No revolvers wanted!

Maybe recoil?

I haven't shot too many revolvers, but the 357 snubbie I shot, really hurt my hand and I'm not recoil sensitive.

What model gun, and what caliber ammo? If you were firing full power .357 magnum rounds with stock service grips, that would beat up your hand after a few reloads. Mild .38 Special ammo and better grips can easily cure that issue.
 
Got yer explanation:

"Women and cats are gonna do just what they want...

Men and dogs just need to get used to it!"

(With that said, we don't have cats.. to cruel to my dog.)

DUCK!!....INCOMING!! (our town has an annual frying pan toss- women only ya know!)

:D
 
The gun was a six-inch Trooper Mark III, and Mama had little bitty hands.

I went with her on "range day", and saw that she had to hold the gun like this

And that is why I usually use a J Frame even though they are hard to learn to shoot accurately. I can reach it. I have 2 semi-autos that I can use but really still haven't found the perfect fit in a semi-auto. Finger length is a big issue, from web between thumb and trigger finger to tip of trigger finger is 3 inches. To properly hold and fire I need the length from the backstop to the trigger to be about 2 inches.
 
What model gun, and what caliber ammo? If you were firing full power .357 magnum rounds with stock service grips, that would beat up your hand after a few reloads. Mild .38 Special ammo and better grips can easily cure that issue.

The longest streak I've done with my stock 640 with factory grips is 35 full power 357 shots before I had to back off to 38 +P to finish. The biggest problem I had was not the feel of the recoil but the time it took to get back on target for the next shot. After 35 though my hand was sore.

Interestingly I tried shooting an M&P Shield in 9mm. I toughed it out for 100 rounds but got a sore that took a while to heal. I can shoot a M&P Compact in 40 just fine for 125-150 rounds and not have any problems even though I am not quite aligned correctly on it it's still easier than the 9mm was.
 
Hell boys and Ladies, this post is very amusing. Gave me more chuckles than I've had in well....the last ten minutes anyway. I apologize to those who do not know me....and as much more to those who do. Haven't posted awhile, but agreeing with NYlakesider provoked me to these observations.

On first hand experience I will remind you folks over 50 years of age, that newcomers to the handgun shooting sports and law enforcement particularly, have little or no exposure to revolvers. HA!...I said it.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me what the original poster stated.

I will not bore you with the age old argument of revolver vs. auto, with which you are all familiar, if your old enough to recall. What I will add to this discussion however, is that the revolver remains the most reliable handgun shooting platform for self defense.

In the hands of an inexperienced shooter, non-gender specific, not a gun hand, not a hunter, not a target shooter, not an everyday or once a week paper popper or tin can blaster, the auto (self loading pistol) can be trouble, even potentially fatal. Yeah, the revolver too, save your rebuttal.Training is the pivotal factor....and some other things, not germaine to this discussion, so far.

I prefer to start any inexperienced potential shooter with a small caliber revolver. I suppose I can't join any women's shooting group then if that is their policy. Much the pity and I am sorely disappointed. Still despite that tremendous reversal in fortune, good sense triumphs over the ridiculous.

Anyway, a new generation of shooters, a big change in U.S. states ccw laws, a radical change in law enforcement small arms choices have culminated in a changed perception in the handgun platform of choice for average Americans.

At least ten years ago, revolvers represented less than 10% of new gun sales, I don't remember where I read that but it was in some trade magazine that tracks such things. Today it is probably more because of recent ccw state laws being passed, but I'm guessing on that one.

What I do know, as a holster maker, a designer and law enforcement officer with over 45 years of experience, much of it as a police firearms trainer, the revolver remains as a reliable defensive platform, particularly for inexperienced, or occasional users. There is little doubt, can't change my mind.

Self loading pistols have been at the front of law enforcement now, for several decades. We begged for them back in the day when cops felt under gunned, we only had a six round service revolver and two reloads, and maybe a backup piece if you were allowed (I was), in some rural jurisdictions throughout the US solo cops had a shotgun in the radio car, we didn't.The bad guys had a hi-cap auto or two, or more. Speed, capacity, light weight material composition, and more reliable function today, than ever before. The double action self loader has become the principal sidearm of modern law enforcement and most military organizations. I post no argument, in that respect.

