Trying to build the "perfect" nightstand gun for the wife

[michpatriot]

Thinking the same think

Can't go wrong with a 4" model 10 38spl for the house. There's a lot of police trades out there for under 400 bux.[/QUOT
I'll second the motion to dismiss all previous and elect the Model 10.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Just a reminder for everyone. Teach basic shooting to a
newbie with a 22 rimfire. Ideally with the basic type of
gun that will be used for self defense.

 

[Peak53]

Sometimes the round butt k frames are a good fit for smaller hands

 

[oneounceload]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll look at the 10". I believe in 3" I'd have to go looking for used as I don't think there's anything new in a K but I'll double-check. I will add that I have a safe with 25+ various sizes, calibers, and designs from .22 through .45ACP. She has fired a bunch of them. It always comes back to the same things she's looking for: lighter weight (but not like an airweight), smaller grips for tiny hands, good balance, and simple operation. As mentioned she's really small and racking slides on any semi is an issue for her as she has to do a push opposite directions method across her body.

From my point of view, I travel a lot and this will not really be "her" gun but one we know she can point and shoot in an emergency without having to go through a manual of arms, forget a safety is on in a half-sleep state, jam she can't clear, etc. I've considered a laser grip and may go back and have her try that again before we commit to one as that is one thing she hasn't tried. I do have 3 or 4 in my collection that either have a laser on it or have been removed and are in the parts box which can be put on so I'll have her try that before I commit.

Note that the reason on the adjustable sights is simply that we do shoot quite a bit as I am on 70 or so acres and have range set up for long and short gun and can walk out and shoot off my front porch if I want to. Every gun we own gets shot a LOT and with a .38 we've both found that POI seems to vary a good bit from one round to the next. I've had just about every fixed sight gun I own 'smithed so that POA=POI using the dot in the center of the bullseye rather than a 6'oclock. Both of us are used to that sight picture and will shoot this little bugger quite a bit and want to enjoy bullseye accuracy on the range when it's not sitting in the nightstand.

Then maybe a better choice might be a 20 gauge shotgun

 

[Birdgun]

kenneu, I think you are on the right path with a 4-inch Model 67 as your wife's nightstand gun.

My wife chose a small, ultra-light, 2-inch barrel, Taurus .38 Special for her handgun because it was light, fit her small hand, and was pretty. Then we went to the range and she no longer liked that little Taurus because when shot, it bites!!! Two shots and she put the revolver down and didn't want to shoot it again.

I was fortunate to pick up a pristine S&W Model 15-4 "Combat Masterpiece" off of GunBroker for a very good price. We took it to the range and my wife loved the Model 15. The grips weren't too big for her hands, not too heavy, and it didn't hurt her when she shot it. In double-action she was hitting the mark consistently (it's fun to hit what you shoot at). She proclaimed the revolver as "her" gun. It now sits in her nightstand and she carries it in her car when on trips.

Oh, and she had me put faux-pearl grips on it so it would look pretty. A lady should have a pretty gun, don't you know?

S&W Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece" in 38 Special

Thanks for looking at my wife's Combat Masterpiece.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[Flattop5]

I'm a revolver guy. I feel very safe with my Mod 10 sitting over here next to me.

Yes, but what if the bad guy is 6' 8", weighs 400 pounds and is under the influence of PCP or is just having a rotten day? That .38 may suddenly seem rather small.

Just sayin'...



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[oneounceload]

A CNS hit will still drop him DRT

 

[flagman1776]

I'd look long & hard for any 38 or 357 Smith 3" preferably but 4" if a Police trade in came along. I'd not hesitate to pickup a used gun IF it checked out. Buyers are wise to check out NEW guns today for proper function.
I have a 4" ex-PD M66-7 that resides on the night table with 2 Comp speed loaders. I paid $399 for it several years ago.
Yes, round butt. Grips interchanged to suit her hands. Weight absorbs recoil... too light is worse than too heavy. If she can't hold the gun up, how's she going to control recoil?
I invested in a dead bolt on a solid wood bedroom door, reinforced door jam (if there's time) & a trained cover position behind a large piece of furniture. Also consider tactics of room lighting... She wouldn't want to be silouetted by her room lighting. The are lots of good defensive 38 loads, the only thing I'd select.
Oh, yes, it backs up an old tried & true break action 18 1/2" 16G with shells on a butt carrier that's also behind that dresser.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Yes, but what if the bad guy is 6' 8", weighs 400 pounds and is under the influence of PCP or is just having a rotten day? That .38 may suddenly seem rather small.

Just sayin'...



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"What if's" are why you don't carry a single shot muzzle loader..................

 

[Mister X]

Yes, but what if the bad guy is 6' 8", weighs 400 pounds and is under the influence of PCP or is just having a rotten day? That .38 may suddenly seem rather small.

Just sayin'...



------------------

I don't think it has to be that extreme. My wife cites this case as being pivotal to her losing confidence in the .38 revolver Georgia mom shoots intruder five times in the face and neck

Plus we had an attempted break-in. We were able to identify him and the police told us that he was from the city, which is over an hour away and also said that he was about as bad as they come.

 

[MichiganScott]

I love my revolvers, but for home defense, a carbine has a lot to offer over any handgun.

I'm not sure what kind of scenario you're envisioning but IMHO I feel a carbine might be more of a disadvantage inside a home due to it's length e.g. coming around corners, narrow hallways. But that's just my opinion. In reality any decent full size pistol will get the job done. M&P 9, Beretta 92fs Glock 17 with a tact light should be sufficient. I'm a revolver guy. I feel very safe with my Mod 10 sitting over here next to me.

Never ever go hunting an intruder in your own house in the middle of the night. Secure your loved ones and take cover behind your bed or dresser until the police arrive. You do have a cell phone that stays in your bedroom, don't you?

