Meet the 5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – There are surely lots of solid revolvers to protest your home and life if you find yourself in a tough, life-threatening situation. Here are picks:
We live in an unpredictable and unreliable world these days. Many factors of life are not what they used to be, and home security is a new or renewed concern for many. Part of any home security plan should include a reliable firearm, and few hold the reputation of reliability that belongs to the revolver.
While lacking the magazine capacity of most full-size semi-auto pistols, the venerable wheel gun is virtually impossible to jam and often chambered in powerful cartridges like the .357 Magnum that put plenty of energy on target. There are many good revolvers out there to protect your home. Here are my picks for the 5 best revolvers to protect any home based on my years of experience in the firearms industry.
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Ruger LCRx 3”
The big boy of the LCR family, the 3” barreled models provide a good sight radius for accurate shot placement while remaining short enough to maneuver in a tight spot. The weapon weighs in at under 16 ounces in 38 Special +P making it a viable carry gun for those who need a double-duty weapon.
Chambered in .22LR, .22 Magnum, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum, this revolver provides an affordable “one gun” defensive solution for both in and out of the home. MSRP $579
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Ruger GP-100
This well-built wheel gun will take on all comers. Chambered in .22 LR, .327 Federal, .357 Magnum, and .44 Special, the GP-100 can bring some serious power to the table. Available in a variety of barrel lengths, this revolver is an accurate weapon with enough weight (40 oz. in .357 magnum with a 4” barrel) to take some of the sting out of the magnum cartridges.
The additional weight lowers recoil, allowing for faster recovery between shots, meaning a quicker follow-up shop if needed. MSRP $769
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Taurus 692
The Taurus 692 is a hefty medium frame revolver boasting a 7-round capacity in .357 magnum, and giving the option of 2.5”, 3”, or 6.5” ported barrels, the 692 is configurable to any need.
The ported barrel reduces muzzle rise & recoil, allowing you to regain your target quicker and put more rounds onto it if needed. As an added bonus the 692 is supplied with a conversion cylinder for 9mm Luger, allowing for a low recoil option and flexibility in the ammunition used, a major plus with today’s shortages. MSRP $652.50
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Charter Arms Pitbull
This compact powerhouse gives you five rounds of .45 ACP in a package the same size as a standard six-round .38 Special. (Compare to the semi-auto option).
The big-bore .45 cartridge excels as a man stopper with one-hundred and ten years of military pedigree to back it up. With less recoil and a lower cost per round than the .44 Special or .45 Long Colt, this revolver will handle home defense with aplomb, and unlike many .45 ACP revolvers, it does not require moon clips. MSRP $506.80 And if you live in the land of grizzlies and need more power than this, check out the .460 S&W.
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Smith and Wesson Model 66
I know there are two other full size .357 magnum revolvers recommended here, but I could not leave this one out.
Long the gold standard for defensive revolvers, the Model 66 Combat Magnum has an enviable reputation for reliability and accuracy. In my personal experience, it also has the nicest trigger of the revolvers listed. Available in 2.75” and 4.25” barrels with an MSRP of $874, this .357 Magnum will provide some serious peace of mind in today’s uncertain world.
If you want the slicked-up version designed for tactical use, check out this review
5 Top Revolvers For Home Self Defense – Honorable Mention: Rock Island M200
For those with a pandemic depleted pocketbook, this budget revolver has built a reputation as a no-frills defensive weapon. Boasting a lifetime warranty and a rock-bottom price point, the Rock Island Armory M200 can fill the need for a “house gun” without emptying the pocketbook and not disappoint in performance. MSRP $275
Offering power and controllability, the revolver is no stranger to defensive use. Like any pistol they require practice, especially in the magnum calibers, however for those that chose to become proficient with them, the revolver provides a reliable and powerful solution for home defense. They were the defensive tool of choice 100 years ago and are still a relevant choice today.
Richard Douglas is a long-time shooter, outdoor enthusiast, and technologist. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at The National Interest, Cheaper Than Dirt, Daily Caller, and other publications.
