Dilemma That Needs A Solution

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Gundenstern

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Here's my predicament: I really want to buy a new revolver, because I love revolvers and think that there are few to no autoloaders that can match them for pure coolness. Problem is, none of the guns down at the shop really excite me.

Pretty much every piece I've bought so far has excited me in some way, mostly because I didnt have a member of the respective type of gun. My Beretta Stampede (love single actions), my SW1911 (I have respect for my elders :), know what I mean? plus it has never once acted up on me), my AK-47 (my first gun!), and my Mossberg 500 with the pistol grip; all of these guns excited me because they were new and cool.

I want a new DA revolver but I cant make myself put the down payment on any of them because it just doesnt feel right. Almost any sufficient incentive is good enough to convince me to put the money down (I figure I'll make more, lol, so why worry), but there has to be some excitement to get me to do it. All of the revolvers there seem the same for the most part except for a few minor differences. This blending together is probably because I've looked at nearly every one on the rack, not because I dont know the subtle differences between them.

So, anyway, if you're still reading at this point, does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'd prefer either a .45acp or .357. It will mainly be used for a truck gun and pulling double duty as a bedside gun.
 
You didn't mention what the shop carried in terms of brands. You also didn't mention any kind of price range. I will provide my opinion based on my experience.

I will tell you what I like. I would go with a 357 Mag which allows you to shoot both 38spl's and 357's through the same gun. It is a very flexible gun. I like the Smith 686 (six shot version) with a 4" barrel, the Ruger GP100 in either a 3" or 4" barrel, or a blue Colt Trooper Mark III. The Troopers aren't made any more but you can find them at gun shows and they are frequently in very good condition. They are fine shooting revolvers.

Many consider the Colt Python as the ultimate 357 mag revolver. They are certainly the coolest, in my opinion. But, they are expensive, typically ranging from $600 to $1200 each for one in very good condition. You can find them online and at gunshows commonly.

My suggestion is that you relax and take in a gun show or two and keep an open mind. All the revolvers mentioned are great revolvers, but they reflect my tastes. I would stay away from the small J-frame Smiths (357) or Taurus's since they are not the most comfortable to shoot and your intended use does not include concealed carry. I have never owned a Taurus revolver and folks here give them mixed reviews. For fit and finish, you won't go wrong with either a Colt or Smith revolver.
 
Rugers, Taurus, Smiths, and Ubertis are all represented quite well at this shop (Sportsmans Warehouse). Price isnt a huge deal, but I'd like it to be $700 or less (if more, it'd best be something like the Python). Unique is the name of the game with me, and I like the idea of having something few others do. But that last part isnt an absolute because I know I'm unlikely to find them for the very reason I like them :rolleyes:
Sorry for not fleshing out my problem clearly
 
You probably won't like my reply:

If it doesn't feel right, I don't push it - I walk away. Money is hard to come by & there are a lot of things to spend it on, some of which you don't have a choice on.

I'm going through one of those instances right now, although not firearm related. I have been thinking about buyin a new DSLR (digital SLR camera). The one I have my eye on will cost ~$1200. My bonus will more than cover it, & will be payed by the end of this month. I almost bought the camera a week ago, but it just didn't feel quite right so I decided to wait at least until I had the money in my pocket before I went ahead with the purchase.

Good thing I did. I dropped my car off at the garge over the weekend. They called yesterday & it will cost me $2500 to get it out! :what:

Go with your gut...if it's telling you no, then I'd lay low for a while!
 
I actually appreciate the advice Kevinch. I would rather not spend the money than buy something I'm not happy with, so dont worry about that. That aspect of my personality has actually talked me out of a couple of guns before, the problem is now is that I'm nearly sure of what I want, I just cant decide. I'll never have enough money, but I've put enough aside to be comfortable spending it on at least one more before I quit buying for a little while (or at least until I find the next awesome cant-live-without gun).
 
FWIW, I prefer the classic older model revolvers over anything new.
Pre-1960 stuff is great.
A neat piece to have is the 1917 S&W .45acp. You'll need moon clips.
It a large frame D/A that is a real hoot. You're gonna have to shop a bit to locate one. The primo original condition ones are quite pricey but there's a lot of Bubba specials floating around.
Another choice is the 1917 Colt .45acp. Same thing, moon clips needed.
I prefer the S&W to the Colt because it fits me better.
Another and much less expensive route is to go for the S&W Model 10(M&P) models or a Colt Police Positive. Yes, they are in .38Spec but can be found for less than $300, sometimes less than $200. Great old guns. Smooth as butter.
 
