Pick a .38spcl snubnose

[shockwave]

I think it is good to have suggestions, but the proof is in the comfort of the person firing the gun.

Everyone will agree with that. Also, most of us have probably had the experience of finding a gun we think will fit our needs, with the right mix of caliber, size, and features we want. But on holding it in a shop and working it, testing the trigger, you discover that it isn't what you wanted at all. So there's that.

But in this discussion, I'm having a hard time mixing HD and snub-nose. A 3 to 4 inch barrel will help with accuracy and recoil management. Those can be traded off for CCW, but for HD there's no need to compromise, and smaller guns have harder recoil, so I'd look to add a bit of weight and length since size isn't a limiting factor. At least give a Ruger GP100 .327 Magnum with 4.20" barrel a tryout. It's got 7-shot capacity, and will fire .38 spl comfortably with extreme accuracy.

 

[jc650]

Earlthegoat2

Indeed thats the one I was talkin about. Total brain fart and forgot the LCR was a Ruger too!

 

[Nick5182]

I'd go with the sp101. Since you're not going to be carrying it, the weight won't be a problem, and will help with the recoil.

 

[ironvic]

I'd pick any one of three: the S&W Model 642, 442 or a Model 60 in any of its iterations.

If you want heavy metal, go with a S&W 686 Plus with the 2 1/2" barrel. Of course, any snubby's a good snubby.

 

[frankiestoys]

The sp is a great gun and would make a fine house gun, the 2 inch is more accurate then most other 2'' snubs plus its weight off sets recoil alot. I carry mine sometimes so inspite of what some guys say you can , just get the right gear.

 

[bobelk99]

S&W, because it is light and easily stored and handled.

Your list are all good dependable guns that would meet your needs.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I would NEVER recommend a .38 Special snubnose as a house gun. 2" barrels have harsher recoil and cause "flipping". Go with something with a 4" barrel. Better yet - something with a full lug and load it with +P.

If I was in the market for a house gun, my top choices would be a Taurus 608 or a S&W 327.

38snapcaps
Pick a .38spcl snubnose
I want to buy one more snubnose revolver. It will spend its life as a house gun, never carried.

I have three choices:
Ruger LCR
Ruger SP101
S&W 637

Which would you choose and please explain your reason.

Thanks

 

[Onward Allusion]

All the more reason for a heavier gun. Has she ever shot a 2" barrel lightweight .38 Special? If she didn't like the recoil of a Bersa .380, she is not going to like the recoil from a 2" .38 Spl.

38snapcaps
<SNIP>My wife is a little gal with hands that knit and cross stitch and she thinks such guns are too big and barrel heavy. This is the main reason I've stayed with snubs. We did have a Bersa .380 for a while. She liked the trigger and weight but the recoil was very sharp and she hated it.<SNIP>

 

[WmCC]

Smith. Much stronger than a 101.

 

[Girodin]

The recoil of a very light snub (like an air weight or a LCR) will be much more objectionable than a bersa .380.

 

[BossHogg]

OK, this must be a trick question. I don't see why a snubnose would be used for HD only.Go with a nice four inch used .38 of your choice. To many choices to offer up +p or standard .38 spl. would do the job quite well. One more thing go with 6 shot over 5 shot.
Good luck on your search let use know what you get. On your list a 3in SP 101 in .38 should do fine.

 

[frankiestoys]

Smith. Much stronger than a 101.

The recoil on the sp is far lighter then my 642 and its also more accurate,
and tell me what Smith in a snub is stronger then the SP ? I own several Smiths and yes there great guns but you could run the Ruger over with a tank and it would still work.

 

[The Bushmaster]

If that's all I had to choose from, I'd pick the SP101. My prefered carry is my Mod 19-5 Nickel Combat Magnum with 2 1/2" barrel.

 

[jad0110]

OK, this must be a trick question. I don't see why a snubnose would be used for HD only.

Because the OP stated this in a previous post:

I've considered something like a M15 or GP100. My wife is a little gal with hands that knit and cross stitch and she thinks such guns are too big and barrel heavy. This is the main reason I've stayed with snubs.

