Good home defense hand gun for first-time owner?

[chonny]

I'm new to guns and home defense myself but after absorbing months of info online and from friends I chose a used Smith & Wesson 66-1 for my first gun for the reasons mentioned: relative simplicity of a revolver, potency of .357 for defense and ability to shoot milder .38s. Couple that with the legenday S&W name and an easier to maintain stainless steel version, it was the right choice for me. I did want an older Smith however because the newer ones have an onboard lock which in a few instances has failed... this is a big can of worms that I don't mean to open, I just wanted an older pre-lock model (plus, I like antiquity).

The S&W 686 seems to be universally loved and I don't think you can go wrong. If you can, do try out a few handguns beforehand whether at a range that rents or if you have acquainances with them

I enjoy range trips a lot; shooting is a lot of fun and actually quite relaxing. I hope you and your wife find enjoyment in it as well.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[Sistema1927]

My opinion , only... I think that a 357, 44mag, etc is too much gun for a non user.. Why break your arm...

I know that recoil is a subjective thing, but can you document a single instance of anyone "breaking an arm" while firing a 4" barrel .357 like the 686 being contemplated by the person beginning this thread? (Or even a .44 magnum?)

Even if they were to stoke a 686 with Cor-Bon 180 grain "bear medicine", I imagine that you would never see any shooter "break an arm". Why scare folks with this type of hyperbole?

Now, in an attempt to actually be helpful to the person asking the original question:

The 4" 686 is a great weapon, I have one with night sights. Start both yourself and the wife with 148 gr. .38 Special target ammo, and after each of you become comfortable with that begin to fire some 158 gr. .357 magnum ammunition. You will notice a difference in recoil, but in a solid revolver with decent grips you will find it to be very manageable. Another thing, while training, make absolutely sure that both of you are wearing eye and ear protection. Prolonged exposure to gunfire will permanently damage hearing, and while the odds are that you will never have a situation that will damage your eyes, why chance it when you only have two?

 

[Hudson]

My two cents:

Glock 19.
Remington 870.

The peanut butter and jelly of home defense.

For those interested in a 12 gauge but are concerned about the recoil, I suggest you check out the SpecOp stock from Knox Industries. It isn’t hype. It works. Recoil is reduced to very manageable levels.

 

[vynx]

.22 Rifle

Jessetx - The first gun I would give or have my child use is a .22 caliber rifle.

The Ruger 10/22 is very popular there is also a Taurus pump .22 that may make the transition to a pump shotgun easier if you purchase one in the future.

For self defense a .22 rifle is not optimal but no one wants to be shot in the head or chest by one. Its a very lightweight, low recoil, easy to shoot and very affordable choice and it is almost everyones first gun. Its their first gun for a good reason and it should be your first gun too.

 

[up_onus]

REVOLVER- BIGGER THE BETTER

and i mean that for a 357, 4 inch, lower recoil, still can bring it round the house and tuck it under a pillow and such.

a shotgun...hmm, so family comes over and sees you have a shotgun somewhere convenient...? NO
1) but a handgun you keep where ever you want for the most part.

2)remember this, the longer the barrel, the more accurate (GENERALIZING)

3) the heavier the gun - the lower the recoil (GENERALIZING so i dont get flamed)

4) last but not least, low recoil means GENERALLY faster follow up.

5) REVOLVERS are KNOWN for their reliability when its needed MOST. NOBODY can argue with that (as the exceptions prove the rule).

 

[JesseTX]

Thanks everybody for all of the responses. I've been printing them up and sitting out back on the porch trying to read and understand as much as I can.

This weekend I'm hoping to do my safety course and then maybe rent the S&W 686 at the range and fire it along with the wife to see how it feels. I'll remember the suggestion on using .38 special to start off with.

The mossberg 500 "home defense" variation is tempting. Not to mention pumping that thing in a bad situation is a resounding "get out" to any invaders that is understood regardless of language spoken. As I stated before though I'd like to be able to have something tucked behind my back when opening the door for people I don't know so it's a bit of a compromise either way.

In any case, I will continue to read responses and opinions and I really do appreciate you all taking the time to share your knowledge. I've learned more in 24 hours here than I did in a few weeks of browsing around the web.

Oh - one quick question: For the 686, if I do go that route, what is the suggested way of getting the best buy? Locally they're over $500 new in shops but gunbroker and some others seem to sell "lightly used" ones for some savings. Should I just be safe and go new or.. what?

 

[kludge]

I always worry about price too, cuz that's how I am, but in reality, a well made revolver, treated well, will still be shooting when your grandson gives it to his kid.

On the other hand don't be afriad to buy used. Somewhere around here there's a thread on how to check a used revolver for lockup and such. Revolvers with a little wear will be better than new. Some people take their brand new revolvers to gunsmiths to 'add wear' to the moving parts that happens naturally with a couple thousand rounds.

 

[Arcticfox]

Jesse,

A 686 is an EXCELLENT choice! Good for you! 4 inch is fine. For home defense, just use 38 specials (hollow point), and your wife can shoot it with ease! When you come home from a bad day at work, head out to the range and shoot the .357 rounds.

 

[Brian Williams]

temporary Thread drift,

My eyes, MY EYES!

Rubber grips on a pencil barrel S&W!

