A revolver, first in awhile

[Brushhunter]

Hi All--

I've just spent a thoroughly entertaining and educational afternoon reading through the posts on this forum and the one on concealed carry.  My current question is more suited to this one than CCW, I think.  I'm considering buying a revolver for home defense.  I have a good Remington 870 in 12 ga with an 18 in barrel, and it's my primary HD weapon.  But there are times when my wife is home alone, and the shotgun's too much for her; also I go through periods where I'd feel ok going a bit more lightly armed, and frankly the revolver would be more convenient.  I live in a super low-crime neighborhood.  Also, I'd like to do a little handgun shooting just for the heck of it.  In the late 70's, I did some time as a LEO, and my carry weapon was a Ruger Security-Six in .357 magnum with a four in. barrel.  I liked it, but it was relatively heavy, and I must admit that I had some difficulty controlling it between shots and getting it back on target with the hotter .357 loads.  I'd like to pick up a reasonably-priced revolver, possibly a Ruger sp101, speed six, or GP in .38, or a S&W model 10, also in .38. I'm thinking that a 3" or 4" barrel would be best. I figure that, with light loads, the wife can easily control it, and I can probably find one in excellent shape for less than $300.00.  My question is, what should I look for?  I know lockup needs to be tight and exterior condition should not show abuse.  How do I judge the amount of play in the cylinder and the condition of the bore?  As I said, I'm familiar with used shotgun and rifle purchases, but this will be my first handgun purchase.  Any general advice will be much appreciated.  I've done lots of shooting with a .22 revolver, and I like the simplicity and dependability of revolvers; also I shoot them reasonably well and am very cognizant of safety.

Thanks for any comments or just general advice you'd care to give, and again, you have a great, interesting forum going here.

Brushhunter

[John Traveler]

Hey, Brushhunter!

For revolver inspection points, go to the "Gunsmithing" board, and look up my posts from a few days ago.  Topic:  .357 Lead Spitting Problem".

That should get you a good start on what to look for in a good used revolver.

My suggestion?  A heavy-barrel M10  or M13 S&W with rubber Pachmeyer grips.  .38 wadcutters for practice, and hot .357 for serious use.  The Pachmeyer grips and heavy barrel will make it easy for Ms to control and shoot well.

Let us know how you make out!

John

[Graybeard]

I strongly suggest you look at the Taurus Tracker Ti line of total titanium revolvers. Mine in .357 Mag with 4" barrel weights I think only 18 oz. but has less recoil than any of the heavier all stell .357 Mags I've owned and shot with 4" or 6" barrels. This one is a winner folks.

You can shoot either .38 Sp. or .357 Mag ammo and I'm betting even with the hottest of .357 Mags using 125s which is supposed to be the best man stopper according to many will give recoil even your wife will live with. The heaviest 180 grain loads are quite mild. Don't over look this one in your search.

GB

[securitysix]

Why not a Security-Six, Speed-Six, or Service-Six with a 4" barrel and shoot .38s or milder .357s through it?  Yeah, they are a little heavy, but they are lighter than a GP-100 or an L-Frame Smith, but will handle full power loads if you need it to.  A 4" K-Frame Smith (M-19/66) in .357 Mag would not be a bad choice either, and you can always shoot .38s through it if you prefer.  

Of course, if the gun is mostly going to be for the wife to protect herself with when you're not home, she should really pick it.  She might not like revolvers.  As long as she has enough strength in her hands to operate the slide, any good semi-auto in .380 or better should work fine for her.  You can always get yourself a revolver later on for blasting.  (I'd recommend a 6" full lugged GP-100 [KGP161] for blasting with full power ammo.)

There was a topic somewhere (handgun general discussion, I think) about the best handgun for the wife.  There was some good input from some female shooters (at least one) and not all women like revolvers.  If she prefers a semi-auto, by all means get her a semi-auto.

[L-Roy]

and in need of professional advice, contact a competent gunsmith familiar with the revolvers mentioned for an analysis of condition.

Now, as for me, my choices would be the Smith, Mod. 10 first, the Ruger SP, Security Six, GP 100 second, and the Taurus, NOT.  

Feed Americans first, then anyone else, when we've fed the Americans first.

Either Smith, or Ruger will last both of our lifetimes!

[Graybeard]

Some times foreigners are more American than some Americans are.

Case in point:

Taurus vs. S&W. Taurus listens and gives us what we want. When S&W was busy selling out the rights of all free Americans Taurus was busy giving a free one year membership to the NRA with each gun purchased. Now that S&W is owned by an American company they are doing no more than the Brits did to do away with the illegal agreement. I say if you HATE the US Constitution and all it stands for then by all means BUY S&W. But if you love the US Constitution and all it stands for then DON'T BUY S&W.

GB

[L-Roy]

GB, I once felt as you about S&W, but that is now PAST history.  I believe, as each of us should, in American products created by American jobs.

No, I don't agree with some alliances created by Bill Ruger either; but, that, too, is also PAST history!

Nor do I agree with that atrocity called NAFTA.  It certainly hindered my cattle operation, among other ventures; but, that is, too, is PAST history.

The best method of reversal of perceived wrongs of government, if in fact, it can be accomplished, is to write letters to Congressmen and Senators expressing your odds with policy and demand that they remember, and be accountable to whom they serve; with that being us, the constituents.

Quite certainly, Taurus International creates quality, marketable products, but who makes them, and where are they made?

Now, back to the illegal agreement in question.  Under what President, and what party affiliation did it begin?  Why is it still ongoing?  

What are constituents doing to hasten its demise?  Letter writing, calling, faxing, emailing; all, some, none?

Best of all, Voting?

Many, many more inconceivable assaults are being/have been made on the Constitution, and each deserves its just evaluation by being brought to the attention of the public.  

That just attention means more involvement in the process of contacting our elected officials with proper expression of dissatisfaction, and demanding their accountibility to the voters who duly elected them to do our bidding!

Oh, my, this is getting more complicated than just boycotting someone's product!

Well, count me in in the campaign to take back this grand Constitutional Republic created by those more caring and thoughtful of the matters of the public than those self-serving career politicians who are in DC now!

[L-Roy]

For those of you genuinely interested in further important issues of actual assaults of the constitutional nature, please follow us to the Second Amendment and Political Issues forum.