I have a Taurus model 605 ( 2inches , 5 rounds , .357 ) that I carried daily for 6 years . I also put more than 2,000 rounds through it ( and I still have it ) . I'm a large handed guy myself , and for this gun , I put Hogue grips on it . It has never failed to go bang and the only reason I don't still carry it is because I finally had the cash for a 1911 . My impression is that if you had the jack , you would go with a more " well known " brand that would hold it's value longer , but that at this time , it isn't practical for you . The Taurus has served me well , and at the distances a snubbie is used for , it does fine . The reply about the Charter Arms is also a good suggestion as well .
First wheel gun! .357 What to buy?
- Thread starter EFDE1983
- Start date
Mannlicher
New member
just my humble opinion, but I would be looking at pawn shops, and gun stores, for used Smith&Wesson, Colt and Ruger revolvers.
There are some very good bargains in those places, on excellent, older revolvers. I picked this old heavy barrel Model 10 up for a song.
There are some very good bargains in those places, on excellent, older revolvers. I picked this old heavy barrel Model 10 up for a song.
We have a HUGE local gun store here in the town I live in.
(yes, not everyone has that, I know)
They bid on large government contracts for LE turn-in guns, including police departments at all levels, dept of corrections, etc etc.
(yes, not every big or small store near you has that, I know)
They get large loads of terrific former issued and duty/service firearms, including handguns, and most often, it's K-frame Smith & Wesson revolvers.
A recent large load came from the DOC and they were heavy barreled, four-inch Model 10-10's. Early to mid 1990's production. Most wearing Uncle Mikes rubber grips over a round butt frame. Most have some solid finish wear including extra stampings (in some cases...CARVINGS, poorly done) of departmental or armory numbers, excess filth, very minor surface issues and basically, just what you'd expect from revolvers that were issued, carried daily, banged in to door frames and filing cabinets, often tossed in to gun lockers, and rarely cleaned and likely, even less rarely fired or used.
When they arrive, they get advertised and the store (actually, two stores -- one in town, one just east of town) put maybe 10 or 15 of them in a glass display case, but there are literally dozens more in a crate in the back that replenish the ones in the case. Depending on how much time you have and how busy the store is, you can fish out one after another and "interview" each one to decide on the one or two you wish to buy.
Mine was $250 plus tax & 4473. After they had them for 2-3 months and still had a few left to sell, they dropped the price to $229 (IIRC).
Later, they offered some Model 64's (similar to Model 10, but stainless) and then had some Model 65's. (similar to Model 19/66, but stainless with fixed sights) IIRC, the 65's were priced at $400 and the 64's were $279.
These guns are out there and they have also affected the used market. A guy with a very nice, very clean commercial Model 10, 64 or 65 finds himself with very little interest when selling at the "proper" (former!) market price for a clean K-frame in this area, because so many former issued duty/service revolvers have hit this market.
(yes, not everyone has that, I know)
They bid on large government contracts for LE turn-in guns, including police departments at all levels, dept of corrections, etc etc.
(yes, not every big or small store near you has that, I know)
They get large loads of terrific former issued and duty/service firearms, including handguns, and most often, it's K-frame Smith & Wesson revolvers.
A recent large load came from the DOC and they were heavy barreled, four-inch Model 10-10's. Early to mid 1990's production. Most wearing Uncle Mikes rubber grips over a round butt frame. Most have some solid finish wear including extra stampings (in some cases...CARVINGS, poorly done) of departmental or armory numbers, excess filth, very minor surface issues and basically, just what you'd expect from revolvers that were issued, carried daily, banged in to door frames and filing cabinets, often tossed in to gun lockers, and rarely cleaned and likely, even less rarely fired or used.
When they arrive, they get advertised and the store (actually, two stores -- one in town, one just east of town) put maybe 10 or 15 of them in a glass display case, but there are literally dozens more in a crate in the back that replenish the ones in the case. Depending on how much time you have and how busy the store is, you can fish out one after another and "interview" each one to decide on the one or two you wish to buy.
Mine was $250 plus tax & 4473. After they had them for 2-3 months and still had a few left to sell, they dropped the price to $229 (IIRC).
Later, they offered some Model 64's (similar to Model 10, but stainless) and then had some Model 65's. (similar to Model 19/66, but stainless with fixed sights) IIRC, the 65's were priced at $400 and the 64's were $279.
