First Revolver?
- Thread starter LSglock89
- Start date
$500 to $800 is plenty for a fine revolver.
I guess it all depends on how you plan to use it. Cocealed carry, trail/backpack gun, home defense, etc? You can't go wrong with a 357. Its a good caliber thats capable of penetrating anything from tin cans to cardoors!! Plus, you can tone it down and shoot 38s.
S&Ws are cadillacs . . . rugers are built like tanks. Both are equally good, but each have a different "feel".
Personally, I would search the pawn shops for a nice used S&W. First, read the sticky at the top of the revolver forum on how to check out a used revolver.
I guess it all depends on how you plan to use it. Cocealed carry, trail/backpack gun, home defense, etc? You can't go wrong with a 357. Its a good caliber thats capable of penetrating anything from tin cans to cardoors!! Plus, you can tone it down and shoot 38s.
S&Ws are cadillacs . . . rugers are built like tanks. Both are equally good, but each have a different "feel".
Personally, I would search the pawn shops for a nice used S&W. First, read the sticky at the top of the revolver forum on how to check out a used revolver.
Shadi Khalil
New member
Your budget gives you a wide range of choices. I would look at a S&W or Ruger in .357 with a 3 to 5 inch barrel. If you can, rent or try out as many as you can get your hands on. And don't be afraid of the used cases at your LGS, the older S&W are real gems and with some searching you can find some great deals. When shopping used, make sure to use the Jim March used revolver sticky at the top of this page.
Good luck and make sure to let us know what direction you decide to go in.
Edit.. I pretty much repeated some of the advice .40 cal gave. It's good advise and worth saying twice.
Good luck and make sure to let us know what direction you decide to go in.
Edit.. I pretty much repeated some of the advice .40 cal gave. It's good advise and worth saying twice.
Charlie Fox
New member
A used S&W K frame in either .38 or .357 is never a bad choice, heck, you could pick up several for $800 with a LOT of life left in them. For a new revolver I'd pick the GP100; built like a TANK and, with a 3" barrel fairly easy to carry and hide.
dnsharpshooter
New member
my first revolver was a smith and wesson model 10 .38 special police trade in from buds, i absolutely love it. theyre $269 right now, so with your budget you would have alot left over for accessories (holster etc) and ammo
tubeshooter
New member
Anything of reputable make in good condition should do you well. A lot depends on whether or not it is for CC.
I personally would recommend a Ruger SP-101, 3" version. Good all-around gun that can serve in a number of roles. Especially important if you don't plan on getting anything else anytime soon (or ever).
I personally would recommend a Ruger SP-101, 3" version. Good all-around gun that can serve in a number of roles. Especially important if you don't plan on getting anything else anytime soon (or ever).
S&W K frame ...in .357 mag is my recommendation .../ model 19 or 66. Model 19's are either blued or Nickel. Model 66 is stainless.
If you want to go a little bigger ( L frame ) model 686 is a good gun as well. The 686's are all stainless.
For a first gun / that you'll have a long time ...probably in a 4" barrel../ and if you choose to learn to draw it from a holster, a 4" is almost perfect / where a 6" gets a little long ( you have to really pick the elbow up - as you draw it from a belt holster ). .357 mag is more versatile than a .38 spl ...but you can shoot .38spl in a .357 mag.
At the high end of your budget...is the N frame S&W ( model 27's or 28's in .357 mag ) and if you happen to find one, give it some serious consideration as well ...especially in a 4". But it depends on what fits your hands the best / not mine ...but the model 27 is my all time favorite revolver (available in a Bright Blue or Nickel ) and the model 28's were a satin blued.
If you want to go a little bigger ( L frame ) model 686 is a good gun as well. The 686's are all stainless.
For a first gun / that you'll have a long time ...probably in a 4" barrel../ and if you choose to learn to draw it from a holster, a 4" is almost perfect / where a 6" gets a little long ( you have to really pick the elbow up - as you draw it from a belt holster ). .357 mag is more versatile than a .38 spl ...but you can shoot .38spl in a .357 mag.
