I am sure this has been asked 100s of times already, but I couldn't dig up any old threads on the subject. My mother recently purchased a Taurus Judge because someone told her it is a "good defense gun". She absolutely hates the thing and can't shoot it effectively at all. She wants to get a revolver for home defense, and won't consider an auto. It will likely never be carried out of the house, except to the range. Since she has now learned the wrong way to buy a gun, she wants to find something that fits her. Do you guys have any suggestions on revolvers for home defense you think may work well her. I was thinking along the lines of a 4" K or L frame. Thanks in advance, any ideas are appreciated!
Home Defense Wheelguns
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Zaydok Allen
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I'd suggest a 3 or 4" S&W 686+. She really needs to try a bunch on though to check weight and balance preference. The grip can be customized later since there are a bazillion choices out there for 686's.
JMO
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buck460XVR
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I suggest a 3'' 686 loaded with .38s.
calaverasslim
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I recommend a M10 or M15 in 38 special. She can practice with wadcutters and load for defense with +p's
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
My Wife is a revolver lover as well for panic shooting/HD. Her fav is a S&W model 19 with 4" barrel. It's a .357 mag but she shoots .38 Specials.
We installed Hogue rubber grips on it. Her second fav (my first choice) is a Dan Wesson 15-2VH with 4" barrel and Hogue rubber grips.
VooDoo
We installed Hogue rubber grips on it. Her second fav (my first choice) is a Dan Wesson 15-2VH with 4" barrel and Hogue rubber grips.
VooDoo
I do not recommend the "L" or "N" frames for ladies. A whole lot of weight and not much else that can not be found in a lighter package. My recommendation ,and what has worked in the past, is a "K"frame S&W chambered for the 38 Special. M10, M12, M15, and all the stainless numbers give you a lot to choose from. Nothing to heavy and much easier to hold than any of the other frames sizes.
But it is all up to Mom.
But it is all up to Mom.
You happened to hit on a favorite topic of mine!
Great! Good for her. Please encourage her to get her fingerprints on as many guns as she can. It'll help her figure out what really fits her best.
That's kind of the standard, and a great place to start. The 4" barrel puts enough weight out front to tame recoil, and gives good sight radius so that aiming is easier than you would find with shorter barrels.
I would suggest starting with .38spl and seeing how she feels. They generally shoot with light enough recoil to allow for good training, and avoiding flinching.
Personally, I love my Ruger Security Six, but at one point in time everyone and their uncle made a 4" bbl mid frame .38/.357. So go out, see what's available, and get her to try it out.
Great! Good for her. Please encourage her to get her fingerprints on as many guns as she can. It'll help her figure out what really fits her best.
That's kind of the standard, and a great place to start. The 4" barrel puts enough weight out front to tame recoil, and gives good sight radius so that aiming is easier than you would find with shorter barrels.
I would suggest starting with .38spl and seeing how she feels. They generally shoot with light enough recoil to allow for good training, and avoiding flinching.
Personally, I love my Ruger Security Six, but at one point in time everyone and their uncle made a 4" bbl mid frame .38/.357. So go out, see what's available, and get her to try it out.
). However, they seem to be pretty rare around here unless they are overpriced and beat up.JJHACK
Member
My business partners parents were both shot and killed in their home during a break in. This was not in America but the situation would be the same in any country I think.
I see no situation were a homeowner discharging any weapon cartridge size irrelevant. Where the intruders fight back or don't flee as fast as possible. A gun shot in the confines of a room in a house is ear splitting loud. Home break ins for simple burglary are not a fight for life in the intruders mind. They want to dash and go.
The only remotely possible way I see an intruder really fighting back or aggressive and deciding to kill the home owner from the start is due to some relationship or knowledge of drugs or stash of money
Even a .22 discharged inside a house is freaking ear splitting loud. It's also blinding in the dark. I mean totally blind for seconds after the first shot. One of the greatest inventions to get an intruder to run like hell is the crimson trace. Everyone knows the red spot on their chest means the game is over.
This is probably just ahead of the sound of a pump shotgun being racked to chamber a round. I would not dwell too awful long on cartridge just make sure she can learn loading and firing.
I'm a big fan of revolvers for the home and for general use. Way to many people have had AD with semi autos because they don't shoot enough or handle the gun enough after the original fun and newness wears off. Double action revolvers are as foolproof as it gets. Anyone can use it.
I see no situation were a homeowner discharging any weapon cartridge size irrelevant. Where the intruders fight back or don't flee as fast as possible. A gun shot in the confines of a room in a house is ear splitting loud. Home break ins for simple burglary are not a fight for life in the intruders mind. They want to dash and go.
The only remotely possible way I see an intruder really fighting back or aggressive and deciding to kill the home owner from the start is due to some relationship or knowledge of drugs or stash of money
Even a .22 discharged inside a house is freaking ear splitting loud. It's also blinding in the dark. I mean totally blind for seconds after the first shot. One of the greatest inventions to get an intruder to run like hell is the crimson trace. Everyone knows the red spot on their chest means the game is over.
This is probably just ahead of the sound of a pump shotgun being racked to chamber a round. I would not dwell too awful long on cartridge just make sure she can learn loading and firing.
I'm a big fan of revolvers for the home and for general use. Way to many people have had AD with semi autos because they don't shoot enough or handle the gun enough after the original fun and newness wears off. Double action revolvers are as foolproof as it gets. Anyone can use it.
