My first impressions on getting into wheel guns

[BillBloggins]

I have a few semi-automatic pistols in 9, 40 and 45. I never felt the pull toward revolvers until last week. So, because we live in America and we can, I went on down to the gun store to buy a revolver. Had a good look at the selection and settled on a Ruger GP100 4". Built like a brick you-know-what and had a smooth trigger, particularly in single action. Bought a box of .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammo and off to the range I headed.

Well, consider me enlightened. It was a literal blast with the .357 Mag, and very pleasurable with the .38 Special. I thought I would not shoot it well but the good work Ruger put into the gun enabled a most enjoyable level of accuracy. I could not help but think 'Why did I not get into wheel guns sooner'? Such a delight to shoot and the mechanical workings of a revolver are very pleasing- watching that cylinder move is fantastic.

I ordered up my reloading supplies for this caliber and predict many thousands of very enjoyable rounds going down range. For any out there that just think semi-autos are the only way to go I highly suggest you add a wheel gun to your collection. You will love it.

And I know I will feel urges to try out other variations, like maybe a 625 or a Python- darnit, so many guns and so little time!

 

[Clippers]

You've gone and done it now! They're very addictive. Wait till you put a S/A Ruger Blackhawk in your hands. It changed my life.

 

[Quick Shot xMLx]

That sounds great. I bought my first revolver last week(used 686) and have yet to shoot it. Just from handling it at my house I'm already starting to fall in love. Hopefully my experience is as good as yours when I shoot it this weekend

 

[perpster]

The Wheel(gun)

The wheel(gun) is turning and you can't slow down.

You can't let go and you can't hold on.

You can't go back and you can't stand still.

If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will (and did!)

Round and round!

Enjoy!

 

[TennJed]

The wheel(gun) is turning and you can't slow down.

You can't let go and you can't hold on.

You can't go back and you can't stand still.

If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will (and did!)

Round and round!

Enjoy!

Small wheel turn by the fire and rod,
Big wheel turn by the grace of god,
Every time that wheel turn round,
Bound to cover just a little more ground.

Bound to cover just a little more ground.

 

[Water-Man]

Well, you started out with one of the best. Take care of it and it'll be around well after you're on the other side of the grass.

Have fun.

 

[TennJed]

Well, you started out with one of the best. Take care of it and it'll be around well after you're on the other side of the grass.

Have fun.

yep, and the best thing is, it looks like he reloads. No chasing brass with that wheel gun. Reloading and Revolvers are a match made in heaven

 

[Vol46]

My 4" GP100 improved substantially in accuracy after it had a few hundred rounds through it. I don't know whether it was the gun breaking in or me getting used to shooting it.

 

[bannockburn]

Another convert to the wonderful world of wheel guns. Welcome aboard.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

Love my 6" GP100. It was my first revolver and now I own 4 Ruger revolvers

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Welcome, and yes, revolvers are the best.

Lots of history, lots of chamberings, lots of power, lots of models, and lots of fun.

The only down side is that they are about as addictive as heroin.

 

[buck460XVR]

As with most things in life, IMHO, when it comes to guns, variety is the spice of life.

 

[Dframe]

Fair warning! Revolvers are extremely addictive (don't ask how I know) and Pythons can be fatal to your wallet.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

While my first revolver was an old Soviet Nagant, my first modern revolver was, like yours, a 4-inch GP100. Two more Rugers have joined the fold since then - an SP101-22 and a .357 LCR - and while gun money is scarce (read nonexistent) for me these days, one day when funds allow there will be more...a Model 10 would be nice, and maybe something in a Ruger single-action...

 

[tomrkba]

And I know I will feel urges to try out other variations, like maybe a 625 or a Python- darnit, so many guns and so little time!

My one year revolver experiment turned out to be a huge problem for me As of now, I have spent nearly $10,000 on revolvers since late 2006. I tried this, that, and the other guns and calibers. Much of it was noodling around to find a gun I really liked. I made quite a few mistakes by using large frame guns or very small frame guns. I wanted to like snubby revolvers, but just couldn't make them shoot well and the ballistics do not justify the platform. Many of my problems were length of pull related. Determine your optimal LOP and buy good stocks from Herretts, Badger or Eagle. Cheap Hogues and oversized Pachmayr grips do not cut it. I can make the Hogues work for the GP100, but not for S&W revolvers. Overall, I find the older N-Frames to be very pleasing, but the Ruger GP100 is a better shooter for me. I wish I had purchased one first because $9300 is a lot of ammo. Though, the only revolver I regret selling is a prelock, pristine S&W 629 Mountain Gun.

 

[Iggy]

Whatever you do in you present weakened state, don't go look at any S&W revolvers.

 

[Iggy]

Whoops, double tap.

 

[Scrambler]

Came to revolvers late and settled on Rugers. Besides the ease of disassembly and durability, they were easier for me to change the front sights to something I can see. I put Meprolights on the SP's and a Gemini FO on the GP. They work much better for my old eyes. These three have satisfied my revolver itch.

 

[PJSprog]

Great revolver, Bill. I'm sure there are many hours of enjoyment ahead of you.

I was exactly the opposite. Been a revolver guy most of my life (well, one semi .22), and only just bought a 1911 a couple years ago. Still a revolver guy, though.

Welcome to the club.

 

[Schwing]

I have been shooting for nearly 30 years and just bought my first revolver (also a GP100) last year... I have been hooked and have since acquired a Super Blackhawk .44 and an LCR. I am eying an SP101 as well... Just waiting for my wife to look the other way

There is something about a revolver that is just missing from a semi-auto. I still love my semi-autos but they see about 1/3 the range time as the revolvers do.

 

[Black Knight]

Glad you enjoyed it. Watch out for the Colt snakes. Once one of them bites you its for life. I was bitten by a 6" Python in 1979 and still have it and was bitten by a 4" Python in 2007 and this is usually my main off-duty carry gun.

 

[il.bill]

It is all downhill for you from here.

Look out! Here comes a Python, a S&W K-frame, a Model 686, a Blackhawk Convertible, a Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, and maybe a Super Redhawk and an SAA. Oh my, your journey has just begun ...

 

[il.bill]

It is a good thing that reloading the cartridges is so nice - as your collection of revolvers grows, you will likely be looking at some of the even more spendy models.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I went the other way. Started with revolvers when I was still in my 20s. Bought my first three revolvers in 1975, a S&W Model 17-3, !9-3, and a Ruger Blackhawk convertible, 45 Colt & 45 ACP.








I didn't get around to shooting semi-autos until many years later. I bought this 1960s era Browning High Power in the early 1990s. The first semi-auto I bought. Still my favorite 9mm.

 

[gamestalker]

Welcome to the fine art of revolvers!

I own numerous AL pistols, but nothing does it for me like a revolver with a fine silky action. And it only gets better IMO, when it involves a large bore magnum. I have been reloading for these beasts for better than 30 yrs. and shooting then for better than 45 yrs., and I still can't seem to get enough full house magnum shooting.

Enjoy your new addiction within the shooting sports, and stay safe.

GS