Revolver as a first gun?

B

bonefamily

New member
Hello everyone. In my search for a first handgun, I would like to entertain the idea of a revolver. I have read that revolvers can be easier to shoot than SA's, but being a new shooter I really don't know. The gun would be for carry, personal protection, and range shooting a couple to few times a month. I read that a .22LR would be a good range gun and good to learn shooting skills with, but choices in my budget I'm finding are limited. Our local outfitters carries the Rossi/Taurus model 351 .38 special which falls right into my budget ($300 and under). The part that concerns me is that it has a 2" barrel (short?). Would this be a reasonable first choice for a handgun that meets my criteria? Thanks for the help!
 
With an under 300 budget that cuts down your options. However there are still plenty of good revolvers out there for that price. Revolvers as a first gun is a good idea. They are easier. As far as carry is concerned, I would suggest practice first so maybe by then you'll be in a position to purchase a carry gun.

You could get a used Ruger Security Six for around that price, Uberti has a couple single actions in that range, like mentioned an S&W can be had. All would-be good choices. Something is better than nothing. Get something you can afford and get shooting, that's most important.
 
You are trying to do two things at once. One is getting a gun you can carry for self defense and the other is getting one to learn to shoot. Normally they don't go together well.

For carry purposes, small and light are things many people look for. This makes it easier to carry all day and easier to conceal. The biggest down sides to a light gun is you feel the recoil a lot more in most cases. Small can make it harder to grip properly and you have a very short sight radius making it harder to sight. Many people will learn to shoot a larger handgun first since it is more difficult to shoot small handgun.

Single/Double action revolvers are normally easier to learn to shoot than semi-auto pistols. These revolvers are can be shot either as a single action or as a double action gun. It is easier to cock a revolver to get a nice light short pull so your sights remain on target easier than a longer and often heaver trigger pull. There are not feed problems for the most part and if a round doesn't fire for some reason you can just advance to the next cylinder and fire. This keeps things simple.

Semi-auto pistols can have problems with lubrication, magazines and they type of ammo that will feed in them. It can be frustrating for new handgun shooter having to deal with with these problems and even the grip can cause feeding problems in semi-auto pistols. Semi-auto pistols are more complicated in their design. When they work properly they are a pleasure to shoot. They just are not my first choice to teach someone new to shooting. I like starting people with a revolver and then progress to semi-autos if they want to go that way.

A .22 is a good caliber to learn to shoot. Recoil is very low, ammo is pretty cheap compared to center fire calibers. Those two things allow most people to shoot more and cut down a little on flinching and other things.

.38 special is an acceptable caliber for learning and self defense. The main problem with it comes down to the cost of ammo. .38 special ammo is rather high to many people. If you are considering a .38 special I suggest getting a .357 mag. The reason is you can shoot both rounds in the mag and only specials in the special.

There are also other things to consider as well. I don't want to have to rely on a .22 for self defense but it is better than no gun at all. As with any gun used for self defense you need to be able to hit what you intend to hit. Missing doesn't make a good defense.
 
I think a revolver with a 4 to 6 inch barrel is the best way to start someone new to handguns. I learned that way and so have my kids. I did move my youngest daughter to a Buck Mark fairly quickly though.

I do not like a 4 to 6 inch revolver for CC as much, unless I can use a shoulder holster. I sometimes carry a snub nose for CC but they are harder to learn accuracy with and are not the best option for a first hand gun, in my opinion.
 
I'd seriously look into a decent used S&W 4" model 10. They are out there in the $350 range. Less if you're willing to spend some time looking.

I made the mistake of cheaping out on my first gun, and if I had to do it again, I'd save a little longer. It'll be less expensive than taking the hit trying to trade or sell a 2nd or 3rd tier "save a few bux" gun, and then buying something decent afterwards.

Pocket sized snubbies are NOT a good gun to learn with. I've seen many people at our local range buy one because they think its easy to carry, then go out on the range and develop all kinds of bad habits. These are NOT easy guns to learn with. A mid frame 4" will be far easier to learn the basics on. Master the mid frame, then move on to the small snubby.

A 4" K frame sized model 10 S&W is a breeze to carry provided you get a GOOD HOLSTER, and a GOOD QUALITY belt. Yes, that will cost you additional money, but again , less expensive than expirimenting with 5 different guns, and a half dozen $15 Uncle Mikes "one size fits some" holsters.

Myself , I use Simply Rugged holsters, and a thick heavy leather belt. Nothing from Marshall's or TJ Max is going to cut it here in a belt. Yeah, this set up is going to run you another $100+, but you won't have to do it twice.

