handgun selection

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

geronimotwo

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
308
Location
delaware co, ny
hi, i'm looking to purchase a handgun, and would appreciate input regarding revolver vs pistol, which gun caliber, and maker to go with. my main considerations would be:

home security - we live in a small town, probably will never be needed, but...

personal safety in the woods - i cut firewood and spend time outside, again, probably will never see an aggressive animal......

fun to shoot at the range - okay here it will be used a few times a month so it should be a durable, reliable gun, and somewhat economical to shoot.

we spend time on our sailboat (saltwater), and enjoy camping, so it may be exposed to various corrosive elements, although will typically be cleaned and stored properly.

how does stainless vs blued steel hold up with repeated firings. also, how are plastic and alluminum frames.

thanks for the knowledgable input, g2
 
A S&W Model 619 (stainless 357 Mag), Model 620 (stainless 357 Mag), Model 686 or 686 Plus (stainless 357 Mag), Model 629 (stainless 44 Mag).

Your choice of barrel lengths in the 686 and 629's. The 629 Mountain gun might be a good option.

"Safety in the woods" part keeps me from recommending anything in a .38sp.
 
Stainless holds up better in salt water environment. You still need to wipe off the gun with oil and of course clean it.

From what you say, I would lean toward a stainless Ruger GP100 with 4" barrel. Dry fire it after you get it and the trigger will smooth out. I have a 3", which I really like. Great to 15-20 yds or so and plenty accurate. The 3" points very nicely and I like the smaller factory grips. Handles 357 loadings comfortably. I shoot a lot of 38spl +P stuff through it just because I primarily use it for the home defense niche. My primary shooter 357 is a 6" Colt Trooper Mark III although the Ruger sees more shooting time than many of the other guns.

You can't go wrong with a Smith revolver. Same applies to Colt's. It all becomes a question of your financial comfort level and how you are going to use the gun.
 
686 Plus 4" - the most versatile gun there is, also very capable and anyone can handle that.
Ruger GP100 is comparable, if you are sure you will not need that 7th round.

Shoot mostly 38 specials at the range. 38 +P or 357 for HD/SD, 357 for woods.

miko
 
If this gun is primarily for fun and practice, maybe small animals, a .22 could be a great option.

It's still a gun, so better than no gun for defense. And this way you can try out shooting (and teach the family) inexpensively.


Some great options include the Ruger Single Six and the Ruger Bearcat (which is slightly smaller than the SS). Both are cowboy-style guns, which must be cocked for each shot. This makes them great for teaching kids, because it takes a very deliberate action to prepare for each shot, and it's quite obvious when the gun is cocked.

The Bearcat is also nice and small; easy to carry in the woods (not much heavier than a big hunting knife), and a kid of eight or so should be able to hold it with adult supervision.

Both are available in stainless steel for about $350, and are practically indestructible. Important thing: .22LR ammo costs about 2c per shot, vice 20c per shot for .38 ammo. You can practice 10x as much with a .22


If it's mainly a defensive gun, go larger. If it's mainly a fun gun (but capable of defense in utter emergencies), go .22

You can always buy another handgun, or shotgun/rifle down the line.

Here's two great reviews of the Bearcat:

http://www.gunblast.com/Bearcat.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Stainless_Bearcat.htm

Take care. Make sure to come back and let us know what you pick!

-MV
 
My favorite picks for new pistols would be:

* Smith & Wesson 686
* Ruger GP-100

For used pistols, the choice would be:

* Ruger stainless Security-Six
* Smith & Wesson 66

I'm not convinced the extended shot .357s will hold up over tens of thousands of rounds, but I could be wrong. Ask some gun smiths.

I like stainless, but almost any gun is available in blue. I'm also partial to 4-inch guns, but there's no wrong choice. I love 'em all.
 
In my first post I really didn't mean to leave out the GP-100 from Ruger. I was at work and in a hurry. Hell, I have a 6" GP-100, very nice gun. I would go with a 4" for totin round all over Gods creation. :)
 
Ruger GP100 Stainless in 3" or 4" would be an excellent choice. If you can find a Security Six- even better.
 
Ruger SP-101! 357 with 3 inch barrell. I'm a new handgun owner myself. Been to the range a few times, very strong durable gun able to withstand magnum loads no problem. Very comfortable to hold and shoot. May not be good weapon for CCW cause it's a little heavy, but for home/woods/boat defense you couldn't go wrong with this. I'm very happy with the choice. Will probably add semi-auto pistol in near future but for reliability, ease of use, all-around gun, would definitley recommend 357 revolver, can also shoot 38 and 38 +P, quite versatile.
 
I'd have to say 686, because Smiths are just sweeter guns. Rugers are tough and really perfectly nice guns, but I've sold every one I ever had because they just aren't as nice to shoot as Smiths.

My .02.

dave-o
 
For an only or first handgun that is going to fulfill a variety of roles including home defense, camping/sailing, and target shooting/plinking, you cannot beat a .357 magnum double action revolver with a 4" to 6" barrel. Given that it will go camping and saltwater boating, I highly recommend stainless. Blue is much prettier, but also more delicate. Some good choices in a .357 magnum revolver:

Smith & Wesson models 65, 66, 619, 620, and 686

Ruger models Security-Six, Service-Six, and GP100

I do not recommend a semiautomatic pistol for th following reasons:
1) Semiautos have a more complicated manual of arms. When you are awakened by something going bump in the night, you don't want to have to fiddle with little levers and such.
2) Semiautos are less versatile. A .357 revolver can shoot anything from economical light target load .38s to .357 Magnum 180 grain Buffalo Bore Fire and Brimstone critter stompers. A semiautomatic is restricted to ammo in a narrower power range due to it's design, unless you want to fiddle about with changing springs.
3) Semiautos are more prone to jams or other malfunctions. Plus, you will not need to fire $200 to $300 worth of ammunition to ensure that a revolver will function with your chosen self defense ammo. This is a highly recommended practice with a semiautomatic, which can have all kinds of ammunition and magazine induced varieties of indigestion.
 
Medium Frame DA/SA Revolver in .357 Magnum/.38 Spl. 3 or 4 inch barrel

Stainless does help in corrosive resistance.

Some Guns to go look at : ( no particular order )

Ruger : GP100 & Sp 101

Taurus : M66SS4 & M65SS4 & M608SS4 & M627SS4

S&W : M66 & M686
 
I don't think you can go wrong with a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
handgun selection
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
FMF Doc
F
G
  • Locked
handgun selection
Replies
10
Views
523
44AMP
4
Macchina
  • Locked
How do you prepare a rifle (weatherproof, etc) you plan to bring to the bush for a week?
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
DaisyCutter
D
M
  • Locked
United Sporting Arms Seville 44 Mag?
Replies
0
Views
534
meh92
M
M
  • Locked
United Sporting Arms Seville 44 Mag?
Replies
10
Views
2K
meh92
M
Back
Top