Searching for a new Revolver, any suggestions?

[dust_101]

Greetings folks, I am looking to purchase a new (to me) revolver in the coming months. I have been on a big 1911 kick for a few years now, and want to get back to the other side of the fence. I currently have a S&W 642, and my first handgun I ever owned, a Colt Official Police 4" barrel .38 Special. With both of those being in .38 Spec I find I can take them both to the range with a regular old whitebox and just blaze away, I would like to still be able to do that, but it is not a requirement.

What I am looking for is a revolver that just says "I AM A REVOLVER" with no messing around. I would prefer to find something in stainless but blued is totally acceptable, a nice sized barrel is a must, and the caliber must be .38 Special, no smaller. I prefer a SA/DA with an exposed hammer, and this will be taken to the range so usable sights are required.

I am open to larger calibers, .357 or .44 Magnum, .45ACP is always a nice option, but not the large bore hog hunting .454 Casull and the like. I am open to most all makers, since I have S&W and Colt, it can be from those families or it could be almost any other brand as long as it is a reliable, well timed, and tight revolver.

I would love to keep the price in the neighborhood of $600 +/- as I may be doing a trade-in with one of my bone stock 1927 Sistema (1911A1) pistols.

So let's hear it, what would you suggest? If you need more info to narrow the search, let me know. Also, if you have something that you really enjoy and suggest, why, any specific reasons?

 

[RugerDoug]

I have both the GP100 3 inch fixed sight and 4 inch adjustable sight models.
The 3 inch I use for hiking, woods carry and load with .357 magnum rounds. My preference in that kind of revolver is fixed sights. Of course others like adjustable.

My 4 inch revolver I keep loaded with .38's for home defense.

Colt, Smith and Ruger all good models in what you might be looking for.

 

[jbauch357]

I have a Ruger GP100 4" adjustable sight model - it's been great and in my experience very accurate.

I don't think you could go wrong if you picked up a 6" GP100 in .357 mag.

 

[MrBorland]

What I am looking for is a revolver that just says "I AM A REVOLVER" with no messing around.

IMO, nothing says this more than a 3" S&W K-frame with fixed sights, such as a Model 65.

If it's for range use, though, you might want adjustable sights and a bit longer barrel, so a 4" Model 19, or it's stainless counterpart, a Model 66, fits this description as well.

Or a 686, 585, 625, 29, Ruger GP100...

You have lots of choices. Methinks you'll get lots of opinions.

 

[foghornl]

Ruger GP100 stainless in either 4" or 6"....whichever spins your fan.

Not as familiar with S&W's offerings, but you could find something there, too.

 

[dust_101]

You have lots of choices. Methinks you'll get lots of opinions.

I figured as much, but as you put in your post, the longer barrel may be my best option... which should limit things a little bit. Since I have the 642 snubbie, I've got that part covered (love that pocket gun, LOVE it) but this will be more of a range/paper/bowling pin puncher. My Colt Official Police has the fixed sights, which I am used to, so adjustable may be a good option to try on this one.

I also love hearing everyone's thoughts on it, and especially the why... it's like walking into our local shop, having it filled with thousands of fellow gun owners and asking them why they like 'gun XYZ'. It allows a better slice of the public than actually going into a shop and getting the run around by a sales person.

 

[BADUNAME37]

6" S&W (I believe the model is 686). It would be a .357 Magnum.
I used to own one and reload for it. It was a tack-driver and pleasant to shoot with rubber Pachmayr grips.

 

[dust_101]

Oh, and as I read on a sig line, yes I am perfectly willing to buy a 'used' revolver... so if instead of a 686 someone happens to think a 19-3 is a better choice (for example) that is always an option.

 

[18DAI]

A pre lock K-frame S&W is a great choice. Try a pre lock model 66, you will be glad you did.

My 66-3 4" shoots like a laser rifle.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

Ruger GP100 stainless in either 4" or 6"

This ^

Check out the 5" models offered by several different vendors

 

[Shootfire]

I've always been a semi-auto guy but after shooting some friends' revolvers at the range, i finally decided to buy one! I took this one to the range yeasetrday and had a blast with it! It shoots well, even with the 2-3/4" barrel.

It's a Smith 325 Nightguard in .45 ACP.

[/IMG]

 

[wyocarp]

This is one of the best revolvers that I have bought this past year. It is a Smith & Wesson .44 magnum Stealth Hunter. I know, it is a lot higher than your suggested price of 600, but well worth the money.

 

[Shear_stress]

The S&W Highway Patrolman is just about the gunniest gun that ever gunned.

 

[Wolfeye]

Smith's model 686SSR says "I am a revolver" to me, though it's pricey. A good workhorse range gun might be a Ruger GP100, though I think it's more likely to say "I am a tank". Another shootable gun with a lot of presence would be a model 627.

 

[krs]

Shootfire, you done me wrong!!

That particular model has been on my mind a lot lately but I've never seen one so clearly as now, AND I know where there's one for sale.

Is that a nick in the finish at the trigger stud? If so I guess that the black finish they've used on the NightGuard pistols is the same as the black on a 442 that wears too easily and apparently nicks off too? I'd been hoping they had used something more durable on the pricier revolvers.