So in closing, I will suggest to this group of female shooters, that they not discount the value of a revolver, just because they have had little or no experience with a weapon that could provide excellent recreation and significant personal defense if called upon to do so. If their "group" trainers have had military or police firearms training experience limited to self loading pistols, they may have had little or no experience with the revolver, which would not surprise me.

Cheers;
Lefty
 
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The longest streak I've done with my stock 640 with factory grips is 35 full power 357 shots before I had to back off to 38 +P to finish. The biggest problem I had was not the feel of the recoil but the time it took to get back on target for the next shot. After 35 though my hand was sore.

Interestingly I tried shooting an M&P Shield in 9mm. I toughed it out for 100 rounds but got a sore that took a while to heal. I can shoot a M&P Compact in 40 just fine for 125-150 rounds and not have any problems even though I am not quite aligned correctly on it it's still easier than the 9mm was.

My friend;

Smaller doses.....smaller doses. Good luck!

Cheers;
Lefty
 
,get her to take the Model 34 with her one day and offer to let the other girls try it out. I predict converts will be forthcoming. Just sayin'.

f.t.

My wife went to one of the "Ladies Only" self-defense groups a couple of times. I have a 3913 which I wanted her to use but she had trouble with the slide, so revolvers it was.
I sent her off with an M34 and an M60-3" with appropriate target type ammunition after running her through the basic drill. My wife's hands really are not big enough for even a K-Frame.

No males were allowed it was said that men tend to intimidate the Lady Shooters.

The Amazon running this show insisted that only Glocks would do, she looked at my M34 and told my wife it was defective, it seems she couldn't unlatch the cylinder to load it.

I am sorry to admit that I do not have a single Glock and so I was no help there. I guess I am a failure.
 
Have some fun....... send her with a 2 1/2 or 4 inch 19/66 .....barrel marked .357 magnum....... and a box of 50 .38 wadcutters.......

bet they won't even let her load it......................

"You got the wrong ammo!!!"


:D
 
Hell boys and Ladies, this post is very amusing. Gave me more chuckles than I've had in well....the last ten minutes anyway. I apologize to those who do not know me....and as much more to those who do. Haven't posted awhile, but agreeing with NYlakesider provoked me to these observations.

On first hand experience I will remind you folks over 50 years of age, that newcomers to the handgun shooting sports and law enforcement particularly, have little or no exposure to revolvers. HA!...I said it.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me what the original poster stated.

I will not bore you with the age old argument of revolver vs. auto, with which you are all familiar, if your old enough to recall. What I will add to this discussion however, is that the revolver remains the most reliable handgun shooting platform for self defense.

In the hands of an inexperienced shooter, non-gender specific, not a gun hand, not a hunter, not a target shooter, not an everyday or once a week paper popper or tin can blaster, the auto (self loading pistol) can be trouble, even potentially fatal. Yeah, the revolver too, save your rebuttal.Training is the pivotal factor....and some other things, not germaine to this discussion, so far.

I prefer to start any inexperienced potential shooter with a small caliber revolver. I suppose I can't join any women's shooting group then if that is their policy. Much the pity and I am sorely disappointed. Still despite that tremendous reversal in fortune, good sense triumphs over the ridiculous.

Anyway, a new generation of shooters, a big change in U.S. states ccw laws, a radical change in law enforcement small arms choices have culminated in a changed perception in the handgun platform of choice for average Americans.

At least ten years ago, revolvers represented less than 10% of new gun sales, I don't remember where I read that but it was in some trade magazine that tracks such things. Today it is probably more because of recent ccw state laws being passed, but I'm guessing on that one.

What I do know, as a holster maker, a designer and law enforcement officer with over 45 years of experience, much of it as a police firearms trainer, the revolver remains as a reliable defensive platform, particularly for inexperienced, or occasional users. There is little doubt, can't change my mind.

