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OB opinion of this S&W for my SO

Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:09 am
Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:09 am
S&W 442 .38 Special

Anyone have this for their lady? She really liked it but we didn't fire it, just looked at it at the store. How's the trigger pull? She's pretty petite and this is my biggest concern.
Posted by LSUlefty
Youngsville, LA
Member since Dec 2007
26451 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:13 am to
my wife has the SW Bodyguard .380. Cool gun, not necessarily fun to shoot though.
Posted by Yat27
Austin
Member since Nov 2010
8108 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:15 am to
quote:

How's the trigger pull? She's pretty petite and this is my biggest concern.


I know that the 15 ounce weight may seem to be like a good thing, but they're pretty snappy. I would have her shoot it before you buy.
This post was edited on 7/26/13 at 10:18 am
Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:17 am to
Possible Ruger alternate

I've always liked Rugers, but no brand is "out". She likes the hammerless design though. As far as the .380 goes, someone (I think my Dad) has put it in her head that revolver is the way to go because of possible jamming.
Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:18 am to
quote:

I would have her shoot it before you buy.

Deep down I know you are right. I just wanted to surprise her for her birthday. Damnit....
Posted by Yat27
Austin
Member since Nov 2010
8108 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:21 am to
I really like Ruger revolvers, but that LCR is even lighter. It's very possible that she won't enjoy shooting it.
Posted by LouisianaChessie
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since May 2010
2582 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:43 am to
They are great revolvers but I would almost bet she doesn't enjoy shooting that thing. Very snappy recoil with 38 specials
Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:45 am to
quote:

They are great revolvers but I would almost bet she doesn't enjoy shooting that thing. Very snappy recoil with 38 specials

Thanks. These replies help a lot. Looks like it won't be much of a surprise as the best way to go is head to the range and shoot a variety of stuff.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 10:47 am to
The SP101 is probably a better choice. It's all steel and weighs a good bit more.

Some women don't have a problem with airweights though. With good grips she could probably handle it, but most women end up not liking their snub nose 38s

Women are difficult to shop for, regardless of the item
Posted by Geauxtiga
No man's land
Member since Jan 2008
34377 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 11:05 am to
Stainless Steel.
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
11890 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 11:06 am to
quote:


Thanks. These replies help a lot. Looks like it won't be much of a surprise as the best way to go is head to the range and shoot a variety of stuff.



Check out my YouTube channel. I posted a video recently about how women benefit from firearms more than men. I am actually considering making one today specifically for this topic. My channel is BigApple0828.

Not ALL women are good with a 38 revolver. Yes they are simple, and yes they don't require as much strength to rack. But if she properly racks a semi auto, it shouldn't overwork her muscles.

I would suggest you look at a small 9mm semi auto if she plans to carry it. The M&P Shield 9mm and the XDs9 both come to mind.

BUT if she DOESN'T plan to carry it, there is NO reason why you shouldn't get her a full sized pistol. In that case, the S&W M&P9, Glock 17/19, Springfield XD/XDm, or Ruger SR9 would be much better options.

It's a common misconception that a tiny 38 special is the best for women.

It is also a common misconception that you should choose a woman's gun. She should be the one to choose it.

Sorry to debunk your gift. It's important you know these things before you make a purchase.
Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 11:26 am to
quote:

Sorry to debunk your gift.

Nah, not at all. I kind of knew this in the back of my mind already
Posted by PvilleP
Prairieville
Member since Apr 2011
1950 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 11:44 am to
quote:

someone (I think my Dad) has put it in her head that revolver is the way to go because of possible jamming.


Common misconception. Revolvers still have malfunctions, but are easier to recover from malfunctions. A semi-auto requires tap, rack, bang to clear a malfunction. With a revolver, you just pull the trigger and rotate to the next round.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 11:51 am to
The advantage is you remove a few issues with the auto.

You don't have to rely on the round to cycle it

You don't have to spit a case out.

You don't have to shove a new round into the chamber.

The main thing is a jam with a revolver is usually catastrophic and requires disassembly to clear.
Posted by Crawdaddy
Slidell. The jewel of Louisiana
Member since Sep 2006
18380 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 12:05 pm to
yeh women are so inferior to men. Go with the revolver

if you plan on your woman to shoot, a semi auto is not that bad for Christ's sake. Racking a slide is not a man's chore. But I guess if most just plan on buying a revolver and sticking it in the purse without any training then maybe so.

I bought the same 38. I like it. Small package. My wife does not like it, she like my G19 better.
Posted by PvilleP
Prairieville
Member since Apr 2011
1950 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 12:09 pm to
Most women, unless shown how, struggle to rack a slide on a semi-auto. If you go the semi route, look at the Walther PK380. Easiest slide Ive ever seen.

Most women also struggle with the 9lb+ trigger and the heavy recoil o those small air weight revolvers. At least the Ruger comes with a Hogue grip that absorbs some recoil.
This post was edited on 7/26/13 at 12:21 pm
Posted by Crawdaddy
Slidell. The jewel of Louisiana
Member since Sep 2006
18380 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 12:14 pm to
quote:

Most women, unless shown how, struggle to rack a slide on a semi-auto


my point. If she has a gun she better practie with it. No matter if auto or rvolver
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
11890 posts
Posted on 7/26/13 at 12:55 pm to
Just made a video "Firearms for Women" that's currently uploading right now.

I'll post a new thread when it's done.

Posted by htownjeep
Republic of Texas
Member since Jun 2005
7612 posts
Posted on 8/13/13 at 10:16 am to
We went shooting last weekend and she shot the S&W 442 and loved it. So, I bought her one yesterday for her bday on Saturday. I liked firing that little guy myself. I could see it being a great conceal pistol.

Thanks for the input guys, it was appreciated.
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6812 posts
Posted on 8/13/13 at 1:30 pm to
quote:

Women are difficult to shop for, regardless of the item

AMEN x 1 gazillion!!
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