Revolver recommendation for new owner
- Thread starter JJ Waco
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35 Whelen
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My first revolver was (and is) a 4" Ruger Security Six .357. Tough as nails, accurate, relatively inexpensive and shoots .38's.
There are of course many other good choices out there.
Good luck!
35W
There are of course many other good choices out there.
Good luck!
35W
recommendation for new owner
Hi everybody. I posted this in the revolver thread, and I guess I'll post it here as well. I'll be turning 21 in a couple months, and I am planning on purchasing a handgun. Can anyone recommend a good, relatively cheap revolver? (<$600) Or just a good handgun for home defense in general?
Hi everybody. I posted this in the revolver thread, and I guess I'll post it here as well. I'll be turning 21 in a couple months, and I am planning on purchasing a handgun. Can anyone recommend a good, relatively cheap revolver? (<$600) Or just a good handgun for home defense in general?
tyeo098
Member
Taurus 85
BrotherFrankie
Member
ruger sp101
nice stainless revolver snubby, 3inch or 4...
will last a lifetime and will feel like a family heirloom the day you first hold it...
but thats just my opinion..
be safe and happy birthday ahead of time..
nice stainless revolver snubby, 3inch or 4...
will last a lifetime and will feel like a family heirloom the day you first hold it...
but thats just my opinion..
be safe and happy birthday ahead of time..
Jorg Nysgerrig
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Please don't crosspost. I've combined your threads into one here.
Thanks.
Thanks.
35 Whelen
Member
Disregard. Just checked Security Six's and they're not relatively inexpensive any more....
22-rimfire
Member
I would suggest you get a 22 revolver and totally ignore all of the Taurus offerings in that caliber. Great caliber to learn to shoot and have fun.
The choice depends on many things. Budget, use, preference for single or double action, etc. Generally speaking, your urban carry gun will likely be different from your range gun.
The choice depends on many things. Budget, use, preference for single or double action, etc. Generally speaking, your urban carry gun will likely be different from your range gun.
.455_Hunter
Member
On my 21st B Day in the late 90's, I went straight from the driver license office to the gun shop and bought an almost NIB 4" blued Ruger Police Service-Six in .357 for $189. I had been ogling it for several months, and I think the shop kept it "hidden" just for me!
The bar came later that night...
Such Ruger's are still available, just for more money nowadays. A used GP-100 would be great, especially with the older style rubber and wood grips. The new guns with Houge grips are an abomination.
My Service-Six will never get sold for three reasons:
1. It was "my" first handgun.
2. The gun is excellent in its own right.
3. It figured prominently in one of my families' two defensive shooting incidents.
Good luck in your search!
The bar came later that night...
Such Ruger's are still available, just for more money nowadays. A used GP-100 would be great, especially with the older style rubber and wood grips. The new guns with Houge grips are an abomination.
My Service-Six will never get sold for three reasons:
1. It was "my" first handgun.
2. The gun is excellent in its own right.
3. It figured prominently in one of my families' two defensive shooting incidents.
Good luck in your search!
Last edited:
Sergei Mosin
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My advice on Taurus revolvers is - don't.
Under $600, the best revolver you're likely to find is a Ruger of some sort or perhaps a used S&W. A specific recommendation depends on exactly what you want this revolver to do. If you're not used to shooting handguns, I would caution you against a snubnose - they are not for beginners. I tried a couple when I was new to handguns a few years ago and it wasn't a good experience - recoil, blast, etc. Now, some years and thousands of rounds later, I'm fine with them.
I guess if I were to make a specific recommendation, it would be a 4-inch Ruger GP100 in .357 Magnum - it's a solid general purpose revolver and a lot of gun for the money.
Under $600, the best revolver you're likely to find is a Ruger of some sort or perhaps a used S&W. A specific recommendation depends on exactly what you want this revolver to do. If you're not used to shooting handguns, I would caution you against a snubnose - they are not for beginners. I tried a couple when I was new to handguns a few years ago and it wasn't a good experience - recoil, blast, etc. Now, some years and thousands of rounds later, I'm fine with them.
I guess if I were to make a specific recommendation, it would be a 4-inch Ruger GP100 in .357 Magnum - it's a solid general purpose revolver and a lot of gun for the money.
rswartsell
Member
Smith and Wesson Model 10. Build from there. You cannot go wrong with this. The Ruger Security and Service Sixes are also good recommendations. The most economical "good decision" is probably the S&W .38 spl. Mod 10.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Don't be afraid to check out J&G Sales, CDNN, and possibly other on-line sellers. They often have security company trade-in S&W revolvers for VERY good deals.
The most common is a 4" barrel Model 64 (the stainless version of the most classic Model 10), K-frame .38 Special -- usually available for under $300. Those guns were carried a lot and shot very little, it seems. They'll still be great when you pass them on to your grand kids. They're usually converted to DAO, which is fine for the sorts of things you'd use a 4" .38 Special for. (Carry, defense, IDPA, and good range practice.)
That's a whole lot cheaper than any new quality revolver. You can indeed try a Taurus or Rossi or Charter for relatively little money, but you can often tell why you paid less than other new guns.
The most common is a 4" barrel Model 64 (the stainless version of the most classic Model 10), K-frame .38 Special -- usually available for under $300. Those guns were carried a lot and shot very little, it seems. They'll still be great when you pass them on to your grand kids. They're usually converted to DAO, which is fine for the sorts of things you'd use a 4" .38 Special for. (Carry, defense, IDPA, and good range practice.)
