Sounds like a 2” k frame is the answer if u prefer a revolver. A model 10 with standard pressure 158 sjwc is a delight to carry and shoot.
I bought the wrong gun, now what?
- Thread starter Shootingfish
- Start date
Female CCW choices harder than Male for sure
As far as guns go don't discount a S&W Model 31 in .32 Long. Painless cartridge as far as recoil, muzzle flash go, short sight radius same as 38 snubbies, but easy to carry, open or concealed.
My wife (small hands, slight stature) prefers the Model 31-1 with purse carry. My EDC is a 637-2 with combat grips, and 38 +P aboard in an old S&W leather holster in strong side OWB.
For hiking and/or field duty my wife prefers a Model 34 (4") in 22LR carried in a B.T. Crumb vintage cop holster on a wide belt, while I prefer a Model 64 (4") in a Bianchi closed toe holster.
Both have decent retention with over the hammer strap for field hiking.
Have been practicing with S&W Compact. 2.0 carried OWB in SafariLand kydex to replace the 637. 9mm, compact, choice of three grip sets for all type hands, very secure in the kydex, more rounds, easy to rack. Wife even enjoys it so recoil is very slight, but it is polymer vs steel so take a bit more to become proficient (I'm not there yet...can put em in center mass at the range but getting holster qualified under stress and takes more practice on my part)
The semi vs wheel is really different but again...may be a real decent choice for ladies. My wife would like to step up from the
32 wheel and seems to think the 2.0 Compact with the small factory grip inserts might just do the job. A very safe gun in the purse...same as the 32 is.
Good luck with your choice(s). Don't worry about the "wrong" gun you bought...put it up on the classified and you'll get close to what you got in it.
There are more choices for ladies today than 20 years ago...but not many for concealed carry options.
As far as guns go don't discount a S&W Model 31 in .32 Long. Painless cartridge as far as recoil, muzzle flash go, short sight radius same as 38 snubbies, but easy to carry, open or concealed.
My wife (small hands, slight stature) prefers the Model 31-1 with purse carry. My EDC is a 637-2 with combat grips, and 38 +P aboard in an old S&W leather holster in strong side OWB.
For hiking and/or field duty my wife prefers a Model 34 (4") in 22LR carried in a B.T. Crumb vintage cop holster on a wide belt, while I prefer a Model 64 (4") in a Bianchi closed toe holster.
Both have decent retention with over the hammer strap for field hiking.
Have been practicing with S&W Compact. 2.0 carried OWB in SafariLand kydex to replace the 637. 9mm, compact, choice of three grip sets for all type hands, very secure in the kydex, more rounds, easy to rack. Wife even enjoys it so recoil is very slight, but it is polymer vs steel so take a bit more to become proficient (I'm not there yet...can put em in center mass at the range but getting holster qualified under stress and takes more practice on my part)
The semi vs wheel is really different but again...may be a real decent choice for ladies. My wife would like to step up from the
32 wheel and seems to think the 2.0 Compact with the small factory grip inserts might just do the job. A very safe gun in the purse...same as the 32 is.
Good luck with your choice(s). Don't worry about the "wrong" gun you bought...put it up on the classified and you'll get close to what you got in it.
There are more choices for ladies today than 20 years ago...but not many for concealed carry options.
Attachments
OP
Shootingfish
Member
BB57
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the effort you put in this response. Your explanation well written and understood by me. Here's a monkey wrench. Guys all wear pants, guys all wear belts, guys all have pockets. Women don't. In gun language I'm a j-frame. So my carry is likely in a shoulder strap handbag. So I got caught up in the "hammer catching on something' in my bag which was a big influence in the 642 decision.
Now that I've learned about different ammo, where do you find this ammo? Online? LGS? Gun show? I'll try the Hogue grips and ammo and see if that helps. At 21 yards I'm pretty accurate with the 686 in a shooting stance. But it's more than I can handle one handed unless I'm lucky enough just to waive it in the assailants face.
Thanks again for you response. Where in NC? Son lives in Mooresville.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the effort you put in this response. Your explanation well written and understood by me. Here's a monkey wrench. Guys all wear pants, guys all wear belts, guys all have pockets. Women don't. In gun language I'm a j-frame. So my carry is likely in a shoulder strap handbag. So I got caught up in the "hammer catching on something' in my bag which was a big influence in the 642 decision.
Now that I've learned about different ammo, where do you find this ammo? Online? LGS? Gun show? I'll try the Hogue grips and ammo and see if that helps. At 21 yards I'm pretty accurate with the 686 in a shooting stance. But it's more than I can handle one handed unless I'm lucky enough just to waive it in the assailants face.
