Please help me find a revolver or three for the wife.
- Thread starter rms65
- Start date
Thanks. When I said she wants a 22 revolver for target shooting, it's more for fun plinking and some paper. She's not trying to shoot tiny groups on regulation targets. She (and I) just like the challenge of shooting progressively smaller targets. If regulation 22 pistol target shooting was the goal, you're right a revolver wouldn't be the most practical choice.
sharpshooter28
New member
9mm for sure
9mm Revolver?
stinkeypete
New member
Welcome to the world of "finding your walking about handgun."
The simple answer is
"Get a nice used S&W Model 19, 357 Magnum will shoot .38 special all day.... $800."
or
"I would rather have a K-38 Masterpiece (.38 special) for.. about $850 or a nice older model 14 or 15, used. Say what you want, but .38 special is not weak tea."
Or, you could decide that single action is really the way to go for field use.
A Ruger Single Six in .22 LR and .22 WMR one could argue covers a lot of your needs. No one here is going to volunteer to stand in front of a .22 WMR.
If you think a single action shoots too slow, look up some youtube videos of Cowboy Action shooters showing you how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsexKLYtCkI
Personally, my choices for the field, after many years are:
Ruger LCRX in .38 special 3" because it's so handy
Ruger Bisley Single Six 7 1/7 inch .32 H&R Magnum because I reload and these things are simply amazingly fun and just the right size.
Ruger Bisley Blackhawk 5 1/2 inch .44 Magnum because having tried the whole range of Blackhawks and Vaqueros and this is the one I kept for many reasons.
Ruger Bearcat .22. Because it's just so darned fun. It's a little jewel.
Bersa Thunder .380. It's nicer than the Walther PPK and I owned a PPK. Anyone that thinks .380 is not enough I have no use for. Very accurate, great trigger, but it throws the brass in the weeds. Otherwise another great pocket pistol.
The biggest disappointment for me ever was the S&W 317 kit gun which was terribly inaccurate for a freakin' expensive little gun and S&W never made it right after a trip back to the factory. It soured me on S&W and made me a Ruger fan for life. I have owned a heck of a lot of handguns... which I swapped for others, which got swapped for others.. keeping only my favorites along the way. Your mileage will vary, and your path will be different!
The simple answer is
"Get a nice used S&W Model 19, 357 Magnum will shoot .38 special all day.... $800."
or
"I would rather have a K-38 Masterpiece (.38 special) for.. about $850 or a nice older model 14 or 15, used. Say what you want, but .38 special is not weak tea."
Or, you could decide that single action is really the way to go for field use.
A Ruger Single Six in .22 LR and .22 WMR one could argue covers a lot of your needs. No one here is going to volunteer to stand in front of a .22 WMR.
If you think a single action shoots too slow, look up some youtube videos of Cowboy Action shooters showing you how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsexKLYtCkI
Personally, my choices for the field, after many years are:
Ruger LCRX in .38 special 3" because it's so handy
Ruger Bisley Single Six 7 1/7 inch .32 H&R Magnum because I reload and these things are simply amazingly fun and just the right size.
Ruger Bisley Blackhawk 5 1/2 inch .44 Magnum because having tried the whole range of Blackhawks and Vaqueros and this is the one I kept for many reasons.
Ruger Bearcat .22. Because it's just so darned fun. It's a little jewel.
Bersa Thunder .380. It's nicer than the Walther PPK and I owned a PPK. Anyone that thinks .380 is not enough I have no use for. Very accurate, great trigger, but it throws the brass in the weeds. Otherwise another great pocket pistol.
The biggest disappointment for me ever was the S&W 317 kit gun which was terribly inaccurate for a freakin' expensive little gun and S&W never made it right after a trip back to the factory. It soured me on S&W and made me a Ruger fan for life. I have owned a heck of a lot of handguns... which I swapped for others, which got swapped for others.. keeping only my favorites along the way. Your mileage will vary, and your path will be different!
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Moon Falcon
New member
oldbear1950
New member
revolver for the wife
I purhased my wife a charter arms 32 mag. is right up there with 38s but not even half the recoil.
I reload so finding ammo is not a problem. Tried a 38 but that 2 inch barrel had too much recoil.
And being in Arkansas might even run across 32 S & W
I purhased my wife a charter arms 32 mag. is right up there with 38s but not even half the recoil.
I reload so finding ammo is not a problem. Tried a 38 but that 2 inch barrel had too much recoil.
And being in Arkansas might even run across 32 S & W
Thanks but I can't find 32 caliber snake shot and I'm not ready to handload.
Thanks moon falcon for the recommendations. Those s&w are DA only. I'm gonna get her a Ruger LCRX in 38 special. It'll be small and light and I can get snake shot for it.
Be well all.
Ron
Just tossing this out there.....
