Am I gonna have to get a .357?

[Dr.Rob]

I'm suprised I waited so long to get a 357.

Yes, get one.

The first centerfire handgun I ever shot was a Ruger Blackhawk in 357, and it's still in the family. maybe the Vaquero is the way to go since you already have a DA big bore. Still a 4 inch Ruger GP is mighty fine.

 

[Hal]

Nah, when you get right down to it, the .357Mag is pretty limited usage for some people.
(much as I hate to admit it since I dealry love the Smith Model 19)

 

[Poohgyrr]

Umm, you need at least two .357's. Any 3" to 4" S&W K, L, or N frame (preferably blued), and a 640-1. And reloading is so practical that it is also required.

Then you still have this .45 issue to deal with. Kinda like .357's and .44 Specials.......

 

[Nightcrawler]

Turns out a found a use for a .22 pistol. I Have an AR-7 .22 rifle, but it never really gets used.

But a .22 revolver would be nice for teaching new people how to shoot, like my new Japanese foreign exchange student friend who's excited to learn how. She has small hands, though. I'm thinking an SP101 .22LR with the 4" barrel would be perfect. Nice and small for new shooters, very un-intimidating.

Gotta get the GP100, too.

Cool.

 

[denfoote]

I dunno about you, but I AM gunna get a .357 TODAY!! As soon as I wake up (I work nights), go to the bank, and get to the gunshop!! Provided, they have not sold the durn thing since I called them wednesday!!

 

[seeker_two]

I just don't. I know the ammo is cheap, and I might buy one eventually, but I started off with serious guns and I'm going to be sticking with them for awhile, again, unless I find a good deal.

.22lr pistols are most DEFINITELY serious guns. While I reload & have a 1911, I shoot a lot of .22 through my Buckmark for practice. You learn a lot about gunhandling & marksmanship w/ the .22, and the lack of recoil lets you practice a great deal more.

Another option you could consider would be to obtain a M25 in .45ACP. Ball ammo is a lot cheaper (though not in the .22lr or 9mm range), and you still have the big-bore caliber & power. The Taurus .45ACP looks pretty good, too.

Here's my suggested steps to follow:

1. Get a .22lr revolver & lots of ammo. Shoot often.
2. Buy a Lee Anniversary reloading kit, components, .45Colt dies, and the Hodgson Reloading manual. Read the manual TWICE before you start reloading.
3. Buy either the .45ACP or .357Mag. Buy dies & components to match (.45ACP uses many of same components.) Shoot, reload, & enjoy...

 

[Nightcrawler]

I"m not buying any new S&W revolvers. If I can find a used 625 one I'd buy it, but a new one...my dealer priced it at $700 (checked his books, he didn't have one in stock). It's the same thing I've seen for ALL Smith revolvers these days. They're all way overpriced.

 

[Poohgyrr]

There's nothing wrong with getting a good used Smith. And it's the only way to buy some currently made but not sold in this state these days.

 

[seeker_two]

I"m not buying any new S&W revolvers. If I can find a used 625 one I'd buy it...

Me too. The new ones just don't have the character of the old (esp. blued) ones.

Unless you're planning to spend a lot of time outdoors w/ it, I'd choose the M-25 over the 625 any day. A 1950 Target would be even better. It's the ONLY .45ACP I'd even consider trading my 1911 for...

Same goes for the .22lr revolvers. A K-22 will shoot rings around any of the new ones S&W currently makes. And the Ruger SP101 would make a dandy trail gun (even more so if you ream out the cylinders to take .22mag... :

As always, YYMV...