4 inch revolver choices

L

la rue

New member
The bug has struck again and I'm looking for a 4 inch revolver to use for action shooting.any ideas?
not much of a stainless fan but the 625-8 s&w just became ok to buy in kali.
whats the quality of new s&Ws now a days?i've handled one but never shot one.sure looks sweet,but kinda got a problem with the post agreement thing.
 
Quite frankly, I have serious reservations about S&W's quality control processes these days, and have had for a number of years, even before the agreement came to roost.

Look around. You're bound to find a used 25/625 or similar handgun available for sale in California.
 
OK in California???

So--when will California start burning unapproved books and banning free speech?

The notion of freedom must scare the hell out of your politicians. From what I can see they fit the description of the 'domestic enemies' of the Constitution I once swore to defend.

Arrogant bastards.
 
I handled two new 5" 686+'s in the shop a while ago, alongside an unknown vintage 4" 686-2. The old 4" was great, smooth DA, light & crisp SA, good lockup. The lockup on the new guns was... sufficient, but not as good as it could be. The trigger on the first one was a joke, gritty DA, creepy SA, heavy as hell. The trigger on the second one was at least crisp in SA and not as gritty in DA, but was still heavy.

After that, I'm not too keen on new S&W's, which is damn shame as some of their new models look really slick.
 
thanks fellas!it's just as i thought.the quality control has become weak at best on the newer S&Wd,so the next step is to find another older one.i know i know the approved list is a bunch of c*#*P but you gotta keep fighting for your rights because your state could be next!!
 
I have a 1999 vintage 686-5 (albeit, a 2 1/2 inch), and the quality on this one is excellent. the fit and finish is at least as good as some of my older Smiths, with a very nice D/A trigger.
This one obviously slipped by the QC people. ;)
 
la rue,

My wife bought me a 625-8 for my birthday last year, the 5.25" version before the zit. It has over 10k rounds through it and still looks new.

I have nothing but praise for it. Fit and finish is fine. Trigger only needed a return spring swap to make it the BEST of any S&W revolver I own. (and I have a safe full)

I've bought 10 S&W revolvers in less than the last three years, half of them new, and I've been very pleased with the quality. Especially the PC models.

I'm as nostalgic as the next guy about P & R, deep blue, color case, etc..., but in my admittedly limited experiance, quality is alive and well at S&W.

YMMV...

Joe
 
For big frame work....
Would far rather have a 24, 25, 27, 28, 57, 58 etc.
Usually great fit, function and finish.

With a bit of holster wear and patience, can be had for 300 or less.

Patience and carry cash.

Sam
 
"thanks fellas!it's just as i thought.the quality control has become weak at best on the newer S&Wd,so the next step is to find another older one."

I'm not sure SW new gun quality is lower than anybody elses, and their guns are still way better than Taurus. I fondled a model 66 yesterday which had nice tight lockup and a pretty smooth action. Wouldn't worry about the trigger feel. The actions are very easy to smooth out and reduced force spring kits are available from Wolf. My 686 pulls DA at 6.4# and SA at 1.8#, my 66 is a shade higher than those numbers.

I think a nice 4" barrel model 66 would serve you well. I have that exact gun and it is really accurate.
 
Agree 100% bountyh. S/W quality control is not where it was 30 years ago to be sure. But in the last couple of years I've seen more "bullet proof"- "built like a tank" Rugers taking dives on the line or not even passing inititial inspection than S/W's.
 
Find the model you like then check local gun shops till you find one that ain't a lemon. There is plenty of info on how to shop for revolvers on this site. I could care less about S&W or Ruger's QC. I am the final QC, and I am much more picky than any 10.00 an hour box packer at a gun plant. I like the GP100, it shoots nicely in 4 inch and it strong as hell. I like S&W K&L frames too, and I like the Taurus Trackers. You stand a chance of getting a crappy gun from anyone and who knows what the last owner did to a used gun. You just have to shop carefully.
 
I carry a 4" 686-5 every day on the job. It's hit the steel plating countless times, been in every type of weather, and generally abused. Who knows what it went through before it was issued to me.

I've shot thousands of rounds through it, literally, and cleaned it maybe a dozen times. Except for the rubber grips, the girl still looks new and she is very accurate. I like her so much, I'm looking for one of my own. Heck, I just got back from a shop that had a primo 586 for 350 and I think it might just be mine...soon.

I highly recommend this weapon to anyone looking for a good, full size revolver.
 
My favorite four-inch revolver is the Python; unfortunately, it's an illegal firearm in the People's Republic of California, unless you can find a used model for sale by someone in the P.R.C.
 
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