About to get my first gun

[JP from Phoenix]

I've been trying to do alot of research on the topic since I'm new to all this stuff and don't want to spend alot of money on a gun that isn't quality. I was about to get a Taurus Tracker 4'' Stainless .357 but got snagged for some reason when i did the background check so i have to wait till at least Aug 2nd.

Should I stick with my plan to get the Tracker or can I get something better for under 500 bucks new? I hear alot of people bash Taurus but the it seems like the general opinion of the Tracker is that it is a great gun. I've been also checking out the Ruger GP-100 as well but never held one because i havnt seen them in any of the 2 shops i've been in. The dude at the shop also showed me a used S&W (I think it was a 686) that i liked alot but it was a little more than i was planning to spend especially for used.

So what do you think? I want opinions from other than shop guys, seems like at both shops they were hella trying to unload the tauruses on me. The Tracker I was going to buy was 100 dollars or so cheaper than the other place i went so i thought it was a good deal is 460 dollars a good price for one of those? I'm pretty green so i dont really know, i dont want to get burned. thanks in advance

 

[Jim March]

I'd rather have a GP100 than a Taurus anything.

It's my opinion, but I mean that literally.

 

[ugaarguy]

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html

A GP-100 won't run you much more than the Tracker.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

^ So how much can i get one of those new from a shop? Like I said I'm pretty green when it comes to guns. I'm not trying to break the bank but at the same time I don't want to spend 5 bills on something that isn't a quality product.

Like I said in the shop all the Taurus guns were on sale the tracker was going for 460, with me any big purchase takes alot of thought. Finally after thinking about it i wanted the Tracker. They didn't really have anything else in that class of gun aside from a sweet S&W they were selling for like 600 used. It seemed really nice though, I'm green but I liked the feel of that particular gun. I'm shaky on a used gun though since i don't know what to look for in a used gun to know if the piece is messed up in any way. cosmetically it looked clean though.

I think i might have to go to some more shops to see what else is out there.

 

[ugaarguy]

Used Guns - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430 - that thread is "stickied" at the top of this subforum. Jim did us all a great service authoring it.

A new blued GP should be right at or just under $500.

 

[ronto]

I agree that you get the Ruger GP100. I have Taurus semi-autos that I'm happy with, but Taurus revolvers have too much bad press and I'd stay away from them.

 

[jt1]

JP from Phoenix - You can't go wrong with the Ruger. I would take a real good look at the Smith too. Think long term.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

Well the dude at the shop called me for more info and i asked if he can get me a price on the GP-100. I'm trying not to spend more than 500 bucks for the gun itself since i'm gonna also have to drop some coin on ammo, probably a holster or some method of carrying as well. I still might get the tracker though because despite how much negititive press i hear about taurus Ive yet to hear anything bad about the tracker. He probably wont order the gun just so i can look at it, I'd like to compare the 2 side by side to see which one i want. If i go to another shop i'll probably have to play the waiting game all over again with the background check though or would I?

 

[glockman19]

JP from Phoenix,

First, Welcome to THR.

The GP 100, SP 101, S&W 686 are all great guns to have. The trigger will be a little smoother with the S&W, Don't count it out.

I would absolutely positively spend more money for a Ruger or S&W than spend a dime on a Taurus.

You can get a NIB S&W 686 4" @ budsgunshop.com for $549. If you qualify for credit you can buy it and have NO payments & NO interest for 90 days. That's only about $20 a month for the nest 3 months after DROS& FFL transfer fees.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_39_72/sort/3a/page/2

The Ruger GP 100 is about $100 less @ $456 and the SP 101 is $399
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/49_76

Check them out.

 

[Hunter0924]

My vote goes for the Ruger GP 100. Ruger makes an excellent revolver that is built like a bank vault.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

I like the Ruger GP-100 alot by looks alone I just havn't had the chance to see one in person. How does the process work when going through a online site? How much are the shipping fees and I'm sure whatever shop you ship it to is going to want their cut as well.

The sp-101 looks good too, do they make that one in a 4 inch?

Thanks for the warm welcome BTW, you guys have all been a big help