well, i am looking into buying a new or good condition used revolver, i dont really want a smith&wesson unless its cheap enough, i dont have that much money to spend, im looking more a long the lines of taurus, or rossi, are either of these good handgun manufacturers? ive never heard anything bad about taurus, but have never heard anything at all about rossi, im pretty new to the handgunning world, i have never bought one, but have carried them on deer hunting trips, and shot them a bunch, i just dont know that much about which brands are best, im looking into a 38 special only, a 357/38special, in which i would only shoot the 38 special most of the time and rarely shoot the 357, or a 44 remington magnum, ive always enjoyed shooting the model 29 44 magnum, its just fun, i may carry this gun a concealed weapon when i get around to getting my permit, but odds are i wont, i want it to be a 4" or 5" barrel, 6" maybe, if i do carry one, it will be out of a shoulder holster, it should be pretty accurate, and pretty durable, as it will be used a lot, i dont want something that will wear out after 7 or 8 years or do many do that, i take care of my guns, i clean them after every shoot, but there will be thousands of rounds put through this gun, and it needs to hold up, anybody got any suggestions?
new revolver
- Thread starter dlip
- Start date
You want a gun that goes bang every time you pull the trigger and the certainty that you will hit your target
when you fire. If you are going to put a lot of rounds through it then you want something durable as well. All of these issues point to a Smith and Wesson revolver in .38 or .38/.357, IMHO. There are many models that have different barrel lengths, finishes, frame sizes and sight combinations. There area lot of these revolvers that are
'police trade ins' that can be had for less than $250.00.
I recently purchased a Model 19 Combat Magnum from 1970 that I have found to be one of the finest weapons I have ever used.
Forget Taurus or Rossi.I've owned them both and found them to be lacking in major areas. You want a weapon that you are 100% sure about. The only other revolver that comes close to a Smith is the Ruger line of Security revolvers.
Tough as nails. IHTH
when you fire. If you are going to put a lot of rounds through it then you want something durable as well. All of these issues point to a Smith and Wesson revolver in .38 or .38/.357, IMHO. There are many models that have different barrel lengths, finishes, frame sizes and sight combinations. There area lot of these revolvers that are
'police trade ins' that can be had for less than $250.00.
I recently purchased a Model 19 Combat Magnum from 1970 that I have found to be one of the finest weapons I have ever used.
Forget Taurus or Rossi.I've owned them both and found them to be lacking in major areas. You want a weapon that you are 100% sure about. The only other revolver that comes close to a Smith is the Ruger line of Security revolvers.
Tough as nails. IHTH
Check it very carefully-get a return guarantee?
I once had a Taurus 357 revolver. It looked nice and functioned flawlessly. Only problem-they had drilled into the frame crooked for the barrel, and the barrel was at an angle to the frame. The rear sight could not adjust far enough to even get the windage close at maybe 20 yards. It was before their touted "lifetime" guarantee. So I pawned it for 60$. Have had better luck with Smiths. But there were times that their production quality was not as good as other times. I have a 10 snubbie that needs a new cylinder assy. lying around for me to finish some time. It was a police trade in in good condx. but I did not perceive the bad fitting of the internals at the time I bought it cheap at a gunshow. No "bringbacks". I am stuck. Get the seller of a used Smith to guarantee it and test it out good quickly so that they cannot claim you had it too long, if you need a refund or a replacement. Otherwise, all my other Smiths have been fine, new or used.
I once had a Taurus 357 revolver. It looked nice and functioned flawlessly. Only problem-they had drilled into the frame crooked for the barrel, and the barrel was at an angle to the frame. The rear sight could not adjust far enough to even get the windage close at maybe 20 yards. It was before their touted "lifetime" guarantee. So I pawned it for 60$. Have had better luck with Smiths. But there were times that their production quality was not as good as other times. I have a 10 snubbie that needs a new cylinder assy. lying around for me to finish some time. It was a police trade in in good condx. but I did not perceive the bad fitting of the internals at the time I bought it cheap at a gunshow. No "bringbacks". I am stuck. Get the seller of a used Smith to guarantee it and test it out good quickly so that they cannot claim you had it too long, if you need a refund or a replacement. Otherwise, all my other Smiths have been fine, new or used.
Tripplethreat
New member
The little extra cash outlay for a Smith &Wesson will be an investment you won't regret.Also don't believe all the ballyhoo that firearms dealers spout to you. A good used K frame Smith should serve you well for a long time.I recommend the Mod 19 for lightweight and the versatility of using the magnum round. A 586 or 686 L frame is also a good choice,but heavier.
If you go with a lot of .357 rounds,it would be the one to check out.
If you go with a lot of .357 rounds,it would be the one to check out.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
Punctuation, man, punctuation!
Get a Smith&Wesson, a .357Magnum if you can with a 4 0r 5 inch batrrel and adjustable sights. You will have an accurate, reliable and powerful revolver that can shoot all .357 Magnum cartridges and all .38 Special cartridges and suitable for almost any use. That's a combination that's hard to beat.
SouthpawShootr
New member
About 6 months ago there were a bunch of S&W 681 L-frame .357 5 inchers around. Apparently, some PD traded up to autos. I saw about 10 of them and all were inexcellent mechanical shape with a bit of holster wear on the stainless finish (easily remedied). I stopped seeing them about the time I decided to pickup the next one I saw. They were running $300-350.
