Getting back into shooting, want to get new .357 revolver - advice??

[telli97]

Hi All. AWESOME website. This website is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm getting back into shooting and want to get a couple of revolvers. I used to have a 686 - 4" and it was a great gun. I am thinking of the following: SW-620, 4",
SW-686-4", Ruger SP101-3", and Taurus Tracker-4". Main purpose for the gun is A LOT of traget practice with my son and home protection. This is why I need (2) revolvers. I have a number of auto's but really have a sweet sopt for a nice revolver. Any comments on these choices and what would be good OTD prices on them? I live in IL and it seems many of the local gun shops charge MSRP or slightly above? Is that normal?

Thanks everyone.
Telli97

 

[clark98ut]

I really like my Ruger GP-100 6" in SS. Accurate, built like a tank, looks good, feels good...what else do you need.

 

[Old Dog]

I would (strongly) recommend the S&W 686. My experience indicates it's probably one of the most, if not the most, accurate .357s on the market. I have a 686-6 (5") and it is simply incredible.

 

[Jim PHL]

Welcome to the forum telli! It's great to hear about someone passing shooting along to their kids. (I wish mine were more interested.)

If you do a search, especially in either 'Revolvers' or 'General Handguns' for a "If you had only one gun..." thread, you'll find that many consider a 4" 686 THE best choice for an all around, 'serve any purpose', handgun. I have to agree. It should be perfect for the purposes you've stated and you are already familiar with it. You'll be able to find grips that will fit your son making his first experiences more enjoyable. A 4" 686 will eat up tons of cheap and mild .38's to get him started and he'll have a blast (literally!) when he's ready for full-power magnum loads.

Be safe.

editted to add: you can check out some of the other ones but for me personally, if money is an issue, I'd buy a slightly used 686 before a new Ruger or Taurus. If you're interested in a really inexpensive, first gun for your son, k-framed .38's are a great value.

 

[Old Fuff]

telli97:

Question: How old is your son? Size and weight may (or may not) play a part in you're selection.

You didn't indicate exactly where you live, but in your state the business climate for gun dealers - especially around Chicago - is the reason for higher prices. Red tape costs money in the end.

 

[citizen]

......no desire to drift thread, but L-frame 5 inch???!!!!!!
(I GOTTA get out more often..... :banghead: )

 

[Fumbler]

I have been very happy with my Ruger GP-100.

From what I've heard from a lot of people who shoot a lot of full power loads the GP-100 will probably never shoot loose.
I have run probably 400 rounds off full power factory and handloaded (reallly really full power) 357mag as well as the same amount of 38 special and it's still tight. That's not a lot of rounds, but the gun is also used and I dont know how many rounds were put through it.

If you can get a 686 then it would have a nicer trigger than the Ruger and be just as durable, but for the money I'd go with the GP.

If you like smooth triggers don't get the Taurus. Some people think the Rugers have crappy triggers, the Tauruses are even worse. They stack up at the end of the stroke. Both the Rugers and Taurus revolvers will smooth up nicely after a few range trips, but the "stacking up" feeling of the Taurus will never go away.

Prices around central NC are $375-450 for a new GP-100 and $600-675 for a 686. I have never seen a used 686 or any S&W for less than $500, but you can get an excellent condition used GP-100 for as little as $300. With the durability of a GP you may as well save the money for ammo and buy a used one.

Make sure you check out the sticky about checking out a revolver no matter if its used or not.

 

[telli97]

Reply From Telli97

Thanks everyone. To answer of few of the questions: My son is 14 years old and stands about 5'9" at about 155 pounds. I think the 4" Revolver will be just fine for him.

Also someone asked me where I lived - Western Suburbs of Chicag, about 30-35 miles outside the downtown area. What I find is that when I go to Gander Mountain in Kenosha WI just across the border, prices seem less expensive. Perfect example - I looked at a SA XD 9mm 4" ( I know this is a revolver forum), and it was $419.00 at Gander in WI, I went to my a pretty sizeable dealer near my house and his price was $500.00??? That's a big difference! I actually have purchased most of my shotguns from a dealer in KS and pay the $50.00 FFL Transfer at another dealer near my house, because I save a lot of cash.

