CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I waw going to scold you for the typo-but on second thought-layers is good
What would be the best handgun?
- Thread starter ndtish
- Start date
greyhawk178
US Veteran
My wife carries a little Kel-Tec P3AT and LOVES it. She also has a Taurus Model 85 (.38spl) and a Sig P239 9mm. She carries the Kel-Tec because it drops into her purse and she never knows it is there (weight wise).
I would prefer she carried something bigger but I'll settle for what she will carry regularly.
I would prefer she carried something bigger but I'll settle for what she will carry regularly.
rundownfid
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2007
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I think Houston Rick made such a good point I think it bears repeating. Do not be overly concerned with recoil if you are new to shooting. A little practice and the jolt is hardly noticed, if the gun is of reasonable recoil for your stature.
So a .38 special, even in a 3" J frame will not be too much once you get used to it. At some point you may want to switch to the hotter .38+Ps. Shoot it a lot and start with mild loads. Sounds like you are off on an adventure, I wish you well.
So a .38 special, even in a 3" J frame will not be too much once you get used to it. At some point you may want to switch to the hotter .38+Ps. Shoot it a lot and start with mild loads. Sounds like you are off on an adventure, I wish you well.
Joni_Lynn
US Veteran
I'd recommend the J frame S&W's. The hammerless version is a great choice.
My suggestion concerning recoil is: most often recoil isn't going to hurt you, no damage will be done. Shoot your new gun enough to become proficient with it.
The guns with slides usually aren't hard to master but can be a problem until you get the hang of it. (I find it's sort of a 2 handed push/pull motion)
My suggestion concerning recoil is: most often recoil isn't going to hurt you, no damage will be done. Shoot your new gun enough to become proficient with it.
The guns with slides usually aren't hard to master but can be a problem until you get the hang of it. (I find it's sort of a 2 handed push/pull motion)
Because of my concern with racking issues and the difficulty in dealing with FTF/FTE situations, I too decided that my wife needed a revolver (S&W, of course) instead of a semi-auto. I found a nice 3" Model 65 Ladysmith. The funny thing is, she thinks it was fnr her
GatorFarmer
Member
The 3" K frames (Model 65, 13, some variants of the venerable Model 10 and it's stainless twin the 64) can be found on the used market or via gun auctions. These will split the difference between easy to conceal/carry and easy to shoot.
2" J frames aren't a terribly forgiving gun to learn with, despite being easy to carry.
Though curiously, my old friend Dan was 5'7" and only about ten pounds heavier. He had decent results with a .40 caliber Glock 23.
2" J frames aren't a terribly forgiving gun to learn with, despite being easy to carry.
Though curiously, my old friend Dan was 5'7" and only about ten pounds heavier. He had decent results with a .40 caliber Glock 23.
sipowicz
Member
Just bring the guns...flowers might make things a bit awkward.
Try with both the J-frame (small 5-shot 38) and the K-frame (larger 6-shot 38).
I have shot with several women in your situation and found that a gun fits their hands differently than men. Almost all of them found the large grip to work better because their fingers are longer in relation to the palm of the hand.
I have shot with several women in your situation and found that a gun fits their hands differently than men. Almost all of them found the large grip to work better because their fingers are longer in relation to the palm of the hand.
Mickey D
Member
Enough said above.
Welcome to the forum. Stick around, Caj doesn't bite.
Welcome to the forum. Stick around, Caj doesn't bite.
RABULL
Member
My wife (also 5'7") has a S & W Model 36-1 3" .38 Spl. (J Frame) revolver. She handles and shoots it very well. Any "J" Frame should be a great handling revolver for you.
Also welcome to the Forum.....
Also welcome to the Forum.....
tom turner
US Veteran
Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
My wife had a similar dilemma a year ago, when she decided to finally arm herself.
I let her try a bunch of my autos and revolvers. She ruled the autos out right away, and shot my 3" Model 65 S&W best. THE 3" BARRELS MAKE 'EM A LOT EASIER TO SHOOT ACCURATELY, and it lessens the recoil too.
THEN . . . I found her a gun that turned out to be her dream revolver.
Like the Model 60 3" you are considering, it was also a 3" barreled J-frame that looks like the M60, but in blue.
It is the Model 37 "Airweight." At about 15 oz. vs. probaby 23 oz. for the Model 60, it will kick a little more but she found it no problem at all.
She loves it's small size, light weight AND the excellent accuracy she gets with the 3" barrel.
Frankly, I think a Model 60 would be an excellent choice for you!
Nothing is as simple under stress to shoot as a revolver . . . in computer terms . . . just "point and click!"
It should ALWAYS go bang, whereas sometimes a semi-auto pistol can jam due to "limp-wristing" or some sort of jam. Under stress, if the slide is locked partially back you'll never notice it until it is too late.
You should really love your Model 60 3" . . . and most of all, you'll become very confident using it with very minimal time and effort!
Good luck!
Tom
PS: I gave it to m;y wife on her birthday . . . exactly one year ago today! The M37 was also made in the year she graduated from high school . . . a vintage gun in great shape, like her! I thought that was quite cool, and so did she!
