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My wife inherited a .38 Special, Colt Detective from her father. She keeps it in a drawer next to her side of the bed, which concerns me. I want to enroll her in a handgun safety class and help her get familiar with shooting a handgun. However, I recall shooting a similar revolver years ago and remember that it had quite a kick. I don't want to introduce her to handgun shooting with something that will intimidagte her right off the bat.
She grew up with rifles and shotguns, as I did, but she never fired a handgun. I have fired numerous .22's, a .38 special and a .45 but it has been a few years. I used to be pretty good with a ruger .22 and I'm interested in doing more shooting for recreation and practice.
I'm wondering if I should buy something lighter for her to use initially. I have never fired any of the newer .380 or 9 mm handguns. I assume because they are firing a smaller bullet it has a lighter kick, even though they have a higher muzzle velocity.
Could anyone who has fired both please share their opinions. I will probably go to the local range and try them out in the next week or so, they do have many different calibers available for rent. Meanwhile I'm curious to hear others opinions.
P.S. I'm retired now and have decided that I want to take up handgun shooting as a hobby and for self protection, so I'm just now looking into this.
LOL, good guess, I might after I try it out. But currently, no, although it might be fun if I can get comfortable with the kick.
Currently I think I'd rather get a Glock 26 for myself, just based on the reviews I've read. At this point at least. I need to go try a few out before I decide.
Fortunately, my local range has numerous handguns available for rental.
.380 has a small kick, remember that .380's are usually small pocket guns. The .38 is to me easier to handle as you can get a grip on it. My wife loves my .44 mag redhawk, the weight keeps the recoil way down.
Get a couple boxes and take your wife to the range, she can rent different guns at some gun ranges to try them out. I bet you get a new shooting buddy out of it like I did.
.380 has a small kick, remember that .380's are usually small pocket guns. The .38 is to me easier to handle as you can get a grip on it. My wife loves my .44 mag redhawk, the weight keeps the recoil way down.
Get a couple boxes and take your wife to the range, she can rent different guns at some gun ranges to try them out. I bet you get a new shooting buddy out of it like I did.
Good point, I expected the .380 would have a smaller kick, but it also has smaller mass so may not handle it as well as the .38 special which is at least twice as heavy as many .380's. Considering the "for every action there is a reaction" physics thing.
Not much recoils less than a 38 special in a steel revolver, even a small one. Alot of .380s are real small & perceived recoil can be less comfy even if its really less than a 38. I think a 9mm MIGHT recoil a little more than a 38 but again it depends ALOT on the gun. In a full sized gun 9mm IMO has little recoil. But I'd recomend starting anybody off with a 22. It instills initial confidence when alot of higher powered guns instill initial apprehension. Those first couple shots only happen once & can make a difference to many folks.
The heavier the .38 is the less recoil you'll feel. If you get one of those lightweight revolvers you may feel a little more kick. A .380 is nice, and to me the .38 is just a little louder. You can't go wrong with either. You might consider a .32 revolver or Beretta Tomcat .32, nice small pistol and decent enough for self protection.
Don't think she'll have problems with either - mine is 5', a 110 soakin' wet - and she has her own .380, .38, 9mm, .357 AND .45's! She actually prefers shooting her .45 because of the added mass!
I have the Micro Desert Eagle .380, and it is wonderful. virtually no kick (since it is an all-steel frame/slide).
It is very easy to use. I got it because my gf is tiny (size 0), and has very small hands (though I DID get her to fire a S&W 500 ;-).
I think this model is an ideal self-protection carry gun, and though it does weigh quite a bit more than the competitors, that weight removes most of the recoil.
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At this point at least. I need to go try a few out before I decide.
