Ever own a 9mm REVOLVER?

[TriggerMan]

What are the pro's and cons? I'm leary of any Taurus products but the 905 is attractive for its price, extra weight (22 oz.) and size.

Would this be suitable for a HD gun for a woman who doesn't shoot yet?

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=338&category=Pistol

[Barth]

What are the pro's and cons? I'm leary of any Taurus products but the 905 is attractive for its price, extra weight (22 oz.) and size.

Would this be suitable for a HD gun for a woman who doesn't shoot yet?

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=338&category=Pistol

I've never owned one.
Usually you have to use moon clips on a revolver using auto ammo.
I think revolvers are a good SD choice for people that don't have much
experience with guns.

Although I would recommend a DA only model and in a revolver caliber (38).
Specifically, loaded with Speer GDHP 135gr +P Short barrel.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm

S&W M642 38 1 7/8 No Lock Stainless - $361
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=70713
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/Smith%20642.JPG

[OldLincoln]

Barth is right about moon clips only Taurus calls them Taurus Stellar Clip.
From the manual:
Certain models of Taurus Revolvers utilize the Taurus Stellar Clip to hold
“rimless” cartridges in place in the cylinder. The Stellar clip must be loaded
with fresh cartridges and placed into the revolver cylinder as a single unit. To
load cartridges, grasp the cartridge by the bullet end and gently push the
cartridge into the clip. Repeat until all cartridge slots are filled.

[TheTman]

I'm not a fan of revolvers that use "moon" clips or Taurus's "stellar" clips to hold the rounds. It's a another small part to get misplaced and then your gun is useless until you get a replacement or find the original.
Second, I think I'd start a woman off with a .22 or some sort, and get her used to throwing lead downrange, then let HER pick out something that appeals to her.
Maybe let her shoot a medium frame .38 that has some heft to it to tame the recoil.
I'd try to guide her to a .38/357 medium frame revolver, at least a .22 magnum, but let her pick out something that she can hold and aim comfortably, and hopefully if you're shopping at a place with an indoor range they will have one, or something close to it, to rent for her to try. Or maybe go to an indoor range that rents the model she likes or something very close, and rent it and see how she does with it before spending the $$$ on it.
That 9 revolver weighs in at 22 oz. so it might have a bit of "snap" to it, compared to something like a .38 special (not +P). Oh, I see it's ported so that may tame some of the snap to it.
I really believe a woman who picks her own gun is much more likely to practice with it than one a man picks out an gives her, unless maybe it's an anniversary, bday, or Christmas present or something like that. If there is something she doesn't quite like about it, you'll get an earful for buying her something she doesn't like, on the other hand, if she picks out her own weapon, and something unappealing crops up, she'll at least not blame you for it. (Hopefully).
As far as Taurus products go, I've had great luck with their revolvers, never have owned or shot a Taurus semi, I'm leery of those too, but one of members is really pleased with his Taurus semi's. Can't remember who it is right off hand. At least they have a lifetime guarantee, so if something DOES pop up, you'll be able to get it fixed free, or perhaps for the cost of shipping it.
I have a Taurus model 66 4 inch .38/.357 that has been so reliable I sent it off with my son to his new apartment. I had it at least 20 years before I gave it to my son and shot it quite a bit. It still locks up nice tight and I took it apart and lightly oiled everything I could get too before sending it home with him. I imagine that thing will still be shooting well long after I've gone away permantly. I do need him to bring it home again so I can take a cordless drill, and some 0000 grit steel wool wrapped around an undersized bronze brush and smooth out the cylinder walls so that .357 don't hang up when ejecting the spent cases. That worked beautifully on my Dan Wesson model 14 I bought not too long ago.
I was looking at some Taurus semi's when looking for a small concealable .45, until I got the great deal on my CW45 at Jet Guns. That was about the best deal I ever got on an internet firearms transaction. $356 (with shipping insurance), with free shipping, and $20 for the transfer fee. Still makes me smile just thinking about it, LOL.
Barth makes a good point, about a DAO revolver, a great choice for ladies that don't want to practice much. Just draw it and pull the tigger and boom. I prefer the shrouded hammer so you do have the choice of a single action shot should you need the extra bit of accuracy a SA trigger delivers.

[MW surveyor]

I thought it would be a good idea to get the 905 but after I actually held one and tried to put 9 mm rounds in it, found that two of the cylinders would not accept the rounds. OK, maybe a bad one but this was at a gun shop and if I did not do this there, would have had to send it to Taurus immediately. Oh yeah, the trigger pull was pretty heavy in DA.

Not trying to bash Taurus as I have actually owned a 9 mm from them. Have to say though it was one of the most inaccurate pistols I've ever owned.:mad:

If you are looking for a revolver, get a Ruger or a Smith and Wesson in 32, 38, 357 or what ever flavor you are looking for. You can get ammo of all different potency from bunny fart to whoa! that was a blast. :D

thetmanski - If you look at the picture of the pistol and the picture of the porting, they do not match up on the barrels. The one I looked at did not have porting.

