Geting a new revolver

[Lambkhop]

Ok, I'm looking to add a new gun to my stash, it will be the first revolver I buy, I have shot several different revolvers but here is the deal. My favorites are the .357 and the .44 but i need help picking one, any recommendations?

I ended up ordering a hammer less .38 s&w air weight, my place of work is paying me to get a ccw, so it will be for that, ill just have to wait for the next go round to get something for fun. Thanks for all the input, it looks like it will be the .357 after the air weight.

 

[Wadero]

I am going to beat everyone to the punch and ask, "What are you going to use it for?"

 

[pat86323]

personally i like the 357, 38 ammo is among the cheaper calibers around and is a good all around self defense round IMO. Load it up to 357 and it will kill darn near anything in the field as long as you use it within its pretty generous (for a handgun) restraints.

 

[Lambkhop]

I am going to beat everyone to the punch and ask, "What are you going to use it for?"

I forgot to add in that it will be mostly for kicks and giggles, but it may come into the woods with me on camping trips.

 

[Oro]

If you don't stalk bears routinely, I'd vote for the .357. And in that category, a 1980 to 1994 vintage S&W 686 in 4". One of the best values in cost/quality/performance that can be had in revolvers. Or the same gun but in blue instead of stainless, model number is 586.

 

[Gryffydd]

I forgot to add in that it will be mostly for kicks and giggles, but it may come into the woods with me on camping trips.

Get the 357 then. It'll kick plenty and you'll get your giggles. And you'll get to shoot more as the ammo costs less.

 

[FoMoGo]

For the casual shooter who is not a reloader, the .357/.38 is a lot cheaper to shoot.
I find the .44 a LOT more fun and rewarding, but they are not everyones cup of tea.


Jim

 

[MCgunner]

Your first revolver should be a .22 IMHO, but .357 ain't a bad choice if you can afford the ammo. That's another good reason to stay away from the .44.

Learn to shoot with the .38 special loads. Move up to .357 when you have the basics down and you're ready to learn to control flinch. The .44 is a heavy gun and while .44 special is mild in a heavy gun, it's also expensive and being new, I don't figure you're reloading, yet. You need to reload if you get into big bores, saves big money, especially if you also cast.

My first center fire, after a decade of rimfire shooting, was a .357 Ruger Security Six. I reloaded for it from day one since I'd been reloading rifles for a dozen years by that time.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

it will be mostly for kicks and giggles, but it may come into the woods with me on camping trips.

That being the case, I'd go with the .357 for sure. And I'd get one that has "Ruger" stamped on it. Either a Blackhawk if you like single action, or a GP100 if you like the double.

 

[Walkalong]

Start with the .357.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you're a reloader, .44mag. If not, .357. Ammo cost will eat you up otherwise.

If a .357, I'd opt for a stainless 4-inch Ruger GP100. Indeed, if I were to have only one handgun, I'm pretty certain this would be it. .357 is very versatile, 4-inch is long enough for a good sight radius, but short enough to be handy. I'd say its the best all around option.

For a .44 mag, I'd probably go with a 5.5-inch Redhawk ... unless you really like single actions, in which case I'd go with a 5.5-inch (or maybe 4-5/8-inch) Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk.

There are lots of good options out there, but I'm partial to Rugers. No gun is indestructible, but I reckon Rugers get closer than most others.

 

[bflobill_69]

+1 .22lr... look into a S&W model 17 or 617

 

[Guillermo]

in my never-so-humble-opinion everyone should have a 4 inch 357 as it is one of the most versatile handguns made.

A used prelock 686 is easily had for 400 bucks

 

[Nushif]

You said it was mainly for kicks. So I voted for the .357 ... it's incredibly fun to blow up various large produce with it.

 

[jrod]

I'd go with a .22 since your new to Revolvers. cheaper to shoot. Then when you get good at shooting nice tight groups at 25 yards,get a .357 or .44.

 

[pcwirepro]

No vote for the 38 special?

 

[dagger dog]

I voted .44. Get a New Model Blackhawk in .44 Special. Nice starter gun! Check 'em out at the Ruger web site!

