Basics with Revolvers

I'm surprised some of our local gun buffs missed something in their listing of revolver sizes.

In terms of S&W revolvers, from smallest to largest, the classifications go like this;

  • J-Frame - A 5-shot 2" barreled revolver, avg wgt 23oz
  • K-Frame - A 6-shot .38/.357 - older K-Frames can be found in .357. Avg Wgt ~36oz
  • L-Frame - A 6 or 7 shot .38/.357, w/full-length underlug on the barrel (like a Colt Python). Avg Wgt 35-40oz
  • N-Frame - The .44 Magnum Frame. Avg Wgt ~45oz
  • X-Frame - Platform for the .500 Mag, .460 and other Xtreme cartridges. Wgt: 70oz+

Taurus production seems to follow pretty closely with the size of the S&W J/K/L frames.

If you want a new S&W .357 Magnum either you have to buy one of the L-Frame guns (581/586 681/686) or you will be forced into the 5-shot J-frame territory. While S&W still makes a few .357's on the N-Frame, these are pretty specialized gun.

How are the Armscor revolvers? I've seen them on their web page and they look like copies of Colt revolvers. Their M200 looks like a Colt Police Positive Special. :) Their 1911's get good reviews when imported under the "Rock Island" brand name and I've handled a few that were nicely made.

I've wondered aloud here if Colt wouldn't be smart to license someone to make their revolvers for them after doing some re-engineering to reduce the amount labor required on the Colt actions. Seems Armscor might have a head start in this arena.

Oh, for what it's worth, modern stainless steel guns are just as durable as their carbon steel counterparts. In the late 60's and early 70's the metallurgy of stainless alloys wasn't as advanced, which led to either galling or brittleness. Modern stainless alloys and heat treating have remedied most of the problems.
 
I never shot a +P on my autos never entered my mind even on revolvers. A hollowpoint will do just fine with me.
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I also don't shoot +P on my semi's but look at some of the ballistic gelatin testing for the caliber you look at for your revolver. I decided on a .38spl and after looking around some decided +P was where I had to turn to for the performance I felt comfortable with. Ymmv, but hollowpoint alone doesn't make a winner for me.
 
"A Taurus .38 snubbie caught my attention, seems like a good carry and defense revolver for the money (any comments?)."

A Taurus .38 snubbie oughta do the job, if what you are interested in is a dependable SD gun for close in CCW purposes, that will conceal well and be comfortable to carry. I'd load it with .38 Spl +p ammo that is known to work well in snubbies -- something like the FBI load (158 gr LSWC-HP), the new Corbon DPX load, or the new Speer 135 gr Gold Dot.

I see that you are in the Phillipines. Heat and humidity are going to lead to rust issues. I'd advise you to get a stainless model.
 
And I believe Smith also manufactured an "I" frame, smaller than the "J" frame, which was enlarged just a bit to fit the .38 special. Am I right?

Boarhunter
 
Being Back

To antediluvianist: Hello sir. Glad to meet a fellow countryman here! I work in Makati! I learn to love the revolver coz its simplicity and its independence from factors like magazine spring defects, followers, etc.). I really prefer it to be a home defense gun. I was hoping to buy one on the upcoming gunshow until I knew that it was resked this Jan 06. I'm planning to get a Taurus model 65 in stainless finish. Shotguns? Ya, like them too, like revolvers, they don't depend on a magazine to feed the rounds, of course revolvers and shotguns have their drawbacks (that slowwwww reload) and I need more speedloading practice (for a revolver) since I'm a southpaw, nothing is perfect.
 
If you can find Ruger's you might want to look at the SP101 and the GP100. The SP is the smaller frame and the GP is a medium-medium/large frame.

They are priced inbetween the Tauri and the SW's in the US. Good value for the money.

If that doesn't appeal to you then I'd stick with Smith and Wesson (preferable a slightly aged to very aged but in excellent condition.) No knocks on Taurus, but both Colt and SW hold their value very well, as does Ruger. They may not ever be collector pieces (or they could be), but they will always be in fairly high demand.
 
To Fisherman: Thanks sir, try to look for that model here. Got interested in Taurus coz its abundant here and I find some good feedbacks on its quality. Anyway, there are also S&W here,but most that I've seen were hammerless (don't lik DAO).
 
My opinion is look more toward a 4" barrel, you can still carry, at least in the winter time and have a lot more control at the range.
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Winter in the Philippines? You gotta be kidding right.
 
Add on

To Boarhunter: Forgot to mention, as compared to your concealed carry, our permit to carry firearms is limited to having your FA in a pouch bag as not to draw attention, magazine/ammo. should not be loaded and should be separated. We are not allowed to carry it in a holster as what you're allowed there, although we won't be charged of illegal posession. It sucks, right? But most of us still carry it in a holster and tuck in our pants, in most reasonable scenarios, in fairness, as long as its justifiable homicide/self-defense gunfights, cops tends to have it "off the record" that the responsible gun owner was carrying his piece in a holster and not in a pouch bag. (We still have high crime rates here.)

-I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it... .
 
Pepe308,

Much as we sometimes complain here, we really do have it good when compared to other locations.... Though tough as your laws are, even they are far better than some of our states in the northeast and on the left coast.

I think I will happily remain in Alabama.

Boarhunter
 
Hi Pepe, welcome to TFF! :) It's been 35 years since I last visted the PI. I was sent on R&R there once while doing a tour in Viet Nam. The less said about that particular few days the better! :rolleyes:

You will find others here who disagree with me, but I say don't be afraid of the Taurus revolvers. I have several (a 605, 445, 617, and a 94). They are all fine weapons, reliable, accurate, and strong. Granted, the S&Ws are more finely finished, and perhaps a bit smoother, but they are also considerably more expensive. In my opinion, the 605 is a better choice than the 85 simply because the 605 will handle .357s also should you ever need or want to shoot them. The additional weight of the 605 also makes for a bit better control with .38 +P ammo.
 
revolver

if U R familiar with auto pistols U might want to stick with that. a glock27 would be good. especially for ccw. but if U want to come over to my side, I say go with a ruger sp101 or gp100.
 
To Pistolenschutze: Thank you for the warm welcome sir and thank you for the advise, Taurus are really alot cheaper here.

To Gdeal: Well, I'm still in for a semi-auto but I'm somewhat lazy when it comes to maintenance especially of the springs (mag, recoil). I like recently the simplicity of the revolver these days.
 
Boarhunter said:
And I believe Smith also manufactured an "I" frame, smaller than the "J" frame, which was enlarged just a bit to fit the .38 special. Am I right?
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Correct! The I-Frame was the standard frame for guns chambering the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W (not special) up though the 1940's. Most of these guns can be spotted in literature as they were called "Regulation" guns -- .38 Regulation Police for instance. Their frames were discontinued as better cartridges like .38 Special became more popular.

S&W also made the "M" frame guns which were built on an even smaller frame. These were the original "Ladysmith" .22 revolvers. The cartridge was a low-power version of today's .22 (never fire modern .22 ammo in these little guns!). I've seen a minty looking Ladysmith at local gunshows with an asking price over $1,000!
 
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