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The Annoyed Man wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:My son and I were looking at the Smith and Wesson Airweight in .357 a couple weeks ago. All I can say about it is WOW!!! I will be getting one before to long. The downside is that they are expensive. It would easily fit in my pocket with a good pocket holster.

I plan to test fire one before buying. I am betting a pistol as light as that in a .357 magnum would have a pretty sharp "kick".

I have a scandium framed j frame in .357. It's a great little gun. But, here's what NOT to do with one.......shoot 158 grain Remington white tail hunting loads out of it. Don't ask me how I know.

Found it: viewtopic.php?p=490416#p490416

My GF has a S&W 642 with crimson grips(medium sized ones) and she shoots it with no problem, even the hot +P defensive loads. I have been known to sneak it into my carry rotation every once in a while.

I have an old (1973) Model 49 Bodyguard. Its all steel. Its .38 Special only. And though it doesn't hurt my hand to fire it, its still on the stout side of things, especially with heavier grain bullets. I do enjoy shooting it, but I don't think I would IF it were too light, like those Airweights are...TAM, you are braver man than I.

The LCR and Airweights are good suggestions for carry weapons -- but I wouldn't use either for a range gun. Recoil will be too stout to make pleasure shooting pleasurable! Ruger SP-101 is a good suggestion -- as are any Smith K-frames. You can find used Smith Model 10's all over the place -- and a snubbie will do just as well as a longer barrel if you're shooting 15 yards or less. It's also a good gun for small hands -- my sister's just under 5' tall and can handle the Smith just fine.

wheelgun1958 wrote:For the price, it's difficult to beat a used Taurus model 85. My mother loves hers. BTW don't forget if you qualify for your TX CHL with a revolver, you will be restricted to revolver carry. Qualify with your Glock so you can carry either.

I second the admiration of the Taurus Model 85. This is my bedside home defense gun and its a blast to shoot at the range. Also, its small enough to travel easily with me or even slip into a pocket for a short trip. I don't actually have any holsters for it though so I can't attest to how comfortable it would be for a daily carry.

Take a peek at Taurus' 22 Mag ultralite. I got one for the wife. Sweet shooter.

thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I found a sweet little deal today at Cabelas---and EAA Windicator 357/38 2" . It felt good and fit my hand really well--not really heavy but enough heft to it that it felt good. And since it was only $279, it was really hard to pass up!! I'll find out tomorrow how it shoots!

Thanks again

Ok==so went to the range for first run of new Windicator. Worked very well. I can tell right now that I need some "trigger finger exercises"! Was a tough pull when I tried to use double action--single action was fine. Thanks again

me

...there's a product called Gun Butter...if you'll take off the sideplate and put a drop on every bearing surface, it'll smooth up the trigger a lot...may be worth having a gunsmith do it for you...

The down side is that recoil in these light weight revolvers can be brutal with even non +P .38 special. I was at the range the other day and a nice lady who was about to get her CHL just got a S&W bodyguard .38 as a Christmas gift. Her hand was swollen from only 50 rounds of non +p .38 special. I have the same gun and I can tell you that after 100 rounds my hand will hurt for two days and it feels like I have arthritis for those two days.

HEY! Was this at Hot Wells? If so, it was me...thanks for calling me nice. Actually my hands weren't swollen just from that day; I had been like the past three days shooting about 100 rounds a day...so some of it was leftover from that. Bought 350 rounds of ammo that week, saved one box for my test....Not saying the gun doesn't have a bit of a kick though, you're right on that.

By the way, I passed my test, missed one on the written. Shot better than a couple of the guys in the class with me, so practice makes perfect
They were shooting 9mms...

That's funny! Yep, that was me shooting the 10mm. Well welcome to the forum Muddy Paw!! You will find a wealth of information here at the CHL forum. Most on the forum members are regular guys and gals just like me who decided to take their personal protection to the next level. Oh yeah, if you haven't noticed yet almost all of us are gun enthusiasts as well! I assume a lot of us from the forum run into each other on a regular basis. I have been asked at more then one range “hey are you CCItalian" The 10mm with a 6inch barrel causes people to notice you a little. I am still waiting to see me future father in-law on the forum. I am almost positive he is a member in stealth mode!

I told you that you had nothing to worry about!! I stand corrected I thought you only shot one day before but your hands did look pretty red either way.

Shot better than a couple of the guys in the class with me, so practice makes perfect

See I said you where shooting very well. Like I said at the range “I couldn't get my grouping that good" and I have been shooting the thing for over a year.

Now you just need to get some good JHP ammo in it. Here are some recommendations that I have used in the Bodyguard.

-Speer Gold dot 125 grain +P - A little stout on the recoil but these work just as good on water jug tests as the 135 short barrel Speer Gold Dot with a little less recoil
-Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P- As mentioned a little hard to find but these are the best.
-Hornday critical defense 110 grain Non + P This is the only non +P .38 special round that I would load for self defense other then Nyclads
-Hornday Critical defense 110 Grain +P- I little more recoil the the non +P but way less then either of the Speer loads

These are just a few but if you want to run NON +P and still be effective I recommend the Horandy 110 or Federal Nyclad 125 grain. (Hornady being the better of the two).

If I remember correctly you said you worked outdoors so you might want to also look for something like the Remington 158 Lead HP. This is a time proven load and will penetrate very well incase you run into feral pigs while doing your (job). I don’t want to announce it unless you do. Recoil will be similar to the 135 speer though.