[neededausername]

I'm currently in the market for my first handgun. I need to know which brands are worth buying. I was planning on sticking to S&W or Ruger, but my brother-in-law who has much more experience with firearms than me says go with a Taurus or something less expensive. He claims there isn't much difference. I don't really believe him, and would rather spend a little extra money and get something quality that's going to last, so I figured I'd ask people who have more experience than him.

I'm planning on buying a .357 6" barrel, I'm not very good with a handgun as I haven't shot them much. This will be a gun for me to learn the basics of shooting a handgun. I would eventually like to get into competitive shooting as well. Of course this will also be for home defense. It won't be for CC, once I get better at shooting I'll find a different gun for that.

So what I need to know, which brands are worth even looking at? Any supporting information, articles, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Boulder]

If I were in your shoes I would probably be looking at the S&W 686 or Ruger GP100--at least as far as current-production models.

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

You will get a sh*tload of different opinions, as for my opinion I say ruger gp100. Used stainless go for 300 to 450 depending where you live. My personal experience with this revolver has been nothing short of excellent. Its very accurate and also heavier than some other brands so recoil is less. I put hogue monogrips on it and it fits my hand perfect. This was my sons first revolver to shoot and by the end of the day he was shooting like a champ. Thats my opinion ,now for my advice look at lots of different models and brands and if possible rent the ones you are interested in and shoot at least 50 rounds thru it and pick the one that fits you best.;)

[ArchAngelCD]

I'll add my voice to either a S&W M686 or Ruger GP100. Either will serve you well for a lifetime or longer. I own a 4" M686 and I'm extremely happy with that revolver.

As for a Taurus, I don't want to badmouth them because all the Taurus lovers will post telling you I'm wrong but I personally wouldn't ever buy a Taurus revolver. They are NOT almost the same as a S&W or Ruger.

Welcome to the forum!!!

[MrTuffPaws]

Gee, for not wanting to bad mouth them, you sure did a good job.

In actuality, current Taurus are on par with S&W. They met in the middle.

Still though, if I were you, and you have the money, I would go with the stander S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. If you don't have the money, check out the former used, or look for a Taurus 627 or 66. All of them will serve you well. Just make sure you handle before you buy, and run them through the revolver check list, and yes, run S&W and Ruger through the check list as well. Better safe than sorry.

[Bearhands]

as you state:

"I'm not very good with a handgun as I haven't shot them much. This will be a gun for me to learn the basics of shooting a handgun"

This says you should start off with a 22lr revolver. It'll teach you the basics without the bite. Plus you'll develop good revolver skills by doing so. After all that..... then go to a range and try different guns.... weigh the pro's and con's of each and pick the one that "fits" you best, but start small.... no need to jump right into 357's/44's etc. There are a few good revolvers in 22 to try. Do yourself a favor and give it a whirl. On the "stick with" question.....you can't loose with Ruger, S&W and sometimes Taurus. There'll be plenty of time to add others once you're "hooked" :)

[tblt]

Buy a Ruger Gp100 it will last forever and shoots .Everyone that shoots my 22 year old GP100 loves it and shoots it well.

[Bezoar]

For your first, get a handgun that is steel and not one of the low weight alloys. That way, your gun will be heavier and handle recoil better. That will help you get good at shooting it. Light weight gun just recoil more then a nice big heavy gun. Its physics.

As far as brand is concerned, they all make lemons. Just do the standard revolver checklist.

[neededausername]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate recommendations on models, but I'm mainly looking for thoughts on brands. As far as models go, I'm leaning towards a security six.

As far as learning to shoot with a .22 goes, I understand the reasoning. Little kick, cheap ammo. Here's my reasoning for the .357. I've had to work a while to convince my wife to let me spend the money to buy a gun, so I can't get a lot of others once I'm hooked. A .38 or .357 will knock down someone much better than a .22, and since this is partially for home defense...
As far as the kick from a .357, I can handle my brother-in-laws Thompson with a 30/30 barrel just fine, so I should be able to take a .357.

[tblt]

I mostly shoot 38 in my 357(cost of ammo)

[john1911]

Can't go wrong with Ruger, S&W or Colt.

