Recommendations For A Decent Revolver?

[Scrod314]

Hello...
I had purchased a Ruger P95 for my Dad for his birthday 20 years ago. Really good deal on it for $240 or so? He keeps it for home defense. He has less than 100 rounds through it. He doesn't care to go to the range at all. Anyway, he wants a revolver. He is 75 and not in the best of health. I told him I would see what's out there.
I will be inheriting this revolver eventually. I like to shoot quite a bit. My budget is $500-$600. I'm thinking a .357 because I thought you could use .38 in a .357 as well. With all that in mind, what do yous guys think I should look at? Thanks for any help.

 

[the Real Alpo]

He wants a revolver, IN ADDITION TO, the Ruger? Or he wants a revolver TO REPLACE the Ruger - because he's decided he dislikes the Ruger or because he's old and having trouble working the slide or for some other reason?

Knowing what he would want the revolver for makes a big difference in my recommendations.

 

[bdickens]

Get the one you want....

 

[DustyGmt]

If he wants to carry it outside the home concealed, I'm thinking a ruger LCR would compliment the ruger he already has. If he wants something that he "could" conceal carry under a jacket or IWB but would primarily be for home defense and casual plinking something with a 3" or 4" barrel would fit the bill very nicely. Like a S&W 66 or Ruger SP101. Still concealable but totally shootable, a pleasure to shoot really.

.357 would be a good choice, since he is getting older putting .38spl in it makes for nice mild shooting.

I believe Ruger also makes the LCR in 9mm too, if that's a consideration, keeping the same cartridges in common with the P95 he already has....

 

[DustyGmt]

Would either of these strike his fancy, or yours?
I'm not up on the current market prices for these guns at the moment but I think they are in your neighborhood.




Ruger SP101 (Bottom) and S&W 60 (Top)

 

[Scrod314]

Sorry... He's old and has trouble loading and racking. He's old school, revolver guy. He will not be carrying.

 

[Scrod314]

Would either of these strike his fancy, or yours?
I'm not up on the current market prices for these guns at the moment but I think they are in your neighborhood.

View attachment 1013838


Ruger SP101 (Bottom) and S&W 60 (Top)

Yes, either one I really like. This revolver would replace the Ruger P95.

 

[Scrod314]

That SP101 is in my price range. My Dad is telling me to trade in the P95, but, in my book, never sell Dad's guns.

 

[DustyGmt]

Yes, either one I really like. This revolver would replace the Ruger P95.

The SP101 is one of the guns that when I see it, I ask myself why don't I own it. When you put it in your hand it's hard to imagine a better quality, better built revolver. The next one I see for sale will be mines......

 

[denton]

I really like my Ruger Match Champion 4" in 357. It's very accurate, and the action is very smooth and easy to operate. They can be found at the high end of your proposed range. For less money, you can get a GP100 and have a trigger job done. Not quite the same as the MC, but still very nice. You can feed it a steady diet of full house loads, and it will digest them without complaint.

 

[DustyGmt]

That SP101 is in my price range. My Dad is telling me to trade in the P95, but, in my book, never sell Dad's guns.

Take the P95 off his hands and chip in toward his revolver purchase???

 

[Scrod314]

Take the P95 off his hands and chip in toward his revolver purchase???

Well... More like I get the P95 and buy him the revolver. I can't bring myself to ever sell any of Dad's guns. I inherited a nice Enfield .303 from him that I've had offers on, but can't sell it because it was Dad's. Love the man. He took care of me. Now I take care of him.

 

[brunowbe]

I really like my Ruger Match Champion 4" in 357. It's very accurate, and the action is very smooth and easy to operate. They can be found at the high end of your proposed range. For less money, you can get a GP100 and have a trigger job done. Not quite the same as the MC, but still very nice. You can feed it a steady diet of full house loads, and it will digest them without complaint.

You have been paying attention to prices lately? His budget is $500 to $600, a blued GP100 is going to run $700 plus OTD, stainless even more. Here's the cheapest I could find at $670 not including shipping, tax, transfer fees, etc.:
https://www.bigironarmory.com/Handguns/revolvers/1790-3690561

An SP101 will be at the top of his budget and likely a bit over. If looking used, maybe you can find something from someone needing cash or oblivious selling at yesterday's price.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The SP does have a rather stout trigger in both DA and SA, in addition to being rather heavy for a .38 and rather light and uncomfortable firing hot .357s. it would be fine for a nightstand gun loaded with .38+P, but my examples were certainly no target pistols, rather minute-of-bedroom.

