Lecky 1 Posted June 15, 2015 Hi all, my wife said she would be intersted in a handgun. She has never shot before so I don't want to turn her off, do you think a 22 revolver would be the way to go. I want to keep it simple so that's where the revolver comes in. What about home defense, do you think this caliber would do the job? Can anyone recommend a 22 revolver? Thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted June 15, 2015 Have her take a class if possible or go rent some guns. .22LR is an ok place to start but I would NOT use it for home defense. Get her used to a 9mm or larger if possible. She may like .45 even more depending on the gun and how it fits her hands - more of a push than a snap for recoil... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alec.mc 180 Posted June 15, 2015 The Smith and Wesson 617 is a 10 shot .22 Revolver, it comes in both 4 inch and 6 inch. In single action, i'm sure should be fine. But the double action pull will be very heavy and probably not the best for a lady. As far as .22 as a home defense gun, let's just say it's better then nothing, but I doubt it'd be anybodys first choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MedicYeti 96 Posted June 15, 2015 NRA basic pistol will introduce her to a variety of guns, the basics of shooting and will give her confidence with guns. I don't know where you are, I'm an instructor down in Cape May County. PM for more details. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted June 15, 2015 NO, I would say a revolver is not the way to go. I put the AA 22LR top on the Glock, or the Ruger Mark II, and my daughter will shoot it all day long. Doesn't like the revolver (22LR or 38SPL) at all. Put the 9MM or 45ACP back on the Glock, and while she cannot stand the noise, she uses it. Mother prefers the shotgun and bird shot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dajonga 397 Posted June 15, 2015 I plan on starting my wife out on a S&W Model 10. Enough bump to be fun, but not too much to be intimidating. I am really hoping she loves shooting as much as I do. I would love for her to have her own PFID and a separate safe full of her toys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogfarmer 138 Posted June 15, 2015 Ruger sp101 22lr is a nice revolver that has small frame and is light weight and good for a beginner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jm1827 284 Posted June 15, 2015 My wife and daughters prefer a SA 22 over a revolver. I have an SR-22 that they love to shoot and will choose it over all of my other guns. They just think it is fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Glock guy 1,127 Posted June 16, 2015 My wife and daughters prefer a SA 22 over a revolver. I have an SR-22 that they love to shoot and will choose it over all of my other guns. They just think it is fun. Yes, I have an SR-22 as well, and while I don't shoot it much, new shooters seem to love it. Plus, it will cycle almost anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tack Tickle 0 Posted June 16, 2015 Every women I have shot with absolutely loves the Sig 1911-22. You can get them around $300. They are pretty close to a real 1911 in weight and the recoil is little to nothing. You can also grab the GSG 1911-22 which is basically the same gun. They are both accurate and super fun to shoot! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siderman 1,138 Posted June 16, 2015 22 revo is how i finally got my wife to even try shooting, S&W 63 8 shot. cute little gun.. very simple. start in sa then da. I took a gamble and gave it to her for xmas and forced her hand and she now also has a sr22 and her own range membership. Unfortunatly she will not shoot anything bigger just plain and simple but she does now shoot and knows how to work a semi. Took yrs to get this far but I'm happy with it. BTW she really likes the revo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,141 Posted June 16, 2015 Start her out on a full size .357 magnum but shoot the gentlest 38s you can find. A full size, heavy revolver will soak up most of the recoil, isn't very loud and won't have much muzzle flip. As she becomes comfortable with it you can find 38s with some more "umph" to them. Work your way up to the 38 self defense rounds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayWilling 33 Posted June 16, 2015 This ^. My wife doesn't like too loud, too big, too much recoil, etc etc. and doesn't like a slide flying back and forth. Put 38s in a S&W and she'll shoot it all day long and like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteF 1,044 Posted June 16, 2015 Get in touch with Sandy from the SAW group. http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/forum/175-second-amendment-women-shooting-clubsaw/ Sandy is a certified instructor, and has a womans perspective. What makes sense to a man not be good for a woman. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
magnawing 5 Posted June 16, 2015 Heritage Guild in Easton offers a class called "Handgun 101 for Women Only". Cost is about $65-$70 and includes classroom instruction followed by range time with a 22 revolver and a 22 semi-auto. That's where my wife started 2 years ago and she just went and bought a S&W Shield 9mm for herself last weekend. She stuck with 22 for about 9 months then I bought her an LC9...she actually traded that plus $50 for the new Shield. This is my signature. There are many like it but this one is mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PD2K 115 Posted June 16, 2015 Hi all, my wife said she would be intersted in a handgun. She has never shot before so I don't want to turn her off, do you think a 22 revolver would be the way to go. I want to keep it simple so that's where the revolver comes in. What about home defense, do you think this caliber would do the job? Can anyone recommend a 22 revolver? Thank you. Honestly I would recommend a 9mm semi-auto. First handgun my wife ever shot was Sig P226 MK25 and she loved it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLOPE5623 5 Posted June 17, 2015 Took my wife to the range for the first time recently. Had her shoot my VP9. We are going back this weekend. Can't argue with that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weekend_junkie 129 Posted June 17, 2015 Just since no one else mentioned it, Beretta has a very nice 22lr "practice kit" that fits on any 92 or 96 variant and also retains all the function of the full-house pistols. It's a nice way to transition new shooters, since the grip and trigger pull will all be identical when you swap back to 9mm or 40SW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted June 19, 2015 Send her to the women's only basic pistol class at gun for hire. She'll shoot a glock and a revolver. My wife did and bought a glock 17 after Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The brew guy 22 Posted June 25, 2015 I took my wife to the First Steps-Pistol course at Heritage Guild a couple years ago, they brought out a bunch of rental guns for the range portion of the course, My wife liked the Kimber the most, until she saw the price. She now has a Para Expert 1911 and a SR-22. Don't assume she'll like a .22, have her try a few different guns and make up her own mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted June 30, 2015 Smooth is more important than light in a DA trigger. My wife started with my Model 10 which was well broken in but no action job. She would take a break every few rounds to give her hand a rest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,141 Posted July 2, 2015 Hey Lecky, you get the wife out to the range yet? I'm planning a visit out to Easton Game and Fish Range in next few weeks. If not to far for you you're more than welcome to join and she can try shooting a 38s through a nice heavy revolver (Ruger GP100). Hardly any recoil and trigger is nice and smoothe. PM me if interested with dates your available. Maybe we can find some with a 22 revolver to join us as well and she can try a few differnt guns. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lecky 1 Posted July 17, 2015 Hi all, I ended up with a S&W 686 357. I will have her shoot 38's out of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brucin 923 Posted July 17, 2015 Hi all, I ended up with a S&W 686 357. I will have her shoot 38's out of it. Good choice my wife loves to shoot .38 out of our GP 100. Hornady Critical Defense in .38 is a great home defense round also should the need ever arise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayWilling 33 Posted July 17, 2015 Perfect! That's my wife's favorite handgun. She has the 7 round model. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites