First Revolver

[2ndtimer]

Another vote for "other", which means Ruger GP-100. A rock solid durable .357 Magnum revolver. Has the option of replacing the front sight, I run a neat fiber optic on mine.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Ruger: for no reason other than fanboyism. You can't beat them value for dollar, and you will have exta money for ammo!!!!

 

[publiuss]

GP100 followed by S&W 66 then 686

 

[DNS]

Ruger.

 

[leper65]

GP-100 for sure.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

My vote is for the GP100 with the 4 inch barrel.

 

[P5 Guy]

Strum Ruger GP100. They are fine firearms. The fire control is different from the S&W design but hardly inferior. I, personally, prefer a four inch barrel. They have a better balance for me than the six inch, especially with the full length under lug. Strum Ruger used to make a half under lug version, I'm not certain they still do. S&W does not offer a half under lug in the 686 line.
I have owned both S&W and Rugers. My S&W 681 is the only 357MAG in my gun locker, now.

 

[80Goat]

My Dan Wesson 715 is my favorite .357. It is very accurate. Unfortunately a new one will set you back around $1,200. I would be wary of a used DW, unless you are very familiar with their history.

An older S&W M19 would be my second recommendation.

If you are looking at a new .357, I would try Ruger.

 

[dakota1911]

Glancing at that I was thinking first revolver as in I shot. It was a Ruger Single Six when I was six. The first center fire revolver I shot was my Dads 357 Blackhawk when I was 9 and the first Revolver I bought was a Ruger Blackhawk. The first DA revolver I bought was a Colt Trooper MkIII.

Anyway I do have an older 686 and it is a great pistol. It is next to my Ruger GP100 in the picture.



I have not shot a new Dan Wesson. Years ago a friend had one of the first ones and had two barrels for it. Nice pistol.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I owned a GP100 4-inch blued model and it is the one that got away. I've regretted it since about 5 minutes after the trade.

So that would get my vote.

 

[eldon519]

GP100, probably a 3" or 4".

 

[bullzeye8]

Ok thanks for the help! I will try to find a gunshop with both the 686 and gp100 In Stock so I can compare since they are both highly recommended by everyone

 

[Confederate]

Just curious as to why you aren't considering a GP100?

A lot of people like the GP100, but to me the balance is too much forward. If I were searching for a 6-inch hunting magnum, I'd try to find a *MINT* Ruger Security-Six. Balance is perfect, weight superb, action not great at first, but can be greatly improved by a lighter weight spring and a lot of dry firing.

Back in the 80s, there were two stainless guns that were perpetual gems for outdoor carry. One was the Smith & Wesson 66 6-inch and the other was the Ruger Security-Six 6-inch. Magazines back then frequently showed a man in heavy clothing in the woods, snow falling around him, and him holding either a Smith 66 or a Ruger SS. The snow was meant to show how resilient stainless guns were in wet weather and the guns were shown to be light weight, with no barrel lugs or blued parts to rust. Although heavy lugs on the bottom of barrels make for secure and steady aiming, they're not too good for picking up on moving targets.





I have a Smith 686 6-inch, a Security-Six 6-inch and I love them both. But for outdoor carry, I'd have to go with the latter. Don't know what the Rugers are going for in *MINT*, but I'd at least look into it.



The Ruger is a snap to take apart and put back together in the field.

 

[el Godfather]

686 is the best out there in SW whereas Python in Colt and GP100 in Ruger

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ok thanks for the help! I will try to find a gunshop with both the 686 and gp100 In Stock so I can compare since they are both highly recommended by everyone

I agree both are fine revolvers and it comes down to which feels better in your hand and which you lie best. I personally prefer the M686 but like I said, it's only personal preference.

 

[Jerry4gsd]

Guns are like cloths - they need to fit.

If you are a large person with big hands then a Smith 686 will make a fine revolver for you. Dan Wesson makes great guns but I like Smiths so..... If you are a medium to smaller person then maybe a Smith Model 66 with a 4.25 inch barrel would work for you? I suggest you go to a good gun show so you can handle all of these wheel guns and get the fit right. As far as accuracy, I tend to believe that lies with the shooter more so than with the gun. Anyway, good luck on your search.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Since it is your first revolver purchase why not start out with something that is inexpensive and a classic. Get a used S&W K-frame from J&G Sales or another distributor that has large quantities of police trade-ins? You will have a great revolver for little money that you can learn on. If you insist on a new gun with a barrel as long as 6 inches a new GP100 would be something nearly indestructible and easy for a beginner to disassemble and reassemble for thorough cleaning.

 

[edmo01]

I voted for the S&W 686...

My second S&W revolver is this 6" 686-3 I bought new in the late 1980s. It still shoots great and has the best factory trigger of any handgun I own.

Edmo

 

[Elkins45]

I once owned a 586, which is the blue version of the 686. I think I traded it for a 1911 that I also no longer own. Boy, was that stupid! I would love to have that gun back.

I have a 4" pristine GP-100 that was an impulse buy, and I have a 4" Security Six that looks like it had been used as a boat anchor. Both are great shooters, but neither has that butter smooth S&W feel.

 

[km101]

I would vote for a pre-lock 686, or 66. They are both fairly plentiful and the S&W trigger is normally very good straight from the factory.

S&W quality in their older guns is excellent and the current quality is still very good. (I know, there are always exceptions) I don't think you would go wrong with a used version of either handgun.