ideal small home defense revolver?

[David Armstrong]

Having gone through this myself, take Mom to the gun store and let her hold and cycle a few guns on her own then let her pickout the one she likes. My Mom felt the K-frame to be too big and did not like it, but liked the J-frame. So I found her an old Mdl 36 3" in .38 Spl, loaded it with some nice 125 gr. Nyclads I still had, and she is happy. Not only that, she shoots it good. I doubt that would have happened if I had pushed my choice (4" K-frame RB) on her.

 

[Roberto Renauld]

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?

Dear Mr S&W Forty:
Best gun for home defence old Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special with 4" loaded with the so called FBI load (158grain Lead SWCHP).
Regards to all S&W enthusiasts!!!!
Roberto

 

[rjb1]

My mother was 84 when she died, and right up to the last she had two S&W's that she kept ready. A Model 17 for practice (and she did practice), and at 7 yards she could put six into the head of a man-size target with it.
For more serious defense she had a round-butt M&P in .38 Special. The round-butt fit her hand better and the early smooth action was easy on the trigger pull.
However, for a modern revolver, bought new, I agree with the majority about getting a 4 inch K-frame. Keep it simple...

 

[Swengen]

I totally agree. For home defense, don't worry about weight. Get steel and have her practice at the range. I would probably suggest K-frame.

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.

 

[DRYHEAT]

My 86 year old mother keeps this M64 w/SIX 158 gr Nyclad HP +P in her nightstand. I gave it to her "just in case". She hasn't had to use it... yet. It beats talking "harshly" to an intruder.

 

[poordevil]

How about a J frame in .327. Shoots all .32 cal rounds for quite familiarization and the 327 at close range should do its job.

 

[mmesa005]

Let's see what Grandma says? Looks like 3 out of 4 prefer the revolver!

 

[c1ogden]

Count me in with those voting for a 3 or 4 inch K frame loaded with .38 ammo, +P if she can handle it and standard pressure if she can't. Remember that the capability to make a quick follow up shot or a shot on a second attacker is far more important than the slightly better stopping power of the +P load. I'll even second the suggestion to use factory wadcutter loads if she needs the recoil reduction to improve her shooting speed. It is a very under rated load and as we all know, shot placement is the most critical factor.


Forget .357 loads in lightweight J frames. One of my officers is a body builder and is built like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has one of those guns and despite repeated efforts he has never been able to qualify with it. He does, however, end up with a bleeding gun hand every time he tries.

Forget about the shotgun idea also. It is too hard to maneuver indoors and would be too easy for a dirtbag to take away from her. Even with proper retention training it would be difficult for her to maintain such a skill level due to her age.

 

[Ranger514]

Want some CNS stopping power for close range HD? Maybe Granny would like the Governor. We live in the country. My wife's preferred varmit and HD is a .410, and mine is a 590 12ga. Although I've never fired the Governor, I hear good things about the new buckshot defensive rounds, and the .45 LC ain't exactly a lightweight cartridge. One thing for sure: Granny needs to base her decision on what feels right and works for her.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

No-lock S&W 640 or 642 with Rem 148 grain lead wadcutters and practice.

 

[rmbrad]

This is one of those subjective questions. I have some experience both on the street and teaching people to shoot. I particularly like to teach ladies to shoot. My wife has been on the BOD of our local shooting club for 20 years, and probably shoots more than the average person. She has small hands and has trouble shooting my Hi Power, but loves the 1911. The problem is she doesn't shoot it enough so that the functioning is automatic for her. Her gun is a steel S&W 3' blued J frame with rubber boot grips. She loves it and shoots it well. She is confident that if someone boots the door open at 3 am, she can deploy this firearm. You need to take your Mom to a good class that has instructed range time with various firearms available for her to shoot. She will learn what she is comfortable with. the question I ask my students is: Would you rather be hit by 6 .22LR, or missed by 6 .44 mag. ?

 

[Roy Odhner]

I'd get a 640 Pro and load it with 38 wadcutters.

And practice, practice, practice.

I have one, and I agree. Best revolver I've ever owned. It might be a tad heavy for a 70 year old woman, but, then again, it might not be. If it's not too heavy, then I think she'd like it.

 

[STCM(SW)]

For my wife I have a I frame in 38 S&W with Brit ammo near her seat downstairs & a Colt Woodsman in her nightstand.
She will be 76 in a few months.
She can shoot both even with all her problems.....

 

[DAinTX]

4" .38 Spl. revolver in stainless probably makes the most sense for the woman being discussed. It's a gun that is easy to get comfortable with. If she's not comfortable with a semiauto pistol or a shotgun, and not many 70 year old women who are basically new to firearms will be, then they aren't going to be effective SD/HD tools for her.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...I would only be concerned about the long, heavy trigger pull of a double acting revolver... Also, she is not very accurate shooting DA with them especially on quick follow up shots...

Might that trigger pull not be an advantage in a SHTF scenario by reducing the chance of an AD? (A gunsmith could smooth it out, too.) You're going to be plenty nervous.

And at the distances where you'd be justified in pulling the trigger, minute-of-COM accuracy should be possible?

Just my .02.

