Thinking about switching to a revolver

[Fitch]

Update:

Ever since I started this thread, I've been renting revolvers at the range. I enjoy the LCR quite a bit. But, here's the kicker. I was absolutely unable to fire the trigger with my non-dominant hand. Plus, I began to dislike the kick (recoil). So I then became quite confused about what to do. So I tried my LC9 again, after thoroughly cleaning it. No more FTE's if I really hold the gun right. As far as the home self defense gun, I tried a Px4 Storm (Beretta) in 9mm. The grip is absolutely perfect for me (the smallest of the three backstraps) in that I can reach the trigger in such a way as to not have my arthritic thumb knuckle in the back of the grip and I can get a good portion of my trigger finger pad on it. Plus, the rotating barrel on that gun is incredible in terms of reducing recoil to almost nothing (I'm not exaggerating). I shot my first ever steel match with husband tonight using his .40 cal Px4 and finished all 4 stages, about 125 rounds. No recoil issues at all (though I did have a perpetual slide stay locked problem. After diagnosing it, husband noticed my non-dominant thumb was pushing up the slide lock lever). I'm not going to tell you my times because they wouldn't make headlines.

Bottom line, I've reconsidered and have purchased a Px4 Storm 9mm as my home defense gun (and target gun) and will be keeping the LC9 as my CCW.

Thank you everybody for giving my your thoughtful responses. I hope you don't feel slighted that I decided to stay with my LC9. I will be selling my .40 cal XD-SC eventually. The grip is too big and the recoil is painful. I'm a Beretta convert.

My wife had the same reaction to an LCR. It was so hard for her small hands to pull the trigger she had trouble hitting anything with it. And shooting it stung her hand. Try as she might, after 15 rounds her hand just ached.

If you ever decide the LC9 isn't the right gun, I'd recommend trying a P238 with the extended magazine. My wife (70 years old with weak hands and fragile skin) loves that little gun. It has the easiest slide to rack on the planet. Excellent full size night sights standard. It can be loaded, unloaded, and cleared with the safety on if the hammer is cocked. It is a SAO gun, but that is one of the reasons she likes it - it has a nice crisp trigger with really short reset. She has no problem with the safety.

I loaded up some dummy rounds (brass, bullet, no powder or primer) for her to practice with till she can do the manual of arms and clear jams with out thinking. I'd creat the jams, including stove pipes with spent brass, double feeds, and have her clear them. We had fun doing that.

First time she fired it she turned her head to look at me and said "that is sooooooooooooo sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!", went on to empty the magazine and ask for another one. She has put about 100 rounds of my reloads and 50 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense through it with no failures of any kind. She carries it way more than she carried any of her previous carry guns (SP101 and Ruger LCR).

Shown here with the extended magazine:



And my hand on it to show it does give pinky purchase with the extended grip:



My target, drawing and firing 6 shots in just under 4 seconds at an IPDA target @ 7 yards:



Wednesday, my hunting partner had his wife (69) shoot it. He's trying to get her to carry something more than her Kel-Tech P32. This is her first ever group with it from 21 feet:



That wasn't fast, maybe 2 seconds per shot, but it sure was accurate.

He called to tell me she had him stop at Gander Mt. on the way home so she could look at some more. He's started looking, she says she wants one.

I'm seriously considering getting a second one for this summer, I don't get to play with hers unless she's asleep.

Fitch

[bootsdeal]

Go with the revolver and stop your worries. I have both, revolvers and pistols, various sizes and calibers. However, my primary carry is and always has been a revolver. If 38's not enough, probably nothing else is either as the situation is most probably beyond control. I do carry a small 380 as a backup, but hope I never will need it, as I don't trust it like I do my 38.

[kenocala]

A revolver, for the most part is dependable. If you meed more than 6 shots, you have bigger problems than gun capacity. One more plus with the revolver....no empties with fingerprints left behind! :)

[xenaxdsc]

Fitch: that is great advice, and that is a very pretty firearm!! And that grouping is awesome.

I will definitely keep this in mind.

[SigGal]

I was new to handguns and almost gave up. We had tried so many guns at a variety of dealers that I was getting a little embarassed. I was looking at revolvers and giving them serious consideration. My DH did some searching online and suggested we check the P238 out. Once I held it in my hand, I turned to him and said TY TY! It is an ideal gun for someone that has trouble racking the slide. The recoil is light, love the night sights, size is great especially for womens smaller hands. This gun has given me the freedom to feel I can be prepared. I don't have to turn to DH at the range and ask for his help. He won't always be with me. Why would I want to consider CC with something that I can't work! It's got my vote! I have the P238 Lady.

[gee]

The Ruger SP101 is a great little gun especially the spur-less (Double Action Only) hammer model. You can load it with few .38's and a couple of 125gr .357's as backups. it the .38's don't stop the attacker, the .357's should end the threat. As stated in earlier posts, encounters are generally at "close' range.

[xenaxdsc]

My wife had the same reaction to an LCR. It was so hard for her small hands to pull the trigger she had trouble hitting anything with it. And shooting it stung her hand. Try as she might, after 15 rounds her hand just ached.

If you ever decide the LC9 isn't the right gun, I'd recommend trying a P238 with the extended magazine. My wife (70 years old with weak hands and fragile skin) loves that little gun. It has the easiest slide to rack on the planet. Excellent full size night sights standard. It can be loaded, unloaded, and cleared with the safety on if the hammer is cocked. It is a SAO gun, but that is one of the reasons she likes it - it has a nice crisp trigger with really short reset. She has no problem with the safety.

I loaded up some dummy rounds (brass, bullet, no powder or primer) for her to practice with till she can do the manual of arms and clear jams with out thinking. I'd creat the jams, including stove pipes with spent brass, double feeds, and have her clear them. We had fun doing that.

First time she fired it she turned her head to look at me and said "that is sooooooooooooo sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!", went on to empty the magazine and ask for another one. She has put about 100 rounds of my reloads and 50 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense through it with no failures of any kind. She carries it way more than she carried any of her previous carry guns (SP101 and Ruger LCR).

Shown here with the extended magazine:



And my hand on it to show it does give pinky purchase with the extended grip:



My target, drawing and firing 6 shots in just under 4 seconds at an IPDA target @ 7 yards:



Wednesday, my hunting partner had his wife (69) shoot it. He's trying to get her to carry something more than her Kel-Tech P32. This is her first ever group with it from 21 feet:



That wasn't fast, maybe 2 seconds per shot, but it sure was accurate.

He called to tell me she had him stop at Gander Mt. on the way home so she could look at some more. He's started looking, she says she wants one.

I'm seriously considering getting a second one for this summer, I don't get to play with hers unless she's asleep.

Fitch

That is a sweet looking gun and your description of it and your wife's reaction to it, and your friend's wife's grouping (gasp that was amazing) have all convinced me to check it out the next time I'm at a range that rents them. Or at least I will try to get my hands on one to see how it feels. Thank you for the thorough, thoughtful description.