Help me pick a revolver for my wifes ccw

[drift_g35]

I know little to nothing about revolvers so I dont even know where to start. I want to order from the seller on GB as they are already holding a P229 on layaway for me. I was looking at the Body Guard, but reviews dont look too good for them.

Any suggestion would be helpful. Thanks guys.

I would also like to keep it below $500 if possible. Maybe one of the Airweights?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?IncludeSellers=455909

[Robb]

My only comment on revolvers would me to make sure it's rated for +P. Maybe they all are these days, I'm not sure. A little .357 may be a great way to go if it's still in your weight limits.
I have a '77 Colt Det Special, from what I've read it's iffy with the +P ammo, and that's all I see on the shelves at Cabela's.
And having a 6 shot is nice compared to a 5 shooter IMO.

[Mazin]

Always liked the LCR or the Sp101 in 357 but those unless you find a good deal might be out of your price range. I know Ark Tactical has a few in, you might want to go check them out.

[davsel]

S&W 642 hammerless, stainless, 5-shot, 38sp +P

Your wife is not going to want to shoot .357 in a small revolver.
The Air Weights are light to carry, but kick like hell.
The hammerless design ensures snag free drawing from anywhere - even shoot through a jacket pocket without concern of the clothing getting in front of the hammer.
Just point and shoot.
Throw on a Crimson Trace laser grip and she will love it.

My wife carries a S&W 940 in 9mm with CT laser grip. Hard to find these days.

[Dave]

My wife uses a lady smith her dad gave her, she likes it, and it's +P rated.

[Robb]

+1 on the hammerless or bobbed, that's pretty much a must.

[J]

What makes you set on a revolver for her?

[cofi]

Glock 42

[Zundfolge]

Why a revolver?

I ask this because a lot of people reflexivly think that a snub nose .38 is the ideal gun for "The Little Lady" ... when in reality, small revolvers are a weapon that really require an expert level of shooting skill to shoot well.

"But Zundy, my wife can't rack the slide on an auto with her girly wrists and weak hands."

Bovine Scat. Read This. (http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/)


Now if she still really wants a revolver, I'd say get a S&W J Frame (in .357mag if at all possible ... not that she has to carry .357, but they're beefy enough for +p and opens up your options for ammo). You can't go wrong.

[Dave_L]

I got my wife the LCR in .38 special. She really likes it. Hammerless, no failure to feed/eject, just point and click. It's manageable for her to shoot accurately and she's very comfortable with it. Pretty light weight too and under your price point. My buddies' wife has one too. My wife shot hers first to try it out.

[drift_g35]

What makes you set on a revolver for her?

Someone named JIM got it stuck in her head that she should be shooting a revolver. So now thats what she wants... A happy wife is a happy life.

[Bailey Guns]

Help me pick a revolver for my wifes ccw




You should really be letting your wife pick out her gun. I'm assuming no one knows better than her what's comfortable to her. She may need some guidance on proper fit and pros/cons of various calibers, brands, etc. Many men really do a disservice to their wives/girlfriends when they think they know more about what the woman needs than she does.

Revolvers tend to have a very long reach to the trigger. I wouldn't assume she'll be most comfortable with a revolver...let her look at semi-autos, too (as others have noted).

[Robb]

Just an option: Tanner this weekend, lots of handguns of all types for her to check out and see what feels good.

[drift_g35]

You should really be letting your wife pick out her gun. I'm assuming no one knows better than her what's comfortable to her. She may need some guidance on proper fit and pros/cons of various calibers, brands, etc. Many men really do a disservice to their wives/girlfriends when they think they know more about what the woman needs than she does.

Revolvers tend to have a very long reach to the trigger. I wouldn't assume she'll be most comfortable with a revolver...let her look at semi-autos, too (as others have noted).

She liked the S&W 626 when she was looking. She has a few semi autos, she is just concerned that if she has to use it she wont know what to do, ie.. .rack the slide, safety. Yes, I konw that is all training, but she asked for a revolver so I figured thats what I would get her. For all I know she will carry her sig instead of the revolver once she gets it.

[cofi]

She liked the S&W 626 when she was looking. She has a few semi autos, she is just concerned that if she has to use it she wont know what to do, ie.. .rack the slide, safety. Yes, I konw that is all training, but she asked for a revolver so I figured thats what I would get her. For all I know she will carry her sig instead of the revolver once she gets it.
If she owns some semis and dosent know how to use them she should get some training....unless there "her" guns and your the only one using tjem

[Robb]

"....unless there "her" guns and your the only one using them."

Now we're talkin.' Get the 6" Colt Python... for her.

[centrarchidae]

Has she spent any real time with a small revolver before?

I've got a S&W 640 that's my "I'm too lazy to dress for my gun so I'll shove it in a pocket" EDC. Steel frame and everything. I'm probably a lot bigger than your wife, maybe stronger, and when I practice with it with NON-+p rounds it's punishing on my hand and wrist.

Not a big fan of small revolvers for less-than-experienced shooters.

ETA: I should have read the thread. But I'll stand by my answer even if everybody else agrees and that conflicts with my contrarian streak. Besides, a smaller striker-fired pistol (Glock 26 or the new .380 Glock, or S&W M&P9 compact) is every bit as foolproof as a revolver (if not more so, what with having probably a much better trigger), and less punishing. Besides, if it's a CCW then the chamber should really never be empty. People with far more training than you, me, or her will already be behind the power curve in an intense inter-personal conflict, and having to fight to get a gun into action won't help matters at all.


I know little to nothing about revolvers so I dont even know where to start. I want to order from the seller on GB as they are already holding a P229 on layaway for me. I was looking at the Body Guard, but reviews dont look too good for them.

