J or K frame for a woman?

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Rye

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My wife has been shooting with me for awhile, and has become particularly enamored of a little J frame 4” .22 that was the first pistol I ever bought (at age 12). She would like me to make the pistol accessible to her for self/home defense when I’m not around, but I have reservations about her using a .22 for that purpose.

I’m thinking of getting her a Model 60 or 66/67 with somewhere between 2 3/4 and 4” barrel for use with .38 or .38+p, and wonder if the J or K frame would be preferable. I don’t see her carrying it much (other than maybe in a purse while walking the dog at night). If she does decide to carry more I have better alternatives for her, like a 340PD.

So the question is this: if she likes shooting a J frame do you think a K frame will seem too big or cumbersome? Do you think I should stay with the frame size she knows and likes?
 
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weatherby said:
Welcome first of all.
To me there is quite a difference especially so if she has small hands.
What other guns does she like/ shoot well ?
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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.
 
Thats a hard one to answer. A lot depends on the grips and your wife.

My wife is 5'-4" and weighs in at 113 pounds. She has a J frame model 642 and K frame model 67. Her model 67 has the smallest rubber grips I could find. When she decided she wanted guns I explained the operation/advantages/disadvantages of autos and revolvers and showed her the manual of arms for both. She decided autos were not for her. She discussed her choices with a knowledgeable female shooter at the local gun store/range. I had her shoot different size revolvers a few times before she made her purchases.

I would explain the advantages of various guns to your wife and get her to shoot them, but let her make the decision about which one she wants. A well placed .22 is a lot more effective than a miss with a .38 or 9mm. A J frame in her pocket is a lot better than a K frame at home in the desk.
 
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.
 
Rye said:
My wife has been shooting with me for awhile, and has become particularly enamored of a little J frame 4” .22 that was the first pistol I ever bought (at age 12). She would like me to make the pistol accessible to her for self/home defense when I’m not around, but I have reservations about her using a .22 for that purpose.
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Your answer is here in your own statement

She should have what she likes, not what you think is best.

A .22 that she wants you to leave out for here will get carried/used more often than anything you pick for her without her participation

If you want her to step up in power, I would suggest going to a range that rents firearms and having her try one of the various 3" Model 60s or an older 3" model 36

60adjs.jpg


60pro-s.jpg


36CST2s.jpg

The adjustable sight 3" Model 36 Chief's Special Target will be the hardest to find. Both of the stainless models are currently in production.

Even though the Model 60s both have heavier barrels, the firearms overall weight will be similar to your old Model 34, that is thanks to the difference in the much lighter 38 Special cylinder
 
Only your wife can answer that question. I had preconceived idea's on what my wife would want for "her" gun, and of course I was wrong. I know my wife, and I know she won't practice. She doesn't particularly like guns. Ididn't think a semi auto would be the best, having to rack the slide, load the magazines, the way the slide goes back when fired, etc. I picked out a very nice model 30, (with larger grips) with standard 32 longs, I also took along a variety of J Frame, K Frame and a couple semi auto's. She fired most all, and told me she likes my Shield 9. It's bigger, heavier more complicated, but that's what she wants.

Let your wife pick out her own gun.
 
For now I'd suggest sticking with what she likes and has chosen to shoot. Eventually try some other k frames maybe loaded with some easy shooting wadcutters and see if she can handle the upgrade.

However, for now just be happy that there is a gun she is willing to train with and a 22 in use is better than a 38 stored away that never gets shot.
 
I totally agree that she should be the one to make the choice.
In my own experience I've found that women much prefer to shoot and can shoot much better with a K-frame. However, most won't carry it due to the weight. Most prefer a J-frame for carry.

Another option to consider: due to arthritis in her hands, my wife used a 2" Model 30 J-frame in .32 Long. Reliable, accurate and has almost no recoil. With modern ammo, it is a viable self defense cartridge. Still ain't much, but its better than a .22. ;)
 
Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

You might have heard this old adage:

"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose."

You also can't pick your wife's gun!

Several folks have offered some great alternatives to a .22, but...

No matter what, she needs to decide.
 
I would borrow/rent a 3” J frame .38 or .357 with the same stocks as your model 34, which should balance and feel similar to what you already know she likes. Then start with .38 wadcutters and move up from there as tolerated. Doubt she will make it up to full 125 gr .357s but confidence in what she uses is the key. That may end with her using a .22.
 
J-Frame with standard pressure .38 special.

I have a different perspective than most of this subject and would recommend a hammerless/centennial frame model such as the 640 or even the 642/442 if she plans on carrying it, even if just around the house.

Most people think a larger gun makes much more sense for home defense and in many cases it does, but considering what is most likely to occur in the event of a home invasion and what the best course of action would be, I think an enclosed hammer snub is actually a really good choice.

My mother as well as my wife both use airweight centennials(642/442) for home protection. If someone were to break into the house, the plan is not to engage the intruder(s), but to retreat into the designated "safe room"(master bedroom walk-in closet) and call 911. There would actually be three locked doors(hallway, bedroom, closet) the intruder would have to get through and if they somehow did get through all of them, the distance of the shots would be a few feet, so marksmanship will not be much of a factor, but contact shooting could very well be and the enclosed hammer snub offers numerous advantages there. When I'm gone, my wife will occasionally carry around the house and the air-weight is about as heavy as she will tolerate, so that makes it a better choice than an all steel model IMO.
 
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If you are serious about home defense I suggest a 20 gauge pump shotgun; I am partial to the Mossberg 500s.

If you are just looking for an excuse to get another S&W there is plenty of good advice here... :cool:
 
Started my girlfriend on a 2” J Frame. She did alright with target ammo but when we tried SD ammo, recoil was a bit much. One day she happened to try a 3” model 65 and that’s all it took! Lost my 65 but she now has something she’s comfortable with and not hesitant to shoot. Has no problem with Golden Saber +P and now has a set of Crimson Trace grips. I vote for the extra weight of a k frame. You have an unlimited choice of grips as well
 
Keep the .22 out for her. See if she likes something bigger. But buying one may get you an extra gun and no use for it.

But there are lot of choices. You may even look into a .22 mag. Hornady now makes some .22 mag self defense ammo. Might be better than a .22 LR. Or there's the .32 suggestion.

A k frame might be too heavy for her liking. Unless you get a model 12.
 
Eddietruett said:
Started my girlfriend on a 2” J Frame. She did alright with target ammo but when we tried SD ammo, recoil was a bit much. One day she happened to try a 3” model 65 and that’s all it took! Lost my 65 but she now has something she’s comfortable with and not hesitant to shoot. Has no problem with Golden Saber +P and now has a set of Crimson Trace grips. I vote for the extra weight of a k frame. You have an unlimited choice of grips as well
Click to expand...

My ideal EDC revolver.
 
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.
 
Steel J frame

After handling revolver, compact 380s and 9mm my wife choose m60 with 2 1/4” barrel with Hornady Critical Defense std velocity as her ammo
 
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