[Hunter0924]

I will second a vote for the Ruger GP 100.
You can learn with .38 Special (mild recoil on a GP 100) and also you have the option of .357 magnum.
A Colt Python would be an excellent choice but you will pay for that pistol.
I would start off with the Ruger and learn.
A scratch on a GP 100 will be much easier to bear than on a Colt Python.

[Doug S]

If you go with consensus here, I think the Rugers have it...Go with the Ruger.:)

[Thernlund]

Stick with names you know and have heard of before. That'd be my advice. As someone who does not yet own a gun, staying with name brands that you have heard of in your everyday life is generally safe territory.


-T.

[Avenger29]

The Rugers are all fine guns. S&Ws are too, especially if you can find a nice used older S&W.

[Jim March]

I'd rather have a used Ruger GP100 than a new Taurus...well...anything.

Yeah, I'm serious. Assuming of course that I had hands-on access to the GP100 and did "the checkout" on it (see stickied post, this subforum).

[Jim March]

Whoops. Wrong thread.

[Fishman777]

I would also go with a new or used GP100. They are my favorite hand guns by a pretty large margin. I would also feel comfortable with a 686 or a 686p if you are looking for something with a nicer finish.

[Virginian]

My first centerfire was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357, and 100+ guns later I still have it. I would second the recommendation to go to a range and rent a couple to see what suits your fancy best. Some years ago, I would have included Taurus in the mix, so if you consider used, add in Taurus and Colt, but if new is your aim, Ruger and S&W are the ways to go.

[2ndamd]

You had it right when you thought of staying with Ruger and S&W. These are the two brands of revolvers you'd want to stay with.

[MatthewVanitas]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate recommendations on models, but I'm mainly looking for thoughts on brands. As far as models go, I'm leaning towards a security six.

Especially if your hands aren't overly big, the -Six series are great guns, and a good alternative to the GP-100.

I'm a small guy, and find the GP-100 a bit bulky. The Police/Security/Speed Six revos are just the right size for me. Not currently in production, but tons of them on the used market, and accessories/grips are still produced.

I find the Tyler T-Grip to be an excellent accessory for fitting the Ruger -Six to my hand.

[NG VI]

My first revolver was a almost LNIB S&W 586, 6" barrel. I love it, it's a great gun. actually the very first time I got it out to the basin a guy was helping his nephew zero a .30-06, and asked if I wanted to buy a .357, he was asking 250. I said sure, he went home (bout 5 minutes) and got it, it was a S&W model 28. I bought it, didn't know anything about the model but I really liked putting 3/4 rounds into a skinny coors can the first time I fired it, so I picked it up. Beautiful gun.

If you find a used S&W, do yourself a favor, make sure it's in good shape and then buy it.

[wheelgunslinger]

Smith, Ruger, Dan Wesson, Taurus, Rossi, and Colt are generally all good brands for a new gunnie looking to get something for carry, plinking, etc.

To stay away from: Way cheap revolvers of any brand in the used and new sections.

Look at a bunch before you decide and use the revolver checkout guide at the top of this section. You'll develop a feel for what good timing is, and what a good revolver should feel, sound, and cycle like.

Remember, there's nothing wrong with a good used revolver.

[foghornl]

My vote (new Double-Action revolvers) would be the Ruger GP-100 or Smith 686.

Used {ahhhhh previously owned, not current production models} just about any steel-framed S&W or the Ruger Security/Speed/Service Six series.

Now, if you are wanting a Single-Action (Cowboy-Style) revolver...Ruger Blackhawk or Super-Blackhawk in adjustable-sight models, Ruger Vaquero for the fixed-sight versions.

You mentioned .357Mag caliber, but if you want a Single-Action revolver in .22LR/.22Mag...Ruger Single-Six "Convertible"

[tinygnat219]

Stay away from Taurus. You might get something nice, or you get something that you can't trade for a warm pile of BS.

That being said, if you do get a Taurus, open the sideplate first and check for metal shavings. You can blast them out with some of that canned air, then put some decent lubrication in there and it might work well.

