I never liked Revolvers...

It's probably not a god idea to have a lightweight 357 revolver due to the recoil. You must have handled an airweight or such.

I'm not really a revolver fan but I do like my Dan Wesson 357 magnum with the swappable barrels. At least I can switch to 38 special. And with 2 to 4 inch barrels I have the option to carry.

Now the 44 magnum on the other hand, is a hand cannon...

A good K-frame Model 19 or 66 would be my recommendation.

Ruger sp101

Pick your caliber, pick your barrel

You will NOT enjoy "plinking" with any airweight revolver in larger than .32 caliber.

Some people say they "don't mind" .38 Special recoil in an airweight.
Let me tell you, MOST PEOPLE do mind it quite a lot.

If its just carried for self defense, you can probably stand to shoot an airweight often enough to become proficient. That you may become proficient, DOES NOT MEAN the process will be much fun.

If you want a recreational revolver, that will be adequate for defense and concealed carry, you want a four-inch .357 magnum with STEEL FRAME. You can shoot light .38's for plinking. But mind you, a four-inch .357 is NOT a compact weapon.

Here is a pic of how a four-inch Ruger .357 compares to a FULL-SIZE Glock (.40 caliber).
The Ruger is "bigger."

A J-frame S&W in .38 special (5-shot) or a Colt Detective Special (6-shot) might be worth looking at. Both can be found with a steel frame and both would seem lightweight compared to a 1911.

I DO like revolvers. But there are things about revolvers you probably won't like.

The cylinder is really fat and makes concealed carry on/in your belt not so fun.

The grip angle is different than most semis

reloading is a nuisance unless you carry speedloaders and carrying speed loaders is a nuisance. Moon clips are a nuisance to carry too.

quite often the trigger sucks in double action unless you get it tuned up and that can be expensive if you want a primo job.

To truly make a revolver concealable you need the tiniest grip you can find. That makes shooting it more difficult. Also the small grips are out of vogue nowdays and are not easy to find.

Here's my ideas...

the smallest revolver cylinder made that I know of is a charter arms undercover. It's 5 shot and rated for 38 special. It comes in a lightweight aluminum model nowdays. It has a smaller cylinder than smith or ruger 5 shooters. New ones come with large rubber grips though. throw those away. Buy a set of barami hip grips for your charter.

Full power 38 specials are not real fun to shoot in a little snubby but they aren't as bad as 357. I prefer the lower powered wad cutters. I can shoot wad cutters in my tiny grip charter all day long, one handed rapid fire. Absolutely painless.

I'd go with a .38 special that can handle +p, and shoot it with some regular .38 to practice, and a handful of +p to get an idea of what to expect. A .357 would fit the bill too, but shooting .38 special.

The requirements by the O.P. and use seem to not fit one revolver.

If you want a gun for the Range/plinking or to have camping Ruger makes
a robust variety of single action models not smal and not light. The Ruger Blackhawk in 38/357 or .45 Colt it's got an adjustable rear sight.

I have an all steel model 60 3" Bbl. .357 Mag but prefer .38 SPecial +P for
the range and a SD/HD load - it's all steeel and 24 oz. empty weight.

I also have a large N-frame S&W 625 in .45 ACP 5" Bbl. and at 45 oz empty the only way I'd carry it concealed is a vertical (muzzle down) shoulder holster.

I did have a 4" Bbl. medium frame S&W revolver I carried in a Milt Sparks
#AQ200 FBI cant (muzzle a bit angled to the rear ) and it was
concealable as my full size 1911 in a MIlt SParks #Axiom holster w/jacket or vest.

A used S&W 686 4" Bbl. .357 Mag is all steel and in the 37 oz empty weight range.and on the used market within your budget

Randall


.

I don't know why so many people seem to have a problem with small revolvers. They do not kick that much with the right ammo. I learned to shoot at ten years old on a colt cobra aluminum frame pocket gun loaded with 158gr lead round nose bullets. I shot that thing a BUNCH! Recoil never bothered me then, it sure shouldn't bother a grown man now. You don't have to put +P ammo in it.

I'd recommend a S&W M67 (adjustable sight) or M64 (fixed sight). You can shoot .38 Special (+P certified) all day in comfort. You can also find used ones in your price bracket with 3" or 4" barrels. Not ideal for CC, but it can be done and it's better than carrying a rock...

