Got the "Wheelgun" bug

[locnload]

I am pretty much a semi-auto guy but lately I have gotten the itch for a 357 mag revolver again. I curently have a couple 22 revolvers and a Tarus 38 Snubbie but have not owned a good full sized wheelgun for several years. I used to have a S&W 686 and a Ruger GP-100 and sold them both. :banghead:

I was thinking of taking the easy route and picking up a brand new GP-100 or a 686, they both get great reviews. But as I looked through the Revolver Picture thread on this forum I fell in love with some of the older model S&Ws. SJshooter posted a picture of his new stainless model 66 and three blued S&Ws. I'm unsure what model it is but I love that 4" and I love to find one like it, or give that one a good home if I could talk SJ out of it

Since I am totaly unschooled in the S&W model numbers and frame styles, can anyone recomend a website where I can easily see them all without having to search each model individually?

 

[cfullgraf]

A quick search found...

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

It has some of what you are looking for.

 

[Ky Larry]

You may find that a S&W Model-19 is hard to beat. It will handle everything from powderpuff .38 Spl loads to serious social work loads. They point and carry well and are very accurate. Check the used guns at your LGS and Gunbroker. Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Excellent link, 'graf. I too am diving back into revolvers and am often confused by the model numbering and while I thought I was a "Colt guy", the S&W's seem to be schooling around me at a faster rate due mostly to the initial impact of the quality when I first pick one up.

 

[skidder]

You have the bug and there ain't no cure . One way to relieve the symptoms is to open your medicine cabinet (safe) grab any remaining autos and start trading them. My fever got real bad this weekend and I followed that simple plan, sold my last auto for a revolver, my fever broke and I'm feeling much better now.

 

[jad0110]

^ It'll return tomorrow .

To the OP, here a few pictures of .357 Revolvers I own, just to give you some ideas:


Ruger Police Service Six, 4", paid $275 for it a couple of years ago. These guns are the predecessor to the current GP100. They are nearly as durable as the GP, but balance better IMHO.





The following are pictures of S&W K Frames, which are medium sized revolvers that form the basis of most of the police guns of the last century. They carry and shoot wonderfully, though they can be a bit fragile with extra hot, high velocity, low weight .357 Magnum loads. Just stick to 135 grains and over (preferably 158s) in .357 or any .38 load and they'll last at least a lifetime.

S&W Model 13, 3" .357 Magnum, fixed sights (also available in 4" barrels). Paid $450 2 years ago.





S&W Model 19, 4" .357 Magnum, adj sights (also available in 2.5, 3, and 6" barrels). Paid $450 for it a few months ago.





S&W Model 66, 2.5" .357 Magnum (same gun as the 19 but in stainless instead of blue or nickel), paid $430 2 or 3 years ago.





The next S&W is a large N Frame-based .357 Magnum. The N Frame is also used for the .41 Mag, .44 Spl/Mag, and 45 ACP and Colt. Rapid fire can eventually batter the cylinder stop, but otherwise these are among the most durable DA .357 Magnums around.

S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman, 4" (also available in 6"). The Model 28 is an economy version of the Model 27, in that it has a matte blue finish instead of the 27's bright polish bluing. The 27 is pricier, but is also offered in more barrel lengths. I paid $425 for this 28 a couple years back.

 

[W.E.G.]

Next thing you know, you'll need braces.

Get 'em while they's cheap.

 

[DAdams]

Model 66-2


Model 19-4

 

[JFrame]

I've posted this pic before on the "Carbine and handgun combo" thread, but thought I'd put it here because it might help give a sense of dimensions on some of the S&W frame sizes.

Pictured on the upper step with the Winchester is a S&W 686 (L-frame) with 6" barrel.

Directly beneath them, left to right, are a 360PD (J-frame, 1 7/8" bbl), Pro-60 (J-frame, 3" bbl), and 65 (K-frame, 3" bbl).



Anyways, FWIW...

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