Need a Good Revolver

[inthelineofire]

Hi guys-

I'm currently on the market for a nice Smith and Wesson Revolver. I do not want a terribly heavy frame (Have shot the 686 and love it, but it may be a bit too large). I'm thinking something in 4" will be nice. Also, I do not want an air weight. I have seen/shot the Smith Model 19 Combat Magnum and LOVE it... Just wish I could find a nice one around here. Funds are somewhat limited as I just purchased my Kimber Custom Crimson Carry II.

Please feel FREE to post pictures. I'm not as familiar with revolvers as I am with autoloaders.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Please, only suggest Smith and Wesson revolvers. I'm not into Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms, etc.

 

[Racinbob]

Here's a great 66. It was my father's and very cherished. 66's and all the K frame Smiths may be what you are looking for. I'm a S&W fan but don't rule out the Rugers. I don't have one....yet. Great revolvers as well. Taurus and Charter...well....

 

[MCgunner]

You're going to pay, even for a used one. Consider the J frame, without the lock, means used. In .357, you'll wanna fire hot loads sparingly. I saw a 2.5" round butt 66 a while back for about 400, didn't seem like a bad deal. I had no money at the time, however. If I had, it probably would be mine. In Smiths, I really prefer short barreled K frames to J frames in .357 and even then, it's sorta weak for the caliber. I shot lots of .38 and low counts of .357 in my M19, never had a problem with it, but didn't have a really high round count when I sold it, either. I prefer J frames in .38 special, what they were built for. Gonna beef one up for .357, might as well get a K frame and have a 6 shot cylinder.

You may not be "into" Ruger, but it beats the J or K frame Smith hands down IMHO, for .357. In .38, the J frames are great carry guns. I kinda like the body guards, shrouded hammer, since I pocket carry, but like the SA capability.

 

[Guillermo]

While they can me a little heavy, a police trade in 686 can be had for 350-450

I am a sucker for K frames

I do not like Rugers but they are quality weapons and reasonably priced. A used Security Six is 300-340 bucks.

keep an eye on J&G sales. The only problem is that most of their guns were rendered DAO which is just silly in a full size gun

 

[bannockburn]

Put me down as another one who would tell you not to dismiss a Ruger .357 so quickly. I'm not a fan of the GP-100 series, but I do think very highly of the older Security-Six models. Built like a proverbial tank, well balanced, and with a decent enough DA/SA mechanism, I felt they were better designed and somewhat more rugged and durable than their S&W Model 19 counterparts. I would add that there's nothing wrong with looking for a Smith; just that there are other options out there if cost and/or availability are an issue.

 

[Brian Williams]

Go to J&G Sales.com, look at the model 15s and some of the 64s.

 

[inthelineofire]

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm not a Ruger "hater" by any stretch (I own an LCP) but I do not like their revolvers. I have shot a Single 6 and Security 6 and despised both guns. I have handled the GP 100 and GP 101 and dislike them as well. I feel the 686 is a far superior revolver... But here again, that is merely an opinion.

Charter and Taurus... Well... We won't go there.

If only I could find a nice model 19 combat magnum for about 400 bucks... Colt Python for the same price would be nice, too.

HAH!

 

[snakeman]

my dad's rossi out shoots my moms gp100 by a long shot!

 

[jfh]

It bears repeating Brian's advice--check out the J&G used guns. At worst, even if you spend some money replacing a hammer, you should be able to have what you want for perhaps $400.00, or much less....

Jim H.

 

[wep45]

looking for a S&W revolver?.................

check it out........... http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/smith-wesson/revolver/cPath/16_211_431

 

[Oro]

Did you shoot the 4" 686 or a 6" one? The 4" is a very sweet shooting and handling revolver. Difficult to find a better mix of features, looks, handling, strength, durability and price. I firmly believe a 4" 686 is one of the all-time great revolver values. Prices are softer now than the last two years. A sub-$500 one is not at all hard to find. The blued 586 model is the same gun.

If you don't need the magnum, the surplus guns mentioned are good values. If you don't have to have the (desirable, imho) adjustable sights, a WWII or earlier M&P model has looks, history, accuracy, quality, and value.

 

[W.E.G.]

+1 for the J&G police trade-ins

Model 64-5 (converted from DAO only to SA/DA, and a fresh set of grips)

 

[angel1216]

but I do not like their revolvers.

how could you not like such a "purty" specimen!!!

