[norwegianoperator]

I have owned guns for many years now, but i have never owned a revolver.

Which revolver would you recomend? and in wich caliber? i think i fancy a 44 mag or a 357 mag.


Martin
Norway

[nosliw]

i love (but don't own) .357

you have the option for .38 with it, so trips to the range are cheaper (or if you prefer the pop of .38 over the small bomb of .357 in your hands)

[kle]

have you ever shot a revolver? If not, try that first--rent one (or have a friend bring his) at a range and shoot it to see how you'd like it.

Which one you should get depends on what you want to do with it--Hunting? (hunting what?) Target practice? Home Defense? Self-Defense/Carry? Open/Concealed Carry? Collection?

There are many options out there...

[norwegianoperator]

Well, im not shure.. mostly for self defense i belive. i will also bring it to the shooting range just to enjoy and to shoot with somthing else than my regular pistol.

[Jeeping]

Get a gp100 with 4 inch barrel, that was my first revolver. It will serve you well.

[kle]

Hmm, well, if it's self-defense/range-use, then I recommend something chambered for .357 Magnum (which gives you the option of lighter .38 Specials for practice), with a 4" barrel (which is a good all-around length).

The GP-100 that Jeeping recommended would be an excellent choice.

[dasmi]

Can't go wrong with a 4 inch .357 magnum, Ruger or Smith. Or Colt.

[norwegianoperator]

How about the Colt Python? is it any good?

[stormwaltz]

Is it any good? Only one of the best! From what I've owned/shot/read/heard, this is what I'd say:

1. (tie). Good condition pre-lock S&W models
1. (tie) 1950s-1970s Pythons
2. Any Ruger
3. New Smiths
4. Taurus

This is excluding the really expensive stuff like Freedom Arms, though Pythons can get pretty up there.

[parisite]

Get a Smith Model 14, pure shooting pleasure!

[SASS#23149]

One of the most talked about and respected revolvers on this board,and others,is the 'Smith 686.
My buddy has one we shoot ,and it is one fine revolver,IMHO

[GunTech]

Keep in mind the original poster is in Norway. What revolvers are available there?

[Sgt.Dusk]

How about the Colt Python? is it any good?
Its good alright! But tell me if theres many for sale in Norway so I can come buy one. I think you should just get yourself a 686 S&W.
Then there is Taurus's Tracker .357. Thats a good looking stainless steel revolver and it aint too expensive either. With all the taxes and stuff it costs about 550-600euros here in Finland. Cant say what it costs in kroner.
.357Mag is quite powerful and fine caliber and fits for many purposes.
I think its better choice than any bigger because it is still controllable even with a shorter barrel.

[ArchAngelCD]

If you can find a Python there would be nothing wrong in buying it for sure. Also, the above suggested Ruger GP-100 would be a good choice. I own and prefer a S&W Mode 686 with a 4" barrel. Even though I prefer the M686 any of the three would be a wise choice.

I would stay away from Taurus revolvers no matter what. Even though there are many who swear by them there are also just as many who think they are nightmare guns. The biggest problem is if you have a problem with the gun. Their customer service is the worst in the business whereas Ruger and S&W have the best.

[jakk280rem]

find an s&w 586

[Sgt.Dusk]

The biggest problem is if you have a problem with the gun. Their customer service is the worst in the business whereas Ruger and S&W have the best.
Mostly the importing company is responsible of customer services here.
And because they may import s&w and ruger and taurus etc it kinda equals the difference between customer services.
But Norway isnt part of EU so I dont know how things are taken care of there.
Usually every imported gun gets tested and stamped in europe so those very bad ones get sent back before they even reach the customer.

Still....It is true that some Tauruses have their problems but so do s&w's
Then there are a bunch of brands like Holek and Kora etc which are way below those brands.

S&W, Colt, Taurus, or Ruger....If some of those names are stamped on your revolver you are doing just fine.

