First wheelgun

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tiro6

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Hey Guys,

I'm looking at getting a new handgun and I have a couple autoloaders already, but was thinking about a wheelgun for the next. I want something that my gf and I can shot with relative ease. Its going to be used as a range gun only, so looking for something cheap to shoot but with enough bang to make me smile (thinking .38 spl), but open to anything.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated cause I know almost nothing when it comes to revolvers.

I've shot a couple at the range, ranging from a Ruger single six .22lr to a Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag. I havent shot Ruger exclusively, but am most familiar with the brand when it comes to revolvers.
 
Agreed - a used Model 10 or 64 is the best bang/buck out there in any handgun. I've got a Model 64 that is an absolute delight to shoot.

William
 
Ruger or Smith are my first choices ,a good range gun would be a GP 100 or a 686 get one in a 4'' or 6''. Taurus makes the Tracker in 357 i have fired the Taurus but prefered the Ruger.
 
Something with a 3" or 4" barrel, in .38 special or .357 magnum (which you could load with .38 special) would be economical and peasant for either of you to shoot.

Guns that come to mind:

Ruger SP101 3"
Ruger GP100 3"
Ruger GP100 4"
S&W 64 4"
S&W 67 4"
S&W 65 4"
S&W 66 4"
S&W 686 4"

My wife loves her SP101 3", after owning several guns that she disliked. I wouldn't ever sell it, even if she didn't like it, because it is a fun range toy, fantastic nightstand weapon, and even better woodswalking companion. I'd highly recommend one as a first revolver, or a second, or a third, or a...
 
if you are just looking for a loud bang and something that won't break the bank you might want to look into a 22 mag revolver. Plenty of bang and they can be found readily still. After all this is just a range gun right.
 
black_powder_Rob: hmmm...22 mag? ive never heard of that...looks like im going to have to investigate... any models you would suggest?

Thanks for the suggestions so far! (also, who makes the model 10 and 64?)
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far! (also, who makes the model 10 and 64?)
Click to expand...

Smith & Wesson.

The model 10 and 64 are both fixed sight .38s. The 10 is a blued (most common) or nickel finish, while the 64 is stainless.

The Model 15 is another fine gun, being an adjustable sight version of the Model 10. I paid $309 for my 1969 manufacture 15-3 last year. It is a superb handling handgun (like the 10, 64 and all S&W K Frames for that matter) that points very instinctively. The same gun in stainless is the Model 67. The Model 19 and 66 are blued or nickel and stainless adjustable sight .357s respectively, while the 13 and 65 are blued and stainless fixed sight .357s respectively. Confused yet? :D

Here is my 4" Model 15-3, followed by 6" pre-Model 10 S&W M&P (the original M&P) made in 1947 or so. I paid $300 for the M&P this past December.


DSC08084.jpg


DSC06752.jpg
 
I would look at the ruger SP 101 3" (I know its really 3 1/16") Its a really well made revolver and while a great learner weapon the quality is there for your lifetime and it is dependable enough to stake your life on.
 
I prefer single actions. The Blackhawk is the king in my book. Try a 44 mag, but shoot Specials until you are very comfortable with the piece.
 
For a range gun a Blackhawk in .357 is hard to beat! I just bought a used 7.5" stainless one on gunbroker for $333.00 from Pheonix Distributors in PA. They are built like tanks and can shoot anything from mild .38spl wadcutters to heavy magnum loads and the adjustable sights can adapt to the variety of loads. .44 is fun to shoot but more expensive and not as readily available in as great of a variety as .38 and .357 ammo.
 
I agree with jad0110's direction - an S&W 15/67 or a 19/66. For range use, like you said, the adjustable sights give a much better sight picture and make repeated rounds on target less of a chore - and that's before you even get around to the "adjustable" advantage. For range fun, a S&W usually has a better trigger out of the box. I have taught a few women to shoot over the years on a S&W 15 (67 is just the stainless variant as he said) and it's a great all-around gun.

Those are all "K" and the first two (15/67) 38 only, and 19/66 the same size gun, just also .357 capable. If a little more heft doesn't bother you, the 686 is a superb all-around gun.

I think J&G sales has a pretty large selection of fixed-sight 64's and also some adjustable sight 67's and 15's used right now for excellent prices. If you have a local transfer FFL nearby (or go to the trouble to find one), you can have a fine gun for not a lot of cash.
 
I've got two Rugers and love them both - 3" SP101 .357 and "New" Vaquero 3.75" .45
Colt - Both are real nice. I have a $900.00 S&W J Frame and the trigger is really not much better than the SP101 which has a decent trigger out of the box. In the end that shot barrel .45 Colt is my favorite as I am a single action devotee.
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions!

Theres a gun show coming up this weekend here in Va, so I'm going to try to find either a S&W Model 64 or Ruger SP101 in either .38 spl or .357 mag if the prices are right. If not, might head over to J&G cause thats a pretty good price for the 64. I'm just a little weary of buying online...I like to handle stuff first and see what I'm getting....
 
I'm thinking about my first wheel-gun purchase as well. I know they've got near nothing in common, but right now I'm torn between a stainless Raging Bull .44 or .454 and a 3" .357 sp101.
 
Shop around carefully and you can find a great deal on a Model 10, a Security Six, or maybe a Dan Wesson. All of these can be found under $400 if you are patient.

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I also suggest looking for a nice used 14-2, or 15-2 Dan Wesson. I got this nice old 14-2 Service in 6in for $250.00.

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.357 mag or .38spl, and with .38spl it is a hoot and a half to shoot because it kicks like a 22mag, in .357mag it is still really fun and comfortable.
 
Nick5182, I would really consider the SP101 in the 3 1/6" IMO it is far better quality than the raging bull. It is also cheaper to shoot as easier to carry. And no matter what anyone says it was a pretty decent trigger out of the box there are far more revolvers out there with worse triggers
 
These guys: http://www.chestnutridge.com/products/firearms.asp often have S&W M64 Police trades. The run-of-the-mill ones will cost you $279, and look like a 20 year old cop-carry, but fully functional. The really cherry ones (they get 'em somewhere) will cost up to $379, but the photos they post on those will be the one you're getting, and when you call, you'll talk to the owner, and get an honest evaluation of the piece you're asking about. All sales come with a full-refund guarantee. They ship USPS insured for $10 flat, besting most others by a factor of two-to-three. Great, small, traditional-values reseller, IMO, (in PA).

FWIW,
Les
 
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