Inexpensive entry level defensive revolver?

[YodaVader]

A friend of mine has a son that is looking to buy a revolver for home defense , not to carry and will not serve duty as a target or hunting gun.

If choosing for myself I would get an older 4" Smith 686 , 586 , 66 , or 19 or Ruger GP 100. But I am into a lot of target shooting and the adjustable sight service revolver would suit me just fine. I doubt he would want to shell out that much and may be served just as well with a fixed sight gun for less money.

I was thinking on the lines of the Ruger SP series. Would any of the Taurus handguns be worthy of consideration? Any other recommendations?

 

[Photoman]

I would look for a surplus K frame S&W in .38 Special or .357 Magnum. My local range has a whole case full of M66's for $299.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If this weapon will be used for Home Defense only then I suggest you tell him not to buy a handgun but to buy a shotgun. You can buy a brand new Mossberg 500 12 ga shotgun for under $200. Load it with #4 Buckshot or 00 Buckshot and you will be well protected.

If he really wants a handgun then I would suggest a 4" .357 Magnum loaded with .38 Special +P rounds for Home Defense. Taurus makes an inexpensive 4" .357 Magnum that is reliable or go into the used market and find a nice S&W K frame.

 

[Frandy]

If this weapon will be used for Home Defense only then I suggest you tell him not to buy a handgun but to buy a shotgun. You can buy a brand new Mossberg 500 12 ga shotgun for under $200. Load it with #4 Buckshot or 00 Buckshot and you will be well protected.

+1

 

[Shear_stress]

My local range has a whole case full of M66's for $299.

Where's this, again?

 

[YodaVader]

My local range has a whole case full of M66's for $299.

Yeah , that would great - I am more likely to win the Lotto around here as compared to finding a $299 Model 66!

 

[Ala Dan]

Police trade-ins- S&W model 10's, 15's, 19's or 66's are plentiful. Like you,
I would opt for one of the adjustable sight models; but he might be happy
with just a plain old S&W model 10~!

 

[Starter52]

I'd consider a pre-1980 Charter Arms .38 revolver also. Fairly common and cheaper than a S&W. It will do the job for light-duty home defense.

Charter Arms revolvers usually sell for about $150 in the used gun racks.

 

[wcwhitey]

+1 for a good old model 10. +3+ for a good shotgun. I have always been a big fan of the Rem 870 and Mossberg 500 Combo's. Home defense and hunting in one low cost package.

P.S. Where are these 299 66's. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Bill_G]

any used smith K frame (like model 10).

or a used ruger security six or service six. both choices in 4".

go with Speer 135 gr gold dots in 38+p.

 

[jt1]

While I really would like to reccommend a revolver, I must agree with ArchAngelCD and the others and say a good 18.5" HD pump shotgun in 12 or 20 ga. is the best choice here. Althought you say he will not use it for any other purpose, whatever he finally decides to get he needs to shoot targets to gain and maintain his skill as I am sure you are aware.

 

[BADUNAME13]

$200-$250 S&W model 10.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Will people stop recommending used SWs! They are not a iable option, at least in my area!
A Taurus all-steel snubby should take you back $285, and the 3", which would be better for HD, would be about the same price.

 

[BADUNAME13]

What area?
You can have it shipped/delivered for ~ that price.

And I have had Taurus guns let me down...

 

[Geister]

I would say a Ruger Security Six, but for home defense is he really sure that he wants a .357?

 

[ronto]

Another vote for a pump shotgun.
As back-up, a 4" Ruger GP100 or any "Six-Series" would be a reliable choice.

 

[moxie]

Tritto or quadritto on the used Ruger Security, Service or Speed Sixes. Also the GP-100 and SP-101 have been around long enough to get good deals on used specimens. I don't know that fixed vs. adjustable sights will matter that much regarding price on older used guns like this.

 

[TonyB]

I've seen used smith's for anywhere from $189(mod. 10) to $399(mod 10)and Ruger six's for around $250.....tell your buddy to use the revolver check out at the top of this page.
If he wants new..try Rossi......cheap and reliable..I bought a used 461(2" 357 mag)for $150..it's 100% reliable and accurate..

 

[glockman19]

In a revolver I would only buy a new S&W or Ruger. for Home defense a S&W 686 will serve you well, or a Ruger GP-100 or SP 101. If you'l be carrying a S&W "J" frame IMHO is the best. Look at the 642/442 If you're willing to spend more get a model 60 or 340.

 

[Deanimator]

If this weapon will be used for Home Defense only then I suggest you tell him not to buy a handgun but to buy a shotgun. You can buy a brand new Mossberg 500 12 ga shotgun for under $200. Load it with #4 Buckshot or 00 Buckshot and you will be well protected.

Don't assume that a shotgun is an appropriate defense firearm for everyone.

A shotgun would be a wildly inappropriate primary home defense firearm for my home.

A shotgun CAN be an appropriate defensive tool. There is no guarantee that it WILL be in every instance.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Armscor Model 200 .38 for ~$160.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't assume that a shotgun is an appropriate defense firearm for everyone.

A shotgun would be a wildly inappropriate primary home defense firearm for my home.

A shotgun CAN be an appropriate defensive tool. There is no guarantee that it WILL be in every instance.

Deanimator,
Where did I say that was written in stone? It was a suggestion and along with the shotgun suggestion I also gave him my suggestions on hadnguns in case he didn't want a shotgun.

You left out the second part of my post where I wrote:

If he really wants a handgun then I would suggest a 4" .357 Magnum loaded with .38 Special +P rounds for Home Defense. Taurus makes an inexpensive 4" .357 Magnum that is reliable or go into the used market and find a nice S&W K frame.

 

[YodaVader]

I'll find out how much he is willing to spend and go from there. I am pretty certain he is not wanting a shotgun. I do happen to own one of those Mossberg pistol grip pump actions , although in 20 gauge. It pretty much sits in the safe and I rely on my Sig for self defense.

I am not sure how much of a novice he is , may let him shoot my Smith revolver , Sig pistol and Mossberg shotgun to help him decide what might be best for him.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Sundles]

Just to be clear, lets not assume that "inexpensive" and "entry level" are mutually inclusive. I know the originator of this thread included "inexpesnsive" and "entry level", because that is his interest at this point.