Need recommendations for first [and last (hah!)] revolver...

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If Obama and gang told me I could have only ONE revolver it'd be my 4" S@W 629 complete with CT laser grips.
 
If I had to pick only one, it'd have to be that 3" Model 65 "Kit Gun". Dunno if you can ever beat that.

But a 3" 22LR "Kit Gun" won't be so bad.

I know that any gun of mine certainly wouldn't have any CT laser grips on it, tho!! (Use the Force, Luke!)

Do any revolvers have attachments for small flashlights, tho? That could be a huge deciding factor for me, but I haven't come across such a question.
 
You know, I've been mulling this over and I think the biggest requirement here for a fun weapon is ... where did you get the inspiration.
For instance, were you sitting there watching a Dirty Harry movie and said ... "I really do want a revolver. In that case it's clear you need a .44 magnum.
Or did your kid recently discover he wanted to be a cowboy ... you want a nice SA ...
Or did you read that steamy and gritty noir book and say "Man, that is epic." ... you need a snubbie.

There's few things quite as iconosized as a revolver here. And you need to figure out which Icon you want.

*le nod*
 
Grndslm,

I believe two of Smith & Wesson's model 327 revolvers have rails for adding a light. Both guns are quite spendy... I also recently saw an add for a cheap attachment for j-frames that lets you do the same thing, but I don't recall where. It may have been Cheaper than Dirt or Midway.

I also thought I'd belatedly clarify my first post. :) I did say the SP101 was "uncomfortable" to shoot, but it's still manageable; in fact, I usually get tighter groupings when I load it with magnums vs. specials. I'm comparing its relative comfort to a larger-framed .357 revolver, like a Python or model 686.

To answer your later question, my SP101 will kick less than my 642 if loaded with the same ammo, but if I compare the SP101 loaded with magnums vs. the 642 loaded with .38+p's, the Ruger will kick "harder" while the Smith will feel "snappier", if that makes sense. Both of my guns wear rubber grips that cover the backstrap, which helps with recoil.

Have fun shooting that .22 kit gun if that's what you go with. My father has steel kit gun that his father gave him, and it's a nice little gem to shoot.
 
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Member -grndslm doesn't know what he wants. He started out wanting .357 Magnum, and within a single day he decided he wants .22lr with a flash light on it !! - all within the same thread.
 
Quote:

Requirements
....................
- 1.5" to 3" barrel
- .38 or .357 (leaning toward .357 for versatility)
- DAO or DA (but I'll more than likely grind off the hammer spur, just like the guy did in the video above)
- less than $700
 
3" 686 if you can find one, if not the 4" is just as well balanced.

If I could only have a single revolver it would be that hands down.

Luckily I can have all the revolvers.
 
I saw a Rossi Model 462 (i think) at a pawn shop near me yesterday.

It looks like a perfect chrome-plated job... but everything on the net says it's stainless.

2", stainless, 6 shot, .357, perfect grip, & no more than 25 oz... but they're asking $400!!!

Everything about it felt smoother than the other revolvers they had -- the S&W 642, and the similar Taurus Ultralite, or whatever they call it, and another classic Colt that they wanted $800 for.

I was impressed with the Rossi, but it looks like I can get it at Bud's Gun Shop brand new for cheaper. :cool:

I'm pretty sure that the grips were much better at the one in the pawn shop... but not 100% on that.

I'd rather pay $350 on this Rossi (357) than $600+ on a S&W 317 (22LR).

.... If only the Rossi came with a 3" barrel, I wouldn't even be thinking about it. :(
 
brabham78 said:
Member -grndslm doesn't know what he wants. He started out wanting .357 Magnum, and within a single day he decided he wants .22lr with a flash light on it !! - all within the same thread.
I'm picky, what can I say.

I'd prefer a Magnum w/ 3" barrel or more. Can't find one easily.
I'd prefer a light snub-nose... but if I'm going after the lightest, then an 8-shot Model 317 is it, ain't it?
I'd prefer a flashlight rail on any and all of my handguns.

I'd prefer many things that are hard to find. I'm an extremist, and I'll take as long as I need until I find something that fits me.

That Rossi really does fit me... but, again, I'd prefer a slightly longer barrel. :(
 
Hmm.... Now I'm going outside of my requirements. I think that the S&W Model 317 "Kit Gun" is the one for me.

I'm very fond of .22s.

