Pistol for a lady

[kirkl]

My fiance wants to get a pistol but she has a problem pulling the slide back on semi autos so im thinking a revolver in 380. Anybody know of a good small one for like a purse that wont break the bank?

[Jonathan_S]

When I saw the title, I thought this was a WTT.

[Jonathan_S]

Tried the Walther pk380?  Very easy slide for a petite woman that I know

[JimmyHoffa]

There's a small four barrels derringer type pistol.  I think it was in .357 Mag, but it could take .38+P or .38 Spl.

[WapitiTalk1]

My wife can't pull back an auto slide to save her life (no pun intended).  I ended up getting her one of these which she really likes (light, comfortable to shoot) and..... it's pink  Charter Arms .38. 

[notellumcreek]

When I saw the title, I thought this was a WTT.

 

[b23]

I'd take a look at the S&W 442 and Ruger LCR.  They are both 38spl but you can shoot the Hornady Critical Defense Lite in it if recoil is a concern.   My wife carries a Ruger LCR in 38spl.  We tried a couple different semi autos for her but after shooting multiple different guns, she felt most comfortable with the Ruger LCR and she has no problem shooting standard 125's.

My sister carries a 442 and my mom has a LCR like my wife's and they all liked the small revolvers the best.

[DOUBLELUNG]

When I saw the title, I thought this was a WTT.

 

I was going to ask for a picture of the lady, then I'd know whether to decline, offer my single shot break action Savage 101 .22LR, or something better in trade.   

[kirkl]

I'd take a look at the S&W 442 and Ruger LCR.  They are both 38spl but you can shoot the Hornady Critical Defense Lite in it if recoil is a concern.   My wife carries a Ruger LCR in 38spl.  We tried a couple different semi autos for her but after shooting multiple different guns, she felt most comfortable with the Ruger LCR and she has no problem shooting standard 125's.

My sister carries a 442 and my mom has a LCR like my wife's and they all liked the small revolvers the best.

Ya i did a little looking at those LCR's, look like nice little guns. That charter arms doesnt look to bad either.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Kidding aside, when I got my LCR it was just a little too much for my 10 year old son to be comfortable shooting it.  At 12 he thought it was a hoot.  They are great shooters.

[Eric M]

Ruger LCR hammerless 38. great woman's gun

[Duckslayer89]

I'd take a look at the S&W 442 and Ruger LCR.  They are both 38spl but you can shoot the Hornady Critical Defense Lite in it if recoil is a concern.   My wife carries a Ruger LCR in 38spl.  We tried a couple different semi autos for her but after shooting multiple different guns, she felt most comfortable with the Ruger LCR and she has no problem shooting standard 125's.

My sister carries a 442 and my mom has a LCR like my wife's and they all liked the small revolvers the best.

 

[b23]

I don't know much about the Charter Arms as I've never owned one but I believe you can get the Undercover Lite in a DAO hammerless version as well and for a CCW revolver, IMO, hammerless is the only way to go.

I personally like the looks of the S&W 442 the best but my wife preferred the Ruger LCR over the 442.  I bought her LCR from cdnnsports.com and at the time they actually had the LCR with the factory installed laser for $349 which was $50 less than the same one without the laser.  IMO, the little laser is more novelty than function but 50 bucks less on her gun is 50 bucks more I can put toward a gun I want and I'm always wanting something.      Her LCR is the little black one at the bottom of the pic.

[NW-GSP]

In all honesty your putting the cart before the horse. Have her take a basic pistol class and go from there. Let her shoot some guns and make her own decision on what she is comfortable with.

Also watch this video and it will give you more info on what I'm talking about

http://concealedcarryconfidence.org/concealed-carry-and-concealment-gear-and-education/?gclid=CIj7heiu5ssCFQ6maQodGw0JNg

[HighlandLofts]

Kirk

 I'm up in Arlington, If you can come up this way I have a bunck of revolvers you can have her shoot to see how she like them.
My recommendation would be a Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight 38+P or the 38 caliber 640, pretty much the same gun but made out of stainless steel.

Double action only, just pull the trigger & go. You can shoot these fail-proff from inside your coat pocket or from the inside of her purse. No hammer to get caught up on anything.

If you look around the 642 can be bought new for $399.

[steen]

I have been mulling it over for over a year after getting my concealed as to what to get. I wanted it small enough to carry around but big enough to kill big game. I just bought a Ruger .357 SP 101. It shoots .38's also and I love it! I can target practice with the cheaper ammo but step it up the the .357 ammo. I can also use hollow points for personal protection and big game if I'm close enough. Can't wait to get my holster so I can carry it around!! Good luck!

