[MikeJ]

I have completely bought into the idea that a revolver is the best choice in a handgun for home defense. I base this on the belief that if I should need a gun it will most likely be in the dead of night and if I have just been woken up and my adrenaline is pumping the simpler the better. No room for limp wristing, clearing jams etc. etc. etc.

Having said that I have been using my S&W 66 2.5" in the home defense role loaded with Speer Gold Dot +P .38's. I dearly love this gun and trust it implicitly but also am open to other ideas. I hope to be in a position soon to buy another gun or two :D and would like to know what you all consider to be the ultimate home defense revolver.

This means what do you think is the absolute best:
model
caliber
barrel length
load

I have a few other revolvers and maybe one of them is what you would pick.

I have been toying with the idea of a S&W 629 "Trail Boss" .44 mag. 3" barrel or 4" 629 and loading it with Blazer .44 Special 200 grain Gold Dots.
Also in contention are a 3" or 4" S&W or Ruger GP100 loaded with Remington Golden Saber .357's although the noise and blast of a .357 in a closed environment concerns me.

Anyway if you have opinions, I'd love to hear them.

P.S. I know that this subject has been approached before, then again what hasn't :scrutiny: , but I would like current thinking based on what is available out there today. Regards, Mike

[pauli]

well, how potentially bad off would you be if a round went through a wall or two?

[cheygriz]

I like a 6 inch barrel .357 Mag. If it's a house gun, you're not trying to conceal it, so there's no need for a short barrel. The 6 inch equals less recoil, faster shot to shot recovery, less muzzle blast and flash and longer sight radius.

I like a Smith "L" frame, Python or GP 100. (Obviously, the Python if you can afford it.)

For ammo, the 125 JHP, full power .357 Magnum has been proven on the street by law enforcement agencies nationwide for over twenty five years. There may be other rounds as good, but I seriously doubt there's anything better. Expansion is awesome from a 6 inch barrel, and penetration is more than adequate, but not excessive.

If it's a home defense gun night sights are an absolute must have.

[Ala Dan]

Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 686-5
Caliber: .357 magnum
Barrel Length: 6"
Load: Remington 125 grain JHP's

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Boats]

Four inch stainless Ruger GP-100, rubber Hogue monogrip (soon to be a Herrett Jordan Trooper custom walnut with a top finger cut.) Meprolight adjustable night sights. 180gr Winchester Partition Gold JHPs. (I am still in the heavy and "slow" camp (chronoed 1100fps.)

When I was looking for my first revolver in fifteen years, I tried a lot of people's wheel guns. I ruled out the .44 Magnum as having poor second shot recovery. I almost bought an S&W 625 to have 45ACP compatability, but I decided I wanted something different.

I liked the Ruger better because I consider it more lefty friendly on the cylinder latch and the .357 Magnum is my idea of "enough gun" in a medium bore.

I have never had a regret. Next projects are to have the safety paragraph removed, the cylinder modified for moonclips, and then get a blue 3" GP-100 and customize that one.

[MikeJ]

So far the longer barrels are getting the nod and the .357 is the round of choice. I do have a 4" 586 (nickel finish) and a stainless 6" GP100 already so they obviously would fit in with this trend.

How bad off would I be if a round went through a wall or two? Not terribly, as my wife and I are alone and live in a fairly large home. I assume you are asking this in relation to what load to use.:scrutiny:

Thanks for the responses so far. I hope more people will chime in with their choice.

[gunslinger387]

I believe it is Smith that makes a .45 ACP revolver. If I had to choose that would be the way to go. All things being equal a bigger hole is better.

[tbeb]

I'd load your 4" or 6" revolver with Federal or Winchester or Remington
.38 special+P 158 gr. lead hollowpoints.

[twoblink]

For home D, a nice GP100 4" to 6" is it.

Question, you livin' in a "thin'ed wall'd trailer" or a castle? How many walls can you stand penetration of?

[Dr.Rob]

.357 SW Model 65, w/grips to taste. 4 inch tube, Houge monogrips.

