Help recommend a .357 or .38 revolver

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Chrome

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Looking to buy my first wheel gun (not counting the Heritage .22 I sold awhile back) and find myself needing some advice. I love the look of the older S&W, but they are VERY tricky to find used in my area. Here's some guidelines of what I'm looking for. Needs to be in $600 ballpark, willing to pay more for quality ($600 okay for S&W, not for Taurus).

Things that are important:
Needs to be a more common brand (S&W, Taurus, Ruger, Colt)
Must have an exposed hammer
Needs a barrel length shorter than 6"
Cannot have an integral lock (no I'm not disabling one put in place)
Gun needs to be comfortable to shoot with standard pressure .38's

Things that are not so important:
Caliber not significantly important (I'll shoot .38 out of a .357)
Finish is not important
Prefer fixed sights, but not opposed to adjustable
Gun will not be carried, so I don't need ultralites (not opposed to them though)

Later,
Chrome...
 
my choice within your parameters would be a Ruger GP-100. I have one that is 20 years old, and it still amazes me how accurate and tight it has remained.
 
I concur with the other posters. For a good first revolver, you can not go wrong with a stainless GP-100 3" or 4" or an SP 101. You well get a lot of use and enjoyment out of either one and never regret your purchase decision.
 
Chrome, You shouldn't have to pay more than $600. Based solely on bang for buck, if you do not need full on magnum, find a S&W model 10. It meets all of your criteria. If you feel you need a magum revo, or need to spend more to justify a gun purchase there are a dozen more qualified. I tend to shy from Taurus and Colt as IO am not patient or a collector.
 
A S&W 642 is a fine revolver. Personally, I prefer the shrouded hammer, but if you care for the exposed, then that's the first revolver that comes to mind. It is an airweight, but shooting .38's ain't bad, but if you did get one of the models that shoots .357, well, an airweight and a .357 feels like you're letting a blacksmith hitt your palm with a ballpeen hammer every time.

Can be found for $380 - $450, depending.
 
New production model? Has to be the Ruger GP-100. Want a good used, primo gun? Always happy to recommend a Ruger Security-Six or a S&W 686, early version. And some folks around here have picked up some 66s that have been gorgeous.

If you can find a 4-inch 686 with hammer and trigger flash chromed, you'll be one happy camper.
 
My first revolver was a police trade in model 10 with a light four inch barrel. Paid $140 for it. Best trigger of any revolver I own. Don't over look the cheaper, used stuff out there.
 
I shoot a 4" S&W M686-2 and it's a great revolver IMO. You can find a pre-lock M686 for ~$500 in most towns.

A 4" Ruger GP100 would also be a good choice but I personally prefer a S&W revolver. (although I do have a 2 3/4" Ruger Police Service-Six would wouldn't want to sell)
 
Taurus Model 627 Tracker in stainless steel and a 4" barrel. Super nice revolver! IMHO, the best .357 on the market. This one carries 7 rounds.
I've had this revolver for close to 10 years. It's shot a lot...no problems.

Ruger SP 101...I've got the 3.06" barrel. Robust gun with enough weight to handle .357 with no problems.

There's two to consider...
 
Taurus Model 627 Tracker = the best .357 on the market?

C'mon now.... I could understand you saying it's a good revolver but the best?? With all the new and used S&W, Ruger and Colt revolvers out there how can you say a Taurus revolver is best on the market? (not a flame, just a question)
 
These guys usually have killer deals on stainless .357 fixed sight revos.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/
You will have to download their catalog. Do a search to find many happy customers on this forum.
Click to expand...

I ordered 3 of those 4" M65's. One has a loose action with slow timing, another is on the verge of slow timing, and one is just decent as far as the action goes. All three have lots of scratches and scuffs. They aren't "bargains" in the sense that you're getting a perfect gun at a low price.

With the above said, they are decent guns and worth looking into. If you're willing to do some polishing and a little work(you might get a good one and you might not), they're well worth buying.
 
S&W Model 10 all the way! Get a 10 or an M&P as they fit your description of what you want in a gun to a T! You should be able to get a pre-lock used one in very nice condition for $300.00 or less.
 
machinisttx,
Personally I have never ordered from them, but if I remember right can't you pay a little extra to have them hand pick one instead of grabbing the 1st one off of the pile? Nickels.
 
They may offer that, but I didn't check to see. When I ordered mine, everyone else had been getting guns in decent shape. Now I realize that a lot of those people may not have the slightest clue how to check a revolver out---and that's leaving the finish issues aside.
 
GP100 4" blued....if you want to keep cost around $400.

Go with the stainless version if you feel like splurging.

If it were me, I'd buy a used GP100 and a used Smith M65 police trade-in for a total price of $600.00 +/-. You'll have to do the Jim March Revolver Checkout Procedure outlined in one of this forums Revolver sticky threads. If you're lucky and patient you'll be rewarded with two of the best of the Ruger and S&W worlds.
 
Well if you can find them used in your area. Try the S&W Model 10/64 or the S&W Model 15/67.
 
"C'mon now.... I could understand you saying it's a good revolver but the best?? With all the new and used S&W, Ruger and Colt revolvers out there how can you say a Taurus revolver is best on the market? (not a flame, just a question)"
Click to expand...

As far as price, quality or workmanship..these are really nice revolvers. I've shot S&W's, Rugers (own an SP101)...never a Colt though.
This Taurus, once I got used to the ribber grips, fits my hand so well and shoots so nicely.
Compared to the S&W's and Rugers I've fired...yep, the Tracker is the best.
I think the 627 is the best medium sized revolver around.
 
Okay, can't get all these with fixed sights, but most you can.
Used - Colt King Cobra, Trooper Mark III or V, S&W 13 or 65 (65 is my all time fav S&W), Ruger Security Six, Ruger Original Vaquero.
New - Ruger GP-100, New Vaquero and I think that's about it without a visible lock.
 
I believe virtually any of the Taurus revolvers offer incredible value. I have several and love them all.I 'd certainly opt for the .357 though, because of its versatility. Great for plinking, defense, and even some hunting.
 
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