TTIWWOP!
Posted on 09/04/2015 3:13:14 PM PDT by TheDandyMan
Hello all,
Recently, my mother decided to acquire her first handgun, specifically a revolver. After poking through the vast expanses of the inter-webs, one of the prime contenders has come out to be the Smith and Wesson 642. On its face, it seems to fit the bill. Namely, it's small, seems like it's fairly accurate for a gun its size, and can fire +P ammunition. I have seen some complaints about the trigger being somewhat stiff, but, my experience with these guns being non-existent, I don't know if it's worse than other double action only handguns.
Also, being an airweight, I would think that the recoil's probably a bit snappy, especially with +P ammo.
So, would anyone recommend this revolver as a first time firearm?
“357 revolver, stainless preferably, with a 4” barrel.”
I have a friend who bought one. I didn’t like it! It twisted in my palm grip much too hard! I can’t imagine iot for most older women. Maybe with big soft after-market grips, but the stock grips? I don’t think she’ll be comfortable, unless she only needs to take one shot. I prefer a heavier frame like a Redhawk. No problems with my Redhawk 44 mag stainless with a long barrel. But even that, if I were shooting for an afternoon, I loaded to 41 specs. Traded it for a 1937 Gibson Grande Console Hawaiian Guitar. I got the best of that deal, but I do miss it! My favorite!
First Gun? +P ammo? Unless she is an Amazon woman with strong man hands she will not like that gun. The trigger is hard, the gun is light and the load in a .38 is stout.
I load a reduced load for my wife to practice with and that is the only way she will shoot it. She only has it because it fits her situation to carry. With good hollow points she would only be good for maybe 5 shots and that would be it and she does have strong hands and shoots regularly.
I do not personally like any of the composite guns but I would highly recommend you spend some time doing hands on research before you buy especially for a new shooter with a self defense purpose gun.
I would lean towards a gun with no bells and whistles. No safety’s just point and pull.
That 642 is a hand full. Light guns send energy through your hand.
My .44 Desert Eagle is more comfortable to shoot because the slide and the springs adsorb most of the energy.
Find some place or some one who will either rent you some guns to try out if that s possible. Ask any friends that have guns. Do not buy until you know for sure. If you do buy and the gun is not usable for her, sell it and buy another until you get one that is right.
I carry a Kimber Super Carry Custom cocked and locked. I would not recommend that gun to her because of the operating procedure. Some guns have a different grip angle and do not fit some peoples hands. A Glock’s grip angle does not fit my hand. I shoot way high every time with one.
Point being she needs to try it out. Much more important than buying shoes and you would not buy them unless you knew they fit.
TTIWWOP!
Get her a PT-85 Blowback Socom air pistol. Why?
Because it uses compressed air to give a recoil to simulate a live firearm.
Yes, it shoots a pellet reasonably fast (for a pistol), which means that she doesn't have to go to “the range” (which newbies seldom do) for practice.
Even if she lives in a tiny efficiency apartment in the middle of urbania, she can practice firing it all night long indoors.
It's about $90 at CheaperThanDirt.com.
Get it for her *and* setup a little target stand for her at home.
Once she shows good gun safety and firing control, **THEN** move her up to her first gunpowder weapon.
Four days ago:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3331043/posts
“I am thinking of buying my first firearm. I want it for concealed carry, for self-defense, so I want it small. I have done some research and the Smith & Wesson Centennial Airweight Model 642 looks good to me. “
You can find a good discussion of the handgun you’re looking at earlier this week on FR. There are a lot of opinions, some suitable for your mother and others more directed to a different shooter or just personal bias, but it’s well worth reading. My vote - give her the opportunity to shoot lots of guns and see what she likes.
Good gun. Nothing wrong with it, but probably not a best “first gun.” JMO
Wow, 23 posts before we get gun porn! What is this world coming to these days?
Knock yourself out.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3290608/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2947889/posts
Get her a Lady Smith. .38 6 shot revolver.
Oh yeah? Take this: 
LOL....nice weapon!!
I carry a Glock 23 because I prefer.40 cal. With one spare mag, I have 27 rounds. With two spare mags, I have 40 rounds. And you can change out mags in a second, something you won't be able to do with a wheel gun. If you carry, you need to be prepared for all kinds of threats. Drug crazed assailants are not that uncommon. Neither are multiple perps. You need to be prepared for all kinds of threats. There is a reason law enforcement use semi-autos. You won't see them carrying wheel guns.
Great. I like the Redhawk myself. But really, for a womans first gun? Something to carry with you?
Great advice.
I lust for a 38/44 Outdoorsman...
READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL... wonderful, we are soooo screwed
Wow, I leave for an hour and change and come back to a wealth of data.
Y’all have given me so good food for thought ;)
” But really, for a womans first gun? Something to carry with you?”
A Ruger Redhawk with a 9” barrel and a scope? No way for a woman! But from my experience with my friend’s S&W 357, that’s not a good choice either. Then again, take her to a range and see what she can handle. But the light frame of the S&W 357 just didn’t work for me.
Oh yeah, forgot this was a revolver thread and poste a semi...lol.
That’s a beauty, .25 Ruger or is that an Airsoft?
IF you take her to the range with a 642, put a lap of adhesive tape or a band aid on the thumb knuckle of her shooting hand.
She will thank you.
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