Federal 158 gr sjhp

or if you wanted a snubby:

Colt Magnum Carry .357, 2 in bbl, stoked with Federal 158 gr sjhp.

[JPM70535]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the gun/ammo package you now use for home defense, with the suggestion that you consider laser sights such as Crimson trace. In the dark, having been awakened and still groggy,having to focus on sight alignment is an added task you don't need.

Only other suggestion would be to make the first round a round like the Glaser, or Magsafe.

My personal bedside gun is a Smith J frame 649 in 357, loaded with WW Silvertips and sporting Crimson Trace Laer Grips

[ruger357]

Also have a 66 with a 2.5 inch barrel in my bedstand.2

[Dave Markowitz]

Here's my choice:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=974029

[denfoote]

Make: Smith And Wesson.
Model: 28-2
Barrel Length: 4"
load: 158gr Gold Dot. .357mag

[Brian Williams]

I hate "ultimate" threads but I really like Revolvers for HD and I use any one of the following;
S&W 940 loaded with 124 gr +p gold dots
S&W 13 3" loaded with 158gr LSWC
S&W 586 4" loaded with 158 gr LSWC

All simliar controls and function well, with much dryfiring of all three.

[BluesBear]

My bedside gun is a 6" S&W Model 629-nothing. Loaded with 2 Glaser Safety Slugs, 2 .44 Special Gold Dots and then 2 .44 Magnum Black Talons.

I chose it because it is the largest bore revolver I currently own. Plus that huge shinny revolver will leave no doubt to any intruder that I do indeed have a gun.

Many of you know I have a personal preference for 6" barrel n-frames.
For most people though I would recommend a 4" barrel .44 or .45 revolver.
Big slow bullets with less muzzle flash. :D

Of course my S&W is my grab and go gun. If I am certain there are gremlins in the house then I am grabbing the Rossi Coach Gun standing in the corner.
:evil:
Front trigger controls a 3" load of 41 pellets of #4 Buck.
Rear trigger controls a 3" load of 15 pellets of 00 Buck

[Pappy John]

Mikej, do you already have the Trailboss you spoke of, or is that a future buy? Of everything mentioned that would be my pick. Those Blazer specials are an excellent load also. I carry them in a 696 with the same barrel length and the extra round in the Trailboss would make it great for the nightstand.

[ChristopherG]

Mike, with 2.5, 4, and 6 inch 357s, there's no way for you to really rationalize another revo for home defense. Unless that's what you're trying to do, in which case I say the one you secretly want is the one you absolutely must have! ;)

In my similar situation--I have a range of revos suitable for HD--what made the choice for me was a combined consideration of what I could shoot competently (all of em, really) AND what my wife felt most comfortable with. In our case, it's a 4" 66. Since you have one of these, too (a wife), I'd say the best HD gun is the one she can shoot best. I'm skeptical that a 3" trail boss will be it. In fact, of those you list, the one you're using now might just be the best option--either that or the 586. I'd guess the Ruger would be a bit unwieldy unless she has popeye forearms.

[MikeJ]

Pappy John: No I don't have a Trail Boss but I held one and found it to be very comfortable and well balanced. I am also very interested in the .44 Special as a self defense round.

ChristopherG: My reason for this thread is in fact twofold; I do want another revolver or two (one of them will definitely be a 3") and I am looking for differing opinions and thoughts as to what makes the ideal HD revolver. Obviously I am well covered in the revolver department but I am always open to other ideas and just want to make sure I take them into consideration. BTW, my wife doesn't shoot and currently refuses to consider learning for self defense purposes.

Brian Williams: I know how you feel about "ultimate" threads but I find that these sometimes serve a purpose in providing opinions that would otherwise be overlooked. I always enjoy hearing others ideas and reasoning, it's all part of the hobby.:D

[Stevel]

I currently have 2 rev's for HD. 4" GP100 with usually Federal or Golden Saber 38 +p and a ruger speed six 2 3/4" with 110 gr. +p. I would hesitate to use 357's for the blast inside you mentioned. Though for out of house carry I use full power 357. I use the 110 gr in the speed six for my wife. It's basically her gun(talk about sacrifice in parting with that one!) because it gives the best balance of size, feel, and controllability. She likes the lighter recoil of the smaller bullet. I use the GP rather than one of my others for 2 reasons. It has a very good DA pull after a trigger job and Wolfe Springs. Also I like the uniformity of controls with 2 Rugers.

