Hey, wanted to start off by saying hello to all in this forum. I've been browsing it for a while trying to get as much info. as I could concerning my first revolver purchase. I just got into firearms VERY recently, last summer actually, and my only handgun at the time is a Springfield 1911A1. I also own a Ruger 10/22 but I am trying to sell it if you guys have been checking the for-sale forums at all. Anyways, there is a local gun shop that I've been to a few times to look at their selection of used revolvers. My budget at this point is around $300-$350, so most new revolvers are out of my budget. Let me rephrase that, most new revolvers that I'd WANT to own are out of my budget. (Sure I could get a Taurus or Rossi or something, but why??? ) By the way I live in CA, and FFL transfers run about $60 at least, so online purchases and anything short of PPT are out of the question.
Ok, so here is my situation. My local gun shop (River City Gun Exchange, if anyone is wondering) has a few that have sparked my interest. First, there is a S&W M&P 4" pencil barrel, dating to approximately 1909-1915. There is some holster wear in the usual places, but the finish overall is pretty good, and the checkered walnut stocks w/ medallions are also in pretty good shape. I checked it out briefly using some of Jim March's tips, and there is ever-so-slight front to back cylinder play (actually, all of the used revolvers I checked out had this), as well as a smidge of side to side play. Cylinder/barrel gap from what I could tell was acceptable, but if I decide to get it I'll definitely bring a set of feeler gauges. The price on this one is $249, and since its a consignment peice, no bargaining on the price.
Next on the list is a Ruger Security Six in stainless with rubber Pachmayer grips (I acutally prefer the walnut, so I'd have to pick up a set later). It has a 6" barrel, again minor cylinder play, and looking at the bore there are some scratches toward the cylinder end. Is this normal? I looked at my 1911 with over 1000 rounds, and there aren't any such scratches. Is this something that is common for revolvers? There are a couple of minor scratches here and there on the gun itself, but nothing major that I noticed. Dated to around 1970 or so. The price on this one is $299, again, non-negotiable.
There was also a S&W 36 .38 with what I think was a 3" barrel, blued, wood grips. Did not have a chance to handle this one at all, but the finish looked to be good. Price on this was $299, again non-negotiable.
Last but not least they have the Ruger GP100 6" blued w/ short underlug on sale for $339, new in box.
They also have a Colt Trooper 4" .357 for $329.99, but I think I'd rather have one of the other guns.
Sure I could look elsewhere, but that would take more time and I am looking for something in the near future. Plus, I figure that shop is as good as any place to start. So, the concerns I had with both S&W's were that I am told they are not rated for +p ammo, so that pretty much rules out their use as a defensive handgun (since the .45acp I already have would serve that purpose better). Also, while I liked the classic look of them I was not too fond of the pencil barrel on the M&P, and worried about maintainence in the future. The Security Six seemed pretty solid, and with the exception of the rubber grips, was very aesthetically pleasing, to me anyways. I've read nothing but good reviews about these and am sure it would make a fine gun. Now, the GP100 seems like a great deal at $339 NIB, and the half-underlug I hear definitely helps in the balance of the gun. Also, the two Rugers are .357, and strong ones at that, versus the S&W's which are rated for standard pressure .38's only. Granted, due to the cost of ammo I'd probably be shooting .38's most of the time anyways, but it would be nice to shoot the occasional stronger loads. The only experience I've had with wheelguns thus far has been a .357 4" Rossi, which I liked, but I hear they go out of time in rapid DA fire which is not something I want to deal with. Also, I tried shooting a M60 with both .38's and .357's, and while recoil was stout, it was manageable. Now, my question really is what do you guys think would be the best all-around gun? By this I mean, just shooting at the range, since in CA CCW is not really an option , so they won't have to be carried, but might be shot for somewhat long periods of time. I'm leaning towards the Rugers since they seem to be a good balance of strength, reliability, price, and accuracy (albeit, with a lousier DA trigger in comparison to S&W's I hear). However, the S&W's would be slicker and have a smoother action, and possibly more reliable (?). Also, that M&P felt GREAT in my hand. If any of you guys own one or more of these, please chime in and let me know what you think. Oh, and BTW, I might be trading my 10/22 for a SAA clone (Hawes) in .357, so even if I got a .38 only gun, I guess I could still shoot .357's in that. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Also, if you think those prices are no good, let me know too!
