Help me choose a revolver

[JO JO]

For a revolver, I'd like to go the opposite route. Something classic looking, perhaps stainless or nickel or deep bluing; something I can put a nice, rich wood grip on;

I have recently gotten the revolver itch too , I have now got 2 Ruger super blackhawks 44mag, I think it really depends on what you want it for a carry gun or target/hunting ?
I do reload so I can load mid level target loads for my son and I to punch paper with, my 14 yr old has no issues with holding or shooting these with mid range loads , the Smiths and Rugers do hold resale value but
Taurus you may loose money on IMHO here are a few pictures of my now toys

 

[huntsman]

$2,400? I would never pay that much for anything, unless I could live in it or drive it to work! (Yeah, I'm cheap.)

Here's one that I got for $400 (plus shipping). I'm not sure if it would be a work of art to everyone, but I sure like it, and it's pretty to me.

It's an old Colt Army Special from 1921. It's a better shooter than my similar S&W, by a little bit.

Colt Army Special

• Tallball
• Mar 4, 2018

Two other favorites of mine are an Old Model ("three screw") Ruger Super Blackhawk that I got for the same price, and a S&W K22 Masterpiece that I got for... I think a little over $400, but less than $450. Like the other poster said, if you don't mind them being a little "finish challenged", you can get a very fine firearm surprisingly cheaply. You just have to be patient and keep your eyes open.

Work of art has to be special, Freedom Arms, Korth or something customized. Like I said lot of fine and even desirable revolvers but to put a common production gun in the highend category doesn’t leave any room at the top for the special guns.

FWIW I’m cheap too so doubt I’ll ever own the highend stuff.

 

[Buckeye357]

Hard to beat a Smith & Wesson revolver. I like the 357 magnum because of its versatility and ability to shoot mild 38 special loads or powerful 357 magnum loadings.
686 is stainless model and 586 is blued version of the L frame series which will handle any load you put through them .
The K frames are smaller sized frames and are great handling revolvers . No longer available in 357 mag in blued finish new but are offered in the stainless model 66-8 in both 4.25 “and 2.75” barrel lengths. If you like blued version there are some nice discontinued model 19’s out there.
I have both L and K framed Smiths and I love them all. You will have to pay a little more than $600 for new but they are well worth the extra money but that’s my opinion.
If you can find them at your local gun shop handle both and compare the feel of better yet find someone that would let you shoot one before you make your decision .

 

[Texas1880]

I got a 686 as my first revolver. 3”. Now I have a 6 and a 4”, and I want the 2.5
I’m a smith fan, but ruger and the gp100 are excellent revolvers. Can’t go wrong with either one.

 

[Jim Watson]

Match director sent out a Revolver Challenge for next week's IDPA-ish police league.
I had out K, L, N, and I frames dryfiring and trying to choose. Decisions, decisions.

 

[thomas15]

I'm a S&W guy but I have to admit that with few exceptions a Ruger is probably better if you really don't have a pre-defined task for the gun. Either Ruger or S&W over anything else because if you want to sell it you will do better. Taurus may shoot well but forget it with respect to resell value. I would say the OP getting a 4" 6 shot medium frame is as good as anything else, not too big not too small.

Personally for me I have been around firearms for 50 years but handguns only about 6 years. After a year of auto loaders I was not shooting as well as I wanted so I got involved in local action pistol competitions, this to give me an excuse to shoot more. A year of that and then during a period of insanity I decided to get a revolver. Mine was a S&W 686 4" barrel 6 shot. I still shoot it having had the action worked for a lighter DA trigger, cut for moons and so forth. I also have two other S&W N frames, both are in competition condition and revos are now all I shoot.

Already this year I have over 3000 rounds through my revos and the shooting season hasn't started yet. All of my shooting is in DA, my 929s are actually DAO. The learning curve on those guns is steep but I'm making some progress and it's very satisfying to make progress with a revolver. They are fun and would be a lot more popular amongst those who compete if only they were given a fair chance.

While they are still there on youtube check out shooters like Michael Poggie, Josh Lentz, David Olhasso and of course Jerry Miculek and others. Revolvers are a lot of fun and with practice and the right gear they can send a lot of lead downrange in a short amount of time.

 

[Wanderling]

Ok, the last question to resolve- would a 3” or 4” be an all-round better choice in the long run (again, not planning on carrying it, just an overall balance / shootability).

Unfortunately I can’t find a local range that has both for rent. Or either. It seems the most popular choice with renters is 6” barrel, which is puzzling. Unless they just want the most bad-ass looking gun.

 

[huntsman]

4” a little more sight radius always helps.

 

[ancientnoob]

Carried lots and shot little. I paid $425. Colt Detective Special .38 special manufactured 1972.

 

[C5rider]

I always thought a 4" barrel handled pretty well for me. I could only repeat what others have said. You really couldn't go wrong with a S&W or Ruger. I've purchased Rugers used that needed work and the customer service has been excellent. good luck and of course, we'll need pictures when you decide!