These guns are out there and they have also affected the used market. A guy with a very nice, very clean commercial Model 10, 64 or 65 finds himself with very little interest when selling at the "proper" (former!) market price for a clean K-frame in this area, because so many former issued duty/service revolvers have hit this market.
Hammerhead
New member
As soon as you buy a cheap gun for $400, then you own a cheap, used gun.
If you buy a used Ruger or S&W for the same price, then you own a quality used gun.
If you buy a used Ruger or S&W for the same price, then you own a quality used gun.
Waspinator
New member
If you want to look used, but don't want to buy online, I just remembered....
Sometimes you can find sime good deals by going to Guns America site and searching the "Guns Near Me" section. Type your zip code and how far out you're willing to travel. Once the results come up, you can narrow the search to .357 magnums via the tool bar on the left side of the screen.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/GoLocal.htm
I have found some good deals that way (window shopping only, lol). There was a GP100 once in my area that was real nice for cheap, I called on it and it sold 30 minutes before and they were just updating the site
Sometimes you can find sime good deals by going to Guns America site and searching the "Guns Near Me" section. Type your zip code and how far out you're willing to travel. Once the results come up, you can narrow the search to .357 magnums via the tool bar on the left side of the screen.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/GoLocal.htm
I have found some good deals that way (window shopping only, lol). There was a GP100 once in my area that was real nice for cheap, I called on it and it sold 30 minutes before and they were just updating the site
the site itself is ok, but the thing is.....
why do so many ads use the same photo for DIFFERENT long guns being sold?
But on the police trade in... i have seen a decent number of reviews on budsguns and otherplaces where the buyer was expecting a used and beat up gun, but got something with a cracked frame that even the maker cant fix.
Kind of better to get a factory new taurus from the getgo ifyou dont have access to someone who KNOWS revolvers.
why do so many ads use the same photo for DIFFERENT long guns being sold?
But on the police trade in... i have seen a decent number of reviews on budsguns and otherplaces where the buyer was expecting a used and beat up gun, but got something with a cracked frame that even the maker cant fix.
Kind of better to get a factory new taurus from the getgo ifyou dont have access to someone who KNOWS revolvers.
I have eleven Taurus® revolvers.EFDE1983 said:
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010
• Mdl 425SS4 41 Magnum - 2012
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2012
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2012
• Mdl 992B4 22LR/22MAG - 2013
All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.
I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.
I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The times I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• March 2009: Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# 8) and adjusted the yoke (part# 9) I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.
• August 2012 Mdl 605 had cylinder (failure to advance) problem. Taurus® deemed the gun to be unrepairable and via FedEx® sent me a brand new gun.
• August 2012 Mdl 85SS2UL had cylinder (failure to advance) problem. Taurus® sent prepaid shipping label and gun was repaired & returned in 1 week.
I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.
Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........
• Taurus Firearms Forum - TaurusArmed.net
Chrisbradley2001
Inactive
Got this gp100 this week for a bit over 300. Still in your budget and a virtually unbreakable gun
kilimanjaro
New member
For your first gun, get a good quality US-made piece, like a used S&W or Ruger DA. You will not regret doing it, ever, no matter how many guns you end up owning or how long you own it.
Just add another 100 or 200 to your budget, it's coming Christmas, and the pawn shops are going to be filling up.
Just add another 100 or 200 to your budget, it's coming Christmas, and the pawn shops are going to be filling up.
What store (or even town) is this, Sevens? I live in northeastern/central Ohio and have the Fin-Feather-Fur and the Sportsmen's Den stores close by (both very nice places to shop). Are you referencing Vance's Shooting Supplies in Columbus (I ask this because you live in "central Ohio")? If so, I didn't know that they now have a second store.
EFDE1983,
As though you haven't been confused enough already, I can tell you what I know. The first handgun I ever shot was a Model 66. My buddy took me to the range and let me shoot it. He had owned it for years with no problems. Another guy I've known for years has only owned one .357 for about 30 years, I think...Model 66. All his other handguns are autos but he plans to keep the Taurus until he dies. I owned a 66 for a while. The ejector rod liked to back out a bit after several hot 357 loads, but that was an easy loc-tite fix. Worked fine otherwise.
