Which Revolver for home protection for ladies

Started by Mike Cork, December 03, 2016, 04:02:14 PM

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Mike Cork

MotherNature is having some issues with her hands. She's also afraid to leave one in the chamber when the kids are home. So unless she remembers to chamber before bed, she has to take several steps should she need it for an intruder.

So now I'm thinking a revolver might be the way to go for her. She can pick it up and just start squeezing. But I have only ever owned one revolver and it was a SW 357. A beast of a gun and not something I'd want her trying to keep on target...

So how about it you revolver guys, what would you look at?

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rockchalk06

#1
Chambering a round everyday isn't a good idear. Repeated chamberings of a live round will deform the bullet and reduce the OAL causing abnormal pressures. If you carry or have a weapon for HD, you're better off leaving it as is until it's time to cut fence and sort some bassturds out.

A relvolver is a good choice. We had some people come though DOC in my time there that had never even looked at a gun. We carried River GP100's. Even some of these guys couldn't jam one up. Accurate and reliable as a good pair of pants. Where you're going to have issues is with the trigger. Most are 12-15#'s and loooooong. If she can do it, go for it.

If she were my wife Mike, I'd get her exactly what she wanted. What she can operate under stress, what she can control and what she feels best with. Then get her a quick access safe for the bed side/closet/drawer. One of the finger print ones or quick access code models.

rockchalk06

#2
You can get revolvers in 9mm, 45 ACP and the ever popular 38 SPL. A 38 with a heavy standard pressure HP will do a mess of a BG and not give her a wallop.

Smith Ruger or Kimber. I tend to stick with quality wheel guns. I don't trust off brands and Taurus's at all.

My top favorites are the 686 Smith JM Special. 45 ACP 6 shot or the Smith 442 and 642. Hammerless 5 shot 38. Able to handle +p loads, no hammer to get caught on anything.

j102

I would get her a .357 Magnum revolver, but loaded with .38 Special for her. This way you can have a .357 Magnum you can use for woods carry or something else that requires a larger caliber.
If it is for Home Defense, get a 4 inch revolver (3 inches works too), which will have a good weight for her to deal with the .38 Special recoil, which is not much, but the weight helps.
For carry, you would have to go smaller and lighter (people carry bigger guns, but smaller and lighter is always easier). In this case, I would consider the Ruger LCR 357 or one of the 2" S&W revolvers, in .357 Magnum for the same reasons given above.


Bugman63

being a retired LEO and firearms instructor what j102 is correct, just do not get what is called a small/light frame because the recoil will be a lot more, my wife has a S&W 38 Spl. with a K frame its heavier than light frame but reduces the kick or recoil quite a bit. Ruger and S&W is what I like. stay away from not well known brands they are cheaper but tend have malfunctions way more than top brands. KelTec is also a good brand these day. also if you have a "Shooters World" or like that around, take her there and try different revolvers at their range and see what she likes, I know Shooters World has array of different revolvers there to try

Princeton_Man

There are dozens of good quality reliable wheel guns. Colt and S&W are my favorites (because every one I've owned has been smooth as silk), but Ruger, Rossi, and Charter Arms are awesome as well. Dan Wesson is good, Taurus isn't bad. Definitely go with .357 and I'd recommend 3 5/8 to 4 inch barrel length. While there are some bigger better man killers. .357 is a great round. 3 5/8 - 4" barrel length will give you very good accuracy and control while still easily concealable.

For practice you can use 38 or 38 special cheapo ammo. As she progresses, up the power. To start with, for mother's defense, 38 special +P. If she can handle the recoil, up her to the .357 Mag.

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Polaris425

Just a good old fashioned Saturday night special. .38 snub nose.

I bought a Taurus strictly for snakes, don't even have any ammo for it other than the rat shot. Something like that would be perfect with some hollowpoints or self defence ammo.
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Princeton_Man

I will also throw this out there with regard to Mother's hands and the auto... take a look at the Sig Sauer P290. .380 or 9mm. A 6 year old can rack the slide!


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j102

Quote from: Princeton_Man on December 03, 2016, 08:13:20 PM
I will also throw this out there with regard to Mother's hands and the auto... take a look at the Sig Sauer P290. .380 or 9mm. A 6 year old can rack the slide!

Nice little gun. But, I would stay with a larger gun or revolver for Home Defense.
I like small guns for carry, but they are not as easy to control, particularly for a woman or inexperienced shooters.


Pferox

I'm a wheel gun guy.  My favorite is the Smith 586, 357 4 inch barrel (686 is the stainless model).  Mine was throated and the hammer was worked on, also had the primer pin hole worked on.  All of these mods help with accuracy and reliability.  You can operate it like a single action pistol and have a lighter trigger pull than the DA mode, makes a difference in accuracy and and can be handled by just about anybody.  It is a good gun to teach with also. So many different loads available for that caliber makes it almost customizable to the shooter and application.

With a speed loader and practice, you can recharge quite quickly, sometimes faster than an auto's magazine for some people.

Changing the grips from the stock wooden ones to a more grippier combat style helps with the balance and overall comfort when shooting the gun.

I used to carry a Charter Arms Off Duty special, sweet little .38, but will only take lighter .38 loads, enough to do the deed in my opinion.  That was my upgrade from a .25 Baretta.  Way back when.



