baechler@disuns2.epfl.ch ((Emmanuel Baechler)) (06/07/91)
# # Well, if home defense is an issue, I would suggest buying a .357mag revolver. # (I am assuming you mean a handgun. If this is not true, the answer changes.) # Reasons follow: # # (A lot of very good reasons deleted) # # For a particular gun, I would suggest a S&W model 19, or a S&W 686 # (stainless). # Get about a 4"-6" barrel. Below this implies a huge fireball and # inferior # ballistics. Above makes the gun a bit unwieldy. Purchase a S&W, # Colt, # Ruger, or Dan Wesson. Stay away from Rossi, Astra, Taurus (though # they are # cheaper; there is a reason). # # (Anoter set of very good recommendations deleted) # As you mentionned both self defense and target shooting, I would also recommend you a 6" .357 S&W L-frame (model 586 and 686). These guns are light enough to be fired with a single hand, they are very accurate, and their trigger is very good. You can even find anatomic grips, if you want to practice UIT style shooting. With a single handgun, you will be able to fire .38 spal Wadcutter for target shooting, .38 spal and .357 magnum for sef-defense (and leisure too). You can find some more or less acceptable self-defense pistols (i.e. semi-autos) on the market, but big bore pistols usable for serious target shooting "right out of the box", are extremely rare. In fact I know only two, the SIG P-210 and the S&W Master 52. The Gold Gold Cup National Match can have the same level of performances, but you will need a match barrel. Anyway, all these guns are more or less specialized for target shooting (except the gold cup), and won't be able to satisfy your need for self defense. Emmanuel Baechler baechler@liasun4.epfl.ch
joeha@microsoft.COM (06/12/91)
Concerning purchasing your first handgun, the posts I've read here have been excellent. Be sure and ask around, shoot as much of any kind of gun you can get. This is exactly what I did before purchasing mine. But there is one thing I've not seen mentioned yet. I gather you are planning to buy one gun. This may not be the way to go. My wife and I have radically different hand sizes. We actually had to purchase two different weapons. My Ruger GP-100 was just too big for her hands. But her Taurus M85 .38 spl is just too small for me, even after we added some Pachmayrs The point is, look for the gun that shoots a caliber you are comfortable with in a gun that fits well. But be careful, the gun may not fit the both of you. Keep an open mind. Joe Harper SuperChef The Man For All Seasonings joeha@microsoft.uucp uw-beaver!microsoft!joeha ******************************************************** *Dear Lord. Please give me the wisdom to know when to * *use my weapon and the skill to do so when called upon * ********************************************************