Beginner's Revolver that's NOT a .22?

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You can shoot 500 rounds for less than 20 bucks with a .22. As a beginner, unless you expect to become a novice extremely quickly and not need to buy another gun, why not go with the bargain shooter?
 
IMO: A beginners revolver that isn't a .22 is not a beginners revolver.

It takes a lot off ammo to get truly proficient with a handgun.
And few people can afford to feed a centerfire unless they also reload.

If I just had to suggest something?
It would have to be a .357 Mag of some sort.
You can Google S&W & Ruger yourself for models & pictures.

Then you start out shooting .38 Spl in it till you learn how to shoot.
Don't make the mistake of starting with full power .357 ammo as you will develop a flinch that will take forever to get over.

rc
 
??????????? CraigC????????? Why? A used K frame S&W would be a great "beginners" revolver. I would suggest a .38 spl. or a .357 and use the spl. in it at first. You can't go wrong with a .22 but I can't think of a single reason (OK, maybe ammo cost) to limit it to a .22.
 
I simply don't want a .22 lr. But I guess I can look at that as an option, but I'm not new to pistols. I have experience shooting autos, and only own one pistol, which is an Astra.
 
.32 Long (Or Mag). Cheap to reload, low recoil, accurate, lots of fun. I shot some .32 Mag today from two different revolvers. Light 83 Gr HBWC loads, and a few full power 100 Gr loads.
 
Racinbob said:
??????????? CraigC????????? Why? A used K frame S&W would be a great "beginners" revolver. I would suggest a .38 spl. or a .357 and use the spl. in it at first. You can't go wrong with a .22 but I can't think of a single reason (OK, maybe ammo cost) to limit it to a .22.
Click to expand...

Ammo cost and revolver cost.

It's silly to jump into expensive round knowing full well that you need to practice, a lot.
 
My first handgun was a Rhom/RG type single action 22 and it was a piece of junk. My uncle, a Ft Worth police officer said "lets get you a model 19". So he helped me get a 6" model 19 with all the works for a little over $200 from a police supply house.

I shot one box of wadcutters and one box of 357s and immediatly started handloading. Unlike others here I think a 38/357 makes a fine starter gun but you need to reload.

A model 15 38 special is a really good starter gun. So are the Taurus 66 series but get someone who knows guns to check it out for you. Any 4-6" model 19/66 is a good gun along with the Ruger security sixes and the GP100. Training with a seasoned shooter is a good way to become a decent shot without running yourself in debt in ammo cast. My buddy just bought his first centerfire gun, a smith&wesson model 10 with a 6" barrel has loaded a couple of boxes of ammo on my press. I told him to buy his componants and he can use my tools all he wants. I have 3/4s ton of lead and told him he can cast all the bullets he wants just bring his own gas bottle for the melter. A box of 50 rounds can be loaded very cheap this way.

And plan on buying a 22 for all the reasons listed above.
 
Police/security trade S&W model 64.

Spend the difference between that and a new gun on a killer daylong shooting class that allows you to use the revolver.

Starting on a .22, while proven and cheap, is old school compared to today's new shooter reality. If a new shooter has a family member or friend with a .22 to teach them the way my dad did me with the ol' flatgate single six, then they don't need any help from THR.

But the majority of new shooters I see are wanting their first defensive gun, and there are scores of good instructors (and a few bad ones) springing up in practically every city that are proving, even today (I just got back from the range, and there was a class in session in the tac bay), that one can start from scratch with an XD, G19 or service revolver.

JMO.
 
Smith & Wesson Model 15.

S%26WModel15-4_01.jpg

You can sit and shoot wad cutters through it all day long. Learn to reload and it's almost as cheap as a .22.

If you need to, put Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWCHP +P in it for home/self defense.
 
A beginner's revolver that isn't a .22?
I'd recommend a good quality 4" barrel .357 Magnum shooting cast bullet "cowboy load" .38 Specials. Just keep the chambers and bore clean for when you do move up to jacketted .357 Magnum ammo and don't be in a hurry to get there.
 
All of you who are saying a .22 is the only revolver for a beginner are forgetting the popular image of the .22 as a mere toy. I started off with .38 special and .357 magnum and moved to .22 later when I appreciated the usefulness as a skill-building tool at very low cost. I would suggest letting the beginner shoot every caliber that is to hand and then suggesting that for skills development, doing a lot of shooting from a .22 is at least one of the avenues to take.
 
If you just cann't wrap your mind around a .22 revolver. Just keep on searching for a Ruger/S&W/Colt revolver in 38/357 with a 3-4" barrel. There are plenty of them out there in good shape. You need to do search on how to check it for flaws and damage.

My first pistol was a Colt New Fronteer in .22. My second pistol was Colt reissue 1851 Navy C&B. It is the best balanced handgun I've ever shot. The third handgun I was given was a S&W model 10 carried by my Grandfather in the Pacific. I can still shoot these as good as any of my other pistols custom tuned or not.

By all means get a centerfire pistol and an inexpencive reloading set up, You'll enjoy yourself.

Cheers,

ts
 
Why would anyone need to start with a .22 rf?? My next choice would be the .38 Spl, there are more then you could possibly want, ammo is available just about anywhere and it is a great cartridge for a beginner.
 
I like rcmodels response in post #5.

I started "from scratch" (no parents, mentors, etc.) and I started with a .22LR. Boringest gun I ever had. Would not do that again.

A 4" STEEL revolver in .357, but shooting .38s is the best answer. You won't get bored.
 
I do not think .22 LR is boring (I own 6, 3 pistols and 3 rifles), but it certainly isn't enough to keep one going all the time. One needs larger calibers to go with it. That said, people shoot .22 LR by the truckload. Must be something they like about it.

A good used .38 Spl or .357 Mag can be had fairly inexpensively if you keep an eye out and are patient. they can be loaded so light you will think you are shooting a .22, or loaded up hotter for more fun.

I picked up a Model 10-6 heavy barrel for under $300, and it is a favorite of mine.

They can be pretty cheap to reload, but naturally cannot compare to .22 for low cost.
 
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