Important factors to consider with handguns are weight and trigger pull effort---your wife needs to be comfortable with both. Laser sight can help new shooter with target acquisition skills, revolver or semi-automatic.
Apologies to op this has gotten off topic. I think the best advice has been given. Same as the answer to " what car should I buy for my wife ? Do your research, go test drive some and have HER tell you. She's not going to sleep better at night cause some guys on a forum said this is the one.
I am currently looking for a hand gun the wife is comfortable with. So me personally I would prefer she not get a revolver only do the fact that when she pulls back the hammer she might slip or she already pulled it back and now trying to release it. Not of a fan of the hammerless design either. Also make sure your lady can pull the hammer back easy or pull it back to cock it. Some of them are actually harder to pull back verse others.
Depends on the wife - a light, easy to fire is a S&W Model 638 Caliber: 38 S&W SPECIAL +P Overall Length: 6.3" Action: Single/Double Action Weight: 14.6 oz Cylinder Material: Stainless Steel Barrel Material: Stainless Steel Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
Ryan, if you want a revolver but fear an accidental discharge due to dropping the hammer, make sure it has (as most modern revolvers do) what's called a transfer bar. Then if the hammer is dropped, the firing pin will only be contacted if the trigger is pulled back into the firing position. It's unlikely it would happen anyway as the cylinder would be out of time with the chamber, but transfer bars add an extra layer of security against it (as well as being able to safely have the hammer down on a loaded chamber in case the weapon we're to fall and strike the hammer directly).
I would tend to agree. And that's not a knock on the police. They do a great job, but unfortunately, the police cant be everywhere all the time. Its the old saying, "when seconds count, the police are minutes away". And if your "in the sticks", ie a very rural area off the beaten path, I bet it would take the police 20 or 30 minutes in some cases. At that point they might as well bring the carpet cleaner
Speaking of emergency planning (and not meaning to hi-jack op’s thread)...anybody have a boogie-bag? If so what do y’all have in it?? I have a 1st aid kit, rope, waterproof matches, hatchet, Gerber multi tool, flashlights, ammo, a map...to name a few. Just kinda been adding things over the years. My wife used to think I was nuts...she’s come around though.
Without reading what all the guys said I will tell you what I think as a female. A big gun! One that makes a lot of noise and even a larger hole. Maybe a 45, Maybe a glock. But something that will seriously make them remember you if they live....ppat P.S. for me I can only handle a 22 BUT in the case of an emergency, I assume I could do something larger and easier to get ready. )
Look at a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard. Tiny 380. It literally fits in the palm of your hand. Fits in your pocket. It fires 380. It’s inexpensive and perfect for a woman. Has a captive hammer. No way you can hit it. I owned one but sold it. I am hooked on 9’s.
Yep. Smith & Wesson Model 642 & 442. Snub nose .38 special. Excellent piece IMO. It's what my sister carries.
The bodyguard is a dual action only version of the 638 I recommended. S&W makes a bunch of small frame revolvers. Best to get to a gun shop and try on few - see what you and your wife like. They also make a "ladysmith" version - same frame.
Are we talking concealed carry, or home defense here? I believe Ronnie is after a home defense firearm, I don't recommend a particularly light firearm unless it's going to be a concealed carry piece. For home defense, why have the lightweight version of anything? A little more weight, less recoil.....My 63 year old Mom shoots my 4" GP100 .357 no problem. So well, in fact, that I bought her one. She shoots .38 out of it when playing, but has some bear rounds in it for the house or woods. She can handle my 629 6" .44 Magnum, but only for a couple rounds. Somebody, please explain to me why you would recommend a .38 over a .357, when a .357 can shoot .38, but not the other way around. That's like saying to buy a .44 Special instead of a .44 Magnum, it makes absolutely no sense. What if Ronnie or his wife wants to take it out and have some real fun with it? Or maybe go for a hike in the woods? Other than the fact that you can get a lightweight concealed carry gun in .38 easier than a lightweight concealed carry .357, there is no reason to have a .38 instead. If there is, let me have it. To put it into car terms: If you could have a 600 hp street car with absolutely no drawbacks and you could drive it around at 1/4 throttle all day making 200 hp, why would you buy a 200 hp car instead? You don't have to use the power all the time, but it's there when you need it.
Exactly. That's the beauty of buying 357. The versatility of shooting a 38 or a 357 if needed I guess its along the same lines as buying a rifle that is chambered in 5.56 as opposed to .223. You can shoot .223's out of a 5.56, but not the other way around
Agreed, I think the only people that would recommend a .38 over a .357 would be someone that bought a .38 not knowing any better, and are stuck with it now. (except the concealed carry lightweight .38s....those make sense. Otherwise, no go).
You know, if you join a local gun club, you would have the opportunity to fire all kinds of different guns. I know when I go to the range with my club, the members bring a wide variety of weapons. And everyone is more than willing to let you try their handgun. Iven even asked on the club forum for someone to bring a particular gun I was thinking of buying. Ive shot everything from a Tokarev TT-30 to an M1 Garand at the meetings. Some guys bring the most oddball stuff too.
Not a concealed carry piece, but I want one of these so bad..... https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2018/02/automag-pistol-2018/
