need a good straight-up defensive wheelgun.

[AcceptableUserName]

I'm looking for a strictly defensive wheelgun, and not necessarily for concealed carry. I want something sub-600, something iron-tough, reliable, fast (relatively), the higher capacity the better., something smoothe and liveable out of the box as far as trigger pull and accuracy. I'm not looking for a racegun but I want something decent in those arenas.

I'm pretty sure it's either going to be a Ruger or a Smith. Pretty sure it's going to be a .357.

Right now the GP100 4" has my eye. Your turn...

 

[sgt127]

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...d-condition/cPath/16_211_431/products_id/2441

Its "only" a .38 Special..but, thats about as straight up as a revolver can get...and, it will serve you well for the rest of your life.

 

[PT1911]

if you are looking at a GP.. I say go for it... I just picked one up yesterday...Fits all of your listed criteria QUITE well...

 

[BigNYMini]

Ruger SP101.

 

[Youngster]

Rugers are great guns but they're let down somewhat by their lunky triggers, which are not as smooth nor as positive in return as their S&W counterparts, to me shooting a S&W after shooting a Ruger feels almost like cheating.

 

[Powerglide]

model 19 3 inch.

 

[19-3Ben]

I'd find a Ruger Service Six, or Speed six.

Those are about as straight forward of a defensive wheelgun as it gets.

 

[cprher]

Since I'm a S&W fan my advice is obviously biased: Get a 586 or 686. I struck a balance by getting a 686 with a factory black finish. The grips are Spegel Extended Boot Grips. It has a Performance Center Master Action Job and nothing else done to it. Balance is perfect and its very accurate. It's also fast out of a holster and relatively easy to conceal.

 

[WC145]

GP100 or a 686, either would suit your needs.

 

[Lar1911]

Clint Smith with Thunder Ranch has a video that talks about learning to shoot what you have, he even does a demo on a single shot shotgun. (Its also on youtube)

Once you own the gun practice with it, dry fire. The Ruger is a great gun, every one that has one or reviews them say they are built like tanks. If the trigger is not smooth you can have a trigger job done on it, or more likely shoot it enough and you wont notice.
I have a Vaquero and am very happy with it.

Buy a pellet trap, or make one, buy a pellet gun that is similar to the gun you buy, and practice drawing and bringing the sights up.

Since its for home defense, learn how to pie a door and move around the home and practice.

 

[bannockburn]

S&W Model 13

S&W Model 19

S&W Model 686

Ruger Security-Six

Ruger Service-Six

Ruger GP-100

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a Taurus 627 Tracker, It would fit your criteria.
7 shot
good trigger
accurate
modest price
.357 mag
----can't go wrong with a Ruger tho--

 

[wlewisiii]

S&W 64 4". For a basic combat revolver, you'll do no better until you spend a lot more money. Load it with Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP +P and you're set. IMHO & all that, but look around a bit & I think you'll agree.

 

[brabham78]

If it's not for concealed carry, then +2 on The Ruger GP100 and the Smith 686. I think they're equal guns, so the less expensive Ruger is probably a better value, but I'd be happy to have either. Both are fairly heavy stainless guns, so even with magnums, they're real easy shooters.

If you think that this gun might someday work it's way in the role of being your carry gun, then something more compact might be in order. Rugers SP101 or S&W's 640 are worth a look. These are 23 to 25 oz guns, so recoil is still within reason, even with some hot ammo.

 

[SDiver40]

Hammerless Ruger SP101 .357 with a trigger spring kit. You will love it!

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Does Smith make anything comparable to Ruger's SP101 in size that has 6 shots?

 

[PT1911]

why would someone opt for snubbie or hammerless if cc is not a concern? The only reason to get a small gun (barrel under say... 4 inches) is for cc, once that is out of the picture, get a full sized gun for better balance, greater accuracy, softer recoil... need I go on?

If you like the GP100, get the GP100
A Smith 686 would be a great option as well
A Smith 64 is one hell of a gun to fall back on also..

I own all three and cannot find anything bad to say about any of them...

 

[PT1911]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757767_-1_757751_757751_image

 

[Deanimator]

Any K or L frame S&W without the lock.

The 3" S&W Model 65 is an excellent all around self-defense revolver.

It's a .357 and will shoot .357 or .38 Special.
It's got a long enough sight radius to be easier to shoot.
It's still small enough to easily carry IWB.

I would have preferred a 3" Model 13 because I don't like stainless, but I hadn't seen on of those for sale locally for years.

The gun below is virtually identical to mine, down to the grips:

 

[Nico Testosteros]

I'm rather fond of my Model 681. It's basically a 686 with fixed sights. It's very accurate and fun to shoot. I've got nothing against Rugers, I think an SP101 is in my future.

 

[Youngster]

Both the GP100 and the 686 are noticably more comfortable to shoot full powered .357s out of compared to K frames and smaller guns.

The only thing is for me personally is that if I'm going to deal with a revolver in that size and weight class I'd rather step it up slightly and go with a larger frame in a bigger caliber.

I don't find my 629 any harder to control when reasonably loaded than my 686 is with full house 125 or 158 grainers, and the .44 actually seems nicer to shoot overall because the bark and blast is quite a bit less intense.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
Most of the others have great suggestions. Here is my take. If you want a all around 357 4 inch revolver that a person can carry and handles good without being too heavy this would be my picks.

1. S&W model 13 4 inch ( I have one)

2. S&W model 66 4 inch ( I have one)

3. S&W model 19

5. S&W model 65

6. Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch ( I have one)

All of the above fit my hands the best and I am very accurate with them. Now if you want a 357 that can take the pounding of shooting 357s all the time then here is a good list.

1. S&W 686 4 inch ( I have one)

2. S&W 28 4 inch or 27 (I have a 28)

3. Ruger GP100 4 inch ( I have one).

The above three will shoot large amounts of 357s with no problems. The disadvantage to these three is they are heavy and not easy to carry. If you are going to use the revolver just for the range then the above three are great. But if you want a revolver that is light enough to carry and handles and is extremely accurate then the S&W M13,19,65 and 66 series are the ones to consider. By far the K frame magnums handle, feel and shoot the best. But that's my opinion,
Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[casual]

im with deanimator - my preference is a 3" S&W 65 (fixed sights) with practical pachmayr grips

simple, solid, versatile gun

runner up is the sp101

 

[ironvic]

I like the S&W Model 10 with a 4" barrel. We keep one handy at home at all times. In .357, a S&W 686 or 686 Plus in 4" is a great gun.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

i want a strictly .38 and the s+w's being recommended so much is definitely going to be it.

but for my first revolver purchase I want it to shoot .357. I'm really tempted by the Sp101 w/ Crimson Trace. Yes, it's not necessarily a carry gun, but for defensive use this particular package seems hard to beat...not terribly expensive either for what you get.


Are the Crimson Trace grips durable and the laser reliable?


does the smaller size of the Sp101 shorten its lifepsan any when shooting .357?


i have to say if i wasnt on somewhat of a budget id go for a 686 plus 4" (7 shots!)