She picked up an EAA Windicator .357 mag on gunbroker for $300 shipped, NIB.
Figured the .357 is better than the .38 version because she can shoot both out out the .357.
She has zero experience with firearms, and wanted to start out with something small.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Revolvers are straightforward point and squeeze...load some light loads and let her play!
Small revolvers are the worst choice for a first gun. Makebsure youbstart herbout with some puff ball 38 loads and stick to .38 specials for self defense as well. Lots of recoil poor sights and a heavy trigger make it a poor choice for a first gun
You will have to let us know what you think of the Windicator. I have always wondered about the quality of them.
I also echo thoughts about very light loads in that gun. In fact, I would start her out with some softball 10mm loads in your witness. Heavier gun, longer sight radius and moving action will all combine to make it much softer shooting, especially with some 900 fps 155 grain loads.
Or a .22 if you have access to one. I find there isn't much better to start out with than a 22 single shot rifle.
Looks to have a decent grip on it. Unlike the small handle on the Smith snubbie I bought for my wife years ago. She doesn't have the hand strength to rack a slide on a semi-auto, not even on the smaller ones. Not a bad choice......even if she doesn't like it you don't have a fortune tied up in the gun.
The Windicator always reminded me of the very similar Taurus. .38special I used to have. That is the gun I trained my daughter on at 9 years old. She didn't have any problems.
It weighs in at 30 oz according to the specs. So, while small, it ain't light. It would be rather pleasant to shoot with target wadcutters I would guess.
A couple of people on Cast Bullets that bought Windicators said that the trigger and hammer spring assembly resembled the old S&W revolvers. I do not recall reading if anyone was able to use the S&W spring upgrade kit to clean up or lighten the trigger pull.
I had a Windicator. IIRC, I bought it at Gander Mtn. for $275'ish brand new. It locked up after about 200rnds of Blazer 158gr. Luckily, it had a good warranty; it was sent back to the factory and I was sent a new pistol. I never shot the new one and sold it to a buddy.
Edit: I did reveal the history of the pistol when I sold it ($150) to my buddy.
I always hear the ease of use of revolvers for women. Why not a midsize Glock 19 or Walther PPQ 9mm? FULLY reliable, light recoil, only three controls to think about at all: trigger, slide release, mag release. 16 rounds of 9mm is infinitely more useful than 6 .38 specials.
I have noticed with women (wife and daughters) that when they are real interested is the time to get them to practice, practice. After some time they move on to new interests and may not want to got to the range anymore.