I do not know the answer in ounces, but the "L" frame weighs the same as the "N" frame so in my opinion, enough to warrant considering the "K" frame.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
If you look at some of the big wholesalers (CDNN, J&G Sales especially) you can often find 4" S&W Model 64s for less than $300. These are security company trade-in guns. Carried a lot, shot very little. Most are double-action only (which is GOOD!) and they're a fantastic value. A 4" stainless .38 Spc. K frame is a formidable weapon in anyone's hands and if she likes revolvers, she'll LOVE these. About the most all around "shootable" wheelgun at any price. Good size, good weight, good balance. And she can choose from regular .38 Spc. or some of the hotter .38 Spc. "+P" loads if she's comfortable with them. Enough gun to tame them, to be sure.
Ash
Member
I agree with Sam on the revolver, though a Ruger Security/Police Service Six, S&W Model 10, or Colt Trooper Mk III would make superb home defense handguns. I'd stick with a 4 inch model.
mesinge2
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8 shot 5" barrel 357 magnum, nuff said:
mesinge2
Member
And the Taurus 8-shot model 608 357 magnum is a pretty decent copy of the S&W model 627:
content
Member
The trade in S&W model 65 I purchased for $280 + transfer fee, as Sam1911 described, was a great choice.
The 65 is .357/.38. Other then scratches from the holster snap it is in great shape.
With Hogue finger groove grips it is easy to handle, especially using .38sp, 158gr, semi wad cutters.
Another S&W that has appealed to female friends is the model 36.
Hope she tries as many as possible and find what works for her.
The 65 is .357/.38. Other then scratches from the holster snap it is in great shape.
With Hogue finger groove grips it is easy to handle, especially using .38sp, 158gr, semi wad cutters.
Another S&W that has appealed to female friends is the model 36.
Hope she tries as many as possible and find what works for her.
TParrish
Member
I agree with the people who have suggested .357 magnum revolvers shooting .38 Special.
hardluk1
member
KY Don't take advise here on what to buy . Hit up your buddies for handguns to try or talk to a range officer maybe a female RO if they have rentals about buying a box or two of ammo and then shooting what they have in that cartridge so your wife can try different handguns. Above all let her decide what she likes. Then back her up on it. If you guys have another friend that the wife or girl friend is a shooter get them involved.
I have 2 girls and a wife that carry and are avid shooters with several other handguns and it varies widely from each what kind of recoil they will deal with. One girl is only comfortable with a double stack 380. The other carries a 38sp+P charter ultra lite loaded with some hot loads. Nasty little pistol to shot and bangs away on a ruger 45 pistol like childs play. My wife has a M&P9c with a full size mag with x grip extention as her house mainly but will carry it with a 10 round mag and also CC's a pair of 380s. Yet my wife also has a 6" DW 357 revolver for range fun.
I left them all on there own when it comes to picking defense handguns but begged, borrow and rented guns for them to try .
I have 2 girls and a wife that carry and are avid shooters with several other handguns and it varies widely from each what kind of recoil they will deal with. One girl is only comfortable with a double stack 380. The other carries a 38sp+P charter ultra lite loaded with some hot loads. Nasty little pistol to shot and bangs away on a ruger 45 pistol like childs play. My wife has a M&P9c with a full size mag with x grip extention as her house mainly but will carry it with a 10 round mag and also CC's a pair of 380s. Yet my wife also has a 6" DW 357 revolver for range fun.
I left them all on there own when it comes to picking defense handguns but begged, borrow and rented guns for them to try .
Mastrogiacomo
Member
My favorite gun is the 4" 686 - no better gun out there in my opinion. I don't find the weight to be an issue at all and it's a blast to shoot. You should enjoy firing a gun you'll depend upon. I also give the nod to a GP100 3", SP101 3" or the S&W model 10 4".
Laura
Laura
Zeke/PA
Member
This makes sense!
Personally, I really like the underated .38 Special and my own personal carry/nightstand pistol is a S&W 638. Whatever you choose though, a trip or two to the range with Mom as a familararity experience is a plus.
I think that a revolver choice for home defense should preclude an auto, especially when ease of operation is a big consideration.
First, what was the problem with the Judge -- too heavy, too much recoil, poor balance, difficult trigger pull or reach? You need to answer those questions first before a good answer can be obtained.
I don't see much difference in recoil between a 357 and a Judge. They seem a bit nose heavy to me, but it may not be all that much different than a 4" or 5" revolver of any type. The Judge is light for its size.
If its recoil, try light 45 Colt loads in it.
You may need to drop down to a 32 or 22 depending on what her issues are.
I don't see much difference in recoil between a 357 and a Judge. They seem a bit nose heavy to me, but it may not be all that much different than a 4" or 5" revolver of any type. The Judge is light for its size.
If its recoil, try light 45 Colt loads in it.
You may need to drop down to a 32 or 22 depending on what her issues are.
Gun weight (loaded), size and comfort are the most important things to consider here. As mentioned already, she needs to handle and if possible test fire as many revolvers as possible in order to find what fits/feels best. When the right one has been chosen, plenty of practice at the range will be essential to familiarize her with her new sidearm.
An sp101 with the 3 &1/16 inch barrel in .357 would be a nice starting point to consider. Great for standard .38 and +p ammo as well.
An sp101 with the 3 &1/16 inch barrel in .357 would be a nice starting point to consider. Great for standard .38 and +p ammo as well.
ColtPythonElite
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Whatever 5, 6, 7, or 8 shot centerfire revolver she likes will work just fine.
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