Why a S&W?

[Lop]

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for a logical argument here. I figured you would be as unbiased a crowd.
Anyway, I've had a .22 for 20 years, but 3 years ago I was handed Grampas '35 Winnchester mdl 12 (16ga). Well, since then I've put a range in the front yard for pistols, a pidgenput in the back yard for clays, a safe in the bedroom, a CCW permit in my wallet, and my first deer in the freezer this year. Some might say I went off the deep end, but I'm hoping you guys will be a little more understanding. My first handgun was a mdl 29. It seems that anytime I dont' buy a good tool, but get one good enough to do the job, I'm unhappy. I bought a Highpoint 9mm just to give myself a cheaper shooting platform. Cheaper, yes, but I hated it. Sold that and got a Sig. Now I'm happy.
I told you that to give a little background and a bit of my mindset on tools.
Here is my situation. My brother's GF needs a gun. Some creep is not getting the idea that there is nothing between them. She is 30ish and small, but a tough person. She races mountain bikes. Think of the required hand strength to control a bike (this is the pedle kind, no motor) down a steep, rough path in the woods. I had her up here and had her shoot my KT P3at and Sig 9mm and then my airwieght j-frame and the .44 with just cowboy action rounds. This gave her a good understanding of gun wieght to felt recoil. She has decided to go with the .38 snubbie, and she wants me and bro to pick it out. The thousands of options she finds bewildering. She will not be recreationally shooting, just once a season running a hundred rounds thru to keep her hand in it. I've decided that a airwieght is the way to go. The less pleasent shooting will be offset by the greater likelyhood of carrying. She does have a CCW permit.
And here is my question. Why a S&W? Why not a Charter Arms or Taurus? I know the fit and finnish is nicer on the SW, and the trigger is nicer. But if she ever needs to really use this thing, all three are going to go BANG. What is the rational argument for the bigger upfront price? Keep in mind, my revolvers are SW's, my chainsaw is a pro grade Stihl, I like nice tools. I've already drank the coolaid.

Issues I see are:
Better fit & finnish = better resale / future value
Better trigger pull = more hits
The BMW dosent' get you to work any better than a Kia

I'm looking forward to your comments.

Thanks guys,
Lop

 

[will5a1]

Smith pays shipping for warranty work, Taurus will not. Every Taurus I have bought has needed warranty work (No more Tauri for me).

Charter has, at best, a spotty record as far as quality goes. If you need an alternative to a Smith consider the Ruger LCR.

In fairness to Taurus I know folks that have never had any issues with their guns, but for my money the better value would be a Smith or Ruger. I think the Taurus M85 series revolvers go for around $385 new, and a 642 can be had for $450 or so, the LCR about $450 also.

 

[gunlovingirl]

You get what you pay for.

 

[Dale53]

My daily carry is the S&W 642 with Crimson Trace #405 grips. I can recommend this revolver without reservation.

It is light enough to carry daily and yet will handle recoil better than the AirLite series (there IS such a thing a TOO light).

I would suggest one other thing. The revolver needs to be used more than once a year. Once a month is more like it - remember, this is her "life insurance" - it needs to be renewed at least once a month...

Dale53

 

[H Richard]

When your life depends on it, you want it to go bang "ALL THE TIME", NOT MOST OF THE TIME. I have personally seen too many Taurus and Charter arms not go bang. Any gun I pick for self defense will be Smith & Wesson, Colt, or Ruger. There are also some other brands such as Sig which have a fine reputation, but not my preference.

 

[ken158]

One failure is one too many for a CCW. Buy quality, pay a little more and have much more. Resale value is another consideration. Make a few calls and see what shops will give you for a used Taurus, Charter or other lesser value gun.

 

[TACC1]

I follow the same line of reasoning as you do. I've gone thru the
same arguments even running a tight budget. ANY tool I get HAS to
be top-of-the-line. There's a reason for it to be the top. Even if we're
just talking about a hammer, when you buy the best, you KNOW it's
going to work, every time!
S&W knows that to stay on top, they've got to make a good product
and stand behind it.
When I decided on a 642, it was after looking at all the other stuff
out there. Nothing else seems to be as reliable. Just my 2 cents.
TACC1

 

[P&R Fan]

Why a S@W?