Self loading pistols have been at the front of law enforcement now, for several decades. We begged for them back in the day when cops felt under gunned, we only had a six round service revolver and two reloads, and maybe a backup piece if you were allowed (I was), in some rural jurisdictions throughout the US solo cops had a shotgun in the radio car, we didn't.The bad guys had a hi-cap auto or two, or more. Speed, capacity, light weight material composition, and more reliable function today, than ever before. The double action self loader has become the principal sidearm of modern law enforcement and most military organizations. I post no argument, in that respect.

So in closing, I will suggest to this group of female shooters, that they not discount the value of a revolver, just because they have had little or no experience with a weapon that could provide excellent recreation and significant personal defense if called upon to do so. If their "group" trainers have had military or police firearms training experience limited to self loading pistols, they may have had little or no experience with the revolver, which would not surprise me.

Cheers;
Lefty

I wish to thank you for this articulate post and add a bit to fill in the spaces left open from my first post as it seems this thread garnered a lot of interest!

The group Mrs. Lakesider has joined said they PREFER semis, they do not ban them. As I'm a 70 year old curmudgeon I have to laugh a bit about the philosophy but I also understand the majority of shooters of today get and use bottom feeders. (With any luck her pistol will be return FIXED from the manufacture soon and all will be happy in estrogenland!)

I was a NRA instructor 70-80s and the weapon of choice back then was a revolver and many frowned when an auto arrived, other than the dedicated crew that did 3 gun bulls eye!

My club including me was the first in the area to be authorized to do the new judge mandated pistol permit pre issue course.

We also did instructions for Combat/defense shooting and PPC shooting. Most of the people and cops then had revolvers but I was very happy with both style guns and in fact shot PPC with both. I had no problem teaching the auto at classes. (and rifles & shotguns, all action types!)

With that said I have a hard time understanding what the problem with semis is with this group, inherently the revolver is easier and safer to teach a new shooter with. As an instructor & RO a common question asked what gun should I buy? My basically normal advice back then as most wanted to get a self-defense gun/do everything gun not a .22 was to get A GOOD quality 4'' adjustable sighted .357 double action revolver and only shoot .38s till they got comfortable and a more proficient with their gun.

*****UPDATE****** an email just arrived her gun will be returned early next week!:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
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What problem with semis? The problem as I understand it was that a certain group does not understand revolvers and does not want to recognize them.

I will use my wife for one woman's perspective. She shoots the bull out of a target at 25 yards with a 9mm Ruger or Buckmark, but arthritis limits her ability to work a slide. I would never suggest she use a semi for defense, as any burp and she is out of the game. She shoots a .38 snub extremely well and can handle all functions as well as I can. I take care of malfunctions with the semis for her at the range.

Is she undergunned? I will let her performance and preference at the range speak for her. Anyone cornering her will be in a bad way quickly. Revolvers stood the gap for many years and will still do the job.

I keep the Ruger in my drawer and she keeps the Smith available for emergency use. She can put five shots in a pie pan quickly anywhere in this house with no flyers. She dispatched dozens of poisonous snakes over the years with a .22 single action revolver.

If the instructor at this ladies club cannot even handle reloading a revolver, I question her qualifications.
 
There was a medically retired woman officer who was a student in our retired cop national range qualification class. She was an excellent shooter with her semi auto. She noticed that I had a revolver in my holster. It was a 2 inch Double action only Model 64 with an excellent trigger.

When she told me she had never shot a revolver I offered to let her shoot mine. I had to first show her how to open the cylinder and load and unload the gun. I don't how she would have handled a situation if she came across a revolver in the field.

When she started shooting she nailed the targets. Later I wished I would have thought to borrow a traditional da/sa revolver so I could show her how to safely decock a cocked revolver.

The department she worked for and school she attended were in my opinion negligent in not providing her with basic revolver training.
 
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7shooter, we are in full agreement that people should be taught to handle both designs. My wife is in better shape than I am and actually stronger. However, arthritis has limited her hand strength over the years.

