Model 15-3 as primary home defense

[Grimjaws]

My primary home gun for the longest time has been a Gen 3 Glock 19.
Both my boys were taught to shoot at an early stage and appreciate and respect firearms. Lo and behold my youngest son the Marine comes home and says, "How about letting go that Glock, Dad?"
He then makes some damn good arguements
It's reliable
It's been tested and proven
He's familiar with its operation
He has a gun safe at his home
His girlfriend was comfortable shooting it when we drove down to visit and had a range day and she is comfortable operating it when he is gone
They both have permits
They only have a .22 now
Darn kids - that all makes sense
So we do the proper paperwork and get the Glock sent down there all nice and legal to his off base house in town.

So that leaves me with a small selection of various handguns to use for my house gun. Problem is the wife has arthritis so most of my guns are too heavy or hard to use. Then I think of my pet project

In another post I had some troubles with a trigger locking up on a nice 15-3. Replaced some innards with Wolff parts and no more problems and one of the nicest triggers I have shot. Wife tried it out with some Pachmayrs and said it was fine.

So this old police standard is back on duty protecting our household

Anyone else using a revolver as their primary home defense gun
If so what are you using and why did you pick it?

 

[andy52]

Sort of, my primary is a pump 12ga backed up by a 15 no dash. The 15 is amazingly accurate and with good SD ammo is more than enough to get the job done. Why did I pick the 15, because it shoots as accurately as I can.

 

[Texas Star]

Several revolvers, in different rooms. M-66-3, M-60-4, Ruger SP-101, Ruger GP-100.

Note that all are stainless and all can use the same ammo, as far as .38 loads go, and I don't load Magnums indoors.

Revolvers don't need as much maintenance and I don't have to eventually damage the chambered round by jacking it in and out of the chamber as I inspect the gun and clean it.

BTW, I think a DA revolver is a LOT safer than leaving a Glock laying around.

 

[HughD1]

I have a 15-3 in a hopefully child proof safe on my night stand. It looks a little rough but has the best trigger of any Smith I own. It is loaded with 135 grain Gold Dots. One of the few guns I own that my wife has actually shot. It is in the safe because my teacher wife sometimes tutors kids at our home. Given time I am not sure anything is actually child proof.

 

[Bumpus13]

My 15-2 is my house handgun.

Simple reason is that it has the best trigger.

 

[jmart172]

Now you have a reason to buy yourself a new Glock

 

[S&W Fan]

Now you have a reason to buy yourself a new Glock

Or a Smith M&P

Yup, not uncommon for my 686, 625, 67 or even my 629 (loaded with Gold Dot .44spl ammo) to be close at hand when in the house.

 

[Narragansett]

I use a 15-3,15-2 and a Glock 36

 

[Grayfox]

I have a couple of different guns around the house. But right now at my computer desk, there's a 4" 10-8 within easy reach.

 

[ABPOS]

I have 2 guns in my house for home defense at present. My 442 carry gun and my Model 19.

I choose revolver because:

1. I have health issues fighting lyme disease and sometimes I go through a period where I feel lousy and may not touch my guns in a couple of weeks. I would rather not rely on a gun that might be better off with regularly lubing.

2. My wife really only knows how to operate a revolver. She can't pull the slide back on most autos I've ever had her try.

3. When I have an auto for home defense loaded, and I want to dry fire it, I'm not comfortable with chambering rounds over and over again and I don't want to go through a box of ammo every month just cuz I dry fired my gun every day. Seems like if a guy dry fired a lot, even if you rechambered a round a few different times you're going to go through a lot of carry ammo in a year.

4. I have come to prefer revolvers myself, if for no other reason than I just like them, but the above reasons help. But there are other reasons that I can't explain that I just like them better. So admittedly I may be choosing an inferior tool for no good reason. But the reasons above are good enough for me to feel like I have enough good reasons.

5. I think a double action gun is the safest type of handgun to use under stress. Albeit you may be giving up some accuracy for safety. Except I find my Model 19 every bit as accurate as any other gun I've shot. Even in double action. But probably have to be a bit slower to achieve said accuracy. I think I can be same level accuracy but faster with my Browning HiPower.

