Can these handguns last a lifetime??

Those are all great guns. You could pick them out of a hat and not go wrong.

I've fired a box of .357 through a 686 before, and I'm not a very experienced shooter. The recoil was considerably greater than my .38 and the boom was LOUD; but it certainly wasn't painful and won't harm your hearing with basic protection. Also consider that .357 ammo is quite a bit more expensive than .38.

On the topic of .38s, there are plenty of great older S&W guns such as the model 15 that will be cheaper than a new 686 and be just as good, if not better, in quality. Check your local pawn shops.

And finally, you don't need to "set up" a gun for home defense. Simply load it and hide it away somewhere. As long as it is stored and handled safely there isn't any risk to having it ready, just in case. Since you're new to it I'd recommend keeping the revolver handy for home use. Of course this is your choice to make, and as you get more comfortable with the gun(s) you can make a better decision.
 
safety

Thanks...
Even though im single with no kids, safety will be of the UPMOST importance!
I plan to purchase a small gun safe that I will either recessed in closet wall or
bolt to subfloor.
 
Is the S&W Model 15 the replacement for the Model 19??
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No, the Model 15 is the "Combat Masterpiece," chambered in .38 Special. The Model 19 is the "Combat Magnum," chambered in .357 Magnum. The two are quite similar, built on the same frame, with the Model 19 being slightly longer in the cylinder and heavier. Both are superbly accurate.

IIWY, I'd get a Model 19. It'll run forever on .38 Specials if properly cared for, and you have the option of using +P .38s or .357 Magnums. It won't last as long as a 686 on a steady diet of .357s though, and I'd be leery of shooting .357 +Ps in it. IIRC, the L frame (686) was developed due to the K frame 19s being just a bit too light for the newer hotter .357 Magnums developed in the latter part of the 20th Century.

As for the semis, a lot of people swear by the Beretta, but I would go with a Sig P-226 for a full-sized battle pistol. Never heard of a Sig slide flying through someone's head! :eek:
 
No one has yet to reply to the obvious.
If a gun will last a lifetime kind of depends on how old you are to begin with.
Raise your hand if you are so old that a zinc framed junker will outlast you.
So, Nodule, how many years of use and abuse do you anticipate putting these through?
 
k

Is the S&W Model 19 a current model and if not, is it hard to find a great
condition used model?

Willikers.....

the guns will be used for recreational fun shooting and I guess it depends on
how much fun I have to know how much I will be shooting.
 
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Obviously, it depends on how old you are and how much you will shoot.

If you are 20 and plan to shoot 1000 rounds a week for 60 years, no gun ever made will last that long. If you fire 200 rounds a year, any good gun will last your lifetime and be passed on to your heirs.

Jim
 
Consider going to a range and renting several guns. You may very well surprise yourself, especially having never shot before. Your wish list may change based on the feedback those rental firearms are providing you.
 
Yes. They will last a lifetime with a bit of respect and routine maintaining. Those are all fine handguns you mentioned and you will have many years of enjoyment from them.

Good luck and enjoy your shooting.
 
let's put it this way: With proper maintenance and no factory defects, if you manage to wear out any of those guns you will probably have over $15,000 in ammo shot through them (significantly less if you make your own though), so the cost of another gun is not such a big deal at that point. :D

As far as the .357 issue. Save for shooting it in a very small, light, short barreled gun, it is not really "painful" just a bit more to handle (firmer grip, more deliberate muscle control, etc). If you are shooting a 6" or more barrel, it shouldn't be a problem at all (shooting .38s feels like a pellet gun with those large revolvers). Now you did kind of hit the other issue, the .357 is significantly louder and has more muzzle blast (it can thump you in the chest a bit). I fired a box of .357 at an indoor range once and my ears were ringing even though I had ear protection. Now I double up (plugs and muffs) when shooting powerful loads.
 
If you're worried about a blue gun showing wear... and they WILL if you carry them, the model 15 and 19 come in stainless steel (silver) as the model 67 .38 Special, and 66 (.357 Magnum)


The 19 and 66 will shoot 158 grain Magnum rounds just fine. It's the light 125 gr and less rounds that batter the forcing cone on those.


Stick with the model 15 or 67 in .38 Special, and none of that will be an issue.
 
Yes. IMO, strong loads such as +P are better used for dire circumstances.

Average loads (not +P) are the right diet to keep your aim sharp, and are kinder to the structure/integrity of your handgun for the long haul.
 
Depending on how you maintain them and how much you shoot them of course, but all of them are great choices. Nothing lasts forever but with normal use I'd guess any of those guns will last your lifetime.
 
yes your firearms mentioned can last a lifetime

Also forgot to mention.....

I have a friend who is a certified firearms instructor and he tells me he never
shots .357, its just too crazy he says. He says for general range fun shooting,
the .38 is very comfortable and fun to shot and really no need to ever shot
.357 rounds.
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I have no problem with this if you're just shooting for fun even though I prefer my 357's, but I must ask......why don't you want one of these weapons no matter the ammo setup for home defense? Is it a nonissue because you live with someone else that has this covered, you haven't gotten that far, or is there another reason?
 
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ok

Younggun,
As I stated, I have no reason to set up this handgun for self defense because
I live in a VERY safe community. I really dont feel I need to.
 
On 38s and 357s

One thing no one has mentioned yet is that if you have a gun chambered for 357 and shoot only 38s in it, you get a buildup of crud (especially if you shoot lubricated lead bullets) in the chamber(s) just in front of where the 38 brass stops (short of where the longer .357 brass stops). This buildup eventually makes it hard to chamber a .357 at all. If you don't clean that out regularly, it will solidify and become extremely hard to remove.

If you know you will never shoot .357, it is best to go with a 38 special gun (especially since there are 38 Special +P+ rounds available that are quite good defensive or hunting rounds). Make sure your 38 Special is rated for the extra pressure.

Now, pardon my soapbox.

In 35 years of shooting, I have only ever shot 50 (one box) of 38 specials. However, I have shot a LOT of 357s loaded to 38 special power levels.

When I bought my first gun (Dan Wesson .357), I also bought that box of 38 Specials and a reloading setup.

I recommend handloading to almost everyone (there are a few exceptions) engaged in the shooting sports.

OK, done with the soapbox.

Lost Sheep
 
nodule

Younggun,
As I stated, I have no reason to set up this handgun for self defense because
I live in a VERY safe community. I really dont feel I need to.
Click to expand...

ok, but you do at least have an opportunity to kill two birds with one bullet here. your 38s can be used if you ever have to defend your home(hopefully you never will but having the preventative measure setup does help). We are talking about lifetime purchases here.
 
Are you telling me the a .38 cal round will not be good home defense??
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Regular ol' .38 Special has sent a lot of bad guys to meet their maker in the 100+ years since it's introduction. Stoked with a good +P "FBI" load or modern specialty ammo the .38 is still a viable option.
 
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