Hi! I'm looking to buy my 1st revolver. I was looking for a 4 inch m29 as I like the look of wood and steel. Mainly will be used for home protection. Does anyone have any recommendations on other models? I like the classic look. Thanks!
Undecided on 1st revolver
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bluegrassrules
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 64 4'.
Cheers
Cheers
Welcome from Iowa.
The M29 is a great revolver, especially in the 4"version, but it's not what I would choose for home defense. I have one, and really like it, but there are better choices.
I would stick with a .38 Special or a .357 Magnum. The K-Frames are especially good, with the M10,15,64 and 67 in .38 being widely available. In .357 the M13,19,65 and 66 are all good. The L-Frames are the M581,586,681 and 686, all in .357 Magnum. The Magnums can also shoot .38 Specials, so they can be used for people unaccustomed to the recoil of the Magnum.
There are a lot of good choices out there.If you must get a M29 for home defense, I would recommend you load it with .44 Specials. That's a good load too.
Jim
The M29 is a great revolver, especially in the 4"version, but it's not what I would choose for home defense. I have one, and really like it, but there are better choices.
I would stick with a .38 Special or a .357 Magnum. The K-Frames are especially good, with the M10,15,64 and 67 in .38 being widely available. In .357 the M13,19,65 and 66 are all good. The L-Frames are the M581,586,681 and 686, all in .357 Magnum. The Magnums can also shoot .38 Specials, so they can be used for people unaccustomed to the recoil of the Magnum.
There are a lot of good choices out there.If you must get a M29 for home defense, I would recommend you load it with .44 Specials. That's a good load too.
Jim
Well put, welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.Welcome from Iowa.
The M29 is a great revolver, especially in the 4"version, but it's not what I would choose for home defense. I have one, and really like it, but there are better choices.
I would stick with a .38 Special or a .357 Magnum. The K-Frames are especially good, with the M10,15,64 and 67 in .38 being widely available. In .357 the M13,19,65 and 66 are all good. The L-Frames are the M581,586,681 and 686, all in .357 Magnum. The Magnums can also shoot .38 Specials, so they can be used for people unaccustomed to the recoil of the Magnum.
There are a lot of good choices out there.If you must get a M29 for home defense, I would recommend you load it with .44 Specials. That's a good load too.
Jim
Clean Break
Member
I think everyone should own a .22 revolver first, and learn to shoot it. The ammunition is affordable and practice is invaluable when it comes to hitting what you are aiming at. A box of 50 .44 magnums is over $35 with .44 specials even higher. .22s are under $2.
After that, the advice below is good. I love my own .22, .38 special and yes, my 4" .44 magnum as well. C.B.
After that, the advice below is good. I love my own .22, .38 special and yes, my 4" .44 magnum as well. C.B.
Welcome from Iowa.
The M29 is a great revolver, especially in the 4"version, but it's not what I would choose for home defense. I have one, and really like it, but there are better choices.
I would stick with a .38 Special or a .357 Magnum. The K-Frames are especially good, with the M10,15,64 and 67 in .38 being widely available. In .357 the M13,19,65 and 66 are all good. The L-Frames are the M581,586,681 and 686, all in .357 Magnum. The Magnums can also shoot .38 Specials, so they can be used for people unaccustomed to the recoil of the Magnum.
There are a lot of good choices out there.If you must get a M29 for home defense, I would recommend you load it with .44 Specials. That's a good load too.
Jim
Lenny_D
Member
Can't get much better advice than what P&R and Clean Break gave you. Ditto on all of it.
Len
Len
Does this mean you already own other pistols (not revolvers) and know how to shoot a hand gun? If so, you are good to go, if not I would suggest first learning how to shoot a handgun since shot placement is EVERYTHING. If you are indeed unfamiliar with handguns how about an 18" 12 ga. shotgun for home protection?
Stu
Stu
You have received some mighty fine advice in the previous posts.
If you are an experienced handgun shooter a .44 Magnum with loaded with .44 Specials would be a viable option for home defense.
I sure wouldn't choose a .44 mag to learn on.
If you are an experienced handgun shooter a .44 Magnum with loaded with .44 Specials would be a viable option for home defense.
I sure wouldn't choose a .44 mag to learn on.
Ditto! It really depends on experience level. But if I were advising a new gun owner that really knew they wanted a centerfire revolver as their first gun...
I'd say a good 4" .357 stainless steel K or L frame. Something along the lines of a Model 65 or 66 (K frame), or a 681 or 686 (L frame). Both of these guns are a good size and can be shot well with some training and practice. They are good to learn with because you can use real powderpuff target loads for learning and practicing, and then once you are ready, the same gun can be loaded with very potent protection rounds in .357. A very flexible platform, that fits a great many people very well.
Richard_
Member
You have to consider over penetration with any magnum. 38 special or +P might be a better choice depending where you live.
