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

[oldfool]

"I plan on using it for CCW."

I did not see you prior post that
that suggests a smaller frame gun
snubbies are tougher to learn on with than full size, even moreso in DA mode, not a prime choice for "my 1st revolver", but if that's where you are going, at least consider 3" models
S&W model 60 Pro or Ruger SP101 readily come to mind
some folk do CCW k-frame size, even up to 4", but they are a lot tougher to conceal

you might ought think some about trying out some revolvers at a rental range
if it must be a snubbie, then look at Taurus 85, better trigger than most

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Oh, no I would like to CCW a medium frame. I'm a pretty big guy, 5' 11" and 240 lbs. I wear a light zip-up jacket about 80% of the year so concealing wouldn't be a big deal (shoulder holster.)

 

[robctwo]

Get the S&W 15 or the 10. I have three 15s and one 10. Very nice shooters. I reload everything from light target to +p.


15-4 Nickel


15-2


10-6

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I'm really liking that 10-6

 

[chicharrones]

I'm interested in the Ruger GP100 in 357; or what about 327 Fed Mag? Or just save up for both? How much do each of them cost?

The GP100 was my first handgun purchase back in the early '90s. The GP100 is heavy enough that felt recoil alone most likely will not cause flinching with standard .357 loads let alone .38 Special. Unless someone is foolhardy enough to shoot without hearing protection. That will make your whole body flinch shooting .357 mag.

I understand everyone suggesting to start with a .22, but a .38 Special is a soft shooter in almost any revolver with enough barrel on it and enough weight. Especially with some target loads. Obviously, a snub nose revolver is not in that category of a beginner's revolver.

If a person doesn't object to paying more for .38 ammo over .22 ammo, go for the bigger bore.

 

[chicharrones]

For those that look down on the .22 rim fire, I recall wisdom of Mentors shared with me:

As one ages and matures, the appreciation of the .22 rim-fire goes up exponentially.

Very true. While I grew up with .22 rifles, I did not start out with .22 handguns.

Then, over the last three years I have picked up three .22 handguns. The last one being a revolver. Maybe we are just getting cheaper as we age?

 

[Radagast]

My pick: A S&W Model 15 AND a S&W Model 18. same balance, one for lots of .22 practise and the other for carry in .38 Special +P.
If just one gun and no .22, then a S&W Model 66, look for one of the rare three inch barrel versions. It will be easier to conceal than the four inch gun and unlike the 2.5 inch gun it has a full length extractor for complete ejection of the cases.

 

[BCRider]

As a first revolver in YOUR case and with your familiarity with semis already any of the .357Mag guns is an obvious choice. It gives you more options for loads to shoot.

If you've carried full size semis in shoulder holsters regularly then any barrel length up to and including 4 inches should be fine. A 4 inch K frame is not any bigger overall than a GI 1911.

There's lots of options in that case that come in blued or stainless. And considering it'll live some of the time in your armpit you may want to look at the stainless options.

If it were mostly going to be a range gun I'd say to get a gun with adjustable sights so you can tune them for shooting .38's and .357's as you go. But if you're carrying there's much to be said for fixed sights that don't catch on the holster or clothing. But fixed sights really limit the ammo you can shoot and still have it hit anywhere near POA. It would have to be your call on that one. But if you are pretty sure that you could live with using the fairly stout .38Spl +P choices instead of jumping on the .357Mag bandwagon then a fixed sight model 10 in 4 inch would be pretty nice. Just get the +P rounds in heavy bullet options to limit how low it'll tend to shoot. With 158's or even 180's the POI should be really, really close to the POA on a Model 10. Or if you reload then stick to 158's and load up to strong .38Spl or mid power +P loads and play with the final loading recipe until you match POI with POA.

Ideally you'd consider this first revolver as just that, a FIRST revolver. From there you could get an actual 3 or 4 inch to use for CCW that is setup with all the right features for CCW such as smooth fixed sights and a really nice holster for that exact gun.