[MtnMuley]

Ruger LCR in 38 as mentioned earlier. Fool proof.

[Mongo Hunter]

My fiance wants to get a pistol but she has a problem pulling the slide back on semi autos so im thinking a revolver in 380. Anybody know of a good small one for like a purse that wont break the bank?

I always like to recommend the S&W line of air weight revolvers. .38spl has plenty to get the job done and so many load options to customize to your liking. also nothing to take apart for cleaning, never have to worry if there is a round in the chamber, no slide to pull back and they tend to be inexpensive. just pull and squeeze for the most part.

However these guns are a compromise. they are a little bulky compared to the modern single stack 9's. recoil can be a bit sharp and uncomfortable till you get used to the gun or find a load you like. ammo capacity is low for some and training to reload one is a lot tougher compared to a semi auto. the definition of an optimist is someone with a revolver and a "speed" strip 

[splitshot]

   if she cant pull the slide back don't go to a 357 or 38.  go to a 380 or a nine.   got my daughter a walther for the same reason.  a revolver is a good option.  mike w

[REHJWA]

Take her to a gun store with a range, no matter how hard we try it will surprise you how often we get it wrong when trying to pick a gun for our ladies. They are like shoes, let them try them on and answer if that's what you like.....

Also, Not to Jack the thread , but...is she trying to work the slides on new guns at the stores? They can be stiff and if she is new it can take time to learn which techniques work best for her.

[lokidog]

My wife can't pull back an auto slide to save her life (no pun intended).  I ended up getting her one of these which she really likes (light, comfortable to shoot) and..... it's pink  Charter Arms .38.

Mine has one of these as well, though wouldn't be caught "dead" with a pink one.    It was relatively inexpensive and shoots well.  We would recommend hammerless though.

[runamuk]

In all honesty your putting the cart before the horse. Have her take a basic pistol class and go from there. Let her shoot some guns and make her own decision on what she is comfortable with.

Also watch this video and it will give you more info on what I'm talking about

http://concealedcarryconfidence.org/concealed-carry-and-concealment-gear-and-education/?gclid=CIj7heiu5ssCFQ6maQodGw0JNg

Take her to a gun store with a range, no matter how hard we try it will surprise you how often we get it wrong when trying to pick a gun for our ladies. They are like shoes, let them try them on and answer if that's what you like.....

Also, Not to Jack the thread , but...is she trying to work the slides on new guns at the stores? They can be stiff and if she is new it can take time to learn which techniques work best for her.

this and this   

[theleo]

If you are wanting one she'd enjoy taking to the range and shoo,t I'd avoid the Airweight's and LCR's. If she has issues with hand strength, I'm going to generalize and say that she probably won't like the recoil of those revolvers. An all steel "J" frame S&W or a Ruger SP101 would be where to start looking. 

[CP]

If you are wanting one she'd enjoy taking to the range and shoo,t I'd avoid the Airweight's and LCR's. If she has issues with hand strength, I'm going to generalize and say that she probably won't like the recoil of those revolvers. An all steel "J" frame S&W or a Ruger SP101 would be where to start looking.

LCR recoil is very manageable thanks to the grip and the ergonomics; nothing at all like the S&W air-weights. 

.357 mag maybe a bit much but in .38 recoil is hardly noticeable.  They are also chambered in .22 mag & .22 LR with virtually no recoil.  There is no need to lug around a steel brick anymore.

[theleo]

There is no need to lug around a steel brick anymore.

Unless you want something that's enjoyable to practice with from time to time. A 3" model 60 that you can actually fit all fingers on, sights you can see, and enough weight that anybody can control it is a far more rounded handgun than an LCR. Just because it is steel doesn't mean it's a brick, and just because it weighs more doesn't mean it's inferior.

If this is to be her first handgun get something small enough to conceal but heavy enough to enjoy shooting. Help foster the enjoyment of shooting. Then she can get the gun bug and start buying and wanting more guns herself, or at least not care so much when you bring a new one home. 

[Badhabit]

I like my Smith M49, it has never failed to fire in the over 30 years I've owned it. It's tough finding the best self defense ammo as there are not a lot of choices. The FBI likes the Federal 125 grn Nyclad normal load not the +p round but finding that ammo is a task.

[Widgeondeke]

good options above, but here is another in .38
 I LIKE mine and it fits in jeans front pocket if no shirt to cover. They can be found from $400-$450

[ghosthunter]

I know you sad pistol.

But Coastal has LCP 380 on sale. $199.00.

[kirkl]

Our coastal doesn't have guns yet.