Revolver suggestions for an auto fan

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bear71

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I'd like to put two or three revolvers on my short list. I own several autos and literally spent years researching them and spent some decent cash on books learning about which models would be most desireable and suitable for me. Many of the books I have address revolvers as well so with suggestions I can research them further rather than researching every revolver ever made which is kinda what I did with the autos.

Most auto shooters can somewhat agree on a short list of the best autos,
Can revolver shooters agree on a top five list of models that are the most desireable and what might they be.

No need to ask what they are for, defense, display, conceal, etc. I want a couple three just to have them and to learn to shoot them.

From the research I've started, my criteria would be:

DA with exposed hammer for SA option
readily available on the used market
Chambered for .357 or .38 Special
No ultralight pocket guns, no 10" barreled monsters.
Pretty much want to go with Smith and Wesson.
Thinking 3-4" on the .38 and 6" on the .357
Limit collection to no more than three. Preferably two.

So in essence, the two or three must have S&W revolvers without being to specialized or too powerful.
 
I REALLY Like....

S&W N frames with the exception of anything in 44 mag. (Here we go!).

I built a 3" barrelled round-butt out of a S&W model 1917 (.45ACP) and absolutely love to shoot it. It also carrys surprisingly well. The .45 ACP cartridge is arguably the best self defence round out there. Lots of power without the Magnum punishment to the shooter, hence practice is actually fun. Full moon clips work awesome, with ammo loading as fast as a magazine with practice. Plus its an indestructible N-frame S&W. I carry mine loaded with 230 grain Hydra Shocks. With a wheel gun, you only get six rounds, but you get them everytime.
JMO, Hunter
 
Model 66 or 686 with 4 inch pipe, there you go. Classic .357 Magnum right there. Shouldn't cost too much used either.
 
+1 for the S&W Model 66 with a 4" barrel. The perfect first revolver. A 5" Model 27 is good also. So is the old Ruger Security Six.

IMO a Model 15 or Model 19 will do nearly as well as the stainless Mod 66. The Mod. 15s are still reasonably priced.
 
I think you are going to get a LOT of feedback with this thread lol. Fact is, there are many fine choices to pick from so just go with what fits you best and what YOU like the best. Personally, I think Euclidean is dead on with either the 66 or 686....just note that the 66 is on a K frame and the 686 is on an L frame (a little beefier)...see which fits your hand the best and what feels right.....perhaps you'd be more comfortable with the even larger N frame...it's purely subjective really. When you find the right one, you'll know ;) I would also suggest considering a .22 as one of your choices ...perhaps a 617 or K22, they are hard to beat when it comes to learning/training with a DA revolver. Good luck and enjoy !!!
 
My vote is for a combination. A 66 4" probably primarily for .38s ( but nice to shoot the .357s when you choose to), and a 686 6" for the .357s. This is the setup I have, having bought these for much the same reasons as yourself and with much same guidelines. Especially considering I'm primarily an auto fan, I'd say my thoughts were much the same then as yours are now. Recently, Ive been seriously considering adding a .44 mag to my stable ... after having shot the 66 and the 686 for awhile It would be fair to say I'm as much a revolver fan as I was an auto fan nowadays.
 
If you're looking new, I only like one current production 357 wheelgun....the ones from RUGER - either the GP100 or SP 101. Robust, accurate & reliable and for me, the big plus is NO extra locking device on the frame as found on the Tauri & the S&W's
 
Another vote for the 686, try if you can to find an older one as they are becoming more and more desirable. A 6" would be a great range gun.
Another good option is a 6" Ruger GP100, they are fairly inexpensive (not cheap), overbuilt and will last a lifetime or two.
With that said, if you are an auto guy you probably already like the .45ACP, you HAVE to try in an N frame like the 625. This is a ton of fun...
 
Simple.
An "Auto Fan" must have at least 1 1911, right? The next step is a Colt or S&W 1917. My "Brazilian" S&W is now one of my favorites, goes to the range almost every trip. As a matter of fact, went today and I just finished her bath.
 
The Model 15 (67 in stainless) is a nice .38 Spl. It has a heavy (but the ejector rod is unshrouded) barrel, usually four-inch (although two-inchers have also been made), with adjustable sights.

The Model 19 (usually in blue or sometimes nickel, or the 66 in stainless) is a .357 Magnum on the same (K/medium) frame as the M15, in 2 1/2", 4" and 6" barrels with an ejector rod shroud and adjustable sights. I personally think the snubnose is very attractive, but its ejector rod is short and does not fully eject magnum cases. I suggest looking for an older one with a barrel pin and recessed/countersunk chambers. These evoke a time period when these revolvers were built without regard to cost. Both of the above were very popular police sidearms.

On the larger L (a "light heavyweight") frame there are the Models 586 (blue) and 686 (stainless). These are more durable if you plant to shoot an immense number of nothing but magnum loads through them.

On the largest (N) frame, there are the Models 27 and 28. Barrel lengths on these range from 3 1/2" to 8 3/8". The 27 is blued or nickeled, the 28 is matte blued.

Sure there's no room in your collection for a Colt Python? ;)
 
The short list for me is this short Ruger GP100.
S&W are out of my budget, Taurus is Ok but, Rugers are Great Quality for the price. I could not be more pleased that I bought a Used Ruger instead of a new Taurus. The only advantage Taurus has is you can still get an 8 Inch Bbl on one of their .357 Models without breaking the bank. Ruger only has Cowboy Guns that long and S&W is way out of my price league on Long Barreld Revolvers.
 
Smith & Wesson:

1) 686
2) 19
3) 28

I don't know how you can go wrong with any of them.
 
Violates the "used" thing, but a 620 is an AMAZING gun. Great grips, easily controlled .357 full-house loads (one handed, no less), perfect balance, half-underlug barrel, adjust. sights, L-frame, and has 7 shots. Very crisp trigger came on mine. I cannot recommend it enough. 4" bbl, too.

Model 1917
 
Used Smiths.

K frame S&W model 66 stainless or Model 19 blued/nickle 4 inch adjustable sights.
Mdl19Nickle.jpg

You can shoot all the .38's you can afford, and all the normal .357's you want in this one.



N frame S&W model 28 (matte blue) workhorse 6inch bbl
Mdl28.jpg


or you could search out a Mdl 27 6 inch bbl beautiful blued BBQ gun

You can shoot all but the very hottests .357's in the N frames and so can your grand kids.
 
Wow! That is a resounding agreement on the 686 and the 66. That was precisely what I was looking for. Thank you to all for making me smarter and getting me off on the right track.

The time that I will save granted by the fine people on this thread will go to my wife and children which will actually put me alot closer to actually acquiring the handguns. Happy wife means fuller vault! Alot of you guys know that.

To be able to research a very small group of revolvers that most agreed on is great. I'll get my hands on them, feel what's good and will post a couple threads regarding the specifics of the 686 and the 66 in the near future.

Thanks
 
Gee, no .45 ACP on the list? I would have suggested a 625, esp. a Jerry Mikulek. But I can also suggest the 14 or 15 in .38 spl., both being quite accurate and reliable. The blueing in the older S&W revolvers are beautiful guns.
 
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