ideal small home defense revolver?

[DDDWho]

If I were a home invader and I heard the sound of a pump shotgun being racked I would run.

 

[OLDSTER]

keep it simple

Bingo! Rachel nailed it. (I'm 10 years younger but I hope I have that good an attitude in a decade.)

Absolutely spot on

 

[qrachel]

Hi All: Thanks for the nice words some of you shared.

I just went to the range today w/three of my girl friends. They are new to shooting. We took a P220 Equinox 45ACP, a 617 6" 22LR 10 shooter, and S&W 9mm semi-auto. Everyone had a great time and my shooting coach who was the range master today was great in making sure we had a great, safe, fun day.

The point is what everyone said when we were driving home, which was they all loved the 45ACP and thought that would be the gun they would own if they wanted to own a gun . . . go figure but there it is. I firmly believe that choosing a gun is so personal that the individual who is going to own the gun needs to be very hands on in the process. And besides, it turns out to be a lot of fun for most people.

Happy shooting,

R

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am 70 but have been shooting revolvers for 60 years. The only J-frame Scandium or Aluminum framed revolver that I would favor, would be the 331, or maybe a steel Model 31. The 331 shoots .32 H&R magnums which are nearly as much energy as a .38 Special standard load. The recoil is manageable and you can shoot .32 S&W longs in it for practice. The Model 31 is .32 Long and was a police standard for years.

If she can tolerate a heavier gun, get her a K-frame Model 10, 4 inch barrel, .38 Special +P.

I would not get her a hammerless gun because it is so much easier to shoot the first round with single action.

 

[Stainz]

While I'll hit 65 this summer, already with CTS troubles, my 5'10" younger wife is having considerable joint problems. She is the main reason we are searching for a one level 'garden' home. She is having trouble with 'small' guns, even to the point of selling her LW Seecamp .32 (... but she still loves her PPK/S LE!). She won't let go of her favorite 6-shooter, however... my 2" 10! She chose it, a 10-11 I bought new 9/03 from CDNN for $280, over the 3" 65 I bought used for her, cleaned up, and even custom fitted & refinished some new rounded fg Hogues in goncalo alves for her, too. She was afraid she might load .357's in it, which I have never bought or made. She asked what became of the 'little black revolver' - I got the 2" 10 and a smile came across her face. "Will my specially fitted grips fit this?". After putting them on, she checked the cylinder for the third time and announced, "I'm going to dry fire my S&W now.". Her next words were, "Let's go to the range so I can shoot my new revolver!". It was her gun - and she will only shoot my Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LSWCHPs in it - and what a shot she is! She tried my 642 with lite plinkers in it - still prefers 'her' 2" 10. I even bought an ANIB security guard trade-in 4" 64 almost five years ago for her HD revolver - too big and shiney - she loves that 2" 10. I tried subbing my new Governor with .45 ACP ball ammo - no dice - she loves her 2" 10. I guess I'll never get it back!

The moral to this story is simple - let her choose what she wants! Your duty is to be able to afford it - or be ready to say goodbye to it!!

Stainz

 

[hotrod150]

If I get into a gun fight in a phone both, I don't want a shotgun. ....

Good turn of a phrase, Will, and a very comparison to a home defense scenario. I have a 12 ga pump loaded with 00 buck here at home, but it is more for when the fight is outside. Inside I'll take one of my 38's.

 

[spad124]

Another concern about autoloaders is that they take more "maintenance." By that I mean that it is not a good practice to load a magazine and let it sit loaded for years. Rotating mags is common practice. If mom is not willing to engage in that level of interest, then a revolver probably makes much more sense.

 

[bbqbob51]

You're on the right track going with a revolver. My wife and I took a firearms safety course and one of the in instructors, a retired police officer, told us the best all around house gun is the 38spl revolver with a 3" barrel. He said the .38spl round is plenty so long as you use a good HP round. The recoil is manageable for anyone in the house; man or woman and any age or body type. He said that a semi auto is a bad choice because of the complexity and unless you are willing to go out and practice on a regular basis to get proficient with it then get a revolver.
My experience is you need to get up to around 30 oz. to help tame the recoil. My wife is uncomfortable shooting the light weight (15 oz. =/-) snub nosed revolvers so she got a Taurus 85 which weight 21 oz. empty and that is barely acceptable for her. When she shoots my 4" 686+ which weighs 39 oz. she is much more comfortable recoil wise but it is a bit big for her small hands. The smaller frame is more comfortable to handle but larger frames tame recoil.

