ideal small home defense revolver?

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S&WForty

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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?
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Lobster Picnic said:
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.
Click to expand...

Lobster: I guess I should have read further. I pretty much copied your post without knowing. You seem smart BTW.:D
 
You did not mention whether or not she has fired a handgun before. If not I would start her with the heaviest revolver she was comfortable with. such as a 4" K or L frame. The heavier the gun, the less felt recoil, and recoil will be an issue if she has never fired a handgun before. Recoil will be a much greater concern if she has any history of arthritis.
 
You may also want to consider Ruger revolvers...either a SP101 with a 3" barrel, or a GP100 with a 3" or 4" barrel. I would recommend the .357 models of these guns, loaded with .38 Special +P. Plus, Ruger revolvers don't have a lock. Or, you can look for a good used S&W revolver without the lock.

You might also want to take her to a range that rents guns and let her shoot several...she might prefer a semi-auto.
 
I agree with those that say stainless for a home-defense revolver. It is a bit heavier than the airweights/airlites and need not be a J-frame. The M65 in a three-inch is, to me, the ultimate in handy revolver for home-defense. It can handle the home-defense loads in .357-magnum, if that is truly what the user will want. I keep ours stoked with the Speer GoldDot for short-barrels. My wife handles it better than the J-frames in 640, 340PD or M&P340.

Of course, this is just my opinion....
 
I was an NRA certified instructor for many years in the 70's and 80's. I used to routinely take housewives with no firearms experience and have them shooting Mod 10/64/65 double-action with 38 Specials in one day. Your mom needs some range time, preferrably with a self-defense instructor, to be able to make the best choice for her. Without the experience, all revolvers will seem too big and too loud for her.

My recommendation of where to start would be a good ol' 4" Model 10. I also like the Model 640 because of its double-action only action. The Model 642 Airweight is a handful even for someone with years of experience; the lighter weight is only valuable when you are carrying your sidearm on your hip all day.

First post from sac-gunslinger, howdy gang!
 
Last edited:
As they all said, a 4" K-Frame is just about ideal for this mission:
64-5.jpg

A $210 ex-Ohio prison gun.
 
If you will consider other brands, I keep a Ruger 38 LCR in the drawer of my tv room. Outstanding trigger, lightweight, small, not too much recoil...

Best!

edit: will handle +p but in snubs I've been told that's a waste....
 
Once you fire a gun inside of a house you own the bullet no matter where it goes. That could be into the bedroom where your children are sleeping or the neighbors house. A shotgun with bird shot will do just fine inside of small enclosure.
 
fdw said:
If you will consider other brands, I keep a Ruger 38 LCR in the drawer of my tv room. Outstanding trigger, lightweight, small, not too much recoil...

Best!

edit: will handle +p but in snubs I've been told that's a waste....
Click to expand...
Great gun, but not easy for a beginner to shoot well. And a fair amount of recoil too. I'm going to assume "mom" is not an experienced gun person or she would be out buying it herself.
 
shouldazagged said:
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.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I would suggest a 4" barrel.
 
mc5aw said:
I suggest putting the S&Ws on the back burner, and getting her a Coach Gun in 20 gauge with a Limb Saver recoil pad. Short barrel, easy target acquisition, various types of shot shells to use, and all without the recoil of a 12 gauge.
Click to expand...

If I had a dime for every time I've heard a Cowboy shooter think this!


A downloaded 12 gauge (featherlights) has less recoil than most 20 gauge shot shells.


Most Cowboys that start with 20 gauge quickly switch to a 12 gauge. Less recoil and more available selection of shot shells.
 
I appreciate all of the replies! I'll do some studying next time I fire up my PC rather than squint while phone surfing.

My mom last shot a cheap .22 revolver 30 years ago.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
My first handgun of any significance was a Model 19, 4 inch, back in 1986. Since then I have bought many handguns, but that Model 19, loaded with 38+p is my home defense gun. I know it is absolutely reliable, and I shoot it more accurately than any of my semi-autos or even my other revolvers (other than my 617 loaded with 22LR). I added Crimson Trace laser grips, and while nearly as pretty or comfortable as the original wood grips, the laser gives me an extra measure of accuracy especially in low light situations. I don't think you can go wrong with a quality 4-inch barrel revolver loaded with 38 Special or 38+p ammo.
 
Ok, Lets Be Honest Here, A Revolver Its A Poor Home Defense Weapon, Period. Get A Mossberg 590A1 12 Gauge With The 8 Round Tube. I Use #4 Buck To Reduce The Chance Of Over Penetration And Its A Man Stopper, No Handgun Is.
 
All of the above replies have merit for HD; wheel guns, bottom feeders, pumps, semi-auto shotguns, sxs, etc.... That is something you have to work out.
I would only be concerned about the long, heavy trigger pull of a double acting revolver. My wife who is a fit 50+ and has been shooting for quite a while still complains about shooting DA in both my Ruger SP101 and my S&W 28-2. Also, she is not very accurate shooting DA with them especially on quick follow up shots.

They can certainly be shot single action but I wouldn't want to add that extra step of cocking in a defensive situation. Both are fine guns but just what I have observed from her prospective. In any case, I would load them with a defensive .38s (+p if you want) and not necessarily a .357.

My defensive rigs are a Mossy 500 Persuader with a 8 round tube, Limbsaver recoil pad and a light and a FN P9 with a rail light. I think I grab the bedside 9mm and spare mags first and then make my way to the shotgun.
 
sac-gunslinger said:
I was an NRA certified instructor for many years in the 70's and 80's. I used to routinely take housewives with no firearms experience and have them shooting Mod 10/64/65 double-action with 38 Specials in one day. Your mom needs some range time, preferrably with a self-defense instructor, to be able to make the best choice for her. Without the experience, all revolvers will seem too big and too loud for her.

My recommendations of where to start would be a good ol' 4" Model 10. I also like the Model 640 because of its double-action only action. The Model 642 Airweight is a handful even for someone with years of experience; the lighter weight is only valuable when you are carrying your sidearm on your hip all day.

First post from sac-gunslinger, howdy gang!
Click to expand...


Exactly on point. The gun is not the question here: the shooter's physical and psychological comfort level is. Mom needs some range time and a self-defense course. Until she has done that, no one has any idea what the proper HD handgun for her is. Never train to the gun. Train to the need, then get the gun that best fits the trained individual's capabilities.

Sac-gunslinger, welcome to the forum. It's always fun to talk about the nuts and bolts of particular firearms, but every so often somebody should mix in a dollop of common sense. Thanks for doing so here. (And thanks also to the others who said pretty much the same thing.)

I know: kind of preachy this morning. I'm over-caffeinated. My BP and heart rate will be back to normal later.
 
Let's indeed be honest here! This is a revolver forum - the OP's concerned revolvers.

I would suggest a .38 Special revolver, like a SS K-frame, such as a 4" 64. Many of these in good condition, from security guard companies, have hit the trade-in/used market and represent decent values. Some have bobbed hammers and/or are DAO models - like a 'hammerless' J-frame, that is no problem. The great attribute of a DA revolver is that all it takes is a trigger pull to go bang - very intuitive in an emergency - so 'DAO' isn't a problem. If recoil is a problem, and even the added mass of a SS K-frame doesn't tame the 'FBI load, a +P 158gr LHPSWC, doesn't fully tame the beast, there is always the milder recoil of 148gr lead full wadcutters, generally used as a target round, but it's always .357" size cuts a consistent hole - and is effective. It is a viable alternative to the FBI load for the recoil sensitive. Be sure and put a comfortable grip on it for her. Best of luck!

Stainz
 
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