glassman
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S&W mod 64. Simple to use, effective and easy to care for. Also more easily controlled than a heavier caliber revolver if a follow up shot is needed.
I want a revolver but know nothing! Help!
- Thread starter xmanpike
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Tons of good information here. I will only add a couple of things. Should you want or need to sell the revolver in the future, 4" DA .357s are usually pretty easy to unload. .44s (depending on model of course) can take a bit longer. Having said that, if you are patient, you can find a barely used .44 (many folks don't like the recoil) for a steal relative to market value. Last thing I would add would be to stick with quality names. Your budget allows you SmithWesson, Ruger and if you get real lucky even Colt at the high end of your budget. Best of luck.
Monster Zero
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There's been a lot of discussion around here lately about some of the deals they're making at J&G sales, particularly Smith model 10's and DAO model 64's. Both .38 specials, which would be an excellent revolver caliber to start with IMO.
Nothing wrong with a Smith&Wesson K frame,carried a k frame for a number of years and never felt unarmed.
But you might want to look at the Smith&Wesson Governor,it offers 6 choices in firepower.
#1: 2-1/2 inch .410 shells (Federal Buckshot for close range threats)
#2: .45 Long Colt
#3: .45 ACP
#4: .45 Schofield
#5: .45 GAP
#6: .45 Autorim
The Basic model is priced at $679.00 M.S.R.P.
There is also a Crimson Trace grip option for around $800.00 M.S.R.P.
Both models have a front night sight.
All in all hard to beat for the price,and craftsmanship.
But you might want to look at the Smith&Wesson Governor,it offers 6 choices in firepower.
#1: 2-1/2 inch .410 shells (Federal Buckshot for close range threats)
#2: .45 Long Colt
#3: .45 ACP
#4: .45 Schofield
#5: .45 GAP
#6: .45 Autorim
The Basic model is priced at $679.00 M.S.R.P.
There is also a Crimson Trace grip option for around $800.00 M.S.R.P.
Both models have a front night sight.
All in all hard to beat for the price,and craftsmanship.
target practice...ok. however NO to home defense. fired rounds may go through the BG and walls, others in the house and your neighbors house.
also, the report coming from a .357 magnum, inside of a building, will knock your socks off.
a .38 special revolver with 148 grain wadcutters or a .22 caliber would be a better/safer choice.
The blast from any firearm inside a house is going to cause your hearing to go away for awhile.
The Buckshot loads are rated for 850 fps out of a revolver barrel,and the buckshot will lose energy faster than a single projectile (.357 Mag will punch through the BG and house walls as well...and could go quite a distance until it loses velocity...one way or another).
The Buckshot loads are rated for 850 fps out of a revolver barrel,and the buckshot will lose energy faster than a single projectile (.357 Mag will punch through the BG and house walls as well...and could go quite a distance until it loses velocity...one way or another).
Pfletch83 said:
I do not believe it does anything well enough to compete with a .357 mag for a guy buying his first revolver.
We all know, and have discussed, what makes a .357 wheelgun useful. What does a governor/judge/public defender/whatever do better, and why?
The Governor is a very good contender (Same can be said of the Taurus Judges) as a home defense firearm.
Price wise it offers 3-6 choices in ammo.
Besides the popular .45's it can use three other .45 rounds (.45 schofield,.45 GAP,and .45 Autorim).
For close range home or personal defense the .410 buckshot load by federal is throwing 4-pellets per trigger pull,nothing against the other handguns,as I've said I carried a .38spl for the longest time,and still like it,but I see what the Governor offers and it can't be overlooked,price is another consideration (And the Z-Frame is still an S&W Revolver) $679.00 for the base model isn't a bad deal when you look at what you're getting value and build wise.
Check out this site....
www.410handguns.com
How much does a 686 go for these days ($800.00-$900.00 maybe)?
Price wise it offers 3-6 choices in ammo.
Besides the popular .45's it can use three other .45 rounds (.45 schofield,.45 GAP,and .45 Autorim).
For close range home or personal defense the .410 buckshot load by federal is throwing 4-pellets per trigger pull,nothing against the other handguns,as I've said I carried a .38spl for the longest time,and still like it,but I see what the Governor offers and it can't be overlooked,price is another consideration (And the Z-Frame is still an S&W Revolver) $679.00 for the base model isn't a bad deal when you look at what you're getting value and build wise.
Check out this site....
www.410handguns.com
How much does a 686 go for these days ($800.00-$900.00 maybe)?
Which of those ammo types is less expensive than .38 special?Pfletch83 said:
Pfletch83 said:
What size/mass are those projectiles? What kind of accuracy/spread? What is their penetration in ballistics gel?? Basically...how does their terminal performance compare to a good round of .38spl or .357 mag?
Pfletch83 said:
$700 at Buds, so that or a little more at a local shop probably.
My 4" Ruger GP100 was $550 last year, and I think they still go for that a lot of places.
Pfletch83 said:
You're right. The Ruger will hold up to the extremely hot/light/fast loads better than the Smith. Or so they say. That's why I went with a Ruger, primarily.
So what you are saying is that you don't know the weight of each projectile, or how far they penetrate in ballistics gel...or the numbers aren't so good so you don't want to type them out. At least that's what I'm hearing.
Oh yes, also what you are saying is that, despite saying "price wise there are 3-6 ammo choices", those ammo choices are more expensive than the ammo choices for a .357 mag.
I just don't buy a Judge, which frankly seems like a novelty for most people more than anything, replacing a good .357 as a guys first revolver. Don't see it at all
Why buy a .45acp only when you could have a .45 acp plus 5 other cartridge choices?
The whole conversation is like comparing a chop to a slap on the water,the chop will go deeper into the water,the slap will send shockwaves all over the pond.
The whole conversation is like comparing a chop to a slap on the water,the chop will go deeper into the water,the slap will send shockwaves all over the pond.
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Pfletch83 said:
Remind me...what, exactly, do you gain with the ability to fire .45 schofield,.45 GAP,and .45 Autorim, etc, in your first and only revolver??
And, if you would please...can you explain why what you gain by being able to fire .45 schofield outweighs having double or triple the capacity in a less expensive, easier to shoot platform?
Pfletch83 said:
Do you really, truly believe that being able to fire .45 schofield,.45 GAP, .45 Autorim, etc, outweighs a less expensive, easier to shoot option that has triple the capacity in .45 ACP? For a guy who, I will wager you $$$, doesn't have a a single round of .45 schofield,.45 GAP, or .45 Autorim??
We aren't talking about a gun you might buy to have fun with, here. We are talking about the OP's first revolver, for use on the range and at home.
Pfletch said:
Depends. Sticking to what I think is a better fit, that being a .357 mag, the Ruger GP100 would be less expensive.
BUT, more to the point, because your only listed benefit was the ability to fire all of the .45 cartridges, a semi auto .45 ACP would cost less, be easier to shoot, and hold three times as many rounds. If shooting .45 for home defense is what you are after (again, the only advantage you listed to a judge type weapon) then just buy a good .45 and wipe the floor with the revolver at that task.
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