Revolver for Home Defense?

[GLOOB]

I can't use a revolver for HD. Every time I see one of my revolvers, I have to pick it up and play with it. The only handgun I keep loaded is a Glock. I don't have the urge to touch it unless I'm about to send a bullet somewhere in a hurry.

I'd feel fine with a 5 shot revolver for SD. But 6 or 7 in a heavier revolver would be even better. I'm thinking a 3" Ruger GP100 or 686+ would be a little more comforting. Is her birthday coming up anytime soon?

 

[md7]

I had an auto for years as my "night stand" gun. It was a Glock 23 for the longest and then a Glock 17. My wife doesn't cotton to autos, so I bought a Ruger GP100. She likes that it is simple, user friendly, and doesn't sling spent casings all over the place. And I'm comforted in the fact that she knows how to effectively use it.

We get along just fine using a revolver as a night stand/HD firearm. Besides, the 870 is only a step or two away.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I've been told I shoot revolvers best, in my sleep.

 

[cackalak]

I know it's a common gun forum mass fantacy, that one night you will be invaded by either drug crazed maniacs armed with full auto weapons or even Russian spetznetz troops. Truth is; it ain't gonna happen. The run of the mill criminal is a low life coward, who at the first sign of armed resistance is leaving at a high rate of speed.

I live in the northern suburbs of Washington D.C., and crime is not unknown here. Of my half dozen handguns, five are revolvers, one of which is on my bedside table. My only auto pistol is a .22 target pistol. Yes, there's a speed strip of another half dozen rounds of .38 special laying there with it, but I doubt I'll need it, and I'm not going to worry over it.

If a good revolver will not stop you're home invasion, then you either really cheesed off a local drug lord, and you're in Mexico, or you are having a nightmare about the zombi invasion.

A revolver is fine, as is a double barrel coach gun.

Carl.

Good post. Even just a sound of an alarm going off will send most of them scattering.

I'm very comfortable with my GP100 as a HD gun. I also have an 870 in the closet, but if it gets to the point that I have to pull that out, I'm in serious trouble.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Sounds like you boys really live in nice neighborhoods. We still need a gun around here once in a while.

 

[Sulaco]

I keep whatever I feel like nearby, it varies depending on my mood. It seems to be a Glock more often than not, though.

 

[Anthony8498]

The answer is a firearm is only as good as it's trigger finger lots of practice and make it fun for her put up pics of an old ex or buy her a new purse when she has a real tight grouping it should only take one shot to do the job make sure she can make it count

 

[Boothdt]

I know it's a common gun forum mass fantacy, that one night you will be invaded by either drug crazed maniacs armed with full auto weapons or even Russian spetznetz troops. Truth is; it ain't gonna happen. The run of the mill criminal is a low life coward, who at the first sign of armed resistance is leaving at a high rate of speed.

I live in the northern suburbs of Washington D.C., and crime is not unknown here. Of my half dozen handguns, five are revolvers, one of which is on my bedside table. My only auto pistol is a .22 target pistol. Yes, there's a speed strip of another half dozen rounds of .38 special laying there with it, but I doubt I'll need it, and I'm not going to worry over it.

If a good revolver will not stop you're home invasion, then you either really cheesed off a local drug lord, and you're in Mexico, or you are having a nightmare about the zombi invasion.

A revolver is fine, as is a double barrel coach gun.

Carl.

I agree however, I don't see any reason to not come to a fight overprepared. At the risk of being cliche, I don't know of any dgu survivors who've complained about carrying too much ammo or too many guns.

 

[NOVA-pinion]

The wife picked out her Ruger GP100 about 5 months ago, but she's only shot it once. I'd love to see her practice at the range but I cannot force her to go. Meanwhile, I added a Crimson trace to her gun and also added one for my S&W model 10. Great for target training and seeing what happens to your aim when pulling the trigger, the red dot from the laser has the added benefit of scaring most of those cowardly home invaders. The revolver backs up our 12 gauge Mossberg fitted with a surefire LED light so we can see what we are shooting.

