Forums / Gun Discussion / Small Revolvers

i really like the ruger sp-101 it's a .357, but you can shoot .38's out of it

There are so many factors involved in such a choice, that it could take many days to explore all of the questions you and your wife should be asking your selves. We have this kind of discussion periodically, and you can probably find some, if you go to "Forum", and look at the titles of the postings, going backward in time.
Having said that, I would suggest you and your wife ask yourselves these kinds of questions:
What caused your wife to finally want a firearm, and why a revolver? If it was to have for self defense purposes--how much experience has she had with large caliber, short barrel, relatively light weight revolvers?
The potential problem, especially for women with small hands and low hand, wrist, and arm strength, is that such firearms can be punishing and some times downright painful to shoot. The fact is that for many women, the "fit" of a semi-auto seems far more comfortable. Also, many revolvers have low firepower, compared to many similar size semi-auto pistols. This is an important consideration when you are in a self-defense gunfight. None of this is intended to indicate that there is some sort of formula for making a selection.
I will close with the suggestion that almost every knowledgable community member would make--
Go to a range that rents handguns, and [both of you] try several small, heavy caliber, short barrel revolvers. Then try several similar size/caliber semi-autos, being especially careful to select only those that permit your wife to hold the pistol correctly, in a manner that permits her trigger finger to reach the trigger properly. Also be especially sure that her hand/arm strength permits the jacking of the slide.
You may find that a semiauto is a more effective buy, for both of you.

Well said LLE. If you want a .38 I would suggest you get a 357, you can still shoot the .38+p and later if you decide to step up to the 357 you already have it. Granted the 357 can almost x2 the cost. I have the smith and Wesson airlight .357 mag, it being so light it kicks kinda bad but I got use to it. Its defiantly a good idea to find or rent one too shoot before you buy.

Let me pile on and say LLE covered the subject as an expert. I want to re-emphasize the hand/wrist/finger strength to operate both the slide on an automatic and trigger pull on either. After all, if you can't make it work it's a rock. etc....

Ruger sp-101 in .327 FM (Federal Magnum) not sure about shootin .38 through it.

You can't fire a .38 Special through a .327 Fed Mag. It won't fit And, the reverse would be dangerous. You would have a .32cal bullet rattling down a .38 special(.357)barrel.