[hillestadj]

Hey guys, hoping you can help me out.

I am finally looking at getting my first "real" handgun, and by that I mean centerfire. I have had a Browning Buckmark and an old .22 revolver for years and enjoy shooting them. However, lately I have been hung up on getting a centerfire handgun just to have for some fun time at the range, no concealed carrying or handgun hunting in my future.

Just a little back ground, the two .22's I own have mostly been used as high volume plinkers and I have enjoyed what I feel is a pretty good level of accuracy with the Buckmark, but I wouldnt consider myself a "seasoned" handgun shooter. I would like that to change and I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.

I am willing to spend about $1000 +/- for the gun itself. I have been looking at both semi auto pistols and DA revolvers and have a narrowed down a list, somewhat anyway.

So far I have looked at and like (in no particular order):
1. Sig Sauer P226 Elite
2. Browning Hi-Power
3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center

I like the idea of shooting cheap 9mm ammo or having a .357 mag which I can also run fairly cheap .38 special ammo through.

I guess what I would like to hear are your opinions on whether to go with pistol or revolver, caliber that wouldnt break the bank to shoot a couple hundred rounds a month, opinions on the guns I've listed, or any other suggestions for a gun you guys think might fit the bill.

Thanks in advance,

JH

[Dnaltrop]

$1000 ish tickles my personal "if the wife doesnt find the new Gun Money Stash"

FN Five-Seven ^^

Semi's. A .40 sig should be easily convertable to .357 with just a barrel, or 9mm with the conversion barrel and new clips. (multitasker!)

Like your revolver choices too.

[sprice]

i say one of your last three choices

[XxWINxX94]

I think you will be satisfied with the performance and reliability of almost any Smith & Wesson revolver. If your willing to pay for it, I'd say do some research on some Colt revolvers. The Snake models (King Cobra, Anaconda, etc) are highly collectable, and are the Cadillac of revolvers, in my opinion.

[metalman8600]

Look into the CZ-75b.

[Erik M]

One of the last 2 choices. A 'real gun' speaks 'big bore revolver' to me.

Might want to look at the big rugers like the gp 100 and redhawk if u like the lines of the L frame smiths.

[ccsniper]

browning high power!!!!

[JoeSlomo]

Look into the CZ-75b.

Ditto.

As form fitting as a BHP, but with double action capability as well.

[shockwave]

Can't give an opinion on all your choices, but I can say that if you hold a 686, you'll feel that you are holding a "real" handgun. The ergonomics are just right. Shoots .357 comfortably and accurately. Built to last a lifetime. Aesthetically, it's unsurpassed.

[TexMexSu]

if you hold a 686, you'll feel that you are holding a "real" handgun

Exactly!

By using the range of ammo available for a .357 Magnum you can vary the bang, kick and flame.

We go to the range a couple times a month mostly to shoot our .22LR's but we always tale at least 1 686 with us.

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // #4

I looked at one used for $900 recently, extremely nice set up, smooth trigger, 8 shots of .357/.38. ////

Revolver perfection, S&W 627 PC is very high on my list.

In comparison to your list to be fair I already have:

CZ75B .40s&w
CZ2075RAMI .40s&w
S&W 586 6" .357/.38

So the 627 is farthest from what I already have being an 8 shot revolver.

If you wish to hunt with the handgun too most likely canidate IMHO is the S&W 686 with a 6" or longer barrel.

[buck460XVR]

I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.


From info provided IMHO, here are your best choices......

3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center

[ms6852]

686 Smith and wesson , preferably with a 6 inch barrel. The only thing that feels better than fondling this revolver are nice firm......, you get my drift.

[MachIVshooter]

Of the four you've listed, I'd go with the 686.

[Ky Larry]

I have had my 686 for over 25 years. I shot it with the irons until my eye sight started getting a little fuzzy. Put a Millet red dot and BSquare mounts on it and am still banging away with it. A 686 or Model-19 will give you a lifetime of fun and enjoyment.

