Revolver Kick???

Dave T

New member
My first handgun was a revolver. My first duty weapon was a revolver. That being said, once I got off probation I switched to a semiautomatic and have pretty much been a auto shooter since. I still owned revolvers and shot them recreationally on occasion but my serious handguns have been autos for the last 28 years.

About a month ago I wandered into a local gunshop and saw a rather abused S&W Model 27 with a 3.5" barrel. It had been neglected (finish was trashed) but not abused as the lock-up was very good, timing was excellent and the trigger pull was a thing of beauty. Because of the finish they were only asking about $250 and something about the old Smith appealed so I bought it.

About a week later I go into another shop and the manager (a good friend) says he has something to show me that's interesting. It is an early Ruger Super Blachawk - early enough to still have the steel ejector rod housing and the "Micro" rear sight. It had been reblued but the job was done well and the price was reasonable. I put it on law away.

Last Friday I go into the first shop, just to say hi, and find an early (3 screw) 4 5/8" barrel Ruger 357 Blackhawk. This is exactly like the first gun I bought when I got back from Vietnam and out of the Army in May of 1971. The original was traded off back when I was a young deputy and needed money to finance some other gun deal. This Blackhawk is a little tired but mechanically sound. Gave it back to the man behind the counter thinking I didn't really need it. Couldn't quit thinking about the silly thing so the next afternoon I go back. 3-Screw Rugers never last long around here and I figured it would proabaly be gone. It was still there! Yea, I put it on lay away too.

What is it with this revolver kick I seem to be on lately? It's getting out of hand. I usually have more self discipline than to put two guns on lay away at the same time. Hope this ends soon - I can't afford much more of this!

(Large smiley face goes here!)
 
I've been on a revolver kick for the last 20 years.

I buy semi-autos, but NOTHING makes my heart go pitterpatter like looking down into a case and seeing a beautiful Smith & Wesson in blued steel.

I've bought two in the past 5 weeks. I keep telling myself that "Ok, this is enough for awhile," then I look in a mirror and just start laughing.
 
I know how you feel. I couldn't of cared less about revolvers a year ago. Then I bought a beat-to-hell S&W Chief's special at a gun show.........six months and four revolvers later....help.
My solution was to run out of trading stock. Layaway huh? Hmmm.
 
I cut my teeth on revolvers. I also love a good semi auto. With me, call me weird :D....I love the mechanical simplicity and complexity at the same time. They are almost romantic to me.
God I need a cigarette! .......Shoot well
 
Revolvers are great......

Single action revolvers are even better! (IMO)

I love shooting single action revolvers--they fit my hand better and just feel "right".

Double action revolvers are fun too, but I hardly ever shoot it in double action and IMO they are harder to cock with one hand.
 
Hey Dave,

My first wheelgun was a Smith & Wesson 4" barrel model 57,
.41 magnum. Like you, I switched to semi auto's later in life;
but I never really put revolver's down. I really enjoy shooting
these more than my semi's; yes, including my beloved Sig
P220. While I can shoot either pretty darn well, I feel that
a revolver in my hands has an edge.

For serious work, draw an imaginary pic of Uncle Ho with
his water buffalo on your target; and see if you can pick
his nose with each and every shot.

Something about those old Ruger Blackhawk and Super
Blackhawk series that attracts a lot of attention. One
that I should never have parted with was a 4-5/8"
.357 magnum Blackhawk convertible; with the extra 9m/m
cylinder. Bought this gem NIB when they first came out,
and let a friend talk me into selling it to him. Fellow TFL'er
Capbuster had the .44 magnum Super Blackhawk with the
brass frame; something that is very rare and hard to find
nowday's. Either one is a solid choice for SA shooting, and
definitely should be a keeper in any collection.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
My first personally owned wheelgun was a .357 Blackhawk 6-1/2". Cried like a baby for 2 weeks when it was stolen.
 
I have been on an auto kick lately, but my revolvers still outnumber my autos by 2 to 1.
My first revolver was love at first sight. bought a used .41 4 5/8 barreled blackhawk that the previous owned said that he couldn't hit with.
Came with a case, red dot sight, B-square mount, aftermarket rubber grips, already installed and all for $300.00 out the door. ($288.** plus tax, as I remember.)
It does 3 to 4" groups at 50 to 70 yds with handloads.
That's as good as I can shoot most of the time.
That was in '93.
In '01 I bought my first semi-auto (pistol).
It's a H&K usp compact stainless in .45 auto.
I paid $830.00-$840.00, as I recall.
Yeah, it's better for home defense, is quieter, and has more features, but does 4" groups at 50 yds, and that's as far as I can shoot it.
I'm still trying to get used to the sights.
I could still buy the .41 blackhawk new, right now for $300.00
Most of the revolvers I own shoot better, and are $300.00-$400.00 cheaper than the autos on my wish list.
Of course there is that gary reeder custom revolver......
 
Sam,
Man, you must have huge pockets (smiley fact goes here) but it is kind of cool.

RWK,
Not likely to sell it as I am tending to keep the guns I buy now in my advanced (over 50) years.

To both of you guys, here's what I'm doing with the M0del 27. Since the finish is toast, which is a real shame since that Model 27 blue job is a thing to behold, I am having it bead blasted and blued. The guy doing it for me turns out a finish that looks like an egg shell black finish. Not unlike the dull finish the Custom shop puts on some of their guns. I am also having it round butted. That seem appropriate for the 3.5" barrel and this thing's collectibility is shot anyway. Might add, I have a Lew Horton Special, Model 24 (3" round butt). These too should go well together.
 
Wheelguns forever.........

In the past couple of years, I've bought and sold at least 6-7 revolvers. The BEST one? the cheapest one! EAA "Windicator" in .38 spcl with adjustable rear sights. What did they say in "Back to the future, part III?" I think it would shoot the fleas off a dog's back at 25 yards and it was a snubby! Ain't nuthin like listening to the mechanicals as you slowly thumb back for a single action shot huh? .357 magnum? No greater thrill than all that noise, muzzle/gap flash and whopper recoil. Traditional? yeh. I'm probably one of the last persons in the USA that drives a stick-shift and doesn't own a cell phone either.
 
While semi-autos take up, for me, a predominant amount of time on the range revovlers still hold their charm and to play with a good DA revolver and plenty of speedloaders brings much joy and happiness. 300 rounds can go fast and it's about time to stop when the topstrap gets a mite bit too hot to handle.
 
Gary,

I'm with you as semiautos are my dominant carry/practice weapons and will remain so. Revolvers are more of a recreational thing. Just kind of relaxing and fun.

And, in keeping with my original thread, it happened again only this time a double. Stopped by another shop (different than the two where I already have revolvers on lay away) and saw a very clean Colt Agent beside a very clean Colt Cobra. And damned if they didn't appeal very strongly - and I've never been a Colt DA fan. What is wrong with me lately? At least this time I am saved by financial restraints, i.e. just can't afford it!
 
Sam,

If you're "round bottomed..." comment means the round butt N-Frame, I couldn't agree more. When Smith introduced their first RB "N" back in the 80s I re-discovered the large frame revolver. Now it is my preferred grip size and shape. I'll have three of them when the Model 27 comes back.
 
Yes, you absolutely should not be buying revolvers. In fact, let help you out. Send me your address and I'll get a check for $250 and an FFL off in the mail to you. I think the two 3.5" M27s I already have need a playmate.
 
Sorry Saxon, but you'll have to tell your 3.5"s no. You see, my 3" Model 24 is tired of being bullied by the 4" 625. I "need" the 3.5" to keep the peace.

Now how's that for a rationalization?
 
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