Beginner revolver?? 67 vs 19 Performance center pro?

[Jj0416]

I’m a beginner looking to get my first gun for self-defense/home protection. I doubt I’d ever carry it anywhere, it’s more to have at home on the nightstand in case a psycho breaks in. I’m a woman with fairly small hands but I’m not weak. I’m interested in a revolver because I’ve been told and read about it’s easy maintenance and less likely to malfunction. First I was looking at the small compact ones but was reading that recoil was unbearable on those for some. I need something I can take to the range and learn with and I don’t want hard recoil or a trigger that’ll hurt my finger. It also needs to be light/manageable enough that in the middle of the night if I need it I can just grab it and go. I’d be using .38 special + p. I was looking at the s&w 67 vs the 19 performance center one. Which one out of these two would be best for a beginner with least recoil, easiest to handle, smoothest trigger and easy maintenance? Thanks!

67
.38
4”/9.4” overall
36 oz

19 pro
3”/8.0”
34.1 oz

 

[oink]

For your purposes I'd stay away from the 19 although it's a fine gun. The 66 is the same gun in the much lower maintenance stainless steel. Both of those guns shoot 38 special or 357 magnum. The 67 is also almost the same gun as the 66, being stainless steel but it shoots 38 special only. I don't think there's enough weight difference to make a difference. Of the 3 I'd go for the 66 but any of the 3 a fine. But with the 19 you have to keep after a fair amount better to prevent rust and scratches will be more obvious.

Try a like kind gun before you buy. Spend the money at a good gun shop and get some instruction and ask to try some different models. Unless you have a competent friend that has a number of guns you can try.

I love revolvers but don't automatically rule out semi-autos. As a class they are way more reliable than they used to be. Also some are a lot easier the clean than revolvers and cleaning your guns is a necessary part of the deal.

Get the gun that you can shoot well and feel comfortable with. That said, a 38 revolver can be a wonderful learning and training tool, but then so can a .22 revolver or semi-auto.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Oink hit the nail on the head about trying many guns to find what you shoot best.

He's also correct about stainless steel being easier to maintain.

 

[Jj0416]

Thanks for the reply. If I’m only going to be using .38 then would I be better off to just get the 67 than the 66? Also I have been looking at semis as well, I’m trying to narrow down the revolver I’d want to try and the semi and then find somewhere to go that has both in particular. For the semi I was thinking the sig P320 what do you think about that?

 

[oddshooter]

I believe you are over thinking and under shooting.

Don't read specs. Go shooting. And then go shooting again.

The proof is in the pudding, not in the recipe. You can not know until you taste. Trying each gun is more valuable than reading or advice. Let your body tell you which gun it likes, not your mind. The target is the final arbiter.



Prescut

 

[hardluk1]

For a semi auto there's a lot of good handguns that you can conceal . Take a not pad and keep notes on what you like . With some snap caps most picky gun shops will let you pull the trigger . I carry a P320compact , Great pistol but may not be small and thin enough for you to concealment . Kahr ct or tp9 is very thin and handles recoil very well since there +P rated . One of the small lite weight 1911 defender /ultra sizes pistols with thin grips conceal very well . If you can rent pistols some LGS will let you shoot what they have with in a caliber for one rental fee and ammo Good way to try several handguns .

 

[Sol-Invictus]

If it is primarily for home and range. The new 2.75 inch 66 with rubber grip is a great choice. To hone your initial marksmanship you can shoot 130grain full metal jacket 38s single action very cheap Winchester or Remington ammo at walmart. Then progress to double action. After you are comfortable.then the Hornady 38 special +p critical defence is a great choice.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[URIT]

Before you plunk down your hard-earned money for a handgun — especially a defense handgun — it is a good idea to make sure it will fit your hand. Here’s how to do that.

Here is an article from a lady who knows the topic well...

Trying On a Handgun | Cornered Cat

 

[jtcarm]

I think a 4” K-frame .38 would make an excellent first handgun. In this case, the Model 67.

A revolvers natural muzzle-heaviness helps control recoil. .38 target wadcutter ammo (if you can find it) is very mild to shoot and a very effective defensive round.

Depending on what your goals are, you can start out shooting single action and switch to DA when you’ve built some confidence and familiarity with the weapon.

