Anferny,
Good questions... let's answer them.
1. I keep hearing that semi-auto pistols aren't good for casual users because of the fact that they require much more attention and care than revolvers, and that you need to practice and maintain them regularly. Is this true, or are semi autos fine for people like us?
Most semi-autos do require a bit more care. Parts need to be lightly oiled or greased to work smoothly and reliably. Some guns can get "dry" with months of sitting idly. The
manual of arms can be more complicated for pistols too. There are levers to move (on many) which can be confusing to new shooters (which one is the safety?). Parts move on their own after firing and there are specific sequenced steps for loading and unloading. Thus, for "casual" users who may not touch the gun for months or perhaps a year or more, revolvers will seem much less complicated.
2. I also keep hearing that a .357 Magnum is too much for home defense, and that .357 rounds can over-penetrate, and the muzzle flash and noise can temporarily blind or deafen you. Should I just use .38 rounds for home defense?
In general, yes. The .357 Magnum is merely a longer cartridge case for the .38 Special. But there is
a lot more energy packed in there. Using the same bullet weights, the .38 special flies around 900 ft/sec max and makes up to 278 ft-lbs. The .357 can shove that same bullet at 1400 ft/sec and get you almost 600 ft-lbs. Yup, it uses more powder to do that and all that energy burning up creates gas and noise. And concussion! Noise? Drop a fat hardcover dictionary flat onto your kitchen floor for the .38 Special. Then invert your dining table and drop it from the same height. .357 Magnum.
.38 Special (left) vs. .357 Magnum cartridges
Few homes are bulletproof. Especially apartments. Sheetrock walls, even with insulation, are little more than an inconvenience for any center-fire bullet. At an angle, the .38 might be stopped by a 2x4 fir stud but it's unlikely that the .357 will stop. Bullets marked
.38 Special +P may not stop but are more likely to stop than a .357. The recoil of the .357 is much harder to control too. For casual users it can take 1-2 seconds or longer to get off a 2nd shot. The .38 Special +P ammo with quality hollowpoint bullets are quite adequate for most urban home-defense situations.
Smith & Wesson Model 64 with 4-inch early round "Pencil Barrel"
This is the stainless steel version of the Model 10 with a standard barrel.
3. If I get a revolver, should it have a 4 inch or 6 inch barrel? I may or may not be able to carry it (thanks to the retarded laws here in CA), so which would be better for home defense?
Most recommended is a 3" to 4" barrel instead of the 6-inch barrel. The rationale is that if you are surprised by an intruder who grabs your gun barrel, with a 6-inch he may get sufficient leverage to wrench it free of your grasp. A barrel of 3-4 inches offers less "purchase" for his grip and puts his hand in or near places where hot gases or lead will come out. Barrels less than 3" are harder to shoot accurately (especially in the dark) and can sacrifice velocity and bullet energy.
Smith & Wesson Model 64, Stainless, current production, 4-inch "heavy barrel"
This is the stainless steel version of the blued Model 10.
4. How much harder is it to shoot a compact pistol as opposed to a full size one? Me and my wife both have large hands, so it shouldn't be too hard to use a full sized Glock 17, but would a Glock 19 be any better?
Having used both the Glock 17 and 19, at close range there isn't a lot of difference. Inside the home, if the front sight is centered on the target and roughly aligned with the rear sight, that's "close enough" for a fast shot.
While the Glock is a quality firearm, I never recommend them as a 1st gun or for those who rarely shoot for proficiency. First and foremost, there are no external safeties on the Glock (this includes the XD and most of S&W's M&P line). It becomes all too easy for someone to pick up the gun and place their finger on the trigger and incur a negligent discharge. Because a revolver's mechanism depends on a minimum of muscular action, even though there is no safety, the level of effort is much higher.
Keep in mind however, that the longer the distance between the front and rear sight, the more accuracy you can achieve and further away. For home defense, generally you're looking at 7-10 yards (21-30 ft) as your shooting distance.
Two of a kind: A S&W Model 15 (blued) and Model 67 (Stainless) in .38 Special. These are the higher grade versions of the Model 10, with adjustable sights, flat barrel rib and ramp front sight.
Reminder - The .357 Magnum can chamber and shoot the .38 Special cartridges, giving you the option of selecting the power level you want. Revolvers chambered for .38 Special cannot chamber the longer .357 Magnum cartridge, however.
S&W Model 19 (discontinued), .357 Magnum, 4-inch barrel. The Model 19 has been replaced by the L-frame 586/686 series of revolvers
I hope that helps.
