Recommending a Persons First Handgun

[NE450No2]

One of my buddies on the Deer lease does not even own a handgun. Never has.
He did get his Texas CHL a while back and while hunting this month expressed the desire to get a handgun.
He stated he will most likely not carry regulary, but wanted a handgun for use at the lease, for snakes and finishing shots, and for protection at home.
He stated he thought a revolver would be best for him and I agreed 100%.

I let him shoot my 44 Mag Mountain Gun with loads starting with 240gr bullets and 7.2gr, 8.3 and 9.5 of Unique. He also shot 240gr MagTec, and 240gr Federal factory loads.

I explained how you can taylor the 44 Mag from mild to WILD...

However, most people just will not carry as big a gun as an N frame, even on the deer lease, all the time as it is just too big and heavy...

So, I recommended he get one of the 2 different Mod 60's in 357 Mag with adjustable sights. Which ever he likes the best.

I explained that these guns are small and light, thus easy to carry, he can use 158gr 357 Mags, and CCI/Speer shotshells, on the lease, and good 38 Specials for defense, and practice, if the Mags are to much for accurate rapid fire...

I told him, better to have the "smaller" gun on your person 100% of the time that a BIGGER gun back in camp.
Also I told him, if later on, you decide you want/need a 44 Mag, or a 500 S&W, the Mod 60 will always be a good revolver to "have around".

Also if you decide to do some CHL carry the 3" Mod 60 will be handy and again easy to carry, and shoot.

I also went over the 686 S&W's, and frankly told him IF I was going to get a revolver that big, I would just get a 4" 44 Mag, and adjust my ammo selection as we discuassed. [Several of us carry 4" S&W's on the deer lease, including my wife, so ammo is always "around"].

Still, as much as I like, and believe in, the 44 Mag, I think for him and his first handgun the 3" Mod 60 in 357 Mag is the way to go.

He said the "concept" of the Mod 60 3" "Kit Gun" looked good to him, so we will see what he gets, and how he likes it.

 

[jbull380]

I tell everyone the same thing. Rent or borrow as many different makes and calibers as you can shoot them and then decide what YOU like best.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I will take my lashing for saying this on a S&W forum:

Ruger GP100

 

[1 old 0311]

A .357 in a J frame is a 'bit' stout for a new guy. I would stick to K, or L frames in that caliber.

 

[NE450No2]

Yes I thought about that, but he probably would not carry an L frame or an N frame, and him finding a good K frame would be problamatic...

He shot the full power loads in the 44 Mountain Gun, and did not have a problem with them for a few rounds.
And for what he will be doing on the lease he will not need to shoot a bunch of 357 Mags at any one time.

For instance I carried my MG 44 Mag for 3 weeks and only shot one round...

He can always use 38 specials for practice/plinking, and defense.

He can always up graded to +p or +P+ 38's or even 357 Mags as he gets more experience.

I would rather see him carry the 3" Mod 60 100% of the time, that have a bigger gun he leaves in camp.

Once he gets used to carrying a handgun, he can always go bigger/ more powerful later on.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been on hunts, with guys that do not normally carry a handgun show up on a hunt, many times in bear territory, with a big heavy gun, carry it for a day or two, and leave it in the tent everyday for the rest of a 15 day hunt...
They would be much better off with the 3" Mod 60 in 357 Mag on their belt, IMHO.

 

[Bib]

I usually recommend a good .22 pistol like a Buckmark or Ruger...and a BUNCH of ammo to learn the skills for handgunning. If he spends a good bit of range time learning, he's bound to get the opportunity to handle and shoot a good number of bigger guns to help him decide.

 

[NE450No2]

I will be giving him some handgun instruction, starting out with my 4" Mod 34.

 

[mountaingun629]

Maximumbob54-

I have a Ruger GP100 - it is too darn heavy to carry all the time. Maybe one with the shorter lug, or better yet would be an older Security Six or Speed Six snubby. Probably more in line with a K - frame Smith, although I have never had them side by side to compare.
A hot .38+p or .357 Mag load in a small frame will be a handfull for a novice.

