Downsized to just 2 handguns. Good choices?

[BAM-BAM]

Haha, thanks for the complete validation! You pretty much nailed my train of thought.

The long gun situation is not bad, I have a Colt LE6920 and a Remington 870 with 2 barrels, an 18.5" bore and a 26" imp/c. The .22 is forthcoming. I really liked the Ruger American Rimfire in .22LR, that for some dumb reason I let go.

Well; adding the AR and Shotgun........you and the family are GTG as cast members of the Walking Dead!

Your combo of revolvers was a lot like mine in the 80s when I was moving around a good bit and limited my "accumulating" of "stuff".....my two to go were a customized round butt 4" 686 and a Colt Detective Special...... later a 3" 65..........................later I added a smith 640 and then a Beretta 92 Compact (13+1)

I recently picked up a RAR compact in .22magnum (as a utility gun at the cabin)..... an OK gun..... but not one I'd trade one of my CZs for.....the CZs are old time old world quality with mini-mauser actions........for about a $100 more than the Ruger American and $200 less than a 77/22

 

[Mister X]

Sure, there is some peace of mind with a high cap semi for that sort of situation. If I had my wits about me in the middle of the night, I would just go grab the M4; with its illumunated optic I should do well for myself. However, if surprised, the 686 will just have to do. For now.

An M4 will work well providing you don't have other family members elsewhere in the home. Otherwise a handgun is more practical IMO. Taking up a fixed position vs having to move through the home.

I'm curious why you kept the M4 considering it's an auto, has magazines and is more expensive as well as more difficult to store and maintain than something like a Glock.

 

[dr. K]

You're a stronger person than me, being able to cut down that way. On the other hand, you made GREAT choices. Also, kudos for justifying your choice to keep revolvers "just because." So much goes into "what's the best possible" this or that... if you do decide to augment, a shtf long gun of just about any kind on top of those two would serve you well. I find Mini-14's and Maverick 88's work beautifully as standby long guns.

 

[Harvey T.]

Overall, a good choice. I have essentially the same. Question to everybody:

What is the opinion of having a governor and a 442? Obviously, the ammo question, but the governor seems to offer a possible better defense weapon with the 410s and/or the 45.

 

[lrrifleman]

Hi. Considering your situation, I think that you have made a wise choice. While focusing on the 357/38 combination, you have negated the need for multiple calibers of ammunition. You have selected reasonably controllable chamberings, so you and your gun shy wife can use either, if the need arises. As you said in the beginning, your focus was on defensive choices (which no one can fault).

Since you are putting your children first, I understand and applaud where you are coming from. Not knowing when you will have the opportunity to expand your collection, or if there might be an unexpected stork sighting in your future, you are making the right choices. The only change or addition that I would suggest, is the inclusion of a Dillon Square Deal B, to further stretch your shooting dollar!

 

[0311INF]

An M4 will work well providing you don't have other family members elsewhere in the home. Otherwise a handgun is more practical IMO. Taking up a fixed position vs having to move through the home.

I'm curious why you kept the M4 considering it's an auto, has magazines and is more expensive as well as more difficult to store and maintain than something like a Glock.

Certain ammo will work better for short range and minimal penetration. And the kids are upstairs, my bedroom is on the bottom floor.

The rifle is the exception as far as magazines. I don't like them a bunch but I have the most training on the AR platform, thanks to Uncle Sam, so it made sense. It's not so much the idea of magazines for me, rather the added expense and my tendency to "require" more than a just a few quality mags for each auto-loader.

That said I do like Glocks. I've owned a couple of each model of 9mm (well, the 17, 19 and 26). It's just that they don't fit me as well as I'd like.

But back to the rifle... if it's a defensive tool, yeah a semi is the way to go. The Colt 6920 is a fabulous weapon that deserves owning despite having to stockpile mags, spare parts, etc.

 

[lrrifleman]

Overall, a good choice. I have essentially the same. Question to everybody:

What is the opinion of having a governor and a 442? Obviously, the ammo question, but the governor seems to offer a possible better defense weapon with the 410s and/or the 45.

Harvey,

Not to hijack the thread, I have never fired either a Governor nor a Judge. Having seen a Governor, I can say that (for me, it looks grossly distorted) it's physical size would be a deterrent to my carrying one. I can only imagine what it would be like to drop the hammer on a 410 handgun. Conceptually, something about the Governor/Judge just doesn't sit well for me.

