Revolver for wife: Home defense and occasional carry

P

Para Bellum

New member
Hi there.

I am a semi-auto guy. But my wife doesn't practice much, doesn't compete etc, but also needs a gun for home defense and occasional carry. So for this type of person even I believe that a revolver is the top choice.

So, I am looking for a revolver with .38+P and/or .357 capacity and if possible a 7 rounds cylinder. Since occasional carry is in the wishlist, I thought the 18,5 oz S&W scandium Model 386 Revolver - HIVIZ® would be a good choice. Here's the gun:
163687_thumb.jpg


here are my questions:
- is a .357 that light with a 3" barrel controllable for a lady?
- would a 40 oz .357 S&W 686 4" be the better choice?
- what about the alternative of a .357 S&W 3" Hunter's smith?
I think that I'd personally prefer a 4" 686 with a 7 shot cylinder. A gun that strong can be shot more accurately in follow-ups if it's heavy, IMHO.

So, what do the wheelgun experts think about this?
Would you recommend even other guns?

Here the alternatives:

S&W 686 .357 Mag 7rds 4"

164222_thumb.jpg



S&W Hunter's Smith 3":
I couldn't find this gun in the www. However it was offered to me in a gunhshop. Smaller than the 686, 3" S&W revolver. 6rds I thought, maybe it were only 5rds?
 
I think all your choices are just that, yours. She needs to feel the weapons and see what fits/pleases her. There is a new 5" M60 357 Magnum available too. The Ruger SP-101 is a decent size to power revolver. She needs to hunt for what she is happy with in person. A Taurus might suit her even. A used M10 4" in 38 Special might be to her liking. The S&W or any other website is a poor way to shop. The weight, size and balance must felt firsthand for her to make a decision. A range rental trip would even help. She might hate the noise/flash of a 357 Magnum but like a pleasant 32 S&W Long or a 38 Special fired from a steel frame revolver. Have her try out different grips on different frame sizes too. When she and a weapon fit, purchase it.
 
For the purpose you put forth, a .38 Special +P rated wheelgun should do the job. Unless you live in a rural area and you think your wife will practice enough with the .357 Magnum loads to become a good shot, you can save some money by purchasing a .38 caliber revolver instead. Loaded with a premium personal defense load, it's still a potent firearm.

Options are:
Model 64 - 3" fixed sights, 6 rounds, 33 oz of stainless steel K-frame.
(SKU 162504)
Model 64 - 4" fixed sights, 6 rounds, 36 oz, K-Frame
(SKU 162506)
These are stainless steel versions of the blued Model 10 M&P revolver (still made). The 3" would be my choice for a gun that could be carried and used inside the home.

If you're positively set on a 7-shooter, your have to move up in size to the S&W L-Frame guns. For these I suggest:

Model 520 - 4" Adj. Sights, 37.9 oz, Blue steel, Titanium cylinder.
Model 619 - 4" Fixed Sights, 37.5 oz (.357 Mag)
Model 620 - 4" Adj. Sights, 37.9 oz (.357 Mag)
All of the above have the classic lines of, respectively, the Model 19 (blued), 65 (fixed sights) and 66 (adjustable) -- i.e. w/o the Python-like underlug.
S&W Model 686 Plus - 2.5" or 4", Adj. Sights, (34.5-38oz)

If concealed carry is not an option, the 619 is probably the best pick here. If she might pack this gun in a purse or holster, the 2.5" 686-Plus will be easier to carry.

The uber-light .357's are, to put it bluntly, an unpleasant experience when using .357 Magnums. My 23oz steel 649 is a handful when firing 125gr JHP Magnums. The 158gr loads require me to regrip the gun after each shot. No doubt your wife would find it a less than soothing experience in a gun 4 ounces lighter than a J-Frame.

Most home defense guns will be loaded with .38 +P ammo to help maintain control, reduce the liklihood of a bullet whizzing through three rooms, preventing deafness from the concussion blast and momentary blindness from the muzzle flash.

With all of this said, the best thing to do is take her to a gun shop and let HER decide which fits her hand and is the most comfortable for her.
 
