Wife needs home protection revolver.

[HappyHunter]

I already know the caliber she wants to use:  38 special.

Now with that out of the way, the gun can also be a 357 mag.

It needs to be a small frame, as she has small hands, and that is a strong preference for her.

Another concern of her's is that it have good sights.   This is important to her.   She wants to practice and likes the "dot" sights.  She has a Walther P-22 with dot sights and really likes those.  I do not know if Dot sights are available in a revolver, but good  sights are the minimium requirement.

I already have a 1-7/8 S&W Modle 10 that she can shoot well with 158 gr JHP.  I will be dumping this gun in favor of the New one.  

My preference would be the S&W Modle 10 with a 4 inch barrel, but the sights are the problem.  But one of my requirements is a 3 to 4 inch barrel.

I saw a Titanium Taurus in 357 Mag with a four inch ported barrel and adj. sights, used for $399.  Before I could get the wife to look at it, it sold.   Is this a decent gun?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help and have a safe and happy new year!

Fred

[billmaly]

I'd take a hard look at the whole Taurus line. While I do not have direct experience with any Taurus firearms, their selection in calibers, barrels, finishes, etc., is nearly overwhelming. I'm inclined to say, if they don't have it you likely don't need it.

I've HEARD, not observed, that Taurus quality is way up from what it was a few years ago.

[Graybeard]

Yeah with the quality and customer service problems I've been having with Taurus lately I'd take REAL HARD look before buying one. Don't order one and be stuck taking it when it arrives. The last two I've done that with both had to go back. One a second time and is still there with them trying to decide what they are gonna do with it and it hasn't been fired a single time by me. I used to highly recommend Taurus guns but with the way they've been of late I'm reconsidering that position.

Rather than a dot sight have you considered the CTC Laser sights? They replace the grip on many guns and then you can sight them in and use either the laser or the gun's sights. I have a set on a 3" adjustable sighted .357 Mag. S&W 60. I can shoot it better with the laser than the gun's adjustable sights.

BTW the model 10 is NOT a small frame gun. That's a K or medium frame gun. The S&W small frame is a J frame.

In new guns your choices are pretty much limited to S&W, Taurus and Ruger. Don't think Ruger offers the SP101 with adjustable sights. But CTC may make a laser grip for it.

GB

[Mikey]

HappyHunter:  If this is for home and not carry, and your wife already shoots your Model 10 well and likes that size revolver, go for a Model 15, which is a Model 10 with adjustable sights and have some 3 dot sights installed, if you can't order it new that way from S&W.  If you can't find a Model 15, try a Model 19 - same size but will handle 357s.

Although you mentioned small frame revolvers and Greybeard provided that the Model 10 (and company) are medium size framed revolvers, I believe that S&W does not install adjustable sights on its J-frame or small frame revolvers, although you might be able to find some to fit.  Or, you can go with Greybeard's suggestion for grip mounted laser sights.  

OK, let's see - if you can't find a Model 15 or a 19, and if she already likes your snubby Model 10 and you can't find another to replace it, call S&W and find out how much they would charge to install a 4" bbl (comes two ways, normal tapered bbl and a heavy bbl) and 3 dot sights - you might find it about the same overall cost as the 'trade and buy' might, and they will work it over in the performance center to meet your specifications.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Graybeard]

S&W has and I assume still does make many of the J frame guns with adjustable sights. I owned a 3" Model 60 in .38 with them and traded it on the same gun in .357 when they came out with it. Both with AS. In other calibers they've made a lot of J frames with AS but I'm not sure other than the Model 60 in .38/.357. Probably some of the light weight stuff now made is also offered with AS.

They are out there on the used market for sure. But dunno about 4" barrels.

GB

[Bullseye]

If a Ruger GP100 is small enough for her, you can get Williams dot firesights for them for $30 that fit with no modifications.  I have the setup with a 4" barrel and like it.

[Lloyd Smale]

my first thought would be to send your gun to Dave Clemments and have him put adj. sights on it. Second would be to find a 15 used. Theres alot of them on the market. ALot of police forces and prissons have switched to auto and sold off there 10s and 15s 64s and 19s ive picked up 3 moldel 15s 4 inch and one 64 4" for around $150 each. They were all in great shape. They are a great gun and alot of fun to shoot. I ususally dont leave home without one. Threres one in my car and one in my truck one in my bedstand and one in my fathers bedstand. Be carefull buying though as some of the pieces i looked at were in pretty rough shape. But if you find a good one youll never get more bang for the buck.