 

[BCRider]

There's a few that I've shot and loved.

The S&W Model 19 is a true classic in either the 4 or 6 inch barrel lengths. The 4 inch may feel a little better in the hand but unless you go back and forth the 6 will feel just fine. I've got a 6 inch Model 19 and it would be the last revolver to leave my collection. But the 19 is a gun that is best used with mostly .38Spl and only some magnum rounds. And those magnum rounds should be limited to 140 or heavier bullets to avoid the possible issues with cracking the forcing cone when used with higher velocity and light bullets of 124 and ligher magnum rounds.

The 686 are superb guns and are just a hair bigger so they have most of the compactness and feel of the 19 but the ruggedness to handle a steady diet of most of the magnum options. But just to be safe I'd still want to use at least 124gr bullets for magnum rounds.

Which brings us to the larger N frame models 27 and 28. These are the same size as the classic Model 29 Dirty Harry gun. I've got a 28 and the cylinder seems positively HUGE compared to the 19. The gun is noticably heavier than the 19 as well. I've shot full house magnums out of it that were fun but not punishing. Meanwhile the same round shot from the 19 really rattled my teeth. If you want to shoot nothing at all but Magnums in any bullet weight one of these would be a good option.

Ruger has a lot of great options as well. The older and now discontinued Security Six options are all well respected and loved by many that are lucky enough to own these older guns. And the currently available GP100 and SP101 guns are no slouch either. They are bigger and heavier than the equivalent S&W guns but they also provide more toughness along with some of the recoil absorbing of the 686 and N frame S&W options.

The key would be to handle a bunch of them and buy the one that fits your hands the best. Keep in mind that many of the grips are interchangable so if you find one that fits well but isn't the sort of finish you want or as good a condition as some other find that didn't fit that grips to make them fit are easily gotten.

 

[oasis618]

If it's just for kicks and giggles, I'd go with the .44. I know firing a .44 magnum makes me giggle more than a .357, plus for the woods, a bigger hole is never a bad thing.

 

[jonboynumba1]

I LOVE .44's and a 5" model 29 in exc. cond. will probably be my next revolver purchase...that said a 4" .357 would probably be smarter....way lighter....cheaper to feed and most importantly you can shoot .38's in it then .38+P and work up from light to heavy magnum loads as you gain expirience. It'll be a lighter carrying cheaper plinker for you...that said I preffer the .44 myself...but I've been around the block a few times and owned a lot of .38's .357 and 44's.....unless you cast and reload already I'd say .357

 

[frankiestoys]

All my revolvers are .357's except my son's .22lr imo its a great round and you can shoot .38's out of them to save a little $ the .44's are a hoot to shoot but as some others have said unless youre re-loading you'll need to own a bank to shoot the darn thing. I like Rugers but Smiths are nice too.

 

[Chasing Crow]

I have down sized to several 38 specials (gotta love 'em) and 357 mags. I have a 4" Titanium Taurus Tracker. Light, acurate, versital, and a blast to shoot. With the standard grips you can soot hot loads with vitually no hand shock!! 38's and 357's great to reload too!

 

[TwoNiner]

Another vote for a .22lr. Perhaps a model 63 is in order first. Then step up to a 4" or 6" .357.

A used pre-lock 686 can be had for under $400? Haha, try double that if you live in CA. Don't ask me how I know. BTW they retail for $860 new at my local gun shop. Then you need to add 9% sales tax and a $30 DOJ registration fee. You do the math! Rugers are much, much cheaper. My first .357 was a 6" GP100 and it is a dream to shoot. 357s are very smooth out of it, especially with the nice rubber grips.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm part of the "buy the .357 Magnum first" crowd for all of the above stated reasons. I would be willing to be without a .44 Magnum or .45 Colt but I would never want to be without a .357 Magnum.

 

[sonier]

I started out on a .357 magnum, never had problem with factory .357 magnum ammo with flinch and im 140 pounds and 5'8 not a big guy really just avg. so the 357 magnum is easly controled even now that i reload my own ammo and my hot loads arnt that bad to control as well. good luck go with the .357 mag and im sure you wont be dissapointed lots of versatlity in that platform.