Best “One *Revolver* To Do Everything”

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Tho my sp101 is tough, it’s not that heavy. I do wish it had the 4” barrel. Those are neat.
 
What a stupid thing to say. Kimber is not over priced scrap metal. Have you ever even shot a Kimber? Have you even seen one in person and handled it? Or is all your "experience" from what you have read on the internet. As far as I am concerned if you haven't owned a certain gun and have personal experience with it your opinion doesn't count. And I know you have never owned one. Or any handgun besides a Ruger Wrangler.

I had read that Ruger 77/22 rifles were not accurate. Read it right on the internet from the geniuses that obviously never owned or shot one. But I took a chance and bought a used one made in 1986 with the factory open sights. It has a simple 4x power Bushnell scope on it. Turns out it will shot 5/8" groups at 50 yards group after group. And those are 10 shot groups since it has a 10 shot magazine. So no real experience. I don't count an opinion.
 
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Well, it seems most posters lean toward
the Ruger products so I'll go along with
the crowd.

Now if later on the tide turns to the
Smith products, I'll join the chorus.

And if Taurus or Charter Arms or
Colt......I'm outta here!
 
I’m a Pre Lock era Smith revolver Fan. Many say how it matters little- Yet Lucky Dog 13, I’d rather have a new Ruger than a NEW Smith Revolver

Just my Opinion/Suggestion Dosent have to be yours
 
Over the last 45+ years, I have owned 4 1/2 Ruger handguns. The first was a .22LR semi pistol that got traded a few years later. (Dumb move.)
The next was a Single Six (and this is where the "1/2" comes in) with the two cylinders for LR and Magnum ammo. The next two are "sisters" as one is an SP101 in .38 Special and the other is a GP-100 in .357. The SP went to a relative but the GP is mine.
 
I had read that Ruger 77/22 rifles were not accurate.
I had one with a pinned barrel that shifted zero depending upon which side the gun case had been set down, and I sold it. IIRC, later ones with threaded barrels were excellent.

I have spoken to folks whose Kimber semiautos jammed. Can anyone substantiate a pattern of issues with their revolvers?
 
Now if later on the tide turns to the
Smith products, I'll join the chorus.

The OP would love a S&W. But with a limited budget they are not in the cards right now. In our emails many times he has spoken of his desire to own a model 10. I have encouraged him to save for one. I think a 4" model 10 would do everything he wants a handgun for. I also recommended a simple reloading set up. If he got that I could send him some brass and lead bullets to get started. We have been talking about this for way over a year now.
 
I had one with a pinned barrel that shifted zero depending upon which side the gun case had been set down, and I sold it. IIRC, later ones with threaded barrels were excellent.

So far as I know Ruger never made pinned barrel 77/22s. They all had the lug under the barrel with two bolts to hold the barrel in place just like a 10/22. Sounds like you never took your action out of the stock or you would have known that. And maybe your barrel bolts just needed to be tightened. You may have gotten rid of an excellent rifle without even trying to work on it. Mine will never be sold.
 
What a stupid thing to say. Kimber is not over priced scrap metal. Have you ever even shot a Kinber? Have you even seen one in person and handled it? Or is all your "experience" from what you have read on the internet. As far as I am concerned if you haven't owned a certain gun and have personal experience with it your opinion doesn't count. And I know you have never owned one. Or any handgun besides a Ruger Wrangler.

I had read that Ruger 77/22 rifles were not accurate. Read right on the internet from the geniuses that obviously never owned or shot one. But I took a chance and bought one made in 1986 with the factory open sights. It has a simple 4x power Bushnell scope on it. Turns out it will shot 5/8" groups at 50 yards group after group. And those are 10 shot groups since it has a 10 shot magazine. So no real experience. I don't count an opinion.
Shot multiple.... one of the “Big Name” autos I’ve had jam on me, and looking at the innards, I knew why. A monkey with two rocks and one brain cell hammered it out, in the deepest darkest jungles of Africa
 
The OP would love a S&W. But with a limited budget they are not in the cards right now. In our emails many times he has spoken of his desire to own a model 10. I have encouraged him to save for one. I think a 4" model 10 would do everything he wants a handgun for. I also recommended a simple reloading set up. If he got that I could send him some brass and lead bullets to get started. We have been talking about this for way over a year now.


My first S&W - a Model 10-6 HB. Shoots amazing and I hope I’ll never part with it. A Wonderful and well built Revolver
 
Shot multiple.... one of the “Big Name” autos I’ve had jam on me, and looking at the innards, I knew why. A monkey with two rocks and one brain cell hammered it out, in the deepest darkest jungles of Africa

I thought YOU wanted to keep this a revolver only thread and now YOU have just invited in comments about auto's. And everyone posting here had done a good job of sticking to revolvers until now. So once again what is your experience with Kimber REVOLVERS?