[DirtyHarry]

I bought the wife a model 85 taurus for christmas,we have put over 100 rounds through it since and have had no problems, however I think right now the quality of a taurus is hit or miss. If you are someone who doesnt have a problem with S&W there is the lady smith...

[mod29]

Fred;
I think you'll find that the S&W 686 with a 4" barrel would be just about perfect.  Excellent revolvers!

Jim

[Buck]

If you can find a good used S&W Model 65 or 66, that would be a good choice.  That's what my wife & I have, and we both like it.  I prefer the Model 686, but my wife finds it too heavy.  Your wife might think the same.

[Mikey]

Thanks, I forgot all about those steel J-frame revolvers.  I've been toting the lightweights for so long I even forgot I had a 3" steel Ladysmith packed away.  Man, I'm sure glad you have a better memory than I have.  Mikey.

[securitysix]

If it must be a revolver, any good K- or L-Frame sized gun would do, I'm sure.  If the grips are too big, swapping them out for Hogue Monogrips would probably cure it.

I'm not a big fan of anything smaller than the K-Frame, though I have no particular reason for that.  If I were getting a gun for a wife or GF knowing that she liked revolvers, I'd probably get a Ruger KGP-141 or a gun from the Security/Service/Speed-Six series.  I have a personal itch for a S&W M-67, but have not gotten one yet.  A little experience with one of those might add it to the list of recommendations, but I can't swear that.

You mention that she has a Walther P-22 that she likes.  I wonder, then, why you don't just get her a Walther P-99 in 9mm.  Same gun, only bigger.  You can actually change the backstrap insert to fit her hands if necessary.  As far as personal defense is concerned, I'd trust a 9mm to do anything a .38 Spl. would do.  Just a suggestion.

[1911crazy]

I have a Ruger Security Six, in Stainless, in 357mag.   2 3/4" barrel  w/herret grips made to fit my hand.  I have it since '76 and never had one problem with it.                          BigBill

[Glanceblamm]

I wouldnt stray too far from what you want the gun for in the first place...Home Defense?...in this case there may not be much time to fool with the electric sight in possible poor light conditions with the main objective being to get a shot off quickly.
The Ruger GP-100 4" that Bullseye was talking about is one of the best that I have handled as it points just like your finger once in hand.

I think you need to puchase TWO Guns.. :grin: YES!! one target model and the fast handling home defense of your choice.

[HappyHunter]

Is the Ruger security six still made?  What size frame is it?

Thanks!

Fred

[Zeus]

My wife picked out a Taurus 85 Titanium in 38 with the 2" barrel.  She was not one to shoot alot at the time.  I was sceptical of the Taurus at first but looked it over well and bought it anyway.  I have been amazed at the accuracy of this little gun.  At 15 yards, it will stack them.  She shoots and handles the gun very well and loves to shoot it.  That was my main goal was to buy her something that she would like to shoot alot in order to get proficient with the gun.  She has learned to shoot it well and enjoys going to the range.  I think hers weighs somewhere around 13 ounces and handles the +p rounds according to Taurus.  I would recommend a steady diet of them but that is was she keeps in it for home and car protection.  GS

[securitysix]

Is the Ruger security six still made?  What size frame is it?

Thanks!

Fred

Production of the Security-Six stopped in the early 80s.  I've heard everything from 1981-1985, but they are not made any more.  There are plenty of them out there, and they are good guns.  They are about the same size as a K-Frame Smith, but they are a little heavier.  Generally, they will take the same speedloaders and holsters as the K-Frame S&Ws.

The Security-Six was replaced by the GP-100 (which is about the size of an L-Frame S&W).  

The Security-Six can still be found for $300 or less if you shop around.  I paid too much for mine ($325) but I was willing to because it was EXACTLY what I wanted (6", stainless, pachmayr grippers) and was in excellent shape.  A little shopping should be able to turn up a 4" stainless model for around $250.

[Brian T]

If it is only for home protection why not get a 20 ga shotgun or a ruger 10/22 magnum?  Both are easier to shoot well with minimal practice and better stoppers.

[Savage]

The Security Six is one fine revolver as is the GP100. I love the old Security Six and have a prime example in SS with a 6" barrel. I don't see the extra barrel length and the size of the gun as being a problem for home defense, but for all around use prefer the 4". Either one of the Rugers or a "K" frame smith would be a good choice. Don't forget the flashlight and cell phone, they too are essential for home defense.
Savage