Please help me choose a revolver

Hmmmm.

Sounds like a blued GP-100 or a older S&W 586 (also blued.)

Deaf

Deaf Smith said:

Hmmmm.

Sounds like a blued GP-100 or a older S&W 586 (also blued.)

Deaf

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My thoughts as well. Your not going to get 7 or 8 shots in a cylinder unless you get a newer Smith with a lock.

What the other guys said is correct. I have 3 S&W's with locks, and have never had a single problem with them.

I love my 686+. Great gun. If you want 7 or 8 shots in a blued Smith, you need to look at the model 27. If no lock is a must have, you'll need to go down to a 6 shooter.

Of course there is the option of a 686+, remove the lock, machine a plug maybe, and then have it after market blued. You're getting into some money then.

+1 on the 586 or GP-100. Rugers are built tough as guns come, and there's just something about a fine old pre-lock Smith.

One more...

Find a S&W model 13! Fixed sighted .357 Magnum K frame.

The FBI used the 3 inch version.

Deaf

I just read an article about the lock failing. It was in the National Enquirer. It said Elvis was trying to shoot Bigfoot when it happened.

The new 4 inch 586 is a darn fine revolver. Most accurate gun I have. Absolutely brilliant looking as well. My carry is a 2.5 inch 686+...7 rounds of thunder.

I thought I liked blue better too - until I picked up the 686+. Stainless is a bit easier to maintain as well.

You did not restrict choices to double actions, so you might consider a Ruger Blackhawk. Brutishly strong and a simple action, not terribly expensive either.

Sounds like you've narrowed it down to a blued GP100 or a used 586. J-Bar's suggestion of the Blackhawk is also worthy of consideration. A little slow to load and unload compared to a DA but unless you're planning on getting in a gunfight that can't be settled with six shots it's not a big deal. It's also available as a convertible with an extra 9mm cylinder. Doesn't get much more versatile than that.

Wow, you really limited the choices and I'm not sure any current or past revolver can meet all your requirements. The biggest problem is combining no lock with more than 6 rounds.

You can buy the new M586 which is a 7 round L frame and remove the lock, that would help fill all your requirements.

Ruger makes a blue GP-100 but it only comes in a 6 round version and it also has a lock even though it's hidden.

Sorry I can't be more help...

Alex45ACP, why are you considering the 357? It may help us to recommend a revolver if we know how you intend to use it.

Personally, I do not own a 357, preferring 38 Specials in that bore size and 45s for the larger revolvers.

Just curious as to why you would let the lock limit your choices. I don't like the locks either, but the lock on my 642 has never stopped it from firing because I don't use it. I would tolerate a lock if it meant an extra round or two available in a revolver I liked as you described. Just my opinion.

Alex45ACP said:

I am looking to purchase a .357/.38 revolver. Nothing fancy; just a solid, all-around workhorse. My father has a Ruger GP100 4" and I like it a lot, but figured I may as well explore other options. 7 or 8 shots instead of 6 would be nice, so the S&W line looked interesting, but I hate stainless finishes and I won't buy anything with a lock.

Any suggestions?

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Get what you like, what fits your hand, what you can afford and forget about the lock is my suggestion. Like a transfer bar/hammer block, they ain't gonna make a difference to someone that needs to ask others what to get.


You do know that some Ruger wheelguns have internal locks also, right?

You won't find a 7 or 8 shot S&W in a Classic design, you will have to stick to six shot revolvers.

The 586+ would be the one that comes the closest being blued.

You can't go wrong with a Ruger if you decide to go with a 6 shooter, for that matter any of the older Smiths or the newer reintroduced Classics.

I just bought a new Model 57 with the lock and have no intensions of ever using it. Didn't bother me at all except the little arrow and L looked like a scratch in the frame to me until I looked at it closer. I still don't care.

I'll echo what others have said, find what fits your hand the best and is the most comfortable when throwing it up to shoot, has sights that line up for you right off and so on. That's what you'll shoot the best with.

Personally I won't buy a revolver with more than six shots because I've been shooting six shooters for so long my internal counter always knows when it's time to reload. More than six shots would screw with me big time.

