first revolver for semi-auto guy

F

forby

New member
first revolver for semi-auot guy

I'm a semi-auto guy that is thinking about my first revolver purchase.

There is no reason for me wanting a revolver other than "because i can".

Everytime I go to a gun store I'm drawn to 4 to 5 inch barrel .357 or .44 magnum.

Can someone make a suggestion fir a first wheelgun?
 
Without knowing your intended purpose I am going to make the assumption that since you stated you are a semi-auto guy that is what you have chosen for defensive purposes and the revolver is to add some variety to your gun options. I own a couple of .44 mags and 3 .357's, and I would recommend a .357. The reason being is that, IMHO, a 4" .357 offers so much variety in terms of bullets and loads. As I'm sure you already know, you can shoot .38's out of a .357 allowing for tremendous options in rounds. You can also shoot .44 specials from a .44 mag but I don't find the variety as compelling. My two favorite .357's are the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP100, both with 4" barrels. Hope this helps, Mike
 
Well...

If you ask 10 revolver guys that question, you'll get 10 different answers. Personally I like the Smiths, but you won't go wrong with a Ruger.
 
My intended use is "just for fun. MikeJ hit the nail on the head! Not for defense, just for variety. I keep thinking 44mag just because it makes a bigger "boom". Remember, it's for variety for a semi-auto guy. Also, what about Colt's vs S&W?
 
I would suggest the 38/357 as a good way to get introduced to revolvers. I'd also suggest a used Smith or Ruger since they are both very fine handguns. A 4" barrel is near perfect if you plan on ever using it as a carry handgun but the 6" barrel does give a longer sight radius and so a little more accuracy at distance.

One thing to remember is that the revolvers chambered for 38spl instead of 357Magnum are often Best Buys. Since most buyer will tell you to get the 357Mag because you can also shoot 38spl in it, the 38spl only revolvers are often way cheaper. It's the old supply/demad bit. Take a look at those 38spl revolvers and you may just find a steal. I can tell you, it doesn't get much better than shooting a S&W Model 10.
 
I'm endorsing the 4" GP100 vote. You've probably shot .357s so you know you are getting more kick than damn near all semi-auto rounds. I think GP100s tend to run a bit cheaper than the Smith's. I hear alot about S&W triggers, I guess I must have lucked out or just fired the hell out of my GP100 because it has a very smooth trigger. With a little bit of searching, you can usually find a GP100 used for about 300$. Since they are so damn tough and Ruger will take care of any problems regardless of original buyer or what not, these are very good deals. If you are thinking of .44, I like the Super Redhawk. I don't know why, I just like them.
 
forby,

I had exactly the same conversation with myself exactly 4 months ago. I was a slide kinda guy who didn't need, but wanted a revolver.

Issue was revolved when I spied a used S&W 686-4" in the case for a very reasonable price. I picked it up and now run .38 spl and .357 through it on a regular basis.

Then I spied just recently a Ruger GP100-3" and it started all over. My wife got that one.

Anyhow, revolvers are fun and kinda like potatoe chips. You can't have just one.

Short answer: S&W 686 is an awesome piece. Ruger GP100 is a tack driver.
 
You are considering a .44mag for the extra "boom". Well, let me tell you that a .357mag can make a heck of a racket. When I shoot my 3" S&W 65 and my 6" 586 with 125gr ammo I have people coming by to see what the heck I'm shooting. If you really love recoil a J-frame .357mag snub will really do it (it will rip your hand off and deafen everyone at the entire range ;) ). Shooting full powered ammo, especially the 125 grain variety will give you a good "boom" and if you want something extra you can get the 180gr hunting rounds.

The versatility of a .357mag is hard to beat. You can shoot .38spl wadcutters for plinking and target shooting, in cheaper .38 loadings only 9mm will cost you less in centerfire calibers, yet there are good .38spl defensive loadings should you decide to occasionally use this for home or personal defense (trust me, you probably will), there are even better +Ps and then you move into the range of choices in .357mag (110gr personal defense ammo, 125gr ammo that is among the best defensive ammo made, 158gr ammo which is the original and the 180gr hunting stuff).

Also, what about Colt's vs S&W?
Click to expand...
Well, I have a Colt Police Positive Special (.38spl) which I love but for a first or only revolver I'd go S&W, Ruger or Taurus. The lockwork on the Colt isn't as strong, the triggers generally aren't as good and are harder to work on, there aren't as many gunsmiths who can/will work on them, etc. Some very nice guns, but I think they are better as second, third, etc guns in one's revolver collection.

Which makes and models? Well any from the big three (S&W, Ruger, and Taurus) in a 3" or 4" medium frame (K or L-frame in S&W sizes, or equivelent) would do nicely. These will handle most any .357mag loading fairly comfortably, they are durable, lighter than the large framed .357s (more comfortable for extended range trips or should you ever decide to carry it, which, if you can, you probably will at least occasionally). The 3" or 4" barrel length gives you a good sight radius yet they are plenty short for concealment.

