First revolver, suggestions?

[syh]

I'm a newbie as far as revolvers go, and I'm looking for some suggestions. I'm looking for something as a carry / backup gun in 357. I'd guess that a 6 shot would be better than 5?

My priorities are:
Carryability (would it possible to put ANYTHING on my ankle that wouldn't print?)
but still shootable (I hear that really short barrels are tough to shoot because of the muzzle flip?)
and I'm looking to go cheap and obviously reliable.

It'll be for myself and my wife (but don't let her gender fool you, she shoots my .40 without any issues), for carry and plinking at the range


I have read through a handful of threads, but there's no substitute for experience

Maybe the S&W Model 60?


Thanks in advance!!

 

[Neophyte1]

Gp100

syh: Sir; you appear to have experience with shooting. Revolver to strap to your leg? J frame in .357
I'd prefer you to have a Ruger GP100 .357 4"-6" .38 or .357's not worry to much about leg. The GP will be around; strong; functionally sound.

 

[syh]

Thanks for the reply (especially the explanations).

Are there carry options that would work with a tucked-in shirt? I couldn't find really anything aside from smartcarry / thunderwear for my P99, and I can't come to work with a shirt that's not tucked

And what puts the Ruger above the J-frame?

 

[Black Knight]

You could also look for a K-frame S&W 357 with a 3" barrel. Check out the ones made before the internal lock. I have a 2 1/2" S&W 66 and a 3" S&W 65 and love both.

 

[mavracer]

Are there carry options that would work with a tucked-in shirt?

pocket carry ,concealed hammer airweight j frames rule this roost.several companys make tuckable IWB holsters Blade tech comes to mind.for this a 3" k frame or gp100 would work well so would a sp101 or 3" 60.

 

[glockman19]

S&W 686, Ruger GP100 or SP101

 

[Neophyte1]

Gp100

syh: Sir; I carry each. J frame from SW is an outstanding unit. My choice 638
because it provides Double Action or Single action. Ugly yes. Will not act ignorant when its jerked from a pocket. Accuracy is up to the shooter. I've messed around at 100yds. Small enough for front pocket or rear.

Initially; for me; GP100 is larger, strong, accuracy is there, feel is good under shooting conditions with either .38-.357's. Has more uses than the 638.
You will have trouble hiding a GP. excepting in the coat wearing months. Would I change my mind in purchasing a first Revolver. NO. GP100 will get it done.
As good as the 638 has been; GP is my first choice. [redundancy built in]

 

[Raspu10]

well i was going to say look into the S&W 642.. but you said 357 mag.. so Look Into Ruger Sp-101

 

[DaleCooper51]

I would look at a 3" Ruger Speed Six. Normally, they can be found for decent prices and are sweet shooters. They are too big for ankle carry, but are nice with a proper belt and good leather. A 3" S&W model 13/65 would also make a nice carry gun, but are normally a bit more money than the rugers.

 

[Diggers]

Hey the M 60 is a great looking little gun with a good rep. I was just out to day looking for a used one to pick up for my wife to shoot, no luck there yet. One draw back is that it does weigh in a ~ 24 oz so that MAY limit how you are able to carry it. It seems most people like a holster on their belt for anything over 20 ish oz. But there are some who carry heavier guns than that in their pocket, so that really depends on you.

I’m not sure you can really combine all of your requirements into the same gun though. You might have to decide which requirement is most important to you and go with that.

As far as cost goes around here in Southern CA, I was quoted $547 for a new M 60 just last week. It may be cheaper where you live. You might find a good deal on a used one though.

There are also a lot of light weight alloy S&W that would meet you carry ability priority BUT MAY not fit the shootable priority, that you will have to try out and see.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

syh,
You mentioned a M60 and that would be a good choice in a .357 Magnum IMO but even used, they are not cheap.

 

[Gustav]

Welcome to The High Road

A few points to consider

Light weight and alloy frames equals easier carrying but more recoil is the trade off especially with the .357 or bigger calibers?

Short barrels have a short sight radius and can magnify shooter error more than a longer barrel does.

Shorter barrel revolvers usually do not have a full length ejector rod stroke having a full length ejector is a plus if you ever have to reload under duress with sticky cases as a full stroke will usually clear any stubborn or empty shell casing well clear of the cylinder.