 

[krs]

Dust101, how does this revolver strike you?



It's a .44 mag, 5", called 'Classic' 629. It falls around your price point - sells new at discount for around $700. MSRP at $1025. or so. This is very lightly used as in less than a box of specials. I have it, but I have no point in having it if that makes sense, and I don't load the caliber or want to start.

If you like something like this, I like Systema's - depending on the systema.

 

[dust_101]

*looking over my shoulder*

Ok.. krs where are you? Are you following me or something?

Seriously. I was *just* looking, I mean within the last 20 minutes at both a 629 and a 686 to get a feel for both. The 629 might have been a 'Classic' or ... maybe it was a 629-5, but it had a scope mounted on it. I think I am really liking the way the Steel Smiths feel. Makes my 642 feel like a balsa wood airplane (in every good sense of the word).

Although, that 325 Nightguard just looks mean. If it only had pinstriped flames on the sides, it would then take on a life of its own.

krs, I'll drop you a PM later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[BHP FAN]

That 325 Nightguard looks like my 1917'S evil son,gone over to the Dark Side!That is so freaking cool!

 

[skoro]

I have a bunch of revolvers. The ones that are a real pleasure to shoot are the k-frame S&W in .38 or .357 w/ a 4" barrel. That would be the Model 10 (or 64 in SS) for .38 or the Model 13 (or 65 in SS) in .357. They're easily found used at decent prices. Very easy to shoot these accurately and they're also very comfortable in the hand. It's no accident that these were the standard issue service revolver in most law enforcement agencies around the country for half a century.

They're simple, easy to shoot well, and they hold up to punishment. To me, they're THE classic revolver.

 

[.66Cal.]

Sbh .44

 

[BamaHoosier]

I love my S&W Mod.66-2;too bad they don't make them anymore.Macho Magnum in Minimum Space.Searched awhile to find mine,but well worth the wait.S&W Rocks!

 

[shooter429]

Ruger GP100 4" SS, AS

They are very durable accurate, affordable, easy to shoot well and will take a lickin and keep on tickin. The new grips are great! The actions are now as good as Smith and Wesson. I just cannot say enough good stuff about them. Get one! It is by far the best wheelgun value out there, and just perhaps the best wheelgun there is period.

Shooter429

 

[the foot]

I love my S&W Mod. 19, .357.

Also, nobody has mentioned the Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag; the revolver is heavy but very accurate. That gun has dropped whitetails for me, also is accurate and a pleasure to shoot at the range with reduced loads.

 

[sidheshooter]

All of the above look good to me.

That said, I give–as others have mentioned–a slight nod to the K-frame S&W in 3-inch form as "the classic DA revolver".

Not that there is anything wrong with bigger frames (have 'em). Or 4-inch barrels (shot LFI-1 with a 4-inch K-frame mod 64). Or Ruger GP 100s (had two. Should have kept at least one. I'd take the GP in either 3 or 4 inch, no prob....)

But K frames are awfully endearing sidearms. I have a police trade-in 3-inch model 65 that works great with anything from light 148 38 cheapo rounds to thumping .357 rounds. If I had none of my current wheelies, and I had to start from scratch, I'd look for a used 65 (or 13, I don't mind blue).

Seemingly endless options for holsters, ammo (including all that white box .38 spec in your basement), grips... you name it; up to, and including, almost endless options for competent gunsmithing to spruce the S&W wheelies up.

Yeah, those 65s are real peaches.

 

[Oro]

The S&W Highway Patrolman is just about the gunniest gun that ever gunned.

+1 on that, and cleverly stated. It really meets your goal of "I AM A REVOLVER" w/o messing about. Matte finish, massively strong, seriously mean look. GREAT shooter, often superbly well built (Python quality on some, except for finish). I had one a while, and sold it to fund a S&W 27 (it's gussied-up, highly-finished sister). The 28 was mechanically the better gun. The 27 is now my favorite revolver, but that 28 just said "business." I actually started a thread about that two years ago or so on that subject. A really, really excellent used one can be had for $400 to $450 on a good deal. CDNN has some LE turn in guns right now for $479 I believe.

It will share .38 special ammo with your two revolvers, and it will launch the hottest .357 you can load or buy (within saami spec) without a problem. I regret selling mine now, and will pick up another one someday when a clean one comes along. It came in 6" and 4", the 4" is more common and a very practical choice without sacrificing any meaningful performance in my opinion.

I also really like k frame .38s and .357 and have several of each. I also like L frames and have a few, and .44's. But the 28 just fits exactly what you described, and was immediately what I thought of even before seeing Shear_stress's comment. My second pick after the 28 would be the S&W 686/586 in 4".

As a rule, LE sidearms tend to fit the description you presented - no nonsense, utterly reliable, shooting machines. The 28 and 686 were two of the best-ever wheelguns in that regard. There is no one now making guns like that anymore - the current variation of the 686 model included.

PS - if you want a nice 28, pm me and I can find you an excellent one or two likely among my friends/acquaintances, (perhaps even one of my really nice ones I sold) and trade towards the Sistema. I have a number of 1911's also and have been looking for a clean Sistema. Or consider a sale?