I am interested in buying my first revolver

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s1mp13m4n

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Hello everyone. I would like information and help with picking my first revolver. The purpose of the revolver would be for concealed everyday carry. My budget is up to $450 max including tax. The brand does not matter. I am more interested in value for the money. I am interested in a 38 or a 38/357.
I realize s&w is the go to brand, however a 357 s&w is expensive. Do Charter Arms or Taurus make a quality revolver on a budget? I would prefer a slightly heavier stainless steel model compared to an ultralight plastic revolver. I like the look of brushed stainless plus the gun might have less recoil. I only own one other gun. It is a Ruger SR9c, and I am very happy with it. This time I want a more traditional, time tested, and proven revolver. I am looking for a revolver that will last and hold up over time. I am likely to buy the revolver and keep it for decades. I am not one to buy something and sell it when a new model comes out. My wife and I kept our last car for 18 years until it died. Feel free to ask questions.
 
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Ruger LCR or Smith and Wesson J-frame

If you catch it right, you can possibly get either a Smith Ruger LCR in your price range. I picked up my 38spl Ruger LCR $410 a few years ago at Cabela's when they offered the employee discount to all Card holders, a stainless Smith J-frame was in the cabinet for just a few dollars more. You can't go wrong with either one.
 
I love me some Taurus, a lot of people will bash them, but I haven't had a bad one, neither have my family members.i have 3 that have thousands through them, my father-in-law has two that are 100% and my brother has 1. my partner at work also carries one. so all my experience around them have been positive and you cannot beat the value. definitely not as tight or refined as a smith, but just depends what you wanna spend. grab an old school .38 Taurus 85 and your good to go. I also like my Taurus poly protector in 357, but it's plastic bodied, and some may not like that, but they are also about 300$ brand spanking new. they are still metal framed, just have plastic around the metal frame to lighten it up for carry, it's very accurate. I don't own any other brand of revolver, so I cannot recommend anything else. but I know to sty away from the EAA windicator, despite its tempting price
 
Do Charter Arms or Taurus make a quality revolver on a budget?
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My year and a half old Charter is currently making its way back from its third trip into the factory. Second broken transfer bar. (The first time was a light strike problem, due to really excessive endshake.) I suspect they're replacing it, as it's now a full week earlier than the two weeks it normally has taken them to deal with a repair. ---edit to add--- Service ticket said "third time in, replace", and they did.

Read over Jim March's revolver checkover document. He goes over what you should look at.

You'll want to run low end guns, even new ones, through that procedure before buying.

The purpose of the revolver would be for concealed everyday carry.
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So, you're probably looking at a snubby.

I realize s&w is the go to brand, however a 357 s&w is expensive. Do Charter Arms or Taurus make a quality revolver on a budget? I would prefer a slightly heavier stainless steel model compared to an ultralight plastic revolver.
My budget is up to $450 max including tax. The brand does not matter. I am more interested in value for the money. I am interested in a 38 or a 38/357.
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If you don't like plastic, then you probably won't want to look at Ruger's LCR. Too bad. Hearsay says they're good.

I think some of the S&Ws can be had in that price range.

I do know that the stainless Taurus 605 that I have, now is going for over $400.
 
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You should consider sticking to a small .38 Special +P revolver for conceal carry, they're a lot lighter. Recoil in a small revolver is stout with a .38 and pretty harsh with a .357...a lot more recoil than a fullsize revolver.

Like most, I'll recommend you go to a gun store a check out a Smith and Wesson 642 and a Ruger LCR. My preference is the S&W, but there are plenty of S&W vs. Ruger threads, so no reason to compare them here.

MSRP of the S&W 642 is only $469 and you should be able to purchase it cheaper, since almost no one pays MSRP on a pistol. A new 642 can usually be had for less than $400 online.

MSRP for the Ruger LCR is $529, but, again, no one pays MSRP. Prices should be about $400.
 
Well, my first post here and it's about a wheelgun... Love em! Have several.

I know you said you would prefer stainless, but if you can deal with blued that has a little honest holster wear, you can find good S&W m36's out there in your price range.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=450629664

I have a model 36 myself. Great little carry weapon! I often forget the little guy it is tagging along on my hip in a small belt holster.

Not looking to bash on other brands, but IMHO I would rather pay a few bucks more, or get something that has a little honest wear that is known to be a bit more reliable and of higher quality.
 
