Combat Revolver choice?

jonathan- If thats the case on ammo price forget it. i will stick down the 357 road.

SnwnMe- I like the model 65 type revolvers but i haven't been looking for a model 13. If the two were the same price i would opted for the stainless because i find that its easier to see where its dirty. I do have a place in my heart for a good bluing though. If i got the taurus in the 65 configuration that would serve me just as well as a Smith 65 right? I seen their guts on the net at they are different on the inside but just as simple imo. Does their locks freeze up the guns for no reason like some people have said about the smith lock?

Boss Spearman-You are probably right my gundealer just guest but even if it is considered to be a "lesser" smith i still love it. Wise i had 5000 round of 38 and 5000 rounds of 357 just do i could shoot everyday for a lonnnng time. Its not at punishing to stand out there all day and squeeze of rounds like my club ruger redhawk.

Brian Williams- Its not that how unlikiely it is but the old saying if something can go wrong it will go wrong. The reason on a fixed sight is that no matter what i can still be affective but not have a .38 inch group at 7 yards..just a more point at shoot type that can deliever a good hit whether it be a barnyard pest or a house pest.

I've narrowed it down a couple more A taurus 65 stainless which is about 300, Ruger gp100 which is about 350, Smith model 10 which used is about 200 or older model 65 which is about 320.

I'm kinda leaning toward the taurus. Does anyone have a 65 or similar model that they offer? I would like some first person quality impression and if possibly a accuracy report.

Thanks guys.

I have a delema. I'm starting to get guns that i don't shoot anymore and having a hard time justifying keeping them around. I will not part with my pistols though. But long guns are a different story. Has anyone here every decided to trim the fat in the gun safe and sell the lesser to get a better quality firearms? How did you guys justify/manage to part with your guns even though you are a firearme enthusiats like the rest of us?

On a shooting note do you guys instinctive shoot for combat?
 
I have damaged a Smith rear sight. Not broken off, just cracked the rear blade. Didn't render the sight unusable by any means. I dropped my 29 on the back bumper of my truck, landing right on the sight.

I for one, have no problems with adjustable sights. I like them.

I'd look for used 686 if thats what you really want, but feel they cost too much. I've seen a bunch of them for $325 to $350 used.

Several Smiths I know won't work (action jobs) on Taurus or Rossi guns, they say nobody wants to pay what it costs to get them up to the same level as a Smith. I don't say this to stir anything up, just reporting what a couple gunsmiths have told me. I have no horse in this race. I see the imported guns selling for what good clean used Smiths go for, and I'd choose a Smith every time. Just me. Your mileage may vary.
 
"I'd look for used 686 if thats what you really want, but feel they cost too much. I've seen a bunch of them for $325 to $350 used."

I paid $300 for mine (4", no dash) back in November. Great gun, I like mine a lot.
 
"Has anyone here every decided to trim the fat in the gun safe and sell the lesser to get a better quality firearms?"

Nope, not me.

"How did you guys justify/manage to part with your guns even though you are a firearme enthusiats like the rest of us?"

Only happened to me once. Back in '98 my first wife was facing a life saving surgery that was not going to be covered by insurance (pancreatic transplant). I sold everything to help finance it. She passed away from complications of the surgery. Yes, there actually are some things more important than guns, I've only just recently started shooting again.
 
gb in ga-Damn dude sorry to hear that i didn't mean for you to druge up a painful memory. I agree in a situation like that i would sell anything to help.

The only problem i would have is the outlet to get such a clean smith. I like convience and with little hassle as do most i would assume and anytime i ask my local gun shop owner like "Could you find me one?" he just says nah not really they usually just blow in from time to time here in there but there isn't a viable source for them.

I realize there guns america and aution arms and gun broker but i have a feeling he would be hesitant to get me another gun from a outside seller and press on me what is in his case despite the quality and use the firearm has been subject to. The reason i bout the model 19 is i believe it to be a fair deal. I paid about 315 for it with some minor blemishes but everything else what in top notch.

Should i look for a smith that doesn't have the key lock on it? what is a indicator that it has the lock and two piece barrel thing? I want a smith like my model 19-5 on the inside and out side parts wise...so would that be a mid 80's gun?

I might go up and sell some guns this week and see what he will give me for them and i'll se what he is WILLING to do.
 
Maybe you should look around, and see if there are any other shops around that are good to deal with. I hit all 4 or 5 in town when I go to town.

Go to the book store or news stand and get a copy of the "Gun List". Good reference material in any event. The shop I deal with most here will order a gun in for me, like out of the Gun List or a wholesaler, for $15 to $20, if it's something he doesn't have in stock.

Gun shows can be good too.
 
Malamute-Thanks. i have a older copy of gun lists but i'm gonna check through it just the same to get a price check on some models i'm interested in.
 
A combat revolver for me would be either the S&W 686+ 7 shot or the Taurus Tracker 7 shot .357 mag. I would get it with the 4 inch barrel and be done. I might get a trigger job done on it but that is about it.
 
In any 6 shot medium frame revolver I beleive the 3" barrel to be the most usable for a "combat" revolver role. They need more 3" barreled .357's in general.
 
Deer, you don't have to make the lock or no lock decision with a Model 13 if you consider this gun. It was discontinued before the lock was incorporated into the design.

I strongly urge you to stick to S&W or Ruger for a social revolver. While all makers turn out lemons, S&W and Ruger have better track records than most. They may cost you a bit more, but consider what's at stake.
 
A 4" 13 sounds like what you're looking for.

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By the way, a used 4" 686 is probably the finest all around, meat and potatoes, top quality revolver there is. Tough as heck, reliable, top resale (everybody knows a good used S&W is a fine choice). THere are a lot of excellent quality, used, pre-lock 686's floating around. Actually, a used 681 would probably be the best for you because it's got all the benefits of an L-frame and fixed sights and will outlast any of us....

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DHART-Those are some pretty guns. That model 681 is peerrty. Doesn't even look like its been shot. That is the alley in the type of revolver i'm looking for.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
I have Chosen.

A ruger Gp100 4inch adj .sights. Blue or Stainless in 357mag. The reson i decide on the adj sights is it would give me a broader application for the pistol from defense to hunting. I relized that in a defense situation as say 20 feet i am a good point shooter. This revolver can also do double duty as hunting gun with the adj sights. And if the sights break i can still deploy a fatal point shot.

I will probably get some different grips like the monogrips ruger has on the site.

Thanks for all your suggestions and i hope i'm not the only one thinking this would be a good choice.
 
S&W M19 4"

I must agree with Mike. Not out of extensive experience, mind you. It just happens to be the only gun I own.:cool:
 
The GP-100 is an excellent choice. For what it's worth, they're tough as hell, I've been hunting with mine a few times, even dropped it, and the sights are still fine.

All in all, you made the 2nd best choice (tied with the 686 for #2).
 
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