Buying my first revolver.

[simonstough]

I've settled on a revolver for my next handgun purchase however i dont know anything about them, at all. I've narrowed my choice down to a smith and wesson 637 with laser grips or a ruger, i cant remember of the ruger is a gp100 or an sp101, its stainless with a 3" barrel i saw it at gander mountain. I plan on carrying whichever revolver i get and i know how easy it is to find a holster for a j-frame but i dont know about the ruger. I like the weight of the ruger, heavier guns soak up more recoil, im just not surr which one i will end up buying so any input is appreciated, and even suggestions are appreciated as neither revolver is a concrete choice i still have about 4 weeks until i have the funds for purchase. Thanks in advance for the help guys.

 

[JWR]

Congratulations !
Wise decision.
Visit this site and look to the left under Double-Action revolvers.

http://ruger.com/index.html

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you like a heavier gun why would you buy a S&W M637 in .38 Special? The Ruger SP101 is a .357 Magnum and S&W had all steel .357 magnums of a similar weight. Before you buy look at the S&W M60 (Chief's Special frame) the M649 (Bodyguard frame) and the M640 (Centennial frame). All three weigh about 23oz, just slightly smaller and lighter than the Ruger SP101 but heavier than the 15oz S&W M637.

I'm not telling you not to buy the Ruger, I'm only letting you know you are not comparing similar revolvers.

S&W Airwlite 12oz .357 Magnum, the M340 and M360
S&W Airweight 15oz .38 Special +P, M442, M642, M637, M438, M638
S&W .38 Special +P J frame 21oz M36
S&W J frame 23oz, M60, M649, M640
S&W Bodyguard 38 14oz Polymer .38 Special +P

Ruger SP101 25oz .357 Magnum (larger than the J frame)
Ruger SP101 26oz .38 Special +P
Ruger 4" GP100 40oz .357 Magnum (K/L frame size revolver)
Ruger 3" GP100 36oz .357 Magnum
Ruger LCR Polymer .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum and 9mm revolvers

 

[mesinge2]

If you like a heavier gun than I would suggest either a Ruger SP101 or a S&W model 36 or model 60. If you want snag proof then the SP101 can be had spurless and the S&W models 640 and 649 are snagfree as well.

My favorite pocket revolver is my 357 magnum S&W 649-3. It is snag free but still provides the shooter with the option of SA, even though I don't use it, I just like having the option.

.357 Mag S&W model 649:





.38 SPL S&W model 60:





.357 mag Ruger SP101





.38 SPL S&W model 36 with CT laser grips:

 

[simonstough]

I like the model 60 alot too but its a little north of my price range, probably should have mentioned it, 560 or less. I can get a little distracted when im chasing the toddler.

 

[Bullseye]

I think with a little shopping around at a couple local gun shops, you would do better than Gander Mtn. for a better price.

 

[mesinge2]

I like the model 60 alot too but its a little north of my price range, probably should have mentioned it, 560 or less. I can get a little distracted when im chasing the toddler.

Here's a S&W model 60 with a $550.00 Buy Now.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=466912457

The finish is a little rough, but because its stainless you can polish that out with some flitz in no time,

 

[Waveski]

The S&W m 60 is a great revolver , given the fact that it is essentially a m36 Chief's Special built of stainless steel. There are always plenty of 60's on the market. The 36 & the 60 are a class act!

 

[oneounceload]

Just remember something else - the heavier the gun, the greater the need for a top-dollar belt to go with the holster.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can buy a new M60 online from Bud's Gun Shop for $621 including S&H.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../S&W+M60LS+Lady+Smith+5RD+357MAG38SP++P+2.12"
The Lady Smith includes wood grips and a trigger job for that price...

 

[bannockburn]

I love my S&W Model 649 in stainless steel. Well built and just the right weight for concealed carry and the added weight (over a similar aluminum framed model), does a good job of soaking up some of the recoil. Add a Tyler T-Grip adapter and you're good to go. There currently are two Model 649s for sale on Gunbroker: one has a Buy It Now price of $550 and the other is $575. Both are in excellent condition and have the 1 7/8" barrel.

 

[simonstough]

I found a ruger sp101 for 507 on buds, im going to see what some of the local places can get it for, i need to look into holsters for it but i think that ruger is going to be my first revolver. I still have a few weeks until i have the funding so we will see what i end up with

 

[JWR]

Congratulations !
Buds will be hard to beat. And you can do a lay-a-way.
Enjoy.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The SP101 with a 3" barrel was my first revolver. It's a good choice IMO. It conceals IWB alright, it handles light 357 loads nicely, though heavy loads hurt a bit, and it is well suited for trail carry OWB. The one deficiency I see is the front sight can be hard to pick up. Otherwise, I'd expect it to last you a good many years.

 

[simonstough]

Well my tax money came in a little early so i scoured the local places I'll spend money at and thought about the whole new firearm thing, i bought a ruger lcr .38 special, i dont need a .357 edc gun since it would be my backup if i cant get it done with 27 rounds of .45 acp first whatever is attacking me is close enough for 5 .38s anyway. I shot it yesterday and i love it, it handles incredibly well for a snubnose and i cant wait to get another, next time ill probably get a 637 with laser grips. Just wanted to give an update.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well my tax money came in a little early so i scoured the local places I'll spend money at and thought about the whole new firearm thing, i bought a ruger lcr .38 special, i dont need a .357 edc gun since it would be my backup if i cant get it done with 27 rounds of .45 acp first whatever is attacking me is close enough for 5 .38s anyway. I shot it yesterday and i love it, it handles incredibly well for a snubnose and i cant wait to get another, next time ill probably get a 637 with laser grips. Just wanted to give an update.

Too bad you didn't look at the S&W Bodyguard 38. It's similar to the LCR but you get a laser on the Bodyguard 38 for the same price as the LCR without a laser.

 

[simonstough]

I looked at the bodyguard first, i really didnt like it, i thought the laser was kind of goofy and i didnt lile the cylinder release at all.

 

[mesinge2]

I looked at the bodyguard first, i really didnt like it, i thought the laser was kind of goofy and i didnt lile the cylinder release at all.

I agree, the cylinder release on the new 'bodyguard' is indeed odd.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I used to have a S&W model 60 and it was a fantastic gun. I have never really been impressed with the "ultralight" revolvers with the exception of the Ruger LCR. I have shot most of them out there and would rather deal with the extra weight of carrying a steel one.

I recommend staying away from the Bodyguard series revolvers with the insight lasers. I have not tested the Crimson Trace ones yet but I hear they are better. The other issue with the Bodyguard is that it won't fit a standard J frame holster so you are relegated to a custom one. The rental Bodyguard laser would frequently get covered in carbon making it hard to see or impossible to see so I had to wipe it off weekly. As for me I will stick to regular steel.

 

[mesinge2]

IMHO, this is the true bodyguard style revolver made by S&W:

 

[joem1945]

I'm a S&W fan so I'd get the S&W over anything else.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Ruger LCRx 3" barrel....

If you are new to shooting or DA/SA revolvers Id look at the new Ruger LCRx 3" barrel. It's a 5 shot cylinder and .38spl +P.
You can add a Lasergrip or laser-sight if you want added marksmanship or self defense features.
My friend purchased a NIB LCR .38spl +P in 2013. It came with a Lasermax Crossfire red laser. He's happy with it. I advised him to load CorBon DPX rounds for home security.