What would you recommend as a good entry into revolvers?

K

Kimio

New member
I have very little experience with revolvers, though I've always had a fascination with them.

Anyone have some recommendations on what caliber would be good and what you'd recommend as a good entry into the revolver world?

I've shot an S&W snub nosed (don't know the model) in .38 special and that was pretty cool, not too snappy IMO, up to a .44 magnum (That I will politely decline shooting until I have more experience).

This would most likely be used as a range queen, and if possible, I'd like to keep the cost below $600, $700 is my absolute max.

Thanks

Edit: Oops, I just realized the placed this in the wrong section of the forums. Could an admin please place this in the Revolver subsection please?
 
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If your new to revolvers I suggest a 22 lr pistol. Starting with a 22 you can develop good shooting skills first. Starting with a larger caliber or smaller frame gun you are more likely to develop bad habits, like anticipating the recoil and developing a flinch, or pushing the forward an down. Others will be along to give you some advice.
 
.22 LR revolver makes sense. Ruger LCR 22 with 8 shot capacity would be a good choice or the Ruger Single 10 single action.
 
Suggestion: Used S&W Model 10 (.38 spl.), or a S&W Model 686 (.357 Mag.), shoot .38 Specials. Then switch to shooting .357's if you want to experience .357 or have a use for something more powerful.
 
A .22 is always a good training handgun, if one doesn't need a single gun to fill multiple functions.

A .38 in 4" or 6" barrel mode makes a nice range gun. The 4" barrel is more of an all-around use length.

For carry, I like a 3" .357, typically loaded with hot .38s - but I prefer autos for primary carry.

I prefer S&W, with Ruger a close second. Ruger is more likely to meet your price point, new; S&W will, used, or with new J-frame snubs.
 
There are many options and, of course, you can never go wrong with a .22 for learning handgun shooting. On the other hand, since you have some experience with a .38 Special, you might want to consider something like a Model 14 Smith, aka K-38 Masterpiece. The good heft and 6" Bbl will give less recoil than a snubbie. The Mod 14 is a target grade revolver and one whose workmanship you can always admire. If you are into or want to get into handloading, the .38 Sp is great. If you get some target skill, those guys at the range who blast away with plastic 9 mms and .40s will be impressed with your groups. And, I think you could get a pretty good one for the dough you want to spend.
 
I would have to put in a vote for a smith medium frame like a 586 or 686 or a ruger GP100. chambered in 357.

Ok, yes I am biased. I love the cartridge. Not to mention that a 6" 357 has an iconic look about it.

both are solidly built guns, very accurate heavy enough to absorb some of the recoil, yet light enough that you can shoot a box at a time without turning your arm into a numb noodle

they are common and easy to find, and popular enough that in the highly unlikely event you become disenchanted with them, easy to get a good value for.
 
A new Ruger GP100 is in your price range, and is a very fine choice in my opinion. I have one in stainless with a 4" barrel that always makes me smile when I shoot it, whether using light .38s or full house .357mags.
 
what a wide open question with many answers. I would also reccomend a 22, 38 or 357. hard to beat a 4-6" revolver for range work. 3" 357s do good double duty as a CCW especially in more rural areas.
in your price range I'd look at a 4" Ruger SP101 in 22 or 357 or maybe an older 6" Smith 14 or 17. Really about any 4 or 6" Smith or ruger will work.
 
My first revolver was a 4" Ruger GP100.

It was extremely versatile with ammo, being able to shoot the softest .38 loads all the way up to full-house .357.

It was a great range gun, and also saw use as a hiking gun, truck gun, and nightstand gun.
 
Lots of good used S&W revolvers out there in your budget.....and I'd focus on .357 mag revolvers / and you can shoot .38 spl in them if you want...

but models like the 19 ( blued or nickel ) ..or the model 66 in stainless...both K frames ( medium sized ) ...and in a 4" they're real nice guns.

You could look for a model 686 ( L frame) just a little bigger ...and lots of them around as well in 4" and 6" especially.

