Help me choose.

G

guitar7272

Inactive
Hey guys,

My dad and I are trying to decide on our first revolver, so not being an expert on the field, I decided to throw it up to those of you here who are.

Heres what we want in the revolver:
.357 magnum
6/7/or 8 shots
nothing above a 6" barrel

And we would like it for:
Home defense
Target practice
just good old fun

Our choices this far are as follows:
Colt Python
Taurus 608SS
Smith and Wesson model 65

So what would you guys recommend. Thanks in advance.

-Scott
 
I think you should consider the Ruger GP 100. Its about the softest recoiling .357 on the market, and is very accurate. I think its got the best factory grips out-of-the-box (IMO). At least for me, the rubber and shape of the GP grips completely deadens even the stoutest .357 magnum recoil. In contrast, I've never liked the factory grips on most S&W revolvers.

You also should consider the S&W 686 Plus (7-shot), or the standard 686 (6 shot). S&W makes very good revolvers.



The Colt Python is the Mercedes-Benz of revolvers. Its expensive, and has great performance (trigger/action/accuracy). They are the best out-of-box revolvers I've tried. I still think they are overpriced though. You're paying for the name, as well as the great performance.

I'm still not impressed with Taurus products. But, if thats what you like then try them all out and choose which you prefer.

Whatever you do, get a full sized medium frame revolver. For target work, you'll want the extra weight and controllability of a full sized revolver. Preferably, an L-frame S&W, Ruger GP 100, Blackhawk, or Colt Python.
 
Find a range where you can rent a few revolvers and shoot. The one that groups the best is a likely candidate. S & W, Colt, and Rugar are good choices. It's what fits you best.

4570Rick
 
I am not an expert, but I have shot multiple thousands of rounds through my GP-100. Accurate, low recoil, low cost.
 
If there is any possible way, get a S&W M-19 with the 4" barrel. It may well be the best 357mag ever made.

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I would like to go to a range to rent some revolvers to try them... but NJ is horrible. I swear they have some of the most oppressive gun laws in the country. There are little to none that I know of in this area except:
Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol - VERY VERY VERY expensive
Monmouth County Rifle and Pistol
Fort Dix gun and rod club
Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol

Plus all of them require membership to use their facilities.

Anyone know of any others that I could go to and rent from that wont cost me more than the gun itself (central jersey is about $400 for initiation and than an additional $150 yearly)?

-Scott
 
guitar7272,

Those prices are outrageous.

Even over here in Feinstein country we have United Sportsmen, Inc. in Concord where $25 buys a years membership with $5 discount for NRA members, $5 target range fee and powder/primers at 6% over cost. Joining up with the Diablo Action Pistol group there (can't remember if there is even a fee) gets $5 action range practice on Thursday nights and Saturdays and $10 match fee. Best prices around.

Richmond is free membership, but must be nominated and pass interview. Action pistol range is $4 for members, but matches are a bit expensive at $20.

Chabot is $100 to join up in Jan, prorated through year. $50 per year after that. Six dollar target range fee, $5 for other events.


jar,

What holster is that?
 
Well, The other ranges are a bit more down to earth... if you can call around $200 down to earth.

However, Central Jersey is definitly a nice range... they have something like 5 trap and skeet ranges, 5 general purpose 100 yard ranges, 1 covered big bore rifle 300 yard, 1 covered general purpose 100 yard, 1 outdoor pistol 50 yard, archery range, and of course 24 hr/day keycard access indoor pistol range.

I guess you get what you pay for....... Oh and that Feinstein is a real piece of work :barf:.

-Scott
 
Save money,

and get a pre-owned, LNIB Smith & Wesson model 19 with
either a 4" or 6" barrel. While chambered for the more
powerful .357 magnum, its a joy to shoot when loaded
with .38 special target loads. If you desire a stainless
steel version, then take a look at its cousin the model
66.

If weight is not an issue, then the L-frame S&W
model 586/686 could also prove to be a good buy.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
To answer your original question, when I got my first handgun I thought it would be my last (silly me). For this reason I went after a versitile caliber (.38/.357), 6" sight radius good for target and maybe hunting some day and feel and it had to have adjustable sights.

The final choice was between the Taurus 608 and the Smith and Wesson 686+. The deciding factor was that I wanted my wife to be able to use the only gun in the house and she preferred the 686+ for size, feel and aim. As a newbie I was also hesitant about what I perceived as overly flashy ports and rib on the 608.

Now I would probably go for a 686+ in 4" or 6" for general purpose. The only difference is that the 4" is tuckable for CCW. The 686+ has the same grip as the 65 but is beefier up top.

I have an M66 4" which is similar to the 65 with the addition of adjustable sights. It is more manuverable for quick action but more difficult for marksmanship due to the light weight compared to the 686+. Somehow it is just one very friendly revolver, though, and keeps me excited.

Regarding ranges, Chabot and USI are the bigger ranges here. It is really interesting/puzzling to see nice ranges in Feinstein/Perata territory while the CCW friendly Orange County has withered from boasting several nice ranges down to one semi-outdoor range at the Sheriff's facility and some indoor ranges.

Chabot has a separate 200 yd facility, 90 lanes on the public range offering 100 yds down to 7, three 50 ranges with perhaps 35 lanes each rented by LEO, action pistol, cowboy and other groups. They have three or four shotgun ranges, but are not heavily used at this time due to issues with funding (shotgunners had been using income from other shooters to fund their activity).

USI has 5 or 6 shotgun ranges, a 200 yd multipurpose for members only, around 80 public handgun/rifle lanes up to 100 yds and IPSC bays for members only.

I have not even seen the Richmond shotgun ranges as I spend almost all my time on the IPSC bays. They have a more modest public range up to 200 yds.

All in all, with the clubhouse reloading discounts, at $25 ($20 for NRA members) USI is the best deal for the money. Chabot is set in eucalyptus forest above Oakland and by far the most beautiful in the area.

The rental ranges are all indoors and probalby cost $30 to $50 for a days shooting with one rental gun--same as I've encountered in Texas.
 
Go with a Smith&Wesson. DO NOT get a Colt Python. They may develop problems is shot steadily with .357 Magnum ammunition. :cool:
 
I like the S/W's better than Rugers just because of looks, genreally better triggers and more grip options. I'd pick a 19 or it's stainless counterpart the 66 over the 65 as it sounds like this piece will mainly be used for target practice and not carry. I'll bet you find thier adjustable sights better for that use.

586 and it's stainless twin the 686 are just as good and maybe better for your needs. Since concealed carry was not mentioned thier extra weight will be of no concequence other than reducing recoil and maybe allowing you to hold a bit steadier.

The mentioned Colt Python has it's fans, is a GREAT looking gun but then again many consider it's lockwork delicate and you can get any two of the above mentioned guns for the same price as one Python :eek:

Personallly I'd rather have a used S/W than any new Taurus. Not bad guns from what I've seen, just not as good nor hold thier value as well as S/W or Ruger.
 
Concealed carry... I wish..... NJ is one of those states that only approve RTC for law enforcement or job related purposes. According to the law, anyone with a clean background check should be able to get them once approved by your police cheif and than the state supreme court (!!!). But for all intensive purposes, the courts will not grant a non-LEO a RTC.

Good old garden state for ya.

-Scott
 
Sorry guitar, yet still better than my own state of Missouri :(

I can carry just because of my job, if I ever switch lines of work I'll likely switch states as well. Made way to many thugs mad at me to play that nonsense.
 
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