their wives want.
Take her to range that rents guns and let HER pick out what she likes. She might prefer a Colt 1911, or (gasp) a Glock 9mm.......

 

[kenneu]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll look at the 10". I believe in 3" I'd have to go looking for used as I don't think there's anything new in a K but I'll double-check. I will add that I have a safe with 25+ various sizes, calibers, and designs from .22 through .45ACP. She has fired a bunch of them. It always comes back to the same things she's looking for: lighter weight (but not like an airweight), smaller grips for tiny hands, good balance, and simple operation. As mentioned she's really small and racking slides on any semi is an issue for her as she has to do a push opposite directions method across her body.

From my point of view, I travel a lot and this will not really be "her" gun but one we know she can point and shoot in an emergency without having to go through a manual of arms, forget a safety is on in a half-sleep state, jam she can't clear, etc. I've considered a laser grip and may go back and have her try that again before we commit to one as that is one thing she hasn't tried. I do have 3 or 4 in my collection that either have a laser on it or have been removed and are in the parts box which can be put on so I'll have her try that before I commit.

Note that the reason on the adjustable sights is simply that we do shoot quite a bit as I am on 70 or so acres and have range set up for long and short gun and can walk out and shoot off my front porch if I want to. Every gun we own gets shot a LOT and with a .38 we've both found that POI seems to vary a good bit from one round to the next. I've had just about every fixed sight gun I own 'smithed so that POA=POI using the dot in the center of the bullseye rather than a 6'oclock. Both of us are used to that sight picture and will shoot this little bugger quite a bit and want to enjoy bullseye accuracy on the range when it's not sitting in the nightstand.

 

[sodacan]

A better choice would be a 3" Model 10, model 64 or 65. For the scenarios you are suggesting, night sights and adjustable sights are not necessary. At short distance encounters those type of sights are a distraction. Train her to instinct or point shoot. A 3" K frame is a perfect compromise of size to weight. Even with a good defensive load recoil is minimal and easily handled. In a stressful situation she will notice neither.

I agree. Any fixed sight 38 would work with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. You over thinking the whole thing.

 

[Eddietruett]

Got mine a Model 65 with 3" Barrel. Put crimson trace grips on. It's perfect. Not too heavy. The 3" heavy barrel makes recoil very manageable for her. She shoots Speer 135 SB +P and Remington Golden Saber 125 +P very accurately. Liked hers so well I now carry a Model 65 3"

 

[kenneu]

I never understand men who "THINK" they know what their wives want.
Take her to range that rents guns and let HER pick out what she likes. She might prefer a Colt 1911, or (gasp) a Glock 9mm.......

See my latest post. I'm not going on what I think she wants. That would be a waste of money and a lesson learned long ago trying to buy her a purse at Coach. We've talked about it a good bit and she's tried quite of few of mine... MANY I don't even have any more as neither of us were fans and they got sold and replaced.

 

[whataboutbob]

The stationwagon of S&W revolvers mod 10 4"

 

[Sol-Invictus]

My wife is 5 ft tall. 105lbs. Small hands and for some strange reason shoots our old model vaquero 357 better than any of our many other revolvers. . It will get her to the shotgun. And as that guy on forged in fire says, "eat weel keal"

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[Mister X]

I've always steered my wife toward a revolver, but recently she said if something happened while I was gone, she would grab my Glock 19. She said she just doesn't feel comfortable with the capacity of a wheelgun in a home defense scenario. Honestly, she shouldn't have any problems with it since you'll find numerous videos on YouTube of little girls and elderly woman handling Glocks just fine.

 

[Stephanie B]

Don't overlook a 3" Model 60. Not too heavy, not too snappy with .38s, including +P.


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[two-bit cowboy]

I've had just about every fixed sight gun I own 'smithed so that POA=POI using the dot in the center of the bullseye rather than a 6'oclock. Both of us are used to that sight picture and will shoot this little bugger quite a bit and want to enjoy bullseye accuracy on the range when it's not sitting in the nightstand.

You've given us your perspective.

It sounds to me like you're trying to build a "one gun does it all" sort of revolver for your wife.

Do you want another target gun? Or do you want a gun your wife can handle in a really bad situation? The two, to me, are not the same gun.

How many times did "Model 10" come up as an answer to your original question? Maybe there's something to that. If you're going to ask a question, you have to be willing to listen to the answer.

This gang is NOT going to tell you what you want to hear.