 

[MachIVshooter]

If only I could find a nice model 19 combat magnum for about 400 bucks

Should be easily doable. I paid $200 for a P&R 19-4 about 5 years ago, they've gone up a bit, but can still be had for a reasonable sum.

Just know that heavy use with hot loads is hard on K-frames. That's why the L-frame was created. The 19/65/66 can handle .38+P and normal .357 loads for decades no problem, but if you wanna shoot lots of Buffalo Bore type stuff, get the 586/686.

 

[SWAddict]

You can't go wrong with a 4" S&W 586 or 4" S&W 686. Even if you think it is a bit heavy to you, you will appreciate the extra weight when shooting magnums.

 

[stealth]

You're going to pay, even for a used one. Consider the J frame, without the lock, means used.

I have to say this is not true.
Here is one source for the new 442 NO LOCK
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/56446

 

[TwoNiner]

I'd consider a nice model 65. The gun pictured is not mine, but it is one I have been drooling over. Some day I'll pick one up. It is built on the k-frame.

If you really plan on shooting lots of magnum loads, I'm of the opinion you will want a heavy gun with a long barrel. I use my 45oz, 6in GP100 for 357 magnums shooting 158s at 1300fps.

 

[Radagast]

The Model 66 is 'just right'.

 

[Radagast]

Or you can save your pennies and wait till you can afford a new 686 SSR with the lightweight barrel.

 

[joed]

The 19 and 66 are my favorites when it comes to S&W revolvers. The 66 is just a stainless version of the 19. I no longer have a model 19, sold the last 2 this year and kept the 66. Hate to say it but I like stainless more then blue as I've gotten older.

 

[bikerdoc]

I have shot a Single 6 and Security 6 and despised both guns.

Wow thats unusual, but hey, I respect your opinion.

FWIW on any model 19 check the forcing cone carefully for damage.

 

[Old Shooter]

Don't be in a hurry, check out the internet sales sites and keep in mind the ffl transfer fees.

Haunt the local gun shops for a while and check out the pawn shops also, I've gotten a couple of really nice ones there, just check them over good.

I recently got a S&W 66-4 with a 2 1/2" barrel from the used section of a local GS for $400 out the door, can't hardly tell it from new, just a slight turn mark on the cylinder.

 

[StrawHat]

I carried a S&W M19 for years when on duty. I also owned a 4" 686 and a 6" 686. The revoler I would carry on duty was still the M19, much lighter.

If you plan on shooting 357 Magnum rounds only, consider the 686. If you plan on using magnum rounds only once in a while and shooting mostly 38 Specials, the M19 or M66 would be the ticket (M13 or 65 if you want fixed sights).

If the 38 Special is your cartridge of choice, think about the M15, or M67. I still have a M15 and enjoy shooting it. I have no use for the 357 Magnum, if the 38 Special isn't big enough, I go right to my 45s.

 

[rklessdriver]

4" Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. Great handling and shooting pistol. I think anybody would be hard pressed to find a better deal on a quality pistol than the LE trade in Smith K Frames that are availiable.



When I bought it ($295.00 LE trade in at a local range) , my intent was to use it as a house gun. Well after it's first trip to the range it got claimed by the woman of the house.... Which resulted in the custom Kim Ahrends grips, Parked finish, champer chambers and action job courtesy of Matt Almeda at Revolver Armor.

Will

 

[jhvaughan2]

Don't overlook the "lesser" models

You do not state what you would like to do with the revolver. Many folks automatically jump to suggesting the .357. I love the .357 and think it is the most versatile round that exists.

However in collecting s&W revolvers there are many fine specimens in .38 special. Older .38 specials usually go for $50-$100 less than similar .357.
When punching paper, the .38 does it just as well (maybe better) than .357.
For home defense, an intruder will have just as many holes as a .357, with much less flash, noise and bullets through the walls.

K-frames 38's are about the perfect balance of weight power and recoil.

- Model 14's are beautiful firearms and a dream to shoot (you will probably have to go 6" though.)
- Model 15's (67 in stainless) are very similar to 14s and usually come in 4"
- Model 10's (64 in stainless) can be very pleasurable both in aesthetically and in shooting.

All of these can be found almost any week on auction sights for $350-$450. Model 10/64's are particularly good values.