That's a whole lot cheaper than any new quality revolver. You can indeed try a Taurus or Rossi or Charter for relatively little money, but you can often tell why you paid less than other new guns.
Madcap_Magician
Member
Police trade-in revolvers can still be had in good condition for under $400. K-frame Smiths are probably the most common. For $400 or so you can get an excellent Ruger Six-series (Security, Service, or Speed Six). For $600 you might even be able to get a nice S&W K or L frame new.
The k-frame size like the S&W 19/66, 10/64, and the Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six. IMO this 4" (service length) k-frame size is ideal.
They make a great first and last revolver. Everything about them just feels right:
They make a great first and last revolver. Everything about them just feels right:
- balance
- weight
- size
- recoil
Hi,
The cheapest revolver, in the long run, and also one of the most accurate is the S&W Model 617 in .22LR.
1. Sure, they seem "expensive" but few sell them and they command really good prices if you ever consider selling it! After a few years they generally command MORE money than you paid for it on the used market!
2. CHEAPEST? Well . . . if you plan on shooting your first handgun a lot you'll quickly discover that the highest expense in owning a revolver is FEEDING it! Yep, the guns are relatively "cheap," its the ammo that is very expensive. However, .22LR ammo is dirt cheap and you can shoot all day long and not run out of a box of 550 or so!
3. TECHNIQUE . . . A soft kicking .22LR handgun is the best way to learn proper technique WITHOUT developing a bad flinch from the nasty recoil of most centerfire handguns! If everyone would start on a .22 we'd have a lot of really great handgun shooters in the world, instead Mr. Macho wants a hand cannon to learn on. Not smart!
Food for thought!
The cheapest revolver, in the long run, and also one of the most accurate is the S&W Model 617 in .22LR.
1. Sure, they seem "expensive" but few sell them and they command really good prices if you ever consider selling it! After a few years they generally command MORE money than you paid for it on the used market!
2. CHEAPEST? Well . . . if you plan on shooting your first handgun a lot you'll quickly discover that the highest expense in owning a revolver is FEEDING it! Yep, the guns are relatively "cheap," its the ammo that is very expensive. However, .22LR ammo is dirt cheap and you can shoot all day long and not run out of a box of 550 or so!
3. TECHNIQUE . . . A soft kicking .22LR handgun is the best way to learn proper technique WITHOUT developing a bad flinch from the nasty recoil of most centerfire handguns! If everyone would start on a .22 we'd have a lot of really great handgun shooters in the world, instead Mr. Macho wants a hand cannon to learn on. Not smart!
Food for thought!
bannockburn
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I would look for a nicely used S&W K frame that fit your budget and your needs.
hAkron
Member
A great first revolver, in my opinion would be a used 4" 357 with adjustable sights. For example a Ruger GP-100, Dan Wesson 15-2, S&W 686, 66, or 19.
For most people a 4" is a good comprimse between balance and accuracy. 357 revolvers are very versital in that you can shoot anything from very tame 38 special loads all the way to heavy duty blow your hair back 357 loads. It's also a very forgiving cartridge should you decide to get into assembling your own ammo/reloading.
Adjustable sights are great too because they allow you a lot of flexibility with ammo that doesn't shoot to point of aim, and some can be swapped out for either high visibility fiber optic sights, or even tritium night sights.
A 4" can be carried about as easily as a full sized semi auto too which makes it a very practical gun.
When the gun buying panic dies down, you can find excellent examples of the guns I've listed for between $400-$500.
For most people a 4" is a good comprimse between balance and accuracy. 357 revolvers are very versital in that you can shoot anything from very tame 38 special loads all the way to heavy duty blow your hair back 357 loads. It's also a very forgiving cartridge should you decide to get into assembling your own ammo/reloading.
Adjustable sights are great too because they allow you a lot of flexibility with ammo that doesn't shoot to point of aim, and some can be swapped out for either high visibility fiber optic sights, or even tritium night sights.
A 4" can be carried about as easily as a full sized semi auto too which makes it a very practical gun.
When the gun buying panic dies down, you can find excellent examples of the guns I've listed for between $400-$500.
Westfair
Member
My favorite revolver over the years has a been the S&W 686. If I were to purchase a wheelgun today, it would most likely be the 686+ for seven round capacity.
Great for light paper target shooting with .38 specials or really putting holes in steel (or badguys) with .357.
Like hAkron said, a 4" is a good all around size for carry.
Great for light paper target shooting with .38 specials or really putting holes in steel (or badguys) with .357.
Like hAkron said, a 4" is a good all around size for carry.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Taurus - 85 and 605 are good and I carry them. That said, My Ruger Police service six that was my duty gun in the 80's see's equal carry time with a SS SP101 snub.
farm23
Member
I second the 22lr idea. You need to become proficient and a 22 is the least expensive way. As you learn how to shoot you can be looking around for your 2nd gun. The most popular is 38/357 and there are a lot of good used ones on the market. I prefer big holes so I would go with a 44 or 45 but the ammo is expensive and that may not be your best bet for the 2nd gun.
I'd say a Smith and Wesson Model 10 or 64 and a Lee reloading set to go with it. You can find these revolvers in great working condition for around $350 and a Lee setup isn't going to cost much more than another hundred. I have the handpress and I've loaded several thousand plinking rounds with it.
22-rimfire
Member
Didn't see the budget due to the merged threads. Here goes... My personal suggestion would be a 4" Ruger GP-100 in 357 mag and I would load it with 38 spl's for home defense. But I think it is better to learn to shoot with a 22 revolver and with a budget of $600, you could buy a quality used S&W M17 or M617 (both 22's) if you look around a little.
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