Which Revolver would you recommend?

P

PatrickBateman

New member
Hey guys, I'm pretty close to purchasing my first handgun, and was leaning towards a Semi-auto, but I've always had a love for revolvers, and am strongly considering getting one as my first gun. I am looking for a one chambered in 357 Magnum, and the primary use will be for home defense/bed side gun. I would appreciate any suggestions! I would love to get my hands on a S&W 686, but it's a little out of my budget right now.. Also, I would like it to be no bigger than a 6" barrel. 6" or 4" would be ideal for me, (no snubbies). Was looking into the Taurus 608, or 66, and the GP100. Any other suggestions are greatly welcomed! Thanks for the help guys!
 
Go for the Ruger. Not to start a Taurus bashing thread but Rugers have a better rep.

I might suggest a used SW Model 19 but they are getting a touch pricey and there is a touch of debate about 357s in those guns. However, for a first handgun, I would shoot quality 38s out of it.
 
I carry a Taurus 605 often, and have had no problems with it. However, I would suggest looking for a good used .38 or considering a good .38 defense round in a .357 revolver. For home defense (indoor, possibly at night) the blast of a .357 can do a number on eyes and ears and the recoil can be considerable. GP 100 is a good option too, built like a tank.
 
If used is OK with you look at the Ruger Security or Speed Six series. They are great guns, well built and make an excellent bedside gun. They are built to last. They may not be easy to find but they are out there. Good luck! Major
 
For a first revolver - it's hard to beat a good used S&W model 10. You can get one for about $300 or so. It would serve nicely as a bedside gun and a plinker until you decide what you really want.
 
Hey guys, I'm pretty close to purchasing my first handgun,

I am looking for a one chambered in 357 Magnum,

and the primary use will be for home defense/bed side gun.


a S&W 686, but it's a little out of my budget right now..

6" or 4" would be ideal for me,

(no snubbies). Was looking into the Taurus 608, or 66, and the GP100. Any other suggestions are greatly welcomed! Thanks for the help guys!
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All your ducks in a row, from the get go. Good, good!

What is your budget?

Will you actually be shooting .357 Magnum out of it? Have you shot .357 before?

no snubbies
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All in good time. They have their own charm, but not for a first time gun.

BTW, you might want to give this a read through: Grant Cunningham's Gun Digest Book of the Revolver. Covers most everything you need to know about the modern double-action defensive revolver.
 
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Get one with good sights.

Whatever kind you get, I encourage you to get one with a good set of high-visibility adjustable sights. User-friendly sights won't instantly make the beginner a better shot, but it certainly shortens the learning curve.

GP-100s come with adjustable sights, as do the Security Six series. In addition to being easier to learn the fundamentals with adjustable sights, they'll allow you to use ammunition which shoots to different points of impact. A few clicks on the sight screws with a screwdriver, and you're back in business. With fixed sights, one must remember how much to elevate or depress the sight picture to adjust to ammo types with different points of impact.

Of the firearms mentioned, I'm inclined to go with a GP-100, or Security Six. Every Ruger revolver I've ever owned or fired has been rugged to the point of ridiculous, accurate to a fault, and remained so for all the years I used/owned them. Taurus has a lifetime repair policy. Ruger revolvers don't seem to need one. Taurus revolvers are largely patterned from S&W revolvers, which have very tunable inner workings (which means it's easier to obtain a beginner-friendly trigger). Ruger revolvers tend to be built from fewer, more robust internals, which makes them very durable, if not quite so easily tunable.

I would also suggest paying extra $$, and getting the revolver in .357. You may shoot .38 Special loads in it 99% of the time and be fine with it, but you should have the option of more power if you decide one day that you need it.
 
The Ruger Security Six in 4". Its a tad bigger than the SP101 and a tad smaller/lighter than the GP100 and at least $100 cheaper since they are all "used". The last ones were built in 80's but rest assured they are TANKS! Shoot whatever you want out of one from HD .38s to heavy hunting loads. I love mine, its all the handgun I need and if I could only have one, the Security Six would be it.
 
Ruger, Security Six , GP100 or SP101. You'll be to experiment with the variety of ammo's out there and not have to worry about blowing your purchase apart. Plus the weight of the Rugers will help you deal with recoil and practice your marksmanship with confidence. Good luck and take your time, rent a few at your range and see what'll make a good fit.
 
I second that on the .22 singleaction for a first revolver. My recommendation a Ruger Single Six with a 5.5 inch barrel or 6.5 inch barrel
 
Patrick,

None of those are terrible choices but the GP100 stands out. Not only do Rugers have a deserved reputation for quality and durability, the GP100 in barrel lengths between 4" and 6" is a good match for full-power magnum loads.

Of course, you might want to think about the use of magnum loads in a home-defense gun. If you aren't familiar, magnum loads are loud, especially in enclosed spaces. That's not to say that any round won't damage your hearing without ear protection. It's just that .357 is much more intense than say, .38 special or 9mm. (Of course, you can fire .38s in a .357 revolver.) I recommend .357 magnum as an "outdoor caliber".

Here's just one other thing to consider, some sage advice I received once. A gun is a big investment for most people and most people only make that kind of investment a few times in their lives. As long as you take care of it, a quality firearm is likely to outlast you. It is something you'll be able to rely upon and enjoy for years and years. You can even pass it on to someone you care about so that they can enjoy it when you're gone. Take some time to think about it that way. Then ask yourself if a few hundred bucks really matters. If the gun you really want costs a little more, just hold off until you can save up the difference.
 
I have been shooting regularly for about 35 years and have owned over 50 firearms. My first choice for a home defense handgun is a 4" medium frame 357. The 6" barrel might be a little awkward indoors. 357 is my preferred caliber for handguns. If 357 is too spicy, the revolver will shoot 38 specials just fine.

I have owned one S&W revolver and two Rugers. They have all been good. I have owned thirteen Taurus revolvers: twelve were good and one had to go back to the factory for repairs.

In my experience, if a revolver feels good to you, and you put a few hundred rounds through it without any problems, it will be just fine.
 
I'm going to recommend a couple in my order of preference: GP100, S&W 19, and S&W 10. I've got the 10 and GP100 and both are outstanding shooting revolvers. The 10 is lighter than the GP100 but I like the weight at times. For home defense I would recommend a STD Vel .38spl round that your particular firearm likes. It will have less of a distraction in the noise and fireball department.
 
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