Best Revolver for Home Defense?

Question

I'm going to buy a .357 to go along with my 12-gauge as a home defense weapon.

What, in your opinion, is the highest-quality and most reliable brand/model currently in production, and what is the approximate price?

Thanks, guys.

Answer 1

Good caliber choice, Tex. Go with the Ruger or S & W. Colt is good too, if you can find one. I have a Ruger Security Six, a Model 28 S & W and a couple of Colt Pythons plus a Model 31 Glock in .357 Sig.

Best.

H

Answer 2

I would say the highest-quality and most reliable brand is Smith and Wesson. I have used many S&W guns and all of them feel very comftorable in your hand. I'm not sure what the prices are, for a 357 you'd probably be looking at the mid $600's. And for the 12 gauge for home defense, I might look at something semi-auto so you don't have to keep pumping it, I wouldn't spend over $300 for a shotgun

Answer 3

There are a couple things you want to consider before buying a .357 for defense:

While Rugers are nice, my GP 100 has a tendancy to hiccup when I'm trying to extract .357 brass. After I would fire .357 loads, I would need to force the spent brass out with the palm of my hand. Sometimes, I'd actually have to tap the extractor out with my leatherman.

I'm not sure if it's a defect of my gun, a lack of talent on my part, or something else. I've heard that the extractor was a little small for the gun and that's why. I also know that CCI Blazer rounds extract flawlessly.

Just something to consider on the Rugers.

On the Smith and Wessons, there have been several reports of the super-lightweight frames (the Scandium/Titanium models) being so light the recoil will cause the bullets to come unseated. After two rounds, the bullets can come unseated to the point of jamming the cylinder and disabling the firearm.

Also, using full-house high power loads in .357, the recoil is absolutely brutal, and most people are good for only five rounds.

Personally, I like my Smith and Wesson 637 Airweight with Crimson Trace laser grips. It's only .38 +P, but shot placement is as important as caliber when it comes to situations where you'd need to worry about it.

Answer 4

of the top of the line, home defense revolvers, i would pick a Ruger. very well built. i have never heard of any problems with a Ruger revolver, except a pin coming lose on the site. if this had not been caught, the site would have come off. (which would have had no effect on its use as a home defense weapon) if you have larger hands, go with the the GP100 - six shoots and full size. if your hands are a little smaller or if you would like to be able to carry it easily, go with the SP101 - five shoots and compact.
nothing out there beats the Remington 125 grain semi-jacket hollow point from a handgun, for use on a person. which ever gun you choice, practice (with dummy rounds) loading, unloading and presenting the gun from where ever it will be kept. also find a safe range and practice shooting, until you can to it all comfortably. practice and safety are the most important things.

also, with the lights out, take your UNLOADED shotgun and go through your house like you are worried about an intruder. you may quickly decide a 12 gauge is not as good of a choice as you thought. it requires a lot of trraining and practice. good luck.

Answer 5

An older Smith & Wesson Model 686 or Model 19. Get one with a 4" or 2.5" barrel.

If you live in an apartment, I'd suggest you use either .38 SPL ammo, or some of the frangible bullet .357 ammo.

Doc

Answer 6

You probably won't go wrong with a Ruger GP 101 or a Smith and Wesson, though Taurus has it's fans. My personal preference is Ruger. Be sure to practice, so that
you'll be able to use it if you ever had to, as well as to know if you have a decent gun or a lemon. You'll also save a few bucks if you buy a good quality used revolver instead of a brand new one.

Answer 7

A S&W model 619 or a Ruger GP100 in stainless w/fixed sights. Both are simple to use and are built on medium-large frames for durability. The Ruger can be had in blue for less than the price in stainless if you want. They are as vanilla as you get, but then again these are for service. Forget about adjustable sights. They are for target shooting more than anything else and are not needed on a true service revolver.
In my neck of the woods the S&W will be about $600 and the Ruger will be about $500 (these prices are minus taxes).

Answer 8

Glad it's only my opinion.. lol, cause when it comes to firearms.. Every one has 2 or 3 of them. Home security. I would pick the Security Six of Ruger double action revolver.. Take the 357 mag. model and load it with 38 special.. Highly accurate with less recoil. The 9mm are always a good choice. But, you are talking security.. Too many things to remember with a semi-auto if your house is being broke into. Revolvers,, just point and pull the trigger.. No combination of safety's to worry with. Hammer safety is built into all models now days.

Answer 9

I have a S&W 686 with a 4" barrel. The gun has never had a problem in the thousands of rounds I've fired through it. NEVER load it with bird shot, as someone has sugested, if you are going to use it for self-defense. The shot is intended for rats or small pests, not someone breaking into your house. Use hollow points and aim at the center mass of the intruder. If you aren't willing to take someone's life in order to save yours or a family members, don't use a gun for defense. This might sound cold-hearted but if someone breaks into your house, there's no telling what they might do. Also, make sure you know the laws about using deadly force in your state. In some states, you have to be in fear for your life and cornered with no way to leave before you use deadly force. Take a handgun course and the laws in your state should be explained. BTW, in statistics gathered years ago, police using a .357mag. with 125gr. hollow points had a 98% one shot stop. That's about as good as it gets.

Answer 10

If I were buying a revolver today, I would try and get a used one made by S&W that is at least 10-15 years old, Todays S&W revolvers in my opinion, just are not as good as the older ones.