Is there a decently priced quality revolver?

J

jasmith85

New member
I've been looking into buying a revolver but after reading some of the threads on here and looking at prices I've almost completely talked myself out of it. I'm more of a semi-auto guy and it isn't difficult to find a quality semi-auto for under $400. With revolvers on the other hand, it seems like you're looking at $500 or more for a quality handgun. Taurus is the only company I've seen with a nice exposed hammer .357 for under $500 new but I've read way too many bad reviews to buy from them now. There are some .38's under $400 but I'm looking for something with a bit more power than .38 Special. Are there any models that I should be looking into that I am missing? Also, are revolvers more expensive to manufacture? I just don't understand why I can get a high quality semi-auto so much cheaper than a good revolver when it seems to me like a semi-auto would be more difficult to manufacture.
 
I think you may have to look for used Rugers, or maybe old Smiths in that price range.

You may be able to find a Ruger new in the price range you state. Pretty sure I have seen their LCR in the $400 range, but I haven't looked at them in a long time.

Not sure why the price difference. Maybe lack of competition on the revolver side. More surplus (police) auto's keep prices down some? Also, just a guess but I think they may be harder to make/machine a revolver properly.
 
I've looked at used on Gunbroker but I would just prefer to buy new. You never know what the previous owner has done to a used gun plus I had a bad experience with trying to buy a used gun recently that turned me against it. I tried to buy a used Colt 1911 at a gunshop last month and when the guy ran the background check it was denied because the gun had been turned in as stolen in the time between the store taking it in trade and me trying to buy it. As far as the LCR goes, I've seen them around $400 for the .38 but I would want at least a .357. I think I'm just going to end up buying another semi-auto. A quality revolver just isn't worth the price difference to me.
 
Looking for a good used revolver ...is part of the fun...especially in a S&W model 19 ( Blued or in Nickel ) or a model 66 in stainless...they're both K frames ( medium sized frames )...and .357 mag...and both great guns.

On the used market ...you'll find a lot of them with a little bit of holster wear ....model 19's ( in 2 1/2", 4" or 6" barrels ) and model 66's as well ...with probably the best deals on 4" barrels. Personally in either model a 4" gun is a really versatile gun ...easy to carry / if you want to do that ...but a great range gun as well.

Because there are so many model 19's and 66's on the market...you'll probably see them priced anywhere from $ 400 - $ 750 depending on cosmetic condition. Buy from a knowledgeable shop ...or from a good gunshow ...isn't really that big a deal / if you use the knowledge on the sticky on this forum on how to check out a used revolver.

Yes, there are some inexpensive semi-autos on the market for under $ 500 ...there are also a lot of them on the market for over $ 3,000....so it depends on what you want / what you budget is.
 
I just don't understand why I can get a high quality semi-auto so much cheaper than a good revolver when it seems to me like a semi-auto would be more difficult to manufacture.
Click to expand...

Because that isn't true - more finely tuned parts in a revolver that have to be in sync to work properly - and when they are, they do a great job. More hand-fitting of a revolver as well
 
I think it'd be well worth the wait to just save up for a few more months and shell out the $500-700 bucks on a revolver. Semi's are nice, but nothing beats a good shiny new revolver.

Personally, I like the S&W 686p's... 7 shot .357, can't go wrong.
 
S&W J frames are $350ish and Ruger GP 100's $485-$500. You must be getting ripped off if you can't find these prices.

My LGS has a SP101 $420 NIB 357 magnum.
 
I've said it many times--one of the guns EVERYBODY should have one
of is a 4" medium frame .357 magnum with adjustable sights.:)

No new ones out there in your price range that I'm aware of, but
lots of K-frame Smiths. For maybe a little less money, look hard
at the Ruger Security Six. Personally I like the Smiths--but the Rugers
are TOUGH. You probably couldn't knock one out of time with a sledgehammer.
 
I like Charter Arms. Just Picked up a new stainless .44 Special for $378.00. I don't plan I shooting it much so it is perfect for me. If you want something to shoot a lot, you will pay more. I don't buy used guns, so to each his own. You should be able to get a Charter Arms .357 in you price range but the .44 Special is a good round for self defense. I also have a S&W 637 Chief's Special .38 +P rated for around $425.00. I like it as well.
"My LGS has a SP101 $420 NIB 357 magnum." As noted above, this is a good choice and I have the 3" version and you can shoot it as much as you can stand it. It weighs more than my Bulldog, 21 ounces to 27 ounces.
Good luck.
 
The prices in my town vary from store to store, however, my local Scheels will have a sale on Ruger GP-100's for less than $500. That's for a brand new one. Need to work some more over time.....
 
As oneounceload wrote, revolvers take a little more work to manufacture. Also, most semi-autos under $500 are made of plastic.

I'll agree with just about everyone else and suggest you start scouring the local pawn shops for a good used S&W, Ruger, or Colt.
 
Ruger Security Six

I just bought a Ruger Security Six .357 magnum with a 6" barrel from a guy on armslist.com. Its a beast of a gun, and looks immaculate for a 35 year old gun.

I think the best thing you can do for a quality revolver is to look at some of the older, used ones. Revolvers are going to outlast semis just because they are much simpler technology, so a 20 year old wheelgun is still newish, while a 20 year old semi tends to be put off to the side.
 
Used Ruger SP101's can be had for $400 very easily. Read the "revolver check out" FAQ and buy with confidence. Those guns are built very well and will last a lifetime.
 
Rossi makes a good inexpensively priced revolver that looks a lot like the S&W (as does the Taurus). I haven't priced a Rossi .357 lately but you might look into them. Years ago I bought my father one when they won the handgun of the year award from somewhere.

For your best accuracy get a nice used Dan Wesson. I had one of them in .357 with a 6 inch barrel and tapered shroud once and it was the most accurate revolver I ever shot. Kinda wish I'd hung onto it. Not as pleasing to my eye as a S&W though, but amazingly accurate. Had a real short hammer throw too. The nice thing about a Dan Wesson (Made by the great grandson of Daniel Baird Wesson of S&W), is that you can change barrels, barrel lengths and different styles of barrel shrouds at will.

It has the lockup in front of the cylinder on the yoke where it is most secure as well as at the back of the cylinder via a spring loaded steel ball too. The barrel is screwed into the frame and then tensioned at the muzzle with the nut that holds the shroud over the barrel. So it is tensioned at both ends which I believe accounts for its amazing accuracy. I could shoot milk jug caps at 15 yards and once shot a rattlesnake crawling across a dirt road when I was driving out from shooting in an old dump years ago. I saved that rattler's hide and hung it across a rifle rack I built and gave to a friend who still has it. I should have hung onto that Dan Wesson revolver. I don't think they make them anymore. Don't give up. Shop around. You'll find a .357 revolver you'll like for the price you want.



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Ruger Security Six, Smith & Wesson Model 65, Smith & Wesson Model 10 loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 grain +p. Any of these can be had used for $400.00 or less and are absolute tried and true revolvers and any will drive nails and last a lifetime with proper care. The Buffalo Bore 158 grain +p loading for .38 Special opens up a new level of power for .38 and actually exceeds some .357's.
 
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