 

[M29since14]

Either revolver you mention will work well for your intended purpose, but I’d really encourage you to start with a .22. You might say you can’t afford two guns. Well, the math on that is not quite like it used to be (in terms of savings on ammo) but I still think it is wise to start with a quality .22 and then move on once you are satisfied with your progress. Take a look around for a K-frame .22 (Models 617, 17, & 18). When you’re shooting at least occasionally in the 80s, single-action, slow-fire, then look around for a bigger gun.

The P320 is a nice gun, too, but again, you will learn marksmanship fundamentals quicker and with less expense with the .22.

 

[Rastoff]

Where do you live?

I'll be more than happy to take you to the range and let you shoot several guns. I do this all the time and it helps people decide what they want.

 

[F75gunslinger]

If it is primarily for home and range. The new 2.75 inch 66 with rubber grip is a great choice. To hone your initial marksmanship you can shoot 130grain full metal jacket 38s single action very cheap Winchester or Remington ammo at walmart. Then progress to double action. After you are comfortable.then the Hornady 38 special +p critical defence is a great choice.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I would suggest the 66 as well, but in a 4" barrel. Since you don't plan on carrying it, the shorter barrel is not really necessary and is a bit harder to master due to the short sight radius.

The long and short though is that most of these guys are correct. Go and get your hands on anything you think you might like. See how it feels in your hand, how it fits you. Some will just be too large, others may have a surface that you don't like or a spot that just doesn't feel right. Narrow the field down. Then take the guns you chose and find a place to rent and shoot them. Or go with a friend and try theirs. You may find a couple that feel ok in your hand but aren't comfortable to shoot. It's all about what will fit you and work the best for you. If you don't enjoy shooting it, you won't practice with it. And shooting is really a talent that deteriorates without consistent practice.

 

[Wise_A]

The maintenance on a semiauto, to be honest, isn't the sort of thing you'd have difficulty mastering, or fitting into your life. Fifteen minutes every couple weeks would do. You'll spend more time shopping for a cleaning kit.

What is a pain is refreshing the carry ammo in a semiatomatic. In a revolver, the cartridges just sit in the chambers. In a semiautomatic, every time you load and unload, you beat up whichever cartridge gets chambered. So you need to replace that round periodically. You should still refresh ammo in a revolver, but not as often as a semiautomatic.

Honestly, pick something you like, and something that you wouldn't mind practicing with. Shooting it should be fun. And when I say you should like your gun, I mean it should be something you appreciate every time you go to pick it up. Get exactly the gun you want--the store can order it for you. If you want one that's pink, go for it. Blued, stainless, whatever. You want a Taurus, you go to the store and the guy starts ragging on Tauruses--don't listen to him, get the Taurus.

If you want a Model 19, I think that's a fine choice. I will suggest to you, however, that there are many S&W revolvers that are very similar--blued, K-frame, .38 Spl--that can be had on the used market for much less than a new pistol.

For instance, keep an eye out for a Model 14--a K38 Target Masterpiece. You could find an excellent, collector's-grade example for the same or less money than a new 19. And many shooter-grade 14's can be had for $600 and well under.

 

[Rastoff]

The best advice I can give in this situation is, get the gun that makes your heart beat faster when you pick it up. Why? Because this is the gun you will do dry practice with at home. This is the gun you'll want to fondle and become familiar with. This is the gun that you'll take to the range more often and use to do live practice.

Don't fall into the gun store trap because you're a woman. Women don't need smaller guns, they need the right gun.

People worry about recoil, but it's not really that big a deal. There are three factors affecting recoil:

• The mass and speed of the projectile (f=m*a).
• The mass of the gun.
• How the gun fits your hand which goes along with proper grip.

A .22LR cartridge and a .223Rem cartridge both have the same diameter bullets. The most common .22LR bullet is 40 grains. The most common .223Rem bullet is 55 grains. The .223Rem is only a little heavier, but it will be traveling at greater than 3,000 feet per second (fps) where the .22LR will only be going 1,000 fps. Therefore, 3x the speed equals 3x the recoil.

.38SPL will average around 750-850fps
.38SPL +P will average around 800-950fps
.357Mag will average around 1,200-1,400fps

Therefore, in my opinion, the .38SPL +P doesn't offer enough of a significant advantage in stopping power to justify the expense both in dollars and recoil. If you want a good self-defense load, the .357Mag is much better and it's easier to control than you might think.