 

[Mr.Harry]

I think two revolvers will most likely will suffice. I would probably be ok just having a couple of my snubs.

However, I would feel a whole lot better having my Glocks available also, particularly for certain home defense scenarios where you must essentially make a stand since avoiding/escaping is usually not a practical viable option and the probability of multiple intruders being relatively high. Most intruders flee after encountering armed resistance of any kind and pretty much any gun will suffice in such cases , but it's the scenarios where they don't flee that concern me the most and I like having the extra rounds for those potential circumstances.

i think a 686 is pretty much the perfect revolver for home defense. And in a scenario such as mentioned above, where emptying 6 chambers isn't enough to deter the attack or invasion, I'm done with handguns altogether and going up the ladder to a pistol grip pump 12 gauge with a huge tube full of staggered double ought and slugs.

 

[Mister X]

Certain ammo will work better for short range and minimal penetration. And the kids are upstairs, my bedroom is on the bottom floor.

The rifle is the exception as far as magazines. I don't like them a bunch but I have the most training on the AR platform, thanks to Uncle Sam, so it made sense. It's not so much the idea of magazines for me, rather the added expense and my tendency to "require" more than a just a few quality mags for each auto-loader.

That said I do like Glocks. I've owned a couple of each model of 9mm (well, the 17, 19 and 26). It's just that they don't fit me as well as I'd like.

But back to the rifle... if it's a defensive tool, yeah a semi is the way to go. The Colt 6920 is a fabulous weapon that deserves owning despite having to stockpile mags, spare parts, etc.

Being so far away from the kids, you would want to move to them at the first indication of trouble. You can move much quicker and easier with a handgun. With the handgun, you have the ability to effectively fire it while in dynamic movement not to mention it frees up a hand for opening/closing/locking doors, operating light switches, using a phone or carrying one of the children.

http://wilsondefense.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-role-of-handgun-by-david-kenik.html

A long gun actually has relatively limited use as a civilian home defense weapon despite it being commonly recommended. Several Force on Force simulations conducted in my own home with some of my LEO students convinced me that the M4 and 7 round 870 I kept in the safe weren't likely ever to be useful, so I sold them.

Even Chris Costa of magpul fame, whom many people assume would choose an M4 or 870 actually defaults to a handgun for home defense.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dtxxvHF_pTY[/ame]

 

[BAM-BAM]

IMHO a 4" 686 is the "Apex predator" in the revolver world...... the best features of both the N-frame (strength) and K-frame (grip size and trigger reach) combined with the S&W action and a decent sight radius...... with the ability to use the best general purpose/utility ammo going ...... the .357/38 ..........

ya..... everything from .22lr to 44mag has their proponents and uses......but IMHO all are specialty rounds.......... the .22 is better for hunting small game and the .44 is better for "lions and tigers and Bears ....Oh my!"


but if I could have only one........make mine a 4" 686...............

 

[Mister X]

i think a 686 is pretty much the perfect revolver for home defense. And in a scenario such as mentioned above, where emptying 6 chambers isn't enough to deter the attack or invasion, I'm done with handguns altogether and going up the ladder to a pistol grip pump 12 gauge with a huge tube full of staggered double ought and slugs.

The problem is time. Why do you think there will opportunity to transition to a long gun once your revolver runs dry or any other gun in general when multiple intruders are charging down your hallway? The op has children as do I, so having multiple guns lying around that are immediately accessible isn't an option.

 

[TAC]

I've run the gamut of handguns, from Glock to Sig to CZ, S&W classics like a 19, 15 and a 586. Missing those old blued revolvers, I decided to just get rid of a bunch of guns and go with a simpler, practical personal/home defense setup. I wonder if I need to augment these with anything else. What would be next, if anything? What's the forums opinion on these two as my only handguns?

I like the wheelguns because...I just do. I like some semi autos but I can't stand buying a bunch of magazines. Anyway, here they are.

Good practical choices! And you don't have your retirement income tied up in a bunch of safe-queens.

 

[0311INF]

Being so far away from the kids, you would want to move to them at the first indication of trouble. You can move much quicker and easier with a handgun. With the handgun, you have the ability to effectively fire it while in dynamic movement not to mention it frees up a hand for opening/closing/locking doors, operating light switches, using a phone or carrying one of the children.

