I have decided that I want a revolver as my first CCW, and depending on my ability to shoot, I will choose either 38 or 45. I don't see magnums as practical on the street or good from a legal standpoint. Maybe y'all can convince me otherwise. But for 38 and 45, what are good 4" steel revolvers? I'd prefer to avoid Taurus...
Revolver considerations
- Thread starter Kylaen
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jleyring
Member
Ive always been a big fan of Ruger. S&W makes a great revolver also. I know you said you dont want magnums but i would consider getting the 357 mag because you can shoot 38's also. And if you ever want to upgrade for a certain circumstance you will have that option to go bigger.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
The very best thing I could think of for a new revolver shooter would be one of the S&W Model 64s that some of the big retailers are selling for "pennies."
The model 64 is the stainless steel version of the old, venerated Model 10. It is a 4" .38 Special, and the ones coming up for sale were trade-ins from security companies and armed guards. They were generally carried a lot and shot very little. Wonderful guns and a STEAL at something around $250. (Whoops! $239 right now at J&G!)
Most of them are double-action-only, which is just perfect for a carry revolver.
Take a look: http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...tion/manufacturers_id/30/products_id/2441?SID
Just about perfect!
The model 64 is the stainless steel version of the old, venerated Model 10. It is a 4" .38 Special, and the ones coming up for sale were trade-ins from security companies and armed guards. They were generally carried a lot and shot very little. Wonderful guns and a STEAL at something around $250. (Whoops! $239 right now at J&G!)
Most of them are double-action-only, which is just perfect for a carry revolver.
Take a look: http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...tion/manufacturers_id/30/products_id/2441?SID
Just about perfect!
hardluk1
member
Check out shotgun news . One of the bigger company adds in it has some s&w model 64's for around 240+or- and they are bobbed hammers ,round but ,rubber grips with 4" barrels. These would make a first class shooter nd make great revolver. They are seldom shot but carred alot security company handguns.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
If you want a .45 cal revolver you'll have to be specific. There are .45 ACP revolvers, .45 Colt revolvers, .454 Casull revolvers, and the .460 Mag which is actually a .45 as well.
The most common .45 ACP revolver is the S&W 625 (or 325 or Model 22, or the old Model of 1917) which is based on the large "N" frame and which holds six .45 ACP rounds in a "moon clip" which supports the rimless cases so that they all load and eject together.
The Model 25 is available in .45 Colt.
The huge "X" frame .460 will shoot the .454 or .460 Mag, but those aren't carry guns for a beginner.
All of these will be a bit larger and heavier than a "K" framed .38.
The most common .45 ACP revolver is the S&W 625 (or 325 or Model 22, or the old Model of 1917) which is based on the large "N" frame and which holds six .45 ACP rounds in a "moon clip" which supports the rimless cases so that they all load and eject together.
The Model 25 is available in .45 Colt.
The huge "X" frame .460 will shoot the .454 or .460 Mag, but those aren't carry guns for a beginner.
All of these will be a bit larger and heavier than a "K" framed .38.
Wolfeye
Member
Among the 4" .38's I know of, ones I've considered recently are Ruger's GP100 and Smith & Wesson's 620. They're both reliable, with the GP100 being the cheaper one. A 4" steel revolver is a bit big for most types of carry, but I do it occasionally.
Personally I lean towards the GP100; I own the smaller Ruger SP101 and S&W 642, and the Ruger seems better built, but that's my taste - Ruger makes their guns a little tougher while Smith makes theirs more elegant. The SP101 and S&W 640 are good choices if you're looking for something compact. (The 642 is basically the aluminum version of the 640.)
Most of these guns are all chambered for .357 magnum, technically. Finding a model that only shoots specials is a little harder.
Not too many 4" double-action revolvers come in .45. You mean .45 colt, right?. Ruger's Redhawk and S&W's 625 Mountain Gun are the only ones I can think of that are currently made. As far as stopping power's concerned, either .38+p or standard pressure .45 colt would do fine.
If I wanted a steel CCW revolver with a decently long barrel, I'd probably go with either a 3" Ruger SP101 or 3" S&W model 60. A larger revolver would weigh me down unless it was just for a day or two.
Personally I lean towards the GP100; I own the smaller Ruger SP101 and S&W 642, and the Ruger seems better built, but that's my taste - Ruger makes their guns a little tougher while Smith makes theirs more elegant. The SP101 and S&W 640 are good choices if you're looking for something compact. (The 642 is basically the aluminum version of the 640.)
Most of these guns are all chambered for .357 magnum, technically. Finding a model that only shoots specials is a little harder.
Not too many 4" double-action revolvers come in .45. You mean .45 colt, right?. Ruger's Redhawk and S&W's 625 Mountain Gun are the only ones I can think of that are currently made. As far as stopping power's concerned, either .38+p or standard pressure .45 colt would do fine.
If I wanted a steel CCW revolver with a decently long barrel, I'd probably go with either a 3" Ruger SP101 or 3" S&W model 60. A larger revolver would weigh me down unless it was just for a day or two.
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