 

[Stephanie B]

Ok, the last question to resolve- would a 3” or 4” be an all-round better choice in the long run (again, not planning on carrying it, just an overall balance / shootability).

Unfortunately I can’t find a local range that has both for rent. Or either. It seems the most popular choice with renters is 6” barrel, which is puzzling. Unless they just want the most bad-ass looking gun.

If you're not going to carry it, then why not look for a 6" M14/19/66/686? Those are very shootable, very accurate. Back in the day, before CCW, my recollection is that 6" guns outsold almost all others. (The N-frames are getting really pricey.)

If you're going to carry it, 3" gives you almost the concealbility of a snubbie with a full-length ejector rod. 4" is about the limit, for me, for IWB carry. If Colt brings out their new Cobra in 3", I'm going to be saving up.

 

[eastbank]

a tad big, but it will get the job done. 624-4" in 44 special.

 

[Bushpilot]

Ok, the last question to resolve- would a 3” or 4” be an all-round better choice in the long run (again, not planning on carrying it, just an overall balance / shootability).

Unfortunately I can’t find a local range that has both for rent. Or either. It seems the most popular choice with renters is 6” barrel, which is puzzling. Unless they just want the most bad-ass looking gun.

The reason most people rent a 6 inch length revolver is because the 6 inch is the one that is the easiest to shoot well...


From the sound of it you're primarily interested in a "classic" style revolver for target shooting. You can't get much more classic then a Smith & Wesson. I would get either a K or L frame S&W 357 magnum and shoot 38 specials for target shooting. I'd get a 6 inch barrel, a 4 inch would be OK but the longer sight radius of the 6 inch will be a noticably easier to hit with. Good adjustable sights are a must IMO for a true target revolver. I wouldn't be too afraid of buying a used revolver, like Tallball said just read the sticky. A new S&W might be an extra $100 or 200 or so out of your intended price range. If you find a 586 or 686 (stainless) smith it will be a "L" frame which is larger then a "K" frame, is very strong and if you choose to do so, will handle a steady diet of 357 mags for a lifetime of shooting. A "K" frame 357 model 19 or 66 ( stainles) is slightly smaller, lighter...

A Ruger, the GP100, is another option, they are very good revolvers, extremely strong and will last forever...

 

[earplug]

Look for a Smith and Wesson 9MM revolver.
The cost of ammo and easy access will soon outway the initial cost.
It will cycle all the stuff your pistols won't run with.
9MM in a modern loading is very close to the .357 out of a four inch barrel.
You won't be shooting many hot rounds most likely.

 

[Blkhrt13]

A model 10 or a 64 would be optimum. You can get a good one cheap still. I want to get one soon.

 

[Cokeman]

 

[Blkhrt13]

Oh that’s a 3 inch

 

[Cokeman]

It has become the family favorite.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Love the GP100 4 in is nice for your application

 

[Crowman]

My goto woods carry gun is a 4.2” barrel Ruger Match Champion in 38 Spl / 357 Magnum. I tote mine in a leather Diamond D Guide’s Choice chest rig with three sets of reloads. This gun is not a run-of-the mill production model GP100. It has been factory tuned for target competition and the oversized barrel lug is cut away just past the extractor rod housing and the barrel sides milled flat to shed excessive weight and improve balance. The cylinder face has been “melted” to allow quick holstering. The trigger and hammer are centered and shimmed in the frame and mine has the fixed Novak rear sight paired with a front firesight. This also makes for a great rough country sight package...nothing to get knocked out of alignment. The sights are factory regulated to shoot to point of aim with 158 grain 357 Magnums. And this one does with Federal 158 grain JSP magnums. I carry it with CCI snake shot for slithery things and either Buffalo Bore or Grizzly 180 grain hard cast RNFP-GC 357 Magnum bear loads. This gun has an excellent trigger and smooth double action. You would not need to do anything to this revolver other than changing the grips to fit your hand. I replaced the factory wood grips to the Pachmayr Diamond D grips which do fit me better. This particular gun will outshoot my other Ruger and S&W revolvers with only two exceptions, a 4” 625 in 45 Colt and an early 5” Model 27, and they were both professionally tuned. The Match Champion is shooter ready right out of the box.

 

[zanders]

My goto woods carry gun is a 4.2” barrel Ruger Match Champion in 38 Spl / 357 Magnum.

I also enjoy the match champion. I got the adjustable sight one (not as pretty as the Novak). The gun shoots better than I do. Every time I change up my sight picture (working on not doing that) I wind up with another really tight group in a completely different place.

Crowman forgot to mention the crowned barrel, it's a nice extra perk.

Also the only real downside to the gun is the hammer shims are a little annoying but just use a tiny allen key to keep them in place when you're putting it back together.

 

[bannockburn]

Crowman

Nice gun and rig!