My 17 yr. old daughter likes to shoot pistols but lacks the finger and thumb strength to chamber an auto. And she likes shooting revolvers better as well. She is average build, about 5foot 4 inches. I plan to buy now while I can and give it to her when she graduates from college, but she'll be practicing with it now as we shoot together at times.

I don't have unlimited funds so I am looking at a Taurus 85 Ultra Light. They are in my price where the S&W is not.

Does anyone have experience with these alloy frame revolvers? Comment and advice on others in this price range ($350) will be greatly appreciated. Merg

See if you can borrow and test a Ruger SP 101. They seem to fit women's hands well and I don't think they are expensive. On the "pre-owned" market they may be very inexpensive.

i have had a few diffrent pistols over the years. I have a taurus 25auto that i like very well.
I have had no experience with the taurus alloy's. they sure do look nice though.
read this about taurus:

Smith & Wesson had been purchased by a conglomerate named Bangor Punta. In 1970, Bangor Punta also purchased 54% of Taurus. Thus, the two companies became "sisters". Smith & Wesson never owned Taurus. They were both independent companies. However, during the next seven years, a great deal of technology and methodology was passed between the two. What may come as a surprise to some is that more of what was "right" in Porto Alegre was sent to Springfield than was sent from Springfield to south of the equator

I bought a 85 for my wife, she likes it, and when she's not carying it, I sometimes carry it. But; I would not consider it a good plinking gun as it is a snub nose, if you want a large bore for fun I think that I would reccomend a tarus model 65, it has a longer barrel and is easier to shoot. the ruger 100 or 101 with a 3 inch barrel would also be a good choice. Just my opinion.

Thanks guys, I bought a 3 inch bbl SP 101 on Gun Broker last night. I may have to look for a lighter weight piece for her since this one turned out to be a .357.

Its NIB, never been fired. I thought I was buyinng a .38 special. That's fine though cause it will replace my old model 66 that I sold to buy a .257 Roberts that I was losing sleep over.

Got it for $385 plus $12 shipping. I thought that was a great price since the Taurus ultra light I was looking at was $350 plus 10.5% sales tax.

I'll just handload it as light or heavy as I want. Thanks again for the advice. Merg

that 101 will shoot 38spcl just fine.

Well, it's too late now and you didn't clarify what the main use of the pistol for your daughter would be but I think you would have been better served by getting her a .22. You could have gotten a Ruger Single Six in the same price range for example. The reason is simple, cost and fun to shoot. The longer barreled .22 is more fun to shoot for most people and if she shoots much between now and her college graduation, you'll pay for the pistol in savings on ammo and THEN, when graduation time nears, if the main purpose is self defense, the single six could be traded with little loss for a SP101.

I'm not knocking your choice, that is a fine self defense pistol, just adding my thoughts.

Finally, if money is a consideration (and when isn't it?), you'd better plan on reloading .38 special wadcutters in quantity. Good luck.

Get the Ruger sp101 in 327 fed mag!You can shoot .32 in them.

Does the 3" barrel SP101 have adjustable sights? Fixed sights can sure be frustrating for someone beginning shooting, especially for plinking purposes.

I own a Taurus model 94 4 inch barrel 22LR revolver that fits quite nicely in smaller hands, and they also make a 38 Special on the same frame. I'm currently letting my girlfriend plink away with the 22 every chance we get, (which she likes tremendously) then I think for her birthday I'll surprise her with either the 38 Special or 22 mag version.

My petite 15 year old daughter shoots a S&W M-60 with 3' barrel. She likes 38 loads better than 357 for plinking. It is a great sized gun for women and since it is a revolver it is nearly fool proof.

Prry

id look for a used k frame smith if it were me.

quote:

Originally posted by Lloyd Smale:
id look for a used k frame smith if it were me.

+1. A model 10, 14 or 15 (or the same as SS), would cover all the bases, and still work for defensive use, if that is important to you.
JMHO.

Thanks for all the extra replies guys. We have a Ruger Mk. II .22 that we shoot also. I wanted something for her to use as self defense and plinking when she gets out of school. I have been looking at those 101's in the 32 calibers. I think I want one to load along with my 32 S&W Long and Colt 32-20 Army Special. She likes shooting the Colt double action even though it has a very heavy DA trigger pull. It was made before 1923 and in about 95% condition. Lovely gun.

I think she will like this Ruger; the DA trigger pull is very light compared to the old Colt. The Ruger .357 does have fixed sights but the .32 cal 101's have adjustable. I would have much preferred adjustable. Another reason to buy me one of the 32's. I'll be on the lookout for a deal somewhere. Merg