S&W Model 64

[Don CM]

having used both and others-the lighter handgun is nice to carry but a bit more trouble to shoot-the heavy gun holds down recoil better-the 38 Special-in hollow point form has buried more people then the super bowl could hold-and even in the Lead forms it has done a good job-the 'trick" is can you shoot well under stress? The best 38 load in my fifty some years of actual shooting is the 158 grn Lead SWC-Hollow point under the Plus P label by anybody...

 

[sac-gunslinger]

The vibe I'm getting is that a 64 would be an excellent first revolver purchase, and the 686 may not be necessary for my needs at this time.

(I have just found this old thread in the Fall of 2013)


First, middle, and last. Assuming you are not a collector who wants anything that was built, the M64 will serve you well in virtually all applications.

Well, maybe not defending yourself against grizzlies....

 

[brucev]

This may be heading towards a caliber debate, but I've spoken to a handful of people that own revolvers, including a couple gunsmiths, and I'm hearing different things.

Some say the .38 is just fine for defense, but others say I'd need a .357 if I'm serious about it. One even hinted a .38 special was basically useless as a defensive round and too weak to cause any damage to a person if first shot through glass.

So in other words, I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks for the replies

Do you own thinking. The folks who are offering you the above advice appear to be repeating what they've read in the latest magazine. The focus of such publications is normally on the most extreme sort of incident that can possibly be imagined. That makes sense. It sells magazines. Merely thoughtful fact based informing of the reading public is not glamorous. It is not a good selling strategy.

There is nothing magic in any handgun round. None of them are powerfully enough to actually shock a man in the same way a high-powered rifle can at time make a game animal like a deer, etc. come "unglued." Good hits with any decent handgun caliber will give good results in a HD incident. Marginal hits will produce poor results.

 

[franzas]

My first handgun was a 64-3 VSP trade-in i bought off a friend for $120. DA pull is a little soft, but for the price it's just right. It's the gun I keep in the jeep or when I'm in the woods. It's my ICE gun. Loaded with Buffalo Bore FBIs or HCWCs, its unstoppable. I liked it so much I bought a 10-5 for my EDC. The 64 will not let you down.