Two handguns to do it all?

L

LH2

New member
I've got the funds right now to buy a couple handguns, so I've been trying to think of a one-two punch for all my handgun needs.

Keep in mind my needs don't include big game hunting, so I don't need an 8" .44 Mag for example. :D

I need something for CC, house/bedside gun, and something enjoyable to shoot at the range at typical handgun distances, 25 yds or less. May keep a gun in the car at times, but hate to leave it there in case of thieves.

I think I'd be all set with a .38 Snub for CC and a 3 or 4 inch GP100 for everything else. The GP makes such a nice all-arounder. I also like the thought of just having a couple revolvers to learn as far as trigger control.

But I also think I'd be well served by a Kahr K9 and a CZ-75. :cool: Might cost a bit more than the wheelguns - Kahrs aren't cheap. :eek:

Which way would you guys go, if you had to go with two handguns to cover all the bases?
 
If you're going to get a ruger, get 2 rugers. Likewise, if you are going to get a smith, get 2 smiths.

The reason for this is that your trigger will (hopefully) feel nearly identical between the two guns, especially since you intend on using the same or similar caliber cartridge in both.

This will translate into more surety when you need that snubbie in the middle of the night after you just shot the 6" wheelgun at the range the previous weekend.

Provided the frame sizes and grips don't vary too much, you should have a very consistent feel between the two.

I'd suggest a GP100 in .357 with a 6" barrel, then a 3" sp101 in .38. The lighter .38 recoil in the lighter framed gun will feel almost the same as the full size revolver in magnum.

Someone else knowledgeable about smiths will be along to advise you shortly, I'm sure...:D
 
I'm not so sure about getting two .357's. Kinda redundant. What we also don't know is: What other handguns do you have?

IF these would be your first/only handguns, I'd recommend a .22 and a .357. A .22 can teach you more about shooting a LOT cheaper than just about any other handgun. It's cheap, effective, and fun as it gets.

For my money, I would look at a S&W 10-shot .22 revolver, specifically the 617 4" barrel. Best part is that you can learn to shoot DA very, very cheaply.

Second gun would be a 3 or 4" .357. Probably a 3" given that you are also looking for a CCW weap. Lots to choose from, but I lean towards the 386 Mountain Gun. It's light, packable, packs huge firepower, and can be used at the range with .38 specs dirt cheap. With full mag loads it may be a bit of a handful but since you aren't hunting it shouldn't make much of a difference as you likely won't shoot that many.

Personally, I have a 6" GP100. It's a great gun, but...the barrell is really too long for any CC and it's not really practical for any competitive sports. Only in retrospect can I say that I would have been much better served with a 4" barrell. I do intend to use the GP100 for some light hunting - the 6" barrell is great for that. But really, the 4" would do just as well.

Anyways, just another opinion.
 
since you are only getting two, get two good ones.
a s&w k frame .357, either a 13, 65, 19 or 66 with 2-, 2.5- or 3-inch barrel for ccw and home defense.
A good 22lr semi-auto of your choice for range work, pest control, bullseye shooting, etc. If you are not hunting big game, these two will do it all with style and great competence.
 
I just purchased a Dan Wesson M-15 with multiple barrels in 357 Magnum/38 Special. A Beretta or S&W 22 lr semi-auto and/or a K frame S&W 22 lr revolver are great range shooters.
 
If you're sticking with revolvers, then a full size 357 and a 38spl snub sounds perfect to me. Lot to be said for ammo commonality.
 
Another vote for including the 22 ... At the risk of emptying your wallet and straying into another forum, a 1911 in 45acp with a 22 conversion from Marvel would be a great companion to that 3" 357 :D

Saands

ps ... when I go backpacking, I carry a 1911 with two top ends ... one in 460 Rowland (roughly comparable performance to a 44mag) for big critters and the Marvel in 22LR for the little critters ... only takes 45 seconds to swap them out. I bet that 45 seconds would seem like an eternity if I ever ran into an angry big critter while hunting the little ones though :eek:
 
Concur with the last couple posters, if you really think you're going to limit yourself to two handguns (and, let me be the one to say it: you won't, no one does), then you may as well cover all bases with an autoloader and a revolver.

He also made a fine suggestion, a convertable autoloader for centerfire and that'll shoot .22LR (there's plenty of choices) and a compact frame revolver that you can carry damn near anywhere.
 
Another vote for including the 22
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Okay, I should have titled the thread Two centerfire handguns... :p

Already will have a .22 pistol. Agree everybody needs one, and I learned so much of what I know about target shooting with my Ruger MkII 6-7/8" as a kid - I grew up with that gun.

The S&W 617 .22lr revolver sounds pretty fun actually.

I think ammo commonality is kinda nice, and .38's are affordable to shoot which helps.