But that's just me and maybe this older guy doesn't like change. I'm not speaking for all of us, just me.

You could look at the Taurus guns. Their model 608 is pretty slick and I believe it's available in blued finish. 8 shots. Built on a 44 frame if I remember correctly.

There is the 386 XL Hunter. It's a black scandium 6" so it is light despite its size.

Ruger GP100! It is the best current production revolver in 357 Magnum. S&W quality has dropped in recent years and I am seeing too many guns with slightly turned barrels and problems with the finish. The LOCK and crappy internals do not help. There have been problems with two piece barrels, but I think S&W has ironed out those bugs.

Prelock S&W revolvers are a different story, but then you're dealing with a used firearm. If you want a 686, I'd look at one of those.

One advantage of the the GP100 with 4" barrel is that you can change the sights yourself. A variety of stocks/grips are available from Herrett's, Eagle, Hogue, Nill, Badger and others. The shank allows more variance in the grip's shape. They shoot very well. I highly recommend them.

There are so many revolvers in:

Colt

S&W

Ruger

That meet your criteria.

Anything greater than a six shooter will probably have a lock.

I absolutely adore the S&W Mod 13.

No frills 357 with frame fixed sites and a Bull Barrel.

Wonderful all purpose 357.

Can't go wrong.

tomrkba said:

Ruger GP100! It is the best current production revolver in 357 Magnum. S&W quality has dropped in recent years and I am seeing too many guns with slightly turned barrels and problems with the finish. The LOCK and crappy internals do not help. There have been problems with two piece barrels, but I think S&W has ironed out those bugs.

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I think you forgot to add the "IMO" tag in that statement. The lock aside there are some mighty fine revolvers in the S&W Pro line right now I wouldn't mind owning, if I had the money. I have nothing against Ruger products and I own many but IMO they do not produce the best .357 Magnum in current production. For one I think the M686 SSR is a better revolver. Another would be the Pro M686 Plus with a 5" barrel, very nice! (all IMO of course)
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57895_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57895_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

S&W also has a larger frame .357 Magnum revolvers in the form of the N frame whereas Ruger does not. (M27, M627 & M327)

If you are thinking about carrying, the 6 shot medium frame would be as far as it goes. Beyond that you get into bulk and weight that is hardly the classic carry piece. The more popular and concealable guns are only 5 shot on a smaller, lighter frame, so consider 6 shot to be the big dog.

I think you forgot to add the "IMO" tag in that statement

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No, I assumed people able to determine that I am expressing an opinion. I keep forgetting enough Americans are so stupid that they elected Obama and Biden to office a second time. I will try to add "IMO" tags to future posts so less intelligent readers will know I am expressing an opinion.

The lock aside

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IMO there is no such thing because THE LOCK affects the function of the revolver by blocking the hammer when it fails. IMO, THE LOCK is a poorly engineered storage device prone to failure under certain conditions. IMO, THE LOCK is not suitable for use on a carry gun. IMO, it is fine for range and competition use. IMO, guns are to be suitable for defense and used for sporting purposes as a secondary use. Therefore, IMO, S&W revolvers with THE LOCK are not quality guns.

In my opinion, of course, in case you do not know what "IMO" stands for.

Why the need for more than 6 rounds? I think that limits you greatly in selecting a wheel-gun.

There are lots of really nice revolvers out there that hold 6 and can be gotten for a good price.

Ruger GP series are workhorses and will eat hefty loads all day.

I have :
used Colt Trooper Mk III that is smooth as butter and accurate (sexy looking too).
used S&W M-19 6" that is also a dream to shoot and also is super sexy looking AND ACCURATE as heck.
I paid well under $500 for each of them.

I think you may doing yourself a disservice by trying to find a 'high cap' revolver, but that is just IMO.
YMMV

586L comp. Seven rounds of fun.

I am looking to purchase a .357/.38 revolver. Nothing fancy; just a solid, all-around workhorse.

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Say no more...

The S&W k-frame is about as good as it gets. The Model 10 in 38spl or Model 13 in 357mag are outstanding and widely available on the used market at good prices. I have both and they handle/shoot exceptionally well. No locks, no worries.



I like a Tyler T-grip on mine.