Bullseye accurate, tough as a steel hammer, never fails to fire, and a great platform for training newbies on semi-autos. This is an indispensable pistol.
Colt python, S@W K frame- K22 Ruger makes some nice revolvers now.
Those. are my picks
The Model 94 Taurus is a decent weapon. A friend has one and I thought it was a nice piece. I’m not sure that I would want to own it but that’s a personal preference.
Just go to the Fort Worth gun show (or similar) and try several better quality firearms. Ruger makes great wheel guns. And you can change the grip to fit your hand.
Home defense 22lr isn’t too popular.
I’ve been looking at a 22lr for the wife to ccw eventually. NAA has some interesting small frame 22magnum and 22lr pistols. Compact, looks well designed, and fairly decent price.
I have a S&W Model 617 10 shot 22LR revolver (SS 6” BBL). It’s pretty much a Size, Weight, feel duplicate of my S&W 686 357 Magnum.
A damned accurate shooter. It’s pricey like a higher caliber model, though. But it NEVER misfires or has any of some of the other problems with semi-auto 22s (strikes, misfeeds, etc. due to different ammo types.)
Ruger SP101 (also available in larger calibers)
http://ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5765.html
They’re bulletproof, if you’ll pardon the expression. Street price is usually considerably less than MSRP.
The LCR is also available in .22.
http://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5410.html
If you’re serious about home defense, you will consider a larger caliber.
Ruger Bearcat, 4” barrel, adjustable sights. Although for home defense, I’d go with an Mossberg 935, autoloading, unplugged, 3 1/2”, 12 ga shotgun with a pistol grip and breecher barrel or choke. You don’t have to get too caught up in the stock, rails and accessories (a good non-attached flashlight is more effective than something mounted)
I’d use something with a little more punch for home defense than .22 LR. .22 mag at least. 9MM or .40 cal mo better.
Bullseye accurate, tough as a steel hammer, never fails to fire, and a great platform for training newbies on semi-autos. This is an indispensable pistol.
S&W kit gun. 4 inch barrel.
For starters, I don't sell firearms, so I have no dog in that fight.
and..I know, it is a .38, but unless there are recoil issues with the .38, look at this pistol.
It is lightweight.
It has no hammer to snag on a jacket, a robe, purse contents, stuff in the drawer.
It is a double action so you don't have to cock the hammer to shoot--and unless you're a pretty fancy speed shooter, you can shoot more faster than with a single action, and do it with one hand. There is no hammer to hang up on stuff, so you're good to go, even if you'll have to get a new coat or the Mrs will have to get a new purse (just don't shoot through the pictures of the grandkids).
It takes very little training to teach someone to use it.
And, unlike a semi-auto, it can be fired from inside a handbag or coat pocket until the wheel runs dry (a semi-auto would jam from failure to eject almost every time).
While those who (and at times I do too) complain about the .38 being relatively underpowered will say you want the biggest fight-stopper you can get, the .38 ammo is relatively cheap, can be reloaded, and is almost universally available--in +P loads, and a wide variety of projectiles. I haven't seen .22 on the shelves in this neck of the woods for a few years, now.
Give it a look, and if you have your heart set on a .22, sorry to have taken up your time.
Get a Smith Model 17 made from 1959 to 1969.
Colt Diamondback .22, on sale right here, right now:
http://www.yankeeartifacts.com/Colt%20Handguns.htm
This is far and away the best .22 revolver available anywhere.
(I am not related to owner and get no premium or other cash reward from sale.)
If you don’t mind a single action, with a Ruger you get both .22lr and .22 mag cylinders.
In a lurch you can shoot .22lr out of a mag cylinder but the cases will split.
Why not get one made by the masters of engineering, the Germans! I suggest a RG-22, an EIG .22, or an IMP 22(Imperial Metal Works).
In a pinch, an Harrington Richardson or an Iver Johnson revolver will do.
Now don’t take me seriously! ;-D
Revolver: Ruger Single-Six
Semi: Ruger SR22
both are superb shooters
Seriously, though, if you're looking for a self-defense weapon, go for a 9 mm, or at the minimum, a .380.
I will have to read this later.
Taurus .38 revolver.
Everyone I know who has one likes it.
And learn to reload so that you can and your family can put a lot of rounds through the gun. They may enjoy it. The outfit you should buy is the Lee Classic Loader, usually runs less than 30.00 and all you need is a plastic faced hammer. Best ammo you will ever load. www.Titanreloading.com is a good source. REad the directions 5 times before starting to use the reloader and follow the directions to the letter.
Here’s where things get interesting.
Powder plus primer loads:
You can load a training load (light) for the .38, shoot round ball, shoot black powder etc.
Primer only loads for short range can killing, most of these can be used in the basement or in the garage with a suitable backstop. They are generally accurate to 30 feet:
Shoot wax bullets, round ball, swaged bullets from airsoft plastic ammo, molded bullets in bullet moulds using a hot glue gun. The last two bullets are reusable, by the way.
.38 special and its variants are part of the fun calibers:
.38 Special
.357 magnum
.357 Max. Apparently there is a pistol out there now and it sure looks like a good black powder round.
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.45 Long Colt
.45 Cowboy Special
There may be some others in the smaller calibers such as .32, but what you are looking for is a straight wall case which tends to be larger calibers.
Have fun!