1) Has to be Stainless because it just looks the best to me.
2) It will just be a range gun and HD.
3) I was thinking .357 because you can run .38 as well.
4) Dont really intend on carrying so a snub isn't neccesary unless it is just as good as a longer barrel for my intent
5) Dont think I want an SA, so DA/SA or DAO
6) It seems Smith and Ruger are where it is at, and if I am wrong I am open to any and all suggestions.
7) Budget I am thinking 400-600 but could be more. Just dont want to dump a bunch into it in the event I just dont care for it.
The stainless finish is very easy to deal with. There's no bluing or paint to wear or scratch off. Bluing is very delicate; my pristine Model 24 already has blemishes and I've barely used it.
I recommend an S&W 629. You can load it with 44 Special for pleasant loads and defensive rounds that behave more or less like 45 ACP. You can modify it by adding night sights,
change the stocks, chamfer the charge holes and have the trigger tuned. Unlike the Model 24, which is chambered in 44 Special, 44 Magnum is available for a hike.
The company masquerading as Smith and Wesson is turning out quite a bit of junk. Most of their revolvers include the stupid lock and cheap parts. The trick is to buy an older model that doesn't include the lock and cheap parts. Sometimes, though, you'll just get all hot for a particular gun, despite the lock and cheap parts. I had that problem with the 327 TRR8. It is a great
sporting gun despite it's shortcomings. I won't carry it though. They offer a version in 45 ACP which looks really nice, but does not have the stainless finish.
That said, there are plenty of S&W pre-lock guns available. There are four frame sizes (increasing in size): J, K, L and N. The "J's" are the little five shot revolvers. K's are slightly bigger and L's are beefed up K's with the same grip. The GP100 is similar in size to the L-Frame. The N-Frames are the large size and my preferred revolver. You may as well have either six very thick chamber walls for 357 Magnum or six big bore cartridges in 40-45 caliber. You can go with a Model 25 or 625 in 45 ACP and shoot 45 ACP or 45 Autorim (a rimmed version of the 45 ACP that you can load a bit differently). 44 Magnum handguns allow you to shoot 44 Special (or just light 44 Magnum). Don't forget 41 Magnum, which is quite stout and is between 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum in power. You could also get a 610 in 10mm/40 S&W. Since it's just for home defense, there's no reason not to get an N-Frame unless it doesn't fit your hand.
The good news with any revolver is that if you buy similar models, all your custom stocks, holsters and speed loaders will work with the new gun. I recommend that you buy a ROUND BUTT S&W revolver. You can get round butt stocks or square butt conversions (if the square fits your hand better). You can move the stocks around as required.
I like the Ruger GP100 also. You can get it with barrel lengths of three, four, five and six inches, with three, four and six inch barrels being common. It's a very good gun with readily available accessories (night sights, stocks, holsters, trigger shims, etc). It's very easy to take apart. It's also accurate and the trigger can be tuned. Speed loaders are also available from HKS, Safariland and 5Star.
Look at a Ruger Redhawk, Ruger Super Redhawk and Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. These are big bore revolvers. However, Ruger did a few runs of the Redhawk in 357 Magnum. It offers very thick chamber walls that are a reloader's dream. I really like my Alaskan and run it with hot 44 Special and light 44 Magnum. Medium and hot 44 Magnum loads are not pleasant out of a 2 1/2" barrel. Too bad they don't make a 4" barrel Alaskan with full length shroud.
Ruger GP100 in Milt Sparks PMK holster. Trigger has trigger shims and springs from triggershims.com.
Ruger Alaskan 44 Magnum with Benchmade Nimravus.
A pile of guns that includes a Glock 26 and S&W Model 24 with three inch barrel.
A well used S&W Model 29.
S&W Model 24 with three inch barrel.
S&W Model 58 in 41 Magnum. I recommend the 657 instead, which has more modern features.
