Next Revolver...

[Rocketmedic]

I took my Taurus M82 out to the range this weekend and loved it- a box of 38 Special was pretty sweet shooting, even +P.

So, I'm wanting another revolver to complement the 4'' Taurus. It's got to be 38 +P capable or .357, and be suitable for carry. I'm open to brand, but I'd like to keep the price under $600 or so.

Any ideas?

 

[skidder]

The Ruger SP101 is a great carry gun. Lightweight, but still heavy enough to handle the full powered magnum loads.

 

[madwell]

I would suggest a Smith & Wesson model 19 with a 2.5" barrel.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Another vote for the SP.

 

[weregunner]

Taurus has the 827 or the model 66 which both match your criteria.

They both hold 7 shots instead of six. I have a 827 and two model 66s.

The 66s are .357 magnum revolvers and the 827 is in .38Special.

HKS and Safariland make speedloaders for these. So does 5 Star.

The 66s can be had with a 4" or 6" barrel.

These two are very accurate with 140gr.-158gr. projectiles in .357 magnum or .38Special. These hit to point of aim or close to it.

I've got a 30 year old 66 that is durable, has a great smooth and light trigger pull, and still going strong.

I can also recommend the Ruger GP-100 or the SP-101. The SP-101 comes now with a 4.2" barrel or shorter ones. Granted, the SP model holds 5 rounds, but it is a sound design.

I have both Rugers, but in .327 Federal magnum.

The S&W model 686 is a fine pick as well.

http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html
http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=278&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=MF2

Rossi has the 851 which looks somewhat like a Colt with the barrel rib and fits in Colt D frame holsters. www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=1
The 851 is a .38 Special +P rated gun.

There is also the Rossi 971 or 972 in .357magnum if you have a hankering for something like that.

If you want the links for those I can get them to you by PM.
I do own a Rossi 462 snub revolver in .357 as a CCW revolver in a Theis IWB holster. Theis has OWB holsters as well know. www.theisholsters.com/

 

[BullRunBear]

Have you considered a used S&W model 10, perhaps one of the police trade in versions that are around? I believe they are safe with +P ammo, at least to some degree. (I would check out that statement to be sure. Mine is from the 1970s and has had no problems with +P. Have to say it shoots standard 38 specials 99% of the time.)

Another possibility. You mentioned wanting a complement to the Taurus, but what about a single action? A 357 Blackhawk will handle any load you want to put through it and will last forever. A used one will be well within your price range. Some even came with an extra cylinder for 9mm. Just a thought.

Jeff

 

[weblance]

Ruger SP101, Ruger LCR, S&W Airlite 637-638-642, S&W 686Plus

 

[snooperman]

+1 on the Ruger SP101. Well made, reasonably priced and powerful, makes it a winner for personal protection in 357 magnum.

 

[Rocketmedic]

A single-action revolver is fun, but I'm looking for a carry piece in double-action.

Thanks for the advice, I've got some trials to make.

 

[mdThanatos]

Ruger SP101 gets my vote even though Smith triggers (older) that I have experienced are pretty nice.

 

[wlewisiii]

Look for a used 2" K-frame. Model 10 or 64 would be well within your price range.

 

[fireside44]

Ruger SP101 or Ruger Speed Six (preferred IMO)

Smith Model 10 (mine handles what others call +P handloads fine)

Rossi M971 (Interarms import, not Braztech)

Don't underestimate the Rossi, it generally has a lighter factory trigger than the other two and is usually a little less money. The Smith I consider more of a "combat" revolver, a bit heavier ribbed trigger but as reliable as anything. The Ruger is great too but heavier than the others. You really can't go wrong with any of those choices. Makes me want a Ruger just talkin' about it but I already got a Rossi 720 and a Model 10.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, a used snub nose K frame is probably the best carry revolver ever made.

If you want something newer there's always a 2.5" M686+. Nothing wrong with 7 rounds of .357 Magnum with a short barrel I would think...

 

[lowercase]

Look for a used 2" K-frame. Model 10 or 64 would be well within your price range.

Good advice.

I bought my Model 64 from J&G Sales a while back http://www.jgsales.com/ for $319 and it was a trade-in from a corrections department or an armored car company. All I've done is switch out the rubber grips for wood and a T-grip extension. Shoots and carries like a champ.

Another choice is something like a Ruger GP100 with 3" barrel. It holds 6-rounds of .357 and I bought it new for less than $600. Fun to shoot, and handes stout loads extremely well. All I've done is swap out the grips for the old-style GP100 compact grips with wood inserts.

Yet another option is something like my Charter Arms Mag Pug .357. Mine was $365 new, and runs just fine. At only 21 ounces, it isn't bad to shoot with .357 rounds if you're using rubber grips like Pachmayr Compac grips. I installed some NOS Charter wood grips on mine and it carries very well. With the wood grips, it's a bit snappy with .357s, but not horrible. Yeah, the Charter is a second-tier gun compared to the S&W and Ruger, but I just love the thing, and am planning to buy a Bulldog .44. Go figure.

 

[Fishslayer]

I'm open to brand, but I'd like to keep the price under $600 or so.

Any ideas?

Pre lock S&W K frame.

 

[DAdams]

I was looking at the Ruger GP and SP the other day. First time I had ever wrapped my hand around one. Very comfortable and nice heft.

K Frame is always a winner in 2.5 or four inch. Model 19 or 66. Pre-lock.

 

[Rocketmedic]

Nice Smiths. Oklahoma is awesome, BTW. I've officially transferred my residency to the Sooner State and am really, really happy with it. Any good stores in the OKC area?

 

[Jaymo]

Taurus 85CH .38 special. Great little .38 snub with a spurless hammer.
I've owned 2. The first was a blued 1992 model. I sold it to buy the second one, a stainless 1995 model. I'll never sell that one.

 

[Rocketmedic]

The Taurus M85 looks pretty sweet as well.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The Ruger is sweet and stout.

 

[beag_nut]

+another for the SP101. No better value for the money.

 

[Rocketmedic]

Any opinions on the S&W 642? There's a nice one for sale down the street, $300.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Any opinions on the S&W 642? There's a nice one for sale down the street, $300.

I'm a huge fan of the M642 and carried one for years. I now carry a M442 which is the same gun only in Black. It's a light accurate revolver that I always have on my person, mostly in a pocket holster.

I think it's a great SD handgun...

 

[asia331]

For that price you got to go with the SP101; you won't be disappointed.

 

[cwl1862]

I've got a few of those already discussed, first off you cannot go wrong with the SP101 357 in either the 2 or 3 inch versions. If you can find a S&W 19/66 with a 2.5 or 4 inch barrel for under $500/$600 better grab it up fast as the prices on older K frames are climbing fast. Also mentioned was the S&W 10/64, both are good choices in 38 Spl with either 3 or 4 inch barrels, you may also want to consider the S&W 13/65 which is the 357 version of the M-10/64.