Suggest a .38 home gun for older gentleman

[photoman]

I recommend a early, .38 Special only, Model 640 with Uncle Mike's combat grips. Ammo depends on issues light hand strength, medical issues, recoil tolerance, etc.

 

[DRYHEAT]

64 2"

 

[rwsmith]

The OP didn't.....

So, you can't protect your home with a snubbie? What rule book is that in?

What kind of attack is better repelled with a four or six inch revolver than with a J-Frame snubbie?

The OP didn't require a pocket gun, but you said, "I can't see a 4" barrel as a pocket gun." implying that a snub would make a better home defense gun than a mod 10 or similar.

 

[5Wire]

No, rw, it does not imply that at all. That's an inference you made. At in house distances, IMO, a snubbie probably would be as sufficient as revolvers with 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8-1/2 inch barrels AND many snubbies can be pocketed. My point excludes no firearm.

 

[DR505]

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.

I agree completely. This is a great thread as I can post a photo! Here is my bedside revolver in .38 Spl...a Model 67.

 

[5Wire]

Model 64-2

 

[tguil]

I know this is an S&W forum, but some of us own and like both S&W's and Rugers. Might want to consider an older "Six-Series" Ruger or the newer SP101's or GP100's. All very good handguns.

 

[Elliott41]

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.

I'm with 5Wire. It's hard to beat a 642 in your bathrobe pocket when answering the front door in the evening. I sent my 642 back to S&W for its "J frame action enhancement" package, the best $80 I ever spent. It really improved the DAO pull, and it maintained the lifetime factory warranty. I also put on CTC's LG-305 laser grips, a big help for indoor shooting. Plus, the 642 is small enough you could put it in a Bore-Stores silicone-treated storage case and keep it under your pillow at night. "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me." Just my two cents.

 

[rwsmith]

I did this once....

I got a jam-up gun for HD, a 2" model 10 (BEAUTIFUL gun). After I had shot some for familiarity I realized that I also wanted it to be a range gun so I was compelled to trade it in eventually to get my dream gun (a 686). Man, how wish I could have kept that model 10.

 

[rwsmith]

I did this once....

I got a jam-up gun for HD, a 2" model 10 (BEAUTIFUL gun). After I had shot some for familiarity I realized that I also wanted it to be a range gun so I was compelled to trade it in to get my dream gun (a 686). Man, how wish I could have kept that model 10.

 

[bdsorcic]

Me, I think a Model 60 .38 special using +P Ammo would be just fine....

 

[Super Dave]

I spoke to my buddy. He said he looked at the first two on the list (642 and 10) and thought they would both be good. He didn't check out the model 36 yet.

Guess that's the difference between us and someone who isn't into guns. It would be like asking me to pick out a tennis racket or something that I have no interest in.

You can lead a man to some great revolvers but can't make him get all excited.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[flagman1776]

Without a doubt, I would choose a 3" .357, a M13 or M65. Then load it with 38s. The 3" balances better for me. Slightly heavier barrel than the 38 equiv. Fixed sites are all that's needed & less likely to hang up. Then go get some oversized grips to fit his hands. Periodically, used Police guns of this description come on the market.
If one couldn't find the 3", there are plenty of 4" 38s & 357s again reasonably priced good quality guns. You can't go wrong with any of them. I picked up a 4" ex-Australian Police trade in 66 for the bedroom & a lock box.
I wouldn't turn down an L frame if it came along but there are fewer. I am very fond of my 3" J frame Chief's with the banana grips but recoils more than any K frame. I couldn't recommend a J without seeing if the gent was happy with it.

 

[hayman]

If it does not have a hammer, Why would you want a revolver?

 

[rz625-8]

I have 4 of what 5wire and dryheat has. Bought them at a farm auction cheap. Lockup is very good,took them out to my range on the farm and test fired all 4 and each is going to be for home,shop, and ccw.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

4" Stainless K frame. If you get a better deal on a 65 or a 66 just load it with .38's. I think the only real decision to be made is round butt vs square butt.

 

[mg357]

S&W Model 10 4 inch heavy barrel.

S&W Model 64 4 inch heavy barrel.

S&W Model 686 6 shot cylinder 4 inch barrel.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Of all the Smith & Wesson revolvers on hand, a Model 10-6 does duty as the bedside/home defense handgun. I add a vote to the 4-inch K-Frame .38 Special as the choice.

I've owned and shot a Model 642 for 15 years now but have come to the conclusion that the 5-shot Airweight snubs in any configuration represent one of the most overrated, oversold personal defense options out there and are the crummiest .38 Special revolvers for actual use that Smith & Wesson has ever produced.

