Revolver for my 21st?

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Thlax

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I currently have a Glock23 that I love which was a gift from my father for my 20th. Now for my 21st when I can finally purchase my own handgun, I feel as though a revolver would be a smart choice. I CCW with the glock so this would not be for carry..or maybe?. I want something that's classic and practical. I don't need a "bigger the better" size or caliber.

Thoughts? Pictures would be great :)

Thanks

-D
 
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Depends on what you want it for. S&W 617 22 rimfire is great. 4 or 6 inch barrel. 6 or 10 shot. Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 357 Mag (can also shoot 38 special). Available 4 o 6 inch barrel, 6 or 7 shot capacity ( available in blue also Model 586 discontinued though). The list goes on and on. Any major manufacturer should have what you want. Go to a rental range and try a few. They are addicting though. As much as I love my 1911, revolvers hold a dear spotin my heart.
 
Will do. Thankfully I have a range close by that has everything under the sun to rent but I know nothing about good or bad revolvers so I'm looking forndirection before!
Thanks
 
I'd go with a Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum.
Plus you can also shoot 38 Special with it.
I have the 2" snubnose and carry it everywhere and love it. This beauty feels just right in my hands.
Highly recommend it.
 
A 4" 357 is about the best around, do anything handgun. GP100 or 686 would be best.
 
Go with a smith and Wesson 610 or 310. It can shoot your 40s&w or 10mm if you want a bit more
 
Wow that 310 is def. Now in the running. I'm not sure if I want to get a nice .22 to plink with or get that later and get something a little larger for my 21st. I dont need the biggest caliber biggest bang and such, I want something classic and fun to shoot possibly carry every now and then (CC)
 
Since you already have a good defense gun, why not a .22 LR revolver? It's endlessly amusing and educational as well: it will improve your marksmanship at very little outlay for ammunition. Practical? Ventilating tin cans, taking small game, pest control, teaching noobs to shoot, I'm sure you will think up uses for it.

Classic? If you want a DA, the K-frame Smiths fit that description. Among the SA types, any good thumb buster has sort of a classic air to it. I like the Ruger NM S-6. The New Bearcat is also way cool.
 
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Congratulations!

Happy Birthday!!

I am jealous. I am 67. If I were 21 again...

Anyway, I recommend going classy. Attached is a photo of 4 of my favorite, non-cowboy action revolvers; a S&W model 18 .22 and a S&W model 15, both "Combat Masterpieces" (ain't that a cool name), and a pair of Colt Diamondbacks, a .22 and .38 Special.

They are not the cheapest guns around, but to celebrate your 21st, it should be memorable.

Pick one. Or two. Or four...

Enjoy.
 

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I would look at either a 22LR or 357 Mag revolver. Excellent 22LR revolvers are available made by S&W. The classic M617 is a great 22 revolver. The M63 is also a very nice revolver in 22LR available now as a 3". I prefer Smith's in general, but Ruger makes a good DA revolver as well. My favorite Ruger is the GP-100. The 4" is probably the most versatile. I like the Smith 686 in 357 mag (mid-sized frame) and the Model 27 which has a larger N-frame.

We are talking new revolvers here.... but there are lots of choices for good used ones made by Smith, Colt, or Ruger. I would stick to those three manufactures and more than likely get either a Smith or Ruger for shooting.

I like my Glock M23 also. It has earned its reputation for reliability.
 
Get a nice Ruger or S&W snubbie in .38 or .357mag. Master shooting a DA snub revollver and everything else will be child's play.
 
A really nice find would be a mint 4" Smith & Wesson model 19 .357 magnum;
if you so desired to shoot it, you could practice with the milder .38 Specials
then load her up with L-158 grain LSWCHP's* for defense~! Just be careful,
and not feed it a steady diet of any brand 125 grain +P JHP's; as that would
wreck the weapon~! :eek: :uhoh: ;)

* FootNote - Lead Semi Wad Cutter Hollow Points
 
I turned 21 on a Thursday back in 1997. On Friday afternoon, while my new driver's license was still warm, I picked-up a LNIB blued 4" Ruger Police Service-Six .357 for $185 that had been parked for months at my LGS. One of the best firearm deals I ever made. Rugers are outstanding weapons!
 
Revolvers are great, how about a 22LR?