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TIger_Basser

I all my years in Law Enforcement, my personal favorite for home defense has been a hammer-less (Internal to the frame, of course) revolver in .38 caliber. I always liked how a flat nosed lead wad cutter bullet deformed when shot into ballistic gel. Made me think that it will REALLY ruin the intruder's day, but might not go thru a wall and kill a grandkid... a .357 IMHO is just to powerful a projectile to take that chance....

West6550

#11
I agree the Ruger LCR is a great gun. I carry a Ruger LCP .380 for my pocket pistol.

The best thing to do is go to a range and let her hold and shoot a few. Something comfortable for her and with practice it will be easy for her if needed.

When you get into fight or flight your motor skills go out the window and having practice behind her she won't fumble or be nervous.

Being prior LEO as well most on here will agree getting a gun out of 3 stage holster is a little odd at first. After practice it becomes muscle memory and you will think "I need my pistol" and it will be there in your hands. Smooth is fast.

I taught my first wife.. I know I know lol what to do in an emergency. Like we here a noise type thing.

Our plan was she dialed 911 on speaker. She kneeled on the other side of the bed facing the door with the pistol. I would go clear the house and yell prior to coming back in so she knew is was me. Any tactics lessons you learn to communicate and announce going in and out. We practiced this safely numerous times randomly until she felt okay with it. Thank god we never needed the plan.

My 2nd wife is former LEO & military so we are a little more prepared lol

Also a good tac light on a pistol or if your okay holding a light with a pistol is such a great tool. Very bright and or strobing can be very disorienting.

j102


hughesjasonk

38 revolver leave one hole open

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Mike Cork

No desicion on the revolver yet. As for right now I'm going to get Mother some more range time and see if she can get more comfortable with the slide on her 380

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Bugman63

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 20, 2016, 10:39:18 PM
No desicion on the revolver yet. As for right now I'm going to get Mother some more range time and see if she can get more comfortable with the slide on her 380
you can go to a gunsmith and have the slide spring replaced with one that is easier to pull back, that's what I did with momma and it cost me $50

snakeeater

I'm also a retired LEO...I bought my wife an S&W 38 revolver, and taught her to use it.  My recommendation, FWIW.    ~cf
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TNDiver

I am with others that say to get a 357 and use 38's in it.  I owned a S&W model 66 snub nosed in 357 and loved it.  But one thing I would add is mine had Magnaport done to the barrel to help with recoil.  Magnaport currently charges around $100 for a revolver.  I loved that gun!  Never shot 38's but it was nice with the 357 with the Magnaport on the barrel.


I am looking at another in model 66 or 686 in 4 inch barrel.  in DA, it is harder to pull the trigger but in SA, the trigger is real light.  I would leave one in the chamber and put the gun somewhere kids can't get to it or have a hard time getting it.  Or lock your bedroom door when they are around.
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spetro

#18
I know I'm posting late but I have to go with 38 revolver.  I have one SW 38 airlite at the cabin and the Ruger LCR 38 for home.  Carry a Ruger LCP 380.  I'd rather carry a revolver but the LCP is thin and comfortable.  Avoid the laser crap.  Home defense will be a shot less than 12 feet for the most part.  If it is more than 12 feet then it may be considered offence not defense depending on the situation, in my opinion.  I also like the first round to be snake shot in the revolvers.  That way I may be able to defuse the situation without lethal force.  If not the second shot is the widow maker.  You'll get a dozen people that will agree and a dozen that won't. Just my opinion and comfort zone. PoPo

Captsteve

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Mike Cork

Great input guys thank you!

Just a follow up. Mother Nature has become deadly accurate (in a range situation) with her LCP .380. She very comfortable and quick loading from mag out or mag in and empty chamber. She's got a couple hundred rounds through it and everything is working smooth. Had a jamming issue, limp wristing - stance - and a little slide polishing, and it's a non factor. It was a blessing in disguise as she became very quick at clearing a jam and continuing.

I'm still wanting her to play with a revolver and will run with some of your suggestions, thank you!

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jakebrake

smith  ladysmith model 60...let her practice with 38 special, carry full house 357 (or 38 special +p)

I don't recommend her practicing with a steady diet of full house 357.

as far as her improving with the lcp, wouldn't be my choice for the better half. as much as I like rugers, I am not a fan of 380 (dirty, underpowered and expensive for what it is)


Mike Cork

Jake, the only thing expensive about it for me is ammo. Been going through a hundred rounds a week making sure she is comfortable in every aspect. We get good deals on weapons. I really like it, small, hides easy for carry, and very accurate. Maybe I was lucky.

The Lady Smith on the SW site is seven and a half  :surrender: details out as an ice weapon though  ~c~

I just can't sell her on the revolver yet.

Any rec's out there for a fairly inexpensive revolver that she can play with? I can barrow one but I will want her to give it some time before she decides. One or two days at the range won't be enough, I know she won't like it at first.

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jakebrake

^^^^ used model 67....tack driver accurate....38 special, full size,

looking at one on gb for 5.  (worth every penny and then some)

Oldfart9999

12 gauge semi, 20 inch barrel, no migratory plug, loaded with number 4 shot, large margin of error, little chance of penetrating the outside walls and hitting an innocent, hit a perp anywhbere and you won't have to worry about them. ;D
Rodney
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