[Ceemack]

Given a choice between a new GP-100 and a new Smith 686, I'd definitely go with the 686. As much as I hate their internal lock, I have to admit that they generally have a better trigger out of the box, and their triggers can be improved even more by a good gunsmith. The Smith is just a nicer product--and I'm saying this as someone who currently owns more Rugers than Smiths.

But neither one is a great choice as a first-and-only gun, or as a defensive gun.

There are a lot of old, established rules of thumb in the shooting world, and they're there for good reason. A .22 is still the best choice for a first gun. If you've just gotta have a .357, look around (assuming you're not in California) for a nice, used Security Six. It's got a lousy trigger, but it's a solid gun that won't let you down--or cost you more than $250-$300. With the money you've got left over from the price of a new 686, pick up a .22--a Single-Six, a Browning Buckmark, or maybe a used Smith Model 17.

The reason a .357 is a poor choice as a defensive gun comes down to recoil. I know you think you can handle it, but the plain truth is you can't--not when it comes to defensive situations. Experts with a lot more experience than either you or I refuse to use .357s as defensive weapons because of the recoil and muzzle blast. You can get less recoil by using .38 Special ammo, but that's going a little too far in the other direction.

If you're dead-set on a revolver and have to have a new one, take a look at a Smith 625 in .45 ACP. It's a very effective defensive round, but a lot easier to handle than the .357 Magnum.

[woodsltc]

Like the majority of people have already said -- look for a S&W or a Ruger.

If you buy a Taurus or Rossi, chances are you will get a "lemon" and have to return it for repair (maybe multiple times).

Don

[TurboJeff]

"Smith, Ruger, Dan Wesson, Taurus, Rossi, and Colt are generally all good brands for a new gunnie looking to get something for carry, plinking, etc."

I fully agree. I personally favor the Smith & Wessons, but I also have a Colt Lawman MKIII .357, snubby. Beautiful and heavy duty. I would really love to get a Ruger .357 snubby. You can hardly go wrong with a good condition used S&W. A S&W .357 with 4" barrel and stainless (model 65-x) would be my first choice. You can easily get a sweet deal on one.

I actually prefer a 4" barrel. Seems like a good balance between resonable size and very good accuracy, of course varying by make, model, and each guns somewhat unique "personality". Even guns of the same exact model don't all shoot exactly alike.

Like others have suggested, I would recommend renting and trying a large variety of models. A .22lr is great to start with and less expensive ammo.

I really like the option of a .357 because of the ability to shoot both .38 special and .357 magnum.

Happy shooting! It's a great sport and almost a necessity in today's crazy world.

[mtmuley]

My first handgun was a Ruger Security Six. I still have it. I bought it because it was inexpensive, but others in the know assured me it was a fairly stout reliable revolver. I can say it has been that. NOW, if I had the funds available, I'd buy the nicest Python I could find. Wish I would have picked one up years ago. mtmuley

[practical_man]

The "but" is about calibers, not revolvers.

I own or have owned Ruger Security-Six, GP100, and Blackhawks. Also owned or own S&W models 10, 13, 19, 586, 60, 66, 67, 629. All great revolvers. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Now for the "but"... you might consider a used K frame .38 special, e.g., 10, 15, 66, or 67; Ruger also made some GP and Security-Six in .38 special. The reason I suggest .38 special is simply price -- they're about $100 less than a similar revolver in .357 mag (unless you get into the target guns like the S&W model 14, which are very pricey.)

You'll most likely shoot .38s most of the time for practice -- it's cheaper, and way less muzzle blast. For home defense, you can load +P ammo that's pretty effective -- well designed bullets perform pretty darned well. It's not a magnum, but the ammo will perform if you put the projectile where it belongs.

Look into good police trade ins. They're still around, but getting harder to find. Any of the Smiths or Rugers will do ya just fine. Don't rule out the lowly .38 special. If I could have only one handgun, it would be a Smith & Wesson Model 15 or 67.

Good luck with your purchase.

p.s. If you're considering getting a centerfire handgun, start thinking about reloading. You'll shoot lots more for the same money AND you can tailor ammo to perform the way you want, e.g., soft loads for the wife to shoot (get her hooked early) and more manly fodder to test your skill. It's a fun adjunct to your shooting hobby.