There's no doubt I'd prefer more capacity. But I do have AR's I can keep up here too if I want. But right now it's just the 2 guns handy. If I had the money I'd go for an N frame with more capacity for a serious HD gun. But I think 6 rounds is probably enough to stop most threats. Plus I have reloads stashed around the house.

 

[EricR]

I too usually have a K frame 38 as my house gun within reach. I'm most confident with it, confident it will fire. I'm 58 and S&W revolvers were something I grew up with, courtesy of my late Dad. And, astute point ABPOS had. My wife too would be comfortable with a revolver.

So, it's usually a 10-8 or a 10-6. Both are not safe queens. I ordered a BK for the 10-6 only yesterday as I like it so much on my 10-8...and one of my 4" 28-2's.

Depending on the day there's a plethora of other firearms within reach, but the Model 10's are the primary house guns. A 442-2 is my EDC.

The BK adapter I ordered Saturday night arrived today. On the 10-6.

 

[diyj98]

I've got a pile of automatics lying around, including several Glocks, but I use a S&W 69 loaded with 44 specials as my house gun. I don't want that short easy Glock trigger pull on a gun that I might be grabbing while I'm still half asleep. I used to use a 357 magnum, but had to shoot it one night inside the house and don't want to go thorough that ear pain again. The 44 special has a big bullet with a little less flash and roar of a hot 357 magnum.

 

[hittman77]

Yeah, I may have a revolver laying around for home defense.

However ..... you just need to replace that G19 with the G19x. Your wife will understand what you sacrificed for your son and his wife. It was only the right thing to do. Many of us pass on the older used item for the kids to use and upgrade for ourselves.

Consider it your congratulations gift for taking good care of your family.

 

[Grimjaws]

I use a gun safe

BTW, I think a DA revolver is a LOT safer than leaving a Glock laying around.

Never said I leave a Glock lying around - we have a handgun safe within easy reach in our bedroom and a full sized safe in the basement.

The safe a flashlight and my cell phone by my side every night!

 

[Grimjaws]

Holy Smoles

Now you have a reason to buy yourself a new Glock

Dang! I never thought of that!

That brought a smile to my face - maybe one of the new slim ones like the 48. My state limits me to 10 rounds anyway.

 

[OLDSTER]

This 15-4 is our "house/bedside" gun, and has been for over a decade. I take it out to the range for some fresh air at least once a month.

 

[ABPOS]

I too usually have a K frame 38 as my house gun within reach. I'm most confident with it, confident it will fire. I'm 58 and S&W revolvers were something I grew up with, courtesy of my late Dad. And, astute point ABPOS had. My wife too would be comfortable with a revolver.

So, it's usually a 10-8 or a 10-6. Both are not safe queens. I ordered a BK for the 10-6 only yesterday as I like it so much on my 10-8...and one of my 4" 28-2's.

Depending on the day there's a plethora of other firearms within reach, but the Model 10's are the primary house guns. A 442-2 is my EDC.

Those are beauties!!! Good choices. We have similar tastes I guess. LOL. I would have a 10 if I didn't already have the 19. Someday I'd like to get a tapered barrel 10 cuz I think it would balance better. My 19 is a 6".

 

[Igiveup]

I use Hornady self defense ammo in my M60, and other misc. S&W revolvers stashed around the place. I just don't trust auto "jammers", as I call them, in an emergency situation when I might be half asleep. My wife, like others, has a hard time racking my M1911's. My daily carry is also an M60.

 

[EricR]

ABPOS - Agreed similar tastes. I too would like a tapered barrel vintage Model 10. Had one decades ago and gave it to my brother. And for as much as I like my 10-6 and 10-8, I think that tapered barrel 10 just balanced better!

But, there's an endless list of things I'd like to have. I'm very happy with what I've got. And if I can pick up one or two more before I die then that's good enough for me.

 

[flagman1776]

I have a cut down (18 1/2") ancient "Bay State Arms" double 16 hammer gun, mismatched wood with a butt stock ammo carrier... backed up with an ex-Aussie Police 66-7 with 38+Ps.