HD Revolver for Retired Couple

[eddism]

Pick that flag up. MIL Thunder's take'em as well as anything else you want to put down there throat that's a 45 centerfire as its cylinder is a full 3". Taurus might not though. Never owned a Taurus. I'd get a Magnum Research BFR and fork over the extra dough before buying a Judge.

 

[GigaBuist]

45-70: It fit, It shot. Barrel Flip indeed. Guess I'll have to do video and put it on YouTube.

I've heard you could fit .45 Colt in some .410 break action shotguns too. Doesn't make it a good idea to do it. "It fits" is not the only criteria when choosing ammo for your firearm.

 

[ChaoSS]

Here's another vote for the .357. Let them practice shooting with the .38s, try shooting off a few of the .357s just so they know how it feels, and load it up with .357 for the defense round.

 

[labhound]

S&W k frame. Mine's a model 64 stainless .38 spl 4" heavy barrel +p rated loaded with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +p.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

You really can't go wrong with a Ruger GP100.

 

[notbubba]

The Ruger GP 100 is fine, but I like the S&W 686 better. It just fits my hand better.

Both are very good, I'd recomend a 4 inch barrel.

I think they'd be much more likely to practice with either of them than they would with a Judge.

 

[natman]

Got to disagree with you about the judge. ruger has come out with this item in a 7.5" barrel. In the case of a HD situation, these rugers can handle heavy hot loads along with assorted scatter shot. Tactically, .410 munitions can be designed to fit a wide variety of situations. For instance, the intruder is wearing a armored vest. And your judge is packing drive-pin sabots. The vest is easily penetrated. Or you really dont want to kill the intruder. But, instead set'em on fire. There are incindiary munitions in the .410 caliber also.
Depends upon the situation. Home defense is just that. Short range hold your ground. And make sure they can't get there head up. Blast away.

Certainly sounds like the Judge is intended for you alright.

 

[KarenTOC]

Or you really dont want to kill the intruder. But, instead set'em on fire.

Not something I'd choose to do inside my house!!!

My SD gun is a S&W model 19, 4" bbl; I love it.

 

[btg3]

I would recomend the Ruger sp 101 in 3''... The SP is a solid revolver, its a little smaller then the GP a bit lighter and can also be had in 38/357. I own both the SP and GP so thats my advise.

For HD, the SP offers no advantage: one less round, more perceived recoil, shorter sight radius.

The consensus seems to be, as many have stated, a 4" .357 loaded with .38+P.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A real shotgun would be a much better choice if defense against predatory animals (the four-legged kind) is part of the equation. They are relatively small, fast moving, at a greater distance and often at night.

 

[woad_yurt]

Add me to the .38 revolver crowd. A .38 K-frame (or equivalent) is the ticket for the casual shooter. Yes, one can load a .357 with .38s but the .357 guns always cost more than the .38-only pieces. A nice Model 10 or Model 64 S&W will do just fine in a house.

No way I'd want to fire .357s in my hallway. It's just way too loud (definite hearing loss with every round) and it'll shoot through most any non-brick house walls. For an occasional shooter, it's much harder to control; it's quite a handful, recoil-wise.

 

[oldfool]

My Dad would like a handgun for HD purposes and, perhaps, to deter coyotes from killing the family dog. (He doesn't want a shotgun, despite my best advice.) He's expressed interest in the Taurus Judge because of its ability to shoot .410 shells. My personal recommendation is a Ruger GP 100, so that he can practice with 38s and not have to worry much about recoil. I'd bet Dad hasn't fired a weapon since he was in the service 40 years ago and that Mom never has.

Do you have any thoughts? Both of my folks are in fine physical condition and price is not a major issue. Thanks.

your Dad has well earned the right to make up his own mind, and so has your Mom
but that is no great excuse for not giving the best advice you honestly you feel can

keep right on recommending your heartfelt & sincere advice to get a shotgun, for the circumstances you describe.. it is NOT disrespect !

just respect whatever choice they do make
they earned the right, and would do the same for you

 

[nowool]

My Dad would like a handgun for HD purposes and, perhaps, to deter coyotes from killing the family dog. (He doesn't want a shotgun, despite my best advice.) He's expressed interest in the Taurus Judge because of its ability to shoot .410 shells. My personal recommendation is a Ruger GP 100, so that he can practice with 38s and not have to worry much about recoil. I'd bet Dad hasn't fired a weapon since he was in the service 40 years ago and that Mom never has.

Do you have any thoughts? Both of my folks are in fine physical condition and price is not a major issue. Thanks.

The GP100 would be perfect! no maintenance and loaded for years. If they are afflicted with arthritis I'd got for a loaded .45 since very low trigger pull.

 

[nowool]

to the rest of you and your opinions:.......they are old and frail....the guns you described can actually cause them damage..they are not 'rambos' they are decend 'paid my taxes' retired folks. They may need to fire twice or more! no sense putting them through the 'pain of the gun' and then the 'pain of the trial'!

If you are old and infirm the get a springfield armoury .45 acp. the trigger will be light and if you need your son or grandson to load it, it'll stay on duty for 50 or more years till you need it.

 

[ChaoSS]

Nowool, the guy wants a judge. I'm thinking that he may be old, but he isn't infirm.

 

[NMGonzo]

dual 45 colt single action

 

[Erik M]

K-Frame .38spl would do nicely. Im thinking a 4" barrel model 64. Buds had a pile of them at christmas for around $300.

 

[Bulldawg55]

S&W 13 or 65 (If you can find one!) Definately should be in their Classic Line!:banghead:
OR

SP101 3" Love mine! It's plenty heavy enough to tame the recoil and plenty accurate.:

If your looking for more accuracy than these can provide you want a long gun!