J or K frame for a woman?

1. given that a .22 revolver will move to the next round if the rimfire doesn't go off... it's not the worst choice in defense gun

2. she is already familiar and comfortable with her current gun let her carry it or leave it at home

3. keep introducing her to diff guns and let her shoot everything she can get her hands no, including S&W M&P guns with smaller backstraps- for a home defense that she won't have to carry
 
Marshal Kane said:
I believe if your wife shoots a Sig P228 (like my wife does) she could shoot a 4" K frame with adjustable sights. With .38 Special wadcutters, the recoil would only be a little more pronounced than the .22 cal. J frame she currently shoots. You mentioned .38 Special/+P, in a snubby the felt recoil might be a bit objectionable. I would suggest taking your wife to an indoor range that rents guns and have her try both the J and K frame guns with all the types of ammo she would likely shoot. That way, you'll know for sure which gun to get her. My wife shoots my K frame model 15 with 158 gr. LRN standard velocity easily and she is a small woman. Hope this helps.
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In my opinion, this is good advice. I think it is great that you are taking such care and consideration to help your wife. Sometimes when family is involved it becomes hard for someone to say "I really don't like what you're suggesting, I like this instead." To give your wife the most options and the least amount of concern for disappointing you, maybe have her enroll in a handgun or CC class to try out different revolvers/semis under "independent and objective" guidance from an instructor. You may be surprised with what she ultimately selects.

A close friend and his wife recently both took CC classes, but at different times. He was sure she needed a 2" J frame and was diligently searching for the right one for her. By trying out different handguns supplied by the instructor she found she liked a compact 9.
 
I'll second" let her decide".
Nothing will feel the same as a .22 that one has been shooting and is comfortable doing so. Many public ranges have guns (revolvers & Auto loaders) that one can rent at very reasonable rates. My Lady loves the S&W 380EZ and carries it because she has
Confidence while carrying.
 
Here are the two S&W revolvers that my wife absolutely love because she shoots them so well. My wife is a petite 5' 2" woman. One she uses as a recreational range revolver and the other she enjoys as a range revolver but also is the one she keeps in her nightstand and carries with her when on a road trip.

S&W Model 34-1 "Kit Gun" in .22 Long Rifle.
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S&W Model 15-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in 38 Special.
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My petite wife. And I think she's a cutie too!
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Thanks for looking at my wife's revolvers.

God bless,
Birdgun
 
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I didn't know they allowed Babe of the Day posts in here. :)

Pretty nice background too. I'd say you've got good looking things all around you Birdgun.
 
lkabug said:
I'll second" let her decide".
Nothing will feel the same as a .22 that one has been shooting and is comfortable doing so. Many public ranges have guns (revolvers & Auto loaders) that one can rent at very reasonable rates. My Lady loves the S&W 380EZ and carries it because she has
Confidence while carrying.
Click to expand...



Another here.

Don't assume a woman is best served by a small gun. Larger gun = easier to hit with = more fun & confidence.
 
If she will shoot the .22 and is proficient, don't mess with success. Is it optimal, no. Is it better than strong language and a gun she won't shoot enough to be proficient? Oh yeah, by a huge amount.

As she continues, let her try other models. I am not an advocate of J frames for most, especially women, for ergonomic reasons I have put in plenty of posts. I suspect that she will find a K frame easier to shoot well if and when she is ready to move up in caliber. I advocate the adjustable sights, not because she is likely to need to adjust them, but because they are easier to see. She could end up preferring an auto-pistol, too.
 
I would find a K frame for her to shoot. She likes the J kuz it's a 22. Can't blame her for that.

With that said, my model 10 with the tapered barrel is a dream to shoot.

But as others have said, if you pick it, it is likely to be a fail for her. She has to pick.
 
pawngal said:
Another suggestion to have her try (if you can find one!} is the Ruger LCR 327 Federal Mag. Can shoot any .32 cal ammo including the 327 Fed Mag.
And it is a 6 shot verses the 5 shot .38 J frames. The .32 S&W Long and the .32 H&R Magnum are pretty tame, the .327 Fed Mag is a hoot to shoot.
I have one, it is a learning curse for me because I've always shot K & N frames.
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For me, the answer to this question is always the same - Ruger LCR327. It's a bit expensive, but as pawngal observed it is the most flexible gun out there - 32 Long is tame but still viable for self defense, 32 H&R is right around 38 SPL, 327 Magnum is just shy of 357 power levels. Very wide range of options.

