2.5" or 4"

[Rogelio]

Hello Guys

I have never owned a revolver before (owned a Makarov, a Glock 25, a browning baby and a Browning Hi- Power) and I just want to have my first "wheel gun" because I have always loved those things!!

BUT, I live in Peru and here our gun choice is quite limited, so I can only buy this 2 revolvers (taurus is no longer imported and the ones left are VERY VERY expensive for me right now).

This 2 revolvers sell for 171.44 USD and they are priced "right" in contrast to what other guns cost here in Peru (bryco pistols for 300USD!!!). They come in 2.5 and 4" barrels, and both cost the exact same...

I plan on carrying the thing all around, so I don´t know if the long barrel is THAT much of a difference to justify the extra weight and the annoyance for concealing... 1.5 inches make a great deal of difference??

Please feel free to give me your comments, my email is [email protected]

Thanks again....

Rogelio

 

[Rogelio]

this is the 4 inches one...

This is the other revolver

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

Hello Rogelio,

I don't know the brand of revolvers shown in your photos, but if I were limited to one of those, I would inspect the revolvers (new or used) in accordance with Jim March's excellent revolver check list:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816

You may have to look at more than one example of each revolver, to find one that is acceptable.

If they both pass inspection, for carry, I would prefer the 2.5 inch barrel.

Are there any used Smith & Wesson or Ruger revolvers available?

 

[Jim March]

Right, these are 38s and not 357s? And availability of really good ammo is going to be limited, correct?

In that case, the extra velocity out of a 4" might prove critical.

Tip: if all you've got available is lead roundnose (or even jacketed roundnose), cut the tip off so you've got a flat nose. That'll also bump the velocity a bit - but you're going to need every scrounged foot-per-second you can get, and that means 4".

And yes, for God's sake run the checkout (first post, this forum).

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'd advise a good S&W 686 2 1/2 revolver.

 

[Lone Star]

Rogelio-

I'm sure the gentleman from Boston means well, but doubt that a snubbie M686 is easily available in Peru. In any event, I think the medium-heavy frame of that gun calls for a four-inch barel for best balance. The S&W's on the medium (K) frame are a better choice for a large snub.

I believe the police in Peru have used a number of S&W M&P (Model 10) and M19 (with special-order fixed sights). Have any of these come onto the civilian market?

If you can get a good one for a price that you can afford, the Model 10 may be your best hope, unless Magnum calibers are legal and available. In that case, if I could have only one gun, I'd select the S&W M66 with four-inch barrel. If concealed carry is paramount, the small frame S&W .38's with two or three inch barrels would be better.

Probably, you should have hung onto that Browning 9mm!

Good luck, amigo...

Lone Star

 

[BowStreetRunner]

that would be gentlewoman from boston

 

[Rogelio]

Those revolvers are RANGER brand, made in argentina.

Yes, they are .38 spl, no .357 in peru!

Nop, police officers here use Taurus revolvers and they don´t come to the public easily....

Thanks for the checking guide, it is great!!!

 

[Pappy John]

If I were limited to only one of these, I would take the 4". Longer sight radius usually gives better accuracy, and the longer barrel gives better velocity, as previously mentioned. Frame size is the same, so that extra one and a half inches of barrel isn't going to affect the carry weight much. The only reason I might go with the shorter of the two is if it had to be concealed at all times.

 

[Atticus]

If revolvers are rare in Peru...then experienced gunsmiths are probably not. Much easier to remove 1.5" from a barrel than grow same. I'd get the 4".