Revolver Opinions - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Myk9noseknows · 07-08-2007, 10:34 PM

I'm not a big revolver guy and am definitely not up to date on them

That being said, I want to get my mother one for HD. She had a POS 9 shot 22, but it's a piece of junk. I want to know she will be safe enough with a quality piece if ever the occasion was needed.
Price is a concern since it will rarely get used. it would be nice to get her a 9mm, but I imagine that that brings the cost up significantly.
Looking to spend less than $300, so used is fine.

What it needs to have:

stainless is preferred (i don't see her cleaning it often)
can have hammer spur or be hammerless
.38 or larger
5rd to keep size/weight down
2" barrel or less
Light factory trigger pull (under #11)

I would have to say that the light trigger pull is the most important thing as she has arthritis. I'm open to most any brand except Charter Arms, but S&W, Taurus, Ruger will all be acceptable.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. There are so many options out there, I don't know where to start for what she needs. Especially the trigger pull.

robinsre · 07-08-2007, 10:56 PM

I am a revolver guy. I really love shooting them, there's just a feel that can't be mimicked by a semi-auto pistol.

That being said my advice is as follows. Get a full sized .357 magnum and load it with some good .38 Special hollow points.

The weight of a .357 will help to reduce the felt recoil from the .38 loads and the time honored .38 special has some decent power behind it.

My wife LOVES the Smith and Wesson 686. I echo her praise of it. It's a joy to shoot, very accurate, and best of all INCREDIBLY easy to operate.

Here's a picture just for fun!

P.S.
I just saw you want to keep weight down with a 5 round. This decrease in weight is going to greatly increase felt recoil. Additionally most 5 rounders are snub-nosed revolvers, making aiming more of a chore. Even for someone with weak arms a 686 is not very hard to hold up or to support. The nicer it is to shoot, the more often she's likely to practice with it.

Another note, the Hogue grips really give it a great feel in the hand.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have about them. I dont know everything, but what I know I'd be happy to share.

philbo · 07-09-2007, 12:15 AM

Just my opinion, but for a home defense pistol that won't be carried, I would suggest a heavier gun with a 3-4 inch barrel. The heavier frame and longer barrel would help a novice shooter's accuracy as well as taming recoil for someone with arthritis. I think a S&W model 64 or 65 with a round butt and 3 inch barrel would be just the ticket. Loaded with quality 38 HP's, it would do the job you're asking. There are alot of places that sell used guns configured like the above well within your price range.

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html

**Frenchy** · 07-09-2007, 12:27 AM

My first choice would be a S&W model 10 (model 64 in stainless) in good used condition. You can go .38 +P for a good defensive round, and stay with light loads for practice.
I trained both my wife and daughter on this gun!

retired · 07-09-2007, 01:01 AM

They stopped making it a short time ago I was told, but a used S&W model 66 2 1/2" is a good gun. It is SS, 6 shot, 357mag that will shoot 38 special.

Mine is as accurate as my 4" S&W Model 15 38cal that I used on duty for 14yrs and bought when we went to semis (the model 15). I bought the 66 to use when I made det., but we had gone to the Beretta by that time.

You could probably get a good price since they are out of production.

Also, what robinsre said about the 5 shot snub nose is right. I have a Model 60, which is a SS 5 shot, 38cal with 2" barrel and I have to aim at 9:00 to hit in the bulls eye area. Also, she probably won't like practicing with it as her finger will start hurting at about 20 rounds.

fritzmeister · 07-09-2007, 06:35 AM

EAA Windicator. My little sister has one. 38/357. +/- 2 inch barrel. Under $250 w/tax. Not stainless, good rubber grips. They might make a stainless version. I just don't know for sure. I haven't got to shoot it yet

, but she seemed to like it.

Another option might be Rossi.

vafish · 07-09-2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchy

My first choice would be a S&W model 10 (model 64 in stainless) in good used condition. You can go .38 +P for a good defensive round, and stay with light loads for practice.
I trained both my wife and daughter on this gun!

I recently picked up a S+W model 10 for $150.

Stainless 64's usually go for around $250.

tex45acp · 07-09-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myk9noseknows

I'm not a big revolver guy and am definitely not up to date on them

That being said, I want to get my mother one for HD. She had a POS 9 shot 22, but it's a piece of junk. I want to know she will be safe enough with a quality piece if ever the occasion was needed.
Price is a concern since it will rarely get used. it would be nice to get her a 9mm, but I imagine that that brings the cost up significantly.
Looking to spend less than $300, so used is fine.

What it needs to have:

stainless is preferred (i don't see her cleaning it often)
can have hammer spur or be hammerless
.38 or larger
5rd to keep size/weight down
2" barrel or less
Light factory trigger pull (under #11)

I would have to say that the light trigger pull is the most important thing as she has arthritis. I'm open to most any brand except Charter Arms, but S&W, Taurus, Ruger will all be acceptable.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. There are so many options out there, I don't know where to start for what she needs. Especially the trigger pull.

The best piece of advice I can give is to take your mom to the gunstore/gunrange and let her try several on for size. If you can find one that will let you rent guns to try. I promise....in the long run she will be happier. Most places will at least let her dry fire the guns to check the trigger, if not pick up some practice rounds that are used for dry firing. Again I cannot stress enough to let her pick her gun out of the many that are out there available.

tex

Myk9noseknows · 07-09-2007, 12:26 PM

Thanks, taking her to the local gun shop is NOT an option. In a perfect world, that's what I would do. I asked for a 2" because that is what she wants and what she is comfortable with. REcoil is not an issue, but size is. Please just help me with what I asked for an not other "alternatives"

Info on 2" wheel guns only please!

robinsre · 07-09-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myk9noseknows

Thanks, I'm not in a situation where I can just take her to a local gun shop. And I asked for a 2" because that is what I want and what she is comfortable with. REcoil is not an issue, but size is.