My wife's gun is a Rossi 851. I don't personally like the way it shoots, but it's not my gun. She will never part with it. She says it's her lucky gun. It's not slick but it's tough. One day at the range, she and my son were shooting it and ran into a squib without noticing it and followed up that stuck bullet with 5 Golden Saber 38 +P rounds. She couldn't open the cylinder, of course. Nobody could believe the gun didn't fly apart. A gunsmith removed the bullets and the gun was inspected by the smith and then by the factory gunsmith. The gun was undamaged.
I owned a GP 100 for several years. It was laser beam accurate and built like a tank. If you end up with one of those, you'll be more than happy. That thing would shoot the hottest .357 loads known to man and beg for more with less recoil than the 66s loaded with .38+Ps. Why don't I still own it? I saw something shiny and had to have it so I traded the GP. Unwise decision.
My only advice: handle the guns you want to consider and use the revolver checkout procedure on this site. Guns are like women; only you will know what feels right.
As though you haven't been confused enough already, I can tell you what I know. The first handgun I ever shot was a Model 66. My buddy took me to the range and let me shoot it. He had owned it for years with no problems. Another guy I've known for years has only owned one .357 for about 30 years, I think...Model 66. All his other handguns are autos but he plans to keep the Taurus until he dies. I owned a 66 for a while. The ejector rod liked to back out a bit after several hot 357 loads, but that was an easy loc-tite fix. Worked fine otherwise.
My wife's gun is a Rossi 851. I don't personally like the way it shoots, but it's not my gun. She will never part with it. She says it's her lucky gun. It's not slick but it's tough. One day at the range, she and my son were shooting it and ran into a squib without noticing it and followed up that stuck bullet with 5 Golden Saber 38 +P rounds. She couldn't open the cylinder, of course. Nobody could believe the gun didn't fly apart. A gunsmith removed the bullets and the gun was inspected by the smith and then by the factory gunsmith. The gun was undamaged.
I owned a GP 100 for several years. It was laser beam accurate and built like a tank. If you end up with one of those, you'll be more than happy. That thing would shoot the hottest .357 loads known to man and beg for more with less recoil than the 66s loaded with .38+Ps. Why don't I still own it? I saw something shiny and had to have it so I traded the GP. Unwise decision.
My only advice: handle the guns you want to consider and use the revolver checkout procedure on this site. Guns are like women; only you will know what feels right.
Yep, Vance's. (sure, Vance's isn't physically huge, but the volume of sales and the foot traffic in that store qualify for the term) and Vance's cuts the deals to get the large shipments of former issue/duty guns.
The "other" store that is also Vance's is Buckeye Outdoors in Hebron, a store of which I am certain you are familiar. It actually -is- physically large, on the scale of FFF, and although I'm not 100% certain that it began life as Vance's "out of the city & large footprint sister store", it certainly has been exactly that for quite a number of years now.
When Vance's got that big load of heavy barrel Model 10-10's, both stores had -piles- of them. The one I ended up with was one of, IIRC, seven revolvers I 'interviewed' on that day.
It's a fantastic revolver that hasn't gotten any REAL love until it became mine. What a terrific shooter, and it's out for exercise tomorrow! 
It came from the Buckeye Outdoors store in Hebron.If that's the plan, why cheap out? At 1,000 rounds a year, or less, any quality revolver, no matter who's make it is should last you the rest of your shooting life.
Things do get worn, and parts do sometimes break, no matter who's name is on the gun. And even the best companies do have the occasional lemon that gets out the door.
If one of those things happens to me, I prefer to deal with an American company.
Since you don't sound in desperate need of a defensive handgun, have you considered something other then a budget DA .357?
Ruger makes some very nice .357 single actions, and even at full MSRP they are a good value for what you get.
I agree with a lot of the previous comments.
Save a few extra bucks and grab a used GP100. This gun will literally last for generations. It's incredibly well made and if you change out a few springs and add a few shims it will be your absolute favorite revolver....all of this you can do yourself.
Load it with 38 special and shoot 357 mag on special occasions and you'll have a lot of fun at the range with that gun.
Save a few extra bucks and grab a used GP100. This gun will literally last for generations. It's incredibly well made and if you change out a few springs and add a few shims it will be your absolute favorite revolver....all of this you can do yourself.
Load it with 38 special and shoot 357 mag on special occasions and you'll have a lot of fun at the range with that gun.