The difference in mass of the two guns you mentioned is insignificant to the recoil you'll feel.

So, it boils down to this...

• Which gun fits in your hand best?
• Have you had any training on how to grip the gun?
• Which gun do YOU like best?

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome to the forum.

Of course it's a very good idea to test several guns. I favor revolvers for simplicity of operation and the fact that many autoloaders can fail to fire if the shooter's grip is loose or not optimal--so-called "limp wristing"--in a sudden high-stress situation like having to grapple with an assailant. A revolver will virtually always fire if the trigger is squeezed through its arc.

For home defense I think .38 Special, standard or +P, is quite adequate, but it's also my choice for self defense. There are very good defensive loadings for the .38; and recoil, flash and blast are far less than .357 Magnum. Less recoil means greater controllability and faster recovery for a second shot, and the flash and blast can be disorienting unless you shoot it a lot.

If the 67 fits your hand and you can shoot it, it would be a good choice. So would a Model 64, a fixed-sight stainless steel revolver the same size and weight, Few if any defensive situations require the finer accuracy of adjustable sights like those on the 67, especially for home defense.

I just favor simplicity and eliminating as many variables as possible when my derriere is on the line. I think it's especially important for a beginning shooter. But if you find an autoloader is what you shoot best, by all means go for it.

I hope you'll keep us posted on your testing, decision, and progress.

 

[DevilDog72]

welcome aboard

….well IMHO you cannot beat a model 19 or 66 in 4"

 

[Donn]

….well IMHO you cannot beat a model 19 or 66 in 4"


View attachment 363006

I agree, with one caveat. I own both a 4" Model 19 and a 66 Combat Magnum, (2.75"), but would recommend the 66. The new 19 is a little pricey, (at least for me). The 66 is stainless steel, easier to maintain, can handle 38spl or 357mag, and has a round butt, (no jokes please), which would likely fit the OP's hand better. MHO, you understand.

 

[stansdds]

A K-frame S&W revolver does make a great first handgun. Since you have no plans for carrying it, but using it for practice and self defense within your residence, I think a 4 inch barrel would be a great choice.

For grip size, try both square and round butt frames, see what fits best.

As for caliber, if you never, ever think you will want to step up to the .357 Magnum, then definitely buy a revolver chambered in .38 Special. If you think you might want more power, then buy a .357 Magnum. You can always shoot .38 Special or .38 Special +P in a .357 Magnum, but you cannot shoot .357 Magnums in a revolver chambered for .38 Special.

As for finish, stainless steel is far easier to maintain than blued or nickel plated finishes. Just remember, stainless firearms are not rustless. Stainless, if neglected, can form an orange oxide on its surface, but stainless will usually not form pits like carbon steel. Occasional cleaning and applying a thin coat of oil or wax (Renaissance Wax is the best) will prevent oxidation of the exterior surfaces.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've owned ALLOT of S&W revolvers over the years. Still own a couple dozen. Here is my 2 cents based on that experience.
Don't over think it. Try shooting a few. If you can't, then rest assured that any good quality/condition (new or used) S&W K or L frame with adjustable sights in a 2.5-5" barrel will serve you well for a first range gun to double for home defense. ( Those models could be a 14, 15, 19, 66, 67, 586, 686, 686+ ..) No need to spend a fortune on a high end , collectible or PC version at this point. IF the grips don't fit, they are easy and inexpensive to change.
Remember though, guns are like golf clubs. It's reasonable to ask one to do a couple of things decently but it's hard to get one to do everything well. If you stay with this, there will be others to fill those (yet unknown) needs.
Tight Groups.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I think a 4” K-frame .38 would make an excellent first handgun....

The first thing I thought of was a Model 10 (or maybe the HB version), which can often be found used at reasonable prices. Will handle +P if so desired. "White box" stuff for practice and maybe FBI loads for SHTF. 158 gr. should shoot to POA from the fixed sights

If it's been "used but not abused" the trigger pull will likely be nice and smooth, too. Replacement grips are available if the wood ones don't feel quite right.

I wouldn't be concerned with stainless vs blued for a home defence gun. Blued will be fine with the occas. wipe over with an oily rag.

As several have said, "try before you buy" as all the well-meaning advice in the world may not feel right to you. If you (the OP) have a range nearby, folks are usually pretty good about helping new shooters. Your local gun shop may be able to suggest a few follks, too.