Rossi 971 .357 purse carry options

[Jaguar]

I am looking for an option for my wife. She has her CHL and doesn't carry but I am pressing her to do so, at least when she goes out with friends to a movie and dinner. (I mentioned Aura, CO and she relented.) She is more comfortable with a revolver than a SA, but her license covers both. She doesn't want to carry my Kahr or 1911.

She is willing to give up a zipper compartment of her purse so I tucked the revolver in there. Currently she has no holster so I am wondering if there is a simple soft holster that will cover the trigger while it is in the purse. I would like to get her a new gun but that is a thread for a different occasion, the Rossi weighs 2 lbs.

So does anyone know of an off the shelf Galco or Uncle Mike's that would fit the 4" revolver?

Thanks.

[JALLEN]

I have a nylon holster for my 4" GP100, ambidextrous, cheap, etc. I can't say if it is Uncle Mikes or whose, but those holsters are everywhere in LGSs, and gun shows.

That's an awfully large firearm for a purse pocket, isn't it?

[Jaguar]

That is what I am looking for, just wondering if Walmart would have one, nearest LGS is 30 miles away.

And yes, very large but it fits in her purse. She has a full zipper along the outside and it fits in nicely. Of course when she picked up her purse after I put it in she grunted something about it being heavy, , I am trying to get her to pick up a snubby .38 that can handle +P loads. I saw a nice Lady Smith at a gun store but she wasn't with me so I didn't tempt fate. She's needs to pick out her own, and I'm hoping after lugging around this beast she will be motivated to do so.

[SewTexas]

that is really heavy! I have a small revolver, it's a S&W 442, it's nice and light! and you can get a pocket holster if you want one. it will fit in the inner pocket of a purse....very important for us gals

I carried it for a long time after I got my CHL....I "understood" the revolver better.
Now I carry an LCP, I would love an LC9 at some point.

[Jaguar]

Yep, as soon as she got home from "girls night out" it came out of the purse. I am hoping we can spend some of the tax refund on a new, lightweight revolver.

[JALLEN]

Yep, as soon as she got home from "girls night out" it came out of the purse. I am hoping we can spend some of the tax refund on a new, lightweight revolver.

If you haven't tried some of the lightweights, it might be a good idea to do so. Some years ago I got my hands on a lightweight hammer-less S&W and it was so unpleasant to shoot I'd rather throw it at someone than have to shoot it. It was a .357 IIRC, so shooting .38's might be less painful. Some of the old style .38's might be a better choice all around, and less expensive, too.

Just a thought....

[Keith B]

Yep, as soon as she got home from "girls night out" it came out of the purse. I am hoping we can spend some of the tax refund on a new, lightweight revolver.

If you haven't tried some of the lightweights, it might be a good idea to do so. Some years ago I got my hands on a lightweight hammer-less S&W and it was so unpleasant to shoot I'd rather throw it at someone than have to shoot it. It was a .357 IIRC, so shooting .38's might be less painful. Some of the old style .38's might be a better choice all around, and less expensive, too.

Just a thought....

Lightweight handguns are great 99.99% of the time because they are easier to carry with less weight. However, that <.01% of the time when you are at the range they are rough due to the harsh perceived recoil and can cause a person to not want to become proficient with it.

I had a friend who was a retired airline flight attendant get her license. I tried to talk her out of following a long time friends suggestion that she needed a KelTec P3AT because of arthritis in her hands and wrist. I advised her to buy a steel framed snub nosed revolver or similar heavier gun. I told her before she bought a P3AT to at least rent one and shoot it. She didn't listen, and she and another lady friend each bought one. They both ran 2 magazines of .380 through them and their wrists and hands were hurting so bad they put them up and never shot them again. They then took my advice and rented a couple of different guns and ended up buying some heavier revolvers.

As for your wife, hopefully she will never have to use that <.00000001% of the time where a carry gun is used in self defense, but if she does she needs to be proficient with her carry weapon and feel comfortable shooting it. She won't do that if she won't practice with it.

[SewTexas]

Guys, y'al need to understand something, or maybe a few somethings, about women....
if it's too heavy, it won't be carried....
if it's too bulky, it won't be carried...
Now, there are women that will break those rules, but that's pretty much the way it is.
I practice with my little guns, yes, the recoil is not pleasant, esp with my weak right hand, but these are the guns I know I will carry. After practicing with the lighter guns, I practice with heavier guns, I might work on precision, I'll go back and forth a few times.

[Keith B]

Guys, y'al need to understand something, or maybe a few somethings, about women....
if it's too heavy, it won't be carried....
if it's too bulky, it won't be carried...
Now, there are women that will break those rules, but that's pretty much the way it is.
I practice with my little guns, yes, the recoil is not pleasant, esp with my weak right hand, but these are the guns I know I will carry. After practicing with the lighter guns, I practice with heavier guns, I might work on precision, I'll go back and forth a few times.

I agree Tracy, but in this case the lady has an advantage that she is purse carrying and that helps negate a small difference in weight. I would not suggest a 4" steel framed .357, but a lighter steel framed revolver or even semi-auto will be much more comfortable to shoot than a really lightweight polymer framed semi.

Bottom line, it is up to the individual lady and her preferences. Best to rent and let her shoot various models and she make the decision vs. letting anyone else decide what is right for her.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

So far, the size and weight of the Rossi 971 have been discussed, but not the ammo choices.

I have the same gun in my seatbelt holster (easier to access if any road rage occurs).

Initially I was happy to get a .357 due to its threat-stopping reputation with 125 grain JHP.

But I do not like to shoot more than 12 rounds of .357 at the range. Firing .357 one-handed from the
driver's seat is not my idea of accuracy. Some folks like to get their .357 on, but I find it punishing.

If your bride is going to carry the 971 for a while, I would recommend going with some .38 Special JHP's
to lessen the recoil.

YMMV.

SIA