A friend was asking what revolver is best for HD. What caliber and revolver would you suggest for a HD scenario?

I'm thinking a .38/.357 revolver would be good as the .38 could be used for target practice but a .357 JHP would be used for a HD scenario.  thoughts?

If so, what make and model of a revolver is good?

Also interested in people's input.

Currently I go with .38 sp JHP for home defense.  And of course, 12 ga 00 buck. 

Although I own a revolver in .357, I was told .357 is gonna be deafeningly loud indoors.  I thought that was a valid point.  I mean, I've heard recounts of home invasions where a firearm was fired in defense, and that they didn't even hear the shot(s).  But the physical damage can still be there, right?

A friend was asking what revolver is best for HD. What caliber and revolver would you suggest for a HD scenario?

I'm thinking a .38/.357 revolver would be good as the .38 could be used for target practice but a .357 JHP would be used for a HD scenario.  thoughts?

If so, what make and model of a revolver is good?

I too think that .357mag is a good choice.  I have .38spl for practice rounds and also HPs loaded for in the house.  .357mag for when the extra power might be needed.  Make sure you clean out the carbon ring out of the cylinders real good after shooing a bunch of .38spl and check to see if the .357 rounds chamber real easily.  You dont want the carbon to cause issues with the longer magnum shells.

A friend was asking what revolver is best for HD. What caliber and revolver would you suggest for a HD scenario?

I'm thinking a .38/.357 revolver would be good as the .38 could be used for target practice but a .357 JHP would be used for a HD scenario.  thoughts?

If so, what make and model of a revolver is good?

This is a good question. One that I have had over many years. You have many choices here.

Probably the best and most popular is the 38/357 Magnum revolver (now my first choice). While 38's are pretty anemic the 357 Magnum in 125gr hollowpoint is known as one of the best (if not the best) known stopping rounds. Sig Sauer tried to copy the ballistics and stopping power with the 357Sig round and Ruger is trying to up and better things with the 327 Magnum round. They claim less recoil and the same ballistics and 6 rounds where you can only have 5 rounds of 357 Magnum in a small frame. But they only offer a 110gr bullet and not a 125gr bullet like the 357 Magnum does.

Another choice in this arena is the 32/327 Magnum revolver. This round offers practice with the 32ACP round or other 32 rounds (possibly a choice of 4-5 different cartridges). Probably the cheapest way to practice since 32 is probably cheaper than 38 Special. But the 327 Magnum rounds might be more or harder to find than the 357 Magnum ammo. You need to do your own research on this.

Yet another good choice is the 44 Special/44 Magnum revolver. This revolver will be in larger frames only and of course the 44 Magnum kicks like a mule! Think Dirt Harry....

And yet another good choice (my third choice) is the 45 ACP/45 Long Colt. But if you want to add excitement to your life buy a revolver in 454 Casull and you can also shoot 45 Long Colt and 45 ACP as well. While this may not be the ultimate choice for you it is for us reloaders.

There is another choice that I will throw out there for you to consider. The 22 Long Rifle/22 Magnum revolver. If you are recoil sensitive this can make the difference between grabbing the gun with 22 Magnum and being afraid of the recoil of a 357 Magnum. While the 22 Magnum is not a great stopping round, one or two well placed rounds can put the hurt on them and will make then think about continuing what they are doing. And one well placed round can still kill someone. Recoil is practically non-existent and you can get revolvers that hold 9 and 10 rounds of 22. Also, some the big self defense ammo companies are now making their lines of SD ammo with 22 Magnum included. And you used to be able to get 22 shotshell rounds if that is of interest to you for SD. I see that Taurus just came out with a 22LR/22 Magnum revolver that is getting good reviews.

On the more "exotic" side of revolvers you could find the 41 Special/41 Magnum revolver. I understand that the 41 Special/41 Magnum cartridges are making a bit of a come back. Not sure why?

Another "exotic" is the 9mm revolver (my second choice). While no one that I know of currently makes a double action 9mm revolver they have been made in the past and can be found easily on Gun Broker. Ruger currently makes the Super Blackhawk in 357/9mm but a single action revolver is not optimal for self defense. Ruger made the Security Six Revolver in 9mm. The Security Six is arguably one of the best revolvers Ruger (or anyone) has ever made. They made it for a short time in 9mm and it requires moon clips for ejection. With that said moon clips also act like a speed loader. Practice enough and you can have 6 rounds plus of ammo for defense. In a smaller frame Ruger also made the SP-101 in 9mm for only a year or two. This revolver held 5 rounds and required a moon clip as well. And if you want to get even more exotic you can look for a Smith & Wesson revolver in 9mm. The model 547 was originally built for the Israeli army but they never bought the revolver. So there are only 10 thousand made and they are considered a vintage (not quite an antique) pistol. The beauty of the model 547? It has a very clever design that does not require moon clips for cartridge ejection.

