re: What do y'all think about a Taurus .38 special for 360$

I've got a hammerless .38 S&W. great gun for slipping in my front pants pocket or waist band. Loud as shite though. Doesn't kick as much as my 1911, but its a lot nastier recoil.

But when my wife and I went shooting, she didn't want any part of the .45. Kept wanting to use the .38. She is now a fan of the .45

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Doesn't kick as much, but nastier recoil.

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Please explain that comment...

Bapple provided a pretty good summary of home defense handguns for women. I'd still consider a FULL SIZE revolver in 38 Spec, especially if she has problems catching on to the operation of a semi-auto when you go shoot w/ her.

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Gonna need some recommendations for a good gun for home defense for both sexes but easy enough to be handled by a woman.

Penetrating walls is a concern.

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Actually the BEST (i.e. most effective) home defense gun is a shotgun. If a woman may be called upon to handle it, I'd look at a "youth" model. Mossberg makes a nice youth model pump action 20 gauge shotgun that I bought for my daugter when she moved into her first apartment that was situated in a "declining" part of town. I too was concerned about excessive penetration to nearby apartments so I bought her some #4 shot. When the topic of home defense shotguns comes up the natural inclination is to immediately think of a 12 g "tactical" model, but that doesn't have to be the case. I've not checked lately, but the Mossberg I referenced will cost less than $350 new; it also makes a light and compact squirrel hunting shotgun.

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The .38 has less kick than the .45. But the .45 is heavier, has a standard length barrel ( for a 1911) which offsets the recoil IMO. The .38 has a short barrel, light frame, and smaller grips. More obnoxious to shoot IMO.

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Agreed. And people think of 45 as some hand cannon since the number is so intimidating. I've taught a few girls how to shoot and some have liked my 1911 most of all, despite it being a 45.

A heavy handgun is good for new shooters. Another method of taming felt recoil is to put a light on the rail. Adding weight directly under the muzzle decreases felt recoil quite a bit.

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Doesn't kick as much, but nastier recoil.

Please explain that comment...

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It's also possible the poster's earlier comment may seem confusing because of the various terms being used. While a light handgun like a 38 Spec doesn't have as much "recoil" as a heavier, more powerful gun like a 45 ACP, the 38 Spec will have more muzzle flip. Some might describe this as "recoil." That's also consistent w/ Bapple's description of shooting w/ women who preferred shooting a 45 ACP over a lighter recoiling gun. A lot of less experienced shooters are turned off by the pronounced muzzle flip of a gun like a pocket 380 ACP.

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It's also possible the poster's earlier comment may seem confusing because of the various terms being used. While a light handgun like a 38 Spec doesn't have as much "recoil" as a heavier, more powerful gun like a 45 ACP, the 38 Spec will have more muzzle flip. Some might describe this as "recoil." That's also consistent w/ Bapple's description of shooting w/ women who preferred shooting a 45 ACP over a lighter recoiling gun. A lot of less experienced shooters are turned off by the pronounced muzzle flip of a gun like a pocket 380 ACP.

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I probably did use the wrong terminology. apologies if so. Hill pretty much summed up my point.

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There's no way I would recommend any type of semi auto to someone who isn't extremely used to guns.

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I disagree. If they aren't adaptive enough to learn and operate and spend the time learning the system, they weren't ready to handle a firearm in the first place.

bapple, have you ever fired a gun that had action work done from Bruce Gray's team at Grayguns? They're expensive, but I've read amazing things about their work on DAK and LEM pistols.