She does not realize it, but she is a better shot than I am due to vision and reflexes. The police officer next door saw one of her targets and has bragged on her shooting ability to fellow officers in my presence. They were shocked that a lady older than their mothers had that talent.

She has killed three ducks jumping into the air in thick swamps several times while two is my record.

Shoot, maybe I should just load her shotgun and forget the revolver:)
 
Buy her a CZ 83. It's heavier than most .380, so the recoils isn't as snappy as the others, and the fixed barrel means she will outshoot all of them easily. It's a really nice carry pistol
 
Interesting thread... since it's about women..., for women and there are 75 posts most from men, all with an opinion..mostly disagreeing in some form that women should ought to WANT to shoot revolvers not semi's autos.
All I know on this particular subject is from my wife. She is in her 50's and can load, clear, rack, field strip, and shoot the 10 ring out of her targets and clang away at steel targets with any semi auto that I can shoot. She can shoot better than I can with 2 hands and 1 hand both dominant and non dominant...and I consider myself a proficient shooter. She doesn't particularly care for calibers above 9mm but she has no problem shooting them. The 1st gun she ever shot was a SW M&P .45 ACP. Every time I ask her if she wants to shoot one of my "cool" new revolvers that I just picked up she just frowns. It's not that she can't shoot them.. she is as good a shooter with a revolver as with a semi auto. She doesn't like them (Boring she calls them).
She also has a harder time with DA revolver triggers as she has weak hands/ fingers. IMO the real reason she doesn't like them... either way she doesn't like them..period
This thread really had me shaking my head.. as sometimes us men should let women do what they want to do not what we think they should do. BTW my wife shops for and buys her own guns too.. sometimes I am not even with her.. Her favorites are her Sig P238, S&W 3914LS, CZ 75BD and S&W 910. and Ruger SR9C. I have a lot of SW semi auto 9mm pistols and she loves this ugly, beat up 910 I bought at a pawn shop for $200 a couple of years ago. Go figure. Women..
 
In a world filled with short, crisp, 5.5 lbs. triggers on the polymer autos, I'd say that revolvers are discouraged because that long, stiff, 12+ lbs. trigger pull takes quite a bit of practice and discipline to master.

My friend and I go to the range often together. He only shoots glocks and ruger striker fired autos. he's pretty good with them. He once tried my Ruger GP100 at 7 yards, double action. He couldn't even hit the paper. He tried a few cyinders and gave up.

If the instructors are young enough that they haven't put in the time and effort to master that revolver trigger, they probably don't want to look like novices with the wheel guns.
 
I do not believe anyone should select another persons gun. The differences in revolvers and pistols is such that only the user can determine which is best for them. As noted in the posts above, some factors are more important to some users than others.

If someone only familiar with one design makes recommendations, they probably will not provide the flexibility which the actual shooter may require. They are poor instructors. Working a slide is problematic for my wife while revolver trigger pull is not. Recoil is not an issue thankfully within limits.

I would be remiss if I insisted that she use a semi. Her choice was a stainless Smith snubby of mine which she traded a Colt Cobra for. Neither of us favors the Colt possibly due to trigger feel.
 
I'd guess the resistance to revolvers showing up in the group is because of the full time Law Enforcement vocations of many of the leaders of the 'pack'.
They being the Range Officers and Welcome Wagon Chapter Leaders of the group.

They are drawing on their training and professional know-how to lead the group, answer any questions and for sure do not want to be caught with-out an answer or show incompetency with firearms in front of the group.

The 'revolver' is a threat to them and their position. They are not familiar enough with it to have them around. It's like a foreign language and they don't speak it. The new lady does and that bothers them.
It's appearance alone and especially along with an able shooter will challenge their standing.
Make no mistake about it,,girl groups can be nasty!
Just like the guys...

Go with the .380. Build confidence and friends. Then lay a .357 on them one day and tear the center out of the target.

JMHO...being one that usually doesn't go along with the program either.
 
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