Recommendations For A Decent Revolver?

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Scrod314 said:
Hello...
I had purchased a Ruger P95 for my Dad for his birthday 20 years ago. Really good deal on it for $240 or so? He keeps it for home defense. He has less than 100 rounds through it. He doesn't care to go to the range at all. Anyway, he wants a revolver. He is 75 and not in the best of health. I told him I would see what's out there.
I will be inheriting this revolver eventually. I like to shoot quite a bit. My budget is $500-$600. I'm thinking a .357 because I thought you could use .38 in a .357 as well. With all that in mind, what do yous guys think I should look at? Thanks for any help.
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In that price range, Ruger LCRx, 3", or Ruger SP101. If one can be found.
 
Poster #14 gave you the best advice. For a house gun there is no reason to get a snubby of some sort. A full sized duty gun is much easy to shoot. And someone else mentioned Taurus revolvers. I will second that. Taurus makes excellent fixed sight 38/357 revolvers. The model 82 might your best bet. Its a 38 Special and I have owned three of them in the past and everyone was a very good gun for the money.

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers/taurus-82

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers/taurus-65

These can be found in the $400 range. That will leave you some extra left over for crazy priced ammo.
 
FWIW, there are still LE turn-ins on Gunbroker.

I saw some S&W Model 64 4" 38 specials and Ruger SP101 3 " 38 specials just this morning.

It looked like it would be pretty easy to get one in the OP's price range.

This is my most recent SP101. It's a 2.5" in 9mm. The trigger isn't as good as a Smith and it only holds five, but I can shoot some pretty decent SD groups at seven yards, now that I'm used to the trigger. I had to put bigger grips on it for my XL hands. I much prefer my 2" Model 10, but the Ruger goes bang every time and has a decent trigger for an SP101 (the reason I bought it from the used gun counter). It was under $400 OTD, IIRC.

Ruger SP101 9mm

Ruger SP101 9mm

 
A 7 shot L frame in 2.5, 3 or 4 inch. A 7 shot GP 100 in a similar configuration. They have weight to offset recoil, good balance for older wrists/hands, good triggers for arthritic fingers, good capacity for a revolver, and good sight options for older eyes.
 
Scrod314 said:
That SP101 is in my price range. My Dad is telling me to trade in the P95, but, in my book, never sell Dad's guns.
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I was 67 when I began shooting. I decided I wanted a revolver. I could not complete the trigger pull on the SP101. (For the record, I ended up with a 4" 686 Plus.)

I would not buy something for your father without letting him try shooting it first. If his medical problems are causing a decline in his hand strength, look at the King Cobra, the trigger is about 9 lbs vs the 11-12 lbs on most other revolvers these days. It costs more than your stated range, but a $500 gun that he can't shoot is not a good use of your money.
 
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Scrod - about 9 years ago, I got a 4" 1 year old GP-100 (.357) at a pawn shop. My fingers aren't very long despite my hands needing "large" gloves. The 4" balances better than a 6" and lets more powder burn before exiting the muzzle, lessening the amount of the "flare".
My elderly mother has an SP101 in .38 Special but has gotten to the point that she can't pull the trigger, despite reducing the spring's strength two years ago. It is only a 5 shot with the (IIRC) 3" barrel. I have debated weakening the spring a little more but this might cause "light strikes" that fail to fire the primers. It did take the DA pull down to about 7 lbs.
Old Lady is correct - let him work the trigger himself as you need to find out what his capabilities are now.
Good luck !
 
I found a GP100 at a local gun shop. Used at $900. Seems kind of pricey?
 
SteadyD said:
A 7 shot L frame in 2.5, 3 or 4 inch. A 7 shot GP 100 in a similar configuration. They have weight to offset recoil, good balance for older wrists/hands, good triggers for arthritic fingers, good capacity for a revolver, and good sight options for older eyes.
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Good luck finding any of those in the OP's budget.
 
I would find a good Model 10 on Gunbroker. I watched several in the last couple of weeks sell for about $500. 80%-90% condition.

That's the best option in my opinion.
 
Something that should not be overlooked is the importance of well fitting grips to mitigate recoil and help shoot a revolver better with defensive rounds and the S&W K frame is a very common gun that offers a huge selection of aftermarket grips. Another thing to remember is to get your father a couple of speedloaders. While I like HKS, the Safariland Comp series are probably easier and faster to use for most people.

What a difference a grip makes!
SW_M&P.jpg
 
PzGren said:
Something that should not be overlooked is the importance of well fitting grips to mitigate recoil and help shoot a revolver better with defensive rounds and the S&W K frame is a very common gun that offers a huge selection of aftermarket grips. Another thing to remember is to get your father a couple of speedloaders. While I like HKS, the Safariland Comp series are probably easier and faster to use for most people.

What a difference a grip makes!
View attachment 1014502
Click to expand...

And make sure the grips allow speed loader usage, iffin' one wants to use speed loaders.
 
Hello... Thank you everyone for your advice. So, looked at a Smith and Wesson 340. He likes it, likes how it feels, but it's chambered in .357. I'm taking him to a range that has a good selection of revolvers this weekend so we can see how he handles some different pistols. I'm thinking this will be best, although it will add a little money to the cost of selecting the proper firearm for him.
 
LUCKYDAWG13 said:
Run 38 special in it for Dad
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Absolutely! I want one that shoots .38 and .357 because, someday (hopefully not soon) it will be mine.
On a different note, I have been keeping change in a huge cheese ball container for like 5 years. I'm thinking I'm going to cash it in to add some more money to the gun fund. I'm guessing $300-$400 in there?
 
There is always the EAA Windicator or what I call the Windyanchor if you want to go below budget. Very decent revolver, it shoots.
However, a tight but ratty finished K-frame variant is going to be a better value in the future as far as resale and feel on the hip. Everyone has their own rankings.
 
image.jpg Budget/available-wise, I don’t think the favorable price point” Taurus revolvers can’t be beat.

Among my “high $$$($) revolvers I have/had 4 (gave a 2” ported 32 H&R Mag. 5 “beaner” to my Bonus Son some time ago), I currently have a 5 bean 357 “Fitz Special,” a 380 5 round Ultra-Lite and alas, had another 380 stolen from my truck. All in all, I’ve had them for some years now. Workmanship/fit/finish GREAT! Trigger, both SA and DA very nice. I daily carry one as a back-up or as a stand alone carry piece.

Top: 357 “Fitz Special” modification
Bottom: 380 Ultra Lite
 
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