Cops carried these for years, and I never heard they were being decimated by the bad guys. Heck, European cops carried .380 Autos, and I never heard they were being slaughtered either...

Josh,

Either a good Ruger or Smith will do. These two are MINE!



and maybe you want just a .38!



Deaf

Since you already have a Taurus, I would recommend the Taurus 605 (.357) or the Rossi 461. Both can be had with 3 inch barrels which greatly helps with accuracy and recoil reduction. You should also try to rent a small frame gun before you decide to purchase, as like some have said, many do not like to shoot them, but I actually enjoy them. I also like the challenge of trying to shoot a small revolver well.
BTW, you absolutely can't go wrong the a S&W k-frame. The Model 66 is great.

Just remember, the way you grip a semi-auto is not the way you grip a revolver.

If you want a small .38 Special +P within your price range take a look at the Charger Arms Police Undercover. It's a very good revolver...

Just remember, the way you grip a semi-auto is not the way you grip a revolver.

Exactly how do you grip them differently?

I'm asking because I'm still a relative novice who started with a revolver. I grip semi-autos in the same manner I grip a revolver, which is with my left thumb wrapped over my right thumb.

When I see a picture of a semi-auto being used I invariably see two thumbs pointing forward unlike my method of both thumbs being far back.

Just wondering.

If I grip two thumbs crossed back on my semi I will get a left bloody thumb.

Josh45 said:

I don't know why but I never did....

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Did you grow up watching westerns?

Josh45 said:

The more I thought about it and after trying to carry my 24/7 45 and seeing how heavy it is..Well, Now Im thinking about getting one.

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Well, revolvers are similar to autos in weight, by and large, if similar materials and calibers are used, so I'm not sure that's a good reason. Simplicity and ultra-reliability, on the other hand, are examples of good reasons, in my view.

Josh45 said:

SA Would be nice but can deal with SA/DA.

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Do you mean DAO would be nice? Your statement just seems a bit unusual when used in reference to revolvers, so I thought I'd ask.

Josh45 said:

As for calibers, Something that is easy to find. 38? .357? .327? Nothing to extreme anyways! I would like to use this as my carry/plinking/range even.

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If you're open to .327 Federal Magnum, then you can have 6 shots in a small, steel-framed revolver from S&W (J-Frame Model 632) or Ruger (SP101, KSP-32731X). Otherwise, you'll have to choose between a larger revolver that will be harder to carry (but nicer for the range) and 5-shot capacity in an easier to carry small-frame revolver.

KJS said:

I grip semi-autos in the same manner I grip a revolver, which is with my left thumb wrapped over my right thumb.

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So do I. For me it helps with retention, and I shoot just as well or better with it than the popular two-thumbs-forward grip.

NMGonzo said:

If I grip two thumbs crossed back on my semi I will get a left bloody thumb.

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My thumbs are both below the slide when I use such a grip (which is all the time these days). I guess our hands and/or some details of our grip techniques are different.

Have you tried going to a range that rents firearms? That's what I did.

Now I own a .44 mag. (The recoil isn't what they claim in the movies. I shoot mine one-handed, and though slower, am still accurate - well as accurate as I can be. I'm not a competitor.)

For personal carry/ED carry, try the .38s, the magnums, the featherlights... if it's really a day to day carry item, and your life were on the line, you should research it a little and, unfortunately spend a little to find out what works for you.

Good luck in your choice. I think you'll be happy with a revolver.

And Josh,

You will really get to like wheelguns!

Deaf

Revolvers rock. I used to be a glock man. But now I have become a diehard single action man. If you reload revolvers are even better, no searching for brass.

I've found that the gun that fits your hand is the best one for you.

A K-frame S&W from the 60s-80s like a M10-5, or a M66 are great guns.

If you really want a brand new one, a Ruger SP101 - those are built like tanks & will last forever.
Your great-great grandchildren will be having fun with it.

"I never liked revolvers ..."

Well, I shoot the 10mm extensively, but own two .357 wheelies. One's a Ruger, the other a Smith.

Then I have a line on an reasonably-priced, Old School model 29, like what this guy's showing ...