I would NEVER recommend a .38 Special snubnose as a house gun. 2" barrels have harsher recoil and cause "flipping". Go with something with a 4" barrel. Better yet - something with a full lug and load it with +P.

Well, it depends on the snub. A 2" steel K Frame, like my S&W Model 15, has barely (if any) more felt recoil than my 4" Model 15. A little more muzzle flip, yes, but not objectionable at all. Though I prefer a 4" barrel for home protection, some prefer a snub because they are a smidge more difficult for a badguy to grab onto. And although my 2" Model 15 and no lug 4" 15 have a bit more muzzle rise than my full underlug 4" 686, the 15s are easier to transition between targets because they have less inertia; they are easier for some folks to start and stop.

It's a preference thing.

Being that an SP101 doesn't way much less than a 2" K Frame, the recoil should be pretty manageable, especially with properly fitting stocks.

 

[Guillermo]

Of the choices I would get the Ruger but DO NOT BUY IT IN .38!

Get the .357. You can shoot .38s out of it and it is a more versatile, more marketable weapon.

It is the same gun, but more.

 

[oldfool]

another vote for the SP101 w/ 3" barrel
(milady's favorite)
shootable, pointable, rugged, reliable, accurate, built to last "forever"

PS
can eat 357 forever, but suggest no hotter than 38+P "indoors"
whole lot of boom-n-flash out of just 3" you know

 

[halfded]

I've said it before and I"ll say it again; look into Taurus. Lifetime warranty and mine's got a better DA trigger than any Smith I've ever owned.

And for all those guys that want to bash Taurus, S&W hasn't been so hot on the QC front these days either.

 

[Guillermo]

for all those guys that want to bash Taurus

don't count me in that group. Were I in the new market the only Ruger that interests me is the SP101 .357. (It really is a cool "midsized" revolver that would make a great "house gun")
Beyond that I would look to Taurus before I looked to Smith.

 

[HexHead]

S&W Model 10, 4". They're pretty easy to find for around $200.



Makes a great house gun.

 

[John Wayne]

Get one of the K-frame police trade-ins from J&G sales. Lots of model 64s, 15s, etc. available that would be great for the task. Why limit yourself to a snubnose if you're never going to carry it? Nobody picks a snubnose because of its excellent ballistics or because it's fun to shoot; they're only popular because they're easy to conceal.

A model 15, for example, will have a higher velocity, full length ejector rod, be more controllable and have a trigger a hundred times better than a small lightweight revolver. Not to mention that they're dirt cheap as well, in the $200-$300 range depending on model and condition. If you get an adjustable sight model, you can change out the front and rear sights to suit your taste. Fixed sights are good on a carry gun, but they're not the most precise things.

 

[toivo]

Get one of the K-frame police trade-ins from J&G sales. Lots of model 64s, 15s, etc. available that would be great for the task.

What he said. If she didn't like the Bersa .380, she won't like the snubnose. Here's my 64 from J&G, with Ajax faux-ivory grips in place of the beat-to-hell Hogues that it came with:



It's my nightstand gun, but it goes to the range every once in a while. Even with those slim (and slippery) grips, it's surprisingly easy to point and shoot.

 

[M&PVolk]

All three of your choices would make excellent guns for you. I have spent time with a 637 and the SP101. I really like both and would choose the 637 for carry and the SP101 for home.

Having said that, I agree with the others that there are better choices than a snub nose revolver for home defense. I like a shotgun or AR 15, myself, but would go with a higher capacity semi-auto in a handgun situation for home defense. I like big revolvers, but prefer them more for woods/outdoors animal protection than for home defense.

 

[aHFo3]

I second the S&W 64 from JG Sales.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

See my post below.. I answered your question there...

 

[Old Shooter]

Of your choices I'd go for the SP101.

Personally, I'd look for a 4" HB Smith but that just reflects my preference for older (pre-lock) S&W revolvers.

The SP101 will serve you well.