Ok, so here is my situation. My local gun shop (River City Gun Exchange, if anyone is wondering) has a few that have sparked my interest. First, there is a S&W M&P 4" pencil barrel, dating to approximately 1909-1915. There is some holster wear in the usual places, but the finish overall is pretty good, and the checkered walnut stocks w/ medallions are also in pretty good shape. I checked it out briefly using some of Jim March's tips, and there is ever-so-slight front to back cylinder play (actually, all of the used revolvers I checked out had this), as well as a smidge of side to side play. Cylinder/barrel gap from what I could tell was acceptable, but if I decide to get it I'll definitely bring a set of feeler gauges. The price on this one is $249, and since its a consignment peice, no bargaining on the price.
Next on the list is a Ruger Security Six in stainless with rubber Pachmayer grips (I acutally prefer the walnut, so I'd have to pick up a set later). It has a 6" barrel, again minor cylinder play, and looking at the bore there are some scratches toward the cylinder end. Is this normal? I looked at my 1911 with over 1000 rounds, and there aren't any such scratches. Is this something that is common for revolvers? There are a couple of minor scratches here and there on the gun itself, but nothing major that I noticed. Dated to around 1970 or so. The price on this one is $299, again, non-negotiable.
There was also a S&W 36 .38 with what I think was a 3" barrel, blued, wood grips. Did not have a chance to handle this one at all, but the finish looked to be good. Price on this was $299, again non-negotiable.
Last but not least they have the Ruger GP100 6" blued w/ short underlug on sale for $339, new in box.
They also have a Colt Trooper 4" .357 for $329.99, but I think I'd rather have one of the other guns.
Sure I could look elsewhere, but that would take more time and I am looking for something in the near future. Plus, I figure that shop is as good as any place to start. So, the concerns I had with both S&W's were that I am told they are not rated for +p ammo, so that pretty much rules out their use as a defensive handgun (since the .45acp I already have would serve that purpose better). Also, while I liked the classic look of them I was not too fond of the pencil barrel on the M&P, and worried about maintainence in the future. The Security Six seemed pretty solid, and with the exception of the rubber grips, was very aesthetically pleasing, to me anyways. I've read nothing but good reviews about these and am sure it would make a fine gun. Now, the GP100 seems like a great deal at $339 NIB, and the half-underlug I hear definitely helps in the balance of the gun. Also, the two Rugers are .357, and strong ones at that, versus the S&W's which are rated for standard pressure .38's only. Granted, due to the cost of ammo I'd probably be shooting .38's most of the time anyways, but it would be nice to shoot the occasional stronger loads. The only experience I've had with wheelguns thus far has been a .357 4" Rossi, which I liked, but I hear they go out of time in rapid DA fire which is not something I want to deal with. Also, I tried shooting a M60 with both .38's and .357's, and while recoil was stout, it was manageable. Now, my question really is what do you guys think would be the best all-around gun? By this I mean, just shooting at the range, since in CA CCW is not really an option , so they won't have to be carried, but might be shot for somewhat long periods of time. I'm leaning towards the Rugers since they seem to be a good balance of strength, reliability, price, and accuracy (albeit, with a lousier DA trigger in comparison to S&W's I hear). However, the S&W's would be slicker and have a smoother action, and possibly more reliable (?). Also, that M&P felt GREAT in my hand. If any of you guys own one or more of these, please chime in and let me know what you think. Oh, and BTW, I might be trading my 10/22 for a SAA clone (Hawes) in .357, so even if I got a .38 only gun, I guess I could still shoot .357's in that. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Also, if you think those prices are no good, let me know too!