Suggest a .38 home gun for older gentleman

[finesse_r]

For Home Defense and General Use in .38 Special

I would recommend either the 3 inch model S&W Model 64 or the Ruger Speed Six in SS with 2 ¾ inch barrel. These are like two peas from the same pod they are so similar and both are excellent and highly reliable .38 special revolvers. Of course the Speed Six is also available in .357 and 9mm. However, I doubt your friend is interested in anything other than the .38.

You could also consider the 4 inch versions of the above revolvers, but I much prefer the balance and feel of the 3 inch and the 2 ¾ inch versions.

It is always amazing to me that once you drop from 3 inch down to 2 ½ inch barrel length, the difference is very noticeable to me personally, but the drop to 2 ¾ inch barrel is not.

 

[OLDSTER]

4" stainless K/L frame. I'm 66, and keep my 4" 686 bedside with an HKS speedloader.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My Dad was a retired Police Capt.; after 39 years carrying. first a Colt New Service in .357 mag; later either a Smith 4" Model 10 or a Colt Detective Special.....

From about age 70 to 83 his house gun was (my LOL) 4" 686-M that I had round butted, w/ compact Pachymer grips ( the one's that cover the back strap)........... his "carry gun" was an early Smith 640 w/ a red ramp front sight.

Both loaded with the 158gr hollow point P+ FBI load

 

[shouldazagged]

What is the classic, steel, S&W snub nose revolver (model 10/64 of the small guns)?

For pocket carry, a 640. Concealed hammer, nothing to snag on the draw, much less risk of lint and crud from the pocket getting into the works. An older one in .38 Special +P will weigh about 21 ounces and he won't be under-gunned (though many folks here won't agree with that statement).

But you made it clear he's unlikely to carry concealed, so the K- and L-frames, especially the K's, are ideal for in-house defense.

It really would be best to let him try various models.

 

[sophie]

I have a model 64 with 4" barrel beside my bed.

 

[hotrod150]

You can use a snubbie at home. Answer the door with your hand in your pocket No problem? Don't show the gun. It's a better overall tactical solution, IMO.

It's hard to beat a 4" k-frame for all-around use, including home protection. But per 5wire's comment, something you can more easily tuck into your pocket might be convenient- if I step out onto the porch to greet a stranger who pulled up to my house, I don't necesarily want to do so with a gun in my hand.

 

[Super Dave]

Great points fellows. Thanks. Now I want some of these for myself. Damn.

Yea, I agree that he should try a bunch. But, that ain't gonna happen. Unlike us, he's not interested in guns. He still works part time and has a very full life. Shoot, I took his rifle to the range the last few times to make sure it was sighted in.

So, I'd like say..."here's two guns that the experts suggest." If I can get him to the range he could shoot my 2 inch model 15 and a model 14 so he can get the feel of short and long. Once he decides I'll help him find a nice sample.

He's my buddy and I like guns. It's all good.

Thanks for your help.
Dave

 

[ISCS Yoda]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 70 year old men can shoot 44 magnums if they want to - you think because he's 70 he can't handle a powerful handgun? GET REAL!!! Unless a man is ill or injured at 70 he can still kick butt and take names - and that's little guys and big guys at 70. I'm 65 - and ready for anything. People still fear me and I'm a little guy - just mean and feisty and a deadly shot.

Okay, that said, we're talking Hawaii, and Hawaii has nasty gun rules that many of us will never have to consider. But I'll stick to the basic, original question:

My hunting partner wants to get a .38 caliber revolver for home protection. This will be his only handgun in his house. He retired from the Army and in his early 70's. A great guy.

His son in law is in the Marines (Force Recon) so his opinion carries weight. What he suggested is a lightweight, hammerless, snubby. His point was that it could be put in your pocket easily and even fired from a pocket if necessary.

My question for you folks is: If you had to pick one .38 caliber revolver for your bedside...what would it be? (Note: this would only be a house gun...it's not legal to carry in Hawaii.)

The original answer is still the best answer - a 4 inch blue Model 10 or a stainless Model 64. EXCEPT HE SAID SNUBBY!!! That eliminates a 4" barrel, my friends. So, since the gentleman in question seems to want to tote the gun around in his home, then a shrouded hammer or concealed hammer J-frame is the answer for his pocket - or a 2" Model 10 or similar gun for a belt holster and bedside. Everything else is outside the issue.

And let's remember that we don't know what the used gun market is in Hawaii. I have a 2.5" barreled 686+ that would work and, also, a 2.5" Model 19. But they're hard to find in any jurisdiction and a bit heavy to tote around the house, but it could be done. I keep my 686+ stoked with .38 Special ammo as my bedside gun my own self so I know it's a practical solution.

***GRJ***

 

[Super Dave]

Woooa Yoda, you are feisty.