Me too. Take a look at the Smith Model 63 also. I want a Smith 317 but some other hopeful purchase always gets in the way and they keep getting more expensive in the mean time. What is getting into the way this time? ... new Smith 657 snubbie..... yeah!!!

I think just about everyone needs a 4" Smith 617. Great revolver to learn on. But it is no training piece for a snubbie. You might actually hit what you're aiming at and that makes you want to shoot more. That is not to say that you can't shoot well with a snubbie 22 revolver. It just takes more practice.

I like the Smith 642/442. It is my carry gun, but I don't particularly like to shoot it. I typically rip off a cylinder full or two at 10 yards for fun and tell myself.. yep, I could use it for self defense. Shooting 38's out of a steel frame 357 is a lot more enjoyable and that is where the SP-101 and GP-100 come into play. They are very good revolvers and the price is certainly not going to come down anytime soon. The old Model 10's (Smiths) are good too and sometimes you can find one pretty cheap at shows.
 
Grndslm, I'm picky too, and I understand that you're wanting to buy the right gun. I've followed this thread, and have been tempted to add recommendations, but I'm having trouble trying to get a feel for what you're really looking for. It ranges from .357 Magnum down to .22 caliber, - two completely different kinds of guns, with different purposes.

If I might inquire:

What is your intended purpose for this gun? Do you just want a revolver, any revolver with the right length barrel? If so, you've got a ton of guns to choose from. Or is it for backyard plinking? Range shooting? Home defense? Concealed carry?

You mentioned that you'd even grind the hammer spur off a revolver to make it a DAO gun. Fair enough, and that seems to indicate concealed carry as a primary purpose? But, then again, your shift to .22 caliber seems to indicate the opposite?

A desire to have an accessory light on your gun seems to indicate home defense as it's purpose, yet choosing a .22 as a defense gun doesn't make sense for home defense, especially if better choices are available, which they are. In a pinch, any gun will do for self defense, but since you're planning this out ahead of time, then pick the right caliber for your intended method of use.

You said that it might be a "huge deciding factor" that your revolver has a means of mounting a light. I might add this: Finding a 3" barrel (or less) .22 caliber revolver with an accessory rail (for mounting your flash light), might be a difficult task, and honestly, I can't think of a logical reason for mounting a light on a .22 snub nose, even if you could find one for sale. You say that you want that feature on every gun your have. What is your reasoning there? With a few exceptions, like one of the Taurus Judge revolvers, and the Smith & Wesson M&P R8 .357 Magnum, accessory rails are not common on revolvers. And if you're a revolver fan, and want every gun you own to have an accessory rail, which is what you've said, then you're going to be quite frustrated in your search.

In our original post, you said " I want THE ONE that's a perfect fit for me"
I respectfully ask you - How do you envision this gun being used? You say you're picky, and that's good, but answering that question accurately is the only way you're going to finally make the right pick
 
brabham


obviously he wants several things

thus the "first [and last (hah!)]"

But after he recognizes the fact that he is going to end up with several he can start narrowing his criteria. Until then you are correct that it is a waste of time to advise.
 
That's absolutely correct.

I want several things, but nothing in particular. I was just trying to narrow down the size and price for starters.

I'm only interested in hearing guns that haven't been mentioned. SP101, GP100, 65, 438, 442, Rossi 462, etc..... I've all come across. I'm looking for ALL the options that are available to me. That's all. :neener:

I want something that's accurate, something that's reliable, and something that can take a beating. Is that too much to ask? :cool:

Style is something that I don't particularly pay attention to, but subconsciously, I'd buy the S&W 317 "Kit Gun" right away if it weren't for that HiViz site. Just doesn't look right from pictures. The snub nose has better style, but poorer accuracy. :(

There's a ton of 2" .357 magnums, but not that many 3 inchers are easy to find. SP101 is really my only option for something that's (durable, reliable, accurate, etc.). Being able to take it apart is slick.

But I'd also like to spend my money on a silencer and getting my semi-auto's barrel threaded.

And I also ran across a "Micro Desert Eagle .380" at Academy today. That also looked pretty sweet. The more I look, the more I find.

Again... as for intents and purposes... to stay out of the way, whether that be in a pack, pocket, holster, or wherever (hence the size requirements)... to hide until needed. And, no, I don't need a light rail. Just with a couple guys recommending CT laser grips and what have you... I'd just mention I'm not a laser guy. No laser. Flashlight rails are acceptable, however. That is a true function, in my eyes.
 
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