New to handguns -- need help to start

[murphydog]

The .38 Special was the standard police service round for many decades. +P indicates a higher than standard pressure loading, which will produce (everything else being equal) more velocity and energy. Any modern model 10 or any 64 will fire these without problems; it is more the cylinder material and heat-treatment that determine whether a gun can withstand higher pressures than the barrel thickness, at least to my understanding. You will probably burn up a lot more standard-pressure practice ammo and reserve the +P for familiarity and home use, so wearing out the gun shouldn't be a concern.

Of the list of guns you mentioned at the end of your last post, the 686 SSR is an L frame, which as a previous reply mentioned has the same grip frame size as the K frame. If cost is not an issue it is a fine choice. If you have a .45 N frame revolver you can try out and can manage one the others are all good choices too, but as others stated a .38/.357 will do what you need and be much cheaper to feed.

 

[scooter123]

Actually, I kind of doubt if a 686 would be cheaper to feed than a 625 in 45 ACP. I haven't seen ANY 38 spl. at any of the local Walmarts for at least 2 years and 38 spl. at the range is currently 22 bucks per box of 50 FMJ and 357 Magnum range ammo is 29 dollars per box. I suspect that 45 ACP FMJ from Walmart will beat either of those prices, however I don't have any 45's so really haven't paid attention.

My recomendation would be the 625 as long as it fits. The plain truth is that the 45 ACP offers about double the energy of the 38 spl., make a bigger hole, and it's also easier to find.

Problems finding, and the cost, of 38 spl. is why I purchased my model 610. By using moon clips I can run it with the 40 S&W which is currently 7 dollars a box cheaper than 38 spl. and has been easy to find at almost any Walmart or gun shop. I also purchased a bunch of moon clips for it, so I can hit the range with 24 clips loaded up and ready to go and still have some spares loaded with premium SD ammo. It really is a shame that S&W dropped the 610 this year, I was planning on picking up a 4 inch 610 to go with my 6 1/2 inch 610. If they were still available, the 610 would be high on my list as a recomendation for a Home Defense revolver.

Since it's not, the 625 is a great alternative. You get a revolver that is very quick to reload in a caliber that has a 99 year history for effectiveness and is also very easy to find.

 

[otis24]

If you have small hands for your size, the N frame might be too big to shoot comfortably. I know this from experience. I owned a Model 28 Highway Patrolman. Loved the gun overall, but it really was too big form my hands. I went back to the heavy barrel Model 10. Awful hard to beat a K frame S&W revolver. If you decide to go with an N frame, a round butt or having one converted to round butt might help the fit. Good luck in your hunt.

 

[bewleybrother]

I think what I'll do is rent and try out the 686, 625JM and Model 22 (of 1950) 4."

I found a NIB Model 22 Classic of 1950 (22-4, I think it is) for a VERY reasonable price. If I can handle an N frame and I like the .45 ACP caliber, should I go for it?

Who here has fired a 4" Model 22 Classic? How does it shoot? How do the old-school grips feel? I know it won't be as accurate as the 625 JM, but I have the feeling that an inch or two wider grouping at 25 yards has little relevance to accuracy in SD shooting (which is where accuracy really counts).

I think someone here mentioned that I should have a pocket-size for if any of the drug addicts decide to come back to my deck while I am outside. Unfortunately, my instructor told us that our jurisdiction does not allow carrying the weapon outside of the four walls of the home (this excludes inside the garage as well). So walking outside to get to the laundry room with a weapon is not allowed.

Someone else mentioned that although I am politically liberal, I should not be liberal if I am faced with life-threatening danger and I have my weapon. I don't intend to. Having that break-in in my building and learning from my neighbor about the drug addicts who used our back patio as their temporary crack den was my wake up call. The probability of a break-in is still low, but I don't want to be caught unprepared.

Another wakeup call was that a grad school friend of my wife's told her about a breakin in her apartment a few months ago. She woke up to her back window being broken in, she went to her dining room and found the guy inside near the window, after which he quickly split (thank god). I want the gun so my wife can have it if I am working late and I am not there.

My instructor advised us to tape our paper targets where it is visible at our most vulnerable entry point to our homes -- and that is precisely what I did.

 

[okie john]

I find that the handling difference between K-frame, L-frame and N-frame guns is pretty subtle if they all have the same barrel length, and that barrel is 4” or over. I also find J-frames and short-barreled versions of the larger-framed guns very hard to shoot well, especially with full-house ammo.

I wouldn't get fixed sights on a first gun. Sometimes they don't shoot to Point of Aim, and different ammo types may have different Points of Impact. Fixing this can be a drag, and then you're limited to one load.

