First revolver help

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dnsharpshooter

New member
Looking into buying my first revolver. I'd like to go with either a .357 or a .38.
I'm not sure what brands I should be looking at. I have a budget of around $500. I've looked at Taurus, Rossi, and Charter Arms so far. What other brands that fit my price range would be good? Or is there any I should stay away from?
 
What are you buying the revolver for? Target practice? Concealed carry? I use a Smith 642 sometimes for concealed carry and it's loads of fun to shoot a 4" K frame at the range.

A friend of mine likes his Ruger GP100.
 
S&W and Ruger are the only revolvers that i buy that end up keeping... I would also reccomend a .357 over the .38 as the 357 will also shoot the 38...my first was a S&W 66-2 K frame .357 that i found for 400 used in great condition, still have it and still love it...another to look at IMO is the S&W 686 or the GP100, both can be found used in great condition for under 500...
 
S&W and Ruger are your best buys in revolvers....good long term guns.

You need to handle and test fire / dry fire if you can't fire them on a range ...and see what fits your hands the best / which trigger you like the best...there is a difference in the S&W and Ruger triggers in terms of how they break and reset in double action ....and how they break in single action.

S&W is the gun I would choose ..all things being equal ....and in their K frame ( or medium sized frame ) ... model 19's ( available in blued or nickel finish ) and model 66's available only in stainless are both good choices.

In terms of barrel length ...I like a 4" a lot ....especially in and out of a holster ...a 6" barrel is not bad either but to me, its more of a target gun.

I should not have excluded the L frame from my list probably ...the 686 model is an L frame ( so just a hair bigger than the K frame ) but still a gun that is easily carrier - at least in a 4" if you want to. All the 686's are stainless...and they have a full length lug under the barrel ...so they're a little heavier than the model 66's in the same barrel lengths.
 
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i would say look for a smith&wesson 686 or a ruger gp100... deffently get .357. it allows you to use .38sp as welll.... good luck in ur quest!!!!!!!!!! but be aware once you buy one you will want to buy more!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT LEAST I DID! and still do!
 
Ruger or Smith, and your wildest dreams will come true.:D

Beware....these dreams will fade till you recharge them with another revolver.
 
All the suggestions so far are good. I'll throw in a Ruger SP101 3". Mine has become my favorite handgun.
 
I almost always buy used.
I would buy a used Smith, Ruger or Colt over any new other gun!
WEll, DA I mean. There are lots of other brand SA's I would buy as well.
 
A good used S&W model 10 or maybe a 64 if you want stainless both well in your price range and excellent for a 1st. revolver.
 
A good used S&W model 10 or maybe a 64 if you want stainless both well in your price range and excellent for a 1st. revolver.
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Yep.

definately more in my price range than a smith or a ruger.
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Consider, a Ruger or a "Smith" as a long term invistment, and a savings in the future, you will want to throw that cheap piece of crap away, and you have to start over again.

Check out some pawn shops. Make a day of it, and take note's.
 
Bought my first revolver back in June, a 6" stainless steel GP100 in excellent condition for $425. I love it! Pay the extra $100 compared to a Rossi or Taurus because in the long run the cost of ammo and accessories will far outweigh your initial investment and you will be much happier with a Ruger or S&W.
 
I've heard alot of hate towards Taurus on these forums, and I want to ask why? What exactly is bad about them? My grandfather owns 4 taurus' and hasnt had any problems with any of them...
 
Even if you get a Taurus that doesn't have any issues it still won't hold its value like a Ruger or S&W if you ever want or need to sell it.
 
I would vote for a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel and fixed sights in .357 for the following reasons;

- The Ruger is built like a tank; you can't kill it.
- The .357 allows you to step down to .38.
- A 3" barrel is a good compromise between accuracy and concealability.
- There are many holsters and speed loaders available for it, as well as grips.

It's a bit heavy, but that will soak up recoil with whatever rounds you choose. Don't think that because you have a .357 Magnum that's what you have to carry in it. Find a good, effective round you can shoot straight, fast and effectively and have fun!
 
Bought my first revolver back in June, a 6" stainless steel GP100 in excellent condition for $425. I love it! Pay the extra $100 compared to a Rossi or Taurus because in the long run the cost of ammo and accessories will far outweigh your initial investment and you will be much happier with a Ruger or S&W.
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So Young and so Wise, Grasshoppah.......

I've heard alot of hate towards Taurus on these forums, and I want to ask why? What exactly is bad about them? My grandfather owns 4 taurus' and hasnt had any problems with any of them...
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How much does your G'Pa actually shoot them?

Unless there are tens of thousands of Interwebz Kommandoes out there giving false reviews of Taurus products ....... it's either that, or S&W/Ruger takes better care of their customers.... they are not as good.

I don't know of anyone I shoot with that shoots a Taurus. Folks I have seen that have them are generally young, and have not shot them much yet, or older, and don't shoot them much anyhow.

I have never owned a Taurus product ......and never will after seeing their Judge marketing videos, suggesting that the Judge is just the Bee's Knees for personal defense- dishonest, IMO...... though if you are ever attacked by a bunch of watermelons on sticks, hey, it might be just what Gallagher ordered!

I have yet to see any "well worn" Taurus wheel guns in any of the funstores around here...... why is that? I doubt that it's because the owners love shooting them so much that they keep them forever......

because in the long run the cost of ammo and accessories will far outweigh your initial investment
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Now, if you are on a budget, and you would like to shoot more (mind you, you won't save any money, because you will just turn around and buy more components ....yeah, it's like that.....), invest the cost of two or three boxes of .357 magnum and buy this and a set of Carbide dies:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/65...Reloading+Presses-_-PriceCompListing-_-650614

A youtube review (not by me) .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6IoNCtFHwU
 
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