Ready for another handgun, but which one?

V

vega

New member
I'm considering of getting a revolver this time and choosing between S&W and Taurus. Snubies are out I've tried a .38 in the range last Saturday and its hard for me to control it.

I think a 4 inch barrel will do in .357 cal. I know a lot of members hate S$W because of the agreement made with 'your' government but please let us not based our decision on this.

Contenders are Taurus 608, S&W 586 and S&W 66.

Or better yet should I get another 1911 Compact?

vega
 
Politics aside - there are many good choices. I would recomend you look also at the Ruger SP101 series, if you anticipate carrying the gun concealed, or the GP100 series for general use. Both are rugged to the extreme and very good shooters. Gun Test magazine really liked the S&W model 686 with a 2" barrel for carry and longer for general use.

Personally, I bought a Ruger model GP161 with a 6" barrel. It mostly fires .38 special and my hand-loaded 158 grain .357 target loads. My advice is to try a few and see which you like best.
 
If I were to buy a .357 S&W revolver it would be a Model 60. 66 or 686. All three are great guns. If I were buying a Taurus I think I'd get one of the "Tracker" series in .357. Don't know the model numbers of the Taurus.

FWIW, I prefer my Ruger SP-101 .357 magnum with the 3 1/16" barrel over all the above for a concealed carry piece. For me, it's just the right size and weight to control the .357 round without being excessively large. It's also built like a tank and very accurate. :)



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Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
http://www.wolfcreek-gun.com
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R6...aka...Chris
 
While I like the Smith's, I'm not a big Taurus fan. You'll do well with pretty much any of the K or L frames. Also consider the Colt King Cobra or the Python (never shot the King Cobra, but the Python is expensive).

Another great gun is the Ruger GP100. Check it out, you'll like it.
 
That's funny. Apparently, myseld and my two colleagues posted on this topic within 5 minutes. I can assume they didn't see my post before they wrote theirs because I didn't see theirs when I wrote mine.

Anyway, it's nice to hear that similar advice to mine is given. Makes me feel like I might actually know something about the subject!
 
All my revolvers are S&W's. (I bought them before the sellout.) They are great guns and I have absolutely no regrets with any of them. My 686 with a 4" barrel is accurate and easy to handle especially with mild loads. Quality and reliability are excellent. Good luck. Bill
 
While S&W makes a fine revolver, I think Taurus makes a quality weapon as well. And for the price, Its Taurus hands down. My Taurus M85 in .38spl. Has been as reliable as any model 60 S&W I've ever fired, and it only cost me $200.00 bucks. But If you want to spend $200.00 more on a Smith, then go for it.

If .357 is you ticket, I would enthusiasticly recommend the Ruger GP-100. THe Rugers are MUCH stronger than any Smith and perform just as well. I also prefer the transfer bar safety system the rugers employ. My own .357 is a 3 inch barrel stainless model and I carry it exclusive in the field or on the trail.

My vote is to try them out and see which one fits, and handles the best. Neither Taurus or Ruger will let you down. Oh, and as a side note, both companies have excellent customer service reputations, but you will probably never need them.



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"By His stripes we are healed..."

PeterGunn
 
I have a 4" Ruger GP-100 .357 which I shoot .38 spl ammo. It is a delight! I was trying to make a l911 my primary shooter but the heavy recoil and I just can't get along.
I had read right here on TFL about medium frame revolvers and how accurace and comfortable they were so when a friend wanted to sell his mint used Ruger I grabbed it. I don't even shoot my .45 anymore, never thought I would be a revolver man-but I sure am now.
The Ruger quality is tops, I like the looks better than a Smith, and its ruggedness shows.
 
Get the Taurus.
I have a 605. It is the best revolver I own.(I own 2) That way you avoid the troublesome "Smith & Wesson" question altogether. :)

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BOYCOTT SMITH AND WESSON!!!
Defend the Constitution from the foreign threat!!!!
 
Vega, Firstly thanks for the visit yesterday.

As chad says, I will go with the Ruger SP101 series in .357. I have read a lot about this model that it is over engineered in the design. Also, there is no more side plates to remove all the time when cleaning some internal parts unlike the S&W.
 
Thanks for all your replies. Now you got me more confuse. I have to add Ruger in my list. :) You guys are right, Ruger is worth checking into. There will be a gun show in my location this coming July and I want to be ready by then.

David Scott - Have you lived in the Philippines during your early teen years? Used to know someone by that name.

stdalire- My pleasure.

vega
 
Greetings Vega; You might not like my suggestion, but a good used S&W Model
27 or 28 with 6" inch tube should "fill
the bill" very nicely. I have a mint 28
and dearly love it; as it is based on
the N frame, which is the largest frame
Smith in .357 Magnum. :) I compete in a
few match'es with this firearm, and she
has proven her worth many, many times.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
The 586 was dropped before S&W sellout, so you shouldn't get any bad will from others by buying one. Trying to find one in NIB condition may be a little difficult. Most people find that the S&W have the best trigger, both out of the box and after a good gunsmith re-works it compared to either Taurus or Ruger. I've been considering Taurus' new Traker models, a 7 shot compact revolver that should be stronger than a Ruger 6-shot and in titanium lighter than an aluminum framed S&W.
S&W revolvers use a rebounding hammer and hammer block mechanism that while different from Rugers transfer bar, gives the same amount of safety. This has been a feature since the first "Hand-Ejector" models from the late 1890's.
 
I just looked a 4' Ruger GP100 this weekend, never really looked closely at it before. Let me say, that If the GP100 shoots as good as it looks and feels- my goodness, that gun is an absolute steal for the $330-$350 that it costs- not sure if the trigger pull is as smooth as a 686, thats a small gripe though.
Wouldn't stop me from buying one, actually I'm very tempted to buy a GP100.

[This message has been edited by JG (edited May 19, 2000).]
 
Ala Dan- All suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Chris - I think 586 is the same as 686. Blue finish? I've seen Tracker last night and it added to my confusion.

How come nobody's suggesting Rossi? Is it any good?

vega
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by vega:
David Scott - Have you lived in the Philippines during your early teen years? Used to know someone by that name.
vega[/quote]

Sorry, vega, never been to the Philippines. My name is not uncommon; there's an actor and an astronaut of the same name.
 
I own a model 27 s&w 357 with 6" barrel, its 11 years old and in mint condition, based on smith's heavies frame, built strong and heavy, with 6" barrel accuracy is good at 25 yards. Paid 400 dollars canadian or 280 dollars US.
 
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