Help me out here

[divemedic]

My mother owns a glock that she has trouble operating because she is getting older, and her hand strength is falling. She wants a new handgun for protection, as she lives alone. I offered to help her. I have a friend willing to give her $400 for her glock. I was thinking:

a revolver (no slide to work)
get the trigger lightened up
.38 spl, or some other appropriate caliber
$300-350, plus trigger work to make cost as near $400 as I can
She may carry it from time to time, so BBL length should be short.

Suggestions?

 

[Otis311]

LCR, little above your price but the trigger pull is good.

 

[Shadan7]

Yeah, I'll second the LCR - everyone I have heard from likes the trigger right out of the box.

A good used 642/442 would be another option. Size is good, you can usually find them in that price range (or a bit more), and the more they've been used, the better the trigger is.

Good luck.

Jim D.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I think either of these choices (642, LCR) would be too light. A SP-101, Model 36, Colt DS would be better choice in my opinion. Recoil would be much more manageable. YMMV.

 

[Otis311]

Yea, I guess i was thinking about weak .38s not +p. I think you make a good point with the steel guns. I just noticed the OP said it will only be carried " from time to time". I just know the trigger is easy on the LCR.

 

[greenlion]

I agree with Phydeaux642. I think a revolver with a little more weight would be more practical to actually shoot and control. An all steel revolver with a 3 inch barrel balances well and is easy to actually shoot. I love my S&W 642, but I'd never shoot one again if I wasn't concealed carrying it. They can be punishing with +p ammo.

 

[Iggy]

Look at K frame S&W 38's such as the Model 10(steel frame) or 12 (aluminum frame) with a 2"barrel.
Under $400.00 minimal recoil and naturally pointing classic revolver.



If the K frames are too large, then a steel framed J-frame .38 such as the stainless steel Model 640 with rubber grips.

 

[Snowdog]

Some nostagia with a S&W 36 with 125gr Nyclads (both you can still purchase new these days IIRC), though a larger revolver with 4" barrel might be easier for her to shoot well.

 

[divemedic]

Update: We went with an S&W 637. Cost was about $435.

I took it to the range on the way home, and the first 20 rounds of 125gr hollow points went like this:

first cylinder at 7 yards, double action: 6 inch group. Discounting the one flyer, and it was a 3 inch group.
second cylinder at 10 yards, double action: 4 1/2 inches
third cylinder at 20 yards, single action: 4 inches
fourth cylinder at 3 yards double action, point shooting as fast as I could pull the trigger put 3 rounds in the 0 ring and 2 in the -1 ring of an IDPA target.

Recoil was brisk, the trigger was a little heavy. I am guessing 10 pounds or so. I may take it in and get the trigger lightened up. We will see how Mom does when she shoots it next week. Mom isn't going to shoot it a lot, so the recoil may be OK. If she doesn't want it, I guess I will have to suffer with it.