The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I am new on the forum and I want a revolver for my safety on a low budget can anyone suggest me a weapon?

Oh gees.....you going to get a thousand different opinions here!

If you are not familiar with handguns, then some say stick with a "wheel gun" (revolver).
For light weight revolvers, the S&W have a lot of light weight revolvers that have a .38 special +P load and extremely light weight. Will even fit in a pocket. Enough power to do the job. Most are only 5 rounds but, if you can't hit something in 5, then ....wow.
Some love semi autos. Lots of very tiny autos out there.

Darryl

This is my carry gun; a S&W Model 638-3. I highly recommend it, but your will pay close to $500 new. I would not go cheap on something my life may depend on.

That's interesting because I have a S&W 442 lightweight.
.38 special +P 5 shot
. Very light weight and no hammer to get caught up if carrying in the pocket.
I only paid $375 for it. I took it apart and put new springs in it so the trigger pull is lighter. They can be a little unruly on the pull new.
I kind of wish I had got the titanium frame instead but, this one is lighter...so.

I also carry around a little Bersa Thunder semi (.380). Not as light but easy to reload.
Darryl

tjtM38 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:19 pm This is my carry gun; a S&W Model 638-3. I highly recommend it, but your will pay close to $500 new. I would not go cheap on something my life may depend on.

I have the same pistol. Love it. All season pocket carry.

Darryl wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:44 pm That's interesting because I have a S&W 442 lightweight.
.38 special +P 5 shot

Very light weight and no hammer to get caught up if carrying in the pocket.
I only paid $375 for it. I took it apart and put new springs in it so the trigger pull is lighter. They can be a little unruly on the pull new.
I kind of wish I had got the titanium frame instead but, this one is lighter...so.

I also carry around a little Bersa Thunder semi (.380). Not as light but easy to reload.
Darryl

.

The Smith & Wesson J-frame .38 Special revolvers are very high quality, but these Airweights have significant recoil with the +P .38's. I'm actually loading mine with a Sellier and Bellot 140 grain lead cowboy load that's more controlable shooting double action. These guns get carried a lot and shot little.

They are pretty snappy. I keep 125 gr +P loads in mine.

millman wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:51 pm They are pretty snappy. I keep 125 gr +P loads in mine.

millman wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:51 pm They are pretty snappy. I keep 125 gr +P loads in mine.

They sure the Hell are!
Still, I'm used to the big .45 and this is still workable for me. Others might prefer a lighter load or just a low load .38 special.
Darryl

I bought this in December for $210 new. And I can't complain. This does the job. When these first came out about 10 years ago, they had a few problems. But now, no complaints. They also make these hammerless and one with a 4 inch barrel. I have no problems carrying this one.

I'll warn you though, revolvers can get addicting.

Well, you said you were on a low budget

Ruger GP100 .357 mag. It's medium budget, I don't recommend staking your life, or the life of your loved ones on low budget anything. Nothing wrong with buying a used revolver if you find one in good shape if it means getting a better quality piece than you can afford new. The GP isn't small either, hideout guns are fine for their intended purpose, last ditch, but I want something with a bit of weight and clobbering power if it came to that. Not all automatics are crap, I know people who love their Glock's, for me there are only two automatics, M1911, and Colt pocket 1903. John Browning knew a thing or two about firearms design.

Darryl wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:44 pm That's interesting because I have a S&W 442 lightweight.
.38 special +P 5 shot
.
Untitled.png

Very light weight and no hammer to get caught up if carrying in the pocket.
I only paid $375 for it. I took it apart and put new springs in it so the trigger pull is lighter. They can be a little unruly on the pull new.
I kind of wish I had got the titanium frame instead but, this one is lighter...so.

I also carry around a little Bersa Thunder semi (.380). Not as light but easy to reload.
Darryl

Slightly different flavor; same theme.

My first suggestion for a new shooter would be to find an NRA Basic Pistol class. It would be good for the safety of the shooter and those who are around him or her. You can contact the NRA online to find a class offering near you.

A lot of great advice given....One thing left out though. If you can find someplace that let's you try out guns, shoot a variety of different pistols and find one you're comfortable with.

What fits my hand, or what works for me, might be too big, bulky, powerful, uncomfortable etc for someone else. You want a gun that fits your hands, and that you are comfortable with, then shoot the hell out it. This way you are familiar with its operation and your proficient with it, this allows you to be able to pull it and fire it by memory.

Just my two .....

Here is a 14.5 ounce nickel model 38 in .38 special.