A lot of great advice here and I think the multiple call outs to let her pick is wonderful advice. Guns are a very personal choice and fit differs for each of us. Recoil with one gun will be perceived wildly differently by two people shooting the same ammunition. It all comes down to what feels right and what works for an individual versus the opinions of people who have never and most likely will never meet.
One thing I didn't see in the thread that might fit the bill with one gun between a 38/357 and a 22 rimfire (LR or Magnum) is a 327 federal. A lot of emotion tied up in this cartridge but ignoring the unconditional love and hatred it elicits there are some advantages. First it can fire 327, 32 HR magnum, 32 long, 32 short, and some revolvers can fire 32 acp. For the most part you can find 327 in the same size frames you can get 38/357 in although you generally gain a round. Ruger (and maybe others I'm not familiar with) has also made smaller framed revolvers in the caliber. 32 short and long out of a 327 has, to me, very little recoil while 327 feels comparable to me to lighter 357 loads. Again totally personal preference. I like 327 but am not a loyalist like many are and recognize there are some downsides. 327 is no where near as available as 357 and there are not as many loadings available. Cost is also higher than 357 in general and certainly higher than 38. Even the lower power offerings tend to be higher priced simply due to the fact they are not as popular. While I have never had trouble finding 327 and 32 HR some people have. Again just a general thought.
Good luck and I hope your wife finds what she wants. I'm a huge revolver fan and prefer them to semi autos. I have found my tastes and favorite revolvers have changed over time and variety is a wonderful thing. So so many wonderful options out there from multiple manufactures. One call out don't discount the "budget" brands of Taurus, Charter, Rossi, and RIA. Some of these brands are budget because they do cut some corners either in fit and finish, materials, quality control, or customer service. With that being said I've found all of them have offered quality models and should not be overlooked out of hand. I own guns from all of those brands and for the price many are wonderful. A Charter Arms Bulldog has spent many days on my hip on trail hikes and a Taurus was my first introduction to the 454. Ruger, Smith, Kimber, Colt, and a number of boutique brands make wonderful revolvers and they are easy to recommend. With a little research, a close inspection, and some know how the "cheaper" brands can be solid purchases as well. If you are not 100% sure what you want exploring and trading in sub $500 guns might be a great way to buy with out remorse if you are not certain you know exactly what you want.
A lot of great advice here and I think the multiple call outs to let her pick is wonderful advice. Guns are a very personal choice and fit differs for each of us. Recoil with one gun will be perceived wildly differently by two people shooting the same ammunition. It all comes down to what feels right and what works for an individual versus the opinions of people who have never and most likely will never meet.
One thing I didn't see in the thread that might fit the bill with one gun between a 38/357 and a 22 rimfire (LR or Magnum) is a 327 federal. A lot of emotion tied up in this cartridge but ignoring the unconditional love and hatred it elicits there are some advantages. First it can fire 327, 32 HR magnum, 32 long, 32 short, and some revolvers can fire 32 acp. For the most part you can find 327 in the same size frames you can get 38/357 in although you generally gain a round. Ruger (and maybe others I'm not familiar with) has also made smaller framed revolvers in the caliber. 32 short and long out of a 327 has, to me, very little recoil while 327 feels comparable to me to lighter 357 loads. Again totally personal preference. I like 327 but am not a loyalist like many are and recognize there are some downsides. 327 is no where near as available as 357 and there are not as many loadings available. Cost is also higher than 357 in general and certainly higher than 38. Even the lower power offerings tend to be higher priced simply due to the fact they are not as popular. While I have never had trouble finding 327 and 32 HR some people have. Again just a general thought.
Good luck and I hope your wife finds what she wants. I'm a huge revolver fan and prefer them to semi autos. I have found my tastes and favorite revolvers have changed over time and variety is a wonderful thing. So so many wonderful options out there from multiple manufactures. One call out don't discount the "budget" brands of Taurus, Charter, Rossi, and RIA. Some of these brands are budget because they do cut some corners either in fit and finish, materials, quality control, or customer service. With that being said I've found all of them have offered quality models and should not be overlooked out of hand. I own guns from all of those brands and for the price many are wonderful. A Charter Arms Bulldog has spent many days on my hip on trail hikes and a Taurus was my first introduction to the 454. Ruger, Smith, Kimber, Colt, and a number of boutique brands make wonderful revolvers and they are easy to recommend. With a little research, a close inspection, and some know how the "cheaper" brands can be solid purchases as well. If you are not 100% sure what you want exploring and trading in sub $500 guns might be a great way to buy with out remorse if you are not certain you know exactly what you want.
Thanks for the nice reply. I read about the 32 because it was recommended earlier. It seems like a great caliber. Unfortunately the revolver is mostly for snakes while out working on the property. Unfortunately there's no commercially available snakeshot for 32s. Yesterday I ordered her/us a 38lrcrx snubby.
For a daily carry I ordered her a P365-380
Thanks all for your input.