I also like the idea of a laser, though I use a flashlight to ensure positive target id. I figure waking up in the middle of the night I will already be groggy, I want to make sure my target is what I think it is. The laser would take the sight alignment factor out of the equation as well as the (probable) deterent effect.

[cheygriz]

Before considering a laser consider this:

The Goblin cannot see your night sights. You can! You can have good sight alignment on him before he even knows you are aware of him.

The laser gives away your position instantly.

[GeneC]

Middle of the night, groggy home defense? A good 12 ga. pump

[thatguy]

I am no expert on the subject but I do have a couple of thoughts. I agree on the concept of the simple, reliable DA revolver for home defense. It is very unlikely that you will ever need the gun and it is even more unlikely that you will be invaded by an army so the people who call for 16 shot hi-cap semiautos are probably over reacting. I like no more than a 4 inch barrel to keep it compact for indoor use in cramped quarters. One gun writer also mentioned that a short barrel makes it harder for somweone to wrestle the gun away from you if you get jumped in the dark by surprise. Laser sights and night sights bother me because maybe I am wrong but if it is so dark that you can't make out the sights on the gun in your hand maybe it is too dark to accurately ID the target and shooting is an unsafe thing to do? In an urban setting you had better be concerned with bullets going through walls. The gun I keep around the house is loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs as they offer maximum stopping power at close range with minimum penetration of walls. As for the make and model I think any quality brand that feels good to you will do the job.

[L-Frame]

I personally have a S&W 686+ 3", with night sights. I firmly believe in revolvers as far as power and reliability. In home defense situations, I really like the 7 shots of .357. If I am awakened in the middle of the night and had to grab my gun quickly, I probably wouldn't remember the speed loader with it. First, I'd probably forget, secondly, I'm not sure where I'd put it (other than in my teeth). With no extra ammo, that 7th shot could be huge. If I wanted to pay the money, I think the ULTIMATE home defense revolver would be the 627. Can't beat 8 shots of .357, as long as carrying wasn't an issue.

[MR.G]

S&W 686 Plus. For HP I like the +P 158 gr. SWHP.

[PlayTheAces]

Over the years I've had several different wheel guns I've used for HD, and I'm thinking about switching again so this is a good thread for me.

For years I used a 6" 28 loaded up with .357 125 gr HPs.

Then I went to a 3" 547, a 9mm.

Next in the parade was a 4" 19, also with 125 gr HPs.

For the last half dozen years, my bedside companion has been an old 2" .38 60 stroked with 158 gr LHP +P.

Never felt uneasy with any of those combinations, and can't give a definitive reason why I changed them around as time went on, though in hindsight I think the .357s may have been a bit much for a residential area.

Now I'm considering going back to a 4", either a 19 or GP100 to pick up the sixth round. If I do, I think I'll stick to the .38 +P. Can't see where a .357 is going to give me that much more at "room" range, and a .357 let loose around here could end up plowing through several houses down the street before stopping. Hmm, must be getting more conservative as I get older.

[bpisler]

3" Smith 24-3 44 spl loaded with speer 200gr gold dots.I like it cause it's reliable,accurate,mild recoil and muzzle blast is not harsh.It might get retired in favor of my 625-6 mountain gun in 45 acp.I have a much wider selection of defensive ammo to pick from,reloads if needed would be faster with moon clips than a speedloader.