[oldfool]

for somebody just getting started, you sure have good taste !
any will do

cheapest ammo, of course, is 9mm
but most versatile is 38/357

[bskillet]

I just bought a 627 PC a few weeks ago. Excellent revolver. Insanely accurate. Sweet trigger pull. SA trigger is very light, but DA is so silky smooth that I almost never fire it in SA.

It is very well balanced and points easily. The gold dot sight is very nice because the gold sort of shimmers and makes the front sight stand out quite well.

It has very light recoil in .38 because of its weight. Even .357 doesn't recoil very bad, certainly no worse than a 1911 .45.

My only criticism is that the stock wood grips are a bit small. But it comes with an extra set of hogue rubber grips that are much better. I took the stock wood grips off and shoot it with the rubber grips.

[hillestadj]

Thanks for the replies so far gentlemen.

Seems like the most suggested is the 686 and just an S&W in general.

Any reason for choosing a revolver over the semi auto other than the caliber it comes in and the fact that its a S&W?

Also, I wouldnt say that I have been getting sticker shock while looking as I have always paid for quality and never regretted it, however, it seems to me some of the prices on handguns I've seen are a little out of touch with reality or maybe the manufacturers think a bit too highly of what they are putting out. Again, most of my past gun purchases have been rifles and shotguns so I may be missing something.

[Shadow 7D]

No gun is a joke
and .22 are a great way to learn pistol shooting

But I would suggest any of the popular 9mm as they are economical to shoot, and readily available in about every flavor you could hope for, INCLUDING revolvers.

Adding
I grew up on semis, revolvers are suggested by their fans for simplicity
BUT
I find the auto simple because it is what I learned to shoot and know how to operate, I've shot a revolver a few times, and its funny watching my try to load one, it really is preference.
Don't expect a single handgun to do it all, rather find a full size pistol that you can shoot well (feels good to you, its all in the ergos) and learn, then consider what you will be using the pistol for and find one you like for that, as for caliber, that too is a person preference for what you want to do with the gun.

So
Basically go gun shopping and don't listen to the BS from behind the counter, do your research and find something you like.

[buck460XVR]

Any reason for choosing a revolver over the semi auto other than the caliber it comes in and the fact that its a S&W?

Again from the info and choices given.

I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.

So far I have looked at and like (in no particular order):
1. Sig Sauer P226 Elite
2. Browning Hi-Power
3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center

I shoot my handguns frequently at the range and I reload. I find my revolvers to me more accurate than my autos and find I prefer to load cylinders and pluck empties than to load magazines and chase brass. If you're a hunter you may some day to wish to hunt with your handgun. Magnum revolvers are still the best tool for this.



BTW....hillestadj, where in Wisconsin are you at?

[DFW1911]

Check out a Ruger GP-100 with a 4 inch barrel. Now that's about as real as you can get!

[bskillet]

I love both revolvers and autoloaders. I suggested a revolver, but only because it was the one gun on the list I was familiar with.

In autoloaders, how about taking a look at a Stoeger Cougar 9mm. Very inexpensive (about $400), extremely reliable (over 1500 rounds so far, and not a single misfire/ftf/stovepipe). Very, very comfortable in the hand.

[hillestadj]

Again from the info and choices given.



I shoot my handguns frequently at the range and I reload. I find my revolvers to me more accurate than my autos and find I prefer to load cylinders and pluck empties than to load magazines and chase brass. If you're a hunter you may some day to wish to hunt with your handgun. Magnum revolvers are still the best tool for this.



BTW....hillestadj, where in Wisconsin are you at?
Near Eau Claire, are you a fellow Wisconsinite?

[Rontherunner]

S&W 686 is a wonderful gun. You'll never regret buying it.

[philpost]

S&W 686 is a wonderful gun. You'll never regret buying it.
+1
I've had second thoughts on a few different guns, but never on my 686.

[Tallinar]

Don't rule out the thought of handloading. There is no cartridge that is easier to reload than a rimmed, straight wall revolver cartridge like the .38 special or .357 mag.

Handloading .38 special is the cheapest way to shoot centerfire, IMHO.