[TominCA]

I Have a Mellenium Pro 9 which shoots every time - but the quality of construciton is different that an S&W. My buddy calls it the Poor man's Glock. I also have a p-22 (little DA pocket auto) - after a bunch of rounds the slide cracked and Tarus fixed it. Years ago (20?) I had a Tarus revolver and it was a 22 with a 4" bbl and held around 8 or 9 rounds. I think it was a model 94 but can't remember. It had the worst trigger pull on earth. I sent it back to Tarus and it came back just the same. I ended up throwing the gun away.

My gun store doesn't like them but says the quality is getting better. I loke the idea of a 9mm revolver but would hope Ruger or Smith would come up with one.

[cw45fan]

You've heard about the new Charter Arms Pitbull in .40 right?... No moon clips:


http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Pitbull_74020.html

[TriggerMan]

I've never owned one.
Usually you have to use moon clips on a revolver using auto ammo.
I think revolvers are a good SD choice for people that don't have much
experience with guns.

Although I would recommend a DA only model and in a revolver caliber (38).
Specifically, loaded with Speer GDHP 135gr +P Short barrel.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm

S&W M642 38 1 7/8 No Lock Stainless - $361
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=70713
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/Smith%20642.JPGThe 642 was my original choie but at 15 oz, I had concerns about recoil.

Now that I see the Taurus needs Stellar clips, that's a deal breaker. The fact it is ported escaped me, another deal breaker. Too noisy, too much muzzle flash, bad from a close retention hold, harder to keep clean..don't need to solve a problem that practice or better buying selection will solve.

A not too distant LGS has no lock SW 642s at $361

Thanks everyone for the help.

[TriggerMan]

You've heard about the new Charter Arms Pitbull in .40 right?... No moon clips:


http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Pitbull_74020.html
Really? .40 cal for a new woman shooter?

Pass

[jeepster09]

Really? .40 cal for a new woman shooter?

Pass


Great choice if you don't like her, or ever want her to pick up a gun again.:eek:

[ltxi]

I have a 3" 940. Bought it 10-15 years ago with the idea it would make a great carry J-frame in something hotter than .38. Couldn't deal with the moon clips on a practical carry basis...distorted too easily and could hang up the gun. Not something one needs in a reload. Model 60 and 442 with speed strips carried in an offside pocket proved reality better.

[Barth]

The 642 was my original choie but at 15 oz, I had concerns about recoil.

Now that I see the Taurus needs Stellar clips, that's a deal breaker. The fact it is ported escaped me, another deal breaker. Too noisy, too much muzzle flash, bad from a close retention hold, harder to keep clean..don't need to solve a problem that practice or better buying selection will solve.

A not too distant LGS has no lock SW 642s at $361

Thanks everyone for the help.

I was thinking the same thing with the weight thingy.
A S&W 640/-1/-2 or a older 38 bodyguard would be perfect.
I have a 640-1 with Pachmayr Compac grips that's dreamy with 38s.
I got my 640-1 for $489 at a gun show recently.
You just have to hunt around for a pristine used one.

[TheTman]

Have you even discussed this with her? Or you just going to go buy a gun and say here you go, use this? I'm thinking she is going to want some input on the matter.

[TriggerMan]

Have you even discussed this with her? Or you just going to go buy a gun and say here you go, use this? I'm thinking she is going to want some input on the matter.One day, clear out of the blue, she will accept my inviation to go shoot, I want to have an appropriate gun ready and broken in. I am lucky that I can add a $450 gun just waiting for the day she's ready. If she wants to continue, she can pick her gun from the ones I own, or we go buy her what she wants. I think that that day is a long way off.

[Cokeman]

Wait til she invites you. My wife asks me to shoot sometimes.

[TriggerMan]

Wait til she invites you. My wife asks me to shoot sometimes.I get that a lot. "Honey, do you wanna go shoot?" Of course, she means for me to go alone. She went to observe twice this year. Doesn't care for it one bit.

[Cokeman]

My wife's reason was that she wanted to shoot cantaloupes with the shotgun.

[Barth]

I get that a lot. "Honey, do you wanna go shoot?" Of course, she means for me to go alone. She went to observe twice this year. Doesn't care for it one bit.

In a dark parking lot, late at night, when something potentially nasty approaches.
I'm sure she would enjoy the comfort of slipping her hand in her purse and grasping a J-Frame.


Being able to protect yourself doesn't require liking to shoot.

[tv_racin_fan]

Barth my wife carries.. her girls at work tell her they feel much better when she is there at night. (funny how all the girls know she is armed but the boss doesn't or hasn't mentioned it tho it aint allowed according to the handbook..)

I have been trying to convince her to get it out of the purse and ON her.

TriggerMan I think you have the right idea...

Get a smallish revolver (I have an SP101 in 357.. well ok now the wife has one too)... I prefer 357 over 38 because you can shoot the hotter loads or load down as you like. Get it working nice (I put a wolff springs kit in ours) and let her shoot it when she asks to... of course you might also want to have a smallish 9mm for her to try.. I have the Kahr K9 and the wife has a CW9.. we prefer the K9 but the CW is sweet.