Made my day

[TheTman]

I asked my daughter what she wanted for her Birthday, and a gun was the first thing she mentioned. Little butt wouldn't take one of mine though, wants her very own. This is from a girl that once told me she would never own a gun, nor could she use it against anyone. I'll have to find something reliable, yet affordable. Taurus revolvers have never let me down, might be the brand I get her. Figure a 3-4" 38 special would be just the thing. I would like to get her Ruger or S&W. I might give those police trade in's at Buds a look. They are S&W, Most the reviews I've read indicate lots of holster wear, but little actual use. They lock up nice and tight. Doesn't have to be too fancy as it will most likely very seldom leave the case.

[downtownv]

S&W "This here is a 44 magnum the most powerful handgun in the world" Inspector Harry Callahan

[TheTman]

LOL, well, I think that's a bit much for her first pistol. Wonder what he'd be packing today? One of those BFR's in 45-70?
Also thinking about on of those 8 shot 22WMR pistols. They pack more punch than may give them credit for. A guy down the road got gut shot by one and died in the hospital. Shot by a friend, they were messing around with it and it went off.

She doesn't get the pistol until she can recite Cooper's 4 rules of gun safety from memory. And show me how to clean and oil it. And demonstrate she can hit the scoring area of a B-27 silhouette target, or one of those "bad guy" targets from 7-10 yards. Maybe a 3" chambered judge with buckshot might be better for her. Have to think about it some. I'd want the one with less kick, so she won't be flinching and "gun shy".

After reading a few reviews on the Judge, it sounds like the 38 special makes more sense.

[MW surveyor]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, as the father of two daughters...............you better ask what she wants first. BTDT

[MD_Vet]

Hey...why not print her out one of those 3D guns.... LOL

[JFootin]

I brag about the trigger job my gunsmith did on my S&W 638. But I handled a shooting buddy's Taurus 85 that he had polished the trigger mechanism on and dry fired a lot, and I swear it felt just as good! You said 3-4" barrel. Kinda big for carry, but fine for home defense. Bud's currently has police tradein S&W Model 10s with 4" barrels for $279 shipped. K frame. Model 10s are known for their smooth triggers. Now, if you got one of those for her and then got it Ceracoated, she would love you to death!

[Planedude]

Yeah... I've shot the Judge with the Winchester SD 410 shotshells and it was quite the kicker. Not sure my 12gage shooting wife would have liked that handgun.

The 3 or 4in S&W police trade in Model 10s are a good bet. Some on the S&W forum had uneven results buying them. It is true that all guns were safe shooters, but the guns some folks received were nice, others no so nice. Some suggestions were to pay an extra ten bucks for a "select" gun. Even then expect to replace the grips...
Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[TheTman]

I showed her a 4" .357, with the big Hogue rubber grips on it, and she liked that really well. Showed her some semi's and she didn't like those much. She thought a .38 would revolver would be good. Nice and simple, and easy on recoil. She's not going to carry, just wants something to protect her home. One of those Model 10's from Bud's with a set of the Hogue grips, maybe a new finish, would probably do the trick. Will also see if anything pops up on Armslist.

[tv_racin_fan]

IF she liked the 4" .357 that is what I would get.

No reason she can't shoot 38s out of it or get some downloaded .357 rounds.

[JFootin]

Yeah. And she can shoot .38s in that .357 for a more pleasurable shooting experience at the range and even carry it that way. Or, if she is pretty tough, she could carry it loaded with .357.