ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree all the danger is a bit overdone but firing a .357 Magnum inside a dark 10'X12' bedroom is much worse than doing so with a .38 Special. The concussion is the worse part and the flash is impressive.
Home Defense Wheelguns
- Thread starter KY Sparky
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Stress_Test
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- Aug 3, 2012
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Don't get me wrong, it's not my go-to choice, but if it was all I had I wouldn't be too concerned.
FWIW I split the difference in my LCR by using the Golden Saber .357 load. It's much less recoil than full-power .357 but still packs more wallop than the .38 loads.
The LCR is NOT my home defense choice though.
FWIW I split the difference in my LCR by using the Golden Saber .357 load. It's much less recoil than full-power .357 but still packs more wallop than the .38 loads.
The LCR is NOT my home defense choice though.
Few members were on right track suggesting EIGHT-shot .357 revolver. Top choice Smith & Wesson M&P R8 revolver with low flash .38Special ammo.
Gee, I love how some of you suggest military and or police surplus revolvers. What makes you think the guy can't afford something more glorious?
Gee, I love how some of you suggest military and or police surplus revolvers. What makes you think the guy can't afford something more glorious?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Don't know why "glory" would be a requisite feature for a defensive weapon but I can't imagine how you'd latch onto more glory than inherent in a military or police service weapon.
Hey, just a bit of free advice bullseye...
Whether you are right or the original post is right (debating how bad the effect is of shooting a gun inside a house), it IS true that the effects of being present in the face of high db sounds is cumulative. So repeating your experiments of shooting a 12 gauge inside or outside a cabin or home without ear protection is just not worth the science experiment evidence. I have a small bit of experience in such an experiment and fall on the side of it 'pegging the needle' on ones key senses of hearing and sight but regardless, it's not something that would be wise to repeat again.
Over the years, I've subjected myself to a lot of loud hobbies (private aviation, motorcycles, et al) and have paid a small price, but one I would not want to test any further. I'd suggest the same for others.
Sorry for the detour.
B
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Ash
Member
I cannot imagine a more glorious revolver than a Colt 1917 (or a Smith), or a Victory model Smith, or other revolvers. Such models have established they can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.
What is so glorious about an 8 shot Taurus or other revolver?
What is so glorious about an 8 shot Taurus or other revolver?
RealGun
Member
The OP has not been back from what I could find, but I would want to know why mother didn't like the Judge. I am going to guess that size and recoil energy are a factor as they reportedly are for many women first time shooters.
My suggestion would be the Rossi 851, that is a small frame .38 Spl +P with a real barrel (4") and target sights. It is also in the Judge's price range. It also will shoot single action and holds 6 rounds.
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Jim NE
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- Feb 28, 2011
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- 1,888
Haven't read all the posts. Sorry if this info has been covered.
OP didn't say if his mom was old and frail or not. My 90 year old dad had an old Highway Patrolman S&W for home defense, but...it was actually too heavy for him to lift! Can actually be a consideration for some older folks. My Rossi M88 would've been perfect for him, as it is a lighter 5 shot snubby, yet is noticeably heavier than a j frame, so recoil wouldn't be a problem, especially considering the rubber grips. Just a .38, however. A Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog also would've worked well, though, if fitted with rubber grips for extra recoil control.
If arm strength isn't an issue, I'd suggest a larger .44 Special...Smith and Wesson N frame, etc.
OP didn't say if his mom was old and frail or not. My 90 year old dad had an old Highway Patrolman S&W for home defense, but...it was actually too heavy for him to lift! Can actually be a consideration for some older folks. My Rossi M88 would've been perfect for him, as it is a lighter 5 shot snubby, yet is noticeably heavier than a j frame, so recoil wouldn't be a problem, especially considering the rubber grips. Just a .38, however. A Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog also would've worked well, though, if fitted with rubber grips for extra recoil control.
If arm strength isn't an issue, I'd suggest a larger .44 Special...Smith and Wesson N frame, etc.
RealGun, you are correct. It is too "front heavy" with a full cylinder for her, even though she has the snub nose version. This made it hard for her to shoot double action, which is what would happen in an HD situation. She also isn't fond of the PDX1 .410 recoil. I let her handle my 6" 586 (my nightstand gun
) and she liked it much better, but we haven't been able to meet at the range yet for her to shoot. This is what spurred my interest in the medium size revolvers for her. They balance well, most have a myriad of grip options, and in the case of .38 +P or .357 recoil can be tailored to what is deemed acceptable by the shooter depending on load.Thanks to all for the suggestions, advice, and opinions so far. I have urged her to get professional training and practice, practice, practice and shoot as many guns as possible until she finds one she likes. Does anyone have any thought on revolvers chambered for auto cartridges: 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP? I have never shot one, but they seem like they could offer the best of both worlds: low to moderate recoil of an auto and reliability/simplicity of a revolver.
I have a couple of revolvers chambered in 45 ACP, both are "N" frames. Not as heavy as a smaller caliber on the same frame but the trigger reach is long. Also, not an inexpensive revolver to acquire.
