ideal small home defense revolver?

[S&WForty]

I know S&W has the Airlight models. Are they all 38 Special, or do some shoot .357 Magnum? For either caliber, how much stronger is the recoil on an Airlight vs a steel body? I'd like to get something for my mom (she's 70, but a stout little 70 - most think she's no older than 55-60). It would be home defense only, not a carry piece for her.

Are there any con's to having a hammerless model?

 

[shouldazagged]

If it's to be a home defense gun, why does it need to be small?

I would not recommend a J-frame, especially an Airweight. Recoil is very snappy in one of the alloy-framed guns with +P .38 Special, and most people find it downright painful with .357 Magnum. The J's are more difficult to shoot accurately.

A K-frame revolver or compact autoloader would seem to be a better choice. I'm 75 and carry a J-frame concealed, but my home defense gun is a Model 10 loaded with +P.

Ideally, your mom should try a number of guns and decide what she likes and can shoot with reasonable comfort and accuracy.

 

[dlbx2]

Hello! A Model 442 with +P ammo is flawless. No hammer to catch on anything, and dependable.
DLB

 

[Lobster Picnic]

For strictly home defense I would prefer a steel revolver. I also consider .357 Magnum to be a bit too much in most indoor situations - too much noise, too much flash, and the potential to go through multiple walls a possible danger to others in the area.

A 4" K-frame .38 is an excellent choice. If that's to large or heavy, or if your Mom has small hands, a 3" J-frame .38 would be a good choice.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

There are many good choices. But a 4" K or L frame would be a better choice. I think a 4" model 10 would be about as good as it gets for most scenarios IMHO.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

For strictly home defense I would prefer a steel revolver. I also consider .357 Magnum to be a bit too much in most indoor situations - too much noise, too much flash, and the potential to go through multiple walls a possible danger to others in the area.

A 4" K-frame .38 is an excellent choice. If that's to large or heavy, or if your Mom has small hands, a 3" J-frame .38 would be a good choice.

Lobster: I guess I should have read further. I pretty much copied your post without knowing. You seem smart BTW.

 

[gboling]

You did not mention whether or not she has fired a handgun before. If not I would start her with the heaviest revolver she was comfortable with. such as a 4" K or L frame. The heavier the gun, the less felt recoil, and recoil will be an issue if she has never fired a handgun before. Recoil will be a much greater concern if she has any history of arthritis.

 

[GKC]

You may also want to consider Ruger revolvers...either a SP101 with a 3" barrel, or a GP100 with a 3" or 4" barrel. I would recommend the .357 models of these guns, loaded with .38 Special +P. Plus, Ruger revolvers don't have a lock. Or, you can look for a good used S&W revolver without the lock.

You might also want to take her to a range that rents guns and let her shoot several...she might prefer a semi-auto.

 

[luangtom]

I agree with those that say stainless for a home-defense revolver. It is a bit heavier than the airweights/airlites and need not be a J-frame. The M65 in a three-inch is, to me, the ultimate in handy revolver for home-defense. It can handle the home-defense loads in .357-magnum, if that is truly what the user will want. I keep ours stoked with the Speer GoldDot for short-barrels. My wife handles it better than the J-frames in 640, 340PD or M&P340.

Of course, this is just my opinion....

 

[kwselke]

K-frame 4" in .38 Special. Simple to use, accurate, and reliable.

 

[rwsmith]

I agree with everybody.....

......that suggests a k frame in in model 10 or similar. I keep .38 plus Ps over .357s for 'indoor use' because I'd like to keep our hearing.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I was an NRA certified instructor for many years in the 70's and 80's. I used to routinely take housewives with no firearms experience and have them shooting Mod 10/64/65 double-action with 38 Specials in one day. Your mom needs some range time, preferrably with a self-defense instructor, to be able to make the best choice for her. Without the experience, all revolvers will seem too big and too loud for her.

My recommendation of where to start would be a good ol' 4" Model 10. I also like the Model 640 because of its double-action only action. The Model 642 Airweight is a handful even for someone with years of experience; the lighter weight is only valuable when you are carrying your sidearm on your hip all day.

First post from sac-gunslinger, howdy gang!

 

[TAROMAN]

As they all said, a 4" K-Frame is just about ideal for this mission:

A $210 ex-Ohio prison gun.

 

[fdw]

If you will consider other brands, I keep a Ruger 38 LCR in the drawer of my tv room. Outstanding trigger, lightweight, small, not too much recoil...

Best!

edit: will handle +p but in snubs I've been told that's a waste....

 

[DDDWho]

Once you fire a gun inside of a house you own the bullet no matter where it goes. That could be into the bedroom where your children are sleeping or the neighbors house. A shotgun with bird shot will do just fine inside of small enclosure.

 

[UncleEd]

I also wouldn't discount a Smith or Ruger revolver in .22 LR, especially if she hasn't had much experience shooting or will seldom to never shoot after an initial range time with her gun.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

If you will consider other brands, I keep a Ruger 38 LCR in the drawer of my tv room. Outstanding trigger, lightweight, small, not too much recoil...

Best!

edit: will handle +p but in snubs I've been told that's a waste....

Great gun, but not easy for a beginner to shoot well. And a fair amount of recoil too. I'm going to assume "mom" is not an experienced gun person or she would be out buying it herself.

 

[Fchewy]

A K frame or maybe GP100.

 

[kudzu3]

If it's to be a home defense gun, why does it need to be small?

I would not recommend a J-frame, especially an Airweight. Recoil is very snappy in one of the alloy-framed guns with +P .38 Special, and most people find it downright painful with .357 Magnum. The J's are more difficult to shoot accurately.

A K-frame revolver or compact autoloader would seem to be a better choice. I'm 75 and carry a J-frame concealed, but my home defense gun is a Model 10 loaded with +P.

Ideally, your mom should try a number of guns and decide what she likes and can shoot with reasonable comfort and accuracy.

Exactly. I would suggest a 4" barrel.

 

[mc5aw]

I suggest putting the S&Ws on the back burner, and getting her a Coach Gun in 20 gauge with a Limb Saver recoil pad. Short barrel, easy target acquisition, various types of shot shells to use, and all without the recoil of a 12 gauge.