I recommend a 4" K-frame like a M10, 15, 19, 64 or 65. Much better grip and sights than an SP with just enough heft to tame the recoil but not be taxing on older hands and arms-



M10s are common, and cosmetically challenged examples can be found for comfortably under your budget- you should be able to get a really nice one for $550ish. It may require a little more patience, but an adjustable-sight 15 or the stainless models should be doable for around $600.

 

[WheelGunMan]

@Scrod314 ... I have a 2-1/4" SP101DAO and a LCR357 and a 3" LCRx357. I really enjoy shooting all of them..but if had to pick a favorite it would be the 3" LCRx for its barrel length and adjustable sights. Being a 357 the barrel as well as the frame are stainless steel. I feed it a steady diet of 125 grain +P rounds and have found it to be a great all around gun. A 3" SP101 is on my bucket list but having to upgrade to one with adjustable sights puts it well over the $1000 range...so it'll have to wait for now.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Throw me into the "find an old Smith and Wesson" group. I wanna say I got my Model 66 for $550 about two years ago

 

[Kleanbore]

I recommend a 4" K-frame...

sounds good to me.

 

[J-Bar]

The SP does have a rather stout trigger in both DA and SA, in addition to being rather heavy for a .38 and rather light and uncomfortable firing hot .357s. it would be fine for a nightstand gun loaded with .38+P, but my examples were certainly no target pistols, rather minute-of-bedroom.

I recommend a 4" K-frame like a M10, 15, 19, 64 or 65. Much better grip and sights than an SP with just enough heft to tame the recoil but not be taxing on older hands and arms-

View attachment 1013847

M10s are common, and cosmetically challenged examples can be found for comfortably under your budget- you should be able to get a really nice one for $550ish. It may require a little more patience, but an adjustable-sight 15 or the stainless models should be doable for around $600.

This^^^^

 

[UncleEd]

Ding, ding, ding! The best answer comes
in a Smith Model 10 or Model 15, perhaps
worn but serviceable. Plenty to be found at
decent prices.

 

[Tallball]

"I recommend a 4" K-frame like a M10, 15, 19, 64 or 65. Much better grip and sights than an SP with just enough heft to tame the recoil but not be taxing on older hands and arms."


Same. I have two SP101's. I've grown to tolerate them. One has a "meh" trigger and the other one's is worse.

I have several S&W K-frame (medium frame) revolvers, and all of them are easily superior to my SP101's as far as triggers and practical accuracy goes.

I was working in the opposite direction lately, purchasing a handgun for my daughter for when she turns 21.

She also prefers revolvers. I got her this law-enforcement turn-in S&W Model 64 for $405 plus shipping and FFL. It's basically just a Model 10 in stainless steel. I put some grips on it that I had laying around, and she likes it a lot and shoots it well.

Smith and Wesson Model 64-5 38 special

• Tallball
• Jun 3, 2021

 

[DustyGmt]

"I recommend a 4" K-frame like a M10, 15, 19, 64 or 65. Much better grip and sights than an SP with just enough heft to tame the recoil but not be taxing on older hands and arms."



Same. I have two SP101's. I've grown to tolerate them. One has a "meh" trigger and the other one's is worse.

I have several S&W K-frame (medium frame) revolvers, and all of them are easily superior to my SP101's as far as triggers and practical accuracy goes.

I was working in the opposite direction lately, purchasing a handgun for my daughter for when she turns 21.

She also prefers revolvers. I got her this law-enforcement turn-in S&W Model 64 for $405 plus shipping and FFL. It's basically just a Model 10 in stainless steel. I put some grips on it that I had laying around, and she likes it a lot and shoots it well.

Smith and Wesson Model 64-5 38 special

• Tallball
• Jun 3, 2021

Hard to argue with that. S&W K frame .357, yep.

 

[DustyGmt]

I've heard this complaint about the SP101 triggers before, but I thought they were known for good accuracy, no?

But on the triggers, dry firing the snot out of it will smooth it up and improve things considerably, no?

 

[twarr1]

I'm no fan of S&W, but given what you said about the application I think a K frame would be about ideal.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I've heard this complaint about the SP101 triggers before, but I thought they were known for good accuracy, no?

But on the triggers, dry firing the snot out of it will smooth it up and improve things considerably, no?

I had a 4" rimfire SP and a 2.5" .357. You could hit a man-sized target at 10 yards, but not choose where, exactly.

Strong? Yes. Accurate? No. YMMV of course.

 

[chicharrones]

Another vote for a K frame S&W. A nice double action trigger in a mid-weight revolver.

Cosmetically challenged, but functional, K frames start at $550.00 around here. Big city pricing, I suppose.