Ruger Security-Sixes are excellent guns. If you can find one, get it. I don't think it's possible to hurt one. There's also some PD-turn-in GP-100 3 inchers around if you look carefully (these have fixed sights and the barrel does not have a full underlug).
On the Taurus matter. I have several and all have served me well. Most of mine are carry guns (snubbies), so I don't run a high round count through them. I've heard alot of good things about the Taurus 66 (about the same as the Smith 19/66 series guns). 605s seem to be popular too.
Never had a Rossi. They haven't made much of an impression on me when I pick them up.
Ruger Security-Sixes are excellent guns. If you can find one, get it. I don't think it's possible to hurt one. There's also some PD-turn-in GP-100 3 inchers around if you look carefully (these have fixed sights and the barrel does not have a full underlug).
On the Taurus matter. I have several and all have served me well. Most of mine are carry guns (snubbies), so I don't run a high round count through them. I've heard alot of good things about the Taurus 66 (about the same as the Smith 19/66 series guns). 605s seem to be popular too.
Never had a Rossi. They haven't made much of an impression on me when I pick them up.
A 4" .357 maqgnum is one of the most versitle guns ever made. It's a great plinker,hunting gun or selfdefense gun. Use light 38's for the fun stuff and magnums for serious business.
Lots of good deals out there if you shop around. Check out Shot Gun News for police trade ins. You can't go wrong with a K frame S&W, Ruger Security Six or a GP100.
Lots of good deals out there if you shop around. Check out Shot Gun News for police trade ins. You can't go wrong with a K frame S&W, Ruger Security Six or a GP100.
New gun
The safest bets for both reliable and inexpensive are the .357 Rugers and the L and N Frame .357 S&Ws, purchased used. If you settle for .38 Special, you can add the K Frame S&Ws. These all started out with quality and are tough enough to handle most misuse.
K Frame .357 and N Frame .44 Magnum S&Ws are good revolvers when they leave the factory, but need a lot more care on the used market--they don't have the reserve strength of the previously-mentioned models, and will wear out sooner (which is why some of them are for sale).
S&Ws over about 12 years old are also more prone to wear out--the company made some subtle design changes in the early 90s that strengthened their revolvers.
Taurus and Rossi have improved in recent years; use care if considering a used one, particularly Rossi.
If you are looking at a hunting revolver, with a potential for concealed carry, the S&W .44 and .41 Magnums are the choices. The .41 has a reliability advantage (slightly heavier, less attractive to the hotrod handloaders) but lacks the .44 Special light load option.
For use on two legged predators, the used Ruger .357 is the best for effectiveness, price and reliability; they are smaller than the L Frame S&Ws.
The safest bets for both reliable and inexpensive are the .357 Rugers and the L and N Frame .357 S&Ws, purchased used. If you settle for .38 Special, you can add the K Frame S&Ws. These all started out with quality and are tough enough to handle most misuse.
K Frame .357 and N Frame .44 Magnum S&Ws are good revolvers when they leave the factory, but need a lot more care on the used market--they don't have the reserve strength of the previously-mentioned models, and will wear out sooner (which is why some of them are for sale).
S&Ws over about 12 years old are also more prone to wear out--the company made some subtle design changes in the early 90s that strengthened their revolvers.
Taurus and Rossi have improved in recent years; use care if considering a used one, particularly Rossi.
If you are looking at a hunting revolver, with a potential for concealed carry, the S&W .44 and .41 Magnums are the choices. The .41 has a reliability advantage (slightly heavier, less attractive to the hotrod handloaders) but lacks the .44 Special light load option.
For use on two legged predators, the used Ruger .357 is the best for effectiveness, price and reliability; they are smaller than the L Frame S&Ws.
dlip,
Just like with cars people have different experiences with guns. I own three Taurus revolvers and have never had a bit of trouble from any of them. Other people have had problems. Of course no one has ever had QC problems at S&W or Colt.
Realistically? Ruger's are the toughest. They can stand up to abuse that would make any other revolvers roll over and die. S&W's are very nice. Taurus revolvers are relatively nice and quite functional - an excellent deal for the money. Just like with any mechanical or electronic device, someone's going to get the lemon and then they'll swear "Ah, these <insert brand> are all a bunch'a crap!"
Good luck.
Just like with cars people have different experiences with guns. I own three Taurus revolvers and have never had a bit of trouble from any of them. Other people have had problems. Of course no one has ever had QC problems at S&W or Colt.
Realistically? Ruger's are the toughest. They can stand up to abuse that would make any other revolvers roll over and die. S&W's are very nice. Taurus revolvers are relatively nice and quite functional - an excellent deal for the money. Just like with any mechanical or electronic device, someone's going to get the lemon and then they'll swear "Ah, these <insert brand> are all a bunch'a crap!"
Good luck.
There are plenty of choices and everyone will have their opinions, but you are jumping across a wide spectrum. You say you want a .38 special or a .44 magnum. Which do you prefer, the mid bore or the big bore magnum? What will be the requirements of the revolver? You are looking at 2 very different cartridges and maybe you should decide between the two first.