New Revolver Advice

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LaSouthpaw

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Well after a friend of mine bought a new revolver and I have been spending some time searching this forum, now I really want to get a revolver. Currently I have 3 hadguns: Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter, Springfield 1911-A1, and a Browning Buckmark. I am looking for a DA reolver to fit somewhere within the handguns I already own. I was thinking along the lines of maybe a 41 Mag, 357 Mag, or 10 MM. I really like the S&W 610, but I am open to any suggestions. The use of this gun would be shooting and self defense. I do reload if that matters to any of you. This seems like a great forum and I have learned a bunch already. Thanks!!
 
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Welcome aboard LaSouthpaw,

many folk's here to offer knowledgeable information. Hope
your stay is long and enjoyous. As for what revolver is best
for you; it really depends on a lot of variable criteria, such
as caliber, barrel length, quality of the firearm desired, feel
to you, and so on.

About the only recommendation I can make, is to choose
one that offer's a versatile capeability option; such as the
.357 magnum or the .44 magnum. Why? Because, you can
shoot the .38 Special in the .357; or the .44 Special in the
.44 magnum, albeit factory .44 Special's are rather expensive.
Using your criteria, barrel length should not be less than 4",
and not greater than 6". Really, I prefer the 5" model's, as
offered by Smith & Wesson. My advice is like many other's,
try to shoot as many of the handguns that make up your
"short list", then decide for yourself; cuz can't anyone else
decide for you.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Good choice and style...the 610 is a good looking gun. If you want some options along the same lines in some of the calibers you mentioned. The Taurus Tracker is a very nice shooter.
It comes in 357 and 41 mags....
I gotta agree with Ala dan on every point. The versatility of the 357/44 will be worth alot depending on your wants with the gun.
Take a look at what you really want and try to see if you can rent any of them at a local range...or see what you friends will let you shoot. Then all you have to do is buy one and enjoy it.
Shoot well
 
If you like the 610, go for it. It is quite a gun, and you are a reloader, so 10mm is no problem for you. It has about the power of the 41 magnum, so it is quite capable.
 
I would also echo the point about having versatility in a gun, especially if you don't own many to begin with. That being said....I also feel that you should get what you really want. You can't go wrong with the 610, and if it is something that you really want, and you get something else.....you run the risk of always wondering......what if.

Take care!

DB
 
Welcome LaSouthpaw. We all hope you enjoy these forums as much as many of us do.

All your ideas -- plus the suggestions already provided -- are excellent; there is not a bad alternative among them. I love the 10mm round, but for a first/only DA revolver, I must recommend a .357 magnum. The reasons are simple:
> The flexibility and low-cost availability of .38 Special and .357 magnum rounds is truly unequalled, ranging from very potent .357 hunting and self-defense loads to cheap -- but very useful -- .38 Specials.
> There are many economical and high quality .357 magnum revolvers available, including Ruger GP-100s and "Sixes" as well as Smith K, L, and N frames. I would suggest -- again for a first and only DA revolver -- a four to five inch barrel Ruger GP-100 or S&W 586/686, 27/627, or 19 (and also their fixed-sight and stainless cousins).
> A top-quality four or five inch .357 magnum is the "do it all" revolver, excellent for personal-defense and CCW, hunting, target and plinking, and every other task. It is almost the universal handgun.

Again, welcome aboard.
 
The 610 can also fire .40 S&W rounds, so you still get "two guns for one" (a la the 357 or 44 mag options).
 
Since you have a 1911, how about a 45acp revolver? Accurate, uses that same ammo and loadings and a blast to shoot.
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Thanks for the advice. I think I am leaning towards either the 357 mag in a ruger or smith or the 610. I guess the best thing to do would be to buy both, but that is not an option at the moment.
 
Moonclips .....

I have a 610 and really enjoy shooting it, so believe me, I'm not trying to talk you out of one......but something to consider is the moonclip situation.

They're great for fast reloads, but I find it sort of a pain to load/unload the moonclips. I've only had the revolver a few months, so maybe I'm missing something. During a range session, after the first 50 rounds or so, I wish I could just load the rounds right in the gun and shoot. Technically you can do that, but extracting is the problem.

Just something to think about before you take the plunge.

I see you're from Thibodaux. A couple of guys in my old Army unit were from there. Know any old farts that were in the Army Securty Agency in Eastern Thailand in about 1969 or '70 ?
 
I favor 357 for cost and versatility!

Because of the range and versatility of available ammunition in 38 spcl. and 357 magnum I certainly favor this calliber. While 10 mm is readily available in my area it sure does carry a price tag. As one of the posters said this is a choice if you reload. If not then I sure would go another way. Good shooting:)
 
Well, like LaSouthpaw, I'm a new member, and, it sounds like, an even newer shooter. I came by inheritance into a family gun (great grandfather's 1877 Colt 'Lightning' .38, produced 1884) and just researching it landed me at great sites like this--sites that made me want a piece I could shoot for myself. And, I've got to agree with LaSouthpaw about the rich and frank information you all are bantering around here. I've learned a tremendous amount (it feels that way, at least).
I also feel pleased to see that my choice of a first revolver is confirmed--got a 686plus on hold while the local sherrif decides I'm not to unsavory a character to buy a handgun (a rather rigorous process here in NC). So, thanks all for the great reading, and I hope to have plenty of happy range reports for you in the near future.
 
To start my vote is for .357MAG/.38Special, S&W 686+ or if you have the big money you could always go with a S&W 627 .357MAG.

jar: Looks like that .45acp is a Colt's, how old is it?
 
Ken Chavex asked: jar: Looks like that .45acp is a Colt's, how old is it?
Click to expand...

Ken

That one's pretty new. It's a 1917 model probably made between 1917 and 1918.

This one's a pre-1917 model, maybe as early as 1906
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and the S&W 1917 to go along with them.

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I think that the 1917's from either Colt or S&W are about as sweet a revolver as anyone could ever ask for.

I keep thinking about buying a 1911 but every time I get ready I find another old S&W or Colt 45acp revolver for about half what a clapped out 1911 goes for.

The revolvers are more accurate, faster firing, as quick or even quicker to reload. So I buy the wheelgun and will get the 1911 next time.;)

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