Well, actually, within reason, a larger gun can be easier to hit with. For, example, a J frame (S&W's smallest revolver) is the most difficult to hit well with, and is really more for the experienced shooter that is willing to put in the time to master them.. The K/L frame size is a good mid-size package that is large enough to shoot well, while still being manageable. The .357 versions offer the flexibility of shooting either light .38 target loads for softer recoil and lower muzzle blast (noise) while learning and just shooting for fun. Then it can also use very potent .357 cartridges that have a very good track record as a defensive round.
The model 29 is an N frame, which while is a very nice gun, is also larger and may or may not fit your hand as well as the mid-size guns. Also, the .44 magnum is a very powerful round that many people find very uncomfortable to shoot much. While learning, this energy (recoil and muzzle blast) can lead to flinching and other issues that can be hard to sort out. This is one of the reasons that people recommend a good .22 to learn with. I also agree with this as well, but depending on your budget, it may or may not be feasible to purchase a .22 just for training, and then another for protection. But, if you can see it, then that is a very good progression in the process of learning to shoot well. .22's are cheap to shoot and have no recoil or muzzle blast at all really. This makes it easier to concentrate on the fundamentals of shooting.
More than likely though, once you get your first one, you'll want more.
So, maybe your second or third revolver could be that model 29. But, for all around practicality I'd say a good .357 can and will do most anything you need a handgun to do.
Good luck in you future shooting endeavors!
The model 29 is an N frame, which while is a very nice gun, is also larger and may or may not fit your hand as well as the mid-size guns. Also, the .44 magnum is a very powerful round that many people find very uncomfortable to shoot much. While learning, this energy (recoil and muzzle blast) can lead to flinching and other issues that can be hard to sort out. This is one of the reasons that people recommend a good .22 to learn with. I also agree with this as well, but depending on your budget, it may or may not be feasible to purchase a .22 just for training, and then another for protection. But, if you can see it, then that is a very good progression in the process of learning to shoot well. .22's are cheap to shoot and have no recoil or muzzle blast at all really. This makes it easier to concentrate on the fundamentals of shooting.
More than likely though, once you get your first one, you'll want more.
So, maybe your second or third revolver could be that model 29. But, for all around practicality I'd say a good .357 can and will do most anything you need a handgun to do.
Good luck in you future shooting endeavors!
Jayhawkhuntclub
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Lots of good advice here. And yes, the 29 is not the best choice.
My pick would be a 4" S&W model 10. I say this because you can buy a used one dirt cheap. It's fairly easy to learn with. You won't have to worry as much about muzzle blast and flash if fired inside (it will still be crazy loud if fired indoors - just 100 less so). Over penetration is less likely. It's simple: a revolver with fixed sights. And ammo is easy to get and generally reasonably priced.
My pick would be a 4" S&W model 10. I say this because you can buy a used one dirt cheap. It's fairly easy to learn with. You won't have to worry as much about muzzle blast and flash if fired inside (it will still be crazy loud if fired indoors - just 100 less so). Over penetration is less likely. It's simple: a revolver with fixed sights. And ammo is easy to get and generally reasonably priced.
Comrad
Member
I second the 64 recommendation with one suggestion, go for the 65 so you have the magnum option if you like a little extra boom. I agree, wood grip revolvers are beautiful.
PS 4 inch barrel
PS 4 inch barrel
As a first revolver for home defense, I would strongly suggest you buy a 4" K-Frame, blued or stainless doesn't matter. Model 10, 64, 19, 65, 66, etc. You have ammunition flexibility -- .38 Special or .357 Magnum -- and a wide selection of effective and inexpensive loads you can shoot for practice. They are accurate and reliable, and any K-Frame S&W will last several lifetimes with proper care and maintenance.
I would definitely not recommend a Model 29, for several reasons. First, both the revolver and its ammunition are very expensive compared to a K-Frame. Secondly, it can be intimidating to shoot if you are not very experienced. And finally, it is far more gun than you need for home defense.
Good luck!
I would definitely not recommend a Model 29, for several reasons. First, both the revolver and its ammunition are very expensive compared to a K-Frame. Secondly, it can be intimidating to shoot if you are not very experienced. And finally, it is far more gun than you need for home defense.
Good luck!
Welcome from Iowa.
The M29 is a great revolver, especially in the 4"version, but it's not what I would choose for home defense. I have one, and really like it, but there are better choices.
I would stick with a .38 Special or a .357 Magnum. The K-Frames are especially good, with the M10,15,64 and 67 in .38 being widely available. In .357 the M13,19,65 and 66 are all good. The L-Frames are the M581,586,681 and 686, all in .357 Magnum. The Magnums can also shoot .38 Specials, so they can be used for people unaccustomed to the recoil of the Magnum.
There are a lot of good choices out there.If you must get a M29 for home defense, I would recommend you load it with .44 Specials. That's a good load too.
Jim
My thoughts exactly.
You can't get more "classic" than a model 10. You can find good used ones all over the place, and the .38 cartridge is tough to beat.
About what I would recommend.
VaRecon
Member
66 or 27.
Start with the best.
Start with the best.