Note that the reason on the adjustable sights is simply that we do shoot quite a bit as I am on 70 or so acres and have range set up for long and short gun and can walk out and shoot off my front porch if I want to. Every gun we own gets shot a LOT and with a .38 we've both found that POI seems to vary a good bit from one round to the next. I've had just about every fixed sight gun I own 'smithed so that POA=POI using the dot in the center of the bullseye rather than a 6'oclock. Both of us are used to that sight picture and will shoot this little bugger quite a bit and want to enjoy bullseye accuracy on the range when it's not sitting in the nightstand.

I have range toys and I have self defense guns. Sometimes they are the same, but more often they are not.

Take a look around your house and figure out the longest distance you may conceivably have to fire. Now will a POI that's 2-3 inches off at 25 yards make a difference when the longest you may have to shoot is 20 feet?

 

[Mister X]

Never ever go hunting an intruder in your own house in the middle of the night. Secure your loved ones and take cover behind your bed or dresser until the police arrive.

In many cases, you may have to move through the house to reach other family members located in different parts of the home. Plus there is also checking out a noise you heard that is likely nothing, but still keeps you awake.

 

[johnnywitt]

Wow, this is easy. What she needs is a modern polymer striker fired compact 9mm pistol with good Night Sights that fits her hand and HAS A WEAPON LIGHT ATTACHED to avert a tragedy.
I also agree with Poster above with regard to a SMG 'Pistol' with a Tailhook Brace like a Cz Scorpion with a Weapon Light. Don't need an Optic at room distances IMO.

 

[Rpg]

What's wrong with letting her choose what she likes?

 

[Birdgun]

What's wrong with letting her choose what she likes?

I let mine choose her first revolver. See post #25.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I don't think it has to be that extreme. My wife cites this case as being pivotal to her losing confidence in the .38 revolver Georgia mom shoots intruder five times in the face and neck

Plus we had an attempted break-in. We were able to identify him and the police told us that he was from the city, which is over an hour away and also said that he was about as bad as they come.

Well it would appear that the 38 did what it was supposed to do~~stop the threat. I am not sure of my anotomy but the following organs in the link were shot. Does not sound like face, and neck.

"According to WSBTV, Chapman told a reporter late Friday night that Slater has been placed on a ventilator with punctured lungs, a punctured liver and a punctured stomach. Chapman said he has four exit wounds. He said doctors will operate to repair the damage. "

 

[Mister X]

Well it would appear that the 38 did what it was supposed to do~~stop the threat. I am not sure of my anotomy but the following organs in the link were shot. Does not sound like face, and neck.

"According to WSBTV, Chapman told a reporter late Friday night that Slater has been placed on a ventilator with punctured lungs, a punctured liver and a punctured stomach. Chapman said he has four exit wounds. He said doctors will operate to repair the damage. "

No clue, I didn't write the headline. All the other news reports say the same thing...shot in the face and neck and then go on to mention punctures to the abdomen.

Regardless, she hit him with 5 of her 6 shots and he was still able to leave under his own power, so it was technically a psychological stop. He still had the ability to attack if he chose to and things could have gone real bad for this mother and her kids had there been a second or more intruders ending up like this lady or maybe much worse...

61-Year-Old Woman Shoots Intruder, Then Burglars Attack Her << CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

I imagine there are a lot of folks who keep a revolver for HD look at stories like these and decide they would rather have something with higher capacity or perhaps a more substantial caliber for home defense.

 

[one eye joe]

HI Kenneu, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. I LIKE YOUR CHOICE OF A 4" M67. IMHO, THE 4" K/L FRAMES, SANS THE FULL LUG, ARE THE BEST BALANCED, OF THE S&W REVOLVERS......

I SHOULD MENTION, HOWEVER, THAT THE M686+ MOUNTAIN GUN, WOULD PROVIDE THE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS, A I/2 LUG BARREL, AND AN ADDITIONAL ROUND OF CAPACITY. ALSO, BECAUSE IT IS CHAMBERED IN .357 MAGNUM, IT IS MUCH MORE VERSATILE THAN THE M67. IT WOULD BE MORE AT HOME, IN THE FIELD, AND ON CAMPING, FISHING, OR HUNTING TRIPS.....

I HAVE A SUGGESTION, WITH YOUR CHOICE OF GRIPS, ALSO. I WOULD URGE YOU TO TRY, A PACHMAYR STYLE OF HER CHOICE, THAT WOULD PROVIDE HER SMALL HANDS A GOOD PURCHASE, AND REDUCE FELT RECOIL.

 

[RoyM52]

Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 60 | Smith & Wesson

This is what you are describing.

 

[Walkingwolf]

No clue, I didn't write the headline. All the other news reports say the same thing...shot in the face and neck and then go on to mention punctures to the abdomen.

Regardless, she hit him with 5 of her 6 shots and he was still able to leave under his own power, so it was technically a psychological stop. He still had the ability to attack if he chose to and things could have gone real bad for this mother and her kids had there been a second or more intruders ending up like this lady or maybe much worse...

61-Year-Old Woman Shoots Intruder, Then Burglars Attack Her << CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

I imagine there are a lot of folks who keep a revolver for HD look at stories like these and decide they would rather have something with higher capacity or perhaps a more substantial caliber for home defense.

A person can have their heart completely blown up, and still attack. Only for sure stops are CNS hits, the rest are pretty much stopping because they no longer want to be shot.

People have taken slugs to the same organs with a 12 ga slug, and still capable of attacking. A person can easily survive long term with one lung, cancer patients have been doing it for ages. stomach shots kill by infection which can take days. Bleeding out can take as much as a minute, or more.

There are no magic bullets, or calibers. Even people with high capacity magic guns have failed to stop attackers, or not soon enough.