Thanks again guys. I'm all for supporting the local gunshop, but I don't see the point of paying so much more for the privilage.

Telli97
BTW - No comments on the 3" SP101??? Just the GP100, which is a great gun.

 

[P. Plainsman]

If you wanted one revolver, I'd say the 4" Ruger GP100.

Since you want two, you might as well work in a little brand diversity. Get a 4" S&W 686 and a 3" Ruger SP101. That'd be a sweet big/little combo.

I have a 3" SP101 six-shooter in .32 Mag and it's a great "fun gun." Shoots well, good ergos, handsome, feels mega-sturdy. The cylinder locks up like a vault at the moment of truth (a good thing). The trigger was rough out of the box, but is improving with use. Wolff's SP101 spring kit is a common option.

Now, for a gun meant to serve for defense as well as recreation, you would do better to choose the standard, five-shot .357 SP101 rather than the quirky .32 Mag offering.

 

[Old Dog]

Citizen:

......no desire to drift thread, but L-frame 5 inch???!!!!!!

Yep, recently picked it up; it's a 686 (7-rounder) that came with the Ahrends finger-groove "exotic cocolbolo" (beautiful) stocks and a red Hi-Vis front sight. Just checked, it's shown on the S&W website, but under 686, not 686P if you select by model number. Special edition 686-6 that's been discontinued.

 

[P. Plainsman]

I believe I read a recent gun mag review of that 5" 686. Sounded like a very desirable revolver.

 

[Doug Add]

I also used to own a 4" S&W 686, great range gun. Only reason I sold it was I needed a carry revolver and did not have the cash for both. I now carry a 2.25" Ruger SP101, another very fine .357.

My 12 year old son misses the 686, and wishes we had it back. He likes it a whole lot more than the SP101, mostly because of the heft and longer barrel. Easier to shoot accurately, and practically no recoil. Neither of us have shot a 3" SP101, so I can't comment there.

PM sent about a particular gun.

Another thought. Have you considered the "Six" series Rugers? My father-in-law has a 4" Police Service Six from 1976. It is a great revolver, and considerably cheaper to buy than a 686 or SP101. I made him promise not to sell it until he checks with me first.

 

[Kevinch]

If it were me & I were looking for (2) .357 revolvers, I'd definetly go for a used 686 in 4" as one of those.

For the 2nd gun, I think I'd look for a nice single action Ruger, either a Blackhawk or Vaquero. S/A revolvers are a lot of fun to target & plink with.

 

[Master Blaster]

Smith and Wesson 686, 4 or 6"

I have a 4" thats 5 years old, and has 5,000 or so rounds through it, its held up fine and shoots as well as the day it was new. Bought a 6" a couple of months ago (yes with the lock) its just as nice and accurate.

I own Rugers as well, and the Smiths just have a certain feel to them that Ruger does not equal.

 

[chaim]

I think all the options suggested here are good ones. In fact, I'm not sure if there is a bad revolver made today, so if you are buying new the main criteria should be what you like. If buying used, if you stay with the major brands (S&W, Ruger, Colt and newer Taurus) and some of the more minor ones (Dan Wesson) you'll be fine. Used, stay away from some of the minor brands and older Taurus revolvers (pre-1990 maybe).

A .357mag is a very versatile caliber and a great choice. You can shoot everything from extremely mild (and inexpensive) .38spl target fodder to decent defensive .38+P to some of the barnburning .357mag loads.

The Tracker is a great gun, and may be good for you son since the Ribber grips are supposed to really soak up recoil. It has 7 rounds and the extra round may be reassuring in a home defense situation.

The Taurus 65 is worth considering. It is a good, basic, solid revolver but it often gets overlooked for some of Taurus' other offerings. You can usually get one new for around the same price as a nicer used S&W. The Taurus 66 isn't much more money and has an extra round which may be nice for HD work.

I would strongly suggest one of the two being a 686 or 586. If you had a 686 before you are already familiar with this gun and know its strengths.

I'd also strongly consider a 3" K-frame (like the S&W 65LS) as one of the two. The 3" barrel in a K-frame is probably as versatile as the chambering. It is lighter and handier (great for HD and CCW applications), but with enough sight radius for most people to be accurate and to get much of the performance out of the round.