Make mine of good steel. Better yet make it a K-Frame.

This is only one opinion.

 

[spad124]

I understood his son-in-law suggested a snubby. As far as a snubby, there are 3" K frames or any J frame.

However, I'm in the 4" model 10 and its variants camp. At HD range, inside 5 yards, there is nothing wrong with a .38+P. Less flash/blast/noise/recoil than from a .357 so follow up shots are faster.

The model 67 is a stainless K frame with target sights. Sometimes the target sights are easier on older eyes. Also, replacement night sights are available. Might be something to look for. (actually I am looking for one . . . .)

 

[Ranger514]

The "J" frame S&W's, while continuously recommended as a "wife's first gun" by the gunshop ninja's; is a bitch to shoot well.
It is an experts gun.
The 4" "K" frame is ideal for your purpose.

Really? Is that why the J frame is one of the hottest selling revolvers in the S&W lineup? I never realized there were so many "experts" or wannabe experts out there. The J frame is like any other revolver--it requires frequent practice in order to use it effectively. I can agree with those who advocate a K or L frame. I have a 2.5 inch 66-3 next to our bed, but I carry a 642 virtually everywhere around our place, both indoors and outdoors. The J frame is plenty accurate for home protection or SD.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Hi Guys,

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.

This photo was from an Axis deer hunt last summer on Molokai.

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.)

Thanks,
Dave

Since it's for the bedside, there's no need to worry about portability or concealment, so might as well splurge and get a Model 10 with a four inch barrel and install a hand-filling aftermarket set of stocks.

 

[derek45auto]

I'm with everyone who says a M10/64 4".
Buds has a 4" M10 for $279 shipped, can't get better then that....

+1 another vote for BUD's police trade-in model 10

Used S&W Police Model 10 38sp Round Butt $279.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sounds like a 4 inch round butt (the current ones are round butt) Model 10 or Model 64 is in order.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

have come to the conclusion that the 5-shot Airweight snubs in any configuration represent one of the most overrated, oversold personal defense options out there and are the crummiest .38 Special revolvers for actual use that Smith & Wesson has ever produced.

Yup, I would agree. BUT 642s are bought for carrying, not shooting.

I have carried a 4" medium frame revolver under a coat for 12 or 14 hours a day. T'ain't fun but the expectation of possible use overcame the drawbacks. As a civilian, we can reasonably expect far less chance of use so we will carry the gun a lot and need it very little. The M642 is far easier on my back than an M66.

 

[gunny4053]

Have him look at the model 49 bodyguard. J frame, 2" barrel, steel frame which does tame recoil pretty well, shrouded hammer so he can shoot double action or single action. 158 gr SWC will do the job without beating up him or the gun. Kinda like this one.



Gold dots will do the job well also.

 

[oberon]

4" Model 10.

^^^^^this^^^^^

 

[jframejoey]

3 inch J frame

I think a good compromise would be a 3 inch j frame like a model 36 or the newer 3 60 .357 with adjustable sights. Extra inch for sight radius, point shooting, etc. .357 is heavy and when down loaded with a hot .38 is controllable. Outside of the S&W circle I'd look at a Ruger SP101 with the longer barrel. Even at 3 inches a jframe can be tucked into a front or rear pocket. - Joe

 

[mgo]

I'm 74 years of age, so that places me in the "older gentleman" category of gun owner. The type of revolver that works best for me is a 4" or up to 6" k-frame pencil barreled with rubberized grips for ease of handling when in a big hurry. (and yes, if danger appears suddenly, you will be in a heck of a big hurry to get that revolver going)
The longer barrel places the firearm more within one's line of vision when instinctive shooting, which is the most likely way one would shoot. The luxury of aimed fire just won't be available under those conditions. Shooting in a hurry also usually means one handed shooting, because you may have a flashlight or phone in the other hand.
The longer barrel also reduces the report and flash of the revolver. That's a critical consideration for follow-up shots or other tactics. You've got to see and hear when there's grave danger.
If you have any doubts about the short barreled snub nosed vs. a longer barreled revolver, just shoot both at the range. The difference in report and flash will be screamingly obvious.
Multiply the sound and flash by a factor of ten in a darkened house and use your imagination as to the effects on hearing and vision. And remember +P .38 rounds are even louder than standard loads.

 

[rwsmith]

Be sure to come back.....

Be sure to come back after the purchase and show us which gun wins the contest.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

My favorite .38 spl has been the model 15 (or it's stainless version the model 67).

By the way I had no idea there was deer in Hawaii. I spent a few years there in the 80s and was told they only had wild boar which was introduced and not indegenous to the islands.