Get the 686 and invest in some reloading equipment. There you will begin the path to enlightenment. :)

[MarkDozier]

I just got my 686 4 inch barrel adjustable rear sight, i paid just over 5oo for it. Start collecting brass for 38 now so you cab reload, your cost when you roll your own should be around 5 - 6 bucks a box

[mwcharger]

im going to suggest a glock 17 (or 34)

you cant beat a 17 rd or 33 rd capacity, with a qaulity manufacturer and customer service, superior accuracy, and undeniable reliability (unless you do something stupid it will fire everytime you pull the trigger)

glock 17 ftw

[Jed Carter]

Of your choices the only real weapon is the SIG P226. I have one in .40S&W / .357SIG. The HP is a classic but would not be my first choice or my choice if "I could only have one ever". If I could only have one pistol it would be my SIG P226, I currently own 17 pistols and used to have 5 revolvers (I only have 2 now). Get the 9mm SIG with the night sights, buy exrta magazines, shoot it then shoot it some more. My P226 has nearly 10,000 rounds of .40 and 3,000 of .357 without any malfunctions ever. If you want a P226 with a target trigger, look to the X5.

[ArchAngelCD]

If I had $1000 to spend on a new range gun I would buy a M627 Pro.

If you are willing to buy used you can buy a 6" M686 and a semi-auto too. If you're considering reloading you might want to buy a .45 Auto. Also, you're .38 Special ammo will cost you ~$4/50 reloaded.

[Skylerbone]

My vote is for the High Power.

Since you don't have a 1911 on the list it seems a natural choice for someone looking for a fun to shoot range gun. Sig makes a fine pistol, some would argue quality has been spotty lately, but the longer barrel of Mr. Browning's design lends itself to accuracy in a proven weapon.

Revolvers lend themselves well to shooters with a purpose. Whether hunting or bullseye shooting, you can't go wrong. If high volume fun is your general goal, you may find yourself trading for an autoloader then wondering where your accuracy went.

I'm sure someone will argue that autos are more accurate and more reliable and their brand never jams but the Glock poster above can't even spell quality. (sorry for the jab, it is spelled incorrectly).

Back to my choice, Cabelas had a special last week which may still be running on FN High Powers NIB for $550. They were produced in 1998 and are the last of the Belgium made pistol you will find. A true steal, I would have bought myself one but was feeling greedy as I was shopping for the wife's first pistol. (would have made a great choice but I would have been sick with jealousy).

Good luck with your decision.

[digsigs226]

Well I'm obviously partial to the sig (I own a 226 and it's an absolute tack driver that never malfunctions), I would suggest trying to find one made in Germany and skip the occasional quality problems that come from exter.

While I personally don't like anything with a plastic trigger, nobody seems to rant and rave about their guns these days like Springfield XD owners, so it is definitely worth checking out while in the store. My friend has the XDm9 and loves it, but I still out shoot the crap out of him at the range =).

[oldbear]

Sir, in your budget you have a wide selection of quality handguns to chose from, but I will take the liberty of adding one more revolver to your list; GET an S&W M 27, the finest production revolver ever produced! You may have to spend a little time finding just the right one but believe me the hunt will only add to your pleasure when you find the one that’s right for you. :D

[buck460XVR]

Near Eau Claire, are you a fellow Wisconsinite?


Yep, Tomah area. Was thru Eau Claire last weekend, the youngest son was playing Hockey in Chippewa Falls.

[searcher451]

Get the gun that best fits your hand and eye. You will likely need to go to a range that rents guns. Bring your friends along who own guns that you might have an interest in; then try 'em all until you find the one that is just right for you. And who knows -- if you try enough of them, you may just end up with one that's not even on your list. The Walther P99 comes to mind.

[hillestadj]

You know, the more I think about it the more I am drawn to a revolver. Just seems simpler in many aspects and from what I have been reading here and other places easier to be accuarate with.

So.....no more Hi-Power or P226 on the short list.

As of right now it sits between the S&W 686 and the S&W 627 PC. BUT, through my research I have learned of th 686 SSR and I am really drawn to it from what I've seen. I am interested in hearing what anyone has to say about it. All insight on the models being considered is appriciated. (Especially intersested in comments on the 627 PC and 686 SSR now).

Thanks for everyones responses so far, it is very much apprieciated.