a BIG plus one on the Ruger SP101. I have exactly the hands you describe. I can actually curl up my grip and get everything on a J frame. The next size up is "okay" and I could make it work but the trigger reach just isn't ideal.
Then I tried the Ruger SP101. When trying to decide between the 2" vs 3" barrel vs I went with the 3" barrel because I was going to use this for home defense or even a knocking around the woods gun.
At the range, regular .38's a pure pleasure to shoot, almost no recoil at all. Even .38+ P Speer Gold Dots aren't bad at all and are an ideal defensive round. With regular .357's it's stout and I found the frame and trigger guard to be a bit short. The gun benefits from a "melt" job. It is something you can do or give to a gunsmith to accomplish.
Mine is very accurate, now for one more thought...
Ruger used to make the SP101 in 9mm. If I could ever find one of those, I'd definitely want that one. Recoil would be nominal to non-existent and it would be the cheapest round for lot's of range/woods fun while still being a good defensive round.
Anyway, I think for the money and for the type of use you're talking about they're just about perfect. They can be carried IWB or OWB if you ever want to. I'd recommend a K&D Eagle Defender for OWB carry at the range or in the woods. I haven't settled on the right IWB yet.
Some will recommend the 2" but for a truck/woods/OWB/range type gun the extra inch does make a difference and it looks good.
God Bless
Gideon
Then I tried the Ruger SP101. When trying to decide between the 2" vs 3" barrel vs I went with the 3" barrel because I was going to use this for home defense or even a knocking around the woods gun.
At the range, regular .38's a pure pleasure to shoot, almost no recoil at all. Even .38+ P Speer Gold Dots aren't bad at all and are an ideal defensive round. With regular .357's it's stout and I found the frame and trigger guard to be a bit short. The gun benefits from a "melt" job. It is something you can do or give to a gunsmith to accomplish.
Mine is very accurate, now for one more thought...
Ruger used to make the SP101 in 9mm. If I could ever find one of those, I'd definitely want that one. Recoil would be nominal to non-existent and it would be the cheapest round for lot's of range/woods fun while still being a good defensive round.
Anyway, I think for the money and for the type of use you're talking about they're just about perfect. They can be carried IWB or OWB if you ever want to. I'd recommend a K&D Eagle Defender for OWB carry at the range or in the woods. I haven't settled on the right IWB yet.
Some will recommend the 2" but for a truck/woods/OWB/range type gun the extra inch does make a difference and it looks good.
God Bless
Gideon