Best revolver for protection

[SPUSCG]

powerful, fast reload, probably moon clips, easy to use, small enough to carry and accurate

what would be best?

[38superhero]

Ruger SP101 .357 magnun.

[Taurus_9mm]

Ruger SP101 or Taurus 605.

Here are the specs on each:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=247&category=Revolver

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdSpecsView?model=5718

www.rugerforum.net www.taurusarmed.net

[dawgfvr]

I'd say that the best revolver for protection is the revolver you best shoot with...eh?

I chose these two for protection...what do you choose?

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e61/DawgFvr/GP100/Duo.jpg

[RJM]

Its a pretty general question with an obvious answer; the one you are most comfortable with, can shoot the best and have trained with the most.

Honestly, I think this snubby is probably up there in terms of self-defense concealed carry. 8 shots of .357/38s in a package that weighs 21oz and with a lifetime warranty. Nice.



http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=14810&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

[crowbeaner]

The best revolver for SD is the one you shoot well enough to hit what you are aiming at with absolute certainty. ME? S&W M19 or M66 with 4 inch barrel and Pachmayr presentation grips loaded with 140 Speer Lawman 357s. Loud but effective and shoots right where it looks every time.

[Perldog007]

I had to pull my .38 service revolver on two occasions. Both situations resolved without shots fired. While the reaction to producing the weapon was what I hoped for, nothing like the time I had to haul out the 25-5 6" N Frame. (some jurisdictions allow more latitude to SOs')

The best revolver for defense is one you won't have to fire. Get a big one. Put CT grips on it.

If you are placed in the unfortunate position of having to fire, see to it that it's one you can hit your intended target with.

When you factor in carry the equation changes. How much gun are you willing to give up for concealment?

I really like a .357 snub for that, although I have been known to carry a tiny Colt New Pocket in .32..... So my final answer is pick one you like.

[MrTuffPaws]

Anyone that you can carry and use reliably.

[Elvishead]

.357/38 with 8 shots



http://www.youtube.com/v/N-RIsh9fsWY&rel=1

[sigp232]

I would go with a 686 Plus in a 4'' or 2.5''

2.5'' 686 Plus

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj212/glockshooter34/6861.jpg

4'' 686 Plus

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/sphillips45/Picture-045.jpg

[BikerRN]

I carry a S&W 442 and a 3" Ruger GP100.

My other frequent combo is a S&W 22-4 and the 442. I like having the "ammo compatability" between the Ruger and the 442. The 22-4 gives me faster reloads, which is great for the range, but IMHO, not so practical for the street.

I find the Ruger easier to carry and I love the .357 Magnum cartridge with 125 Grain Black Hill's JHP's.

Biker

[Kreyzhorse]

Any well made snub nose .38 special is a good option i.e. Colt, Smith or Ruger. You can also look to upgrade the .38 to a .357 in some models but you trade in ease of carry with a heavier snub. My favorite is a Smith and Wesson Snubnose .38 Airweight. Light weight and loaded with +P. Easy to carry all day and conceals very nicely.

Speed strips or speed loaders are an option for quicker reloads.

[KMO]

Some fine revolvers are mentioned here, but the original question includes the ability to conceal the weapon. I don't know what kind of clothing some of these posters are wearing, but I have a hard time concealing any revolver bigger than a .38 snubnose. I choose a S & W Model 60 .38 special. There are plenty of .38 +p rounds available to get the job done if need be. My wife & daughters carry Taurus 85's, ultra lite models. These are plenty dependable as well.

[Tamara]

Best revolver for protection

The one in your hand when the balloon goes up.

Revolver shooters know that. It's those weird autoloader fans who split hairs about which ubertactical pistol is bestest of them all.

[TNFrank]

Now that's something I totally agree with. As long as it's a decent caliber(i.e. 38spl or larger) you can't go wrong with just about any quality revolver. Personally, I find 3" to 4" bbls the best for carry and general purpose since you'll get a full length extractor rod that you won't have with a 2.5" or shorter bbl. the 6" is great for hunting and targets but would be a bit much for carry. Best thing to do is hit a few gun shops and look at and feel which one you like for yourself. I've always like S&W K and L frames and the Rugers, both Security Six and the newer GP models.

[SPUSCG]

in maine its always cold so coats conceal easily, a pistol has to be confortable to carry though

[TNFrank]

Yep, anyone who's had to carrying for a living 8+ Hrs. a day knows how a seemingly "light weight" pistol can get pretty heavy by the end of the day.

[Colubrid]

If you know trouble is coming then get yourself the biggest baddest, loooongest barrel 8 shot revolver you can buy.

If you plan on carrying and want to have one on you all the time i would reccomend K frame S&W's. I don't see the point in getting a SP101 when they are blockier and don't have a trigger pull like a smith does.

S&W also have lots more variants in K frame to choose from.


If you want a light pocket revolver go with either the 642 or 442 .38 cal Lightweight alloy J frames. Thgese will shoot +P .38's but it is hard to hit things. That is why a K frame with 2 1/2-3" barrel is better IMO.

[TNFrank]

If I know trouble is coming to heck with a handgun, I'm grabbing my 12 Ga. Shotgun.

[carguychris]

If you plan on carrying and want to have one on you all the time i would reccomend K frame S&W's. I don't see the point in getting a SP101 when they are blockier and don't have a trigger pull like a smith does.

S&W also have lots more variants in K frame to choose from.

+1. Considering this will be a carry gun...