The 38 Special is on the light side for defense, but the 357 and 45 are squarely in the sweet spot. The 45 kicks more than the 38, but not much. The 357 kicks a lot more.

All Smiths are well made. Some are finished a bit more nicely than others but it’s a wash for your needs. Individual guns may not shoot well with some types of ammo, but that’s an ammo issue. Some are hard for some people to shoot well, but that’s a shooter issue.

Per your individual questions:

The Model 10 Heavy Barrel is identical to a Model 13, but the Model 13 is a 357. Stainless versions are the 64 in 38 and the 65 in 357.

The Model 60 is not my first choice for full-house 357. You have to practice a LOT with your defense gun, and this one will beat you up. It's a better choice for experienced shooters.

The Model 27 has been hauling the freight just fine since 1935. Can’t go wrong with it. Soaks up recoil well.

As for the Model 686 SSR's "magnificent engineering", well that's never a moot point. But then again, all Smiths are magnificently engineered.

Try out the M-22 and the 625 JM. You'll want moon clips for defensive use, but a few cheap tools make them much easier to use. The 625 is by far the best choice on your list.

You’ve settled on a Smith, so the issue is what feels best in your hand and gives you the most confidence. The rebate is nice, but letting $50 guide the choice of a weapon is false economy. Buy the best tool for the job and hit the range with it.


Okie John

 

[scooter123]

My instructor advised us to tape our paper targets where it is visible at our most vulnerable entry point to our homes -- and that is precisely what I did.

On the face of it, this sounds like good advice. However, when you think about it, it's absolutely terrible advice in any city today. What you are doing is posting a sign that there are guns in your house, which are VERY high value targets for a burglar. A burglar can probably net 25 or 50 bucks on your 1500 dollar plasma and it's not at all easy to hide when removing it from your dwelling. A handgun will net that burglar at least 100 bucks and probably double that in anti gun Chicago, so guns are like Gold to a criminal. High value and easy to conceal while leaving your home, those are items that you don't want anyone to know you have in your home. NONE of my neighbors know anything about my interest in either photography or guns and it's for a reason. All it takes is some teenage neighbor blabbing about his gun collecting neighbor in a cafeteria or takeout and criminals will come calling.

If you want signage that will discourage a common burglar, put a sticker on the window along the lines of "I love my Rotweiller or some other very large breed". Another item that will discourage breakins are some security cameras placed where they can be seen but not easily reached, even if they are just dummy cameras.

Now one note on carrying. Consider running for Alderman, in Chicago it's one way you can gain the right to protect yourself because Aldermen are permitted to carry concealed. Then, once your elected, use that position to change the current Laws. Michigan went Shall Issue for concealed carry permits and today even the very Liberal Media grudgingly admits that the result has been a drop in crime and those who have obtained permits to carry have shown that they are a VERY responsible group of citizens.

BTW, if you take the time to look and Michigans list of what will exclude someone from being granted a CPL you'll understand why that is the case, they do an excellent job of eliminating drunks, criminals, and general low lifes from obtaining a Michigan CPL. Michigan will even decline a person if they aren't registered to vote.

 

[russp1]

I'm pretty new to the shooting game myself but I thought I'd pass this along. Neither my wife nor I have done any shooting in the past 25 years but went to the range today and fired 50 rounds each through our .38 Special S&W J frames with 1-7/8" barrels (hers a 642, mine a 442). We were both able to stay within a 10" circle about 95% of the time at 3 yards and 7 yards; I'd say about 70% in the 5" red.

 

[bewleybrother]

Scooter: Good point. I didn't look at it from that angle.

 

[Schmidty]

A lot of good advice on here. I would second Scooter123's recommendation. If you can rent or borrow a model 610, I would try it out. I shoot a lot of .40 through mine for plinkin'. I think .40 is cheaper and more available than .38 right now. It is a faster round and packs more punch than a .38. More recoil than a .38, less than a .357. With some practice, moonclips are fast and efficient. The moonclips for the 610 are very easy to put ammo in and take out with your fingers. I have moonclips for a .45 and you need the tool to remove them without ruining the clips. You will have a hard time finding a 610 for sale, but I would consider looking. If you want to shoot something hotter on the ranch, buy some Buffalo Bore 10mm and you have turned it into ~.41 Magnum.

Congrats on whatever decision you make, as they are all good options and post some pictures when you make the purchase.

 

[1911bphil]

Just my humble opinion: go to the range and rent everything that they have. You might find something you like better than the ones you listed.

 

[Old cop]

Do not put up paper targets where they can be seen by a perspective crook. You're advertising that there is a gun in the house and you will increase your changes of becoming a victim, and losing your gun in the process. NEVER surrender the element of surprise.