[ArchAngelCD]

S&W, Colt, Taurus, or Ruger....If some of those names are stamped on your revolver you are doing just fine.
Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!! LOL :uhoh:

[Sgt.Dusk]

Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!! LOL
Yea I know...S&W sucks...:)

Okay now maybe somebody wants to get back on topic

[ArchAngelCD]

I like your sense of humor Sir!! You're OK... :D

Sorry for sidetracking your thread norwegianoperator! :o

A .357 Magnum revolver is a classic self defense choice. It's a proven man-stopper and is much more controllable than a .44 Magnum if a follow-up is necessary. It's also much cheaper to shoot.

[jibjab]

If single action is OK check out these; http://www.freedomarms.com/ these are some the best firearms made in the US.

[jd70]

A 4'' or 6'' 357 is just about the best all around gun combo you can own. Which ever you choose I recomend taking it to a good gunsmith for a trigger and action job. You would be surprised at how much better it just feels to shoot a "slicked up gun". It can turn a day at the range to a joy!

[shooter429]

Personally, I love a 3-4" .44 magnum, and think that is the most versatile gun on the planet, because you cqan shoot light .44 specials or heavy .44 magnums. Again, Ruger are great buys, S&W are a little more polished, but both will serve you well for many years. Some people find the Magnum recoil a bit much, but light loads in .44 Special and rubber grips can take care of that.

The .357 is a bit more popular than the .44, and holds the record as the best manstopper of all handguns using 125 grain JHPs. It can do most of what the .44 can do minus bear defense and they cast a little less to shoot. It also has versatility as an advantage, because, like the .44 magnum, it can shoot the lighter .38 special rounds too. dle a .40 or .45, the .357 magnum in a SS revolver of 3-4" is probably ideal. For the best value, i would suggest a Ruger GP100 with adjustable sights. The S&W 686 is another great choice that will generally have a better trigger pull than the Ruger but cost a bit more.

Either way, you will have a great, powerful and versatile handgun that can truly serve as an all-around gun and will last for a long time.

Shooter429

[norwegianoperator]

Thanks guys.. for all the good advices. I think i need to do some testing, i really fancy the nice rubbergrips that some of the revolvers have, and it make sense to buy a 357, cause everything is much more expencive over here...even ammo ;-).. and when it comes to guns.. well, many of them are twice as expencive here as in the US.

[ArchAngelCD]

norwegianoperator,
Pachmayr (http://www.pachmayr.com/pachmayr/index.htm) makes very good rubber grips. Hogue (http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?id=2&step=2) also makes very good rubber grips. (to see the rubber grips you will have to pick a company, then a model and then choose "Precision Molded Soft Rubber")

I'm sure there are others but since these are big companies they are probably available in your country. Uncle Mike's used to sell grips but they are no longer made under that name. Smith & Wesson (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=46303&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=45302&top_category=45302) also sells a good assortment of Uncle Mike's, Pachmayr and Hogue rubber grips you might want to take a look at.

Good luck finding a revolver you like and the grips for it.

[svtruth]

one, but three to start. A .22, a .357 and a .44.
For the .357 I would recommend a S&W Model 19, the Rugers are nice and rugged, but the 19 is a thing of beauty.
Good luck.

[22-rimfire]

I pretty much agree with svtruth and I would buy in the order he mentioned. I would choose a well made revolver if you can afford it. My order of preference based on availabilty is Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Ruger. Colt would be first if they still made double action revolvers. The Smith 686 is hard to beat if you want a 357. (The Model 19 is great too if you can find one.) The Ruger GP100 is good too; just not quite as smooth at first. I would not choose a 44 magnum unless you are used to higher recoiling guns and have a use other than punching paper in targets.

[Virginian]

Best advice to date: try one before you buy one. I have several revolvers, but only one pistol (a .22). I have owned probably 35+ pistols, only to finally realize/admit I just don't like pistols. I have probably owned twice as many pistols as revolvers, now that I think about it. Not saying there is anything wrong; just recognize it's personal preference and enjoy. While a .357 will also shoot .38 Spl., remember a .44 Mag. will also shoot .44 Spls. too. I shoot a lot of .44 Spls.