Ruger LCR .357 mag w/ buffalo bore 125 grain JHPs.

Devastating stoping power and very light weight/portable for all day 365 carry.
 
First Revolver

I realize that I am not an expert. I can only go by what I own and shoot.
I have a Rossi 357 mag snub and an EEA 4" 357 mag. I have now fired over 1000 rds in each this year and have had zip problems. The EEA is heavier and built like a tank. My Rossi has a laser grip and my far accuracy with the snub is incredible.
My advice though is to go to a decent range and rent 3 or 4 revolvers and at least shoot one box each. Reading about all my choices for a revolver under $350 drove me crazy. I can carry very comfortably a 2" or a 4". The 4 " handles the 357 mag loads much better than the 2". However, there are 2 great 38+P special loads for the 2".
I do have a 4" 357 mag Python but that's not in your price range. Let me add that several of the respondents have given me excellent advice in the past.
I personally do not like used revolvers and I agree never never sell what you have.
 
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I have had two Taurus Model 85 snub 38's. They have both been excellent. I actually prefer the ultralight version. It doesn't feel like it has more recoil than the heavier one. I would prefer the 38 for its smaller size, lighter weight, and easier recoil. I very much prefer my 357's in a medium frame and 4" barrel at least. For daily carry I want a hammerless model so it can't get hung up on anything in an emergency.
 
I am not against the newer plastic revolvers. I am open to the LCR very much. I do like the feel of metal. I remember holding a s&w model 60 and never forgot how smooth the gun was. I have only shot two revolvers in my life. The s&w 642 and Taurus 85. The 642 kicked much harder than the Taurus 85, yet was smoother. That is all I remember. It has been a few years.
 
Get to the used counter and look for what you like. You'll probably find what you're looking for at a price you want to pay.

I've been quite satisfied with both the Taurus (85) and Charter Arms (Undercover) revolvers I've owned. I never tried to wear one out or anything, but they worked just fine when I shot them and carried well.

I didn't keep them long I admit. Nothing wrong with them, I'm just not a fan of "J-frame" sized guns. For me a K-frame, even with a 4" barrel, isn't that much harder to conceal and is a more "user friendly" package.
 
FWIW one of the mind games I play with myself is that a well made gun is probably going to last me virtually forever so that brings the yearly price down to virtually zero.

Self delusion can sometimes be a GOOD thing.

Anyway that's my rational for sometimes bumping up the budget and going with a higher price gun than I really have any business buying.

I think you should revisit the S&W and maybe the Ruger LCR even though they are above your price limit.
 
I agree. You're gonna own this for the rest of your life. I wouldn't let 50 bucks over budget stop me from buying what I want. You say it's going to be used for concealed carry. How much is your life worth? Because while Rossi, Taurus, or charger arms arent absolute garbage, they aren't even close to s&w or ruger. For concealed carry, I'd be looking at either a ruger sp101 in 2.5 inch or even better a gp100 in 3" if you don't live in a bit humid area. Or a used k frame s&w

I know people carry Rossi and taurus, but I would not. Maybe us one at the range, but never for defense
 
I think your approach may be wrong

A CCW sized revolver is not really a great platform with which to start out. A CCW will have one specific purpose: convenience of carry. It doesn't always make for a great range or practice gun.

I suggest you, if you really want a revolver, to get a used K-frame Smith(3-4" bbl) and learn to shoot a revolver. Send a couple thousand rounds downrange and learn what a double action revolver is all about. Only then, should you consider moving to a carry piece.

Also, don't rule out Semi-auto's there are some very good ones out there.
 
Sounds like your buying a pre-owned SP101 ... new is nice too , even buying used one you will never wear that gun out .
 
Thank you

Thank you for the help. My edc is a Ruger SR9c. I am very happy with it. I see the line of reasoning here. Save up and buy a better quality revolver from Ruger or S&W. Also, for my first revolver go with something a little larger. I did fire a S&W 642 today and it is much harder to control than my Ruger SR9c. I now have my respect for Hickok45 being able to hit his plates at 20-25 yards and the gong at 80 yards. I see now why a J frame size gun takes a lot of practice. For me, it is controlling the recoil of the 642. I like my plastic semi auto a lot. The revolver is a want.
 
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