Any suggestion would be helpful. Thanks guys.

I would also like to keep it below $500 if possible. Maybe one of the Airweights?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?IncludeSellers=455909

[drift_g35]

Alright, well i'm glad I asked before I bid. Maybe I will look at the Sig P290RS. Anyone have one?

[Big E3]

A few years back when my wife had never fired a hand gun and we went to the range and I took a bunch with me. We started with small revolvers and semi auto's then worked up. Pretty much in this order: Rossi 22lr revolver, Ruger Mark II-22lr, SW67-38 spl, SW642-38 spl, Glock 19-9mm, Glock 26-9mm, Kahr PM 9, Ruger Speed Six-357, Glock 23-40sw, Kahr K40, Glock 27-40sw, SA XD45c, Kimber 1911-45acp. I didn't bother with anything larger because she wanted a carry gun, no big 357's, 44's or 45's. I was convinced she would have picked the SW642, but she actually settled on the SA XD45c. She hated the recoil in 40sw's and the small 9's didn't feel like enough, she was ok with the G19, but shot the XD really well and mentally wanted the fire power of a 45. Bottom line take her shooting and see what see likes and shoots well.

[ray1970]

Unless your wife is a bit of a gun enthusiast, you may not like actually shooting and of the small frames. Even in 38.

Just my two cents.

[Great-Kazoo]

the lcr is a very nice revolver. I like the S&W 638 (bobbed hammer) sa/da have her shoot some guns before buying. However based on her criteria, at the time, a revolver was the go to gun for her.

[drift_g35]

the lcr is a very nice revolver. I like the S&W 638 (bobbed hammer) sa/da have her shoot some guns before buying. However based on her criteria, at the time, a revolver was the go to gun for her.

I was only poking fun at you Jim, honestly a revolver is only 1 of the items she is looking at, She also like the lc9 and of course the P928.

[SouthPaw]

I bought my girlfriend an LCR in 22LR and one in 357. My idea was that she would train with the LCR-22 and then move onto the 357 with 38+p's. She tried them both and could not get used to the heavy, but yet smooth trigger pull. I put a S&W shield 9mm in her hand and she fell in love. She handles it much better and is very accurate with it.

[bellavite1]

My wife HATES small guns, too snappy...
She carries an XDM 3.8 compact in 9 and outshoots most of the people at the range...

[encorehunter]

I bought several small and mid sized revolvers for my Mrs.'s to try. She is now carrying what used to be my Kahr CW9. Now I have a nice collection of revolvers and a brand new Kahr CW9. I don't see any problems buying more guns for her to try out.

[osok-308]

I second the idea of it being a .357! My wife explicitly asked for a revolver and I got the .357 for the extra ability to shoot it if ever needed

[SideShow Bob]

Take your wife to the gun show this weekend and check out the different revolvers and have her fondle, feel the weight and see if she can pull the DA trigger. Don't buy at the gun show (most dealers there are way over priced), unless it is from Randy with R&S, he usually has a good selection of revolvers and his prices are good.
EAA has a snubbie revolver in .357, the Windicator I think is what it is called, and Charter arms has one too. Both of there will be in your preferred price range.

[BPTactical]

Model 60

[<MADDOG>]

You should really be letting your wife pick out her gun. I'm assuming no one knows better than her what's comfortable to her. She may need some guidance on proper fit and pros/cons of various calibers, brands, etc. Many men really do a disservice to their wives/girlfriends when they think they know more about what the woman needs than she does.

Revolvers tend to have a very long reach to the trigger. I wouldn't assume she'll be most comfortable with a revolver...let her look at semi-autos, too (as others have noted).

Couldn't agree with Bailey more on this one.

[davsel]

Swapping for a lighter spring in a revolver is one of the simplest/cheapest mods you can do. Don't let a heavy trigger pull put you off.
My wife is a good shooter, and can rack the slide on anything out there. However, she does not practice enough to be completely confident with her G19.
A revolver is as fool proof as you are going to get - point and pull the trigger - repeat as necessary.

[DangerLee_Industries]

Another vote for the S&W 642..... I have recommended that to a few of my buddies wives. Most went that direction and they are glad they did..

[.455_Hunter]

My wife is not a "gun person" and is totally comfortable with the Colt D-frame revolver. She is NOT a fan of semi-autos. She has a 4" 1968 Colt PPS for a bedside gun and a 2" 1967 Colt Agent for CCW, both loaded with .38 Special standard pressure 158 gr LSWCs or 110 gr JHPs.

[drift_g35]

We went and held some guns and she like the LC9. So thats what we got. Ordered it from gunbroker last week, just waiting for it to arrive.

[funkymonkey1111]

she needs to be the one holding it and picking it, not you. it might be worth a trip to blucore and rent their guns to see if she even likes shooting them.

don't discount the rich wyatt "deep cover special" .38 from S&W!

[bigun1962]

Reliable and one she can shoot. Simple question and easier answer. If she can train and manage 500 rounds with good training. Train for at least 8 sessions then you have found a revolver for her.

[45XD]

+1 for the LCR in .38+P. I got one for my wife and she loves it. She has gotten very accurate with it...
Not my favorite; I carry the Kahr PM9...

[Flatline]

+1 for taking her to the range and trying things out. I LOVE my S&W 337, I don't think the recoil is bad and many new shooters who tried it have shot it just fine. On the other hand, my brother in law who years of professional training hates revolvers and can't handle it at all. 642s are decent, but i'd also take her out and shoot a double stack semi, a single stack semi, and as much other variety as possible.