One revolver only - which one?

[txgolfer45]

I have the itch for a revolver. It would be for occasional range shooting and maybe hunting (deer, hogs, etc.). It won't be for concealed carry as I prefer my Glocks for that purpose. And, no, I have no interest in a S&W 500 or similar revolvers.

Suggestions? GP100 in .357? S&W 686 in .357? Others?

 

[The_Shootist]

Suggestion:

S&W pre-lock 686+ in 4" bbl. I have one and if I had to give up ALL my pistols and revolvers then this is the one I would keep.

 

[hans1911]

Given your criteria, I would opt for my 6" 686, or a 6" GP100. If you are not opposed to a single action, a Ruger Blackhawk is a Tonka-tough gun as well, and can be had cheaper than the other two I mentioned.


hans1911

 

[L-Frame]

I give a big +1 to the Shootist's suggestion. Can't go wrong with a pre-lock, 7 shot 686.

 

[2ndamd]

I'd go with a 6" .357 for your stated purpose. .357 on deer is not great but, at the range you'll appreciate the cheaper ammo. GP100 would certainly be my choice but, I won't buy a S&W until they stop making 'em with that stupid lock. Not to mention the GP100 is the superior design. See this link for a list of Ruger's benefits over S&W:

http://www.rugerforum.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/014557.html

 

[19-3Ben]

6" GP100. It can hold up to anything.

 

[buck460XVR]

Given your criteria, I would opt for my 6" 686

yep....what he said.

 

[amper]

In .357 Magnum - Smith & Wesson 686, 619/620, 627, or Ruger GP-100

In .44 Magnum - Smith & Wesson 629, or Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk


The decision you need to make is really whether or not the .38 Special/.357 Magnum combination works better for your needs than the .44 Special/.44 Magnum combination. If you envision meeting up with large and/or dangerous game, go with the .44. If not, you'll do fine with either the .44 or .357, except that you can get up to eight shots with the S&W 627PC or seven shots with the 686 Plus, whereas you'll have six with any of the .44's.

Oh, and if you happen to shoot .40S&W in your Glocks, you might choose a Smith & Wesson Model 610 10mm Auto/.40 S&W revolver, only because you can have some ammo compatibility.

 

[Lucky Strike]

GP100 6"......coincidently this will also be my first revolver purchase. I don't really need anything to bring down large game so .357 works for me.

 

[L-Frame]

The fact is that while some strongly favor the Ruger and some the S&W, they are both superb revolvers, period.

And, by the way, I do not believe the GP-100 is a superior design. I've had one S&W ejector rod begin to unscrew once in over 20 years, and exactly one go slightly out of time. Both easy fixes. The 686 more than makes up those very minor problems by having the superior action, and for me a smooth, strong action is the most important issue with a revolver. About the strength issue, the GP-100 is probably stronger, but not by as much as many want you to believe. Probably less than 1% of those who actually shoot .357 mag. will ever shoot enough rounds or use the nuclear loads necessary to make that difference important. And, I hate the lock too.

Like I said at the top, choose either one and you have a revolver that doesn't take the backseat to anything. Go somewhere where you can rent each one and shoot, and buy the one the feels better in your hand.

 

[campbell]

For range shooting + hunting, single action all the way. Ruger Blackhawk or Bisley, in .44 mag or .45 Colt.

My preference is the Bisley in .45 Colt. I particularly like the Acusport models. Most find the Bisley grip more recoil friendly. Assuming you don't handload, .45 colt cowboy loads for practice, and DoubleTap for your hunting loads.

 

[lesjones]

All those are good guns.

Since this is for hunting I'm surprised no one's mentioned a .44 Magnum. The ammo's pricey if you don't handload, but there's no doubt it's a more versatile round with much more power.

 

[brasskeeper]

S&W 29 or 629 with a 6" barrel

 

[wad]

A Dan Wesson model 15 pistol pack

 

[Walkalong]

Redhawk, but, since it was not a choice, Gp-100.

 

[Rexster]

GP100 and M686 are both good. I have more Rugers than Smiths, but that is largely because it is easier to find good used Rugers than Smiths locally; more Smiths are available, but are more likely to be poorly fitted or out of time. A well-fitted S&W is a thing of joy, and will last a good long time.

