Need Help to Decide a Purchase

[SC Shooter]

Most of the hand guns in my safe are auto loaders, but I am getting the itch to purchase a good quality revolver. Perhaps something with a 4" barrel, medium to large frame in the .357 / .38 special range. I tend to prefer blue finish, but I can be swayed to go in the other direction. I am looking for advice and counsel to help me choose. I do have a few revolvers now but none are really range worthy. This will be a range and target gun. Thanks in advance

 

[243winxb]

What your budget? $

 

[J-Bar]

I see a Smith &Wesson K frame in your future...model 10, 15, or 19.

 

[SC Shooter]

What your budget? $

$900 would probably be the very top

 

[cfullgraf]

I like my Smith and Wesson L frame such as the 586 (blued) or 686 (stainless). You cannot go wrong with the S&W or the equivalent Ruger.

 

[gp911]

Model 28, minty Ruger .___Six, etc. You are in a good position at $900.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A good older S&W 2 number model Like a 15 or 19 I think their better . Than anything made today. Plus take care of it and will go up in value

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You could go for a model 27 and really soak up the recoil in an N frame.

 

[Rio Laxas]

For a 4" .357, I agree with the recommendations for a S&W 27 or 28 if you prefer a large revolver (as I do) or S&W 19 if you'd rather have something a little smaller.

If you aren't stuck on .38 / .357, a S&W K22 would also be an excellent choice.

Personally, I prefer a 6" or 6.5" barrel with a patridge front sight for target shooting.

 

[stu1ritter]

+1 on the 586 with a 4" barrel if you like a little weight to steady the front sight. I think you'll find it hard to beat and excellent near new used are in the $600-$700 range. Here's a photo of mine.
Stu

 

[edmo01]

Another vote for a vintage S&W model 586 L frame or a model 19 K frame.

My recent experiences with quality control on current production S&W revolvers has been spotty enough to say go vintage. Additionally, a good vintage K or L frame will likely have a crisp single action and fabulously butter smooth double action trigger pull. Not to mention the vintage guns lack that darned safety lock hole.

Below is a Model 19-5 which I found in like new condition a couple of years ago for $485 at a local gun shop. It was made in the early '80s when wheel guns were in most LEO holsters. They are out there, you just have to search around.

The K frame magnums are generally lighter and have a thinner barrel profile than the L frames. However, the L frames came about to fix a forcing cone cracking issue for those feeding the revolver a steady diet of full power magnum loads.

I like the handling and aesthetics of the model 19 and don't plan to shoot "barn burner" rounds through it. My vintage stainless model 686 is built for that.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Edmo

On edit, nice 586 stu1ritter!

 

[BullRunBear]

The S&W suggestions are good but look at the Ruger GP100 as well. The last couple I handled had very good triggers. I like a 6" barrel, or longer, for target work but that is a very personal preference.

Jeff

 

[243winxb]

A new S & W with life time warranty in a 6" or 8 3/8" barrel would be my cholce for target.

 

[Deaf Smith]

GP100. I prefer the half-lug versions myself and 3 inchers in particular.

Deaf

 

[bannockburn]

For me the S&W Model 686 was just the right size, being slightly larger than a K frame but not as big as an N frame. Never cared for the feel and balance of the Ruger GP100 but never had a Security Six that I didn't like.

 

[RJM]

I prefer Smith and Wesson double action revolvers and the 586 is a great one. The one I have is a bit older, but I would have no problem buying one of the newly produced 586s. The 686 if you like stainless is also a great choice...I just purchased a brand new 686+ with a 3" barrel and round butt and the gun is solid.

 

[SC Shooter]

Thanks all. You have given me good information to research. I appreciate it.

 

[ATLDave]

When I was making the same decision, I went with a used Model 19. Which I have come to absolutely love.

 

[Doug S]

My GP100 is the 4in barrel revolver of choice for me.

 

[berettaprofessor]

As your first revolver, you might want to try a 64-8 S&W. $329 used at SouthernOhioGuns. I purchased one and it practically didn't have a blemish on it. http://www.southernohiogun.com/handguns/smith-wesson/smith-and-wesson-64-8-revolver.html

 

[stoky]

I'd go L frame, or Speed, Service or Security Six. I think the 6" would make a better target / range gun, especially if your going to shoot a lot of .357s.

 

[beag_nut]

Ruger GP100. Hands down.

 

[PabloJ]

Most of the hand guns in my safe are auto loaders, but I am getting the itch to purchase a good quality revolver. Perhaps something with a 4" barrel, medium to large frame in the .357 / .38 special range. I tend to prefer blue finish, but I can be swayed to go in the other direction. I am looking for advice and counsel to help me choose. I do have a few revolvers now but none are really range worthy. This will be a range and target gun. Thanks in advance

Get stainless as it is easy to clean and maintain. I would get Ruger GP100. No need to pay premium for S&W. If you don't mind older those South American police trade in Taurus revolvers would serve well. They were about $170 and came with 4"? bull barrels.

 

[dh1633pm]

Why go vintage when you can get a Stainless 686? My dad has one and it's a shooter.

 

[PJSprog]

I'll fall inline with the S&W 586/686 crowd. I love my 686. I don't think you can find a better revolver, in my opinion.

That said, even though I'm a Smith guy (really, my last name is Smith), I also don't think you would go wrong with a Ruger GP-100. They're built like tanks.