More specifically I like the S&W 65 (I have a 3" 65LS, the 65 is a K-framed fixed sight revovler), the S&W 66 (same as the 65 but adjustable sights), the S&W 13 (the blued version of the 65, only available used), the S&W 19 (blued 66, used only), the S&W 586 (L-frame which is a bit bigger/more durable than the K-frame, mine is 6"- these have adjustable sights), the S&W 686 (stainless version of the 586), the S&W 681 (used only, fixed sight version of the 686, the 581 which is blued is too rare and usually much more money), the Ruger GP 100 (roughly a L-frame sized gun, available blued or stainless with either fixed or adjustable sights), the Taurus 65 (6 shot, fixed sights, K-frame equivelent, blue or stainless), Taurus 66 (7 shot, adj. sights, K equivelent, blue or stainless), and the Taurus Tracker (L equivelent, I think it is 7 shots, adj sights- stainless or Titanium only). Basically, that is all K-frame and L-framed sized .357mag revolvers from S&W, Ruger and Taurus.
 
Oh! Watch Out!

For those 5" barrel .357's and .44's will make you
fall in love with revolver''s!:D

But, there is nothing wrong with that.:cool: :)

Two likely companions would be a 5" S&W 686-5
in .357 magnum. and a 5" 629-5 "Classic" in .44
magnum.:cool: :D :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Forby,

I was in the same boat as you were, a couple of months ago. Up till then, my collection consisted entirely of semi-auto pistols (mainly CZs). The wheelgun bug bit me when some other range users let me shoot their 357Mag. and 22LR revolvers.

To make a long story short, I decided to add variety to my pistol collection, and eventually purchased my first revolver, a 44Mag. Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10.5" barrel, off of GunBroker.com. I was initially concerned about whether I would be able to handle the recoil of a 44Mag. round, but since I handload, I was able to find a 44Mag. recipe that was easy on the hand and ears. (I've stood next to range users firing full-power 44Mag. loads, and they can be uncomfortably loud.)

As the old saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life." Adding a wheelgun to one's all-semi-auto collection will certainly make the mix more interesting. Go for it!

KL
 
Hmm, since it is much earlier than my last post and I'm not so tired I'll try to make the last paragraph more understandable.

So long as you are looking at the big three (Taurus, Ruger and S&W) you are unlikely to go wrong. Which specific brand depends upon your preferences and budget. S&W is the standard by which all others are judged but for a revolver they can be pricey. The Rugers are usually a bit stronger but they aren't as sophisticated, the action and trigger aren't as smooth, etc. They are usually a little less money than Smith. The Taurus revolvers have the strength of a S&W (which isn't bad BTW) and the sophistication of a Ruger (also, not bad) but they have more innovative models and they cost quite a bit less than S&W and somewhat less than Ruger.

Which specific model you choose may depend on the features you want (all examples are .357mag). L-frame Smith: fix sights and blue is the discontinued 581, adj sights and blue is the discont. 586, fixed and stainless disc. 681, adj and stainless 686. K-frame Smith: fix and stainless the 65, fix blued disc. 13, adj and stainless 66, etc. For Ruger the GP 100 is available blue or stainless with fixed or adj. sights. Taurus: 65 is fixed sights 6 shots, 66 adj sights 7 shots, Tracker stainless only adj sights 7 shots. We can't tell you which features or finish you should want so it is hard to make suggestions.
 
m-28 (hint..hint) :D

200211124563815034306177.jpg
 
Forby, Guy said it before I could - if you are shooting .45, the S&W Model 625 would allow you to shoot a revolver without having to buy/load another caliber.

However, if adding a caliber isn't an issue I would opt for a .357Mag, either an older S&W (with the firing pin on the hammer), a Ruger (new or used) or a new Taurus. A 4" to 5" barrel is the most versatile.

The .44Mag is also fun, but for all around plinking I think you'll get more use from a .357 Mag.
 
Get yourself a used S&W older .357 revolver like a 586 or 686 with the firing pin on the hammer.
If you like rugers, a brand new GP-100 runs less than $400.
A bisley-vaquero is the best SA in .44 mag that you will find anywhere.
I shot my buddy's anaconda, and my hand would have rubber from the grip forced under my skin in 24 shots.
I avoided .44 for years because of that.
I bit the bullet (So to speak...) and did some research and got a bisley-vaquero 5.5" with feau-ivory grips.
The first time I shot it, I was amazed with how little recoil there was, and how easy it was to shoot.
I had to send it out to have the sights adjusted, and if you don't reload, the ammo is quite expensive, but man is it fun to shoot!
 
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