She shot it so well at her class, that her instructor (an instructor for the Sheriff's department) told her she shot well enough to be a cop! Not bad for a novice . . . and she had the best targets of the day too!
Welcome to the forum.
My wife had a similar dilemma a year ago, when she decided to finally arm herself.
I let her try a bunch of my autos and revolvers. She ruled the autos out right away, and shot my 3" Model 65 S&W best. THE 3" BARRELS MAKE 'EM A LOT EASIER TO SHOOT ACCURATELY, and it lessens the recoil too.
THEN . . . I found her a gun that turned out to be her dream revolver.
Like the Model 60 3" you are considering, it was also a 3" barreled J-frame that looks like the M60, but in blue.
It is the Model 37 "Airweight." At about 15 oz. vs. probaby 23 oz. for the Model 60, it will kick a little more but she found it no problem at all.
She loves it's small size, light weight AND the excellent accuracy she gets with the 3" barrel.
Frankly, I think a Model 60 would be an excellent choice for you!
Nothing is as simple under stress to shoot as a revolver . . . in computer terms . . . just "point and click!"
It should ALWAYS go bang, whereas sometimes a semi-auto pistol can jam due to "limp-wristing" or some sort of jam. Under stress, if the slide is locked partially back you'll never notice it until it is too late.
You should really love your Model 60 3" . . . and most of all, you'll become very confident using it with very minimal time and effort!
Good luck!
Tom
PS: I gave it to m;y wife on her birthday . . . exactly one year ago today! The M37 was also made in the year she graduated from high school . . . a vintage gun in great shape, like her! I thought that was quite cool, and so did she!
She shot it so well at her class, that her instructor (an instructor for the Sheriff's department) told her she shot well enough to be a cop! Not bad for a novice . . . and she had the best targets of the day too!
target tech
Member
I lived in the Twin Cities for 10 years and used to take motorcycle trips to the Schell brewery in the fall and go listen to the glockenspiel in town. ---- Any how -----
There are two gun shops in the cities called Bill's Gun Shop. They both have indoor ranges and a wide selection of rental guns. One is in Robinsdale the other is Circle Pines.
They should be able to help you find what you need, just don't let them talk you in anything.
There are two gun shops in the cities called Bill's Gun Shop. They both have indoor ranges and a wide selection of rental guns. One is in Robinsdale the other is Circle Pines.
They should be able to help you find what you need, just don't let them talk you in anything.
oldfella
US Veteran
You just can't beat the alternative. 2.5" K-Frame Model 66
Inexplicably unmentioned as yet, is the wide variety of aftermarket revolver grips that can change the shape, "softness", texture, etc. of any given gun's grips to-or-from punishing to forgiving. If, as suggested, you take a hard look at J-frame revolvers, or any revolver, don't rule it out until trying it with soft, cushiony, rubber grips, or other materials and shapes that may be better suited to your hand's geometry than the stock factory offering. I once thought, for example, that I needed a soft rubber grip on my .357 J-frames. Then, I discovered that, instead, I really preferred the Craig Spegel designed "Boot Grip" with which I've subsequently and expensively equipped some J-frames. Trial is way cheaper than error --- shop around!
trover
Member
I'd suggest a Glock 26. You get about the same size, but many more rounds. And it's accurate to boot.
KeithCarter
Member
Why hasn't anyone suggested the .32's? Far less recoil for a newbie, and effective enough if pointed at the crotch of the perp. Much easier to develop confidence with.
Remember, this is for a little lady who will most likely use it for the purpose of discouragement.
And remember, the savage uncivilized men who prey on unsuspecting women also live with savage uncivilized women in their 'hoods. They learn at a young age not to mess with a determined woman.
Remember, this is for a little lady who will most likely use it for the purpose of discouragement.
And remember, the savage uncivilized men who prey on unsuspecting women also live with savage uncivilized women in their 'hoods. They learn at a young age not to mess with a determined woman.
animalmother
Member
How about a nice fully tricked-out custom 5-inch 1911 from Wilson, Ed Brown, or Les Baer? Add laser grips and a little frame-mounted flashlight.
GatorFarmer
Member
5'7 and 138 is roughly the same size as the "average" GI or Marine in WW2. Better prenatal care and a diet with more meat has made folks taller and bigger since then. The .32s currently exist in the niche of "hide out gun" (Seecamp, KelTec), relic (PP, Model 30 and 31), ultra light revolvers - 432/431 recently out of production, and the heavy for size .327 Mags (SP101 and a new and somewhat less weighty SW product or two). Ammunition tends to be rather poorly distributed and many .38s will give a similar recoil pulse if loaded with wadcutters.
I am male, 45, 5'6". My favorite ones to carry are either my S & W 60-10 .357 with the 3" barrel or my model 13-4 .357 with the 3" barrel and round grips. I like that both are small, easy to carry, balance nicely, and can be loaded with .357 or .38 Special.
I also agree with Houston Rick, it helps to try out as many as you are able to.
I also agree with Houston Rick, it helps to try out as many as you are able to.