Is that a 64? My pencil barrel 64 is a square butt, I don't think that I have ever seen a round butt 4" model. My 2nd edition SCSW (pg. 181) says that the tapered barrel 4" only came with a square butt, but I have noticed other errors in the past that possibly the 3rd edition will correct.

Sorry Sistema but it is not a S&W 64 pencil barrel, but a Round grip S&W 65 that I had a Model 64 pencil barrel put on. It was built for a specific purpose and that was the parameters for it; A round butt SS frame, 4" pencil barrel, target trigger and hammer, Rubber grips. It was built for NE PA Canoe trips and woods walking. The Stainless was because of the wet and wild of the water and woods. The pencil barrel was because of the want of a little lighter for carry, a 4" for a little better velocity over a 3" and besides it looks cool. The target trigger and hammer was for a good finger tip grip on the trigger and fat hammer for ease of cocking for a specific shot. The Rubber grip for a good grip in any slop and no warping, besides a bantam grip just fits.

Back to the original thread, the 686 is a great choice for what you want. Shoot and enjoy.
New or slightly used a 686 will last for a good length of time with just about every load from 39 spec to 357s, I pre fer the pre lock ones.

 

[rangerruck]

if a handgun it is, then go with a 357 revolver, and practice using 38 rounds. then for home defense, get you some of those evil mean 'wadcutter' hollowpoint, filled with acid type bullets.
if a semi auto is your style, then a cz, 75 in any style, is smoother, more comfortable, and lighter recoiling than most semi's out there, and to chicks, they are actually quite pretty, too.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would suggest a 3" Ruger GP100 (357 mag) for the purpose you seek. That is what I use. I also suggest that you get a 22 revolver to learn how to shoot. The skills transfer to the larger 357 caliber. I keep it loaded with 38spl +P ammo though. Not because the recoil bothers me, but to make it easier to control and reduce the amount of flash and penetration (walls and such). I have quite a few revolvers. I like Colts the best and Smith's second best. But the Ruger GP100 has earned some recognition and acceptance by me who was a non-ruger man other than 22's.

I stress safety. Learn how to shoot safely. Who knows? You may turn into a big revoler fan.

 

[JesseTX]

Well, everybody, after all of the suggestions and talking to a few owners at the local shops I opted for the 686.

Here's a few pictures of my new baby.

Tomorrow I go to my safety course and maybe to the range to start learning her a bit.

Thanks very much for all of your knowledge. I hope to become a regular member as I still have a LOT to learn.

 

[CountGlockula]

Great choice Jesse. Revolvers will be good to you.

You mentioned your wife has taken the course with you, she should look into a semi-auto Glock 19 (9mm ammo is very affordable)...holds more rounds and has a rail so you can put a tactical light on it. The G19 is great for female hands.

Take care.

 

[CalamityJane]

Beautiful gun, Jesse, and a great choice. Now, you and your wife shoot it a lot! Practice is not only fun, it is the most necessary thing you can do, if you intend to use a gun as a tool for self-defense.

And if your wife isn't enjoying shooting it, (though I love my 686, it is the "biggest" feeling gun for my hands that I have--almost feels too big, but I love shooting it anyway)--if it doesn't feel quite right for her, there are lots of other options that will feel perfect for her; you might have to get a second gun for her. But two guns are not too many.

Stay safe, and have fun with your new baby.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Good choice, Jesse. And as others have stated, +P on the classes! Always a good idea. I like, and use, a .357/.38 S&W. Old beauty, a Model 65 "K" frame.

Ran across another idea for down the road perhaps...AR style carbine in 9mm. Good for indoor use, and with 32+ rounds you won't run out before the BG!

Congrats and Welcome!

 

[Deanimator]

The best home defense gun is a pump action 12 or 20 ga six or eight round shotgun, loaded with buckshot. A 20ga shotgun is a great choice for the recoil sensitive.

...if you have the room. It would be horribly inappropriate in my apartment.

The only thing less appropriate would be a 91/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle with bayonet fixed.

 

[Arcticfox]

Jesse it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! It looks unfired. Is it?

Good decision!

PLEASE tell us you how liked it when you get back from the range!

 

[TooTaxed]

Consider the most likely situations under which the gun will be used. Most likely, your wife will be in bed in the middle of the night and be awakened by the sound of breaking glass. Your children will be asleep in the next room...you don't want to shoot through the wall and hit them...so plan where you can shoot and where you cannot...and where you will keep the gun handy for quick access and still protect it from the children when wife/you are not around. Small revolvers are nice...understand you will only have five or six shots available...which should be enough, but a warning shot would reduce that.

I used to travel frequently with my job, so my family was often alone, with the fairly affluent house somewhat isolated from the neighboring houses, with a lot of shrubbery around the house....attractive pickings for a burglar (or worse). We did have an alarm system, but it was normally used only when the family was away...and it did get used. My wife's favorite protection was my 9-mm P-38 semi auto, which has a pin protruding from the rear when a round is chambered...feel for the pin in the dark, and you know a round is in the chamber. I told her that if she was certain someone undesirable was in the house, to fire one shot through the floor next to the bed, and wait for developments. Call the police (if possible). The shot would probably scare the bad guy off and alert the neighbors, and if not, she had the rest of the clip ready for serious use.

Currently we both have small 9-mm Makarov semiautos loaded with Gold Dots. The standard cartridge is about halfway in power between .380 Auto and 9-mm Luger. The Russian models use 10-round staggered magazines, most others use 8-round single-stack mags.