need a good straight-up defensive wheelgun.

[336A]

There is no need whatsoever to turn a blind eye to the S&W M10/M64 service revolver. They are a very rugged and time tested gun for being as some like to say ONLY a .38 SPL. They are very accurte and the sights are very well regulated. They are very responsive in ones hand as well. As has been said already go out and get some Buffalo Bore .38 SPL +P with the 158gr SWCHP load and you will have a very very good defensive revolver. Check here for some real world chrono results from various barrel lengths with this loading.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/144598-some-38-special-chronograph-tests.html

 

[roaddog28]

i want a strictly .38 and the s+w's being recommended so much is definitely going to be it.

but for my first revolver purchase I want it to shoot .357. I'm really tempted by the Sp101 w/ Crimson Trace. Yes, it's not necessarily a carry gun, but for defensive use this particular package seems hard to beat...not terribly expensive either for what you get.


Are the Crimson Trace grips durable and the laser reliable?


does the smaller size of the Sp101 shorten its lifepsan any when shooting .357?


i have to say if i wasnt on somewhat of a budget id go for a 686 plus 4" (7 shots!)
AcceptableUserName is offline

The answer to your question on the Ruger SP101 I doubt that shooting a diet of 357s would shorten the life of this revolver. A lot of people think the SP101 is stronger than the Smith K frame magnum. I tend to agree.
A 3 inch SP101 is a great revolver. The only thing I have notice on the SP101 is the double action trigger pull is heavy. A lot heavier than a Smith and Wesson model 13, 19, 65 or 66. But the SP101 does smooths out the more you use the revolver. They are a good value in a revolver that a person can carry. The bottom line is buy the revolver that feels the best and handles the best. I would try and find a way to try some of the revolvers that have been suggested.
Regards,
roaddog28

 

[MR.G]

I recommend a S&W 686 Plus.

 

[oldbanjo]

I don't think any gun in 38cal can beat a md 36 S&W Chief Special, and a shoulder holster. In 357cal I perfer Ruger sp101 and gp100.

 

[Old Ranger]

Defense against what? And like was previously said - - - could it work into a carry piece? I have different revolvers, but my first choice for general house defense and carry is a Taurus 817 Ultralite seven shot snubbie with a Crimson Trace grip.

If I needed more, I have a 1911A1 with either hard ball or Golden Sabres.

 

[wow6599]

Another vote for a 3 1/16" SP101.
Easily my favorite revolver and I have had a few.....even like it better than the Pro Series 686 I had.
YMMV

 

[SDiver40]

I carry my sp101 all the time, It's my main carry gun. Nothing against the S&W in the least, it is a great gun. I just prefer the ruger. As for the crimson trace lasers, I love them too. They work great and never had a problem of any kind.
Hope this answers your questions

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

3" GP-100.

A tank that will eat .357mag endlessly
Good home defense choice.
That can also double as a GREAT carry choice.

Nuff said.



-

 

[MCgunner]

From the OP description, primary (regard to the toughness) would be the GP100. I'd say SP101, but for the "firepower" stipulation. For me, though, five shots is plenty and the size and weight of the SP101 assures that I'll have it when I need it.

 

[jhvaughan2]

Simple question, keep the answer simple

S&W 64 4". For a basic combat revolver, you'll do no better until you spend a lot more money. Load it with Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP +P and you're set. IMHO & all that, but look around a bit & I think you'll agree.

+1
Many will try to over-analize and tell you that modern criminals cannot be stopped by cartridge designed 100 years ago.
They will all tell you about their favorite revolvers, and there are many great ones.
But a stainless 64 is a bargain, and one in the nightstand will always be ready to go -- tomorrow or 10 years from now.

If you find later that you want "more" gun for fun, then you have not over spent on your "first".

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Many will try to over-analize and tell you that modern criminals cannot be stopped by cartridge designed 100 years ago.

I guess that's the same logic as a train made 100 years ago won't kill you if you get hit by it.

One thing to note on Ruger vs. S&W. The Rugers are built like a tank but are not as smooth as the S&W's with trigger pull and action smoothness. If you don't care how smooth the trigger pull is, go for the Ruger. If you prefer a more refined action, go for the S&W. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Rexster]

The GP100 is my choice. I have managed to cherry-pick several with good triggers, out of the box, that get better with wearing-in, or pre-owned, with no apparent trigger work.

 

[461]

Smith doesn't make any bad .357's and neither does Ruger. Get the one you like best and be happy that you made a great decision.

 

[ugaarguy]

Do some reading on the S&W K Frame forcing cone. If you plan to shoot light projectile weight, full magnum .357 loads like the very popular 125gr JHP you'll do best with a S&W L frame, or any of the Rugers. If you're okay with the slower but heavier full magnum loads, like the also very popular 158gr JHP & SJHP, you'll be fine with a K Frame.

