Model 60 or 642 for home defense?

[M3Stuart]

If you must get one of the two, get the m60 with the 3" barrel. Either the pro-series or the 'regular' one with AS.

When I was in your situation 25+ years ago, I bought a snubbie and then an airweight snubbie. After being unable to hit the broadside of a barn with either for a few years, I sold them both and started the long trek of learning how to shoot, and buy, handguns.

If I may generally summarize the comments here; "if you're new to the HD handgun game buy something with a 4" barrel".

IMHO; I agree with that statement. In my case; I can't return to where you're going...I don't own snubbie .38/.357s anymore because, personally, I had difficulty shooting them accurately and did not enjoy them.

 

[corgiS&W]

I bought a Hogue Monogrip for the 642 and it made a world of difference. I have shot 100-200 rounds at the range and no problems. Substantially better than the original grip, but a little larger.

100% agreement with the change to the Hogue Monogrip. Bigger, yes, but better for a large hand and really makes it more pleasant to shoot.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I've had this question come up many times: "What's the best handgun for home defense?" It's almost always asked by someone without a lot of experience in shooting handguns. Here are the answers I invariably give them.

1. Get a double action medium frame revolver chambering either .357 magnum or .38 special. The .357 guns will also accept .38 specials.

2. Get a 4" barrel. It's the best compromise between handiness, ease of shooting, accuracy, power and retainability.

OK. Now let's examine the why of this recommendation.

First, a double action revolver can be kept loaded indefinitely; there are no unduly compressed springs that might take a set, unlike the potential for this in semiauto pistols.

Second, the double action revolver is as simple as it gets. Aim and pull the trigger. It's easy to see if it's loaded. For a house gun, it's probably best to get a hammered gun, giving the option of a quick defensive double action pull or a more deliberate precision aimed single action pull.

You want a gun with more heft for comfortable practice and control when firing in a pucker situation. The lightweight J-frames are intended for concealed carry. For this single purpose, they are unbeatable. But they are only 5-shot revolvers rather than 6 or more, and the kick with self-defense loads works against constant practice. The short barrels also reduce velocity. You have no need for concealability or lighter weight in the house; in fact you want that gun to be more visible in your hand to help prevent potential violence, and heavy enough so you can control it easily in firing, or as a last resort to use it as a bludgeon.

God help you if you have to struggle with an assailant for your gun. A 4" barrel is harder for an opponent to grasp than a longer one; you still have the advantage of more leverage to retain the gun. The 4" barrel also gives you higher velocity than shorter ones; more "thump" at the target.

Ease of shooting, firepower, simplicity, retainability and increased stopping power all point to a 4-inch medium frame .357/.38 hammered revolver for the role of a house gun for new shooters.

And then practice, practice, practice until the use of the gun is second nature to you.

That's the best advice I can give you. Here's a pic of the classic 4" Smith Model 10 in .38 special; very representative of what I'm talking about here.

John

 

[roaddog28]

Here is my home defense revolver loaded with 158gr LSWCHP +P.
My S&W model 10-14 4 inch

I bought this new with box and tools for $334 on gunbroker. I was lucky that a surplus store was going out of the gun business. This is the current model made by S&W. You can find these for way under the suggested retail price.
Good luck
Howard

 

[JayDubya]

This is Jack's daughter. It looks like my dad was on this forum frequently and enjoyed swapping gun stories and advice. He passed away this past Sunday, so I just wanted everyone to know that he didn't just stop communicating. It appears that he really got a kick out of this forum, and I thank you all for being part of that.

 

[sps282]

Between the two you mentioned I would recommend the model 60 in 3" barrel. I own both model 60 and 642, the 642 will be much harder to master and is punishing to the hand with +P loads. The model 60 is a better choice for home defense....although a good used model 10 would fit the bill at a much lower cost!

 

[jimmyj]

NO!
A "K" frame .38/.357 with four inch barrel is a better choice.
The Model 60/642 is a better choice for CCW.
I would reccommend a GLOCK but I have already been stun slapped this morning.

 

[Buford57]

I'll pile on here for the 4" .38/.357 DA. If this is a house gun only and your intention is to shoot only enough to become confident at the ranges found inside your home, this is the way to go. You will become confident much sooner. You may also find shooting enjoyable and shoot more, which is always a good thing. You will also save money on your initial purchase by buying a used K or L frame, which you can then invest in ammo and range time. I'm betting the gunsmith who recommended the heavier and (incrementally) longer barreled M60 has one for sale.

That said, I have owned, carried and shot (a lot) airweight snubs over the past 30 years and have not had the horrendous experiences some others describe. If you are raising blisters you have the wrong grips, the wrong grip or both. I bought a 642 recently and ran 100 rounds of target wadcutters followed by two or more cylinders each of 5 common SD loads (all but one of them +P). My eyes didn't cross, my nose didn't bleed and I didn't develop a drinking problem, and neither will you if you opt for the 642.

If you buy a SA/DA for self defense PLEASE don't practice shooting it single action. If, God forbid, you ever need to use it, you will revert to what you practiced. That is not the time to have your thumb slip off the hammer. Single action is for hunting, DA is for self defense. The 642/442/Centennial family at least remove that temptation.

My son is establishing his own household next month. He and his new bride will have a M15 as their house gun. Something either can use under stress.

 

[luangtom]

This is Jack's daughter. It looks like my dad was on this forum frequently and enjoyed swapping gun stories and advice. He passed away this past Sunday, so I just wanted everyone to know that he didn't just stop communicating. It appears that he really got a kick out of this forum, and I thank you all for being part of that.

Condolences to you and the rest of the family. RIP, Jack....

 

[TACC1]

I'd just like to throw in my 2 cents worth. Originally, I started
with a Ruger 357. As time goes by, I have been realising that a heavy gun, with less recoil, would be easier to take away from me in a Just-woke-up situation. I learned to shoot double-action with a 642; it now holds the first grab position. Its light weight ensures that I can aim/point it anywhere when I'm groggy and motorskills haven't
gotten back to daytime levels.
Maybe you could find a range or forum member near you, and try a few rounds of different guns.
JMHO, TACC1.