And without pictures of the insides of the Kimbers I will ignore that comment. Say it, prove it.
 
I thought YOU wanted to keep this a revolver only thread and now YOU have just invited in comments about auto's. And everyone posting here had done a good job of sticking to revolvers until now. So once again what is your experience with Kimber REVOLVERS?

And without pictures of the insides of the Kimbers I will ignore that comment. Say it, prove it.
Aye... you are correct. Stick to wheelguns... my experience with Kimber revolvers ? Nada.
 
They all had the lug under the barrel with two bolts to hold the barrel in place just like a 10/22.
Yes. Terminological inexactitude--this was decades go. Thanks, Thomas.
And maybe your barrel bolts just needed to be tightened
I recall several of us trying to improve it. Beautiful rifle.
Shot multiple.... one of the “Big Name” autos I’ve had jam on me, and looking at the innards, I knew why. A monkey with two rocks and one brain cell hammered it out, in the deepest darkest jungles of Africa
Pictures?

If you don't have anything on their revolvers, do you still stand by your previous comparisons with Ruger?
 
I have a couple of SP101's. They're kinda small and their triggers are usually not so good.

Give me a 4" K or L frame 357 any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Or... my FiL has an excellent GP100 that would also work.

Really, my 4" Taurus 689 would be fine.

The main thing is that a 3" or 4" medium-framed 357 revolver can be CC with some effort, is solid for HD, and is okay for deer or other medium-sized game if you're close enough.
 
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The very reasons I was initially reluctant to post in a "what's the best ------?" thread were quickly displayed. The S&W-only and Ruger-only fans made themselves evident immediately, shortly thereafter, the Kimber and Colt hate reared its head, not unexpectedly.

Some of us will demonstrate our internet integrity and speak only to firearms we have had ownership of, or significant shooting time, with. For me, I'll repeat this:
I think a 3-inch Model 13/65 would be a good contender here
Yes, the pre-lock, pre-MIM 13s and 65s, if you can find one in decent condition, would be a lead contender. However, prices in my region have gone north of 1K at times for particularly minty specimens.
As far as the Colt King Cobra, I'd go with that for best out of the box trigger, period.
endura.jpg

SP101, you say? Why on earth would you forgo the extra round yet keep a heavier gun with a crappier trigger and worse ergonomics?

And how many times in those years has Kimber nearly gone bankrupt, or been renowned for poor quality
Seriously? Your profile indicates your claimed age as 26, so yeah, I'll call your experience into question. Some of us have been around since the beginning and have considerable experience with the company through its three eras. So, as far as the Kimber revolvers: I've examined a few, and remain highly impressed. Shot a couple hundred rounds through two versions, the original and the longer-barreled DA/SA, and am even more impressed. Speaking to the company -- it's never been about its quality, which hasn't ever really been in doubt, so let's move on from the black era of spotty Q/C and poor customer service. That ship sailed a while back, some of you need to catch and get back in the market. I simply haven't gotten around to picking up a K6 yet.

To summarize, for a DO-EVERYTHING revolver in .357 Magnum, if I didn't want to spend the coin on a new Colt King Cobra, I'd go with an older S&W, 13, 65 and then my all-time snubby favorite, the 66-1 through -4 in a 2.5"barrel. Failing those choices, I'd fall back on my tried and true:

Model 19-3.jpg
 
Old Dog- Spot on.

S&W 66 with a 4” barrel is rite up there as my top choice-Yet My S&W 686 Mountain is my preference, tho difficult to find.

A Old Smith 357- Difficult to go wrong.

The Sp 101 I have is Rugged… yet 2.5” barrel really Neutered the potential of the 357. I also prefer heavy ammo. With action work it could be Better. I really would seek out a 4” one tho if I was to get another. 4” in a cross draw is doable, I wore my 4” 686 all day.
 
Yes. Terminological inexactitude--this was decades go. Thanks, Thomas.
I recall several of us trying to improve it. Beautiful rifle.
Pictures?

If you don't have anything on their revolvers, do you still stand by your previous comparisons with Ruger?
Most certainly.


@Old Dog I appreciate your input, however in regards to the Ruger vs everything else... like it, lump it, or otherwise; the SP101 is renowned for its durability and longevity- all Ruger revolvers are, from my understanding. The new King Cobra and Kimber haven’t been on the market long enough to judge either way; though honestly, if it wasn’t for the Colt reputation (which is not applicable with this new KC lockwork), and the $900 price tag, I’d love one.
 
Ruger SP101 4” .327 Federal Magnum.

I’ve seen people cleanly take deer with that pistol. And it carries well despite the long barrel. From fighting to hunting, to target work with lighter .32 loads, this is the most versatile and effective revolver in history.
 
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