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Hijack away... I guess time will tell whether I have a problem with the lock. I definitely agree on the UGGGGGLY comment. I would prefer it not to have it. After seeing WildBill's and Divided Attention's Colts I'm kinda smitten with em. I'll be looking for one of those first when I have the money to spend in the next couple of months.

My Ladysmith has the lock and I would never use it. I know my handicap is in knowing where I left the key. It should be in the safe but...well to quote you "Murphy's law and all that". The lock was never a deal breaker for me, however, I keep looking at it like it's a scratch.

I think my next one may be a Colt. I also like the Ruger SP101 and the S&W 686. It's gonna be a hard decision. I've seen several people mention the internal lock what is the downside to the lock?

Absolutely fun time at the range. I brought the Ladysmith and the Ruger 10/22 takedown. I love them both! So here's how it went...
I started with the Ladysmith, I only brought 38 special to the range with me. I forgot the box of .357mag. So this is what I brought with me and in the order I shot them: 50 rounds of Remington UMC 130gr FMJ, 25 rounds of American Eagle 130gr FMJ and 25 rounds of +P 125gr Golden Saber. I was shooting at 7, 15 and 25 yrds using a 25yrd target. Now the first 10 rounds we won't even count . Lets just call that my adjustment period. After that my groupings were about 2.5-3" at 7yrds, 4-5" at 15 yrds and 6-8" at 25yrds. I'm still shooting a little to the left but that has more to do with the operator than the gun. I have been doing that with every firearm. I'm hoping the new glasses help with that. I am better with shooting single action so next visit I'm going to concentrate on DA only to get my finger strength up for the longer pull. Not a single issue at all with the Ladysmith. I really do like this gun! So much so I've upgraded as one of my carry guns. The recoil was not as bad as I expected but it did make my hand a little weary by the end of the session. Next time I'll bring the .357magnums and give them a whirl.

Now the Ruger takedown, there is just a whole lotta fun wrapped up in that thing. I could shoot that all day. My groups were much tighter than the Ladysmith but I did have a red dot on it. . I would have liked to shoot it at a longer yardage but the gun range has a limitation. I think everyone should have a 10/22 just for fun. I had 2 FTF out of 150 rounds but I think that had more to do with the cheap ammo than anything else.

All in all a great trip. I already see the writing on the wall...I'm going to need to buy dies and components to reload for 38 special.

Iunnrais wrote:Well...darn... This thread is going to cost me $$$ in the Spring.

I've now got a hankerin for a nice Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk. Scary thing is that Mrs. Iunnrias has already OKed it as long as it gets her out of having to find me something for my birthday.

Sadly this now raises other questions like 'stainless vs. blued' or '.45 Colt vs .44 Mag'.... With months to agonize and waffle between them.

I had such a good time with my Ladysmith that I'm already thinking about another revolver. I don't know what yet but I have a few months to "chaw on it" before I'll have the money for something else anyway.

Without having fired this one yet, I already know this will not be my last revolver. I hadn't given much thought to owning one until I handled one on Black Friday and it felt really comfortable. My intent wasn't to carry the Ladysmith but if goes well at the range today then I suspect it will become one of my carry guns. I am already thinking about an old Colt revolver. Divided Attention and WildBill's are beautifully done. I've seen Doc's work on the forum and it's fantastic! I'm keeping my eyes open for anything else he may list in the future. I'll have to wait until after the holidays. I've spent enough for 2012.

The Ruger sp101 is still on my list because all-in I liked the pistol but the Ladysmith for me was just a bit better. I have come around to the way of thinking that one can't have enough guns my list is in a constant state of flux.

I've started working with both hands more often. I'm right handed however my left hand is stronger and I'm left eye dominant. I think if I work with the left more, it will make me a more well rounded shooter. I'm going for an exam before the end of the month and I'm certain I'll get a new prescription (pray it's not bifocals). New glasses hopefully will improve my groups.

xb12s wrote:I've been following this thread for a few days and have been intrigued. Nice prize urnoodle. I think you did great.