 

[wildenout]

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.

I agree here, it shouldn't be bigger than a .38. Have you considered why no hammer though? Personally I think the sound of a hammer cocking back could be just as effective as a shotgun cocking. Also, I personally feel like my 686 with the 5' (maybe 4.5') barrel is about the deadliest and most accurate thing I've got in my arsenal.

 

[qrachel]

A 70-Year Old Woman Speaks Up

I'm a spry 70 year old woman who is active running a business and a pretty full social life. I've really got the shooting bug and have had the pleasure of shooting several different kinds of handguns with my shooting coach. He tells me; he coaches and I listen appreciatively.

I settled on a 686 357/38 4" barrel for range shooting and think I'm about settled on a Model 67 w/4" barrel for home protection, and I am not going to use +P loads. The difference in "home protective power" is nil and wanting to be as diligent as possible with shots possibly penetrating a wall, etc. has led me to this conclusion - The K frame is perfect for me, and a 38 spcl is velet-like to shoot and a proven stopper.

In 5-10 years, who the h____ knows what I'm going to be capable of; everyday now is a great one if I can can get up and make a difference . . . but there's no fooling myself that these days are golden and must be cherished.

Keep it simple (point, squeeze, bang), keep it easy (no high performance rounds needed - a nice 38 spcl shooter), and keep it interesting if not outright fun (let her choose, let her play a little or a lot - like me, and advise but don't make the decision).

She'll love you for it and remember once again why you are so great. Takes my take on the matter from nearly the same place she is at.

Take care, enjoy life, and smile a lot,

Rachel

 

[oldbrownhat]

Bingo! Rachel nailed it. (I'm 10 years younger but I hope I have that good an attitude in a decade.)

 

[spad124]

I'm a spry 70 year old woman who is active running a business and a pretty full social life. I've really got the shooting bug and have had the pleasure of shooting several different kinds of handguns with my shooting coach. He tells me; he coaches and I listen appreciatively.

I settled on a 686 357/38 4" barrel for range shooting and think I'm about settled on a Model 67 w/4" barrel for home protection, and I am not going to use +P loads. The difference in "home protective power" is nil and wanting to be as diligent as possible with shots possibly penetrating a wall, etc. has led me to this conclusion - The K frame is perfect for me, and a 38 spcl is velet-like to shoot and a proven stopper.

In 5-10 years, who the h____ knows what I'm going to be capable of; everyday now is a great one if I can can get up and make a difference . . . but there's no fooling myself that these days are golden and must be cherished.

Keep it simple (point, squeeze, bang), keep it easy (no high performance rounds needed - a nice 38 spcl shooter), and keep it interesting if not outright fun (let her choose, let her play a little or a lot - like me, and advise but don't make the decision).

She'll love you for it and remember once again why you are so great. Takes my take on the matter from nearly the same place she is at.

Take care, enjoy life, and smile a lot,

Rachel

I also agree with Rachel.

While I've owned firearms for 25+years and have my favorites, I think the key here is to let your mom decide. Ask at a gunshop if there is an instructor in the area who will explain and let her try several firearms: pistols, revolvers, shotguns. There is a tendency for people to suggest and help pick, or outright pick. However, the person using the firearms should be comfortable and make the selection.

A good website on gun and ammo selection is Chuck Hawks. They cover all uses from hunting to HD. There is also some good info on "practical" HD ballistics--such as how much 00 buck spreads at 10 feet-the distance across a bedroom (answer: not much at all--and the same for a load of #6 shot. The shot is still all together at that distance and very lethal--Hmm, less recoil with the 6s, faster follow up if necessary).

If she's comfortable with shotguns, look at a 20ga. Maybe a youth model. It's lighter, smaller, and easier to handle than a tricked out 12ga 870 or 590. Again she's not going to be taking geese with it, and at 10-15 feet 12ga or 20ga won't matter much to the bad guy. Find the action type your mom is comfortable with and can operate.

There have been very valid suggestions for revolvers/pistols in the previous posts--but again find what your mom is comfortable with to shoot as well as handle. Most people can generally "fire" a K or L frame/GP100 with +Ps. The question becomes accuracy and enough regular practice to develop and maintain some degree of accuracy.

While I have a Model 10 and a 870 12ga, my wife is comfortable with her Dad's old Ruger Blackhawk. She shoots the Blackhawk well and when my Model 10 and her Blackhawk are both loaded, there really isn't much difference until the cylinder is empty.

I'd also make sure she has a cellphone within reach and speed dial #1 is 911.

 

[MountainSmith]

Try them out

A lot of people are saying to try out some different guns, and I agree. I went through this process with my wife about 10 years ago. I got out a Glock, some Smiths, a shotgun and rifle. I was a little surprised at the result. I thought my wife would go for the Glock, a 9mm Model 19. However, she opted for my Smith 586 with a four inch barrel. She liked the feel of the gun and the lack of recoil with the .38's. She qualified for her permit with the 586, while her 'wimpy' friends used .22's, LOL. My point is, you never know what someone will be comfortable with. I was leading my wife in the wrong direction. Confidence with the weapon you choose is crucial, and that is what the 586 did in her case.