Would anybody consider a 3" GP100 for the full size handgun? The balance is soooooooo nice on the 3-incher. But I realize the 4" may be a tad better all-around platform.

if you really think you're going to limit yourself to two handguns (and, let me be the one to say it: you won't, no one does)
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I know, I know. Just at this point I'm ready to buy two guns pretty quick, trying to cover as much ground as possible.
 
"I think I'd be all set with a .38 Snub for CC and a 3 or 4 inch GP100 for everything else. "

Yep, that would do nicely. It might be nice to have a .22 around for cheap plinking/small game, though. Somewhere down the line, maybe? The ammo savings at the range should pay for it.

And that would be pretty close to the route that I have taken. I ended up with 3, not 2. My 4" 686 is similar to your GP100 choice. My Bersa .380 is roughly equivalent to your .38 snub choice. And then, after I had those 2, I added the .22 for cheap target/plinking and because my wife likes it, it makes it easier to get her to come to the range with me ;).
 
"Would anybody consider a 3" GP100 for the full size handgun? The balance is soooooooo nice on the 3-incher. But I realize the 4" may be a tad better all-around platform."

Hmm -- good question. If it were to be an "only" handgun, I'd opt for the 3" because of concealability. But you already have specified that you are going to get the snubby as well, so that isn't a concern. I'd go with the 4", well, just because. I've really liked my 4" 686, it feels right to me. And like you said, you'll get better performance from the longer barrel -- a little less muzzle flash, too. Besides that, they seem to be easier to find.
 
I don't agree with triggers being the same or even similar on any model from any gun manufacturer. I had an SP-101. The Trigger was awful. Even Superman would have trouble with rapid fire DA. On the other hand my GP-100 is a very nice revolver for a fixed sight model. Nice trigger, very accurate but without an adjustable rear sight, it's not my first pick as a range gun.

For a range gun I'd take my Colts and Smith's over my GP-100. For carry I much prefer a light weight Taurus .38Spl.+p over any other small frame revolver or pistol. Right now I'm torn between my Taurus 85, 3", my SW Model 66, 2 1/2" or my CZ P01 for carry during the fall and winter.

But for entertainment here's my Beautiful GP-100 with Eagle Classic Smooth Woods. The grips and the 3" barrel give this gun great balance.
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A 4" bbl. 357 Mag. (686) and a 6" bbl. .44Mag. (629) would complement the .22 (which noone should be without) and cover a lot of bases. An alternative to the .44 would be a .45 ACP revolver or semi-auto.
 
Since you like the Ruger series of revolvers, maybe a 2-3" SP101 for carry and a 6"GP100 for other uses including plinking and hunting. I don't see much use for a snubby and four inch revolver. I actually usually find myself actually carrying the 4" revolver as they aren't terribly difficult to carry. My personal choice would be compact
9mm semi-auto with hi-caps and a 4-6" revolver in
357Mag. You can use the 9mm for urban carry and the revolver for woods not so urban carry. For bear and other dangerous animals load heavy 180-200gr HC loads.
 
My 4" 686 is similar to your GP100 choice. My Bersa .380 is roughly equivalent to your .38 snub choice
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Speaking of .380's, my shooting buddy just got a great deal on a new CZ-83. We're going to the range tomorrow to check it out, should be fun. I considered a Bersa - seems like a good CCW for $199 NIB. I like the CZ better, but it's easily another $100 if you can find 'em.

I looked at a 4" 686+ today, those are nice. I like the red ramp sight as opposed to the GP's black ramp. The grips are kinda like a Hogue.

Any difference in the 686+ besides holding a 7th round? The trigger on this one wasn't too good. Seems like new Smiths used to have better triggers. The GP is about $100 less than the 686.

I still like the way the little SP101 feels. I don't know if I'd ever shoot .357 out of it, but it'd be nicer than a j-frame size snubby for .38 +P also.

SP's chambered in .38 (not .357) are tough to find it seems.
 
I actually prefer some of the GP100 DA triggers compared to what I've seen come out of S&W these days. I basically like to be able to pull a DA trigger without the sights moving a hair when dry firing. I have found that this has been easier to do with my GP100s than with some of the latest S&W models. I tried out a M60 trailgun with wood grips and 5" barrel that had a terrible trigger that just felt totally off. This is all subjective of course.
 
Bullrock, are they selling Classic grips now for the GP-100? I couldnt find them on thier website. Only those for S&W and Colts.They sure would look good on my 4" blue.
 
If it was me I'd go with:

1. Glock 20 10mm with a 40 S&W conversion barrel and an Action Arms 22 conversion kit.

2. A Smith & Wesson 3 inch 357 mag K frame. Some may substitue a 3-4 inch 44 mag, but I use a 357/38 alot more than I'll ever use a 44.

The above set up can do just about everything you'd want outside of big game hunting, and is still a decent back up for the appropriate rifle if you do big game hunt.
 
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