Home Defense .357/38/380 revolver for girlfriend

S

stonewall50

New member
So for starters i am looking for something UNDER $500, and preferably under $400. Just a budget gun that works. I would prefer something under 6 inches in the barrel too. She has shot her fathers .38 many many times and it is an old one with like a 4 inch barrel. So I'm looking for something along those lines or maybe a 2.5 inch barrel.

I own a .357 mag ruger six inch(loaded with .38s) that I usually leave for her when I take my 9mm with me. She can shoot great so that isn't the issue. I'm just looking for a budget gun that isn't crazy heavy, too light, under $400 or $500, and is in that caliber range. I already have numerous .380 rounds and I've seen .380 revolvers and know nothing about them. I also have lots of .38s so I'd rather stick in that wheelhouse.

And suggestions? Brands? Doesn't need to be concealed carry ready. Just going to be a dresser drawer gun.

Ps

She prefers hammered And lower penetration ammo is a plus.
 
If I'm understanding your post, she's already become familiar with handling and shooting a 4" & 6" revolver using .38 Spl ammo, and does it well?

Why would you think to look for something else?

Why not just let her buy her own medium-framed .38 Spl revolver, probably with a 4" barrel, probably a good used one, and call it a day? If it's for use as a "home defense" handgun, and not something she has to worry about carrying on her person, why even think about a 2 1/2" barrel?

Lots of different .38 Spl ammo choices.

Why try fixing something that isn't broken? ;)
 
I have been very happy with our Taurus Revolvers. A M65 was my first handgun and still runs like a top. We also have a .38Ultra-lite and a 9mm, the 905SS. If you carry a 9mm, the 905 makes a lot of sense. You can start her off with the reduced recoil 9mm SD rounds and see what she likes. Cheap ball ammo works well in it too.
 
Finding a used 3" or 4" GP100 for under $400 might be a bit difficult, but under $500 should be no challenge at all. Sometimes brand new isn't much more than that. As an example, I got my 3" model 1752 new earlier this year for $465 (more like $535 after CC, FFL, and shipping but could have been more like $510 if I was more patient). This model is "only" chambered in .38 making it a little less desirable to most.
 
I personally would look for a 4" Ruger GP-100 (357 of course) and she can load it with what she prefers, probably 38spl's. My second recommendation is to look for a used S&W Model 10 such as you might find at gunshows. I saw a near mint DA Colt for about your budget just in the last week or so. That was probably a mistake for me not to buy it, but money's tight and I don't need it. Not in favor of buying some piece of junk regardless of whether it will get shot very often. So, it depends on your relationship and any future considerations.

I use a 3" blue GP-100 for home defense. It seldom goes anywhere other than out to shoot off and on. Not a carry piece.
 
I would say a used gp100 or sp101. They are a little heavy, but if it is for home, that shouldnt be an issue. The extra weight will help when firing those 38's.

I would also get the GP or SP, because you can load a 357mag to be shot first then 5 or 4 38sp's rounds. The first 357mag round will be to put a hurting on the bad guy, when/if you have the time to take cover and aim before the bad guy comes into the door. Giving her the best chance to put a big hurt on a bad guy, then following 38s will be for rapid shots with a weaker round you can control better.
 
Rossi makes a very good 357/38 2" blued for $252.00 and S/S $287.00 from Buds.com.New In The Box.

EAA makes a good 357 mag in 2" and 4" for somewhere in the $300 plus range
New in The box.

I've owned both and they both are excellent. Sold the EAA to buy a Ruger GP 100 4.2" 357. but kept the Rossi. I've owned 3 of these and they have never had one ounce of problems nand are accurate as all get out.

I'm not expert enough on buying used Smiths or Rugers. If you have a friend who is then ask them for help. You can't go wrong with either brand.

Doc
 
Two of my friends have this Rossi,,,

Two of my friends have this Rossi,,,
They bought it for the purpose you described.

Rossi R85104 Model 851 6RD 38SP +P 4"

Six shot DA/SA revolver with 4" barrel,,,
Handles normal .38 Special and +P ammunition.

I've fired one of them and it's a nice gun,,,
S&W's are prettier and Rugers are probably sturdier,,,
But neither of those can be had new for under a 300 dollar bill.

If you do order it from Buds,,,
Make sure you also get the Buds Warranty.

One of the things it covers is the cost of shipping to a repair center,,,
If you ever need to send it in for repair even once,,,
The $10-$12 is well worth the cost.

There's also the smaller snubby version,,,
For about the same cost.

Happy buying,,,

Aarond

.
 
Yup Doc, EAA Windicator is a good little gun that can be had for cheap. Handles 38's very well. Has some weight to it as well. Not sure if it is as heavy as a sp101
 
If you want a new gun, Bud's has Taurus M65 & M66 in your price range. The 65 has a 6 round capacity, 4" barrel and fixed sights at $417. The 66 brings the capacity up to 7 and adds adjustable sights for $461. Both have the "make on offer" option, which can drop the price by 5-10% based on what I have read, but I have yet to try that particular function of the website.

If you are OK with 5 round capacity, they also have the Ruger sp101 3" for $510, which is pretty close to your range.

The Taurus m66 is likely to be one of my next gun purchases.
 
You joined this site back in 2009. You should not be asking this question because you know what she has used and you darn well know that the correct answer is to take her some place and let HER pick it out.
 
hartcreek said:
You joined this site back in 2009. You should not be asking this question because you know what she has used and you darn well know that the correct answer is to take her some place and let HER pick it out.
Click to expand...


I also know that narrowing a seemingly exhaustive list is always a good idea. I also like knowing that certain models may have a constant cylinder issue that would only be present AFTER she fired 200 rounds out of it. When I ask questions here...I want ideas. I'm not asking anyone to pick it for her. I won't even do that ;)
 
My wife & daughter picked out the S&W SD9VE in their own with no influence from me at all.

They both shoot them very well.

They are <300.

I know it ain't what you were looking at, but just saying.
 
I have experience with the Taurus M85 Protector Poly. It's a very solid .38 special with both decent DA and SA trigger pulls and a nice fiber optic front sight. It's light, affordable, and reliable and could be carried comfortably if you wanted the option. The LCRx would be a comparable model from Ruger and would cost a little more.

I've seen the Walther PPX on sale too in 9mm. It's very straightforward and simple and I love the trigger on it. I've seen it for under $300 a few places lately.

Pocket/Smaller .380s are great and have come a long way in recent years and I've shot many of them and carry them. They can be shot accurately with training and practice, but given the choice for home defense I'd prefer something more robust, simple, and proven reliable like a revolver or service-type pistol.
 
If you can find a 2 1/2 Combat Magnum for $500... I'd say grab that.

It would make a dandy house gun, carry gun, and a good investment!

Deaf
 
She should pick whatever she is most comfortable with.

With that said, if she already like Rugers stoked with 38's....

The 38 LCR is a gem, if its strictly for home/auto (no CCW), then the 3" LCR (5431) would be my first suggestion. All the benefits of the standard LCR with a few extra ounces and 1.1" to tame recoil even more. I own several of each and have paid just under $400 for each NIB.
 
how do you put the first round as .357 and rest as .38s in a revolver? I mean how to do it
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Put in 1 round of .357 and the rest.38. When you close the cylinder, make sure that the .357 is lined up as the first shot.
 
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