So you can just buy a handgun in Tennessee? You don't need to go through hell in order to buy/get a license like in NY?
Which one matches your handbag?
Even if you DID do it wrong,
I wouldn't have the cajones to tell you.
Get the Mag. You can shoot any .38 ammunition in it. After you have shot it a while then you can try the .357 variety at some time and place where you are not under stress.
I've pinged a few folks that can help you!
Mylife and Lady Jag..
Gun PING!
Ms.B
The short-barrel 357 revolver will have a sharp kick rather than a powerful kick, but the noise will be deafening.
Go with the 38 Special and change the grips to whatever fits you the best. This will be more than adequate for your purpose.
38 LADYSMITH. 5 SHOT LIKE THE CHIEF SPECIAL. VERY LIGHT. I'VE BEEN USING ONE FOR A POCKET PISTOL SINCE THEY FIRST CAME OUT. ALSO HAVE ONE IN A BOOT HOLSTER. USE HOLLOW POINTS. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN USE IS CALLED FOR IT WITHIN 20'. AT THAT RANGE THE SHOOTEE WILL NOT LIKE IT.
Have you fired either?
Remember, the guy at the other end of the barrel won't care as long as he's dead. What you can handle safely, quickly and effectively should be the decision maker.
Both are more effective stoppers than a .380 auto.
(Why not ask for both, a woman can never have too many handguns. ;^) )
Melinda,
yes......get the .357 Mag as you can shoot all .38 Special ammo in it...in fact, much cheaper to practice with the .38 ammo and then fire some .357 at the end of practice to get the feel of it.....however, shooting a .357 out of a 2 inch barrel is going to have quite a bit a kick and muzzle flash. Anyway you can get the 4 inch barrel?.....that would be the best of all worlds unless of coure you are going to get a CCW to carry it.......I personally do not like 2 inchers.....you lose alot of power, velocity and accuracy with those....unless of course you are gonna gun down someone at close range.......*wink*
Do I understand correctly that you are being offered only the choice between these two, and no other options are possible?
I have a Taurus for a handful of years now, and from all I've heard Taurus makes a very reliable handgun.
The .357 is not "that bad" assuming you have some weight in the gun. If you don't, even a .38 will hammer you a bit. I have a Taurus lightweight .38 5-shot that I can only run through 3 reloads or so at the range as it gets a little unpleasant after that. But remember, that's strictly range work. Firing a few rounds wouldn't be a problem.
You can shoot both .38 special and 357 magnum out of a 357 [same diameter. The 357's a longer round]. The reverse is not true. So the 357 gives you more flexiblity. Will it kick more? Sharper, for sure, and expect more muzzle flip and flash. If you're going 2" on the barrel, I'd say .38. You burn a lot of powder [and waste it] in a 2". Have you considered something like a Ruger SP 101 in 3"? It's a five shot-great little gun, and accurate as hell!. Smith and Wesson does a 357 with either a 7 or 8 round capacity, but I don't know the barrel lengths available, and the frame is probably too large for a concealed carry for you.
you can shoot 38 special out of that .357
and the .38 special isnt hard to handle. Get used to shooting that then you can load up some .357 magnum when you get your nerve up! Yes the 357 kicks and barks up a storm
I CCW a Tauraus ultra lite 38..it conceals well, has a smaller butt, that fits my small hand very well, and is easy on the recoil.
Melinda,
If this for "carry", then get the lightest .38cal revolver you can find......
Smith and Wesson used to make a "air version", very lightweight...
Everybody's hand is different so go with the one that fits......If you can't hold it you WILL miss even under 10 ft distances....That's a bad thing...
If neither works for you, try a small 9mm pistol, such as a Glock, Springfield XD, or Sig P239.