In any event welcome to old fashioned wheelguns.... Warning, they ARE addictive

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I was thinking about getting a .357 GP100 or a S&W. That way I can used either .38spl or .357. Reloading shouldn't be too difficult, and I have a shoulder holster for my Astra, it's relatively the same size as a 4" 1911 so I figure it might work with a medium sized revolver as well.

The holster is an Uncle Mike's horizontal shoulder size 15 if that clears things up. Though, I'd like a fancier leather one for a revolver having speed loader pouches to use for CCW.

I think I'll just stay with blued, but stainless does look nice. Depends on what options are available and what I can afford.

 

[sixgunner455]

I love my .357 S&W. Mine is a 3" model 13, which is a fixed-sight gun. The K Frame S&W was a beautiful invention, and still is a great gun to have around. Get one, have fun!

I think you should get a .22 to boot, but that certainly isn't necessary. Just prudent.

I don't know how you could load .38 for the same money as .22, at least not for bulk .22. Maybe if all you shoot is Green Tag or Mini Mag or Stingers, you're spending the same money, but I load .38 for about $5/50. That beats the pants off of factory ammo, but it's nothing like $2/50 like I spend for most of my .22 shooting.

 

[chicharrones]

I was thinking about getting a .357 GP100 . . .

The downside to the GP100 is it is a heavy beast. Most models are 40 oz. or more. If you consider your Astra heavy for carry, I'd look for a lighter revolver than the GP100. Something around 30 oz. would balance well between felt recoil and weight.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I don't consider my Astra heavy at all. I've wore it in the holster all day just to see what it felt like... no problems at all really.

 

[chicharrones]

Sounds good, then. An Astra A-90 with a full magazine ought to be about as heavy as a GP100 with a full cylinder. 17 rounds of 9mm vs. 6 rounds of .357 mag, that is.

 

[madcratebuilder]

K frame S&W or the slightly larger L frame. Any of the older Ruger DA Six series would be a good choice. A bigger guy with a shoulder holster has more size options, a N frame S&W in .357, .41 or .44mag is very doable.

 

[Cearbhall]

GP-100 with a 4" barrel. And a case of .38 specials.

 

[masterofchaos]

I'm lovin my Ruger Security Six

1978...got it a few weeks ago. It shoots 357, but I've only shot 38. This 4" barrel shoots real nice and I enjoy the DA/SA option.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Looks very nice. I may have to handle one if I find one locally.

 

[evan price]

S&W Model 19 or Model 66 with 2.5" barrel. 357 mag, K-frame, easy to conceal and I have to say it's my favorite 357 K frame.


Not mine, but mine's close- S&W M66 no dash 2.5" pinned & recessed

 

[OldCavSoldier]

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.

+1 on that!

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

The wheel gun bug has recently hit me and I want one, lol. Oh, Lord, the Heavenly Father! I don't know why you do this to me! You know I can't afford it!

 

[230therapy]

Buy one of the Model 64's listed here:
http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/smith-wesson/revolver/cPath/16_211_431

Then go buy some of this to shoot (@800 FPS):
http://georgia-arms.com/cannedheat38special158grplatedsemi-wadcutter1000pk-1.aspx

or shoot this (@750 FPS):
http://georgia-arms.com/38special158grleadroundnoseflatpt50pk.aspx

and clean up with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Chore-Boy®-Copper-Scrubbers-Pack/dp/B000RO5JC8

and wrap it around a nylon brush after getting the bore wet with Hoppes #9:
http://www.montanaxtreme.com/products/?id=16&product=Brushes

Don't forget speedloaders:

HKS Model 10-A
http://www.hksspeedloaders.com/SpeedloaderPage.html

5Star Firearms
http://www.5starfirearms.com/357_k.html

Read these books/watch these videos:

Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting
http://www.amazon.com/McGiverns-Boo...086X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317254639&sr=8-1

Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup, and Concealed Carry Standard
http://www.amazon.com/Snubby-Revolv...5C/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1317254704&sr=8-33

"Ultimate Advanced Revolver"
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Adva...VA68/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317254777&sr=8-2

Take some paper plates, marker, and your gear to the range and get cracking!