First of all, you sound like you understand "classic". The M12 Winchester is one of the most famous and classic shotguns ever. I have 4, including a 16 ga that fits me PERFECTLY.
But back to your premise, why an S@W for a beginner? Well, I'd say if you want her to have a less expensive, perfectly functional revolver that isn't going to turn her head, get the Taurus. But it sounds like you care for this lady. Personally, in that case my thought process would be to protect her, but look to the future. Lets hope she shoots the heck out of it, likes it, and wants something she sees in a gun mag (leave them laying around) that's a little different from her J-Frame carry gun. Now she wants something else. Pretty soon she's going to shows and becoming one of us. We need more of us, especially women. Now she's an NRA member and cares about the important issues and VOTES. All because you led her in the right direction. Sure, a Taurus or a Charter will protect her, but the good stuff might just make her a lot more interesting.

 

[ajpelz]

Another vote here for something higher quality than Taurus or Charter... might as well throw Rossi in that group as well. I do own some cheaper guns, a makarov, a Star, a charter arms, but when I am carrying to possibly save my life, it is always a S&W, Colt, or Ruger. I do own a charter arms revolver, and I have been happy with it, but it will never be more than a BUG, and hardly sees use as that. M-36 and LCP fill that roll.

BTW, I got my M-36 and my LCP for about $300. You really think you can find a quality made reliable firearm for less than that?

 

[diamonback68]

The other guys know what their products are worth and they price them accordingly.
Ask your brother what his girlfriend's life is worth and buy accordingly. The answer has got to be Smith&Wesson.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

As already said, you have to pay a bit more for quality. Plus, I believe in supporting an American icon in the gun makeing buisness. We dont want S&W to go the way of Colt.

 

[ab4ka]

if nothing else a S&W will most certainly hold it's value better than the others.

 

[davel686]

S&W's hold there value, are built to last, offer good customer service.
I could own 6 cheap guns but i chose to own 3 good S&W's.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Go read about unhappy taurus owners, you will find plenty. Rossi's are ok as are Charter arms but they're not a S&W. I would narrow it to S&W or ruger for a new gun, used, then include Colt obviously but they are usually more $$$ than a used S&W.

 

[deuterij]

Agree with previous posts. For personal protection, gotta go with top quality. S&W sets the standard. Warranty, resale value, etc. are all good points. I like good tools too. US made Snap-On ratchet that lasts forever beats Chinese made one any day.

 

[tbury]

A used 36 would be an economical CCW. At 15 yds I can shoot my 36 double action at 8" plates about as accurate as single action. In a self defense situation you will probably be shooting DA anyway. You can probably find a good 36-something for less than the new cheap brands.

 

[ptrumble1]

I think you already know the answer! Mod. 642 or even a Ruger SP101

 

[diamonback68]

I think you already know the answer! Mod. 642 or even a Ruger SP101

Hey, that's the two I was gonna say!

 

[phils]

S&W for quality and service. Look at the M638 also for single action capability.

 

[K1500]

1. What's your life worth? Does she buy the cheapest bike and helmet?
2. Fit, finish, function, pride of ownership, and resale.

I'd rather have a used S&W than a new Taurus, but realistically, any firearm that functions will work. I would take her to the gunshop and let her look at all of them and decide. Explain the functional and quality differences when she asks about them, but let her build her own perceptions. My experience is that women can intuitively tell the quality difference without a lot of arm twisting. My wife selected a M60 pro, and she could tell the turds without any prompting on my part. Whatever she picks, praise her choice, or she won’t be as confident in it.

One thing not mentioned is the need for a proper quality holster and good instruction. If the holster stinks, she won't carry it and it won't matter what type or brand of firearm she chooses. Some basic training will increase her knowledge and confidence tremendously.

Good luck. An old wheelgunner once told me there are two kinds of revolvers, S&W and all others.