Thanks again for you response. Where in NC? Son lives in Mooresville.
Lightfoot4
Member
My wife has a 442 in satin nickel. She's never complained, but it does hurt my hand. 
I put the Houge tamer grips on it and they helped a little. We still like the compact size and light weight. It's definitely not a target practice gun. It's an up close, save your life gun. As long as we can place bullets in center torso area we're good. And during an actual self-defense usage you'll probably not notice the recoil due to the excitement and adrenaline.
I put the Houge tamer grips on it and they helped a little. We still like the compact size and light weight. It's definitely not a target practice gun. It's an up close, save your life gun. As long as we can place bullets in center torso area we're good. And during an actual self-defense usage you'll probably not notice the recoil due to the excitement and adrenaline.
Take a look at the Charter Arms lineup of small revolvers, my wife has a pink lady that I make up some light loads for that she doesn't mind shooting a lot of. I got a mag pug that is easy with 38's but does present a challenge with 357's. They do clean up easy, the anodized finishes seem to hold up very well and they are a bit less expensive to hand over after having to use it. My wife probably has well over a thousand rounds threw hers in the last several years, before Covid and a back injury we would go to the range twice a week with no issues.
STEALTh Inst.
Member
Two options I see. Look into the 3" Pro Series J frame; less perceived recoil and a better sight radius. Carry the new non-lead ultra-light high velocity 55 or 60 grain loads which produce extremely reduced recoil. As far as the .22 option let me ask this. How many of you guys would really carry a .22 for street work? Ridiculous!
mistermills357
US Veteran
My sister bought a Glock 43 mini 9mm NATO, that’s the regular 9mm, and she does fine with it. There is a Glock 42, in .380 ACP, and you might love it. Smith makes some pretty good polymer .380’s, and you should handle a few.
Kahr makes a good 9 mm and .380, and S&W offers an EZ .380. The Smith has an easy to pull slide. And you should give it real consideration.
Springfield Armory makes the Model 911 in .380 ACP.
Me on the other hand, I am an old man, but I am a lummox too.
I bought an old tank of a gun, it’s heavy and it’s difficult to rack the slide. But it suits me.
Take your time, and jot some notes to yourself, and rent some guns at your range. You will be much happier with the outcome .
Kahr makes a good 9 mm and .380, and S&W offers an EZ .380. The Smith has an easy to pull slide. And you should give it real consideration.
Springfield Armory makes the Model 911 in .380 ACP.
Me on the other hand, I am an old man, but I am a lummox too.
I bought an old tank of a gun, it’s heavy and it’s difficult to rack the slide. But it suits me.
Take your time, and jot some notes to yourself, and rent some guns at your range. You will be much happier with the outcome .
Last edited:
My wife is petite and is recoil shy. I bought a 43c just for cheap practice. We took it out the first time, and she told me she loved it she did not like my 442 . She was able to shoot a 2 inch group with it. So I found some I believe federal punch. I would rather her have 8 22's, that she can shoot. I bought he sig 238 hd and she did not like it. I know many will the 22 is to weak, but she can put 8 holes in a 2 inch group rapidly. She also was not a fan of 380 bodyguards
Last edited:
Shooting fish, my daughter carrys a 642 in a belly band. She also changed grips. She's 5'2" 130lbs. Doesn't work with a dress. In that case she shifts to a carry purse or sling bag holster. The lady of the house here does the same, except she carrys a Shield Plus.
Belly band might work for you also.
Belly band might work for you also.
686-380
Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2013
- Messages
- 832
- Reaction score
- 703
Ya got to kiss some frogs before the prince arrives
My only recommendation is to try different types, brands, etc. The good news is the testing is part of the fun. After a while, you'll figure out what fits you. I wouldn't dare try to influence you to purchase something that fits me. GOOD LUCK!!
My only recommendation is to try different types, brands, etc. The good news is the testing is part of the fun. After a while, you'll figure out what fits you. I wouldn't dare try to influence you to purchase something that fits me. GOOD LUCK!!
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,532
- Reaction score
- 6,208
I used the Ergo grips on a 642. They were the most comfortable under recoil and most conducive to accuracy of any I tried. I'm a fossil, reverted to training and thought the grip angle would hinder weapon retention in a struggle, so I let them go. If that isn't part of your calculus, you might want to try them. You'd have no problems recouping some of the cost of the CT grips on this forum.