If you happen to see an N frame model 27 or 28 ...at the right price / look those over as well...very nice guns, especially the model 27's / but the model 28 is a little cheaper because it has a matte blued finish vs bright blued finish or nickel on the model 27's.

I'm not a big fan of the snubbies or 2 1/2" guns in .357 mag....they're a little more difficult to shoot well...so to me the 4" just makes more sense.
 
models like the 19 ( blued or nickel ) ..or the model 66 in stainless...both K frames ( medium sized ) ...and in a 4" they're real nice guns.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Just recently picked up a 19-3 with 4" barrel that was an old police gun. Has some honest holster wear, but mechanically is perfect. Cost me $350 (good price in my area). Shoots like a champ.

1931e.jpg
 
You said you are new to revolvers, so I assume not to shooting. I do think a 22 revolver is a good choice, but if you want something more powerful, I would go with a 4" Ruger GP-100. They are good revolvers and I would shoot mostly 38spl's out of it until you just want to feel a bit more power.

In the used (but as new) department for 22's, you can find a S&W M17 or 617 within your price range easily. The 617 holds 10 rounds and the M17 six, but have the same feel. They are premium 22 revolvers!

I would avoid a snub nosed revolver and I would avoid the super light weight revolvers (unless it's a 22).

If you are new to shooting, I would buy a 22 revolver first and then buy the 357/38spl next.
 
My picks...

I'd buy a NIB Korth .357magnum. :)
Ha ha;
Really, if you want a quality, simple DA/SA revolver, I'd buy a Ruger GP100 6" barrel stainless steel or if you want a smaller wheelgun; a SP101 .357magnum DA only.
A "neutered"(a LAPD term) SP101 snub was my first handgun in 1993.
The S&W L frame; 686+ 7 round or the big N frame M&P .357magnum 8 shot could fair well too. A Colt Python .357magnum is a highly rated DA revolver but new models are rare.
Snubs or short barrels are okay but for a entry level owner, I'd lean towards a 4"/6" med frame revolver(model 66, model 65, model 10, etc).

See www.gunsamerica.com or www.jgsales.com .

CF
 
A gun with 4" barrel or longer with a medium or large frame is the way to go if you are just learning.

Anything in 38 Special, 22 Long Rifle, 22 Magnum, one of the 32 calibers or 357 Magnum will be just fine. A Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 or S&W 586 would be great starter revolvers.
 
Thank you all for the suggestions.

@22-rimfire Yes, I am fairly new to revolvers, only firing a chosen few. I usually shoot rifles, as is my preference, but I've always had this fascination with revolvers ever since I was a younger. As mentioned before, I've been aquainted with both the .38 special and .44 Mag. The .38 I feel is better suited to my current skill level.
 
@22-rimfire Yes, I am fairly new to revolvers, only firing a chosen few. I usually shoot rifles, as is my preference, but I've always had this fascination with revolvers ever since I was a younger. As mentioned before, I've been aquainted with both the .38 special and .44 Mag. The .38 I feel is better suited to my current skill level.
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http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/ammunition_44mag_081005/

Download 44 Magnum to 900 FPS and it's very pleasant to shoot (or just use 44 Special).

The advantage of 38 Special is the revolvers can be as small as the J-Frame. Those, as mentioned, are difficult to shoot well. I just had a conversation with a lady in a gun store regarding those difficulties. She was not aware that the snub nosed revolver can be a beast for recoil and hard to group.

Just get a Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 and work up from 38 Special. If you like large revolvers, then look at the S&W 327 TRR8, S&W 627 or the classic S&W Model 27. The 327 TRR8 with 5" barrel shoots very, very well and recoil is very reasonable.
 
I vote for either the S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100. Either the 4" or 6" barrel versions. 6" barrels are better if you looking at a Range Queen. Both revolvers are still in production. The designs are time-proven and both companies have good quality control (despite what some posters would have you believe). Logistical support for either model isn't an issue and it's very easy to find accoutrements (grips,holsters,triggers,sights) for either one as well.
 
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