The 9mm ammo is cheap and can be found everywhere in every type of configuration. I used to keep a 9mm revolver as my self defense gun for many many years. I shoot my 9mm revolvers occasionally at the range and people look at me weird when they see me pulling out 9mm ammo out of my box and shoving it into a revolver.

I hope this helps you and not confuse you.

I think the 38 SPL/357 Mag is a good choice.  I'd look into a S&W revolver.  They have quite a bit to choose from.  I'd opt for a hammerless/internal hammer revolver.

Mahalo Inspector for the detailed response.   

My second choice for HD is my S&W 686 revolver (6" barrel) loaded with 357 JHP.  My first choice is my Remington 870 loaded with #4 buck (no round in the chamber).

I also load & practice with the 357 rounds at the range along with the 38 spl.

Also interested in people's input.

Currently I go with .38 sp JHP for home defense.  And of course, 12 ga 00 buck. 

Although I own a revolver in .357, I was told .357 is gonna be deafeningly loud indoors.  I thought that was a valid point.  I mean, I've heard recounts of home invasions where a firearm was fired in defense, and that they didn't even hear the shot(s).  But the physical damage can still be there, right?

I wouldn't worry about it.  I've got normal hearing (according to my last audiogram, although my ex would probably disagree.  But that's a different story...   ), and I've done a lot of unprotected shooting over the years when hunting, and even shot a 12-gauge with no ear pro in a garage once.  The stories about bleeding ears are completely overblown; you're going to get some ringing, and I suppose there'll be some tiny amount of hearing loss, but you'll never notice.  If the decible level is the only thing keeping you from moving up to a bigger caliber, I'd do it, as long as you can shoot the larger as well as you shoot the smaller.  We damage our ears constantly with loud music, lawn mowers, hammers and nails, saws, etc, etc, etc; the teeny tiny amount of hearing damage you'll add to that by shooting at a home invader is so miniscule as to be irrelevant.  I know it's heresy, but shooting without hearing protection is not the end of the world.  People do it all the time, and I reckon that if you skip one rock concert, you've probably offset the effects of about a box of shotgun shells' worth of shooting.   I don't recommend doing it more than you have to, but when I'm home and I have a choice between shooting a skunk and letting him go because I don't have ear plugs, I'mma shoot that stinky buggah!

I'd still use a 12-gauge and a .45 for home defense, even if it was an absolute certainty that firing them indoors was going to rupture my eardrums and result in near-total deafness.  After all, that scenario is only going to happen if someone is trying to take your life, so I'd pick the most effective gun/caliber and hearing be damned!

Thanks guys for the response. Inspector, I knew nothing about the revolvers and thank you for sharing all that analysis.  I didn't realize all those options were there.

I think mainstream is best so 38/357 might be the first choice. The 9mm option is interesting too due to ammo availability.

For the 38/357 caliber, is there a good gun maker that works best for these?  Smith and Wesson?

One other thing to think about with full .357magnum loads is that in low light situations, out of a short barrel typical of a SD/HD handgun, the muzzle flash will be terrific.  It'll temporarily blind you.  Sheeh Its awesome even in the day time from a 3" barrel. Hehe

I like the .357 platform too.  Use .38 for practice.  Then move up to .38+p.  Use .38+p for HD until you get comfortable with using .357.  I like 6-8 shot S&W and Rugers in 4 inch barrels for that purpose. 

EDIT:  I forgot to mention...I prefer double action revolvers with the specs mentioned above.  I like to think single action only is for them cowboys 

...For the 38/357 caliber, is there a good gun maker that works best for these?  Smith and Wesson?

I prefer Smith & Wesson and Ruger for revolvers. But Taurus makes a decent revolver as well. Ruger has the GP100 which is built like a brick wall. Over designed for sure. S&W has 7 shot revolvers in their medium framed revolvers like their model 686. There are a lot of choices in frame sizes, barrel lengths, blue or stainless and capacity (Basically 5-8 shots depending on frame size and manufacturer).

Thanks for the replies everyone... I learned something new today!

The S&W Model 686 is looking great. The Ruger SP101 and Taurus Model 627 too.

 I think it's best to try how it fits the hand now.

Then there's always this:

        http://www.taser.com/products/wildlife/taser-x3w

Alaska Fish & Game says, "Do Not Tase the Bears"

Thanks for the replies everyone... I learned something new today!

The S&W Model 686 is looking great. The Ruger SP101 and Taurus Model 627 too.

 I think it's best to try how it fits the hand now.

I would be careful with the SP101 choice. While it might be okay for 38 Special or maybe even 38 Special +P I happen to know from personal experience that because of its small frame and weight that it kicks pretty good with .357 Magnum rounds. If that is okay with you then the SP101 is a good gun. If you are looking at the medium frame S&W model 686 then you might want to also check out the Ruger GP100. If you have large hands you might want to look at the large frame revolvers as well.