Unfortunately, S&W has eliminated itself from the 327 caliber game so Ruger or Charter Arms is all there is.

If not the Ruger, I recommend a S&W M30 or M31. As I said, 32 Long is no slouch with modern self defense loadings and they can be reamed for 32 H&R if you want to get into 38 SPL power levels.
 
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A question I have pondered and spent many $$$ on
Wife at first went through the Beretta "cat series " Tom cat , Bob cat ect, until she came upon a Sig 238 Built on 911 format you can run with one in the chamber and use the thumb safety But only a short 9
Used the piece for about 2 years Until the rattle snake was on the patio after out dogs!
She got the 686 2 and 1/2 inch and let loose
Said that she was always scared of it since it was a 357 but had no issue using it in a crisis
Well it is now the purse and car carry
Funny but her friends all have Ruger pocket 9 ( LC nine's I believe )
In a conversation one said to her " yours only has 6 shots " (actually 7 )
Her friend said " what will you do when you run out of bullets ? "
Her response was the best --- " I can beat them to death with it ! "
A Sig P238 is best choice after that any revolver THEY ALWAYS GO BANG
 
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jtcarm said:
Another here.

Don't assume a woman is best served by a small gun. Larger gun = easier to hit with = more fun & confidence.
Click to expand...

I think this was my wife's logic with the Model 67. The range had a rental Model 67. As most know, Model 15s and 67s make hitting the target a lot easier. She found hitting the target to be fun and enjoyable with the 67 so she bought her own. It's loaded with standard velocity semi-wadcutters. It is my opinion that having confidence in your ability to run your revolver is very important. I believe my wife has this confidence.
 
You said....

"She is 5'4" with average size hands. She has liked shooting a Sig p228 and others, but has not liked any as much as the J frame. This includes a 686+ that I have that I think was too big for her hands."

++++++

The grips on the L frame is also the same size as those found on the K frame. It's just that the L frame is bigger and heavier. So, it may feel different. So then, if she doesn't feel like it's fitting (when using the 686). Then, it probably won't feel like it's fitting with a K frame either. But who knows? A lighter K frame might suit her.

At any rate.....YES, let her try various guns. Let her choose.

For some women......well, they can't even handle bringing back the slide to chamber a cartridge on a semi auto. So, a revolver might be the answer. But then, I can remember when I was in police training (back in the late 70s) and there were some women that had a difficult time with the issued S&W M15 (K frame) double action trigger pulls.

Anyway.......maybe a SA revolver might be the ticket. Take her SASS shooting. She might even enjoy the sport and dressing up.

[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvH_SaaaXKY]YouTube[/ame]

Aloha, Mark

PS....even a single action army might feel a little big for some. So, also try a reproduction COLT Lightening sized revolver, in single action.

Cimarron?s Thunderer & Lightning Sixguns

Ooops, since this is a S&W forum......there is also the S&W Schofield. Originals will cost you an arm and a leg. So, how about a reproduction?

1875 SCHOFIELD 2^0 MOD. | Uberti Replicas | Top quality firearms replicas from 1959
 
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Another vote to at least look at/consider a .32 centerfire in a 2" snub.

.327s shoot 'em all,
.32 H&R also shoots acp or L,
.32 S&WL is hardly any more recoil than a .22 but 2.5x as heavy.

I have an 8 shot 43c, and a 7 shot 351c. That may be another option.

Carry guns are a very personal thing, try as many as you can.
 
haywood said:
I wouldn't pick out my Wife's gun any more than I would pick out here shoes. That's a job for her.
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I've bought shoes, belts and even purses for my wife. The only way I've ever bought a pistol for her is when she has told me she didn't feel up to going to the gun show but would I buy her a Ruger Bearcat as she wanted a 22 revolver. Yes dear!
 
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