Downsized to just 2 handguns. Good choices?

[Wyo]

I remember reading an article in some gun rag several years ago written by a guy who lived in the desert southwest. He spent about as much time in the desert as he did in town. He had downsized to two handguns - a 4" M29 S&W for his "country gun," and a lightweight Colt Commander 45ACP as his "town gun." The article was fairly lengthy and his explanations made sense in his environment. My own situation is much the same as his was, and I've often thought I might go the same way if I ever downsized like he did. I think your choices are fine, depending on your situation. I might choose differently, but my situation might be different than yours. You know your own needs best and only you can make the best choices.

 

[SLT223]

Going to the lgs to kill time is the number one way to burn cash and add to an accumulation problem. You can go in there with the best intensions of self control and what do you HAVE to do on principle when you find some desirable S&W marked 3/4 fair market? I just stay out now unless I have something Im looking for specifically.

 

[ruger 22]

I think your choices are excellent. You did mention the word 'augment', however and that being the case I would recommend an augmentation of a 22lr revolver to your two gun collection since it is always great fun and good practice to have a 22 around. Either a 63 or 17/18 would be a great add.

 

[Penquin]

OP those are two great choices that I could work with also. Like you I have basically trimmed down to the (4) shown below. If I had to go to (2) it would be the top two in the Pic (M66-ND 4" & M66-1 2-1/2"). Same ammo/same speed loaders. Although the 3rd gun in the picture (M60-9), is such sweet performer J-frame in .38/.357. the only blue gun I kept was a pre-30 5-screw snubbie, cause it's just plane "Purdy." PEN.

 

[SeamasterSig]

For reloaders large enough to carry an N-frame concealed or for people who live in brown bear country, a 44spl/44mag combo might serve them better. But a J-frame and K/L-frame 38/357 combo ought to cover all the bases for the vast majority of gun owners. So I will join the chorus and agree that you've made an excellent choice of revolvers that should be well-suited to your foreseeable needs. The tricky part will be holding yourself to just two handguns. Good luck with that

 

[Arik]

Thanks for all the replies. I am guilty of taking to the forum; looking for some validation. I've only been into handguns for about 4 years. Most of that time I've spent searching for the right ones. So hence the many different brands and types.
For whatever reason, I've always gone back to revolvers. Granted they are obsolete from a military/LE perspective, but those occupations have a mission in mind when choosing firearms. My perspective is more general and involves a bit (a lot) less situational training. As a truly general purpose handgun, these fit the bill.

Actually I think that LEO/Military are more generalized and civilian is more specific. LEO/Mil are give a gun for a job. Typically it's the same gun or same style. They don't have to hide it or dress around it or feel comfortable wearing it. On the other hand we dress different Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. What I can carry to the store may not work for work. Also wearing a suit and tie to work may require a different gun from wearing a suit and tie (or tux) to a social gathering. Of course you can take one small gun and use it in a wide range of social situations but there is a fine line between comfort and comforting. I can feel comfortable carrying a small gun but I'm not comfortable drawing and shooting it. Too small, to hard to grab fast and get a good and proper grip. So you weight what's more important

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[petepeterson]

Those are great choices, no validation required. Your bases are covered.

I'm in agreement with you- if I were in your shoes, my next choice would be a hi-cap 9mm, in whatever flavor you prefer. If I were starting over, and didn't have a bunch of Smith 3rd Gens, it would be a Glock 17 or 19.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I recently had the opportunity for some tactical training . I had 2 revolvers and a 45 auto . My first trips through various training involved using the 45 auto . Then I switched to my 357 , model 681 S&W .
We were now getting to the end of the day , I had one more " run " to make to complete the day . I asked my instructor if I could use my final revolver , a S&W 29 (44 mag) w/6" barrel . He kind of laughed but agreed. I had 3 bg's( bad guys ) targets , staggered and supposedly coming at me . OH, yes I had to determine which had the " gun " and which were just coming along to help him . He had silently chosen the one with the ' gun " .
I was told I had to empty the cylinder , all 6 rounds in 7 sec's . I managed 4 hits on the 3 targets, one on each bg and a 2nd hit on the 3rd bg . AND , I was on the move , dodging an obstacle while firing . But I failed as I took 8 sec's instead of the max 7 . All 3 bg's got a " kill " shot and one had a shoulder wound beside . It was using full 44 mag ammo .
The point I'm getting at is when the adrenaline is starting to rush and it can even in training when being pushed with limits , which hand gun is going to serve you best , going to feel the best in training . I couldn't of made that decision w/o going through training .
I will let you guess which one really surprised me and how I loved using it in training and will definitely again .