[Marshall]

Funny thread in a way. :D

I think it's kinda humorous all the different home defense guns we as those that like hanguns use. Some nights I will have a different handgun out than others nights. Last night I had my 2" Model 60 .357 on my nightstand. Night before that it was my 4" Model 13 heavy barrel .357. Tonight I am in a XD-40 with night sights mood, while last weekend I had a BHP on my nightstand all weekend and this coming weekend it may be my Model 696 .44 special

If you shoot very little or, are new to handguns, I would recommend just using the same gun all the time. If you shoot frequently enough and have used your handguns long enough so the minute they hit your palm you instantly recognize them as an "old friend", I don't think it matters a hoot how many different guns you use.

Of course, we all need at least seven, one for each day of week. :D

The funniest part is that if a mean ole booger comes in my home during the night, I am reaching for my HD shotgun. :p

[Random Discharge]

Despite getting a lemon from Ruger that I parted ways with and now wish I hadn't (it was finally remediated to at least meet minimum factory specs after 3 trips on my nickel), I like the 3" SP101 357 for a HD revolver.

Pro:
1. Compact enough to be hard for an intruder to grab unexepectedly
2. Handles 357 if desired
3. Easier to handle than a 38 snub-especially with addition of a Hogue grip which provides room for all fingers
4. The extra inch of barrel over a 2" snub helps add some fps to weaker 38+P rounds.

Con:
1) No adjustable sights
2) Better than a true snub, but still not as easy for me to handle or shoot as precisely as a medium frame 357. Not as much fun to shoot either.
3) A bit heavy (relative to most snubs) to do double duty as a CCW

I like 38 +P over 357 for personal defense (HD or CCW). 357 has too much blast and noise in confined areas and too much penetration in urban settings. I waffle between heavy and slow for good penetration (158 LSWC) after going through heavy clothing and light fast (Corbon 110) for high energy and expansion and lower risk of finding the neighbors through multiple walls.

I think 6" is too much barrel for HD - good for double duty as a medium size game hunting revolver or a fun range gun, but too unweildy for personal defense.

[Border]

4" 686+. Federal Hydroshoks. I agree with when TSHTF I don't want to be fumbling with safeties etc. Everyone SAYS their training will get them through but how many have actually been tested, macho fantasies notwithstanding that YOU know how YOU would react and be oh so cool when someone was trying to kill you in the middle of the night and waking you up from a deep sleep! Revolvers rule for home defense! :D

[bubbygator]

Well, I also have a 66 2.5", but it's not my bedside gun.

The gun I trust the most is my Browning HP with 17-round mag & Crimson Trace laser grips.

I hear all you are saying about the revolver - & I don't disagree. But my HP is reliable!!! I can shoot all day, every day with it & no malfs - and I can hit the badguy with single action better than double action. Your mileage may vary. My carry gun is a S&W 442; but for home defense I'll take my 17 rounds of accurate 9mm.

The CT laser has a rather narrow angle of visibility - it's not like a flashlight that can be seen as much from the side as the front. And it's only "on" when you press the button, not all the time. I agree about target identification too... but there's nothing that give an immediate self-confidence of aiming like seeing that red spot on the target and knowing that's where the bullet will strike.

[MikeJ]

Thanks to all that responded, even those that hate "ultimate" threads.:D What I have gotten out of this thread is that there is no one specific gun that really stood out as the ultimate. Having a good reliable revolver in an adequate caliber (.38 and above) loaded with an effective round seems to be the general consensus. I have always felt my 2.5" 66 was a good choice and still do. When funds permit I will then buy whatever suits my fancy at the time. Best to all, Mike

[valnar]

Don't discount noise. A loud supersonic blast may very well dissorient you indoors and render you dazed for a few seconds. I stay away from .357 for that very reason. Big and slow(er) is preferrable to me.

A Smith model 625 shooting .45ACP is just about perfect. If you do want it faster, then just load .45+P. No spring tension to worry about like in a .45ACP autoloader (..cough....1911....cough). :)

-Robert

[Elkslayer]

Although I have many revolvers to choose from beginning with .38 and .357 J-frames, some K-frames all the way to a 629, my favorite is an un-ported concealed hammer 2" Taurus in 44 special loaded with 200 grain Speer Gold Dots. I might re-think the 2" Taurus and go with one of my 3" Taurus in the same caliber come to think about it.