I would be careful with the SP101 choice. While it might be okay for 38 Special or maybe even 38 Special +P I happen to know from personal experience that because of its small frame and weight that it kicks pretty good with .357 Magnum rounds. If that is okay with you then the SP101 is a good gun. If you are looking at the medium frame S&W model 686 then you might want to also check out the Ruger GP100. If you have large hands you might want to look at the large frame revolvers as well.

I would suggest a Hogue grip for the SP101.

I put a rubber Hogue grip on mine and it does a great job of "taming" the stout recoil of the .357 loads.

But it does have a good kick with the stock grips and full power .357's.

Thanks for the additional feedback everyone...

I handled the 6" barrel S&W Model 686 at YG yesterday and realized that it might be a bit on the heavier side for my friend's spouse to use.  But I understand that recoil from a 357 magnum would feel less on a heavier revolver.

Keahi's suggestion of going with a 38+P ammo first is a good idea and KK's suggestion of a Hogue grip for the SP101 would definitely help.   I'll definitely be suggesting to my friend to take himself and his spouse to check the weight on the different revolvers before deciding.

I compared the Taurus, Ruger and S&W revolvers by weight and barrel length, sorted from lightest to heaviest and thought I'd just share it here:

Taurus 627SS4 .357 7-shot 4" barrel - about 1.8 lbs
Taurus 627SS6 .357 7-shot 6.5" barrel - about 2.5 lbs

Ruger SP101 .357 5-shot 3" barrel - about 1.6 lbs
Ruger SP101 .357 5-shot 4" barrel - about 1.9 lbs

Taurus 65SS4    .357 6-shot 4" barrel - about 2.4 lbs
Taurus 66SS4    .357 6-shot 4" barrel - about 2.4 lbs
Taurus 66SS6    .356 6-shot 6" barrel - about 2.5 lbs

Ruger GP100 .357 6-shot 3" barrel - about 2.25 lbs
Ruger GP100 .357 6-shot 4" barrel - about 2.5 lbs
Ruger GP100 .357 6-shot 6" barrel - about 2.8 lbs

S&W Model 686 .357 6-shot 2.5" barrel - about 2.2 lbs
S&W Model 686 .357 6-shot 4" barrel - about 2.5 lbs
S&W Model 686 .357 6-shot 6" barrel - about 2.8 lbs

For comparison, a Glock 17 is about 1.4 lbs empty and an XD9 is about 1.9 lbs. 
The 4" Taurus 627 and Ruger SP101 would be around the XD9's weight and would have more felt recoil.
The 4" Taurus 65, Taurus 66, Ruger GP100, S&W Model 686 revolvers is around 2.5 lbs and would probably shoot the .357 mag with less felt recoil.

I'm thinking that a 4" barrel may be a good balance between a decent sight radius while not too long to be easily grabbed.  Would a shorter barrel (2" or 3") be better for HD or stay with the 4" barrel?

...I'm thinking that a 4" barrel may be a good balance between a decent sight radius while not too long to be easily grabbed.  Would a shorter barrel (2" or 3") be better for HD or stay with the 4" barrel?

Longer barrel is better for accuracy and helps cut down on muzzle flip. Based on the person who is going to be using it I would stay with the 4" barrel or go with 3" if the 4" is not available. I personally used to use 2" and 3" barrel revolvers for my HD. I am currently using a 5" barrel. Just personal preference.

............I'm thinking that a 4" barrel may be a good balance between a decent sight radius while not too long to be easily grabbed.  Would a shorter barrel (2" or 3") be better for HD or stay with the 4" barrel?

It's my opinion that at most SD distances the barrel/sight radius is secondary to training on shooting the particular firearm you will be employing.........meaning so long as you are training the barrel length/sight radius is probably not going to make much of a difference.

I think the best HD revolver is the S & W Model 65 3" .357.  The 3" Smiths have the best combination of weight, balance and power.  3" guns have the round butt frame, which means more grip options, especially for the ladies.    The only trouble is finding one for sale.  A lot of cops bought the 3" Model 64 (which is chambered in .38 only) as a back up gun in the old days when HPD still issued Model 15's (then 67's), but you hardly ever see one for sale even though the switch to 9mm was made a long time ago.  Cops just like the gun and they don't sell them.  Guys that have one usually don't sell them either--tells you something, don't it?

One nice thing about 38/357 is that you can buy shotshells for them.  That opens up some interesting options for HD loading.  Shotshells are also available in .44, .45 acp, .22 LR and .22 mag (hard to find).

I like short barrels for HD--most nightstands/drawers aren't large enough for a 6" barrel, especially with all the other junk that tends to get tossed into the drawer or dumped on the table top.  A 6" barrel will knock over your glasses, meds, cellphone, flashlight, etc., if you snatch it up quickly in the middle of the night.  Of course if you're a prepper and you've got your jackass rig with spare ammo and flashlight dangling within arms' reach of your bed then you don't need advice from me!

That's my 2 cents.

I absolutely love 3"-4" barreled .357 revolvers.

They are accurate, quick handling and (in my opinion) pleasing to the eye.