.38 Specials that aren't prohibited
- Thread starter Roddy
- Start date
Assuming you have one of the L framed 686's or 586's your girl will find SOME of the K frame guns to be somewhat lighter and easier to hold and shoot.
The half shroud constant diameter barrels will be a couple of ounces lighter in the barrel which will help. But the clincher would be to find a tapered "pencil" barreled K frame model.
Be warned though that if she's finding your L frame revolvers too heavy to hold then she's not really going to like the K frames all that much better. There's only about a 4oz difference from your revolvers to the lightest pencil barrel K frame guns. That's not a whole lot in the grand scheme. Instead she's either not all that keen on shooting or she's using a poor stance and grip and needs a few pointers. Or you're letting her shoot ammo with too much kick for her tastes.
The half shroud constant diameter barrels will be a couple of ounces lighter in the barrel which will help. But the clincher would be to find a tapered "pencil" barreled K frame model.
Be warned though that if she's finding your L frame revolvers too heavy to hold then she's not really going to like the K frames all that much better. There's only about a 4oz difference from your revolvers to the lightest pencil barrel K frame guns. That's not a whole lot in the grand scheme. Instead she's either not all that keen on shooting or she's using a poor stance and grip and needs a few pointers. Or you're letting her shoot ammo with too much kick for her tastes.
S&W made the aluminum K frame Model 12. It is essentially a lighter weight model 10.
Many were made with short barrels for Vietnam War era pilots and for police detective carry (the one below (upper left) was a Winnipeg PD gun, probably plain clothes).
They weigh only 20 ounces. The model 19 in the photo (lower right) feels like a brick when you heft it after the model 12.
Many were made with short barrels for Vietnam War era pilots and for police detective carry (the one below (upper left) was a Winnipeg PD gun, probably plain clothes).
They weigh only 20 ounces. The model 19 in the photo (lower right) feels like a brick when you heft it after the model 12.
It's the first one. The 6" 686 has very little recoil with .38's and he grip and stance aren't too bad. She even shot an IDPA match with a .22 and wasn't extremely fast but was more accurate than most people.
She's not big into shooting but if I got a revolver that would be "her gun" maybe she would shoot more.
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Look around at the various shooting options in your area. Something may just click with her. I know for sure that there's a lot of women that actually enjoy cowboy action shooting. Likely due as much to the dressing up as the shooting.... well, OK.... MORE for the dressing up than the shooting in many cases. But hey, if you end up both enjoying that scene or some other shooting "community" in your area it's a win for you, right? Maybe even borrow a light recoiling shotgun such as a 20Ga and let her try some trap as well. Spread it all out and see what sticks to her. If nothing else at least you can say you tried.
I have one en route from the Calgary Shooting Centre which should arrive next week.
I've already ordered a set of Hogue grips as the stock grips are, by most accounts, a bit small for most folks. (Even some of the CCW folks in the US have changed the grips.) I'm really looking forward to getting it out to the range.I will probably only load up mid-range .357 loads for it. I may also embark on some judicious internal polishing to smooth out the trigger.I also have a Model 14 "3T" (target sights, hammer & trigger) and can highy recommend one to the OP, although from what he has written, it may still be a bit heavy for his gf. (All the S&W .38s and .22s at Tradex are sold, by the look of it.)
StuartI have one en route from the Calgary Shooting Centre which should arrive next week.
I also have a Model 14 "3T" (target sights, hammer & trigger) and can highy recommend one to the OP, although from what he has written, it may still be a bit heavy for his gf. (All the S&W .38s and .22s at Tradex are sold, by the look of it.)
After 300 rounds with my SP101, i found that the trigger both in DA and SA is light and precise, it did smooth down pretty well to the point that it's very good so no changes will be done... JP.
Doc Rainbow
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful B.C.
Suggest you check out Smith & Wesson M&P R8. Eight shots and scandium alloy frame is much lighter than the steel revolvers. I bought one for the wife ...she hasn't shot it yet but I sure have!
Got mine from CSC to, great low price... JP.
That's what did it for me, too. I was looking for a used one but they are apparently of the species Unobtanium. Epps had a used one at about the same price as new at CSC. Plus the staff were great.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
I just bought the Colt OMM off Tradex. Hopefully I was the first, and it didn't sell earlier. Looks like an nice gun, save the small missing part.
I saw that on Tradex. Nice find. Hopefully you can find an ejector rod tip. You could probably get someone with a lathe to make one up; the only problem might be that the thread will likely be some oddball size.
My SP 101 just arrived this morning, courtesy of my friendly postal person (post girl/woman/whatever). Just have to wait for the official RCMP paperwork to turn up so I can take it to the range. It's remarkably small, but surprisingly heavy, which is probably not a bad thing in a .357. I kind of like the squishy grips, although I do have some Hogues on order.
Stuart
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I just bought the Colt OMM off Tradex. Hopefully I was the first, and it didn't sell earlier. Looks like an nice gun, save the small missing part.
I think you'll be happy with it.
Colt revolvers have a well deserved reputation for accuracy.
IIRC, the NRA museum holds a Colt DA revolver in 38 that the shooter earned no less than 4 Olympic Gold medals with it during the 1920s.
