What is a good revolver to have as a loaner?

[Johnny Guest]

I did it recently - - -

My wife's stepbrother works for the electric company in the next county. He was on stand-by to go to Louisana after Katrina and owned no suitable handgun. When my wife asked if I could help him out, I realized that I had no really proper revolver - - Semi-concealable and which I wouldn't mind if the finish suffered from damp conditions.

So I made the sacrifice - - Went to a friend's shop and bought a police trade-in S&W Model 64, a set of Pachmayr stocks, and an old high ride holster, all for under $250.

Brother-in-law drove over the next afternoon and we went to the range. He has done some bird hunting and had plinked with a .22 pistol in the past. He demonstrated good safety habits and quite decent accuracy with my .22 revolver and the stainless .38. We were both satisfied that he had the manual skills and a proper mindset. He carried away the M64, holster, and two reloads of 158 LSWCHP+P in a zipper case.

Happily, he was never sent opn that particular TDY, and he brought my revolver back a couple of months later.

I was glad to help out, and, hey, a guy can always use another good quality four-inch revolver.

JPG

 

[Trebor]

Do you know of a specific law in Florida that would subject him to liability for a gun he gave to another legal adult?

No, it's not my responsibility to know the laws in Florida. It is up to the original poster who is considering loaning out a gun to know what laws in his state would apply. I'm just pointing out one possible consideration. My best advice for anyone with a similiar question is to ask a lawyer in your home state what sort of liability you could face if a firearm you loan out is misused.

Note, I did NOT say "Never loan out a gun." I can imagine situations where I would loan out a firearm. You just have to understand what potential risks you might face if you do so. At the very least, I wouldn't give out a firearm to someone who wasn't trained in it's use or who wasn't familiar with when deadly force can be used in self defense or to anyone whose judgement I suspect.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would be hesitant to loan someone a handgun unless it was family. Let them buy their own guns. Why do I have to supply other people with firearms? As was mentioned, a pump shotgun is a pretty good hurricane gun; modest priced, reliable and easy to operate.

I was looking at Honda generators the other day. IF I lived in a hurricane prone area (that would include most of the lower east coast and all of the gulf coast areas), I would have a medium sized generator on hand along with empty gas cans for about 20-40 gallons of fuel. There is something comforting about being able to turn on a light or hot plate when the things get rough. You can always use the fuel in your car if the need doesn't develop.

 

[albanian]

The S&W 10s, Ruger Six Series and the those fine fix sighted GP-100 can all be bought for about $200 give or take.

Even though they are all inexpensive, I wouldn't want to lose any of them. I would almost rather have a few Rossis or Taurus revolvers because I really wouldn't care if I ever got them back again.

If you wanted to go really cheap, get a Nagant revolver and load it with .32 H&R mag ammo. 7 shots and they are as tough as a hammer. The Russians seemed to like them.

 

[deke7]

Loaner

First I am not sure I would loan any of my personal guns to any of my neighbors, but, Charter Arms has come back and thier .44 Bulldog is awsome up to about 25 yds.

If you can't change the people around you, change the people aroound you.

 

[miko]

I see plenty cheap used Model 10's - that would be perfect for a someone without much experience.

miko

 

[Kelly J]

Good Loaner

I will be honest here, if the people that come to you to barrow a weapon to protect themselves are concerned enough to use a barrowed weapon then they should be concerned enough to buy thier own, it is great to be a good friend and neighbor but another to be the local armorer. It's your call but there are several things I don't loan out, My Wife, My truck, My fishing equiptment, Or my guns, all much to personal.

 

[JERRY]

......those who do not own a sword can still die by one......


unless there is some sort of financial hardship, tell these folks to stop leaching off of you during a crisis and take responsibility for themselves like an adult would.


if they dont want a gun in thier house when things are all rosey, then they sould have to live or die by that inept decision in a crisis instead of mooching off of someone who is better prepared yet still a sucker for a sob story.



sorry for being so brash and nothing personal meant. i just get bent when i hear how folks refuse to take responsibility for their own safety....

now if they are so finacially strapped that they cant scrape together $250.00 for a 4" K frame .38spl between huricanes, just perminantly give them one of yours if they are true freinds, other wise dont give them one at all.


take care this season. its supposed to like last year, or so they say......

 

[Photoman]

Like many have said, 4" K frames are readily available for less than $250. My local gun store has a whole shelf of armored car trade-ins, 4" M64's for $200 each. I would recommend the stainless over a blue steel for this application.

I don't know what the legal liability is for what you are talking about so I wont give any advice there.

 

[10-Ring]

I would look at the major manufacturers new or used just as long as your okay w/ the idea of never seeing that handgun ever again!
Best wishes & take care this hurricane season