Please let me clarify. He shoots a 30-06 so I'm sure he could handle a .357. But he wants a .38 pistol.

Regarding the gun choice, he doesn't know what model to get. His son in law suggested a snubby. But, my buddy didn't plan on carrying it around the house in a pocket. So I wanted to give him another option that may be more suitable for a bedside gun.

I think we have some great suggestions and Hickok45 has videos on the Model 10, 36, and 642. He should be able to make an informed decision.

The only problem with this exercise is that I now want a 10, 36, and 642. Geez.

Dave

 

[Iggy]

Ok, let's compromise. He wants a gun he can carry in his pocket from time to time, but primarily a house gun in .38 Spec.

We're generally in accord that a K frame sized gun is appropriate.. OK..

Either a Model 10 Snubbie or a model 12 snubbie.

This one is a Model 12. It's harder to shoot accurately than a 4" but for comfortable shooting, it beats a J frame of any flavor.

Iggy dons flame resistant suit and zig-zags stage right and out the door.

 

[Buford57]

Maybe you should start a poll.

For a strictly house gun 4" K Frame: 10, 64, 15 or 67.

But nothing wrong with the Marine's prescription, either. At across the room range it really won't matter much.

The recoil will be more acute in the snubby, which might inhibit practice if arthritis is a consideration.

 

[TACC1]

Having lost some strength in my hands from carpal
tunnel/surgery, I find that the easiest gun for me to
grab, in a hurry, is either an Airweight J-frame,
or a 12-2 K-frame. That's with a 2" barrel. Steel frame takes
a firmer grip just to get into action than I can provide
when just waking up. 'Course, I'm only mid-60's, YMMV.
TACC1

 

[John P.]

I would go with a 4 inch 686 loaded with 158 gr. +P SWCHP loads.

 

[rwsmith]

As much as I love my 686......

For a dedicated home gun I'd still go with the Mod 10 or maybe 19.

The 686 is a bigger heavier frame that is not as quick to handle. And the extra beef just isn't needed for .38 loads.

 

[JNewell]

If it's a house gun rather than a carry gun, I'd strongly encourage you to stay with all-steel guns. I like the 4" Model 10/65 idea, but you could also look (for example) at Model 60s if pocket carry isn't in the plan. One downside with the J-frame is that they are small enough that they can actually be hard to shoot well for men with good sized hands who don't shoot them often.

 

[Super Dave]

Here's my email to my friend. I tried to stay neutral... I'll let you know what he thinks. Thanks,
Dave

I've done some research for a great .38 caliber revolver for home protection. Here's the top 3. They are all Smith and Wesson and have a long and successful history.

The first is what Mark suggested with the enclosed hammer. Small and designed for concealed carry.
Smith and Wesson Model 642
642 S&W .38 Special (Airweight J frame) - YouTube
• The 642 would probably run in the $500 range.

This one is a longer barreled design that would provide much more comfortable shooting (recoil) and accuracy.
Smith and Wesson Model 10
S&W Model 10 .38 Special - YouTube
• You can currently purchase a police trade in Model 10 for less than $300 here. This is a good deal.
Used S&W Police Model 10 38sp Square Butt $279.00 SHIPS FREE

Last but not least…the S&W Model 36.
Model 36 S&W - YouTube

All three will get the job done.

 

[bdsorcic]

Whats wrong with a model 60 snubbie. ...? those P+ loads can blow any one away!!

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Lot of great guns mentioned. If he shoots your 14, it may be game over. If he likes the 14 buts would like a 4" barrel, get him a Dayton 14-2 4"HB....what the heck. : ) A 64 Police trade in with hammer will have great action coming and going. Only have one 10 in 4" and never fired it. Hmm

 

[Neumann]

I think the son-in-law has it right. The easiest way to carry at home is in a pocket. A pistol for home defense won't do much good if you have to run to the bedroom to retrieve it. More assaults start by ringing the doorbell than breaking in at night.

A 15 oz revolver has a lot of recoil, even in .38 special. There is a steel "hammerless" Smith which weighs about 24 oz, still not to heavy for pocket carry.

My personal preference would be a small pistol in a heavier caliber, like a Springfield XDs. The XDs is available in either .45 ACP or 9 mm, either of which has twice the effectiveness of a .38 revolver , and less felt recoil.

For pocket carry, you need a good holster to keep the gun upright and available. You can put your hand on the grip without appearing to brandish, and draw as quickly from that point as from a belt holster. Shooting from inside a pocket is a holdover from the film noire era.

 

[Super Dave]

Hey, thanks.

Whats wrong with a model 60 snubbie. ...?

To be honest, I'm not familiar with any of these models. They are all new to me so I just went with the ones that seemed to get the most recommendations.

Dave