RealGun
Member
Rimless revolver like 9mm and the rest would make it so that you had to load the moonclips, not her. Don't try to make this about a gun you would want.
76shuvlinoff
Member
My wife's choice for a nightstand thumper. Ruger SP101 4.2" 5 shot .357 with 158gr 38s. The factory stocks fit her just right. A trigger spring job and it's smooth as glass. The simplicity of a DA wheelgun makes it perfect for her. She loathes all my bottom feedin, hot brass flingin, pull this, twist that, pinch and bite sidearms.
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Not sure what's so glorious about a $1200 gun with a lawyer hole in the side. Or what that $1200 gun does over a $500 Glock, that holds 18 rounds, and 2-3 cases of ammo. If you want to get serious about it and all.Few members were on right track suggesting EIGHT-shot .357 revolver. Top choice Smith & Wesson M&P R8 revolver with low flash .38Special ammo.
Gee, I love how some of you suggest military and or police surplus revolvers. What makes you think the guy can't afford something more glorious?
mdauben
Member
There is actually only a few (3-4) oz difference between a 4 inch K frame and a 4 inch L frame, so its not a huge difference. Remember though this is a few oz held at arms length by someone who may have less hand and arm strenght than you do. Only the shooter (the OP's mom in this case) can really determine if the difference matters.
JTMcC
Member
So you think that a L frame Smith is just tooooo much gun for what 48-52% of the world population?
My wife, (who's toted a 4" 586 no dash since the '80's) and my three daughters would really get a laugh out of that. Poor little weak things that they are running L & N frames, 12 ga w/buckshot and big bore rifles. Maybe I should steal all their guns and arm them with "mild" .38 specials : )
Do you believe that the gun will induce fainting or a case of the vapors in "ladies"??
The 586/686 is a great choice for any "lady" who wants to run .357's on a regular basis. The weight is helpfull and the gun will survive a stupid number of full bore rounds.
Dude you need to get out more, or at least hang around some capable females every once in a while. What gun do you recomend for men? Cause they are all just alike you know.
J
Quoted the wrong post, shoulda been this:
Strawhat says: 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.
RealGun
Member
That won't change that StrawHat's generalization is accurate. The trouble with generalizations is that there are always exceptions. I suggest you hang out at a gun counter, when females, not just your own, are trying to pick a gun. Hurray for the exceptions.
sfhogman
Member
My personal nightstand gun is a S&W 620. That's an L frame, 7 shot half-lugged SS 4" .357 with Speer Gold Dot .38+P for snubbies. But that's just me. My suggestion would be that she talk to a good female instructor. She should also take her time and do mucho comparison shopping...
Jeff
Jeff
I made my recommendations based on experience, in the field, on the job and as a trainer. The "L" frames are good revolvers but not for everyone. I believe the OP should let Mom try as many different revolvers as they can find to use. She, and she alone, should then get to pick the one that suits her. I have no right to tell her what to pick, I can merely offer suggestions, again, based on my experiences. And given the two choices in the original post, I recommended the one I thought best.
Your opinion is different and rightly so. The more recommndations the OP hears, the more choices he get to offer to Mom.
Your opinion is different and rightly so. The more recommndations the OP hears, the more choices he get to offer to Mom.
JTMcC
Member
Right, and when your generalization covers roughly half of the humans on earth it's almost gauranteed to be inaccurate in my opinion.
If you're talking about "new to shooting" women (or men), who are looking for advise at that gun counter you mention, then off course a full size .357 isn't a good starter gun.
But for a girl/boy who's grown up on .22's from a young age it can be a very good choice regardless of male or female.
I'm a little busy to hang out at a gun counter right now. But my brother owns a gun shop so I have done that from time to time.
Personally I can't say as you do that the generalization is accurate or not because I don't know the original poster's Mom. Some Mom's are 80 years old with arthritus and no previous firearm experience and some are quite different than that.
So really I oppose the notion that you two want to specify a firearm size and caliber via internet based soly on sex of the buyer.
I can't suggest what car she drive either, without specific information. Some ladies drive a smart car and some drive a dually loaded with hay. Some learn to drive at an advanced age and some are driving around the farm as a pre teen.
J
It's just not a one size fits all world. That's why they make so many different models : )
JTMcC
Member
Helping "Mom" choose a gun is a pretty important process. It should be specifically tailored to her preferences, physical abilities, willingness to practice and budget.
All of those factors can change as the years roll by.
That would be my take.
J
All of those factors can change as the years roll by.
That would be my take.
J
22250Rem
Member
If my mom were in that situation the first thing I'd do would be handing her my 4" 686 7 shot. A heckuva lot easier to master than a snubby, lots of ammo options to choose from in both .38 Spl. and .357 and a nice trigger. A nice 4" Ruger wouldn't be too shabby either.
Gun Master
Member
I would like to see someone develop a modern update on the LeMat revolver, possibly double action. A nine shot .357, plus 16 gauge (or 20 or 12 gauge) Buckshot or slug option in the center of the cylinder . Man, that would be some awesome rotator !
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