Great for target shooting, great for affordability of ammo.
Heck, maybe kill two birds with one stone, and get a 22 revolver. Maybe a S&W 617 with the longer barrel.

Even better, IMO, would be a classic S&W 22 revolver. See what you can find used in your area.

Personally, I think 22 autos are nicer than revolvers. No need to cock them each time to have that nice single action trigger pull.

Now, I have to add that to me, about the biggest advantage to a revolver is not having to chase brass. (I'm a hand loader, so it gets old sometimes) Simplicity and forgivingness of bad technique is also good. Revolvers don't care if they're limp-wristed, for example.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. SW looks like they'll get my business, so many great options. But I'm still torn between a .22, .357, .44, or a .40SW (bc of my G23). I'll get a .22 soon in something, maybe a ruger III...or maybe I'll want the .22 in a revolver? Maybe I'll use this a SD gun....so the .357, .44 or . 40SW? AHHHH decisions decisions.
 
If money's not an issue, get a Chiappa Rhino .357, not only is it innovative and cool, it looks plain bad ass. Sells for $700 in my local shop.

Otherwise get a 4-6in 357, quite versatile, Smith or Ruger
 
See if you can find a used Colt Diamondback, like that gentleman showed you he has. Look around a bit, take your time to look, when you find it, snatch that dude up! Best firearm you could ever want { I have a 6" Python, thats how I know!}.
 
For new you won't go wrong with either any of the S&W 586, 686 or Ruger GP100 in whatever barrel length. For something a bit older but classic any of the all steel K frame S&W's are lovely. There's lots of variety in barrel lengths and sight but I'd suggest a 4 or 6 inch barrel with adjustable sights chambered in .357 to give you some variety even if you'll shoot mostly .38Spl from it. The adjustable sights gives you more leeway in the load power to hit to POA. And of all the snubby to 6 inch versions I'd have to say that the 4 inch barrels offer up the very best compromise between a long enough sight radius and heavy barrel to soak up the recoil and being short enough that the gun has a superb balance in the hand while being short enough to conceal carry since you're in the US.

I've only got 6 inch barrels on my own S&W's. While I love them dearly I've also gotten to shoot a buddy's 4 inch version and it's just that little bit nicer due to the balance.

On the Ruger side of the used classics there's many that have enjoyed or still enjoy their Speed Six revolvers in various formats. Again these are all steel guns that deliver the goods.
 
My vote is for a Colt. DA Colt revolvers are one of the best gun investments you can make....If you can't afford a Python or Diamondback, give the MK III's, Mk V's, or King Cobras a look. They are some of the strongest mid-sized revolvers made. The good thing is your money is safe unless you grossly overpay and even then, you'd just have to hold onto it a little longer catch up.
 
Price isnt a problem with in reason. I'm 21 once and want to keep this till time stops. Just when I tried to learn about different autos now it's a whole new ball game! Guess next option now is repeat what I did with the autos....hit the range and rent any that interest me :) .....what a chore ! Ha
 
my first handgun was a ruger gp100 (which I sold, I'll never stop kicking myself). For a first revolver I would recommend something along the lines of a 357, I recommend something along the lines of a k or l frame smith or equivelant sized ruger (colts can get expensive but they're all classics). you can get model 10 smiths for fairly cheap or my personal favorite of anything in the ruger six series, I just recently got a 4" stainless service six for 350 out the door.
 
I say a J frame or Ruger SP101. You will find that u always have your j frame with you. Everyone needs a snubbie.
 
what BCRider said

CCW is not your primary criteria, "practical & classic" fairly screams S&W k-frame
19 in blue, or 66 in SS
(though a 1st cousin L frame 686 will do, if ye must have NIB)
classic = k-frame, famous for good triggers, good ergonomics
no other handgun in any caliber comes even close to the amazing versatility of the 38/357 revolver
load a 38 wadcutter in chamber #1, a 38 SWC in chamber #2, a 38 sp in chamber #3, a 38+P in chamber #4, and a couple of 158 gr 357s in #5 & 6, you will find what you like in a hurry (most probably 'all of the above')

though a nice Ruger "Six", it must be fairly said, also stands up to same criteria
(or a GP100 if ye must have NIB)

hard to go wrong with any full size, all steel 357, when you get right down to it
 
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