Help a Newbie Choose a Revolver

[HokieMike]

Greetings all. I am new to the S&W forums. I have been shooting autos (1911s an CZs mainly), but have recently become interested in acquiring a revolver for home defense. Rest assured, whatever my choice, I am sold on S&W.

I currently employ a 1911 as a nightstand gun. Howver, I am about to be married, and I have concerns about my fiancee's ability to use an autoloader in an emergency situation. She is not a shooter, and will not be inclined to put in the range time to learn. I feel that with a revolver, she could at least point and pull the trigger if it came down to it. It also provides me a good excuse to get a wheelgun!

With that in mind, I am hoping the gurus here can weigh in on my 3 options:

1. I really like the idea of a .45acp revolver. Cost of the actual weapon aside, this would likely be my first choice. I like the .45acp round for personal defense, and I like the idea of ammo compatibility with my 1911s. Suggestions for a nightsand gun? I am thinking something like a 4" 625. Anything i should know about these guns? How are the shorter barreled models? Do you lose much performance? How hard are the moonclips to work with? Do they work OK in a tactical reload siuation?

2. My second choice would be a .357. Of what I have seen, I like the 586 series guns. Any advice on the variants of these models that would be best to buy. Any other suggestions for a home defense model in .357? I know that is a vague question, but I will take opinions here!

3. My 3rd choice would be a .44 caliber revolver of some sort. I like the big bore round, but I think it might just be too much, especially for her. I know .44 special is an option here, but I am not that familiar with the .44 special round and it's loadings. Thoughts?

I know those are some broad topics, but I am constantly amazed at the amount of useful information I pick up from these forums. Thanks in advance for your wisdom. I look forward to joining the ranks of the S&W wheelgunners!

 

[HokieMike]

Greetings all. I am new to the S&W forums. I have been shooting autos (1911s an CZs mainly), but have recently become interested in acquiring a revolver for home defense. Rest assured, whatever my choice, I am sold on S&W.

I currently employ a 1911 as a nightstand gun. Howver, I am about to be married, and I have concerns about my fiancee's ability to use an autoloader in an emergency situation. She is not a shooter, and will not be inclined to put in the range time to learn. I feel that with a revolver, she could at least point and pull the trigger if it came down to it. It also provides me a good excuse to get a wheelgun!

With that in mind, I am hoping the gurus here can weigh in on my 3 options:

1. I really like the idea of a .45acp revolver. Cost of the actual weapon aside, this would likely be my first choice. I like the .45acp round for personal defense, and I like the idea of ammo compatibility with my 1911s. Suggestions for a nightsand gun? I am thinking something like a 4" 625. Anything i should know about these guns? How are the shorter barreled models? Do you lose much performance? How hard are the moonclips to work with? Do they work OK in a tactical reload siuation?

2. My second choice would be a .357. Of what I have seen, I like the 586 series guns. Any advice on the variants of these models that would be best to buy. Any other suggestions for a home defense model in .357? I know that is a vague question, but I will take opinions here!

3. My 3rd choice would be a .44 caliber revolver of some sort. I like the big bore round, but I think it might just be too much, especially for her. I know .44 special is an option here, but I am not that familiar with the .44 special round and it's loadings. Thoughts?

I know those are some broad topics, but I am constantly amazed at the amount of useful information I pick up from these forums. Thanks in advance for your wisdom. I look forward to joining the ranks of the S&W wheelgunners!

 

[photoman]

Consider a 3" Model 625 or a 3" Model 65.

 

[scott625b]

HokieMike:

Regarding the .45ACP revolver, the only loss of performance you need to worry about is the shooter. The 625 will handled it.

 

[BunnySlayer]

Mike,

I think recoil and muzzle blast would be too much for a novice with either 44 or 45. Probably something along the lines of the 65ls, 66, 10, 15, 13 or 586-686 series. If you get a 357 dont make the mistake of loading it with full magnums for home defense either or recoil and muzzle blast as well as excessive penetration will be a problem. Some nice 38 hyra shocks or equivilent would work great. Try to get her to take a ladies pistol class. I made my wife do it and now she's an addicted competitive shooter. As she is demanding the next gun in our household be hers maybe I made a mistake.

 

[Chuck Jones]

If this is to be a pistol for you and your wife I'd recommend a 4 inch K frame without a heavy barrel. Just a run of the mill model 10, 64, 15, 19, Combat Masterpiece, M&P, etc. The more prominent sights on the adjustable sight models may be a little easier to use. There are plenty of good aftermarket grips (wood and rubber) to suite a woman's hand. Remember simplicity and ease of use for her is what you're after.

/c

 

[624 Fan]

The 686 is probably the pinacle of .357 design over the last 70 years. It is so versatile that you just can't go wrong.

The 625 4" is one of my favorites, too, just not as vesatile at the 686. Moonclips are no problem, especially if you get the right tools or just use RIMZ plastic clips for practice.

Your best bet is to buy one of each!

 

[jpwhel]

It should be your fiance that chooses what she is most comfortable with. I have an assortment of revolvers and semis (S&W revolvers and Sig semis). My wife tends to like the J & K frame revolvers because the size seems to fit her hands. There are many good defensive loads in 38 cal where she can use the J frmae M-36, 2 inch barrel or the K frame M-10 or M-67, both 4 inch barrels. If you insist on the 357, a nice J frame M-60, 3 inch barrel or a K frame M-19, 4 inch will work. Let her pick up a few revolvers and determine what feels good to her and one that she feels comfortable with.
Pat

 

[HokieMike]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys. Some great points. As 624 Fan said, in classic gun-nut fashion, I may have to buy 2 revolvers! I am increasingly thinking I want a 625, but that is for me! I agree that a J/K frame with .38 special might be the better choice for home defense choice as it would be more wife-friendly. I got half-way there with the thought of switching to a revolver, but a .45 might still be too much to handle.

So on to the task of buying 1 or 2 revolvers. Anything specific I need to know about choosing a 625? Specific places/component to check for wear or abuse?

As for the J/K frame, i will look around a bit. Therre appears to be plenty of choices and options out there.

Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Amici]

The real issue, of course, is who the gun is really for.

If it is for you, I suggest a 625 with at least a 4" barrel (mine are 5"). This will give you ammo compatibility with the 1911 you already have. The weight of an N-frame, especially with a 5" barrel (particularly if it's the original design; not a PC model, which took weight from the barrel and ejector shroud) means very little felt recoil or muzzle jump.

Second choice for you would be a Model 27 or 28; the weight of an N-frame (actually heavier than a .45 because less metal is taken from the cylinder) tames the .357 magnum. Not that the larger grips hurt in that regard, either.

If the gun is for your fiancee, SHE should try several guns and pick one that suits her. If you have access to a range that rents guns, this is the place to go.

The big advantage of .357 is versatility. You can shoot .38 Special reloads inexpensively, use HBWC ammo for match work and drop in .38 Special +P or full .357 Magnum for HD/SD applications.

Second choice is a .357 revolver. I think a 4" .357 revolver is the most versatile handgun presently available. The 4" barrel is short enough for HD, yet provides enough sight plane for static target work and is beautifully balanced for action shooting, such as pins, steel, IDPA or USPSA events. If you didn't already have a 1911 to share ammo with, I'd make the .357 my first recommendation, instead of the second.

 

[H Richard]

My bedside table gun is a Model 10 with "healthy" 38 loads for just the reasons given.