Next gun: .357 Revolver

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masterofchaos

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The gun I'm considering is a 2011 Taurus Tracker 627 (.357) revolver - 4" barrel. It felt good in my hands (28.8 oz). I love the idea of being able to use .38 and .357 ammo and price is $530 (Bass pro-very close to work in case i need to get work done).

It would be used for MOSTLY for target shooting, but also as protection in my car (stored in glove comp or under seat). I'm ONLY hesitant to buy the Taurus b/c I've read about quality issues with bullets getting shaved, etc.

The other considerations are Ruger SP101 (GP100 is a little too heavy for me, but what a sexy gun). The SP101 is $550 (and American made), but it's only 5 rounds vs. Taurus' 7. There's a smaller barrel on the Ruger and the Taurus is ported so I am GUESSING Taurus would handle recoil better. Weight on Ruger SP101 is close to Taurus' weight @ 27 oz. Taurus has a cool new grip. The gun felt good in my hand. I just don't know if I can trust Taurus' quality.

I also looked at a S&W Model 60 .357 Mag Revolver - 3'' Barrel ($700).very similar to Ruger's SP101 as it has 5 rounds and a smaller barrel, BUT an even saltier price. It's only 22 oz. so I would think I'd feel the recoil even more. There's a bigger S&W--a 686 for $830 and it is as weighty as the Ruger GP100.

Another alternative is the S&W M64. It's only 38 special, but it take +P so it would be a step above my Colt Cobra. I haven't held one yet to see how it feels.

Maybe I need to lift more weights so the .38 oz doesn't feel like it would tire me out after 150 rounds of practice 'cuz the Ruger GP100 and S&W 686 series are NICE!

What do you guys recommend? I'm a 41 yr. female who owns a Sig p250 9mm and colt cobra 38 special with a 1.75" barrel. I am looking for a revolver with a longer barrel, yet not too heavy that I can't commandeer it in a 150 round session. Thanks in advance.
 
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Just bought a SP101 SS in 357 don't get me wronge but compared to Taurus there is no comparison. Ruger is better made, stronger and tends to take a lot of punishment. Yes it is a little more but I put nice set of Pachmeyers on her and has she has a really nice feel in the hand. Well balanced good natural aim point. As a personnel defense weapon what is not to like? PS: My wife likes the SP101 not to heavy but feels very solid and she liked that feeling. Just don't go crazy with the loads. Remember it is not hot load that defends you, but placement, placement, placement. Practice often and practice well.
 
I would seriously reconsider the GP100. Sounds like you've already got the snub nose covered with the Colt, so no real good reason to go for the SP101 or other 3" or less. That 4" plus the heft is really going to tame the recoil. I'd also take a look at other used Ruger DA revolvers, like the Security Six, and Speed Six. They will weigh a little less than the GP and will be a hair cheaper too. I take it you are looking for a good value and not looking to break the bank?
 
What Tex said^^. Buying a Taurus can sometimes be a hard lesson, so can overpaying at Bass Pro.
 
I would go with either the Ruger SP101 or the S&W 64.

I have no personal experience with any of the Taurus revolvers, some love 'em, some don't.

If it's mostly for the range I suspect you will enjoy shooting the 150 rounds of 38 Special more friendly than an equal amount of 357's. 38+P would do fine for a glove box gun also.

I like to go to Bass Pro to look at and handle the guns but when it comes time to buy I usually shop local gun shops for better prices and sometimes some good deals on nice used guns. Situation in your area may be different.

Good luck :)
 
Your taste in firearms begs for an S&W - the standard by which all others are judged. Of the guns you list as considering, the S&W model 64 gets the nod. Actually any K-frame S&W would fit your criteria well. Lots of aftermarket grip choices available to customize them to fit your hand.

Many of us have had good luck with used/discontinued models in pristine condition at reasonable (but not cheap) prices on Gunbroker http://www.gunbroker.com Take a look at S&W models 19 and 66 while you are browsing. Ruger's Service Six or Security Six are also good choices.
 
My preference is generally S&W, but whatever you choose please for the love of god don't pay those prices. Do yourself a favor--take a look at budsgunshop.com and compare the shipped prices for those guns to what Bass Pro is trying to extract from you (see below). You would still need to find a transfer dealer, but I doubt there's any shortage of them in the Harrisburg area.

On the other hand, I strongly urge you to consider buying used. Doing so will generally save you considerably more money.

Taurus Tracker, $463 shipped:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/494/products_id/31746

Ruger SP101, 3" $464 shipped:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/76/products_id/70241

S&W Model 60, 3" barrel $584 shipped:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/72/products_id/43699

S&W 686, $665 shipped:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/72/products_id/26252
 
Thanks folks!

Your input has helped. I will NOT be buying the Taurus. I will be sticking to a 4" (or 5" barrel) to balance out my collection.

I found out that there's a gun show in 2 weeks at the Farm Show Complex so I will be on the look out for a good, used S&W or Ruger or a deal on a gun that feels right.
 
