Revolver suggestions

[BehindBlueI's]

Looking for suggestions for a nice mid priced revolver for my wife. Prefer .38. She has MS and struggles trying to use semi-auto pistols. She has a Ruger LCP and no longer can pull the slide back effectively. Looking for something light weight with a lighter trigger pull. I have not shopped for revolvers in years and I am just starting the search. I am considering the Rock Island M 206 or the Ruger LCR. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

100% LCR in centerfire cartridge of your choice, with preference to the .38 loaded with wadcutters for low recoil but good terminal ballistics.

The cammed trigger system of the LCR makes the trigger more linear and smooth than any other factory revolver I've ever messed with, and I've messed with a few of them. Front iron is pinned on, very easy to swap to a fiber optic high viz, night sight dot, etc. I have carried the .357 as a BUG, around the house pajama pants gun, jogging gun for years. Used it once on a pitbull that latched on to my arm. Worked as advertised.

 

[Dean C.]

I feel like this is what the S&W Equalizer and EZ line of pistols has been made. Add a light and red dot and you have a very easy to use relatively high capacity pistol that is much easier to shoot than any revolver.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-equalizer-nts

 

[Steve]

High marks for a Ruger LCRx. If the DA trigger is to much for her, she can always go to SA by cocking the hammer. Very reliable and still lightweight enough to carry on a daily basis. The .38 caliber model will do everything she needs it to do when loaded with the right ammo. The .357 would be a better way to go in my opinion since it would give you a larger choice of ammo, but it will be a bit heavier to constantly carry. The main thing is which model is she more comfortable with.

Another option would be a Charter Arms Undercover .38. A decent gun and lightweight. Smaller than the LCRx and might fir her hand better. Definitely cheaper than the LCRx as well, but not the same quality either. Still, it would be a viable option.

Of course, you can't go wrong with any S&W J frame either.

I would recommend going to a LGS and have her handle them and see what works better for her. Then scout the ads here and find one at a gun price. Nothing wrong with buying a good lightly used gun and saving some money.

 

[Mgderf]

The lightest trigger I have on a revolver is in a Ruger SP101.
Mine is of the .327 fed/mag flavor and boasts minimum recoil.
The triĝer is crisp and smooth, and lighter than any revolver I've ever fired.

 

[vtnewbie]

If her hands are too weakened from MS to rack a slide, I would guess that recoil is also an issue. A Ruger LCR in .327 Federal can handle all the lighter recoiling versions of .32 ammunition: .32H&R, .32 Long, .32 Short, or even .32ACP. All are milder recoiling than .327, which already recoils less than many hot .38 Special loads. Just a thought.

 

[BE Mike]

The lightest trigger I have on a revolver is in a Ruger SP101.
Mine is of the .327 fed/mag flavor and boasts minimum recoil.
The triĝer is crisp and smooth, and lighter than any revolver I've ever fired.

What is the trigger pull weight?

 

[Whip_McCord]

I don't normally recommend NOT getting another gun, but have you thought about non-firearm self-defense options? A slide or DA revolver trigger may be too much for her to handle, but there are other options out there. Maybe look into pepper sprays or mace. I don't know much about them but do some research on something like that. It would be easier for her to use and she could practice occasionally in the back yard. Just a thought. It seems like a firearm may not be the best choice in her situation.

 

[Mgderf]

What is the trigger pull weight?

Sorry, no idea.
Just a subjective guess on my part, comparing the SP101 to my other revolvers.

 

[Amishman44]

Looking for suggestions for a nice mid priced revolver for my wife. Prefer .38. She has MS and struggles trying to use semi-auto pistols. She has a Ruger LCP and no longer can pull the slide back effectively. Looking for something light weight with a lighter trigger pull. I have not shopped for revolvers in years and I am just starting the search. I am considering the Rock Island M 206 or the Ruger LCR. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

Highly recommend a Ruger SP101 in .38 special...while the revolver is a tad heavier than the lighter-weight revolvers (think: S&W scandium framed revolvers), it's additional weight (26 oz empty) will go a long way to aid in absorbing felt recoil, making for a bit nicer range revolver.
The SP101 series revolvers has a pinned-in front sight, which makes it easy to install a tritium front sight for low / no light shooting situation(s).
There are numerous grips available to help make it comfortable in just about any hand-size!
Performing a McCarbo trigger job on it will definitely smooth out the action and make the DAO feature feel 50% lighter and adding 9# or 10# Wolff Springs can help as well!
Best of luck!

 

[92FSTech]

You won't see me recommend these very often, as I much prefer my J-Frames, but the LCR -series has a lighter trigger pull. The LCR actually has one of the smoothest and lightest DA trigger pulls I've ever encountered on a revolver. It has a kind of funky double-click reset that I don't really like as it lends itself to short-stroking, but that can be trained around. For her situation, if it must be a revolver, that one is probably the best choice.