My mother(late 70’s with pretty weak hands) has a 442. Low recoil standard pressure ammo allows for occasional adequate practice and makes the recoil manageable. They tried to sell on her a Glock 26 in her CC class, but she couldn’t even rack the slide nor remember how to operate it and had no interest in learning, so she wouldn’t be safe with it. Despite all the proposed running shootout scenarios with multiple gang members they presented in the class (which she found ridiculous), she’s worried about common and realistic threats. She’s not interested in becoming a “shooter”, immersing herself in gun culture, or preparing for situations only a big city cop might be forced into, she just wants a practical means to protect herself.
An old article that’s still absolutely relevant…
The real ladies from Massad Ayoob
For too long, women were told that if they wanted to carry a sidearm they needed a "ladies' gun," usually a tiny .22 or .25 automatic with so little power it might or might not stop a charging gerbil. Then the trend moved toward the small .38 Special revolver. The snubnose .38 became a classic "ladies' gun" for modem times.
Smith & Wesson's first "LadySmith" since the 19th century became a roaring success in the 20th century based on the Chief Special, 2-inch barrel, five-shot, .32-frame revolver. There would be other LadySmiths, including the neat little 3913 LS compact 9mm autopistol.
But Smith & Wesson has sold far more short barreled .38 Specials in conventional Chief Special, hammer shrouded Bodyguard, and "hammerless" Centennial configurations than anything of the other models to which they gave the feminine appellation. When Colt made a "ladies' model," they built it on the small D-frame revolver, with a 2-inch barrel, in caliber .38 Special.
Those of us who shoot a lot--competitors, firearms instructors, "serious students of the combat handgun"--can't help but notice that with the hottest loads, the small .38 has a nasty recoil and is hard to shoot accurately at significant distances. There are those who have said that because of these factors, the snubnose .38 is a bad choice for women.
I beg to disagree. And so do a huge number of that legion of the fairer sex who choose to go armed, and who seem to have taken the snubnose .38 as their collective handgun of choice.
Voting With Their Feet
"Shall issue" concealed carry legislation has swept the country. It is the strongest wave of victory in the gun owners' civil rights movement. It amazes the opponents of gun owners' rights how many of the people applying for concealed carry permits are women. And the instructors who train and certify those women for those concealed carry permits are telling us a huge number of those ladies are shooting their qualifications with the guns they, intend to carry: short barrel, small frame .38 Special revolvers.
The women of America know what they want. After a lifetime of getting ripped off by men in male oriented things like estimates on automobile repairs, they've learned to check things out on their own and not take a man's word for what women need.
They appreciate that they can shoot pistols like the Browning Hi-Power and the 1911 .45 and the Glock and the S&W 3913 better than most men realize. They also realize that they can carry a short, light revolver a helluva lot more easily within their daily wardrobe and dress code restrictions than they can even a compact alloy-frame .45 automatic.
Tactical Points
Gun dealers tell me the single most popular carry gun they're selling to women is the lightweight .38 Special, 2-inch revolver with snag-free configuration, such as the S&W Centennial Airweight. Yes, it kicks enough to hurt your hand. Yes, it will be one of the toughest guns for you to "qualify" with on the 15 to 25 yard line of a police-style shooting course.
However, the women who buy them for daily carry have no illusions about being involved in across-the-street shootouts. They're worried about the mugger who is within arm's length or maybe even closer when they have to defend their lives.
Women get tired of carrying big guns. The woman with whom I spent 30 years of marriage could count on her annual or biannual gift of what her husband thought was a cool self-defense pistol. She wound up with enough high speed, low drag, often highly customized semiautomatic pistols to outfit a small police department. The HK P7, a Behlert Mini-Custom S&W Model 39, a Trapper custom "bobcatted" Colt .45 auto--the list goes on.
It was always, "That's nice, dear." She'd carry it for a week to placate me, and then go back to one of her Colt .38 snubbies, either the engraved Detective Special or the lightweight Agent with hammer shroud and Barami Hip-Grip that fit neatly into the waistband of her beltless slacks.
No Surrender
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.
Ideal for shooting all day at a training school? No. Ideal for concealed carry in real world circumstances? Yes.
The snubnose .38 revolver with snag-free hammer might just be the best choice for the defensive problems an armed woman in this society is most likely to face.
An old article that’s still absolutely relevant…
The real ladies from Massad Ayoob
For too long, women were told that if they wanted to carry a sidearm they needed a "ladies' gun," usually a tiny .22 or .25 automatic with so little power it might or might not stop a charging gerbil. Then the trend moved toward the small .38 Special revolver. The snubnose .38 became a classic "ladies' gun" for modem times.
