Posted on 04/27/2009 6:41:14 AM PDT by Thane_Banquo
Correction: they don't jam with reasonable care, and using good ammo. Neglect it to the point where it rusts, and it will jam. If a spring breaks, it will stop working. Lead buildup from lack of cleaning may also cause problems (see here).
Also, shooting .357 in a light revolver causes the ammo to experience heavy recoil, which with low-quality ammo may cause the bullet to dislodge from the case:
Another warning in the owners manual is that recoil may pull the cases of unfired rounds in the cylinder rearward with enough force to unseat the bullets causing the cylinder to jam. The recoil inertia generated by .357 Magnum loads that are 158 grains or greater cause the bullet to "jump-crimp". This will cause the bullet to protrude out of the cylinder, a term know by some as "prairie-dogging". This will ultimately cause the gun to jam up without removing the unseated bullets and replacing with new ones. Since the cylinder lines up flush to the forcing cone (back of barrel), the protruding bullet will not be able to clear the forcing cone and therefore render the gun incapable of firing the next cartridge. It has also been noted that accuracy is comprised in these types of ultra-light revolvers since the barrel is a steel sleeve liner rather than a single solid piece of steel.[1]
Here’s my new one...Smith & Wesson
I recently bought a Springfield XD9 subcompact. Great gun!
>> My first handgun would be a single action .22 revolver like a Ruger Single Six. <<
I strongly agree that the first handgun should be .22 revolver.
But just as strongly, and speaking as the proud owner of a Single Six, I recommend against a single-action revolver for a beginner because it lacks a “swing-out” cylinder. This disadvantage makes a SA revolver a bit less safe and much more awkward to operate than a DA revolver.
On the other hand, a double-action revolver like the Ruger SP-101 chambered in .22LR (which I also own) does have the swing-out cylinder, thereby giving at least two advantages:
1. It’s safer, since when you swing the cylinder out and push the ejector, you’ll remove any live round that might (unbeknownst to you) have remained in place.
2. It’s a heckofa lot quicker and easier to reload.
If you have never had a semi-auto jam, you havent shot enough. Clean or otherwise.
LLS
I’ve heard the 686 was good. If she gets a revolver, she intends to get something with a moderately long barrel. Too long will be unwieldy for her. Too short means too much recoil.
For ease of use and cleaning go with the S&W 686. Especially if this is your first handgun. 38’s do not have too much kick and are about $12-$15 per box and you always have the option of a .357 magnum round...which will give a real nice “kick”...that is one nasty round and a pretty darn lethal one shot take down.(I know, there are other factors, but for argument’s sake)
My wife is 5’1” and 110 lbs...even though she prefers my XD9 tactical (9MM from Springfield Semi auto) over the 686, I think the 686 is much easier for her to figure out, load and clean. no concerns about jamming and stuff. Actually, I am much more accurate with that gun than my own...I put very tight groups with it from 15 yards in.
Now I must add, that in my area .38 ammo is next to impossible to find...even our range is having trouble getting it. 9MM was scarce (in my area) about a month ago, but now it’s readily available.
My suggestion: If you can find them used then get one of each. I have a Beretta 92FS and a Springfield XD9 tactical and like I said my wife loves the XD9...thin grip and easy aim. I got both used for less than my Dad got his 686 new. However, it took her about 150-200 rounds before she got the hang of loading, shooting and cleaning the XD9. With my Dad’s 686 she was loading and shooting after the first round....and she understood how to clean after being shown once.
You will soon learn that you’ll want more than one gun anyway. I started off thinking the XD9 would be enough, then I got a 30-06 Rifle, shotgun and another handgun. Soon I will be getting a .22 for cheap target practice and another shotgun....it never ends. good luck and let me know if you need more help.
Go to the range and rent a revolver and semi-auto. They both have a different feel and only you can decide what feels better and more comfortable.
The reason I recommend the single six is because it is difficult to shoot yourself with. It loads slowly and has to be cocked to fire.
I have seen many accidental table shootings at the range with beginners with autos and to a lesser degree double actions.
Try the XD-40.
Another consideration is to get one that is ultra-concealable, plus a second one with max stopping power. Any handgun that you have on you beats one left home in the safe. There will be times when concealment is the major issue, there will be other times (like when you have to drive through a lousy area of town after midnight) when concealability is less important than stopping power.
I'm just not comfortable carrying an auto with one in the chamber, so that means I would need to charge the weapon and possibly worry about a safety(depending on model of auto of course)in a defensive situation. My philosophy in a defensive situation is speed and simplicity win out everytime. I don't want have to worry about anything further than drawing and shooting. That's why I choose revolvers over autos every time. A revolver will NEVER JAM, the safety IS the trigger. The worse you can ever expect is a dud round and you just pull the trigger again to remedy that. A revolver is just what I trust more.
Don't get me wrong, I love automatics too and have several, those are just kept at the house. When I'm carrying though it's always a revolver. And never less than a .38. .357 is great, but practice with .38s. .357's will kick your butt if firing more than 20 rounds practicing, at least it does me. This is just my opinion and completely based on my wife's and my own comfort levels. :)
I think your wife’s choice is a good one. Have her practice at the range with the 38sp and keep it loaded at home with the .357s. There really isn’t a very big difference in recoil and she won’t notice it at all if she needs to use it.
Don’t have a lot of advice on the semi-auto. I prefer my Sig over my Ruger, but haven’t shot the others. It needs to fit your hand well for sure. If you get the 9mm, make sure that you have it loaded with hp for defense.
I live in IL. Concealed carry is strictly illegal. In fact, you can get in trouble for open carry on your own property if your neighbors complain.
As for a semi-auto, I find the Sigma to be very accurate but the trigger is very heavy and, as a beginner, you may find it difficult to master. But it is inexpensive compared to your other choices. Both the Sigma and the Glock are polymer, why do you favor the Sigma over the Glock?
Oh gosh, I live in NJ...same problem. I can take it to the range and have it in the house. CCW is next to impossible...what a RIP! I feel your pain...
I never said that semi-autos don't jam. You said that revolvers never jam, and I was expressing my disagreement with that blanket statement.
I've gone through tens of thousands of rounds over the last 25 years, in both semi-auto and revolver, and have experienced all sorts of jams. I'm not saying semi-autos don't jam, I'm just saying that revolvers jam too. Definitely not as often as a semi-auto, but when they do jam, it's generally not something you can quickly clear.
Correct answer.
One thing to consider is that 9mm ammo is cheaper than the other pistol calibers (except 22LR).
Check at a couple of stores like Bass Pro and Cabella’s and see if any of them have an indoor shooting range where they will let you test fire some different models so you can see which one fits your hand, shooting style, etc. best.
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