I showed my wife (who is a somewhat reluctant shooter) and she was interested so I got excited. She's not much for pink grips, but she does like her stuff all dressed up (Old Gringo boots, etc). I looked around for grips on her behalf and stumbled on dajimgungrips and this is what I found for her:

[ Image ]

and
[ Image ]

The last one was the first one I saw in a google search. It was so artfully done, I didn't realize it was skulls at first because I was just tuned in on the colors and variation in the MOP. I'm not crazy about skulls, but it is really artistic.

Anyway, the wife was so excited about this that we went to the range yesterday and rented the only small frame revolver that they had -- An SP-101. (I have a 6" GP-100 and she hates how heavy it is). Unfortunately she didn't like the SP-101 much. She's 5'-0", and 98 lbs with not a whole lot of hand strength. She does fine with a Ruger SR22 and does okay with her SA XDm 9mm. She had trouble with the DA pull AND complained about cocking the hammer. I'm wondering if LCR or Smiths (66, Ladysmith, 686, whatever) would have easier action for her or if we would have to do some smith work to make those springs easier to work.

Urnoodle (or others who have handled different ones), is the trigger pull softer on the Smiths?

I really like those grips! I didn't see the skulls at first either.
Tomorrow is my range day but I have been dry firing it with snapcaps the past few days. I have small and weak hands to begin with. The DAO is takes a little strong for me but the trigger is very smooth. Single action takes very little pull. As I use it I think I'll get better with the DAO. I really like it at this point. It feels really good in the hand. As WildBill it is one of the smoothest triggers. When I shot the sp101 I didn't like the trigger as much as the Ladysmith and it didn't feel as comfortable in the hand either.

If all works as planned, I'll have the range report Saturday. Both this and the 10/22 takedown will get a workout. I don't know which one I'm more excited about.

mr surveyor wrote:since you're into pink... I'd love to have the other grips

I'm gonna hang on to the wood grips for a bit. I got the rubber grips so I could get more traction until I'm comfortable shooting the bigger caliber in a smaller package. If decide I like the rubber, I'll let you know.

The suspense was killing me. So without further ado, here it is;


Fresh from the FFL.


All ready for the range.

WildBill wrote:Why are you being so secretive?

Because I'm a and if I have to wait to shoot it, you all get to wait to find out what it is.

mr surveyor wrote:I bet she found a genuine nickle plated late model Clerke in .38 spl and wants to surprise everyone.

Naaahhhh, those are just too rare

You are getting warm....

Seems like the prices have are much higher at the gun show. Not very many revolvers there but those that I did see were mostly polymer frames or aluminum frames. There were a few stainless Taurus so I got to get a feel for them. There was a beautiful Colt Detective Special in what looked like nickle but it was quite a bit over my budget. Soooo since I had seem them cheaper elsewhere... I ordered one. It should be in on Wednesday. I'm not going to tell you what it is until I get it but it will be sporting some of these.

Yea yea I know they're pink but I like pink

Divided Attention wrote:I cannot take credit for my Lovely Colt. She was a gift to me from my Sweet hubby (valentines - rose wood grips are better than roses) Middle Age Russ - we got it from Doc540 - he did the awesome refurb on it. He keeps posting lovely Colts that make me drool. Doc had the hammer bobbed and checkered and the grips done and had it refurbished before selling it to me. It is a sweet shooter! Thanks for the compliments - I am proud of her and she makes me almost wish we had open carry

Good luck with your choice!

He did an incredible job! It's possible something may follow me home from the gun show tomorrow. I haven't yet refused a stray.

After doing some reading and looking around one the web, the front runners at this point are the S&W Ladysmith & the S&W model 60. Nipping at the heels is the Ruger SP101. Wildbill from your pics you have a revolver in wood grips and one in rubber. Is one grip more comfortable to shoot than the other? Grips aren't really important to me because they can be changed but the difference between the Ladysmith and the model 60 is the grips and finish. I am headed to the gun show tomorrow so I'm hoping to find a deal on one of these.

Oh darn! I've been good for a week, you mean all that work was for nothin'?

Divided Attention and WildBill very nice shiny things... you've both got me now thinking about a black one. Hmmm stainless this year, black one next year... now that's a thought. I guess I better get started on that letter to Santa.