 

[S&W Rover]

Getting down to two handguns, a small .38 Spec/.357 Magnum and a large .38 Spec/.357 Magnum make a great pair. They work in a variety of situations where a handgun is useful.

.38 Spec and .357 Magnum are two easy rounds to reload for. A single stage press or an inexpensive turret press, and one set of dies, is all you need for equipment -- they are in fact the same caliber. You can save a lot of money reloading, too, and become independent of retail ammo sales.

 

[Drm50]

My two would be M-17 & M-29 . I believe that would cover the
scale. I almost went with two M-17s, one would cover small stuff
and using both would add up to 44. My 8 yr old grandson tells
me it don't work that way.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I admire the OP for his decision and the fact that he actually did this.

I am personally not "mud hut" material. I like variety.

 

[filthyj24]

I'm picking up what the op is putting down. As much as I would love to have my own armory I currently only have my 360 m&p and it has to cover all bases from cc to home defense. I'm kicking myself for selling my 4 inch 686+ plus last year. I was between jobs and money got tight.

I'm currently saving up with my eyes set on a 586 for HD and possibly open carry. The practical side of me says it would be better and cheaper to buy a shotgun (looking at the Mossberg 500) for home defense but I like the idea of having guns that can share ammo and I already have quite a bit of 38 and 357 ammo stockpiled.

I would say I'd give my 360 to my wife but I've grown pretty attached to the little guy.

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[rwt1405]

Two great choices!

If it was me, I would add a third gun, a 3" in K or L frame, or possibly a GP100.

I have a GP100 3" Wiley Clapp on the way, and for me that would fill out my three revolver set-up.

 

[Blade37db]

Going thru similar consolidation thoughts as well. You're in good shape. My last purchase (probably for awhile) was a Rossi M92 lever to go with my Model 65, 681 & 38. Now I need to go buy more .38 & .357 ammo before all hell breaks loose next week. Might want to consider one yourself

 

[petepeterson]

Going thru similar consolidation thoughts as well. You're in good shape. My last purchase (probably for awhile) was a Rossi M92 lever to go with my Model 65, 681 & 38. Now I need to go buy more .38 & .357 ammo before all hell breaks loose next week. Might want to consider one yourself

My Rossi goes on just about every range session anymore. I honestly didn't expect it to be as reliable (and fun!) as it is. Makes a great companion for HD along side the revolvers.

 

[les.b]

Yeah, those are great choices, but good luck with only having two guns. Sorta like the potato chip commercial, "Betcha can't eat just one!" Well, maybe I just have a low resistance to adding additional guns to my "accumulation".

Seriously, those are both great choices.

Edit: just saw Petes post above. I was lucky enough to find a Rossi M92 also, an older one with just the half cock safety. It makes a great companion to any .38 Special-.357 Magnum round. Would be a good companion to either of your revolvers.

Best Regards, Les

 

[les.b]

Going thru similar consolidation thoughts as well. You're in good shape. My last purchase (probably for awhile) was a Rossi M92 lever to go with my Model 65, 681 & 38. Now I need to go buy more .38 & .357 ammo before all hell breaks loose next week. Might want to consider one yourself

Blade, I've been doing the same thing as you with .38 and .357, and also .22 LR. Also stocking up on components for reloading .38 and .357. Going to make one more run before Tuesday. Also agree about the Rossi!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[DevilDog72]

Looks like sound choices...... I could not or would not go to only 2 revolvers...


I would have to keep the ones above.

 

[Blade37db]

Blade, I've been doing the same thing as you with .38 and .357, and also .22 LR. Also stocking up on components for reloading .38 and .357. Going to make one more run before Tuesday. Also agree about the Rossi!!

Best Regards, Les

Same here Les. Got .22 covered as well.
I was tempted to expand into some other calibers (12g, .308) and more guns before the election, but decided against it. Ended up selling off some other calibers. If i can't cover it with .22, .38/.357, 9mm or 5.56...oh well. I bought into the "one is none and 2 is one" philosophy when I first got into shooting, so I've got 2 guns for each caliber, some the same make/platform. Only so much room in the safe.

There's beauty in simplicity.

 

[Blade37db]

My Rossi goes on just about every range session anymore. I honestly didn't expect it to be as reliable (and fun!) as it is. Makes a great companion for HD along side the revolvers.

I just got mine about 3 months ago. No issues on initial range trips but took it to a local gunsmith to have a few things smoothed out and bought a metal follower. The price of the gun plus the gunsmith work is still a few hundred dollars less than a used Marlin or new Winchester. I considered a Henry but really wanted a loading gate

I think they're a must have if you're a .38/.357 revolver shooter. Lots of fun and good versatility.