Hi,
Based on what your saying look for a used S&W model 19 or 66. Natural pointer and balanced to almost perfection. And a double action trigger that is among the best. My other suggestion would be the Ruger Security/Service Six series. They are close to the model 19 in the way they point and balance in the hand. I have all the revolvers that I have mention and to me they make the best all around 357 magnums out there. I have bigger revolvers and they are fine but I shoot the model 19 and the Ruger Service Six better.
Good luck,
Howard
 
Best advice I recieved and can give-shoot whatever you plan on buying even if it costs . Can be $$ saving in the long run.

Back when we shot pistol on Tue night we had couple people come in and shoot members guns before buying. One guy didnt buy cause he got to shoot the same gun belonging to a member.
 
What's wrong with Taurus? I always hear people bashing them, but without any justification. Smith and Ruger don't have lifetime warranties, do they?
 
There seem to be a lot of used, but good condition S&W 4" heavy barrel model 10s in the marketplace right now... might keep your eye out for those, and just see how one fits your hand, even if the sample gun is condition/price you don't buy, you can then find more/others
They will most certainly handle any 38+P load real well
I have seen some around here in real nice condition for maybe ~$350, other less nice for significantly less

S&W k-frames any/all would seem to fit your criteria
"MOSTLY for target shooting"... pick one with adjustable rear sights

PS
"is a bobbed hammer a trimmed down hammer so it doesn't snag on clothing when CCW?"
mostly it is so the guns are set up as DAO (double action only, no cock-2-shoot in SA mode)
lots of used police department guns are so modified, department policy stuff
I would suppose your Colt is traditional DA/SA

be sure you really want DAO vs DA/SA if you buy one
some do, some don't
(debated topic, you know, sometime hotly debated)

"What's the difference between square and round butts (ok except the obvious)"
not much, it's the shape of the steel butt frame, oft pretty much hidden from view by the grips ...
some say the round butt is "better" re: a tad more straight back recoil , but you couldn't prove it by me, I have both
lots and lots of aftermarket grips out there for either
 
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If your going to spend $500 on a Taurus revolver why not just get their Rossi? It's made by the same company and is basically the same gun.

R97104.jpg

This 3 inch .357 retails for about $350 new
 
pazz said:
If your going to spend $500 on a Taurus revolver why not just get their Rossi? It's made by the same company and is basically the same gun.

R97104.jpg

This 3 inch .357 retails for about $350 new
Click to expand...

Does Rossi have a lifetime warranty? Why prefer Rossi over Taurus if they're the same company?
 
A 3" Sp 101 is a very nice revolver.

You should also look into used Security Sixes which are the best DA revolvers Ruger made.

A Model 19 S&W or other K frame are pretty easy to find used and aren't as bulky as other magnums. Very nice triggers on the old ones, too.
 
Anybody bought these? Ya like e'm?

What's the difference between square and round butts (ok except the obvious)

Is a bobbed hammer a trimmed down hammer so it doesn't snag on clothing when CCW?
Click to expand...

The 64 is an outstanding weapon but in your case I'd look for a 357 mag. It's much more versatile with no extra weight. (Assuming you're considering a 64 vs a 65.)

The round butt weapons allow for greater concealability. However, with the right grips, the point is moot. I have two model 66s. One is round butt. The other square. Both wear Pachmayrs. Either gun will conceal just fine.

A bobbed hammer is where the hammer spur has been removed. That makes it "double action" only. It's fine for a conceal carry piece but limited for target work.

If your going to spend $500 on a Taurus revolver why not just get their Rossi?
Click to expand...

No offence, but I'd stay away from Rossi. It's lower quality compared to Smith or Ruger.
 
addedpulp said:
What's wrong with Taurus? I always hear people bashing them, but without any justification. Smith and Ruger don't have lifetime warranties, do they?
Click to expand...
S&W does have a lifetime warranty-but only for the original purchaser, where as Taurus warranty covers all owners, whether the first or 100th. Ruger has no written warranty, but they have a known history of taking care of any issues that arise. They chose not to have a written warranty so they didn't have to worry about it being compliant with all laws in all 50 states.
Now the problem with Taurus, and if you hang out here, and on other gun forums you will see the trend, is that quality from the factory is very good on some guns, and very bad on others. Some Taurus owners have no problems. Others have problem after problem. The guns go back under warranty and are often gone for months. When they come back, it's a crap shoot as to whether or not the problem is solved. Often times people wind up sending the gun back multiple times for the same problem. With either S&W or Ruger, the problem is generally solved the first time, although I am sure there are exceptions. Also the likelyhood of it needing to go back for service is much less.
 
At least find and handle a Ruger Security Six. If you think the GP100 is "sexy" you may just go gaga over a Sec Six in stainless with the right grips....
 
Just to add to your list...I'm sure you've already noticed, but some will have target/adjustable sights and some will have fixed/service sights.
S&W 10 & 64, 13 & 65 are service sights while the 15 & 67, 19 & 66 are adjustable. There are more, but those 8 are the more common K frame S&W 38 & 357's. Either sight option has its pros and cons.
 
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