Ultimate home defense revolver?

[PlayTheAces]

Over the years I've had several different wheel guns I've used for HD, and I'm thinking about switching again so this is a good thread for me.

For years I used a 6" 28 loaded up with .357 125 gr HPs.

Then I went to a 3" 547, a 9mm.

Next in the parade was a 4" 19, also with 125 gr HPs.

For the last half dozen years, my bedside companion has been an old 2" .38 60 stroked with 158 gr LHP +P.

Never felt uneasy with any of those combinations, and can't give a definitive reason why I changed them around as time went on, though in hindsight I think the .357s may have been a bit much for a residential area.

Now I'm considering going back to a 4", either a 19 or GP100 to pick up the sixth round. If I do, I think I'll stick to the .38 +P. Can't see where a .357 is going to give me that much more at "room" range, and a .357 let loose around here could end up plowing through several houses down the street before stopping. Hmm, must be getting more conservative as I get older.

 

[bpisler]

3" Smith 24-3 44 spl loaded with speer 200gr gold dots.I like it cause it's reliable,accurate,mild recoil and muzzle blast is not harsh.It might get retired in favor of my 625-6 mountain gun in 45 acp.I have a much wider selection of defensive ammo to pick from,reloads if needed would be faster with moon clips than a speedloader.

 

[Marshall]

Funny thread in a way.

I think it's kinda humorous all the different home defense guns we as those that like hanguns use. Some nights I will have a different handgun out than others nights. Last night I had my 2" Model 60 .357 on my nightstand. Night before that it was my 4" Model 13 heavy barrel .357. Tonight I am in a XD-40 with night sights mood, while last weekend I had a BHP on my nightstand all weekend and this coming weekend it may be my Model 696 .44 special

If you shoot very little or, are new to handguns, I would recommend just using the same gun all the time. If you shoot frequently enough and have used your handguns long enough so the minute they hit your palm you instantly recognize them as an "old friend", I don't think it matters a hoot how many different guns you use.

Of course, we all need at least seven, one for each day of week.

The funniest part is that if a mean ole booger comes in my home during the night, I am reaching for my HD shotgun.

 

[Random Discharge]

Despite getting a lemon from Ruger that I parted ways with and now wish I hadn't (it was finally remediated to at least meet minimum factory specs after 3 trips on my nickel), I like the 3" SP101 357 for a HD revolver.

Pro:
1. Compact enough to be hard for an intruder to grab unexepectedly
2. Handles 357 if desired
3. Easier to handle than a 38 snub-especially with addition of a Hogue grip which provides room for all fingers
4. The extra inch of barrel over a 2" snub helps add some fps to weaker 38+P rounds.

Con:
1) No adjustable sights
2) Better than a true snub, but still not as easy for me to handle or shoot as precisely as a medium frame 357. Not as much fun to shoot either.
3) A bit heavy (relative to most snubs) to do double duty as a CCW

I like 38 +P over 357 for personal defense (HD or CCW). 357 has too much blast and noise in confined areas and too much penetration in urban settings. I waffle between heavy and slow for good penetration (158 LSWC) after going through heavy clothing and light fast (Corbon 110) for high energy and expansion and lower risk of finding the neighbors through multiple walls.

I think 6" is too much barrel for HD - good for double duty as a medium size game hunting revolver or a fun range gun, but too unweildy for personal defense.

 

[Border]

4" 686+. Federal Hydroshoks. I agree with when TSHTF I don't want to be fumbling with safeties etc. Everyone SAYS their training will get them through but how many have actually been tested, macho fantasies notwithstanding that YOU know how YOU would react and be oh so cool when someone was trying to kill you in the middle of the night and waking you up from a deep sleep! Revolvers rule for home defense!

 

[bubbygator]

Well, I also have a 66 2.5", but it's not my bedside gun.

The gun I trust the most is my Browning HP with 17-round mag & Crimson Trace laser grips.

I hear all you are saying about the revolver - & I don't disagree. But my HP is reliable!!! I can shoot all day, every day with it & no malfs - and I can hit the badguy with single action better than double action. Your mileage may vary. My carry gun is a S&W 442; but for home defense I'll take my 17 rounds of accurate 9mm.

The CT laser has a rather narrow angle of visibility - it's not like a flashlight that can be seen as much from the side as the front. And it's only "on" when you press the button, not all the time. I agree about target identification too... but there's nothing that give an immediate self-confidence of aiming like seeing that red spot on the target and knowing that's where the bullet will strike.

 

[MikeJ]

Thanks to all that responded, even those that hate "ultimate" threads. What I have gotten out of this thread is that there is no one specific gun that really stood out as the ultimate. Having a good reliable revolver in an adequate caliber (.38 and above) loaded with an effective round seems to be the general consensus. I have always felt my 2.5" 66 was a good choice and still do. When funds permit I will then buy whatever suits my fancy at the time. Best to all, Mike

 

[valnar]

Don't discount noise. A loud supersonic blast may very well dissorient you indoors and render you dazed for a few seconds. I stay away from .357 for that very reason. Big and slow(er) is preferrable to me.

A Smith model 625 shooting .45ACP is just about perfect. If you do want it faster, then just load .45+P. No spring tension to worry about like in a .45ACP autoloader (..cough....1911....cough).

-Robert

 

[Elkslayer]

Although I have many revolvers to choose from beginning with .38 and .357 J-frames, some K-frames all the way to a 629, my favorite is an un-ported concealed hammer 2" Taurus in 44 special loaded with 200 grain Speer Gold Dots. I might re-think the 2" Taurus and go with one of my 3" Taurus in the same caliber come to think about it.