 

[iyn]

my wife hates brass that ejects out of a gun. I have a SW 67 as my HD gun. In my old age I enjoy shooting more than my 1911. If only I listened to the local experts back in the mid 1990's when revolvers were plentiful and cheap.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Never need more than 4 shots, never be attacked by mutant biker spetznas, autos got too many springs they will deteriorate in your lifetime, attackers will always be stupid and cowards, and never allow more than 3 or 4 in their click. And as long as Bruce Willis isn't busy, we should be OK. We left out Ringling Brothers, and the Muppets. This is all greatstuff.

That all bullies are cowards, crap, can get you seriously hurt.
People out to do you harm do so because they ENJOY IT. Even criminals tend not to do things that scare them.

I have not had as much luck predicting the future. If I was to base it on the past,
as though there were some kind of pattern, like earthquake prediction uses to such great effect, I think there may indeed be wild times ahead.

I don't know whats going to happen next. Neither does anybody else.

More ammo, more practice, and keep your gun more handy.
(or whatever gun your wife likes)
And small wife= small gun? Small wife needs a real gun worse than anybody. Her comfort level will increase with familiarization.

More on the little lady. If she acts like it too much. Give her a hammer and 2 or 3 nails. and tell her to drive the nails, even if it takes both hands no matter. When she has done that point out that the hammer didn't fly out of her hand and she doesn't have to hold the gun any harder,and it won't kick any harder. Sounds dumb but it works. Seeds that gun is a tool idea too.

Just my 10 cents worth.

 

[Chasing Crow]

Taurus Tracker - 7 shots 357 mag! I'm comfortable with that.

 

[Stainz]

I couldn't decide what caliber would be most appropriate, so I bought one with the capability to launch a range of goodies: 2.5" .410; 250gr Gold Dot JHP in .45 Colt; 250gr LRNFP in .45 Schofield; and moonclipped .45 ACP's.



It's a six-shooter - definitely not a Taurus Judge. It's the new S&W 'Governor' (The model number is 'Governor'!). It's 29.6 oz Al/Sc frame comes gripped with a boot grip - shown above alongside. You'll appreciate the Hogue .460/.500 Magnum grips much more, of course, when you feel the PD .410 rounds' recoil. The front sight is a drift adjustable tritium Night Sight - rear is fixed. Stout, but smooth, DA trigger - probably a requirement of the shotgun shells - I'll likely not respring this revolver.

Talk about an impulse buy - this was a first for me. I had found a new gunstore, actually nearer my home than my usual haunts. I made my first trip there Monday - and he had three of the five Governors left from Friday's delivery. I had 'new shoes for my Jeep' moola - had - guess I'll get by on 'may-pops' a bit longer. I have never been that irresponsible before - total impulse. I don't regret it, but then, I haven't had a flat yet, either.

Stainz

PS Before the monstrosity, I had my CCW of the day, my 642 or 296, by the bed - my wife keeps 'her' 2" 10 on her side - and strong flashlights. Remington +P 158gr LSWCHPs in .38s; GA Arms 200gr Gold Dots in the 296 (.44 Special).

 

[Smith357]

Though not my sole means of HD I keep my S&W Model 14 on my nightstand loaded with the FBI load. I don't use one of my .357s due to over penetration issues and the Model 14 is a dead nutz accurate natural pointing gun. The longer barrel and .38 special loading should help with muzzle flash and followup. Some folks say a 6" tube is easier for the bad guy to grab but I figure if he gets that close I've failed.

 

[seeker_two]

Some folks say a 6" tube is easier for the bad guy to grab but I figure if he gets that close I've failed.

My primary HD guns are a 6" K-38 and a 6.5" .357Mag Blackhawk....both loaded with .38Spl 158gr. SWCHP.....if a BG gets close enough to grab the barrel, I have a two-step procedure for that.....

1. Press the trigger until he lets go.

....or....

2. Hit him with my other hand (which might often be holding a heavy object or knife) until he lets go.

I'm comfortable with my chances of success.....

 

[dawei]

Tomcats can turn people off from auto loaders quite easily. Little blowback guns seem to need a really stiff hold (locked wrist, etc.) from the shooter to function decentlly. Plus, not having an extractor . . .

I'm kinda in the same boat as you and am rethinking the "go-to" home defense hand gun for the wife. Right now, it is my trusty ol' GP100 but it is so muzzle heavy with its 6" barrel and it only holds 6 rounds.

