sonier
Member
357 magnum
Need a tough revolver
- Thread starter wulfhart
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wulfhart
Member
I went to the gun shop earlier and found the following there. A Ruger GP 100 4" and another 6" for $639 each and a Ruger SP101 for $539. all of which were .357. I am going to look into a few more shops, but how do these prices compare with your guy's experience?
The shop owner said he highly recommended Ruger for durability. Showed me how the piece was held together and showed me how SW's are held together. I was overall impressed with the Ruger more than the SW. They weren't SW 66's or 686's though something newer in .38.
The shop owner said he highly recommended Ruger for durability. Showed me how the piece was held together and showed me how SW's are held together. I was overall impressed with the Ruger more than the SW. They weren't SW 66's or 686's though something newer in .38.
22-rimfire
Member
$20 is not really worth spending a lot of time shopping around to beat. You'll spend that in gas or something approaching it.
His dealer sells GP-100's for $639.00, mine sells them for $520.37
That's $118.63 less.
Come on people. The ONLY choice is obvious. A S&W 686 4" barrel.
The tried and true work horse of revolvers. It is relatively light, extremely durable, very rugged, 6 or 7 shots of .357Mag which can hardly be argued with. And they are quite easy to find in either pre-lock, post lock, 6 shot or 7 shot for very reasonable prices; $400 or so.
The tried and true work horse of revolvers. It is relatively light, extremely durable, very rugged, 6 or 7 shots of .357Mag which can hardly be argued with. And they are quite easy to find in either pre-lock, post lock, 6 shot or 7 shot for very reasonable prices; $400 or so.
A new S&W 686 for $400.00 ?? I've never seen one priced that low.
My dealer gets $688.00 for the 6 shot version.
wow6599
Member
Not a big fan of the "chunky" feel of the GP100, and I can't seem to get past the IL on new S&W's.....and I've had them both.
My vote goes for a 3 1/16" Ruger SP101. One of the few guns I wouldn't part with.
BTW, good luck finding a new or used 3 1/16" version.
My vote goes for a 3 1/16" Ruger SP101. One of the few guns I wouldn't part with.
BTW, good luck finding a new or used 3 1/16" version.
I think long-term you'll be happiest with a stainless four inch. There's a reason they sell so many of that finish and barrel length compared to all the others. It's just hard to beat that combination in an all-purpose gun.
The Smith and Wesson 686 is fantastic and would serve you well. Then again, you did say you wanted to beat the hell out of it, and it is an awfully nice gun to beat up. The Rugers mentioned (GP100 and SP101) would be easier on the wallet and are every bit as rugged, if not more so. I'd feel better about beating up a GP100 than a 686. And as someone already mentioned, they can be taken completely apart in the field if necessary. You seem to not be bothered by the bulk of larger guns, so I won't try to change your mind on that. All I'll say is that carrying a 686 or GP100 will be a much different experience than carrying the SP101. You'll forget the SP101 is there. With the others, you won't.
Also mentioned already but worth repeating: the 686P (or 686+) gives you one extra round in the same sized gun, a factor that may be important if ever faced with two-legged predators.
Let us know what you choose!
The Smith and Wesson 686 is fantastic and would serve you well. Then again, you did say you wanted to beat the hell out of it, and it is an awfully nice gun to beat up. The Rugers mentioned (GP100 and SP101) would be easier on the wallet and are every bit as rugged, if not more so. I'd feel better about beating up a GP100 than a 686. And as someone already mentioned, they can be taken completely apart in the field if necessary. You seem to not be bothered by the bulk of larger guns, so I won't try to change your mind on that. All I'll say is that carrying a 686 or GP100 will be a much different experience than carrying the SP101. You'll forget the SP101 is there. With the others, you won't.
Also mentioned already but worth repeating: the 686P (or 686+) gives you one extra round in the same sized gun, a factor that may be important if ever faced with two-legged predators.
Let us know what you choose!
EMC45
Member
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I would say a PD trade in gun. A Model 66 or 65 4in. Smith and Wesson. It won't have the lock, it will be broken in (trigger pull, and it will already have scratches so you won't have to feel bad about the finish) and they are accurate and dependable!
wulfhart
Member
Where would I look for an old PD gun?
md7
Member
wulfhart,
i don't know where you would find police trade ins, but you can find alot of these models used, and at reasonable prices on a website called gunbroker.com it's possible that they could have some pd guns.
md7
Member
one other thing, if you use gunbroker you will need to have your firearm shipped to a person with an ffl, and usually there is a transfer fee associated with that. around $20.00 or more depending on who you use to handle that.
RonBernert
Member
That Mod. 64 at J&G in .38 is a great buy, but a .357 may be right up your alley.. While 4-wheeling a few weeks ago, I got out of the Jeep and spotted while a friend went up a hill. while going up, my .357 Ruger Sec. Six popped out from under the cooler (really big hop) and went to the floor, which was covered in dirt. Next hop, the cooler flipped and filled up the footwell, which actually covered the whole gun. He came down the hill and was very apologetic. I pulled out the gun and a can of WD-40, used my fingernail to get the grip off, and proceeded to disassemble and reassemble the gun without a single tool. Can't do that with a S&W. I was convinced that the Ruger was the perfect woods gun right there.
Plus, you can use it to drive in your tent stakes.
Oh. STAINLESS. Mine is a 6" barrel, and I am looking for a 4". That 4" is so much easier to carry and find holsters for.
Plus, you can use it to drive in your tent stakes.