 

[S&WForty]

Hi everyone. I appreciate all of the replies from months ago. I had printed this thread a couple of months ago, but I left the copy at work. Though I had read it a few times, all the model numbers were still kinda Greek to me. I stayed up late last night and reread it online while looking at the models on S&W's site. I went to bed knowing I wanted a 64/65 or 67. (are these revolvers or Pontiac GTOs?!? )

I bought a new Model 67 this morning.

I'll get my mom to a range in a week or two and see how she likes it. Though she's not too accustomed to guns, she doesn't mind pawing over them - not scared one bit, and she's always been a hawk about "where you point that thing." I don't have to worry about her not pointing in a safe direction.

While she was looking at the 67, I told her the difference in it and an Airweight. I told her about the recoil. "Oh, I can handle that. I won't shoot it enough for that to matter." Good attitude mamma, but let's wait and see what your wrist thinks! I told her once a gun tries to jump out of her hands and scares her, she's going to have a hard time overcoming that first impression and the larger 67 is better to start with.

And... I had been wanting an Airweight anyway, so I went back to the LGS after lunch and got a 638! It'll be interesting how she reacts to it after starting with the 67. I would bet money she's going to agree the steel 67 is easier to shoot. Heck, I am curious how *I* am going to react!!! I've never once thought a .40 S&W's snap was that big a deal, so I hope the Airweight doesn't bother me.

Revolvers. What have I been missing??? These little puppies are too cool! I can't wait to shoot them.

Thank you all again for the answers in April.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I own a S&W .40 as well. If you can hold that caliber and shoot it well, you will not have any difficulty with an Airweight .38 Special.

 

[Harrison]

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

2

Then probably the first thing you should do is enroll her in a basic firearms class, and basic firearms self defense class. After that she can decide what kind of home defense weapon is suitable for her. Just having a gun in the house isn't much help if you are not at least semi-proficient in its use.

 

[rmbrad]

I would add this to the reply from Harrison. Find classes that are female friendly. The basic safety, handing, and marksmanship are the same. From there on, it is different.

 

[NorthWoods1900]

Buffalo Bore Ammunition makes .38 reduced flash wad cutters for personal defense, my wife and I both carry them in our air weight Bodyguards. Good Luck.

 

[rmbrad]

There are a number of companies making ammo for short barreled pistols with premium bullets designed for the reduced velocity, and still have reduced recoil.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

My 86 year old mother keeps this M64 w/SIX 158 gr Nyclad HP +P in her nightstand. I gave it to her "just in case". She hasn't had to use it... yet. It beats talking "harshly" to an intruder.

Bill, could you adopt me for a couple of weeks, just long enough for you to give me a 2" M64 also? I am 66, potty trained, and do not each much. Well, not too much.

Seriously, that was a great gift for your mom.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Buffalo Bore Ammunition makes .38 reduced flash wad cutters for personal defense, my wife and I both carry them in our air weight Bodyguards.

I use that load in all of my working revolvers. Buffalo's standard pressure 158 grain FBI load in the speedloaders for easier reloading if needed.

 

[S&WForty]

Thank you for the added replies, guys. Our two best ranges here are VERY lady friendly. After I let her shoot both, I'll see exactly what the two ranges offer and get her to take a course.

I also have a female co-worker that shoots everything under the sun that said she'll shoot with her if she'd like shooting with another lady.

Oldtrader3, thanks for the .40 vs Airweight .38 Special input!

 

[wildenout]

Have to agree with the crowd above, K frame, Steel and longer than a snubby. I would recommend the 686+ with the 3 inch barrel. Or a Ruger Sp101/Gp100.

 

[87hurricane]

Sounds like you made a good choice with the 67. My recommendation (and my personal SD pistol) would have been a 4" K frame, either a 10 or a 64. The 67 you chose is the exact same gun with adjustable sights, and it should serve her very well. A 4" K frame 38 is and absolute dream to shoot, one of my favorites, just slightly under .45ACP for me.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

getting her a Coach Gun in 20 gauge with a Limb Saver recoil pad

Think about this, a 70 year old woman leads herself around a corner with the long barrel of the coach gun. The BG grabs the barrel and tries to lever it out of her hands. That is a long lever, many big, burly guys have lost their guns in this scenario. The 70 year old woman is likely not to be able to retain the shotgun.

Yes, the 20 gauge coach gun is effective but the shorter revolver will be easier to retain.