I like keeping things simple for people who have use for a gun but not much interest in them. If you have the $, I'd say go with two 3" SP-101's. Keep them side by side at home for a quick 10 rounds if needed(probably won't need 10 but having them is comforting) and carry one when the occasion arises. Prefer fixed sights for carry (and would prefer a bobbed or shrouded hammer for carry but the 3" SP-101 doesn't come that way.) Same approach with the 3" S&W 64 if something a little bigger and heavier is acceptable.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5719&return=Y
 
1)is a .357 that light with a 3" barrel controllable for a lady?
2)would a 40 oz .357 S&W 686 4" be the better choice?
3)what about the alternative of a .357 S&W 3" Hunter's smith?
Click to expand...

1) NO, definitely NOT. The S&W lightweights have a useful role, but NOT for inexperienced or less-than-strong-handed shooters.

2) the 686 would be a better choice for everything but carry.

3) Not sure what a 'hunter's' Smith is. A 3 inch gun is a fine compromise between the requirements of shootability and portability. For a lady, a small-to-medium frame S&W in this length can be a great gun--like a 3" model 60 j-frame or a model 65 k-frame. Both of these are steel-framed to make for comfortable and controllable shooting, particularly with .38.
 
How strong are your wife's hands? My taurus 605 snub has a very nice trigger pull, but my wife found herself shooting it single action to get an easier pull. It seems any "reliable" revolver has about a 12lb pull. I got her a 9mm Taurus Mil-pro that has a DAO trigger that has about half as much of a pull. It's also about the same size as a snub. If you aren't comfy with a taurus, also look at the Glock 26.
If I might offer a suggestion. Picking out a gun for your wife can be a blind alley. I went to a gun shop with a good inventory, had him put several different guns on the counter. He let her cycle the slides, dry fire them, and hold each one. I let her pick what she liked best. If your wife likes the revolver, so much the better!:D
 
The "Hunter's Smith" is the name the distributors in Europe gave to a version of the fixed-sight 3" heavy-barreled Model 65, which is one of the best carry revolvers ever. It would make a supremely well balanced gun for home defense and carry duties.
 
Any .38 snubbie is going to be a handful for most people, man or woman. If you add in the +P or step up to the .357 it only gets more difficult. Add in the "no weight" of some of these exotic materials and the recoil becomes simply brutal. I made the mistake of giving my wife a S&W 642 Airweight .38 for her first gun. That almost killed the whole "gun thang" for her. She has shot several thousand rounds through a variety of guns since then and finally settled on a Glock 26. (her choice, not mine:p ) But she enjoys shooting it and wants to go to the range, with or without me.

I still have the .38 and I shoot and carry it often. The +P Golden Sabres I keep it loaded with right now are tough, especially for a quick second shot on target. Not to mention that muzzle blast. The Federal Hydra-Shocks are a little easier on the hands. I want to try the Speer Gold Dot ammo that is specifically loaded for the short barreled .38's and see if that would help with the recoil. I would not even consider a .357 in this size gun.

If this type of gun is what you are after, might I suggest a .32 calibre to start off with? Something like a S&W Model 432PD. That way she can practice, practice, practice with that and move UP to the .38 when she's ready. And you will still have a great little plinker. I'm sure you will hear the "that .32 is a useless calibre with no stopping power" arguement. I agree to a point. But remember the first rule, Always have a gun.

Or, maybe look into the Model 317 in .22 calibre. Ruger also makes the SP101 in .22 I believe.

The .38 snubbie is a supreme handgun for an experienced shooter. Light, easily concealed and carried, and deadly in the right hands. But for any beginner and especially a woman with limited practice, I would strongly recommend against it.

But then again, thats just me.;)
 
Hi Para Bellum,

I bought a Taurus 605 for my wife's bedside gun and added Crimson Trace grips. She sees the utility of the package and, at 24 ounces, is not afraid of the recoil. She will practice with it, but doesn't favor it, due to recoil, even in .38. She always goes bak to her P22 and will willingly practice with that. She's very girly, thank goodness, and pretty small at 5'4". I liked the 605 for its recoil absorbing weight and 2 inch barrel for concealability. The 2 inch barrel gives up some velocity, but conceals/carries well. If the pistol were for me, I'd get a lighter weight for carry, but she would not shoot a lightweight at all.
Guess I'll just have to keep buying guns for "her" until I get it right.

Be Well,

Scarface
 
Model 65 still availiable?

Thanks a lot for the info gathered so far!

Generally I think we'd go for a .357 Mag revolver with a 3" barrel and use .38 ammo and keep the .357 loads as an option.