Those bobbed hammer model 64s at J&G are a heck of a good deal, and, other than being .38 instead of .357, fit your stated purpose perfectly. With a good holster they're not even that hard to CCW. If I was just starting out, yet knowing what I know now, I'd get one (it'll be under $300 OTD even with shipping & FFL transfer fee), and put the other $300 & change into a good holster, a couple speed loaders, lots of practice ammo, and range time. There isn't much a Model 64 with with 158gr +P LSWCs wont do in a SD role.



PS - Don't get overwhelmed by all the the S&W K & L Frame model numbers: they just represent things like caliber, metal (SS or Blued Steel), and fixed or adjustable sights - ex: a model 19 is a 357 Mag, K frame, blued, adjustable sights; 13 same gun with fixed sights; 66 & 65 same guns, respectively, just SS. Ruger just uses a catalog number like KGP-141 for a stainless (K) 4" bbl adj. sight GP-100, or, another example KGPF-331 for stainless, fixed sight (F), 3" bbl. Why the first digit changes from a 1 to a 3 on the 3" fixed sight model, I couldn't tell you.

 

[br549arkie]

S&W k frame 38 special,357 mag or the same in a Ruger security six/speed six/service six.

 

[ohwell]

I have the Sp101 with the 2 1/4 barrel, its a very nice gun for concealing. The crimson trace grips really help with recoil and control I think, but get the rubber overmolded ones not the cheaper hard ones. The laser works great at night to.

 

[okdee]

I had a Taurus 45LC, which I liked quite abit. But have moved to a S&W Model 66 with the SS 2.5" barrel (357 Mag). I seem to be a a cycle of 6-12 months with one that I carry and have by the bed, then change out for a different one. Kinda keeps it fresh, and always on the look out to tweak something.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi again,

Well as you can see there lots of good choices suggested. Any one will do the job for HD. Try as many as possible. That's the best way to choose the right one. Or you can be like me and others here and collect revolvers. I suggested the Smith K frame magnum 13,19, 65 and 66 because they can shoot 357s and I feel they handle the best. I have all of these except for the 65. But I don't use them for HD. I don't believe a person needs a 357 for HD. I am like others. I have my HD revolver loaded with the 158 gr 38+P LSWCHP round. Buffalo bore makes the most powerful round but Winchester has a very good round too.

Lastly, the best revolver and ammo won't work if the person can't hit where there aiming at. And this has to be done under stress. That means a person has to practice a lot and practice with their HD round not target ammo. If the person can't do this then it really does not matter does it?

Regards,
roaddog28
PS: Here is my HD revolver. Others have suggested this revolver in either blued or stainless. The revolver is basic and shoots accurately as long as the shooters does his part.

S&W model 10 4 inch heavy barrel

 

[dogngun]

Get a S&W Model 13. All you need, nothing you don't.

Always works, probably around $350 in very clean condition.

mark

 

[Ichiro]

does the smaller size of the Sp101 shorten its lifepsan any when shooting .357?

I don't know, but I can't imagine it would be an issue. I probably fired only 700 magnums out of mine in the 5 years that I owned it. By the time I compiled a round count of 8,327 rounds (mostly .38 handloads), I was tired of the gun and replaced it with something else as my daily carry weapon.

My old GP-100 was a much sweeter gun to shoot in all respects, but I got rid of it as well. My primary purpose for handguns is defense, and the GP-100 is just too large and heavy to hold only 6 rounds of even the best defensive ammo.

I loaded both of these with .38 +P simply because I could shoot accurate followups so much faster.

For a "straight-up defensive gun," I wouldn't choose a revolver at all.

 

[Justin Holder]

I know it doesn't fit your specifications, but this is my pick.

S&W model 58 41 magnum.

With different grips of course.

 

[harmon rabb]

since you want .357 and care about capacity, get a S&W 686+ because it holds 7 rounds.

 

[joe_security]

Go with whatever points the best, and feels best in the hand. Dont forget about the Model 10/64 pencil barrel version. Once you pick one up, everything else feels muzzle heavy. No doubt Ruger and S&W both have excellent customer service, you will be in good hands either way. Lots of good advice in this thread. If you do go with a K frame, try the Safariland comp 2 speedloaders. They are super fast and smooth with a little practice.

 

[toycruiser71]

Go to a range that rents different models and shoot the ones you are considering. I personally favor the 686, but the SP101 is an awesome gun. Seriously though, if you are really budget minded, there is nothing wrong at all with a .38. I carried an old Colt Cobra for years. It will get the job done.

 

[gglass]

When I was faced with the exact same decision as you, I chose the 3" version of the SP-101 in .357 Magnum. I could not be happier with this little tank. I did some modifications to get the perfect trigger and even went so far as to remove the offending lawyer marks on the left side of the barrel and a complete shine job.

My SD ammo of choice for this little beast is Buffalo Bore's Heavy .357 Magnum HP ammunition. From a 3" barrel, these hot projectiles offer an amazing 1,398 fps and 685 ft/lbs of energy... Now that's smokin!