Ruger LCR .38 Special +P or Smith & Wesson Shield EZ .380?

JourneymanN00b · Post by **JourneymanN00b** » Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:40 pm

Which gun is better as a nightstand gun? Looking to get one of the two for self defense reasons. Without going into a lot of details, my safety and my legal rights have recently come under threat, and I would like to have a weapon that I can reliably shoot to stop a potential attacker who seeks to end my life to prove a point. I would like to make a decision by Friday, as I cannot count on either weapon being available after that due to the election craze.

Any responses are appreciated.

Josh_Kablack · Post by **Josh_Kablack** » Thu Oct 29, 2020 2:12 am

I'd go for the automatic over the revolver, but I also wouldn't encourage anyone to assume I have meaningful insight into handguns.

Edit: I do respect this youtube channel, dunno if you've already gone through all the considerations she brings up:

https://youtu.be/O2MjN9ZE66g

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Thu Oct 29, 2020 2:27 am

I am absolutely not a firearms expert, though I've done some research in the hopes it might help if I get round to finishing my novel, and cause there's never anything good on TV. However, I would first ask:

How much firearms experience do you have already?

Does it have to be a handgun? If I wanted a gun for home defence, a pump action shotgun (not necessarily 12 gauge) is hard to beat, if that's an option.

JourneymanN00b · Post by **JourneymanN00b** » Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:44 am

Thanks Josh_Kablack for your answer and the video.

Thaluikhain: I have basic experience with 5.56 guns, as I currently have a Kel-Tec RDB Defender. I feel that the Kel-Tec RDB Defender handles all close quarters situations in a sufficient manner, provided that I can get to it. Which is why I asked for advice for a nightstand gun, in case I need a weapon in seconds. I do not have experience with handguns, and I wanted to see what the opinion is between the above Ruger and Smith & Wesson handguns before I make my choice.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Thu Oct 29, 2020 6:17 am

Well, I'm led to believe that a small revolver isn't a great choice for a first handgun, it being somewhat awkward, and +P is going to make that worse.

OTOH, nothing to stop you from shooting it with normal 38 special until you get the hang of that, and then moving to +P, though I'd recommend once you've gotten the hang of +P you stick to firing that, train with what you expect to use, even if the 38 is easier or cheaper.

The main advantage of a small revolver is that it's nice and compact and easy to carry, which wouldn't be required for a gun sitting on your nightstand. If a larger revolver was an option I'd go for that over the smaller.

If not, the main advantage of a revolver is that it's super reliable, unlike *earlier* semi-auto pistols, but semi-auto pistols are very reliable nowdays as well. There's still the fear of getting something wrong with a more mechanically complex semi-auto that you wouldn't with the revolver (you in this case meaning the generic you, not you specifically), but if you personally have a semi-auto bullpup and can handle that, a semi-auto handgun shouldn't be a problem.

Again, I'm hardly an expert, though.

erik · Post by **erik** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:46 am

This whole thread is making me feel like I'm going crazy. I cannot fathom a good reason for a civilian to own a Kel-Tec RDB Defender.

I can imagine situations where someone may fear for their safety and life and desire a firearm, but there's way too many unknowns to offer specific alternatives. I would say generally if you are worried about having to kill someone seconds after waking from sleep, the more seconds you can buy the better. An alarm system, security cameras, and reinforced doors might give more safety. If someone has entered your home while you are sleeping then your prospects are pretty poor.

Sir Neil · Post by **Sir Neil** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:51 pm

I've had over a dozen years experience with handguns as both a civilian and military policeman.

I'd go with the revolver. I've had feeding problems from magazines that stay loaded 24/7, while the revolver can stay loaded without putting any stress on the weapon.

However, I'm also older and child-free, with few guests. When one threatens to arrive with kids, I like to disassemble the weapons so I can hand over the barrels or firing pins to the parents. Revolvers make that trickier, and I have to trust them to gun locks.

JourneymanN00b · Post by **JourneymanN00b** » Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:12 pm

So the count is official 2 votes for the S&W, and 1 vote for the Ruger. I plan to get Smith & Wesson Shield EZ .380 and Vaultek Slider Series Handgun Safe to put my mind at east. Thank you guys for your help.

Erik: I do have an alarm system. Security cameras and reinforced doors do not solve that problem enough to mitigate the risk of not having a nightstand gun. I do agree that buying seconds is crucial, but I still would like to have a handgun at my nightstand so I can have access to a weapon before I can get to my Kel-Tec RDB Defender.

ACOS · Post by **ACOS** » Sat Dec 26, 2020 2:09 am

late to the party; don't know if you bought already or not; but here's my 2cp:
.380 is for pocket/purse carry, when you want minimal weight/printing. any other use, and you might be setting yourself up for failure.

dedicated nightstand should probs be a full-size (mag capacity), no smaller than 9mm (adequate penetration and wound cavity).

understanding in-home use concerns ... consider either hollowpoints or sub-sonic ammo (while they do make sub-sonic hollowpoints, i'd be skeptical of reliable expansion; which is why i say either/or).
personally, i'm quite paranoid of over-penetration, which is why i my 9mm uses the maximum-expanding rounds i can find (Norma MHP ... and only 108gr to boot), and my shockwave and KS7 use #9buck and 3"turkey load respectively (both in 12ga).

take that fwiw :shrug: