Handgun Reliability

R

Riad

Inactive
Hello,

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a revolver for home protection. Would anyone know of a resource for reliability?


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rob
 
You mean like Consumer Reports for handguns? I don't think such a thing exists.

If reliability is your greatest concern, you really can't beat a revolver. I'd vote for a 4" barrel .38 Spl if it's strictly home defense.
 
If reliability is your greatest concern, you really can't beat a revolver. I'd vote for a 4" barrel .38 Spl if it's strictly home defense.
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+1

IMHO A 4" barrel 38 Special revolver is the perfect compromise between reliability, stopping power, being easy to shoot and hit with, price and simplicity.
 
+1 to the 38spl. Buy it from a reputable dealer that will answer your questions and address your concerns.
 
Riad, spend some time at the range and you'll quickly see what works or not.

One usually can't go wrong with a Ruger or Smith & Wesson fixed-sight, double-action service revolver in either .38 Special or .357 Mag. Used ones can often be found that are perfectly serviceable.
 
Riad, spend some time at the range and you'll quickly see what works or not.
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Not always necessarily so as newbies can have problems no matter what handgun they are handling. So being new yourself you won't know what to look for in someone else handling a handgun.
 
Rob,

Honestly, this forum is really the best resource for information. Yes, you will get opinions of all types, but the opinions will not be influenced by advertising, biased editors, etc.

Along with everyone else, I would suggest a 4" Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Colt Revolver in either 38 Special or 357 magnum. In case you weren't aware, you can shoot either 38 special or 357 magnum loads in a 357, so a 357 is more versatile between the two.

If you are looking for a basic, no frills, economical yet dependable revolver, you absolutely will not go wrong with a Smith & Wesson Model 15 (or model 67... which is the stainless steel version of the 15) in good condition.
 
If you have already made up your mind you want a handgun then everything said so far is 100% accurate. FWIW do not discount the effectiveness and ease of use a pump shotgun with a short (home defense) barrel loaded with 00buckshot will do for you. Just another avenue to look at. What ever you get the #1 priority is that you and your wife can shoot it comfortably and accurately in the heat of the battle.:)
 
Thank you all for your responses.

It's interesting that there isn't a "consumer reports" for handguns.

I'm thinking about a S&W 686 series, does anyone have any negative feedback regarding the 686?

Thank you again.

Rob

164231_large.jpg
 
The 686 6 shot snub.
I bought one back in the stone age.
It still shoots better than any currently made S&W I've had the chance to shoot. (Possible exception, post lock, square ejector 610.) The 610 shoots awesome, but it has an advantage. (Whispers.) **It's a N-frame.** OK, I'm done.

Easy to handle, easy to shoot, and very, very effective. Handles like a 3" or 3 1/2" because of the good sights and it has enough weight to shoot recreationally.
I prefer the original wood grips that came on mine to the newer hogue rubbers.
 
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a revolver for home protection. Would anyone know of a resource for reliability?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Non-Biased Opinion of different guns. These guys dont even have advertisers in thier magazines. The only gun Mag I subscribe to:

http://www.gun-tests.com/



This link will take you directly to S&W Oppinions from owners:

http://www.handgunreview.com/make.asp?make=Smith and Wesson
 
The gun you've pictured is a fine gun, no doubt, but if its intended use is for home protection as opposed to concealed carry out in public, I would opt for a 4 inch barrel instead of the 2 inch that is pictured. The four will recoil less and most people can shoot a longer barrel more accurately than a shorter one.

Food for thought: as someone else said, for home protection, you are best served with a shotgun. Few experts would argue against the statement that a 12 gauge pump shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot (or even birdshot) is preferable over a handgun in that situation. The best part is that you can get a Mossberg 500 for much less than your handgun. In my house, I have both a shotgun and a handgun loaded and ready, but the shotgun is what I would grab first.
 
Other people have also recommended a shotgun. My biggest concern is having my wife comfortable with the size and weight of the shotgun vs. a handgun.

In the event of a robbery the idea is for her to grab our daughter, lock the bedroom door, call 911, and get behind the bed with the firearm... and only if someone attempts to enter the bedroom would she ever be faced with firing the weapon.

I do a lot of traveling for business so this weapon needs to be very comfortable for her as well.

Peace,
Rob
 
I have a 686 with a 6 inch barrel and find it a little cumbersome for home defense, but great for hunting! I'd go along with the 4" .357 idea maybe like a S&W model 65. I keep a Glock 23 .40 caliber loaded with Speer Gold Dots and a M3 Tactical light close by for home defense BUT my choice won't be for everyone. I've had a lot of training and carry a Glock every day on the job. I don't think you can go wrong with a revolver for someone who little experience shooting but you also need to keep something in mind. Lights!! You need to identify your target as friend or foe before you shoot and that's a big reason I like the Glock with the tac light. I can light my target and fire if needed while keeping a two handed grip on the gun. It's a little more difficult to shoot at distance if you have one hand occupying a flash light. Just some things to think about.
Back to your original question though, my 686 has the best trigger I have ever pulled on a revolver. It's a mid 80's model and has been totally reliable. I just recently bought a new S&W 642 .38 and find the fit and finish to be way off from the 'ol 686 and actually had a major malfunction with it the first day at the range. I don't think you can go wrong with a good used 686 in a 4" barrel. There's a great thread on here about what to look for in a used revolver. Good luck, let us know what you end up purchasing.
 
Riad, I have the same problem with my wife, she hates shooting the 12 gauge. Go with the .38 with the 4 inch barrel, regular weight steel revolver (no lightweight alloy). Don't freak out your wife with high pressure .38 P+ ammo. Regular pressure .38 hollowpoint rounds, in a heavy 4" revolver, will have mild recoil, and kill a bad guy pretty well. Buy Double action S&W, Ruger, Colt (used), or Taurus (Taurus last, the semiauto are good but some of the revolvers have timing issues)
 
Riad, I have the same problem with my wife, she hates shooting the 12 gauge. Go with the .38 with the 4 inch barrel, regular weight steel revolver (no lightweight alloy). Don't freak out your wife with high pressure .38 P+ ammo. Regular pressure .38 hollowpoint rounds, in a heavy 4" revolver, will have mild recoil, and kill a bad guy pretty well. Buy Double action S&W, Ruger, Colt (used), or Taurus (Taurus last, the semiauto are good but some of the revolvers have timing issues)
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From what people have said, I think we will try the 4" S&W as well as some of the other models suggested.
 
Home defense choices: model 10 4" S&W, Ruger GP100 or SP101. I have two 686s - a 2" and a 4." All revolvers cited are wonderful, take your time to choose what works best for you.
 
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