WILSON DEFENSE JOURNAL: Role of the Handgun

A long gun actually has relatively limited use as a civilian home defense weapon despite it being commonly recommended. Several Force on Force simulations conducted in my own home with some of my LEO students convinced me that the M4 and 7 round 870 I kept in the safe weren't likely ever to be useful, so I sold them.

Even Chris Costa of magpul fame, whom many people assume would choose an M4 or 870 actually defaults to a handgun for home defense.

Chris Costa Interview: Shotgun or Handgun for Home Defense - YouTube

I'm in agreement generally. The M4 would have to be utilized outdoors only, or shooting from inside to outside (through the door, window, etc). I don't anticipate I'd ever hear again after that. Same for the 870 really. That's the loudest of them all.

The handgun is indeed the way to go if the clown(s) that woke me up is/are actually inside my house. Hence my statement about being "surprised."

Hopefully the dogs would alert me well before it became a threat.

The best cartridge would certainly be a .38+p for that indoors situation, rather than .357. If I had an auto...9mm, .40 or .45 would all do just fine.

 

[Mr.Harry]

The problem is time. Why do you think there will opportunity to transition to a long gun once your revolver runs dry or any other gun in general when multiple intruders are charging down your hallway? The op has children as do I, so having multiple guns lying around that are immediately accessible isn't an option.

well, I understand and respect your point. And I have a couple young ones too. But I keep said 12 HANDY. Very handy. Certainly not more than a few feet further away. And I wouldn't QUITE call a pistol grip pump a 'long gun' either. In a scenario where my house is getting bum rushed, unless it's some para-military group or swat team lol., I think emptying a .357 is going to succeed in at least 'slowing the advance' as it were. I think that however aggressive these 'invaders' are, some attempt at cover is going to be taken. That = time and enough of it. And I'd rather use those spare moments to break out the howitzer than keep plinking away a 14 round clip of 9mm that won't go through the couch.

 

[TheHobbyist]

This is my opinion and you get what you paid for...

I have always felt that the 4" or 3" 686 is the best, "One gun", for a responsible adult. Someone who isn't a collector and just wants one handgun. If the person can reload, I would say the same barrel length except change to a 44 mag.

For EDC, it is hard to beat a j-frame snubby.

Think you're doing just fine.

 

[lhump1961]

Couldn't make better choices. The only thing I would add, and it's just me, is a 9mm of some kind. If times get tough it is a common round.

 

[JohnRippert]

If I had to choose only two of my revolvers to keep it would be.....


My almost B-day gun Model 19-2

...and my Model 36-7

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think your choices make sense. If your financial situation would allow it, I'd suggest getting duplicates in the event of mechanical problems down the road. I only have one gun, a 642, and when it broke last year (hammer stud) I was without a gun for a couple of months before S&W replaced it under warranty. And then I had to wait until I could get it to the range to make sure it worked reliably before I could carry it. At the very least, another 442/642 would be a good idea since your 686 wouldn't experience the same wear-and-tear that your 442 would given equal treatment.

Just a thought.

 

[justakyguy]

I love revolvers too. Just can't stay away from them, they're what I naturally gravitate to for weapons for whatever purpose mainly self defense/home defense. And they're just more fun to shoot. Although semi autos are highly practical for defensive situations so I don't knock them! For me right now, since I have little to no knowledge or comfort level with semi autos, I keep revolvers. As of now I only own one, a Smith 19. I love it, but for smaller defensive purposes, I plan on getting either a Smith Model 60 or Model 69 (maybe). Also, the Ruger sp101 is a very good gun for defense and to shoot all you want. Any of those are good. I've had good luck with the .357 and would trust that round anytime anywhere. However I love big bores too. Any 44 special round is a pleasure to shoot and would be perfect for close quarter defense. I'd trust my life to it as well. Can't go wrong with any of those.

 

[gman51]

Good choices.
I did the downsize and sold off mostly semi autos. That downsize didn't last long and I replaced with mostly revolvers.
IMO a downsize only lasts as long as you don't watch gun videos, attend gun shows, read gun reviews, and last of all quit visiting your LGS just to kill some time. Of course this is probably why downsizing doesn't last. It didn't for me anyway.