I've never shot a revolver in my life, but...

T

thomcatf14

Inactive
... I'm interested in starting. I own a G21, USP9C, and a P228, and I've been thinking about adding a revolver to my collection for quite a while. The problem is, while I know plenty about semiautos, I know next to nothing about wheelguns.

What's a good revolver for a first time buyer?
 
GP-100

Ruger GP-100 4"

This was not only my first revolver, but my first gun also. With the .357 you have the choice of 2 different calibers (38sp). Built to last even when given a steady diet of hot loads.
 
A good starter revolver is a clean used 357 mag with a 4" barrel.
You can get them for 200$ give or take, the 4" barrel will give you a good sight radius to get used to and will be quite accurate. The 357 mag gun will shoot 38 special loads that recoil very mildy...when you are ready go to +p's and then 357 mag rounds...nice progression of recoil and muzzle energy for a shooter. A clean Taurus or S&W..Ruger GP100.....shoot well
 
I'll third the used 357

The beauty of a 357 is that you can use the multiple ammo, even beyond that it is a quality cartridge that is just plain fun to shoot,

have fun
 
I would exclude the "used Taurus" from my list; instead
relying on a used Smith & Wesson model 19/66/27/28/
or 686, or a used Ruger Security-Six and GP-100 model's.
All of these are economical, target sighted revolver's; and
I would recommend them over their fixed-sighted cousin's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Buy an older Smith and Wesson. New or used.
you will not be disappointed. They DON'T make them like that anymore.

You can't go wrong with a Model 19 or 66. Great "starter" gun. Not too big, not too small. Well made and accurate.

Lots of them in new condition can be had for $300 or so.

Buy the best. Don't settle for less.
 
357's for revolvers
for a New economical gun I say GP-100's ,
a good all around gun preagreement S&W 686 but your going to pay for it .
 
Please add a Smith 586 to the excellent recommendations already provided. It is the same "L" frame design as the 686, but made of tougher blue/ordnance steel. The 586 is out-of-production, but still available if you look.

This said, if I could have only one revolver -- :mad: -- it would be one of Ruger's GP-100 series.
 
Kinda wish you would have elaborated

Thomcat14: I wish you would have stated the primary purpose for which you would be purchasing a revolver; it makes a big difference. Just off the top of my head, I'd opt for a stainless steel .357 magnum with at least a 3" barrel. Ruger, Smith, and Taurus all make good ones. However, I think the top dog for strength would be the Ruger SP101 with the 3 1/16" barrel.

You'll never regret it. Revolvers are practical, simple, and FUN.
 
If you want an extreemly smooth shooting tack driving target 357
buy the taurus model 608 in the 8&3/8 inch barrel.

Every day Groups are 1 inch at 25 yrds, 2" @50 yds, 3 " @ 75yds
and 4 in @100 yds.

The Taurus 608 has a 8 shot cylinder and a full vent rib barrel shroud featuring 8 porting holes, 4 on each side of the front sight.

The purpose of the porting is to nearly eliminate muzzle flip and cut down felt recoil to the point that full power 357 feel like you are shooting extra light 38 spl target loads and 38 target loads feel like an airgun.

The gun is a little nose heavy with the 8 in barrell and a heavy gun @ 3 pounds but since I often bench rest the gun (fire from a sitting position) that is not a consideration for me.

I dont often shoot standing up as it tends to make it easier to miss the x ring.

The gun is too big to carry with the 8 inch barrell or the 6 in or the 4 in barrels but they have a 2 inch barrell that carries ok.

The bueaty of the gun is the long barrell, porting , lack of recoil, red ramp white outline adjustable target sight, fringer grove grip neopreme target grips
and exquisite accuracy with the 8 in barrell as well as the 3 lb single action trigger and the 7 lb double action trigger pull,
as it is out of the box.
I would recomend the blue version because Taurus no longer makes the mirror bright stainless finish but replaced it with a
ugly matte stainless that looks like someone spray painted the gun with dull aluminum paint. I guess "some" people( that got no taste) like that finish but that's just my opinion.

Anyway, it is the best gun in my 17 year, 200 gun collection but
I carry a 9 mm sig or a charter arms undercover 38 spl snub nose fer a revolver!
 
You didn't say how you intend to use the gun and if you have a preference for rim fire or center fire.

For just fun shooting, you can't go wrong with a medium frame .38 Special. a K frame S&W can be had for a very reasonable price (the last three I bought were a 5" M&P reblued for $65, a 2" M10 in about 80% for $150, and a nickeled M15 in about 90% for $185). The Colt Police Positive Special can be had on the cheap, too. My last one set me back $85. The Official Police is a big gun but they have become popular recently and prices have gone up.

If you want a .357 Magnum, again the K frames are great. A nice M13 cost me $190 last year. The N frames are heavier and pricier but very nice. I bought a 3.5" pre-M27 not too long ago from the sheriff's office for $275. Very slick action.

Pythons are great but hoooo boy are they costly.

I have a Taurus .22 and I like it. A friend has a .357 Taurus and he says it is OK, too. Ruger owners love their guns but their looks don't appeal to me (the guns, not the owners).

Shop around and see what feels good in your hand.
 
What Eric says or if you can find a shooting buddy, borrow his/hers and take it to the range. Try several makes out before you decide on which one to buy. Me? I like Colts, S&W, Rugers and Webleys; not necessarily in any order.
 
you say you are a semi auto guy. that means you are used to weapons that field strip easily. the ruger gp-100 not only is the strongest and best value, it also field strips and goes back together in minutes. try doing that with a smith, colt, or taurus. when you want a safe, yet full power reload thats very accurate, feel free to email me. shoot safe
 
I would echo those who recomment a 4" .357!

Either new or used-choice of brand is up to you. There are really good choices to be had with Ruger, S & W, even Taurus. This will give you a revolver that will allow you a wide, wide choice of rounds from which to choose. Good shooting:)
 
Revolvers, just as in pistols, are very subjective. Each person will have his or her own personal favorites.

My experience has been that the Rugers, particularly the Security Six model, wher very well made and shot a nice tight hole. But they had no soul.

My personal favorits are the 2 digit Smiths. I would suggest that you hunt around for a M-19, 27 or 28. The 27 & 28 will be the N frame, the M-19 is the K frame. They will both handle 38 or 357 and may simply be the best examples of 357 revolvers ever made.

In this photo, the top is a M-28, bottom a M-19.

standard.jpg
 
My first choice would be a 4" .357, without question. I would buy a Ruger GP-100. It has everything going for it. Rugged, easy to maintain, accurate, just the right size for belt carry, big enough to tame recoil and provide reasonable sight radius. With heavy use it will last several lifetimes. After owning perhaps 20 different .357 revolvers, and shooting them extensively, I don't think the GP-100 takes a backseat to any of them in any way. The used, blue, S&Ws really pull my chain but I have a phobia about actually using mine. They are so beautiful, and they arn't making them anymore, so I never put mine in a holster or take it anywhere other than from the range to the safe. Of course you can't go wrong with the 686 either, in fact it might be the perfect S&W for an all arounder. Although with my back to the wall I would have to say my Model 28 is my choice of the ultimate Smith. Ah, forget it, just buy several.
 
Dunno if an additional caliber is to your liking or not. If not, as you already have a .45 (G21), perhaps consider a 625. .38/.357 is obviously THE revolver round but the 625 is an interesting wheelie as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top