At the high end of your budget...is the N frame S&W ( model 27's or 28's in .357 mag ) and if you happen to find one, give it some serious consideration as well ...especially in a 4". But it depends on what fits your hands the best / not mine ...but the model 27 is my all time favorite revolver (available in a Bright Blue or Nickel ) and the model 28's were a satin blued.
My first revolver was a replica bp Remington. My second was an 357 mag Astra Garcia. It was an excellent revolver.
If I were in your shoes I would determine what I intended to use it for. Then I would look at/ shoot every wheel gun i could lay my hands on. I would then purchase the pistol which feels and shoots the best for me.
A good quality 357 mag in 4" barrel seems to be the best all round revolver available.
My personal favorite is a Dan Wesson M-15 with a vent rib heavy barrel. I have been carrying mine since 1977. My second choice is a S&W in 45 acp. I use it to dispose of my reloads which fail to feed in my 1911. Having not fully mastered reloading the 45 ACP I get a lot of those.
If I were in your shoes I would determine what I intended to use it for. Then I would look at/ shoot every wheel gun i could lay my hands on. I would then purchase the pistol which feels and shoots the best for me.
A good quality 357 mag in 4" barrel seems to be the best all round revolver available.
My personal favorite is a Dan Wesson M-15 with a vent rib heavy barrel. I have been carrying mine since 1977. My second choice is a S&W in 45 acp. I use it to dispose of my reloads which fail to feed in my 1911. Having not fully mastered reloading the 45 ACP I get a lot of those.
Don't know what you already have, but $800 puts you in really good territory. You can pretty much choose what you want without considering price. E.g., choose your caliber, barrel length, capacity, action, and you'll have plenty within budget.
I started with 357 mags, which I felt was a great way to start -- large range of recoil, price, utility, etc. Don't miss some of the more interesting corners of the revolver world, though. I love my Smith 625 in 45ACP with moon clips...
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
I started with 357 mags, which I felt was a great way to start -- large range of recoil, price, utility, etc. Don't miss some of the more interesting corners of the revolver world, though. I love my Smith 625 in 45ACP with moon clips...
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
As has been mentioned already the S&W k-frame (Models 10, 13, 64, 65) in 38spl or 357mag are widely available at decent prices. And they're excellent shooters; accurate and easy handling. Those are good reasons why they were the issued sidearms for virtually all LE agencies in America for half a century.
For $800 I would try to cover two bases. Look for a 6" for hunting/target and a 4" to 2" for general purpose/SD.
I purchased a 6" Security Six and 4" for $650. They are no longer in production but readily available on the used market. I would also agree on the used k-frame models, they are fine weapons.
If nothing shows up used....the GP100 is a solid choice.
I purchased a 6" Security Six and 4" for $650. They are no longer in production but readily available on the used market. I would also agree on the used k-frame models, they are fine weapons.
If nothing shows up used....the GP100 is a solid choice.
I'd go with a .357 revolver. You can use .38 specials for target practice since this is the cheaper ammo or mix and match .357 and .38's to your choosing. My first revolver was a .357 S&W 686 4" that I picked up 2 weeks ago, it's a fantastic weapon. If your looking for an all around gun for target practice/home defence go with a 3-5", for hunting go with a 6" and up. The S&W 686, ruger gp100 and sp101, are all fine guns in their own way just pick up what you fancy the most.
I cannot help but recommend the Ruger LCR .357 mag OR .38 +P. It is light weight and the trigger press is very smooth. I believe this would be a very good first revolver. If you practice and learn to shoot a snub nose well, then you will have no trouble with a 3 or 4 inch revolver. 
3 or 4 inch Ruger GP100
-Most advanced lockup
-Strong like bull
-Reasonably priced new. Great deals used
-Lots of grip options
-Easily eats anything from mild to you must be joking rounds
-Easiest to take apart if necessary
-Good company
-No friggin hole in the side (Sorry I hate that hole not so much for perceived failure point but aesthetics)
-Good medium size
-Most advanced lockup
-Strong like bull
-Reasonably priced new. Great deals used
-Lots of grip options
-Easily eats anything from mild to you must be joking rounds
-Easiest to take apart if necessary
-Good company
-No friggin hole in the side (Sorry I hate that hole not so much for perceived failure point but aesthetics)
-Good medium size