Myron

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

S&W 66 4" bbl is ideal for carry, women, you name it. For serious work - Para P-13 tricked out

 

[GatorFarmer]

Eh. Just get him a Glock 19 or 26 and have done with it. They work fine with a shotshell in the chamber and CCI offers 9mm shotshells. Some guns will even feed the things. It'd edge out the Sigma simply by having a better trigger and being somewhat more weather resistant. Not too hard to carry at all, goes bang and a lot easier to hit with than a 3" J frame.

If he doesn't want a round in the chamber, then have the first round in the mag as a shotshell. Though to be honest, if someone really wants to shoot snakes a .410/.45 handgun might make the most sense since pistol shotshells are an "eh/dicey/better be close" proposition in many cases.

I used to carry a Model 58 .41 mag and I've carried a 4" 629. Concealed mind you. Never bothered by the weight. But everyone has different tolerances.

Given what new S&W revolvers sell for... he'll also get "more gun" by just buying a Glock.

If for some reason a Glock, even used, is too expensive, look at the Heritage Arms offerings. They make a .32 Mag and while shotshells are a handloading proposition in that caliber, it can be done. They also offer .22LR/.22Mag guns that will kill an animal at close range and kill snakes and what not. They're very inexpensive and the sort of thing that someone tends to shoot a lot once they have one.

 

[jbull380]

Well GatorFarmer you've gone and done it now, you used th "G" word. May God have mercy on your soul.

 

[NE450No2]

GF
I have exrensive experience with a Glock, I had to carry one for several years. Never any problems, and yes mine functioned with shotshells fine.

He used a borrowed semiauto to get his CHL. In Texas if you qualify with a semiauto you can also carry a revolver. If you qualify with a revolver then you License will state revolver only...

However, he specifically stated he wants to start out with a revolver.

 

[papajohn428]

Why not a good used M-64? Stainless steel makes for far less maintenance, it can shoot Plus-P ammo all day long, or shotshells, and there are several barrel lengths available if you shop around. I bought a pair of 4-inch M-64's from J&G a couple years ago, and they get carried and shot constantly with NO issues whatsoever. 357's are nice, but how often do you really need Magnum Power? Modern 38 ammo is pretty impressive!

Just mine dos pesos...........

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I carry an M36 and M60 J frame in .38 Spl. That's all you need. I carry 24/7 in my strong side front pocket. I sometimes have to stop and think.."am I pack'n"?...to which the answer is always yes.

I have a CCW out of a real need for protection. It's not "academic"....if you know what I mean?

If I should ever forget to carry my firearm....I would feel nekkid!

Been pack'n for nearly eight years.

 

[NE450No2]

We have some pretty big pigs on the lease, I know I would feel more comfortable on the extra penetration of a 357 Mag over a 38 Special.

If the 357's prove too much for him then he can go to +P+, +P or standard 38 Specials.

Also again I think the size of the Mod 60 will more likely to be carrried 100% of the time.

He can always get a bigger gun if he becomes a "Believer".

He is going to look at several S&W's when he goes to the gunstore, It will be intresting to see what he gets...

 

[sps282]

The model 60 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights would be a good choice in my mind. Not too heavy to carry but heavy enough to tame the recoil of the .357 a little bit. Many different ammo choices. Would make a decent home defense weapon.

 

[Bat Guano]

I would agree with others that a 4" K frame with adjustable sights, in either .38 Special or .357 would be an excellent choice.As Townsend Whelen said long ago of the .30-06, it's never a mistake. Having said that, I confess to favoring the old Ruger Security Sixes in that role; not as elegant as S&W, but built for the ages.

Full disclosure: I have a M60-4 in .38 Special, and it's one of my favorite guns. Also had the same gun in .357 which I believe was the 60-10 pre-lock. Of the two I kept the .38 because the action was much smoother. S&W tried twice to iron out the .357s trigger to no avail. It was a little powerhouse but as a practical matter I just preferred the 60-4 all the way around.

So my vote goes to the old familiar K frame. Nowadays I could even get along with a well used Model 10 and a decent defensive load, now that I have finally learned how to use them.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

How about a 4" M19??? (I may be repeating previous advice as I think an M60 is mainly a stainless M19??)

Mag capable when needed, but a nice, fairly lightweight (compared to my 686 anyway) well balanced piece.