I never liked Revolvers...

[KJS]

Have you tried going to a range that rents firearms? That's what I did.

Now I own a .44 mag. (The recoil isn't what they claim in the movies. I shoot mine one-handed, and though slower, am still accurate - well as accurate as I can be. I'm not a competitor.)

Fully agree that renting to try before you buy is an excellent idea.

As for a .44 Mag, seems excessive for self-defense against humans, though certainly a fun gun to play with. Not to mention heavy & bulky, though one quickly learns the benefits of a 3 pound gun when shooting a caliber that kicks hard.

Actually, if one were to believe movies, they might think a .44 Mag doesn't recoil at all. Dirty Harry held his S&W Model 29 with just one hand and the muzzle didn't rise at all, so use blanks and we can all get that too. I've rented a .44 as I had to see what this iconic gun is like. Actually, I found it easy to handle and not nearly as harsh as I thought it might be (using factory ammo -- I know handloaders can produce truly brutal recoil with really hot loads). Still, even just using standard 240 gr factory ammo my hand was still a bit sore the next day after 100 rounds.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Get an SP101

http://rugerforum.net/gun-gallery/5965-lets-see-your-sp101s.html

 

[KJS]

^Not sure if 25 - 27 ounces qualifies as really light, like holding nothing as was originally sought.

That's tiny & really light by my standards, but then I don't wear a gun, so I like lots of weight to tame recoil.

 

[agtman]

*** Actually, if one were to believe movies, they might think a .44 Mag doesn't recoil at all. Dirty Harry held his S&W Model 29 with just one hand and the muzzle didn't rise at all, so use blanks and we can all get that too. I've rented a .44 as I had to see what this iconic gun is like. Actually, I found it easy to handle and not nearly as harsh as I thought it might be (using factory ammo -- I know handloaders can produce truly brutal recoil with really hot loads). Still, even just using standard 240 gr factory ammo my hand was still a bit sore the next day after 100 rounds.

Yep, I agree. There's a lot myth and mystique and misinformation that surround the .44 magnum and S&W's model 29 in particular. I never had a .44mag with shorter than a 4" barrel (of the 3 I've owned, 2 had 6" tubes). I never thought the recoil was brutal, but that was all with factory loads, not nuclear-level handloads.

 

[Nar]

Just going to say this because i don't think anyone else has yet. An old S&W model 10. it's a .38 special and I love mine it was the first revolver i bought and it is still one of my favorites. Also you can probably find one used for a fair price.

 

[tom327]

Here are two candidates--S&W Model 10-7, 6 shot .38 special; Ruger SP 101 5 shot .38 special (yes, it's the .38 version).

Of the two, the model 10 is the better shooter, but either would be entirely adequate for carry/self defense.

Both at least $100 below your price limit.

 

[DrLaw]

You sound like a younger person who has only experienced semi-autos.

A revolver will force you to do something that you might not do with a semi-auto.

That is, get accurate. When you are dealing with just 5 or 6 shots, you tend to not just shoot like crazy in hopes you hit something. You tend to want to be fast, but accurate as you don't have all those shots handy, and learning to do a speed reload takes time and practice.

Did you know you can hide a 4" barrel revolver just as easily as a 2" inch? The thick parts of a revolver are the cylinder and grips. The barrel is comparatively thin.

So, my recommendation would be a 4 inch barrel gun, ala a S&W Model 10, 13, or 15 for your first revolver, or the Ruger comparable model. Colts are harder to find and a little more costly than what you were saying. Even some of the good Smiths (pre-lock) are kicking around $500-600 when you find them. Adjustable sights raise prices.

Tell you what, get proficient with a revolver and you will know why Michulek is sooooooo good at what he does.

The Doc is out now.

 

[engineer88]

The two guns I carry the most are a Ruger SP101 2'' DAO and a bobbed S&W 637. In my personal opinion and needs they fill the two niches I have for carry revolvers. Light, pocketable (637) and durable, iwb (SP101). I like the durability of my SP101 because I like to practice with it often.

Now for just something to shoot at the range, use for home defense or just plain have fun with a 686, GP100, etc makes a lot more sense. However to be fair, I think my little airweight and SP101 could perform admirably for home defense too in a pinch, just not as good as a shotgun.

Try some out at a range of you can. One thing revolvers majorly differ in from autos is if you handle it and don't like the grip, it is no reason not to buy it. You can always change the grips. Good luck!

 

[shootingthebreeze]

For safety purposes I would steer away from "light" aluminum frame revolvers; stick with an all steel design.
Second, you need to shop, shop, shop. Each person is different-each person's hands are different. So again, shop, shop and shop! The weapon must feel comfortable to you, the shooter.

 

[george29]

Just remember, the way you grip a semi-auto is not the way you grip a revolver.

A revolver needs to be gripped hard and high, been described as choking the grip up high. A semi-auto one grips usually as high as the tang if available, but usually no higher than the grip itself. Inevitably, shooting most revolvers just by holding the grip will result in limp wristing and missed shots.

I learned shooting with semi-auto's (1911 & 1903), so it was a while until I grasped the concept that a revolver is shot differently.

As has been said here, a K-frame class revolver (10, 13, 15, Lawman, speed-six) as your first revolver would be a good idea.

 

[bikerdoc]

I like revolvers and prefer 3 inch all steel and wood guns especially ruger security sixes. I got 3.

I also like autos especially CZ, and 1911's

But I digress get something that is not light.

 

[loaf_fan]

It's hard to beat a S&W. I purchased a Model 66 4 inch to flip and make some money on ($280 cash, and not wore at all.) then found I could not part with it. It's going to be my CCW if Illinois ever gets with the rest of the country.

BTW Anyone have a suggestion for a good shoulder/carry holster for my S&W that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Say under $50?