I was thinking a locked breech/recoil operated, poly framed, hi-capacity 9mm. However, I'm interested in 8-shot .357 mag revolvers with 4" barrels due to the point-and-shoot simplicity and the pull-the-trigger-again in case of the unlikely misfire. I can still put .38 Specials in it for her, but the 8-shot revolvers are still heavy and can be expensive.

More thinking to do on my part.

It's badge 851, a cheaper, and still viable, option may be either a 29oz 617 357 Mag or 21oz 817 38 Special. As you know both are 7 shot.

 

[420Stainless]

I don't use a use a revolver for HD yet. But if I find a set of Crimson Trace grips for an N-Frame at a bargain price my Mountain Gun will become one. I use a SIG right now, not for capacity, but because it has tritium sights on it. They're fading now, and I'm pretty sure I'll go to laser rather than replace the night sights.

Said all that to say yes, a revolver is a great choice for HD under normal circumstances.

 

[bbuddtec]

Easy, get another sp101, hehe

 

[*NOVA*]

I got two pair of Crimson Trace grips for under $300 after the mail-in rebate.
There is a web-site you can go to (not the OEM's) that sells them much cheaper. Rebate offer expires after June 30th.

 

[TexasBill]

My wife had the opposite experience and now won't shoot revolvers. I blame myself - I shouldn't have started her with J-frames and full-house ammo (Cautionary tale for those who think a small lightweight handgun is the ideal choice for a woman). She keeps a Browning BDA .380 with 14 Remington 102-grain Golden Sabers. No need to rack the slide, just flip off the safety and pull the trigger.

On the other hand, I am quite comfortable with my S&W Model 60 and Model 637. The 637 in a pocket or a Blackhawk Serpa holster is my most frequently carried handgun.

 

[golden]

Burst your bubble

I will always take a quality semi-auto over a revolver. 6 versus 16 is just too easy for me.
The fact that the 9m.m. and .40 S&W are more powerful than the .38 +P is another factor.

The sights are usually better on an auto. Mine all have night sights and they are rare on a wheelgun.
I also like a light on my home defense gun and that also goes to the one on my BERETTA.

I used to keep a revolver for home defense, but now it just does not make sense to me.

For your wife, if she is happy with it, then stick with it. My wife is using my SIG 225 because it fits her hand well and the recoil is controlable. It beats the .22lr she used to use.

Jim

 

[shiftyer1]

I can't say as sole means of sd, but I keep a security-six next to the bed. I have always said that a medium sized .357 loaded with .38's is the perfect gun for a woman to use as a house gun. The extra weight of the gun cuts the recoil down to nothing so she doesn't get scared target practising and theres nothing to do but aim and pull the trigger.

 

[Sevenfaces]

I just love the look and feel of a revolver. Definately go with a .357 or .44 with snake shot if you live in the south. recoil and flash can blind you in a dark room otherwise.

 

[cackalak]

Never need more than 4 shots, never be attacked by mutant biker spetznas, autos got too many springs they will deteriorate in your lifetime, attackers will always be stupid and cowards, and never allow more than 3 or 4 in their click. And as long as Bruce Willis isn't busy, we should be OK. We left out Ringling Brothers, and the Muppets. This is all greatstuff.

That all bullies are cowards, crap, can get you seriously hurt.
People out to do you harm do so because they ENJOY IT. Even criminals tend not to do things that scare them.

I have not had as much luck predicting the future. If I was to base it on the past,
as though there were some kind of pattern, like earthquake prediction uses to such great effect, I think there may indeed be wild times ahead.

I don't know whats going to happen next. Neither does anybody else.

More ammo, more practice, and keep your gun more handy.
(or whatever gun your wife likes)
And small wife= small gun? Small wife needs a real gun worse than anybody. Her comfort level will increase with familiarization.

More on the little lady. If she acts like it too much. Give her a hammer and 2 or 3 nails. and tell her to drive the nails, even if it takes both hands no matter. When she has done that point out that the hammer didn't fly out of her hand and she doesn't have to hold the gun any harder,and it won't kick any harder. Sounds dumb but it works. Seeds that gun is a tool idea too.

Too many points to argue. Not worth it. Be safe.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's not my sole means of defense but I often use a 2 inch Colt Magnum Carry as my primary HD gun.