 

[mjb]

Colt doesn't make the King Cobra anymore. Smith and Wesson don't pin the barrel and recess the cylinder anymore. I would go with Ruger unless you can afford a Colt Python.

 

[absolute0]

Hard to beat a Ruger Security Six for sheer utilty......extremely affordable too. Always plenty to be had on the auctions sites for around 200 bucks

 

[RoyG]

I really like my Ruger GP-100 6" in SS. Accurate, built like a tank, looks good, feels good...what else do you need.

+1

My wifes favorite gun. Well that or her 10.5" Super Blackhawk in 44mag.

I would get the GP-100 in 6" and a SP101 (any size) in 357mag. Shoot 38 special through them at the range and load 357mag for HD and carry.

 

[Cosmoline]

Hard to beat a Ruger Security Six for sheer utilty......extremely affordable too. Always plenty to be had on the auctions sites for around 200 bucks

I second that, and strongly urge you to consider used revolvers as well. I've owned and used enough revolvers to know the best ones are the old ones. And for .357's you can get them for AMAZING prices right now. Esp. the old service pieces the LEO's foolishly dumped for bottom feeding wonder nines. I'd suggest trying out the feel on a wide range before buying.

Personally, I like the balance and feel of the Security Sixes and K-Frame Smiths. And among the Smiths the pinned and recessed boys are the best. If you can get an old duty piece like a 4" Model 13 or Model 19 in good condition, grab it. Better yet their stainless brothers. But stay two digit on the Smiths and try to get nothing later than a "-2". As soon as they started putting "6" on their model numbers they started losing some of the magic. Not that they're not still great revolvers, but they're not *as* great. The triggers on good condition vintage P&R SMith's from the '50's and '60's are really astonishing. Not to mention that deep, deep blue.

The GP-100's are awesome firearms, and are among the toughest revolvers made. But they're real bricks on the hip and are too barrel-heavy in the hand for my taste. I like the SP-101's among current production Rugers better.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

My son-in-law has a 6" GP-100. It sure seems like a good, sturdy gun. And it's accurate. But I prefer my old 4" Security Six. It's not as heavy and it just looks better - my opinion.
It's hard to beat the Ruger company for service. I bought my Security Six used, knowing someone had done some kitchen table gunsmithing on it's trigger. Other than the trigger, the gun was like new and a heck of a buy. So the first thing I did was box it up and ship it to Ruger. I told them I didn't expect a warranty because I'd bought the gun used. But a few weeks later the gun came back with a whole new trigger mechanism - no charge.

 

[DHart]

Without any hesitation, I would buy a lightly used 4" 686 without the lock and a lightly used 640-1 without the lock. There are lots of other good choices (4" GP-100, for example), but I see these two revolvers at the top of the heap. The 686 for general use and the 640 for carry. If I had to give up all of my handguns, it would be those two left at the very last.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

You should see what guns cost in my state....

I have a S&W 686 4" -- easily my favorite gun. I bought my father a blued 3" GP100 -- easily his favorite gun. You can't go wrong with either and both are tanks. My S&W was a used gun, my Ruger was new. Visit a shop and see what get's your attention most, happy shooting.

Laura

 

[onecruiser]

I have a Smith Mod 66 with a very sweet trigger, but last year I bought a Ruger 4" SS GP100. I put in 10lb wolff springs and it now has a great trigger, is accurate, and looks goooood! Get your own!

 

[Magnum88C]

Getting back into shooting, want to get new .357 revolver - advice??
. . . Main purpose for the gun is A LOT of traget practice with my son and home protection.

From the post, i take it you want NEW (not used) and something you can shoot the crap out of. To me, that seems like an order for a S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100, either one, pick your favorite. If you want ONE to shoot a lot and one for protection, then make the second an SP-101. I haven't shot a S&W 640, but of the 5-shooter .357s I have fired, the SP-101 was the most comfortable of the bunch with full magnum loads.

If you're willing to go used, the Ruger Service/Security Sixes are hard to beat. Then again, you can get used 586/686s or Gp-100s also, or my favorite -- S&W Model 27 (I like N=frames )