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SFsc616171 · December 13, 2012, 10:34 AM

As your requirements stated:

- easy to learn
** a revolver

- requires minimal complex thought...hard to forget
** shoot six, reload, shoot six, reload, etc.
** no extra safeties, slide levers, decockers, or loaded indicators
** thumblatch opens cylinder, puch close to click, rotate cylinder till stop
** no magazine eject button, cylinder ejector rod finger operated

- easy to clean
** clean cylinder, clean barrel

- runs dirty
** can do

- reliable OOTB and after 1000 rounds with no parts changes
** reliable, and can take many rounds more

- paper plate at 25 yards accurate
** watch USAFMiller YouTube videos for supporting evidence
- easy to shoot fast doubles on that same plate at 7 yards
** see answer above

- drop safe...not CA test, but in practice
newer revolvers using transfer plate, no direct hammer/cartridge impact

- meaningful SD or HD caliber
** .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Long Colt, .45ACP

- could be CCW'd
** either in four-inch barrel, or in J-frame snubnose

- popular enough to never worry about parts, finding a gunsmith, etc.
** Smith and Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms, and whomever I might have forgotten.

For home defense, a simple four-inch barreled revolver in any of the calibers would do, nicely. (I own .38 Specials.)

For Self-defense, the CIA in its infancy did debate whether to go with Browning Hi Powers in 9mm, or SW Model 10's in a J-frame. it was the J-frame, that won out.
YMMV.

December 13, 2012, 10:34 AM	#54
SFsc616171 Junior member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Location: "In the swamps of Montana" with the gators Posts: 84	RE: Easiest handgun to own As your requirements stated: - easy to learn a revolver - requires minimal complex thought...hard to forget shoot six, reload, shoot six, reload, etc. no extra safeties, slide levers, decockers, or loaded indicators thumblatch opens cylinder, puch close to click, rotate cylinder till stop no magazine eject button, cylinder ejector rod finger operated - easy to clean clean cylinder, clean barrel - runs dirty can do - reliable OOTB and after 1000 rounds with no parts changes reliable, and can take many rounds more - paper plate at 25 yards accurate watch USAFMiller YouTube videos for supporting evidence - easy to shoot fast doubles on that same plate at 7 yards see answer above - drop safe...not CA test, but in practice newer revolvers using transfer plate, no direct hammer/cartridge impact - meaningful SD or HD caliber .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Long Colt, .45ACP - could be CCW'd either in four-inch barrel, or in J-frame snubnose - popular enough to never worry about parts, finding a gunsmith, etc. ** Smith and Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms, and whomever I might have forgotten. For home defense, a simple four-inch barreled revolver in any of the calibers would do, nicely. (I own .38 Specials.) For Self-defense, the CIA in its infancy did debate whether to go with Browning Hi Powers in 9mm, or SW Model 10's in a J-frame. it was the J-frame, that won out. YMMV.