Info on 2" wheel guns please!

Most of the revolvers mentioned above come in 2" models. I know the 686 does.

Most revolver manufacturers make a variety of barrel sizes for their popular revolver models (Generally 2", 4" and 6")

07-08-2007, 10:56 PM	#2
robinsre XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,786	I am a revolver guy. I really love shooting them, there's just a feel that can't be mimicked by a semi-auto pistol. That being said my advice is as follows. Get a full sized .357 magnum and load it with some good .38 Special hollow points. The weight of a .357 will help to reduce the felt recoil from the .38 loads and the time honored .38 special has some decent power behind it. My wife LOVES the Smith and Wesson 686. I echo her praise of it. It's a joy to shoot, very accurate, and best of all INCREDIBLY easy to operate. Here's a picture just for fun! P.S. I just saw you want to keep weight down with a 5 round. This decrease in weight is going to greatly increase felt recoil. Additionally most 5 rounders are snub-nosed revolvers, making aiming more of a chore. Even for someone with weak arms a 686 is not very hard to hold up or to support. The nicer it is to shoot, the more often she's likely to practice with it. Another note, the Hogue grips really give it a great feel in the hand. Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have about them. I dont know everything, but what I know I'd be happy to share. __________________ Zeroth law of thermodynamics : If you have 1 six pack of beer and your neighbor brings 4 beers over, you will each end up drinking only 5 beers. First law of thermodynamics : There's no such thing as a free beer. Second law of thermodynamics : Even if there was such thing as a free beer, you couldn't drink it all anyway. Third law of thermodynamics : The colder it gets, the less beer you will have. Last edited by robinsre; 07-08-2007 at 11:01 PM.

07-09-2007, 12:27 AM	#4
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 13,096	My first choice would be a S&W model 10 (model 64 in stainless) in good used condition. You can go .38 +P for a good defensive round, and stay with light loads for practice. I trained both my wife and daughter on this gun! __________________ ~SC Harvey~ 2008 Election..."Imbrace your ignorance, and vote your preference". It's quite simple, really... *If you vote for Obama, you are a fuking idiot. If you vote for McCain, you are a fuking idiot.* *If your vote is for the lessor of two evils, then you can be comforted knowing that you're less of a fuking idiot than the other guy! Because Fritz says so! RON PAUL IN 2008**

07-09-2007, 12:26 PM	#9
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,876	Thanks, taking her to the local gun shop is NOT an option. In a perfect world, that's what I would do. I asked for a 2" because that is what she wants and what she is comfortable with. REcoil is not an issue, but size is. Please just help me with what I asked for an not other "alternatives" *Info on 2" wheel guns only please!* Last edited by Myk9noseknows; 07-09-2007 at 12:29 PM.

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07-08-2007, 10:34 PM	#1
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,876	Revolver Opinions I'm not a big revolver guy and am definitely not up to date on them That being said, I want to get my mother one for HD. She had a POS 9 shot 22, but it's a piece of junk. I want to know she will be safe enough with a quality piece if ever the occasion was needed. Price is a concern since it will rarely get used. it would be nice to get her a 9mm, but I imagine that that brings the cost up significantly. Looking to spend less than $300, so used is fine. What it needs to have: stainless is preferred (i don't see her cleaning it often) can have hammer spur or be hammerless .38 or larger 5rd to keep size/weight down 2" barrel or less Light factory trigger pull (under #11) I would have to say that the light trigger pull is the *most* important thing as she has arthritis. I'm open to most any brand except Charter Arms, but S&W, Taurus, Ruger will all be acceptable. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. There are so many options out there, I don't know where to start for what she needs. Especially the trigger pull. Last edited by Myk9noseknows; 07-08-2007 at 10:37 PM.

07-09-2007, 12:15 AM	#3
philbo XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 291	Just my opinion, but for a home defense pistol that won't be carried, I would suggest a heavier gun with a 3-4 inch barrel. The heavier frame and longer barrel would help a novice shooter's accuracy as well as taming recoil for someone with arthritis. I think a S&W model 64 or 65 with a round butt and 3 inch barrel would be just the ticket. Loaded with quality 38 HP's, it would do the job you're asking. There are alot of places that sell used guns configured like the above well within your price range. http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html

07-09-2007, 01:01 AM	#5
retired XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S. Calif. Posts: 5,401	They stopped making it a short time ago I was told, but a used S&W model 66 2 1/2" is a good gun. It is SS, 6 shot, 357mag that will shoot 38 special. Mine is as accurate as my 4" S&W Model 15 38cal that I used on duty for 14yrs and bought when we went to semis (the model 15). I bought the 66 to use when I made det., but we had gone to the Beretta by that time. You could probably get a good price since they are out of production. Also, what robinsre said about the 5 shot snub nose is right. I have a Model 60, which is a SS 5 shot, 38cal with 2" barrel and I have to aim at 9:00 to hit in the bulls eye area. Also, she probably won't like practicing with it as her finger will start hurting at about 20 rounds.

07-09-2007, 06:35 AM	#6
fritzmeister XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: southeast Nebraska Posts: 1,402	EAA Windicator. My little sister has one. 38/357. +/- 2 inch barrel. Under $250 w/tax. Not stainless, good rubber grips. They might make a stainless version. I just don't know for sure. I haven't got to shoot it yet , but she seemed to like it. Another option might be Rossi.