Oh. STAINLESS. Mine is a 6" barrel, and I am looking for a 4". That 4" is so much easier to carry and find holsters for.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The going rate on new ones is much less then that.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...&ITATR_list[8]=&ITATR_list[9]=&ITATR_list[0]=
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...&ITATR_list[8]=&ITATR_list[9]=&ITATR_list[0]=
rc
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...&ITATR_list[8]=&ITATR_list[9]=&ITATR_list[0]=
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...&ITATR_list[8]=&ITATR_list[9]=&ITATR_list[0]=
rc
I just ordered a 686P (7-rd) 6" from Budsgunshop.com for $670, free shipping, and they shipped it the next day (2 day shipping). They have the 4" in stock at the same price. If I were you, I'd go with the 686P 4". Or, if you want to save a few bucks get the GP100 (also 4"). I don't think you can go wrong with either. Personally, I find these larger frame guns easier to shoot accurately compared to the smaller SP-101, though that's also a good choice.
The price you quoted seems a bit high for a GP100, if it were me I'd save some money and just order it from Buds.
I think a .357 is the right round for your needs.
The price you quoted seems a bit high for a GP100, if it were me I'd save some money and just order it from Buds.
I think a .357 is the right round for your needs.
texgunner
Member
IMO, you'll be best served by a DA revolver with a 4" barrel. While I prefer S&W, the Ruger GP-100 is hard to beat for ruggedness and cost. As for caliber, .357 mag will settle any issue you may have with predators, 2 or 4 legged.
Many a mfg sells a flap-type cross draw holster to keep dirt, dust, rain off your belt gun. Trailrider Products will make them to fit DA or SA guns. Bianchi made a special run for Ruger Blackhawks. They are NOT 'speedy' holsters for a fast presentation but they are rugged and designed to protect the weapon and its finish. Similar holsters can be had in ballistic nylon on the cheap. A good FITTING leather holster will eliminate a lot of the dust/sand concerns where nylon can deform over time.
DFW1911
Member
I'd recommend either a Ruger GP-100 or S&W 686 (I prefer the 6 vs. the 7 shot); both in 4" barrel length.
MCgunner
Member
Yep. I've toted a blued .357 Blackhawk all over the Guadalupes in SE NM. Accurate, plenty powerful, able to do small game with wadcutter loads. Don't really need Stainless in New Mexico, though. Works better down here on the coast, but it's dry out there. We like to buy used cars from NM, know they won't be rusty.
I do prefer stainless, just sayin', rust ain't a real problem in the desert.Single actions remain my favorite outdoor revolvers due to strength. There's no crane to get bent if it's dropped, just a solid double sided frame and a cylinder pin holds the cylinder in place. I prefer adjustable sights for a .357 or any gun that I'm going to shoot greatly different loads in for different applications, but if strength is of the highest priority, an old model Vaquero has no sight to knock loose in a fall.
frankiestoys
Member
Ruger GP or the SP can't beat a Ruger revolver
Ratdog68
Member
S&W Model 686
Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag
Dan Wesson .44 mag
Since you've already proclaimed you're hard on things... I'd opt for the stainless versions of the latter two. The Ruger is single action, the other two are double action. 'Course... you could opt for the Ruger Redhawk for the double action feature.
Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag
Dan Wesson .44 mag
Since you've already proclaimed you're hard on things... I'd opt for the stainless versions of the latter two. The Ruger is single action, the other two are double action. 'Course... you could opt for the Ruger Redhawk for the double action feature.
If I were hiking around in a hot desert, I wouldn't want to tote anything any heavier than I needed to carry.
Thus, I'd be toting my SS S&W Model 65 .357 Magnum with a 3" barrel. It puts six rounds dead center into one ragged hole at 10 yards and is a perfect blend of form and function in a lightweight package.
This gun, in blued version (Model 13) was once what the FBI issued to agents. Accurate, light enough to carry comfortably and it packs a good punch.
I bought my 1984 era Model 65 for $235. Then again, that was in 1990 or so. With S&W revolvers, the prices for the good vintage ones keeps going up every year so you'll never lose money selling them . . . although few folks sell those 3" wonders. They shoot as well for me as the 4" tubed revolvers! Don't weigh much either.
Places like Robinson's Trading Post (on line) sell 'em for good prices, and the 4" versions sell much lower in price.
I would not buy a new Smith or Ruger. Plenty of great used ones on the market at good prices.
Thus, I'd be toting my SS S&W Model 65 .357 Magnum with a 3" barrel. It puts six rounds dead center into one ragged hole at 10 yards and is a perfect blend of form and function in a lightweight package.
This gun, in blued version (Model 13) was once what the FBI issued to agents. Accurate, light enough to carry comfortably and it packs a good punch.
I bought my 1984 era Model 65 for $235. Then again, that was in 1990 or so. With S&W revolvers, the prices for the good vintage ones keeps going up every year so you'll never lose money selling them . . . although few folks sell those 3" wonders. They shoot as well for me as the 4" tubed revolvers! Don't weigh much either.
Places like Robinson's Trading Post (on line) sell 'em for good prices, and the 4" versions sell much lower in price.
I would not buy a new Smith or Ruger. Plenty of great used ones on the market at good prices.
wulfhart
Member
I bought a Ruger GP-100 4" for $450. I will get pictures as soon as I find my camera. It is used, but the previous owner says he only put one box through it. I used the amazing revolver checking guide at the top of this forum to make sure its timing and everything was good. I am going to clean it tonight and shoot it this Monday.
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