Smith & Wesson's first "LadySmith" since the 19th century became a roaring success in the 20th century based on the Chief Special, 2-inch barrel, five-shot, .32-frame revolver. There would be other LadySmiths, including the neat little 3913 LS compact 9mm autopistol.
But Smith & Wesson has sold far more short barreled .38 Specials in conventional Chief Special, hammer shrouded Bodyguard, and "hammerless" Centennial configurations than anything of the other models to which they gave the feminine appellation. When Colt made a "ladies' model," they built it on the small D-frame revolver, with a 2-inch barrel, in caliber .38 Special.
Those of us who shoot a lot--competitors, firearms instructors, "serious students of the combat handgun"--can't help but notice that with the hottest loads, the small .38 has a nasty recoil and is hard to shoot accurately at significant distances. There are those who have said that because of these factors, the snubnose .38 is a bad choice for women.
I beg to disagree. And so do a huge number of that legion of the fairer sex who choose to go armed, and who seem to have taken the snubnose .38 as their collective handgun of choice.
Voting With Their Feet
"Shall issue" concealed carry legislation has swept the country. It is the strongest wave of victory in the gun owners' civil rights movement. It amazes the opponents of gun owners' rights how many of the people applying for concealed carry permits are women. And the instructors who train and certify those women for those concealed carry permits are telling us a huge number of those ladies are shooting their qualifications with the guns they, intend to carry: short barrel, small frame .38 Special revolvers.
The women of America know what they want. After a lifetime of getting ripped off by men in male oriented things like estimates on automobile repairs, they've learned to check things out on their own and not take a man's word for what women need.
They appreciate that they can shoot pistols like the Browning Hi-Power and the 1911 .45 and the Glock and the S&W 3913 better than most men realize. They also realize that they can carry a short, light revolver a helluva lot more easily within their daily wardrobe and dress code restrictions than they can even a compact alloy-frame .45 automatic.
Tactical Points
Gun dealers tell me the single most popular carry gun they're selling to women is the lightweight .38 Special, 2-inch revolver with snag-free configuration, such as the S&W Centennial Airweight. Yes, it kicks enough to hurt your hand. Yes, it will be one of the toughest guns for you to "qualify" with on the 15 to 25 yard line of a police-style shooting course.
However, the women who buy them for daily carry have no illusions about being involved in across-the-street shootouts. They're worried about the mugger who is within arm's length or maybe even closer when they have to defend their lives.
Women get tired of carrying big guns. The woman with whom I spent 30 years of marriage could count on her annual or biannual gift of what her husband thought was a cool self-defense pistol. She wound up with enough high speed, low drag, often highly customized semiautomatic pistols to outfit a small police department. The HK P7, a Behlert Mini-Custom S&W Model 39, a Trapper custom "bobcatted" Colt .45 auto--the list goes on.
It was always, "That's nice, dear." She'd carry it for a week to placate me, and then go back to one of her Colt .38 snubbies, either the engraved Detective Special or the lightweight Agent with hammer shroud and Barami Hip-Grip that fit neatly into the waistband of her beltless slacks.
No Surrender
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.
Ideal for shooting all day at a training school? No. Ideal for concealed carry in real world circumstances? Yes.
The snubnose .38 revolver with snag-free hammer might just be the best choice for the defensive problems an armed woman in this society is most likely to face.
OP
Shootingfish
Member
My son loaned me an old Rossi 357 revolver. I do like that gun.
Last edited:
My wife is 65 and has rhuematoid arthitis in her hands. She shoots a Ruger Security Six well, but can no longer manage our M49.
jjmIII_Ruger
Member
This alone might help: 38 Special 90 gr FTX Critical Defense Lite
Not that easy to find locally, but just Google it. I did find it online.
Not that easy to find locally, but just Google it. I did find it online.
This holster is no longer made but it is a Blackhawk size 06. Another member was nice enough to send it to me when I was looking for a holster. I will say this holster fits my 640-1 perfect but my 442 fits loose in it. My 442 is the same exact size as the 642. Good luck.
/QUOTE]
Would you mind sharing the name of the holster? Hubby has a bday coming up.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
rogerwnuss
Member
A lady I worked with tried my Chiefs Special and wasn't fond of it . Then tried a Ruger SP101 in 38 spl and loved it. That has been her ccw for six years. That might be one for you to try. Not much bigger but enough heavier that she doesn't find it unpleasant to shoot.
Shootingfish;141401115 the gun for us was the S&W 642. We both have CT stocks/grips. However said:
lrb1200
Member
Similar threads