 

[Gustav]

If limited to only one centerfire revolver for all my hunting I would go with a S&W 29 or 629 in either a 4 or 6 inch barrel
For small or medium game you can handload up or down or use .44 special ammo and for bigger critters or things trying to chew on you use full bore .44 magnum loads.
You can always load down but not always up in power.

If a .357 were my choice I would look at and test or borrow or rent the following revovlers:

Ruger Speed Six & Security Six
Ruger GP-100
Smith & Wesson 19/66 13/65
Smith & Wesson 586/686 581/681
Colt Python Lawman or Trooper

All have their good and bad points many can be had for less than you might think as allot of people and departments sold or traded them in for semi autos when revolvers fell out of popularity.

If buying used revovler always check the timing on each cylinder also the barrel and forcing cone & inspect the crane and ejector and especially trigger functioning I even check under the topstrap and if possible inside the action as well.

Best of luck.

 

[10-Ring]

For what you describe, a vintage S&W model 19 or 66 (depending if you like blue or stainless!) w/ 4" barrel would be perfect!

 

[chaim]

I like the K-frame over the L-frame S&Ws (more handy, less weight, more pointable). Since carry isn't one of your criteria I'd strongly consider a 4" or 6" S&W K-frame .357mag (M19, M66, M13 or M65). I prefer the 3" (it handles better than just about anything I own or have shot), but if you don't think you'll ever CCW it the 4" gives most of the handling advantages of the 3" and it is much easier to find (and should be a little cheaper when you do find one) and the 6" may give some accuracy advantages due to the longer sight radius.

You may also want to consider the .357mag Taurus 66 or Taurus Tracker (both are basically K-frame size and hold 7 shots).

The big advantage of the .357mag is versatility- it does a little of everything. You can chamber .38spl so you can use very light target wadcutters, capable defensive .38+P JHP for home defense, good .357mag JHPs for home defense (though overpenetration may become an issue so I stay with .38+P for HD), to barn burning .357mag loads or heavy 180-200gr .357mag loads for the woods or just for fun.

If you would consider reloading, and since carry isn't an option, you also may want to consider the S&W 57 or 657. .41mag has become my favorite caliber, it is a ton of fun. It is more powerful than .357mag, it has less recoil (i.e. it is more managable) than .44mag, it can handle most dangerous animals you may encounter in N. America if a woods gun is a consideration, it is made on the same frame size as the S&W .44mag but is a smaller diameter so chamber and barrel walls are thicker so it may be a slightly stronger gun than the S&W .44mags, there is just too much going for it. However, ammo cost and availability are not strong points so this is really a reloaders caliber these days. The 57 and other S&W N-frames are just beautiful guns, and the older ones are outright works of art.

For something more utilitarian (maybe you may decide to carry it as a woods gun, or even occasional CCW), the Taurus Tracker is available in .41mag. It is K-frame size and weight so carry is easy. The ports and "ribber" grips make recoil somewhat managable (though I don't care what anyone says, until I experience it I assume it will still be something of a bear, a 34oz .41mag, it does sound fun though).

 

[AStone]

Anything in .357 mag.

Me?

Mod 65.

Next: 686 3".

 

[Jkwas]

I would keep my 3in Model 10. It's my favorite gun period.

 

[MADDOG]

Ruger Security-Six 4" barrel stainless steel 357 mag.

 

[Just Jim]

Model 25 Smith 45acp. There is no other gun.

jj

 

[RPCVYemen]

It would be for occasional range shooting and maybe hunting (deer, hogs, etc.).

Skip all the DA's - they all have crappy triggers compared to an SA. The only way they win is by comparison with each other.

Ruger Blackhawk in 45 LC or 44 Magnum. The DA fired in SA mode is a compromise that might be useful if you really need the DA mode. You don't need it for occasional range shooting and hunting.

I have a good friend that had an S&W that has the smoothest trigger have ever felt. It's awesome - for a DA weapon. But compared to a well seasoned Blackhawk it had miles of creep.

Mike

 

[.41Dave]

Skip all the DA's - they all have crappy triggers compared to an SA

This is not true in my experience. I have an Old model Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Magnum that has a superb trigger, like the proverbial "thin glass rod breaking". However, I also own a number S&W DA revolvers, all of which have SA triggers just as good as the Blackhawk.