If you're on a tight budget and don't feel the need to fire .357Mag, I suggest a 2" barrel Model 10; they've been discontinued for decades, but enough were produced that they're pretty commonplace at gun shows, generally in the sub-$250 price range.

Got a little more to spend and want the capability to fire .357Mag? There are a huge number of decent 2.5" and 3" police trade-in Model 65's floating around, generally priced in the $280-$350 range.

Got more money and want something that holds one more cartridge and can withstand lots of full-house .357 loads? Get a brand new 2.5" or 3" 686+ (actually an L-frame).

FWIW a factory K- or L-frame can be reloaded with a speedloader almost as fast as with moon clips, and you won't need to do any custom work to the gun. One caveat: don't get a gun with the factory "Target" grips or bulky aftermarket grips, as they can interfere with speedloader operation in a high-stress situation. OTOH most short-barreled revolvers won't have grips like this anyway, so it's probably not an issue. :)

[Colubrid]

If I know trouble is coming to heck with a handgun, I'm grabbing my 12 Ga. Shotgun.

Well he asked about the best revolver. If I know trouble is coming I am getting the heck out of Dodge.

But for a mdeium range smallish revolver i would reccomend the Model 19/66
.357 or the sightless M13/65 in 2.5'-3' barrels. Both are K frames and both are well proven in comabt.

I prefer the sighted version 19/66 in 2 1/2" barrel and the sightless 13/65 in 3" barrel.

Besides the 3' barrel in 19/66 is so rare and popular it costs a small fortune to acquire one.

[TNFrank]

The S&W 65, 3" Round butt is probably just about the perfect carry revolver IMHO. It's just that they're getting kind of hard to find at a resonable price anymore.

[Colubrid]

The S&W 65, 3" Round butt is probably just about the perfect carry revolver IMHO. It's just that they're getting kind of hard to find at a resonable price anymore

I mentioned the 65/13 above. The 13 is the same as the 65 just blued instead of stainless.


13 = blued steel
65 = same as 13 only in SS


19= blued
66- same as 19 only in SS

[TNFrank]

I know. I had a 13, 4" that I carried when I worked Well's Fargo Armored Div. and it was one sweet shooting gun. I rather it have been the 65(stainless) because it'd would have been easier to take care of. There are a lot of S&W revolvers that are the same except for being blue or stainless. The 10/64, 13/65, 15/67, 19/66, 36/60, 29/629, 57/657, ect.

[Colubrid]

Okay all this talk about S&W M13 and 65's I will have to post my fav.

A M13 P&R with super slick and light Double action job with bobbed hammer, trigger stop and polished trigger. Ohh so sweeet! And a great fighting pistol. I feel much more confident with this than a high capcity Glock.

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/standard?pictid={F0F85130-0DE9-4C34-A261-56AC9089A931}&exp=f&moddt=39159.1254988426&ssdyn=1

[BikerRN]

I don't know why people think they can't conceal a 6 shot 3" gun. :(

It's really not that hard to do if you invest in good gear. I wore a 4" N-Frame and a 2" J-Frame "snubbie" all summer long. BTW, my summer dress is Cargo Shorts and a one size too large untucked T-Shirt or a Polo Shirt.

I really believe that people belive they can't carry a bigger gun because they don't want to. These people are the same ones that carry a gun as a "good luck charm" instead of as the tool it really is. It takes a little effort, but IMHO it's worth it to carry the bigger gun and learn to "dress around the gun".

Biker

[SPUSCG]

around here its coat weather 9 months out of the year so concealments easy. can the 13/65 accept moon clips?

[KMO]

These people are the same ones that carry a gun as a "good luck charm"

Give me a break. There is no reaon to push the size limits when carrying concealed. A 2-inch J frame .38 with +p ammunition will get it done every time. I never heard of a +p round bouncing off anybody's chest...

[WVfishguy]

Colubrid, I hate you.

I thought I was above judging any firearm by its looks. And then you had to go and show that blasted wet-dream of a revolver. Now I understand what my CCW instructor meant when he asked if anyone in the class was a "gun queer."

Damn you!

Is that factory bluing? Will you take my wife as a trade? How about my immortal soul?

[Choclabman]

I love a 4" pre-lock 686.
The cylinder has been modified to take full moons.
I am 5' 9" and 170 lbs. All is take is a Sparks belt/holster, and a shirt one size too big.
I have never had any trouble, even in the Georgia summers.

[SPUSCG]

ive been told that the best revolver is the one you shoot best with, but whats the best to start shooting with

[Conservadude]

If you're buying a new one, then pay attention to ergonomics. I was shocked the first time I found out how much harder it was to shoot some guns accurately while others seemed to naturally point and shoot with little practice at all. How the gun fits you is a big deal. For me, the XD9 compact is what naturally works best (not a revolver) and I carry a .500 S&W 4" for fishing/hunting ...totally different need there.

Brian

[YukonKid]

4 inch GP100

3 inch 29

[Wayward_Son]

Nothing to really add to the discussion, other to tell Clubrid that that Smith is drop-dead gorgeous. The finish on it is outstading.

Breathtaking, even!

[Gideon46]

That Smith is a work of pure ART!! I don't think I've ever seen a better looking revolver!
God Bless
Gideon

[SPUSCG]

my girlfriends dad has a 29, long barrel, things a beast i don't know if thats a "first" but later on i'd love one the gp-100 seems very good can it be ordered with a moon clip conversion