Marko told me, that the "Hunters Smith" is a S&W Model 65 with heavy barrel. Sounds very interesting. I had one in my hands about a year or more ago. I can't find it on the S&W Website. Is there a follow-up model with a new name?

...ah, found it, didn't I?
But the 619 and 620 only have 4" barrels, right?
The Model 620 Revolver?

164401_large.jpg


What I could find and kind-a-like is the S&W 60 with a 3" barrel. But, this one only has a 5rds cylinder. Isn't there a 6 or 7 shots 3" S&W with a medium or small frame?

Model 60 Revolver

162430_large.jpg


Here in Europe we're also offered the Taurus 605 "Hunters Pal": It looks useful at least:

18612.jpg


...and one more choice: Ruger SP-101, 6rds, 3" Barrel. If only I knew...


127L.gif




Thanks!
 
Para Bellum,

The only current production 3" S&W revolver I know of is the model 64 (.38 special, 6 shots). S&W has discontinued all production of .357 Magnum K-Frames (they've retained K-Frames for .38 specials and moved .357's to the L-Frame guns like the 686/620).

The Taurus Hunter's Pal would fit your requirements, except perhaps for the 7th round (judging by the photo). And the Ruger is hard to beat for reliability and ruggedness -- I'd probably select the Ruger over the Taurus for the reliability, even though I think Rugers are nearly as homely as Sarah Brady without makeup.

I handled my first Model 620 yesterday and it was well balanced and felt good in the hand. The trigger was very good for a factory gun too.
 
The SP-101 is a 5 shot revolver. The GP-100 is a 6 shot revolver and is larger than the SP-101. You have a GP-100 pictured.
 
Then add a pair of Crimson Trace Laser grips to whatever you buy for her.. They aren't cheap, but are fantastic for the low light home situations she may need a gun in. Also they give great feed back when teaching her to shoot. Any pistol isn't easy to shoot well, with their short sight picture for ANY beginning shooter. The laser dot extends that sight picture to the target, and puts less error under stress on her.. Consider them and check them out. Just my .02 cents.
CraigJS
 
...needs a gun for home defense and occasional carry

Just another opinion...but for what it's worth I'd recommend two weapons:

A Winchester Model 1300 Defender (or equivalent) loaded with 00 buckshot in 12 or 20 gage.

And, a S&W Model 431PD 6 shot revolver chambered in .32 H&R Mag. This caliber though not popular will pack a serious punch at close range and has minimal recoil. It's reliable, easy to conceal, and is very light weight.

What ever you decide encourage her to practice until her weapon of choice becomes an old, trusted friend.
 
A shotgun for a home defence gun is a great choice. BUT if there are others in the house, or you don't live a distance away from other houses (urban) 00 buck will penitrate TOO much. A load of 4,6,or 8's at home defence distances, under 20' will make mincemeat out of where ever you hit. Plus there's much less over penatration problems.. ( that's from a 20 year police vets mouth not mine) 100-200 pellets at that distance will be consentrated into an area the size of a coffee cup or slightly larger...
CraigJS
 
I'm w craig on shotgun loads. #4's is all your ever going to need and it has the added benifits of less wall penetration and lower recoil. 00 buck loads in a 1300 will rock her on her feet :-)
If a mid weight/do all 38/357 is still wanted , then don't overlook the used market. Losts of 2.5-3" S&W 13, 19's ,65, 66's and 686's out there in the $350+/- range. If the budget is smaller, a S&W 10, 13, 64,67 in 2" - 4" is a good choice.
Lastly, the ruger SP 101 and 100 in 3" are also good choices. All will handle nicely with +P 38 and deliver good accuraacy.
 
S&W Model 60 "Lady Smith" in .38sp.

My wife can shoot the hair off a knat's ass at 7yds with hers. (had a minor trigger job done to it to help the double action pull, single action is light and crisp.)

She is 5'3" 108lbs and she can shoot it at the range all day w/o tiring thanks to the Hogues SHE picked out.

I shoot this gun all the time and I am surprised at how accurate it is.

As said before, any of the S&W light weights in .357 kick like a sonofabitch and are no fun to shoot after about 15 rounds.

My wife will actually practice with her .38 which is the most important thing.

She carries it in her car and purse daily loaded up with 5 El Dorado 125gr. Starfire +P JHP.

My .02

m602.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top