recommendations please

[joan from zone 6]

need to accommodate someone with limited hand strength -

looking for a revolver, perhaps 2 or 3 inch barrel for comfortable carry, preferred in .357, stainless or matte finish, small frame for small hands -

need to know which brand/brands are known for very easy trigger pull and thumb cock -

thanks ! ! !

[SteveD(TX)]

You sure you want a .357? With any weakness in your hands, it may give you some problems. And remember, the smaller the frame, the lighter the weight, so the more you will feel the recoil. Personally, I'd recommend a .38 medium-framed revolver. Smith & Wesson makes a fine revolver and they'll be much easier to handle with a lighter trigger pull than a .357. For maybe a $100 or $150 less, Taurus also makes a very good revolver for the money. Of course, a good gunsmith can modify the pull for you.

[joan from zone 6]

recoil is a consideration - we thought that could be addressed by using light load .38 rounds - but the greatest consideration is being able to thumb cock and fire double-action without a struggle -

[nimrod]

Joan,

What do you plan to use the gun for? If it's for self defence a 38 caliber will work fine. If you want to stop a Buick you need to go to the 357 or bigger.

A 357 will shoot both 38 caliber cartridges and 357 caliber cartridges. The caliber of the bullets is the same. The 357 cartridges are longer than 38 cartridges so the 357 cartridges won't fit in a gun chambered for just 38 caliber. I own two 357 revolvers, a Rossi (=Taures) and a Smith and Wesson 586. Rule out the Smith and Wesson because it's big and heavy, not for a weak grip. The Rossi/Taures is smaller and when used with 38 caliber ammo it doesn't have much kick. The hammer seems easy to cock. I have let my 11 year old nephew shoot it with no problems. A similar version is available in just 38 caliber. They are fairly cheap, about $350. Put the Rossi/Taures on your short list.

Consider an automatic. They are available in calibers similar to 38, like 9mm, so the recoil is similar. they are small to fit a small hand, they hold more rounds of ammo than a revolver, and there is no hammer to cock. A revolver may be more reliable and it's easier to reload than an automatic's magazine. Automatics are pricier, about $550.

Curt

[Bearfootfarm]

You wont find a huge variation in trigger pull weights for different brands.
One of the biggest differences will be grip shapes that make it harder or easier to handle

[joan from zone 6]

Joan,

What do you plan to use the gun for? If it's for self defence a 38 caliber will work fine. If you want to stop a Buick you need to go to the 357 or bigger.


Consider an automatic.

concealed carry - self defense /snake gun - mentioned .357 but will probably load with light-load .38 - just like the flexibility of being able to go to .357 if the need arises -

tried some automatics - glock, keltec, taurus - but there is a definite problem with hand strength and slide racking - so i guess revolver is the logical way to go -

i know i can go to a smith and have trigger pull reduced - but, am i not then inviting misfires ? this is why i am trying to identify a brand that is more user friendly right out of the box -

thanks for your advice -

[joan from zone 6]

You wont find a huge variation in trigger pull weights for different brands.
One of the biggest differences will be grip shapes that make it harder or easier to handle

i did try a rossi .357 and a colt .357 - i found the colt MUCH easier to thumb cock but was unable to find out whether the colt had been modified or if it is just inherently easier -

that's why i asked whether or not some brands are known to be easier to use right out of the box -

[nimrod]

Joan,

I definantly would not shoot 357 magnum rounds out of a gun small enough to concealed carry. The recoil will make it very hard to hit anything.

Colt is like a Porshe, it is priced very high compared to others.

Find a gun shop with a shooting range and try out various guns. When you find one that you like, Buy it.

Curt

[Cornhusker]

In our experience, and speaking for one whose hands aren't strong enough to rack an automatic, we have found a couple of work arounds.
A couple of semi auto alternatives although a little light on caliber are the Beretta Tomcat 3032 in .32 ACP. It's a booger to rack the slide, but it has a pop up barrel, so you can just slip a round into the barrel, close it and you are ready to go.

Taurus makes a similar pistol in .22 and .25.
Some revolvers are easier to cock than others. A single action is generally easier to cock although a good quality Smith and Wesson is pretty smooth too.
The Rugers seem to be easy on the hands too,
There are options around, good luck
If I think of any more, I'll post.

[joan from zone 6]

In our experience, and speaking for one whose hands aren't strong enough to rack an automatic, we have found a couple of work arounds.
A couple of semi auto alternatives although a little light on caliber are the Beretta Tomcat 3032 in .32 ACP. It's a booger to rack the slide, but it has a pop up barrel, so you can just slip a round into the barrel, close it and you are ready to go.

Taurus makes a similar pistol in .22 and .25.
Some revolvers are easier to cock than others. A single action is generally easier to cock although a good quality Smith and Wesson is pretty smooth too.
The Rugers seem to be easy on the hands too,
There are options around, good luck
If I think of any more, I'll post.

thanks, bud - does that pic of the baretta actually say "made in usa" ?

[Cornhusker]

I believe it does.
They do manufacture some in the USA, something about ATF points and importing.

[joan from zone 6]

husker - did a few searches for the beretta and found the reviews to be terrible - most replied demanding the gun be recalled since so many suffered cracked frames after limited use - too bad since the reviews also said the gun was ideal for those with limited hand strength -
it's too bad the taurus tilt-barrel doesn't come with a hole larger than .25 -

back to the revolver search i guess - neighbor has a smith model 30 - it's a 2'" barrel in .32 on what i believe is a j frame - small and light in weight (unfortunatley light in caliber also) - gonna have to check it out -

[SteveD(TX)]

You might check this gun out:

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCR.htm

[joan from zone 6]

You might check this gun out:

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCR.htm

yup - that's interesting - gotta go on the must-check list -

[Cornhusker]

Just as well you passed on the Taurus.
I was shooting our P22 yesterday and things were going fine until I got hit in the face with some kind of hot debris and the gun locked up.
I took it apart and I don't see what happened, so it's going back to Taurus for repair or replacement.