Don't make the mistakes I made. Save your money and do it right the first time.

One of my favorite CCW rigs is an old Colt Army Special (early version of an Official Police) which is the Colt equivilent to a S&W molel 10 (mid frame fixed sights) in a Simply Rugged Souerdough Pancake holster with a nice stiff heavy leather belt. Total investment in the whole thing was right around $300 total.
 
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A 4" S&W Mod 10, good choice, you are stuck with fixed sights though. My solution to a bit more visibility, a few layers of white enamel paint on the front sight.

Rounding the trigger gives a real smooth double action, a good belt (my choice a Wilderness frequent flier Instructor belt) will last you a lifetime.

A Kydex tight holster, good to go. Revolver runs dry, or quits shooting, makes a reasonable club as well.
 
BONEFAMILY - Let me add one more to the Model 10 S&W. They are all over the Internet (Police Trade-ins) in your price range and a lot of them show holster wear but little real use. They are great pistols (S&W says it all for me) and the 38 Spl is the best one to start and train yourself or your family, and later on if you want to upgrade to a bigger caliber you will have more of an idea of what you like/don't like in a pistol. Enjoy the ride.
 
It's going to be harder to find a quality .357 in the OP's price range.

I'd rather see someone get a high quality used .38 Special than a second or third tier .357 Magnum. Also, starting out shooting .357's is more expensive a sure fire way to develop a flinch.

Sure, if you can find a Smith Model 19 , or 686.... a Ruger GP100 or Security Six for $300, dive on it and shoot .38 Specials through it.. but those are going to be very few and far between near the $300 mark these days.
 
The "revolver checkout" post in this sub-forum (stickied post) is designed to let you spot a good gun in beater cosmetic shape. Take a look at this critter:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=505572

He bought that for $250 in perfect working condition...but the finish was beat to hell. In top shape that's a $450 gun. Even re-finished as you see it there it could possibly bring that.

Used S&W and Ruger is where you should be focusing.
 
I suggest starting with a good quality .22lr revolver with a 4 inch barrel.

It need not be expensive , both Taurus and Charter Arms
make guns which are fine for informal target shooting.

.22lr ammo is really inexpensive so by the time you run through
$50.00 worth of ammo you should be a decent shot ;)

If you then want a centerfire revolver I suggest a slightly used
Smith and Wesson (if a nib is over budget ).
 
I suggest saving your money for just a little bit longer and getting a .357. If you buy a 38 you'll allways wonder what a .357 will be like. Not to diss the 38 but the .357 is bussiness. Both are great for different reasons. Luckily ther are revolvers that shoot them both.
 
Thanks for the replies, opinions, and advice everyone! I'll start going through the links above and do some research.... Used sounds like a good bet.
 
You have received some really good advice... my vote goes to the used 4" .38 special, either a smith model 10, or a model 64 (stainless). If you can find one in .357 in your price range, then go for it, but my experience is that folks really want more for the .357's than they are worth. I looked for a few months for a nice handgun like this, and ended up getting one from Sportsmans Outdoors Superstore that was a police trade in. They had a bunch of them, model 64's, and I got a really nice round butt for $249. It is a dandy handgun, slick action.. just a great shooter.
In reality, full .357 loads are difficult to shoot rapid fire double action. It takes a LOT of practice to become comfortable with them. .38 +P ammo is much easier to shoot, and is a pretty successful self defense load.
I think everyone should have a good 4" 38 special...
 
Hello everyone. In my search for a first handgun, I would like to entertain the idea of a revolver. I have read that revolvers can be easier to shoot than SA's, but being a new shooter I really don't know. The gun would be for carry, personal protection, and range shooting a couple to few times a month. I read that a .22LR would be a good range gun and good to learn shooting skills with, but choices in my budget I'm finding are limited. Our local outfitters carries the Rossi/Taurus model 351 .38 special which falls right into my budget ($300 and under).
Click to expand...

That's a snub, isn't it? (A short barrel revolver.)

Generally not considered a good first choice. Snubs can be difficult to shoot well.

$300 and under for a first gun? Use the search function.

Got your heart set on a revolver?
 
A 4" Model 10 is an excellent suggestion, or a 4-6" 357 if you can find a decent deal. I agree with the notion that your first gun not necessarily be your carry gun but one you learn to shoot with. It would make a good nightstand gun though.
 
"Got your heart set on a revolver?"

Yeah, kinda do :)

Edit - Seriously, as much as I love the looks of a revolver, I am not excluding other guns. If the revolver is not the right gun for me then by all means I will get the one that is.
 
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