A good comparison of this is to look at a Smith & Wesson model 19/66 with a 2 1/2" barrel and compare it with a 3" model 13/65 using 6 empty shell casings operate the ejector rod the 2 1/2 barrel only ejects the empties part way the model 13/65 kicks the empties clean out.

The 1 to 1 1/2" barrel length is not as critical as the width or grip shape and size when printing or showing when carrying concealed assuming a proper holster is used.

With ladies I have found weight is less of a factor than fit and feel and a light trigger pull, most gals I have seen choose a pistol based on ergonomics and balance and being able to fit their hand which as a rule is smaller than most mens hands.

I would go with either a Colt or S&W for a short barrel snubbie if concealment is the main goal but if a holster or purse or belt carry is an option than a good model 13/65 3" barrel or Smith & Wesson model 19/66 with 2 1/2 or 4" barrel would be among my choices.

For many years the FBI carried the model 13 3" barrel it has a slightly heavy barrel and a full length ejector rod with rugged and easy to see and use fixed sights they were onto a winning combination.

A couple of the old timers I know could and did put allot of guys to shame on pistol ranges clear out to 50 yardseek with just an old box stock model 13 3" barrel S&W, its the training and practice and confidence in what you can do with what you have that counts the most.

For Ruger's I do like the older Speed and Security Six revolvers they are not much bigger than a 3" SP 101 but more solid IMO and one more round.

Try to rent or borrow before you buy and allow your lady to try everything as well since what works for you may be 180 degrees from what she likes.

Best of luck on your search and choice.

 

[ugaarguy]

I'm looking for some suggestions. I'm looking for something as a carry / backup gun in 357. I'd guess that a 6 shot would be better than 5?

Backup guns are small frames, hence 5 shot cylinders*; as opposed to 6 or 7 shot cylinder medium frames, or 6, 7, or 8 shot cylinder large frames in duty / primary carry guns.

*Colt's D Frame Cobra, Agent, and Detective Special are the notable 6 shot .38/.357 exceptions. S&W, Ruger, and Taurus have all made small frame 6 shot small frame guns in .32 HRM.

My priorities are:
Carryability (would it possible to put ANYTHING on my ankle that wouldn't print?)
but still shootable (I hear that really short barrels are tough to shoot because of the muzzle flip?)
and I'm looking to go cheap and obviously reliable.

Carryable and shootable equals a compromise revolver which is a jack of both trades, but master of none.

The compromise is a steel J frame like the model 60 or 640-3 or -5 (-4, -6, and -2 or earlier are .38 specials - the model 60s have a similar cutoff. The -4, etc are engineering change designators). The 640 is a fully concealed hammer stainless J frame cousin of the Airweight 642. The Ruger competition to the model 60 is the SP101.

Now, all of the above are fine revolvers, but the compromise you have to make stinks. These small frame all steel revolvers are much more shootable than their aluminium framed brethren, but they really stink as range guns when compared to any medium frame all steel revolver like a Ruger GP, or S&W K or L frame. Conversely, while they carry far better than those medium frame steel revolvers, they really stink as carry guns compared to their much lighter Airweight aluminium frame brethren.

Personally I'd look for a good used aluminium frame 38 special revolver for carry, and then wait for a nice medium frame .357 Mag revolver for the range. Don't be intimidated by used guns either - just see Jim March's Used Revolver Checkout Thread stickied at the top of this forum and you'll be good to go.

 

[mjrodney]

Also consider weight.

Any handgun in the pocket, or tucked into (or holstered on) a "comfortable" fitting waist band, is going to have a tendency to pull your britches down.

If your body shape or clothing style finds you tugging up on your belt frequently anyway, adding the weight of a handgun will add dramatically to that need.

An aquaintence was "printed" when someone noticed him pulling his pants up frequently. The observer questioned why he was seemingly losing his britches. The handgun was in his front pocket and when he pulled up his pants again, the fabric over the pocket stretched a bit and the gun was spotted. Yes, it was in a pocket holster.

The most I can carry about my less than rock hard figure is a Kel-Tec P3AT or an Airweight J-frame (.38+p max in those alloy frames).

I could wear a tighter belt, but that makes me look like two links of sausage.

 

[PzGren]

When it comes to shootability in a small package, my vote goes to a Ruger SP101 with Hogue grips. It's not the lightest gun but even with stout .357 Magnums it is easy to control fast follow up shots.