I know nothing about revolvers, but i have a fellow recruiter that is looking for one. He is looking midsize, could be carried. A mild caliber, but not miniscule either. Reasonably priced ($400-600) too.
Sorry all he knows other than "I want a revolver"
Any advice and pics to show him?
First, he should buy and read Grant Cunningham's
The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver. This book will orient him to the platform and show him how to check if the gun fits his hand.
Also read
No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan. He goes into the reasons why 357 Magnum is a great choice for personal defense.
1) How much handgun shooting experience does he have?
2) How much revolver shooting experience does he have?
Attributes to look for:
1) The barrel should be t least three inches and likely no longer than four inches. The reason for the four inch maximum is that longer barrels can be difficult to carry.
2) Round butt frame for S&W revolvers. This aids in concealment and you can buy stocks that simulate a square butt grip.
3) Good sights. A rear sight channel is not all that great. There are some variations available. Most guns will have adjustable rear sights, but fixed ramp sights are available. Some models have night sights. I do recommend the gun has a pinned front sight so you can easily replace it with a night sight. The Ruger GP100 with 4" barrel has a removable front sight. Several S&W models have a similar system.
This S&W Model 24 had night sights installed. The front sight is integral to the barrel, so the red ramp insert has been replaced.
4) Medium frame. Generally, the S&W K Frame guns have been considered to be exceptional carry guns. The beefed up S&W L Frame (and equivalent Ruger GP100) is made to address the deficiencies of the K Frame with regard to shooting hot magnum ammunition. I do not recommend the very small frames known as the S&W J-Frame (also the Ruger LCR size) for learning. I really like the larger N-Frame revolvers, but they require a bit more determination to carry. The advantage of an N-Frame in 357 Magnum is that the cylinder holds eight rounds.
5) "Medium caliber" Since the purpose is general range use, carry/self-defense, then either 38 Special +P or 357 Magnum are recommended. However, I will also recommend revolvers chambered in 9x19mm or 45 ACP.
6) Chamferred charge holes. These facilitate reloads and are quite important. You can get by with them, but you'll notice rounds getting hung up when you try to reload quickly.
7) Speed loader availability. Some revolvers do not have quality speed loaders available. I really like Safariland COMP loaders, but they're not made for all revolvers.
8) Stocks. Stocks can be built for the purpose and length of pull can be adjusted. There are "target" style stocks, "boot" grips (short stocks for concealment) and so forth. The area behind the trigger is typically filled since this will smash into your finger. Notice how the area behind the trigger guard is filled and there is wood across the backstrap. The stocks are Jordan Troopers from Herretts.