Birthday Gift, what should I get?

W

Whiskey Tango

Moderator
I turn 19 in a month, and my pop wants to buy me a handgun for when I move out to protect myself in an apartment.

I'd like a .357, but I don't know which would be a nice one to start. My pop doesn't skimp on price when it comes to firearms, so I want something of high quality and craftsmanship.

Any suggestions?
 
How about an S&W Model 19(.357)revolver, to match the 19th year of your birthday? It's a fine(Well proven!)K-frame S&W .357 magnum revolver, that is well respected by the members on this fine forum! It's one of S&W's(Historic)best! In fact, it was the first medium frame .357 magnum introduced by S&W, due to the recommendations, by the "Famous" Bill Jordan in 1955!
 
okie doke how much experiance do you have with handguns, seeing as you are asking strangers I will say not much. in that case, a ruger single action. good safe strong gun that will require you to take things a bit slower and to make your shots count'
 
If you can't find a good LNIB (used but not abused) S&W model 19, then
look for a 4" barrel S&W model 686 in the same condition.

Best Wishes,
 
If price is not an option, and Daddy is paying, go with a Python.
Get about $500 worth of ammo and a couple of training courses as well.

You can find the Smith & Wesson's in pawn shops over time.
 
okie doke how much experiance do you have with handguns, seeing as you are asking strangers I will say not much. in that case, a ruger single action. good safe strong gun that will require you to take things a bit slower and to make your shots count'
Click to expand...

I've shot firearms all my life, I've shot handguns all my life, and I've received some as gifts (my whole family is a bunch of gun nuts :D ).

Before when I wanted to enlist, I had bought a .270 and spent days at the range, I can keep my shots in about an inch to inch and a half circle with no bipod at 100yds, my Glock can do pretty good groups, never measured them though. I'm a pretty well rounded shot I'd say.

The reason I ask, is because I have no experience with revolvers, and I want a magnum cartridge.
 
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Shop around and look for a nice old S&W Model 13.. or model 19 if you want adjustable sights. If you want a .357 you couldn't hope to do much better than that for a first gun. It can shoot .38s too. A Model 10 is what got me loving revolvers, a 13 is just a Model 10 that can handle .357s as well. For defensive purposes, adjustable sights are just one more thing to go wrong, IMHO. (in more than one way, misalignment and snagging.. or getting sheared off)

I love K-Frames, but considering it's for around the house, don't forget to check out the N-Frame counterparts as well. K-Frames have been known to get worn with extensive full-house magnum usage. N-Frames only seem to develop problems for the "6 shots in 1 second" type shooters.. lots of moving mass in there.

I'm sure you'd love any of the aforementioned.. I sure do.
Just remember this: shooting protection is a MUST with .357s. Unless you like asking "WHAAAT?" all the time, and think a light, high pitched ring is a nice companion to keep around. .357s are a significant step in volume up from most all other common home defense calibers. I'd recommend keeping hot .38s in there for indoor uses once you're comfortable with it. Modern .38+P loadings out of short barrels aren't that far behind .357 loadings ballistically, (look at the new Speer Gold Dot offerings) but they're 10dB or so behind the .357s volume wise. (and the difference between 155 and 165 decibels is a LOT!, the decibel scale is a lot like the seismic scale in difference between numbers as you escalate)

.357s are great, versatile guns. They're instant permanent hearing damage to the uninformed, though.. so be careful. I know you won't care about the volume difference if you get attacked and have to use it, but you will afterwards. The Speer Gold Dot 38+Ps will get the job done 98% of the time, just leave that last cylinder with a 158gr 357.. for the stubborn one that won't go down.
 
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