1st revolver advice
- Thread starter Blade37db
- Start date
I have a Ruger SP101, 3", a Ruger GP-100, 3" a Taurus 85 UL, 2", and a SW625jm. It may not be possible to purchase one wheelgun for yourself and your wife, unless you are both the same size with the same size hands. The Taurus 85 Ultra-Light is a .38Spl.+p. It weighs 15oz. and eats up all the +p ammo I have put through. I use it for a carry pocket gun...Here's a photo...
While the SW 625jm is not a .357, I am addicted to shooting it. While it is large (probably too large for most women) it is without a doubt the best shooting wheelgun I have ever owned. Here's a pic...
Good luck in your choice... 
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Rent at the range.
Ok Bridgeport shooting range has rentals. It on the Bridgeport Stratford line so check their website. There is also Shooting Sports Limited Indoor Shooting Range 4 New Caanan Ave, Norwalk- they have rentals 847-2767. If you wish to contact me via e-mail it's jvlip3@aol.com. I will respond to your questions without any put downs or shout downs. My cousin also runs Connecticut Basic Safety- a training course. I hope this helps.
Ok Bridgeport shooting range has rentals. It on the Bridgeport Stratford line so check their website. There is also Shooting Sports Limited Indoor Shooting Range 4 New Caanan Ave, Norwalk- they have rentals 847-2767. If you wish to contact me via e-mail it's jvlip3@aol.com. I will respond to your questions without any put downs or shout downs. My cousin also runs Connecticut Basic Safety- a training course. I hope this helps.
jvlip3,
Thanks for the info. I'll defnitely check out Bridgeport Shooting Range and Arms and Munitions in Monroe after I get my permit to rent a few revolvers and test them out before buying one. Sounds like I'll just have to get my wife her own!
I was looking at the S&W Shooting Center and would probably like to take a class up there.
Are you familar with Defense Associates in Fairfield?
Where does your cousin hold his course?
Thanks for the info. I'll defnitely check out Bridgeport Shooting Range and Arms and Munitions in Monroe after I get my permit to rent a few revolvers and test them out before buying one. Sounds like I'll just have to get my wife her own!
I was looking at the S&W Shooting Center and would probably like to take a class up there.
Are you familar with Defense Associates in Fairfield?
Where does your cousin hold his course?
You can get in contact with John Walko at Connecticut Basic Safety at ctbasicsafety@sbcglobal.net. For your state permit just go to the State troopers barracks in Bridgeport. I have to renew mine soon. I do all of my shooting at Blue Trail as I can use rifle,shotgun, and handgun there. I will check out Fairfield Defence soon. Right now I am trading in a car and she is not going to last long. As much as I like to shoot I need some from of transport to get there. If you need any help contact me anytime.
Bullrock, not at all.
As a matter of fact, most of the advice given has me re-thinking getting a snubbie (2" or 2 1/2") and thinking about a 3" or 4" barrel revolver.
I'm also going to look at local ranges to see if I can rent revolvers so I can test as many as possible.
I don't think I'm interested in getting a .22 however.
I appreciate all of the feedback.
As a matter of fact, most of the advice given has me re-thinking getting a snubbie (2" or 2 1/2") and thinking about a 3" or 4" barrel revolver.
I'm also going to look at local ranges to see if I can rent revolvers so I can test as many as possible.
I don't think I'm interested in getting a .22 however.
I appreciate all of the feedback.
Now then, I would stick with the 38/357. 38s are very easy to shoot. If you want a 22 then go with Smith. My Taurus 94 22 had a very heavy trigger pull which a local gunsmith cured. The trigger job plus the original cost I could of bought a S&W 22 and gotten accurate groups right away.
I'm pretty sold on, at minimum, .38spl. I used to shoot my uncle's old NYPD issue S&W .38 (4 or 6 inch?) as a teenager at it was easy then. He also had a S&W .38 stubbie back then that we used to shoot as well.
I may consider a .357 mag becuase it can shoot .38spl +p ammo and, if I wanted to try it, I could shoot .357mag ammo as well. I have hands that are on the smallish side so I might not enjoy it too much. I won't know until I try a rental or 2, but I'm sure 99% of my shooting will be with .38spl and +p ammo.
I may consider a .357 mag becuase it can shoot .38spl +p ammo and, if I wanted to try it, I could shoot .357mag ammo as well. I have hands that are on the smallish side so I might not enjoy it too much. I won't know until I try a rental or 2, but I'm sure 99% of my shooting will be with .38spl and +p ammo.
There are a ton of good 3" and 4" possibilities out there.
I think your thoughts of going with a .38 or .357 are the best idea. If you want the gun to immediately be able to do defensive duties (or you won't be able to afford a second gun right away) you are best off with a revolver capable of shooting .38spl or a 9mm auto because, short of .22lr, they are the least expensive calibers to shoot (thus more practice) but are more than capable self-defense calibers. I started out with a .38spl and 9mm. .38spl in commercial reloads and other target ammo can be pretty cheap and there are some very good .38+P defensive loadings. As for .38 v. .357mag I say it depends upon your budget. New .38spl revolvers are cheaper, but if you go with Taurus the difference is pretty low (~$50). If you get a used revolvers you can usually get a much better deal on a .38spl because most people buying revolvers want a magnum. However, the .357mag gives the ability to shoot .38s plus any .357mag you want as well.