I would look for a Colt Python in whatever finish grabs you. Shop around and you'll find one in the $700 range with just a little wear. They are the cadilac of 357 revolvers in my opinion. Next best are the Smiths and I like the N-frames the best. I like the 41 magnums a bunch (Model 657, 57) and they will certainly bring you into the minority in terms of revolvers. Price would likely be in the $500-$600 range for a nice one. More powerful than a 357, but still pretty tolerable. Many like the 44 mags because you have more choices of ammunition and you can shoot 44 spls in them. Colt Anaconda would be the less common and the Model 29 or 629 Smiths are excellent.
 
A DA .44 Mag intrigues me somewhat. What is the recoil of a .44 special like compared to it's bigger brother or a .357?
 
Gundenstern, I think I'm in a somewhat parallel situation to yours, though my pockets aren't quite as deep. Late this week or early next week I'll be getting my first 1911 - a RIA in 38 super. As for revolvers I'll second the old S&W suggestion. I bought my first revolver a couple weeks ago - a Military & Police model in 38 Spcl. w/ a 5" Bbl - this is the predecessor to the model 10. It was only $200, but it just felt right. You cant say enough about how right and old blued steel S&W with wood stocks is. The trigger pull is perfect and it handles like a dream. Go with an old Smith if you get the chance.
 
My vote in the .357 is a mod 66 Smith. 2" barrel, smooth as custard(tired of butter). For a .44, a Mountain Gun. For a new .357, a 686. As far as an enjoyable shoot, you would be hard pressed to beat my old "s" model Smith in .38spl. Do you like beer, wine ,wiskey or cola. Get a sample of all of them and shoot what the mood brings you. Besides, although few will admit it, most of the fun is in the getting.
kid
 
Get a GP 100 or S&W 686. What's not to like about either? Truck or bedside, get a 6 inch. This is nice iron........Creeker
 
Go find a nice used 4" S&W Model 10. Should be able to find one for around $200. Shoot the crap out of it and decide if double action revolvers are going to work for you. Not much invested, you'll get most of your money back if you sell it, and, it was the standard for cops for close to 100 years. That in itself is pretty cool.
 
I like stainless Rugers, and if you are going for cool I think an Alaskan in 45/454 would be hard to beat. I would more than likely only shoot 45's in it,but just being abel to say that you have a 454 snubby would be cool.:cool:
 
OK, here's a thought. We're on the same page with uniqueness. Most new rifles don't appeal to me. I don't like tupperware and life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun!

I just bought a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter in 45 Colt for deer hunting. But, I originally started looking for a field defense gun in 45 Colt. The gun is on its way to me and I am in the early stages of cognitive dissonance, which is basically buyer's regret. Then I had an epiphany, if I don't like it with the 7.5", I could have the barrel cut down. How many Blackhawk Hunters in 45 Colt will you see with a ribbed barrel, with scope mounts, in 5.5"?

What I'm saying is, if you don't like what you see, find out how much it would cost to buy one and make it what you want. I know you want a DA, but just as an example, the Ruger BH can be had in 44 magnum for @ $475.00 and that leaves you $225 to play with, or perhaps more since it would truly be "your" gun.
 
Yeah, I know what you mean, nothing feels just right in the hand like a good DA revolver
  • Colt Python .357 can be really amazing, and remarkably accurate, beautiful too. They seem to be going up lately and $600 is the way low end, a real nice one is probably closer to $900. Make sure you get it in wood and blue, the classic look.
  • Colt Diamondback. You can get these in either .22LR or 38spl. Interesting and not many people have one. The .22's are great, the 38's never did as well as the python.
  • The metaba the other poster mentions is very cool, I've seen one and shot one once, it is very interesting.
  • Smith and Wesson model 22 45ACP This is the thunder ranch revolver. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=32381&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y It's the first Smith that feels right to me and it's pretty without being gaudy. For gaudy look at the model 21 in 44spl.

That should get you started. ;)
 
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