If you buy the .357 version and shoot .38s out of it, it's a bit heavier and will help further mitigate the recoil.

 

[Dewidmt]

My 81 y/o mother has a hard time with DA triggers on a revolver so all the house guns are .38 spl J-frames with an exposed hammer she can cock. Loaded with 148 gr wadcutters.

 

[BE Mike]

Whatever the decision take your wife along and let her manipulate the guns. One thing to keep in mind is what she can do today, she might not be able to do tomorrow. My best wishes to her dealing with this terrible disease.

 

[Trapper Jim]

I have worked with lots of students with chronic arthritis, Parkinson’s, and disabled limbs. While many can learn a better way to manipulate the firearm, some reach a point of diminished returns for firearm usage.

I found that many fit people have trouble racking slides and shooting double action simply by being untaught on how to do it. I see strong men rack slides with ease but not smarter for the right physics simply because they have never needed to learn until they can’t.

Good luck OP and exhaust the education before trying to buy the answer.

See you on the range

Trapper

 

[Ziggidy]

With MS I believe trigger pull on a revolver is too much

My wife has very arthritic weak hands. She thinks the LCR is the easiest trigger from all she has tried. She cannot rack anything, even the EZ series. The trigger and the weight on the LCR is fine……go figure.

LCR in .357 and use 38’s in there (wad cutter if you can find some) and your off!

 

[duanewade]

Saw thus in the last Guns & Ammo issue and looks to be kind of right what you're looking for. A .380 with a tip up barrel.

Girsan MC 14T Lady Tip-Up™

You asked, we listened. The EAA/Girsan MC 14T Lady Tip-Up™ is the Solution for our ladies out there that are looking for the easiest loading and unloading .380ACP pistol on the market. The MC14T does not require the slide to be racked for a round to be chambered. Just simply utilize the Tip-Up™...

eaacorp.com

 

[45sRfun]

Without work by a competent pistolsmith, it is unlikely that you'll find any revolver with a trigger pull lighter than most semi-auto pistols. Short barreled revolvers are good choices for self-defense for someone who is willing to put in the time to learn how to shoot them well and operate the cylinder release. I'd steer clear of any cheapos. The Beretta 3032 Tomcat in .32 ACP caliber can overcome the need to operate the slide, but it still has a stiff trigger pull. Bosshoss Revolver Works, now in Madison, IN can slick up and lighten a trigger pull on a revolver (best if a Smith & Wesson).

Tomcats are great and only have a stiff trigger pull on the first, DA, shot. After that, its all SA and a very light trigger. So light, in fact, that one could double tap on the first shot without actually intending it. I have a Tomcat, but when I carry a .32, its the Kel Tec P-32, a very reliable, lightweight, small gun, so easy to conceal.

 

[DadSmith]

Looking for suggestions for a nice mid priced revolver for my wife. Prefer .38. She has MS and struggles trying to use semi-auto pistols. She has a Ruger LCP and no longer can pull the slide back effectively. Looking for something light weight with a lighter trigger pull. I have not shopped for revolvers in years and I am just starting the search. I am considering the Rock Island M 206 or the Ruger LCR. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

Buy a 357mag that way you can shoot both 38 spl and 357mag if need arises.
If for some reason you cannot find 38 Special you may find 357mag and vise versa.

Also I recommend using 148gr Match wadcutters such as Federal Gold Medal Match. They are soft shooting and do a decent job of penetration in a snub nose revolver. They are also accurate rounds.

Buy Gold Medal Handgun for USD 51.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Gold Medal Handgun - Learn more about the latest Gold Medal Handgun and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

Ruger LCR or LCRx is a nice lightweight revolver. I have one myself that I gave to my father to use. If I had it to do over again I'd have bought the 3" barrel instead.

Ruger 5444 LCRx 357 Mag 3' 5 Round Black Hogue Tamer Monogrip Grip Black Matte

<p>This LCRx model features a black Hogue Tamer Monogrip, black stainless steel frame with a black matte finish, a fluted stainless steel cylinder with a black PVD finish, and a replaceable pinned ramp front sight.</p>

dackoutdoors.com

$594

 

[DadSmith]

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[45sRfun]

S&W Revolver Let Me Down - TheFirearmGuy

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Looks like it has the lock. Wonder if that was what locked up his revolver. .

 

[Hawkeye7br]

Test drive the 38 special first . I have a couple that dad had trigger jobs done on and those triggers are great, but useless if the spouse is unable to hold onto the gun due to recoil .
As we age, some of us and our spouses will be in this category. Again, try before you buy.