Ladies and 357's

[jaybet]

Hey
My wife just got a good deal on her second 357 mag. She got a very slightly used Ruger new model Blackhawk....a real gas to shoot, and plenty to do dumping every individual casing, etc.

My boss is a gun guy and he keeps expressing amazement that my wife, who is slim but not tiny could handle a 357. Granted she shoots mostly 38 spl but still... she like the revolvers better because there's no slide action and flying casings. 
Is that odd? Doesn't seem like THAT big of a gun.

Are there a lot of ladies out there packin' 357 or greater?

[Squibby]

Hello jaybethel,

I think you're correct, it's really not a 'big' gun in terms of those who are familiar with firearms in general.  

It's not odd at all for her to enjoy the action of the revolver, the cylinder spin vs. slide action is a matter of personal preference.  I don't shoot .357 - it hurts my elbows too much so I stick with the .38 spl I reload.  

I stand a mighty 5'2", shoot a 627 8-shot in competition (N-Frame .357) and my hands are smaller than most kids, but the custom Hogue Grips made a HUGE difference.  I had better control of the handgun for reloading on the move....and my index finger could finally reach the trigger too.  

Thankfully the innovative level has advanced - now a double action trigger pull can be made reliabile @ 3.5 lbs or less (Pistolsmith Randy Lee of Apex Tactical Specialties).  Most revolvers can be a turn-off to women due to the extremely heavy trigger pull....it's not fun to shoot.

Great to hear she's really enjoying it!  Of course, I may be a little bias on this front    

Regards,
~Squibby

[texcaliber]

Howdy jaybethel,

  It would depend on the load/size of her .357, my better half likes the Glock 27 with the good stuff. When asked if she would like to try a 9mm instead, well let me tell you, I got THE LOOK! You guys know of which i mean. The think i can't cuz i'm a chick LOOK. Well! Excuuuuusse ME, and she took the 629PP S&W shot some CorBon through it. After 1st shot she looked like Jack-O-Lantern! And the  bowling pin's guts were a flying. Awsome show. And at thaat point I realized why they make the girls-n-gun-vids Her favoite to shoot is the S&W 1911 DK but she always starts and ends with that G27. I have tried to get her to try the J frame 642 to no avail. "Garbage trigger" quote she. "I'll stick with the Glock". No wonder I  love her so. 

Tex

P.S. Next adventure is the S&W500!!SHHH! She doesnt know hehehe

[Majer]

My Wifes favorite carry gun has always been a double action revolver, She  carried a 4 inch Stainless Heavy barrel GP100 until the kids came along, she traded that in for a Ruger SP101in .357. She likes the simpicity of the DA Revolver(along with the stopping power of the .357) She always carried Federal 125 JHP  in her guns. I don't think I ever heard her complain about recoil.

[jaybet]

Thanks folks...I'll tell my boss to go pound sand.
Well...maybe not, but I can tell him something about the ladies and their 357's.
By the way, my wife's OTHER 357 is the S&W 686 7-shot. With that one she'll throw in the mags every once-in-awhile for the fun of it.

[Sponsor]

[tigerclaw]

I don't think it is so unusual for women to like larger (than stereotypically expected) calibers, I have two examples.  My wife's favorite gun of mine to steal at the range after my P226 is my Colt 1991.  She has her own guns, but just likes the way it shoots, and it fits her hands.

Second one is a buddy of mine and his wife.  Their bedside guns are a beretta 92 for him and an officer's 1911 for her.  She falls into the classic 5'2" small blonde category, but is one of the last people I'd want to be on the bad side of...